Charlie Crist is running for governor as Democrat, saying it's 'time to take Florida in a better dir
Source: Tampa Bay Times
ST. PETERSBURG In front of a crowd of a couple hundred people on the waterfront in his hometown, former Florida Republican Gov. Charlie Crist announced he is running for governor as a Democrat "and the reason is to put you back in charge because you deserve a governor that wakes up every day thinking about you, who you can trust to govern honestly, in our collective best interest."
Crist, accompanied on stage by his wife, Carole, and Democratic officials, said, "Tallahassee is out of control. ... The voice of the people has been silenced by the financial bullies and the special interests. ... You really have no advocate there anymore."
Crist attacked Gov. Rick Scott for campaigning in 2010 as an outsider but not keeping with it.
(snip)
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, opened the event by endorsing Crist.
Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/stage-is-set-for-charlie-crist-to-announce-for-florida-governor/2150692
bigdarryl
(13,190 posts)And there are people in your state you are Governor of POOR AND without HEALTHCARE. I'm talking about ugly ass Rick Scott that is who wastes that kind of money
packman
(16,296 posts)Crist has more moves than an spastic Rubik's Cube . First a Repuke when the state was blood red, then an Independent when it was starting to see signs of blue, now a Dem when he sees Scott nose diving at the polls.
Had a decent Dem running against Scott in 2010, Alex Sink. Even with Scott's multi-million dollar scandals in nursing home ripoffs and fraud, the state just wouldn't elect a Dem even if they could cure the sick and walk on water. Scott is a disgrace to the state and I believe Crist will be a true contender. Anyway, be nice to have a Dem governor, even though the state legislation will be solid red.
djean111
(14,255 posts)Money does sometimes buy everything.
1monster
(11,012 posts)When I moved to Florida in the early seventies, there was no Repubican party to speak of.
As more and more people moved to Florida, that started to change. Then came Ronnie Reagan and everything flipflopped. If you wanted to have the slightest chance of winning an election, you ran as a Republican and the Democratic party dwindled to a joke. I knew a lot of Dems who switched ot the Republican party during this time. I don't know if they are switching back at this point or not... But Charlie is a start. Maybe the Dems will rise again.
question everything
(47,271 posts)when Lawton Chiles was governor. And before him Bob Graham was. And both were also senators.
And when you look at the list of Florida governors you can see see how really all were Democrats until Kirk in 1967 and that nasty Martinez in 1987.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Governor
So, perhaps there is still hope for Florida.
Yes, this is the problem when many people started moving. I remember many retirees who would refuse to support school levy because they've already paid for public school "back north."
SummerSnow
(12,608 posts)no matter, GO CRIST !!!!
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)In fact I would consider many of his views actually left of most Florida Democrats in leadership positions. They have run right so long they don't know how to stop. I think he will win over any Democrat.
Interesting poll from Oct. 3 about the other Democrat in the race.
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/nan-rich-going-nowhere-against-charlie-crist
But the poll clearly reveals more about Scotts lousy numbers than any strength Rich might have. Despite being in the race for 18 months, the polls show Rich is unknown and even those who know her generally dont like her. The numbers are bleak for Rich: 8 percent favorable, 23 percent unfavorable and 69 percent not sure.
More disconcerting to Rich, she doesnt do well with Democrats: 11 percent favorable, 22 percent unfavorable and 67 percent not sure. Rich does a little better with Democratic primary voters, but even there the numbers dont impress: 13 percent favorable, 23 percent unfavorable and 64 percent unsure.
With Alex Sink and Bill Nelson passing on entering the race, Rich is now the only obstacle to Charlie Crist, a former Republican, winning the Democratic nomination. Its hard to classify her as a major obstacle to Crist based on the poll. Crist takes 59 percent of Democrats in the primary and Rich only gets 16 percent.
Even worse for Rich, there appears to be little room to run to Crists left and insist she is the real Democrat in the race. Crist destroys Rich in the 19 percent of Democrats who define themselves as very liberal: 67 percent to 12 percent. Rich does better with the 31 percent of Democrats who call themselves somewhat liberal but still only takes 18 percent to Crists 57 percent.
Dopers_Greed
(2,640 posts)Another DINO. We're on the way to a new two party system: The Tea Party and the Republicrats.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)He's right in good company with other Florida Democrats...in fact to the left of many.
question everything
(47,271 posts)and... I think that at some point he and Obama actually saw eye to eye. Don't remember the event but Obama's hug cost him.
Interesting that such a hug does not cost Chris Christie...
katmondoo
(6,454 posts)and I can say he was a good Governor. I am glad he is running as a Democrat, he always seemed more Democrat than Republican
MynameisBlarney
(2,979 posts)and I voted for him twice.
He's a good man. And he would be GREAT for Florida.
secondvariety
(1,245 posts)he's a DINO or a RINO. He like a whirligig when it comes to politics but if I had to guess, he's way more liberal than he lets on. He's employed by John Morgan who's trying to put medical marijuana legalization on the next ballot.
Towlie
(5,308 posts)csziggy
(34,120 posts)And continued taking the state in the same direction Jeb Bush took it.
As a Floridian, I see no reason to give him another term. Unfortunately, the only choice Floridians seem to have this time around is between two Republicans who have both already had a term as Governor. Just because one has pasted a 'D' over the 'R' on the ballots does NOT make him a good candidate or a Democrat.
William769
(55,124 posts)When he was our Governor before (even though a Republican) he actually cared about the people and education.
Having him on the Democratic ticket I believe will also help elect more Democrats to our State Legislature.