Putting the Capital "O" in Opportunist

Q: What trait does Jonathan Chait find appealing in a candidate?

A: Being an opportunist.

When it comes to back stabbing crapweasels we all know Charlie Crist is the man.

…Charlie Crist, who's veering sharply leftward in an attempt to win a Senate election, is becoming another favorite:

Mr. Crist has made other policy shifts. Despite pledging as a Republican to help repeal President Obama's health-care overhaul, Mr. Crist now says he does not support such a move. He has long called himself "pro-life," doing so even in the interview last week. He is now quick to add that while he personally opposes abortion, he would not seek to overturn Roe v. Wade and supports abortion rights.

He came out last year in opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, but now says that he "probably" took that position because he felt pressure from the GOP primary. Asked if he felt differently now, he said: "Perhaps."

"I want to do what is in my heart," Mr. Crist said last week. "But other influences have some effect, to a degree."

I think it actually takes real guts to admit something like this…

I suspect that what Crist really wants to do in his heart is play Eliza Doolittle on Broadway but since the gig is not currently up for grabs he seems content to take his one man show “Screw Florida” on the road to DC.

Ezra Klein also seems to support Charlie “Chameleon” Crist:

American voters (and pundits, and activists) seem a bit confused on this point: It's not clear whether they want politicians to lead or to follow. But it would probably be useful for politicians if we were clearer on this point. As it is, we actually do enable a lot of opportunism as politicians who hold unpopular views nobly remind us that leadership isn't about polls while the same politicians, when they have popular positions, tell us about how unpopular their opponent's stance on the issue is.

Klein’s thought is a little hard to follow but I think he is saying that it is okay to flip flop on every single issue so long as when the candidate lands they are firmly on the left side of the issue. Again, Crist qualifies with spades.

In any case, birds of a feather. Chait and Klein are Charlie’s new best friends. That tells me everything I need to know.