Charlie Crist -- Best Republican of our Times?

[SteppingRazor]

Never let it be said that I'm an utter Democratic partisan, unwilling to give a Republican a thumbs up, because Charlie Crist is freaking awesome. Of course, there's all the tax and insurance reform stuff, which pleases the people in a populist manner (but may, it should be noted, come back to haunt us if the state can't raise enough cash). But there's also the snubs of both George and Jeb Bush, which I blogged about here and here, respectively.

Now, Crist has gone ahead with two issues that are far more dear to the hearts of the left than the right.

First, Crist has presented a plan to scrap paperless touch-screen voting machines in Florida, or at least give people the option. This is long overdue. Whether or not elections have been stolen with these paperless voting machines is not the issue. The issue is that they could be, and very, very easily, as demonstrated many times. This study out of Princeton University, in which a voting machine was hacked and comtaminated with a virus that would change the vote count — all in less than one minute — is particularly noteworthy.

Second, Crist has moved ahead with a plan to fund stem-cell research. The governor has moved away from his support of embryonic stem cell research, with his new plan calling for funding of research on adult, umbilical and amniotic stem cells. Even Crist admits this is because of "likely opposition to embryonic stem-cell research in the GOP-controlled Legislature." Unfortuntely, none of these types of stem cells has the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells, but it's a start. It's just a pity that the GOP in general cares more about clusters of 50-150 cells that will never develop into humans far more than it does actual, grown humans with real medical problems.

http://blogs.southflorida.com/citylink_dansweeney/2007/02/in_state_news_jesus_just_how_g.html


Seriously, what's with this guy? It's like he's a Democrat or something. :shrug:

[bullimiami]

1. he has had a decent start. we will see.

in one month he has shown more concern for the 'people' of florida than jeb did in 8 years.

[SteppingRazor]

2. I think my expectations for the GOP are so low that...

Crist has just wow'ed me way more than a Dem. would if he/she had done the same things. It's just a shock factor, y'know? Like, "stem cell wha?!" "paperless who now?!"

It's just bizarre. I expect these things from donkeys. But elephants?

[ripmolly]

9. Crist knows the GOP machine is running out of gas

He has to be moderate or he will lose. Things are moving left in Florida, including the repubs.

[bluevoter4life]

13. Only time will tell

I must admit that I have thus far been impressed with the Crist administration, but we can't simply take things for what they are. I mean, yeah, the insurance rates are on their way down, but let's see what happens when bills for Stem Cell research and abortion legislation actually make it to his desk. We may see his true colors.

[ChiciB1]

3. He HAS To Make Some "Democratic" Type Moves Simply Because

it's VITAL to Florida as a state!! It may only sound like a joke, but in reality if something doesn't get done (real estate taxes, home insurance) ONLY RICH people will be able to live here.

Just got my "new" home-owners insurance quote and it's $4,000.00! Since I have a mortgage I MUST carry Flood insurance, however that part wasn't as bad as the rest of the insurance.

I have been checking around with almost every company I can and my husband and I have decided to have a $5,000.00 deductible and NOT insure the contents of our home. This way we will save at least $1,300.00 and believe me... I'm having SECOND thoughts about this decision today because of last night's storm!!

We may just go ahead with the $4,000.00 by the time our renewal date on the 23rd gets here! And we don't live in a huge home, but are required to insure for what "they" think it will cost to rebuild it. We have 5 acres of land that we would like to sell, but I don't think that's going to happen for some time now, and the taxes on that was $4,600.00! Just land, NOTHING on it! Since it's not our home, they tax on what they determine are the going real estate prices for the land.

But Crist can't ignore the plight of far too many of us who once considered ourselves middle class and now are feeling a real pinch! My husband retired early when his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and I'm on Disability and she lives with us. Our monthly income is pretty sparse so we take on a few side jobs now and again, otherwise we would have to use all of our savings!

So, maybe Crist doesn't have much of a choice! They just passed laws that insurance companies can't raise their rates any higher, but they're SKY HIGH now!

[nosillies]

4. Every morning now my husband runs out to get the paper at the crack of dawn

just so we can have our latest WTF??? moment at Crist's latest move. It's like waking up from a bizarre but weirdly satisfying dream.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. He has just flip-flopped on embrionic stem cell research

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=48379

[Bombtrack]

6. I know that Bubba the Love Sponge loves him, so that's a big plus in my book

I can't listen to too much of Bubbas show because I can't live with myself hearing about Wrestling or Nascar, but him and the guys on his show are usually spot on politically, even if Bubba himself is often humerously inarticulate.

[riona]

7. Never could figure out

why our last gov. was so popular - he left quite a mess. So far, so good on Crist.

[Lowell]

8. Charlies response to rising insurance

and property taxes is not enough. The cut in insurance rates is laughable. And our property taxes are fueled by legislative extravagance. Charlie's heart may be in the right place, but he hasn't accomplished a damn thing yet.

[TSIAS]

10. Crist is better than Jeb

But it's reported that he'll be supporting McCain in 2008. I like some of his early moves, but he'll never get my support for any office in FL. I even voted for the piss-pour Jim Davis over Crist last election.

[SteppingRazor]

11. Sure, I voted for Davis too.

I said Crist may be the best Republican of our times, but that's a bit like saying he's the thinnest guy at IHOP or the most drug-free member of Motley Crue.

[flaliberal]

12. I'm liking him so far

I especially like his stance on the convicted felons voting rights.

Anyone know the status?

[El Fuego]

14. Social conservative fundie republicans HATE Crist

Is it true then, that the enemy of your enemy is your friend? :)

[FloridaGuns]

15. So Far So Good

I have like him so far.