Cartoon Wisdom: Charlie Tells You Himself Why He Won't Debate Nan

A picture really is worth a thousand words -- especially if it's a cartoon. Thanks, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, for yours on Tuesday.

But S-S writer Chan Lowe gets the words right, too, in his biting analysis of why Charlie Crist won't debate Nan Rich.

Why? Because a) he doesn't have to ("Its the front-runners job to dismiss the idea, but to do so in such a way that he or she doesnt look craven.") and b) he doesn't want to ("... Charlies allegiance to the Democratic Party is on the shallow side; in his mind, the party is more of a vehicle to attain his ambitions for a dramatic redemption and comeback than a philosophy to be embraced.") In a debate, he knows that would show.

You have to love the stark honesty throughout, but especially in the last paragraph:

"Charlie has one overarching political philosophy, which is to do what most benefits Charlie Crists future. His success in this endeavor depends on how well hes able to convince Floridians that his interests and theirs dovetail. Since they dont do so in the case of spurning a debate with his primary opponent, Crists next best strategy is to distract Democratic voters by raising the horrifying specter of a Scott re-election."

Sorry, Democrats looking for a "healthy exchange" between your primary candidates. Probably ain't gonna happen.