On paper, Dan Gelber doesnt have much in common with Malcom Wilson. But the Florida Democrat could be walking the same road the New York Republican did 55 years ago.
Gelber hails from sunny South Florida while Wilson came from dreary Yonkers outside of New York City. Wilson was a conservative and a Catholic while Gelber is a liberal and is Jewish. But, despite their differences, Gelber could find himself in the same situation that Wilson did in 1958.
One of the leading conservatives in Albany with decades of service in the state Assembly, Wilson found himself in the strange position of introducing gubernatorial hopeful Nelson Rockefeller to suspicious Republicans across New York. Wilson insisted on driving his own car because he wanted to play down Rockefellers wealth.
As they met with Republican activists and local leaders across the Empire State, Wilson also hoped to play down Rockefellers previous stints in public life. Rockefeller had served as a key member of Franklin Roosevelts State Department, even rising to become Assistant Secretary of State for American Republic Affairs and being part of the American delegation when the United Nations Conference on International Organization met in San Francisco. Despite his work in the Eisenhower White House, where he often ran afoul of conservatives like John Foster Dulles and Herbert Hoover, Jr., Rockefeller had problems selling himself to the Republican faithful.
Wilson helped Rockefeller woo reluctant Republicans. By saying a conservative like himself could back Rockefeller, Wilson helped reel in wary Republicans. Rockefeller won the Republican gubernatorial nomination over major rivals, including Leonard Hall, a longtime congressman who had chaired the Republican National Committee. For his part, Wilson ended up as Rockefellers running mate. Despite 1958 being a banner year for Republicans across the nation, Rockefeller and Wilson defeated Averell Harriman in the general election. As lieutenant governor, Wilson proved essential to Rockefeller in rounding up support in the legislative branch. When Rockefeller resigned at the end of 1973 to head up the Commission on Critical Choices for Americans, Wilson enjoyed a brief term as governor before losing to Hugh Carey in November 1974.
Gelber finds himself with asimilartask as he promotes former Gov. Charlie Crist with Florida Democrats. Crist, of course, rose to political prominence as a Republican before leaving the party in 2010 after being caught in the U.S. Senate primary by Marco Rubio. Continuing his Senate bid, Crist ran with no party affiliation. He endorsed Barack Obamas reelection in 2012 and changed his party registration later that year.
No other Democrat in Florida haspubliclywelcomed Crist to the party like Gelber has. With Crist considering running for governor again in 2014, Gelber, a staunch liberal, can help help allay some Democrats concerns about Crists Republican past and assure them he has changed his conservative thinking. While he lost out to Pam Bondi in the attorney generals race in 2010, Gelber remains politically active and popular with Florida Democrats.
The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) is taking note. On Wednesday morning, the RPOF launched a new line of attack against Crist by using Gelbers words. The RPOF highlighted a quote from Gelber in 2009 when he said Crist left so much hanging during his term as governor. Gelber had been a candidate for the Democratic nomination in that same U.S. Senate contest before switching over to run for attorney general.
Besides trying to win over suspicious members of his own party to back a gubernatorial candidate, Gelber could be following in Wilsons footsteps on another front. Theres been some speculation that Crist could choose Gelber as his running mate in 2014. Certainly having Gelber on the ticket could help Crist bring in reluctant liberals, much the same way Wilson aided Rockefeller brought in wary conservatives. Gelber has certainly shown no reluctance to attack Gov. Rick Scott and other Republicans in Tallahassee.
It's a testament to Gelbers political skills that he remains a viable option for the Democrats despite his loss in 2010 and theres even been talk of a rematch with Bondi. The RPOF is hoping to ensure liberals remain suspicious about Crist, including promoting dark horse Nan Rich and highlighting her stances on the issues. It looks like they have somethingsimilarin mind by shedding some spotlight on what Gelber said about Crist four years ago -- a testament to how important a role Gelber can play as the former governor looks to 2014.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (904) 521-3722.
