Betrayal: Sen. George LeMieux Says He'll Support Rubio over Crist

Talk about betrayal! Sen. George LeMieux says the he'll support the Republican nominee over his old friend Charlie Crist: "I will support our Republican nominee and will continue to do everything I can both in Florida and across the country to increase the number of Republicans in the United States Senate."A...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

April 30, 2010

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Talk about betrayal! Sen. George LeMieux says the he'll support the Republican nominee over his old friend Charlie Crist: "I will support our Republican nominee and will continue to do everything I can both in Florida and across the country to increase the number of Republicans in the United States Senate."

A current Republican senator saying he'll support the Republican nominee wouldn't be notable, except for the fact that LeMieux was appointed to the seat by Crist and was Crist's chief of staff and was one of his closest friends and political allies. In fact, when Crist appointed LeMieux every one knew it was because LeMieux would keep the seat warm for Charlie as he ran for it.

LeMieux was the chief of staff in Crist's Attorney General's office, and then ran Crist's campaign for governor. In fact, he's the guy who decided to pull Charlie out of a campaign appearance with then-president George W. Bush. He then became chief of staff in the Governor's office, returned shortly to the private sector, and then was appointed Senator.

We think we know what this means: LeMieux is putting politics above personal friendship and is positioning himself to run for Senate out right in 2012 against Bill Nelson (assuming he doesn't retire).

Here's LeMieux full statement:

"I am saddened that my friend, Governor Crist, has decided to leave the Republican Party.

"Our friendship runs deep, but my commitment to the principles of the Republican Party runs deeper.

"I cannot walk down the path he has chosen. Now more than ever, our nation's future depends on our ability to uphold the core Republican ideals of fiscal restraint, peace through strength, individual liberty, personal responsibility and smaller government.

"I will support our Republican nominee and will continue to do everything I can both in Florida and across the country to increase the number of Republicans in the United States Senate."

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