Here is the latest webcast about Florida’s controversial former Governor Charlie Crist. Waiting for him to go Democrat? He already has.
Transcript:
Florida Politics with Frank Torres. And today we’re talking about former Governor Charlie Crist. Is there a more controversial name in Florida politics, over the last 6 months than our former Republican Governor. As you’ll recall Governor Crist elected, served one term, before declining re-election to be Florida’s Governor to run for U.S Senate. The psychology behind this is very complicated and goes back a very long way. As you’ll recall, Crist was on John McCain’s list of potential running mates, before he ultimately settle on Governor Sarah Palin, Charlie Crist followed him around the country, tried to get that nod from McCain but never got it. Obviously, Washington was still in the plan for Charlie Crist, he chose to run for that seat in 2010, Of course you know what happened in 2010, our current Senator, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, that was the year his star was on the rise. A very “Rocky” like story. Crist had such a huge lead in the polls, but little by little Rubio hustled and little by little started turning the race in his favor. When Crist’s pollsters told him he would have a chance against the GOPs rising star, he did just that and walked away from the Republican party amidst a lot of controversy. Then there was the entire Jim Greer scandal with the former chairman of the Republican party. And the connection between those two which shrouded the entire senate race. Crist and Rubio were pointing fingers at each other over who had a hand in that. Even after Charlie Crist lost that Senate race, by a large margin to Senator Rubio, people were pretty sure that wasn’t going to be it for Florida’s former Governor, little by little he started wading into Democratic waters, his wife joined the Democratic party, Charlie Crist went to work for a prominent Democratic fundraiser at that fundraisers lawfirm and started doing commercials for that lawfirm that were controversial, a sign that Crist was not done. Little by little he started showing up at Democratic fundraisers, making the rounds with state Democrats, That had people thinking, perhaps he wants his old job back. Perhaps Charlie wants to take back the Governors mansion as a Democrat in 2014 against a vulnerable Governor Rick Scott, who’s approval numbers are frequently on the same level as show sizes, perhaps he wanted his job back and his political aspirations weren’t done then. Then came the biggies, first came the endorsement of Bill Nelson over his former GOP mate Connie Mack, ironically Mack endorsed Crist when he was running against Marco Rubio, then on his side of the state over on the west coast, the day before the RNC, he endorsed President Barack Obama, over the GOP nominee Mitt Romney. It was a bombshell on the eve of the RNC, as if Tropical Storm Issac was not enough, it was a move that had many believing that Crist’s betrayal was complete. There were plenty that offered the opinion that, that ship had sailed long ago. But to take it even further as if it wasn’t enough for Charlie to sit back and wait for an even more gradual shift, he spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte North Carolina on the final night, very controversial, a very mixed reception for Florida’s former Governor, of course those speakers that change parties between cycles always are, for Florida’s former Governor to be on that stage, definitely turned a lot of heads in the political world. That definitely kicked off the buzz into a full Charlie Crist for Governor discussion in 2014 as a Democrat. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s been on the campaign trail, making frequent visits for President Obama, If you remember there was the fuss over the hug. Back when he was Governor of the state. Now he hugs him all of the time. The two are best buds, from what you can tell and Crist is on the stump, for Barack Obama, not just here in Florida but all over the country. Definitely, one of his biggest surrogates, you know there is the question of whether Charlie Crist is going to run for his old job in 2014 as a Democrat. Whether he’s in with the Democrats, whether the Democrats will accept him. Guess what? He’s already been accepted. He outshined his fellow Democratic rivals that could be eyeing a run at Florida Governor Rick Scott in 2014, those including Alex Sink, Scott’s old foe from 2010 and former CFO, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and State Senator Nan Rich. He’s already outshined them, so if Charlie Crist is looking to get an “in” with Democrats, he’s already done that. So it’s interesting to see what kind of role he plays in Florida Politics moving forward. It’s only a matter of time before he switches and it’s only a matter of time before he makes a run at his old job. Unless he has some other goal in mind, of course he’ll deny this, that’s what Charlie Does. It wouldn’t be the first time, I remember when he was on the “Meet the Press” when he was running against Rubio, he was asked if he would go Independent and he said no and did it anyways. So, it’s coming guys, get ready. It’s going to be a “Crist for Governor” campaign in 2014, that’s what I’m predicting, he will be the frontrunner, and depending what Scott does it will be a very interesting race, so when people ask you if Crist is trying to get in with the Democrats… He already is guys. And it’s only a matter of time before he makes it formal. For Florida Politics with Frank Torres. I’ll see you next time.












