Charlie Crist is no Rick Perry

Texas Gov. Rick Perry cruised to victory this week in securing the Republican nomination for a third term. Garnering an outright majority -- 51 percent -- in a three-way race that featured popular U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Perry provided more fuel for the anti-Washington mood that prevails across the country.

Perry's success also stands in stark contrast to the diminishing fortunes of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.

Where Crist embraces the Obama administration -- literally -- in accepting billions of dollars in stimulus funds, Perry steadfastly refused to take a dime.

Where Crist is squishy soft on issues that conservatives care about, and is losing GOP support by the day, Perry devotedly played to the base and won -- big.

The Wall Street Journal noted this dichotomy today. The Guv might want to check it out.