Crist Tacking Left

Charlie Crist used to be a fairly moderate Republican. Then instead of that reputation for moderation making him a shoo-in to win the 2010 Florida Senate election, it made him an increasing underdog in the 2010 Florida Senate Republican primary. Consequently, he ended up ditching the GOP and running as an independent. Now via Jon Chait, it seems that Crist’s strategy is increasingly to tack to the left in an effort to get Florida progressives to back him:

Mr. Crist this year vetoed an education bill and an abortion bill sent to him by the legislature, which won him praise from many teachers and liberal women’s groups. Now, in calling a special legislative session to discuss a state-constitution ban on oil drilling in state waters, he is gambling that voters will see him as protecting Florida’s tourism industry in the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill. (Florida law already bans such drilling, but some lawmakers have sought in the past to repeal the ban.) [...]

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.

Looking at the polling, I’d say this is another situation in which it would be nice to have Instant Runoff Voting. In America, elections with more than two credible candidates tend to end up turning on tactical voting considerations.