Florida Governor Charlie Crist is in it to Win It
Why I Will Vote for Crist in the 2010 U.S. Senate Race
After weeks of intense speculation, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist announced today in St. Petersburg that he will be running for the U.S. Senate seat as an Independent. Originally slated to run in the Republican primary race, Crist had been trailing his opponent, former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, by as many as 20 points in some polls. Recently, there had been signs that Crist would leave the primary and run as an independent after he vetoed two popular pieces of legislation supported by Florida Republican leadership. A veteran of Florida politics, Crist is in his first term as governor.
As a Florida resident and public school teacher, I voted for Governor Crist when he ran for that office in 2006. I reside in St. Petersburg, which happens to be Charlie Crist's hometown, so I did have above average exposure to the governor. Charlie Crist has always been a moderate Republican, which appealed to my independent side. He has an ability to connect with the average Floridian through his meek disposition and pragmatic approach to governing. What appealed to me the most about Gov. Crist was his contemplative and team-oriented approach to solving some of our states problems. He has never been one to strong-arm constituents and seems to be very sensitive to the issues that are important to the people of Florida.
Challenging Times
Unfortunately for Crist, he is serving as governor during a time of economic recession that has greatly affected Florida. Floridians have endured record unemployment, a major housing market decline, and serious budget concerns. This reality, coupled with the discontent in Republican circles with political incumbents in general, has factored into the meteoric rise of Crists opponent, Marco Rubio.
Crist is willing to take risks if he feels that they will benefit the state. Some of these risks have put him at odds with the Republican Party. One recent example of this is his veto of Senate Bill 6, which was pushed through our state legislature along strict party lines and to the vast objection of the people of Florida. The Republican leadership went as far as to prevent any amendments from being added during the floor debate, even though they conceded that the bill was flawed. Essentially, Senate bill 6 would have stripped new Florida teachers of due process, discontinued the common educational practice of counting degrees and experience in determining teacher compensation, and tied over 50% of a teacher pay and annual evaluation to standardized test results. The son of a former school board member and the brother of two sisters who serve in education, Crist took seven days to tour the state, meeting with stakeholders and constituents. Going against his own party, Crist vetoed the controversial bill, ultimately killing it. Another example of how Gov. Crist opposed the Republican Party for the good of the people of Florida was his acceptance of federal stimulus money from the Obama administration. Even though Crist was the recipient of heavy criticism from within the conservative ranks, this money was used to save thousands of jobs within the state of Florida. Ironically, the same Republican-led legislature that criticized Crist, tailored Senate Bill 6 around their expressed desire to position the state to receive federal Race to the Top grant money from the Obama administration.
When all is said and done, I do believe that Charlie Crist will narrowly win the U.S. Senate race. In a three person race, Crists broad appeal, visibility as governor, and veteran experience in the political trenches of Florida wills serve him well. If ever there was a candidate who was tailored made for an independent run in Florida, Charlie Crist is that man. This is why he can count on my vote in November.
SOURCES
Sun-Sentinel News
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/fl-crist-independent-20100429,0,297872.story
Crist Education Veto Angers GOP, Shakes Up Florida Senate Race: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/04/16/crist-education-veto-angers-gop-shakes-up-florida-senate-race?icid=sphere_tribune_sunsentinel_inline
In advance of Crist's announcement, Rubio thanks supporters
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/in-advance-of-crists-announcement-rubio-thanks-supporters/1091338
Charlie Crist Could Win Election As An Independent
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/15/charlie-crist-could-win-e_n_539122.html
Teacher's Union Urges Members to Thank Crist
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/teachers-union-urges-members-to-thank-crist/1089253
http://feaweb.org/fea-praises-crist-for-sb6-veto
U.S. Attorney, IRS and FBI Investigating Florida GOP Credit Card Use
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/us-attorney-irs-and-fbi-investigating-florida-gop-credit-card-use/1088979
Miami Herald on Senate Bill 6
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/15/1581083/gov-charlie-crist-vetoes-teacher.html
Justnews.Com Crist Biography
http://www.justnews.com/politics/9945437/detail.html
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2 Comments
Post a CommentYou are a disgrace Mr. Governor.
Guess you would never have the courage to do what the Govenor of Arizona did. Florida has a big immigration problem, but I am guessing you don't know about it.
"To put these rumors to rest once and for all, as we have said countless times before, Governor Crist is running for the United States Senate as a Republican. He will not run as an Independent or as a No Party Affiliation.
"The Governor is proud of his conservative credentials and stands firmly behind the principles of limited government and more personal freedom, the bedrock values of the Republican Party. He is proud to be a member of the Party of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan.
"This should completely and utterly put to rest any of the unfounded rumors coming from the Rubio campaign that Governor Crist would run as anything other than the Republican that he is."
Charlie Crist's website, April 8th 2010... since redacted and flushed down the memory hole.