Charlie Crist continues political makeover with Barack Obama endorsement

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Posted on Sunday, 08.26.12
Charlie Crist continues political makeover with Barack Obama endorsement

Former Gov. Charlie Crist’s opinion piece is the latest in a series of political steps in which he appears to be preparing — as a Democrat — to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in 2014.

By Steve Bousquet
Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau

ST. PETERSBURG -- Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican-turned-independent, continued his political makeover Sunday by endorsing President Barack Obama’s re-election and calling him “the right leader for our times.”

“President Obama has a strong record of doing what is best for America and Florida,” Crist wrote in an op-ed column in Sunday’s Tampa Bay Times, “and he built it by spending more time worrying about what his decisions would mean for the people than for his political fortunes. That’s what makes him the right leader for our times, and that’s why I’m proud to stand with him today.”

Crist praised Obama for protecting the middle class, strengthening Medicare, guiding the nation through an economic collapse, supporting public schools and investing in highways, railroads and airports, but without using the word “stimulus.”
Crist’s opinion piece is the latest in a series of political steps in which he appears to be inching closer to becoming a Democrat and potentially challenging Gov. Rick Scott in 2014. That would complete a metamorphosis for a politician who once called himself a “Reagan Republican and a “Jeb Bush Republican.”



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/26/2969064/charlie-crist-continues-political.html

[WheelWalker]

1. Here's a kick

for rational self-interest.

[graywarrior]

2. Kick!

[kestrel91316]

3. I don't trust him. He was a repuke. He'll be a DINO if he gets back into office.

[nc4bo]

4. +1

I would not be surprised.

I know people say he was a good Gov. but why not try to work to improve that GOP rat Titanic instead of floating across party lines.

Perhaps he will do just that and this was really a sincere endorsement.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. +2

[1monster]

10. Because the GOP doesn't want reasonable people who can compromise in their party.

In other words, if a person has any claim to sanity, the GOP is ain't where it's at.

[BlueJazz]

6. I think you're mistaken. Even when he was Governor, here in Florida, he was constantly..

..pissing off not just the right-wingers but even the middle-of-the road people.
He sided with the teachers on a pretty big issue here that the repugs were trying to ram through.

He's not a far lefty or anything but he has said and done quite a few things that have caused me to believe he's a decent middle of the road guy. I met him once and he seemed warm and friendly.
Plus, now he works for a law firm that is known for "helping the average worker"

But...having said all this...I've been wrong about people in my life a few times.

[Cha]

8. Thanks for the Floridian

experience, BlueJazz. Just because he use to be a republicon doesn't neccessarily mean he's not to be trusted.

His endorsement of President Obama was knowledgeable and strong on FACTS. Too bad Florida didn't send him to the Senate instead of Marc Rubio.

[TBF]

7. Frankly I'm surprised more of them aren't doing this -

the more moderate repugs have got to know the teabaggerati are crazy. They can try to save their party by reinventing or sink with the ship. This guy is getting ready for 2016.

[graham4anything]

9. In Crist I trust

he was a democrat before he switched so he could win

Crist said screw you to Jeb a bunch of times, and is very much to the left on lots of issues.

He should have won against Rubio.
The tea party propped up Meeks, who was not a major candidate, and Meeks should have gotten out to prevent Rubio from getting in.

In essence Meeks was the 3rd party candidate, as Democrats were fine in thinking Crist was going to be the republican candidate and not rubio

just think how much more secure florida in 2012 would be had Jeb's Rubio not been in office.