Free Republic

As the GOP head to Florida, the literal poster boy for trial lawyers in Florida is endorsing Obama. It is not a surprise. Charlie Crist was Barack Obama’s favorite Republican for the longest time. They stood shoulder to shoulder in support of the stimulus. RedState played a great role in helping beat Charlie Crist. Marco Rubio is such an improvement But I do hope Charlie Crist gets a speaking role at the Democratic National Convention. They could use a refreshing voice such as Crist’s. See, Charlie Crist has long maintained Todd Akin’s abortion position — no exceptions except life...

Citing campaign sources, several national and Florida media reported Wednesday that RINO Florida Governor Charlie Crist had already made the decision to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent. He probably has. But Crist is famous for changing his mind. Just a couple of weeks ago Crist was assuring us he would run as a Republican. After a cabinet meeting in Tallahassee Tuesday, the 53-year-old Crist said he would decide by today what he wants to be when he grows up. Those who've followed Crist's career doubt he will have this important question nailed down by today, or perhaps...

Even as Florida struggled with massive budget shortfalls, lawmakers and top state employees have received health-insurance perks costing taxpayers $45 million a year. Top Florida lawmakers are balking at Congress' plans to help more poor people get healthcare, though they've protected an entitlement of their own: free insurance premiums. Taxpayers have been stuck with covering the premiums -- at a cost of about $45 million a year -- even while lawmakers pledged to scrimp as they grappled with three straight years of budget shortfalls. Florida doesn't limit the subsidies to statewide officeholders like Gov. Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer...

Gov. Charlie Crist insists it wasn't the chance to sample Burger King's new Bourbon Whopper and fire-grilled ribs that lured him to the company's Miami headquarters for the second time this month. The calorie-conscious governor, forced by a plane delay to cut his Sept. 2 visit short, said he returned Monday ``to learn from people on the front end of what's happening in the economy and how government can get out of the way and maybe help.'' But a spokesman for Crist's rival for the U.S. Senate, Republican Marco Rubio, suggested campaign fundraisers are frequently keeping the governor in South...

Pelosi warns Bush shouldn't 'abuse power' on troop escalation (01-15) 12:37 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, returning to her hometown of San Francisco, strongly warned today that President Bush "should not abuse his power" with regard to troop escalation in the Iraq war and said it is the duty of Congress to "exercise oversight over his power.'' "If the president doesn't have a plan, Democrats will hold him accountable," Pelosi said in her first public appearance outside Washington since her election as speaker Jan. 4. Regarding Bush's decision to push ahead with an escalation of about 21,500...