Ex-GOP Fla. Gov. Crist to run for job as Democrat
Last edited Fri Nov 1, 2013, 07:08 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: AP
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Former Republican governor-turned Democrat Charlie Crist took the first step Friday toward attempting to reclaim his old job with a new party, paving the way for a bitter contest that will be one of the most watched in the nation.
Crist filed paperwork to get in the race and is now the front-runner to represent Democrats against Republican Gov. Rick Scott, one of the most unpopular chief executives in the country. Scott, though, will be well-financed and is expected to spend as much as $25 million in attack ads against Crist.
For Crist, he is hoping to revive a political career that seemingly crashed when he left the GOP and lost an independent run for U.S. Senate to Republican Marco Rubio in 2010.
Crist has a 10 a.m. event scheduled in a park near his St. Petersburg home to kick off his campaign. "I'm looking forward to Monday and making it official in every way," Crist said Friday. "I just hope that the message that we deliver will lift Florida's spirits and let her know that there's a brighter future tomorrow. And it's coming."
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/ex-gop-fla-gov-crist-run-job-democrat-213148234--election.html
KansDem
(28,498 posts)chillfactor
(7,584 posts)Crist may not be perfect but he sure as hell is better than Scott
csziggy
(34,138 posts)But saying Crist is better than Scott is like saying cow shit is better than pig shit - they are BOTH shit.
Stuart G
(38,448 posts)after a terrible situation in Tampa/Bradenton, where there were computer "malfunctions" that allowed for a Puke to get elected.
It turned out that thousands of computers voting machines did not register votes for congressman that voting period Strangly or not, it was only in heavily democratic districts that these malfunctions took place. Christ signed legislation that mandated a paper trail in all election districts so that if malfunction happen again, (they haven't) the paper trail would be the final decider. This gave Obama a fighting chance in Florida..Yes, Crist is not perfect..but he is not shit.
csziggy
(34,138 posts)Most of his term Crist continued the policies of Jeb Bush, After he got out of office he still espoused those policies. Crist was a Bush creation and I believe he is still a Bush adherent at heart. That is what makes him shit still in my view.
Sure, he'll call himself a Democrat and put that 'D' behind his name - Crist will do ANYTHING to stay in the public eye and to win elections.
I don't like or trust him even if he isn't quite as much a crook as Scott. Saying he's not as bad as Scott is damning with faint praise. If that is the best reason most have to vote for him, we have no viable Democratic candidate.
Mugweed
(949 posts)I guess by your standard he's shit in your view also?
csziggy
(34,138 posts)And would rather have a less "centrist" Democrat. But I had a reasonable idea of what Obama was when I voted for him and he was infinitely better than his competition.
The thing is, Florida had Crist as governor. We didn't like him when he was in there as a Republican. Just because we've had a much worse governor in office since, doesn't make Crist any better a person, even with a 'D' behind his name. Crist is still the same man he was when he was in office, he only looks better compared to Scott. That does NOT make him good.
titaniumsalute
(4,742 posts)Yes he is a moderate. But I do not think the morons in my state will ever elect what I want...a solid progressive. I don't think it is going to happen. And if I have to work for or vote for Crist I will.
1. I am married to a teacher and Crist has been good for teachers and education. http://neatoday.org/2010/04/15/crist-vetoes-sb-6-takes-bold-stand-for-florida-schools/
2. He supports gay marriage which I also support. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/05/charlie-crist-supports-gay-marriage-raises-gubernatorial-speculation/
3. I do believe he has Florida interests in mind much more than his own interests like Scott or Bush.
4. He will stand up to the far right Teabaggers which we really need right now, especially in this state.
Mr.Bill
(24,330 posts)that should be in prison for defrauding Medicare.
csziggy
(34,138 posts)While real Democrats get left in the garbage by our so-called Florida Democratic Party.
I'll be sitting out this governor's race and concentrating on getting Steve Southerland (Tea Bagger-FL) out of office. I wish Florida let voters select "NONE of the Above" on their ballots!
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Some real nuggets come out on news dump day.
-Laelth
Graybeard
(6,996 posts)The story also said that Charlie Crist was ahead of Gov. Scott in
some polls that have already been taken.
