Posted on 11/06/2010 4:44:28 AM PDT by markomalley
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says he has no regrets about quitting the Republican Party, despite his decisive defeat on Tuesday.
In a phone interview with The Hill, Crist said he is proud of his Senate campaign and doesn’t regret his decision to challenge former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) as an independent candidate.
The decision to bolt the GOP initially moved Crist past Rubio in the polls. That lead quickly eroded, however, and on Tuesday, Rubio crushed Crist and Rep. Kendrick Meek (D) with 49 percent of the vote, compared with 30 percent for Crist and 20 percent for Meek.
“I’m very proud of the campaign we ran, even if I’m disappointed at the outcome,” Crist said. “The last thing I am ever is bitter. I’m just not made that way or wired like that. I’m grateful to the people of my state for the honor of serving them. … I’m the opposite of bitter.”
Crist will leave the governor’s mansion in January after nearly 20 years in the Florida government. He was elected a state senator in 1992, state education commissioner in 2000, attorney general in 2002 and governor in 2006.
Crist said he hasn’t decided on his future and will wait to “evaluate” his next career move in January. He was a lawyer before entering politics, but won’t say if he is leaning toward a return to the private sector.
If Crist opted to stay in politics, he could mount a challenge to veteran lawmaker Rep. Bill Young (R), who has served in the House since 1970. Young represents Pinellas County, Crist’s home base; the governor won the county narrowly over Rubio on Tuesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
lol
now he’s got more time to admire himself
Charlie, do you what that feeling you got was the door hitting you in the ass. Good by and stay away.
Charlie Crist is the kind of politician people have come to despise. He’s slippery as an eel and as convincing as a used car salesman.
The RINOs would have loved him but he would have been a disaster for FL and the Republican Party.
Charlie is the worst of the worst......a bitter vitriolic loser.
His place in history will be foot note 456: Loser of Senate race
He called Rubio a right wing radical. Obviously, that didn’t work here. lol! Florida sees Crist for the self serving politician he is. Everyone I talk to is disgusted with him here.
Then again, he may still have a few friends and family members he hasn't alienated yet. And I don't envy the prospects of anyone to whom he owes money or with whom he shares a business interest or from whom he's borrowed a book or a power tool.
If I wanted a Liberal/Socialist I’d have voted for one that wasn’t stealth
Charlie was a stealth Lib/Prog who didn’t want to admit his true aspirations
Sorry Charlie... we don’t want you
Who knows? He may even make an Independent run in 2012 to become the first Orange President of the United States.
The only regrets that I have is that Republicans ever nominated him for any position in the first place. With office holders like that, who needs enemies?
Let’s see, Nelson comes up for reelection in 2012...maybe Crist can become a dummocrat and challenge him in the primary, that would be a hoot.
Now he can dump his wife and go back to trolling the bars at Key West.
Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Charlie, don’t go away mad, just go away...
Charlie Crist is the reason we got McCain as a presidential candidate in 2008. I’m glad to see him gone. Too bad we still have McCain.
Crist say’s he hasn’t decided yet on his future, when actually he has.
He has already decided to end his political future, He lost any trust anyone had for him and without trust your future is decided.
Up yours Charlie.
Another RHINO leaves the herd. Bye Bye Charlie.
When given an opportunity to back up their words of tolerance and equality, the party of the KKK went home.
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