General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsYbor City Stogie (FL blogger) analyzes Charlie Crist as a Democrat. Good summary.
I may differ with some of Stogie's points, but overall pretty thorough. For some it will be a tough choice, but I have no problem voting for him. The polls show him far ahead at this point of a long-time Democrat, and right now the biggest thing we must do is get rid of Rick Scott.
Crist's History of Leaning Left
"I would have left the GOP anyway; they're too extreme. We need open-mindedness in a Senator, not ideology. Problem solving requires consensus, and sometimes concession."
Vetoed bill requiring ultrasound exams before abortion
Supports Federal abortion funding and Judicial activism
Opposes overturning Roe vs. Wade
Said "Tea Party is too extreme on outlawing abortion (2010)"
Said "Abortion is a personal decision, but ban partial birth abortion."
Disagree with Charlie on the latter, but many Democrats have the same view.
Economics
Created the HOPE taskforce charged with making reccomendations to keep families from losing their homes.
Strongly opposes NAFTA, supports the World Trade Organization, supports tariffs on products imported from nations that maintain restrictive trade barriers, supports removal of "favored trade status" from nations with a history of human rights violations. Supported cutting all corporate welfare and foreign aid.
Wonder what his stance is on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). We know what President Obama's stance is and that of many Democrats, too many in fact.
Civil Rights
Wishy-washy on gay adoption rights, opposing it gay adoption initially, then praising the court's decision to overturn the ban.
Lifetime member of the NAACP; one black legislator called Crist "Florida's first black governor." Supports providing compensation to victims of racial discrimination. Opposes banning homosexuals in the military, but supports "Don't ask, don't tell."
Actually I believe he changed his position on DADT in 2010.
Here is Stogie's advice to Crist...not bad.
Be a Democrat, and be one ALL THE WAY. No moderate is going to get a single Republican vote here, so throw your lot in with the Blue Zone on the I-4 corridor and support whatever they want you to support.
Gay marriage -- accept it, embrace it. Tampa, Orlando, Daytona, and the Keys all have huge, active and vocal gay populations. ESPECIALLY Key West. Denounce the mistakes of your past, and embrace the people who will put you in office. Rethink your stance on gun ownership, or at least show some flexibility in your "absolutist" position regarding the Second Amendment. A lot of innocent people have died since that Amendment was passed, and more than a few have been in Florida. Forget about prayer in schools, or religion anywhere in government. The population you're targeting comes from up North, and they're not interested in mixing Jesus with public education.
Earlier this year Crist did come out in support of same sex marriage. He is not the only Democrat to have a mind change on that.
Ybor City Stogie
Also posted at my Twitter account
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)I agree that a removal of Rick Scott takes precedent over just about anything one may find
in disagreement with on Crist.
Good luck to Florida, you will need it.
K&R
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)The tea party is strong here still, though they may not be as loud as they were.
We need a strong candidate.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)I mean, even Scott from what I understand is fearful of Crist, not Rich...so I hope
it works out for Florida. Rick Scott needs to be gone, asap.
Always good to read your OP's madfloridian
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)I feel sorry she's disappointed as a long-time Democrat who has been planning this move, but right now my motivation is get Rickie out of there. He has done so much harm.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)They need to be called out.
http://yborcitystogie.blogspot.com/
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)Last edited Sat Nov 9, 2013, 10:23 PM - Edit history (1)
http://www.UnitedForCare.org/Like the article said, don't half-ass it. Go all in
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)I wonder if his stance is softening. One thing, though, many long-time Democrats refuse to support this movement.
Will look some more for his stance.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)He was with Morgan and Morgan and John Morgan is the guy behind it.
Brain fart, and no I'm not high.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)Morgan and Morgan, probably the most liberal leaning law firm in Florida.
Very much behind Charlie's bid.
DirkGently
(12,151 posts)Not ideal, but he's miles better than Rick Scott.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)Good thing he did that, too.
There is no ideal person in this state. In my mind he fits the bill as well as or better than most.
Rebellious Republican
(5,029 posts)You know I love you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wneCa_yIuzg
What choices do we have here in Florida? Reality sucks, you are my friend, think about it girl.
PM me if you think I need an attitude adjustment
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)"Religion's in the hands of some crazy-ass people".....so true.
That video makes me smile.
Sancho
(9,065 posts)not perfect, but so much better than the WORST GOVERNOR EVER!! We can't stand other 4 years of Scott.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)NBachers
(17,007 posts)You know what the ingredients are; the outcome is up to you, Florida.
You might surprise yourself at what you can make.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)But it is a depressing thing to look around me and see I am surrounded by teabagger types.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)And, most importantly...absolutely, positively dump ALL association with private prison groups, and accept that justice isn't about incarceration and tougher laws. Stop pretending as though you're trying to save Florida by punishing its residents, and commit yourself to ridding our state of the corruption known as privatization. The corporate police state that entities like GEO have created has made Florida's justice system a joke in the eyes of the nation, and we're sick of being more afraid of the cops than of the criminals.
Also, please don't let Donald Trump into any more of your fundraisers. Seriously. Call Warren Buffett or something.
Do all those things, and you've all but won this election. Promise. Florida is ready for a Democratic government, and ready to be freed of the yoke of corporate control. We're ready to be welcomed back into the civilized world, and to no longer be the laughingstock of the nation. We're ready for you, if you're ready to do what it takes for us.
But we're also ready to call you out in a heartbeat if you don't utterly renounce anything that remotely sniffs of Teabaggerdom, or if you take a dime from corporate interests that profit from our suffering. We may be a bit broke, but a million Floridians with $5 donate just as much as one corporate tyrant with $5 million.
But if you can...if you're willing...you've got the full support of Americans Against the Tea Party, and at least one bald guy in the Republican stronghold of North Central Florida.
JI7
(89,182 posts)vote was able to do so.
he extended the hours of early voting . and everyone knew the ones who would benefit from this would be democrats . many other republicans tried to prevent people from voting.
i think this is important to remember .
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)And Scott "unextended" them, didn't he? Thus the long lines?
Overall I am surprised many people would accept Scott again rather than vote for Crist. Some of this forum, many at twitter, some very ugly there.
trumad
(41,692 posts)madfloridian
(88,117 posts)Too often they only watch Fox and read only that which reinforces their belief in him.
trumad
(41,692 posts)Not even Duvall County will save his ass.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)xchrom
(108,903 posts)KaryninMiami
(3,073 posts)To best asshat Scott. It's going to get ugly here because Scott is a mean fucker who will not give up his throne without a nasty and expensive fight. I hope Crist and the party are ready with ammunition and that the Dems call in the big guns for this one. It will be such a relief to end this Scott nightmare...
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)It will get very ugly.