The GOP had no room for a moderate. Welcome to the
Dmocratic Party. We are a big tent.
LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)I like Crist and hope he does well in this race. Rick Scott must go!
Progressive dog
(6,920 posts)than the RW scum that currently holds the office.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)So I don't have a dog in the race, but I would like to see Scott thrown out.
mrdmk
(2,943 posts)Running as a independent can be difficult to raise money without a party affiliation...
Scuba
(53,475 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)madfloridian
(88,117 posts)The Florida Democratic Party appears to be backing Crist. I can understand that. I would vote for him though I don't like some of his stances. I like his stances a hell of lot better than those of Scott, though.
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/nan-rich-going-nowhere-against-charlie-crist
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.
Ironically, the only group Rich beats Crist out with is very conservative Democrats who break her way 35 percent to 28 percent. But these make up only 4 percent of Democratic primary voters. Not exactly the foundation Rich needs if she wants to upset Crist.
Rich has been in the race for 18 months and has gone nowhere. Crist is expected to announce in the coming weeks and, between that and Democrats holding their convention at Disney World later this month, the pressure will soon be on for Rich to get out of the race. If Richs fundraising in the third quarter is weak, Democrats will grow even louder in their demands for her to get out.
kcass1954
(1,819 posts)I could have tolerated him being governor for another term.
But no. He had to run for Senate. And we're stuck with a criminal and Mr, wet food/dry foot.
Go fuck yourself, Charlie.
Ian_rd
(2,124 posts)Isoldeblue
(1,135 posts)in a really close race. I campaigned for her. Then I was sick when I got an email from her last month, saying she'd decided not to run for gov.
Now I'm really sick that Christy will run this election. He is just as much as the smarmiest opportunist as any teahadist. There is no difference in many ways.
Whether he'll be any better than Scott, I won't hold my breath for that.
I wish Grayson would run.
DCBob
(24,689 posts)A hard core liberal would not have a chance in state wide race in Florida.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)Crist is no more to the right than many Florida democrats who are in leadership.
UncleTomsEvilBrother
(945 posts)It befuddles me that DEMS would rather lose an election outright than to support a DEM candidate who doesn't support all of their ideals. In FL, that kinda DEM is a unicorn right now. I'm pretty sure Chuck Crist is the best we can put on the ballot right now.
LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)In FLORIDA Out of office named Rick Scott, since Charlie Crist will run and probably WIN!
Now -- What about:
Michigan -- Rick Snyder -- (Mark Schauer is the candidate thus far and the MDP is backing him but can he win?)
Ohio - John Kasich -- (There is a Candidate in Ohio for Governor and he's looking good so far --- Ed FitzGerald)
Wisconsin -- Scott Walker (Any candidates YET on the Democratic side?)
Indiana -- Mitch Daniels (Any candidates YET on the Democratic side?) -- this one will be hard to take back as Indiana leans dark purple on a good day.
New Jersey -- (Chris Christie is going no-where and NJ could have a worst Tea Party Nation type Governor. Maybe in four years Democrats can take this State back).
Maine -- Paul Lepage (Any candidates YET on the Democratic side?) Because Lepage has got to go.
Texas -- Rick Perry DONE|. (Wendy Davis has a tough race on her hands in this Dark Purple state but she might eek this one out).
Orsino
(37,428 posts)...who will have him pursuing a stealth GOP agenda.
edit: Minus the stealth.
tofuandbeer
(1,314 posts)IronLionZion
(45,540 posts)DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)When certain people, including a certain site that used to FORBID supporting people who RAN AGAINST DEMOCRATS, supported Crist as he stole needed votes from Kendrick Meek. Meek lost, and we got Rubio. Only because of that will I vote for Crist, though I will do so with a heap load of contempt for my fellow Flordians, and yes, my fellow democrats, who think Debbie Wasserman Schultz is too fare to the left. That, and Rick Scott has already done enough damage to last into the next 20 years.
olddad56
(5,732 posts)UncleTomsEvilBrother
(945 posts)...this shiny, red penny in my hand would get my vote before Rick Scott does. Why aren't people understanding that FL won't be able to field any DEM much better than Crist right now? Have you all not seen what the State Houses and the Governor's mansion look like?