Politics

Charlie Crist used as smear in new Florida attack ad

Jeff Winkler Contributor
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Just how toxic is Charlie Crist?

Almost two years after his fumbled Florida senate bid against red-blooded Republican Marco Rubio, attack ads can be built around even a mere association with the former governor.

Florida State Representative Adam Hasner, who’s angling for a national promotion with a Senate seat , released an ad today linking opponent George LeMieux with the most recent Florida political tragedy, Crist. The clever, bait-and-switch ad highlights some very un-Republican positions while panning up on an image of Crist, only to have the camera pull away showing LeMieux in a close embrace with the former governor and the revelation that the positions are of the current senatorial candidate.

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The picture — showing LeMieux in a near-cheek-kiss with Crist — is as subtle as a quietly and expertly twisted prison shank in an already swift turf war.

While the Washington Post has already asked if Hasner is “the next Marco Rubio?” his team is still sensitive to accusation of less-than-conservative bona fides. Hasner, LeMieux and the third opponent, Mike Haridopolos, have been in a pissing match to convince Republican primary voters which one is more conservative. According to the St. Petersburg Times, the ad comes in the wake of LeMieux’s attempt to label Hasner “moderate.”

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