Crist now wearing a softer mantle

Sun Sentinel - The caged Parrot's delight! ^ | September 8 2006 | Mark Hollis

[Caipirabob]

TALLAHASSEE· Attorney General Charlie Crist has a lot of people to thank for winning the Republican nomination for governor. The first one could be Tom Gallagher.

A multi-million-dollar campaign against Crist waged by Gallagher, his rival for the GOP nomination, and other social conservatives gave Crist a buffer from attacks that he's too closely affiliated with the right wing of the Republican Party.

The blows from conservatives have softened Crist's inflexible-sounding "Chain-Gang Charlie" image, which he acquired by talking tough about criminals as a St. Petersburg state senator more than a decade ago. That image had threatened to get in the way of his wooing independents and other swing voters in his new fight with a political moderate, Jim Davis, the Democratic candidate for governor.

[Caipirabob]

"I want to be the people's governor," Crist said to a group of supporters in Hialeah. "I want to invite Republicans, I want to invite Democrats, I want to invite independents. We need all of them to help us win."

Well, I can't argue with this particular point, but the comment about being "populist" in the article gives me the shakes.

Per the comment page on the article:

*****

"Chain Gang Charlie" has "soften" his views, because he's fundamentally "light in the loafers" and is "gunning" for the "gang bang" vote. Besides, hasn't good ole Charlie been ordained by Jesus to be Florida's next governor? He must've been, because like Jesus, Charlie is followed around by at least 12 "fair haired" young men."

YIKES!

I didn't vote for the guy, something about him made that Gallagher fellow seem more appealing, and I wouldn't turn my back on that guy, either.

WTF happened here in Florida? Why did we get stuck with such rubbish for candidates?

[Caipirabob]

Ping!

[ncountylee]

WTF happened here in Florida? Why did we get stuck with such rubbish for candidates?

Want to trade with California?

[Caipirabob]

Want to trade with California?

Heh, I feel nominally better now. : )

Still, we're waiting to see if we get the 80% rate hike increase this November. Getting slapped with an extra $450 a month increase for escrow inside of 12 months aint gonna be fun. : (

To top it off, rumor is that Crist wants to get some expensive legislation passed for educational funding. Word is his path towards that end may involve a state income tax. I don't know for sure. All I can is prepare for the protest...

[DustyMoment]

"I want to be the people's governor," Crist said
Yeah, good luck with that, RINO!! I can't even bring myself to hold my nose and vote for you.

[BurtSB]

Do you know anything about the FL constitution?
The FL constitution prohibits a state income tax.
Boy, I am tired of all the whining over Crist.
Do you have any idea what a left wing nut job Jim Davis is?
I know the lefty clintonite , he was my congressman and former neighbor. Davis is a nasty ambulance chaser who worked his hardest to use the Terry Schavio for pure political purposes .Crist is way better choice. The FL Supreme court which is stacked with hard core left wing socialists is a product of two terms of Gov Chiles another crooked Dem !

[Joe Brower]

Florida Freeper

[floriduh voter]

lol

[floriduh voter]

Charlie Crist hates disabled people but no time for that now.

He's trying to convince black voters that he's their civil rights hero. There is nothing gentle about cc. WTF is right.

[floriduh voter]

ditto. see my last post.

[floriduh voter]

There's an indy also. Max Linn. It's Crist v. Davis v. Linn.

[MineralMan]

There's a new thread about Jeb Bush's support for Crist. Apparently, JEB is going to actively support Crist. I'd guess that'll seal the deal. Looks like it's going to be Crist as Governor of Florida. Linn? Oh, he'll pull 1%, maybe 2% of the vote. Have fun!

[VeniVidiVici]

There's a new thread about Jeb Bush's support for Crist

That's not a surprise. He's the Rep. candidate.

The fact that Jeb endorsed neither candidate in the primary speaks volumes.

[MineralMan]

"The fact that Jeb endorsed neither candidate in the primary speaks volumes."

It does. It speaks about the impropriety of endorsing candidates in primary elections. Jeb Bush wisely chose not to endorse either in the primary, so that he could actively endorse the winner with no questions asked.

[VeniVidiVici]

It speaks about the impropriety of endorsing candidates in primary elections

That's crap.

[MineralMan]

"That's crap."

Very concise. Now, why is it crap? Lots of people refuse to endorse candidates in primary elections. They wait until the candidate has been chosen, then support that candidate.

Your two word answer is not particularly interesting. Perhaps you can type some more.

[danamco]

It does. It speaks about the impropriety of endorsing candidates in primary elections. Jeb Bush wisely chose not to endorse either in the primary, so that he could actively endorse the winner with no questions asked.

And that was what he rightly so also did regarding Ms. Kathrine Harris!!!

[MineralMan]

"And that was what he rightly so also did regarding Ms. Kathrine Harris!!"

Jeb Bush has publically endorsed Katherine Harris since the election.

[yellowdoghunter]

Yikes is right.....who knows how this will all play out. I am only concerned because Florida is such a pivotal state in the Pres. election.

The family I have that lives there say they are NOT going to vote for Crist, no matter what. However, they may calm down and change their mind later, or they may not. I hate to think of the ramifications if the Dem. wins.

[yellowdoghunter]

History has shown us that an Indy takes votes away from Reps. I am afraid that may happen in Nov.