trust this guy. Let me state it openly. I will not be supporting any crossover candidates.

Sheesh. Rick Scott's history of being a chief executive includes running a hospital corporation to the ground and stomping on poor Floridians.

And c'mon, Crist is being sincere. He's confirming what many people know is driving the sane people away from the Ratpublicons.

When a puke politician sees the light they bring others to the light.

He is as much a Democrat now as most of our other leaders in the FL party. I disagree with him less now than I do Bill Nelson.

But I smell sincerety in Crist. I sure hope he sends Scott packing!

I know a lot of folks who know him well. My 2nd wife knew him for years.

I got to meet and talk to him a couple of times. I know a lot of Republicans. This guy was never a Republican. Not a real one anyway.

I am sure he feels much more comfortable as a Democrat.

In fact he is much more down to earth and accessible than Bill Nelson.

I think he hung around a lot of Republicans his whole life and just assumed that's what he was.

I am sure he is much happier now.

He looked the part, and as a tanned, silver-haired bachelor (he has since wed-2nd time around but he spent decades unattached, fueling the usual rumors he was on the DL), he was in demand as an escort for those wealthy women, either widows or sans-spouse for whatever reasons. That's how he slid into that milieu.

I think his ideological views are more D Team than R Team, and always have been.

Some people do things because the path is easier.

I suspect he is MUCH more comfortable as a Dem.

....Crist is not alone. I know several former Repugs that have either joined the Democratic party or gone independent because they just can't take the nut job crazy anymore. I can't see how anyone can be a decent human being and at the same time a card carrying Repuk. They're down to the sociopaths, totally propagandized with two brain cells or both.

Because that sick twisted pRick Scott needs to go. He's just plain evil. Crist's platform and history is relatively liberal for Florida.

and I was working in a public school when Charlie Crist when to bat for the Teacher's Union, against all the opposition from the Republicans in the legislature.

Who the HELL wants the FRAUD Governor to be re-elected? Incidentally, I hold nothing against Charlie to being a Republican, turned Independent, turned Democrat.

I myself was an Independent for almost 40 years before I became a Democrat. I ended that CHARADE the same as Charlie did. Do I not count too because I haven't been a Dem my entire voting life?

If you looked into it, you would know that.

Dems and African Americans are struggling (rather mightily) from lack of Medicaid expansion, Stand Your Ground Laws, and poor education under Rick Sco*t, and we have people on here quibbling about Crist. I'm sorry, but until you all can come up with a suitable candidate, you're better off posting on the freeper site.

That's just it, though, you won't come up with an electable candidate. I suspect you don't have much of an issue with Scott at all.

thanks alp

...than the truth...

The people don't want a phony Democrat. If it's a choice between a genuine Republican, and a Republican in Democratic clothing, the people will choose the genuine article, every time; that is, they will take a Republican before they will a phony Democrat, and I don't want any phony Democratic candidates in this campaign."
---President Harry Truman

When he was governor he vetoed SB6 the first bill in Florida that tied test scores to teacher pay and to certification. we see these everywhere today but this was one of the first and he backed the teachers and their union in opposing it along with students in some schools who walked out in protest. Of course the guy he's running against right now came in and made sure that in following years most of the really bad stuff in that bill was enacted into law Plus More! I have no problem voting for Charlie. He actually listened to his constituents and did what he thought was right. That's more than some Democrats do when it comes to education these days.

He still supports some charter schools, but so do the rest of the Democrats. He has stood for teachers at times when the others here did not.

My addition here and I stand by it.

Time to play that race card.

The truth will surely burn.

Looming defeat is why he left for greener electoral pastures. Being a weasel is why he pretends any other factor mattered.

I call bullshit!

I like Warren but she doesn't have the clout of a Charlie Crist who has been deep inside the belly of the Rethug party and lived to tell about it.

Wow. I'll have to chew on that one a bit, but I do appreciate well-executed hyperbole when I see it.

-Laelth

-Laelth

So he would try again as a Democrat. He seemed to have no problem with the bigots when he was winning.

for Senator. Do you live in Florida?

I lived in Florida briefly while Crist was governor. He doesn't seem as fake as some politicians. He seems to have always had an independent streak. I think he's good for Florida.

That is essentially what he did from Republic to Independent to Democrat. It is true that people change their mind on issues. However, when you change your view on nearly every issue, especially when its to be inline with a new party, I don't think its sincere. I personally think most politicians are fake, but Crist is in a league of his own here. Obviously if you think he will be the best governor than vote for him. Everytime I go to the ballot, I realize that almost every person on it is an opportunist, and probably don't mean half of what they say. I would certainly vote for Crist over a republican, because it would probably be for the best. However, I still don't respect the man. Keep in mind that just a few years ago when he ran as an independent, he was still officially anti choice and anti gay marriage while trying to play both sides. He is not a man of principals. I would personally vote for someone else in the Florida primary if I lived there, but he will still probably win.

He was never a real Republican, neither based on policies, nor if you knew him personally and talked to him.

I remember him being a pretty typical republican.

Pro Iraq War, Anti Choice, Anti Gay, Anti healthcare etc...

Was he lying about all these stances? These were all his official stances in very recent history.

However, his officially stated stances were at least 80% in line with the official republican platform as recently as 4 or 5 years ago. Therefore, he either to have been a real republican, or he was lying about all his stances.

What about 14 years ago. The shit Florida repub's pulled is UN-fucking forgivable.

And what about YOHABLO's question:

Charlie Crist: "Bigots are a ‘big reason’ I left GOP" Oh really? How about their values suck?

imputing an intent that did not exist.

And...I got nothing. Yes there are many of us with unclean hands. When the voting age was changed from 21 to 18, I registered as an Independent. We had two republican state senators who did a lot for our state and were institutions. That was a vary long time ago. I'll just say I am not proud and call it the folly of youth. I certainly was not as knowledgeable as I am now. MADem you have bested me.

However, this was still over a period of 20 years, not 5 years, and isn't essentially the entire platform, like it was for Crist. Read here for Crist's platform changes. Crist is the most obvious opportunist I have ever seen in the political world.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/there-is-almost-nothing-charlie-crist-hasnt-flip-flopped-on

Is it only "recent" converts that trouble you? If they convert in 1995, it's better than 2005?


Not sure what your point is. People DO change. And sometimes they change in HUGE and overwhelming ways. Look at the life story of Robert Byrd--from Klansman to ardent defender of the Constitution. Read David Brock's Blinded By the Right -- it'll set your hair on fire.

If you think that people can never make mistakes, or have no capacity for growth, or are always One Thing and Can Never Change, you may as well just ... Give Up Now.

He did not leave the Republican party because of any kind of conviction. despite whats he claiming now (Where are the sound bites of him from a few years ago talking about the racist attacks on Obama?). He left because he couldn't beat Marco Rubio in a primary. If he could have beat Rubio, he'd probably still be a republican. When he ran as an independent, he got caught taking the pro life nonsense off the issues page of his campaign website. He didn't replace it with anything pro choice or a different position. He did not hold any press conference coming out as pro choice. He just removed part of his platform and hoped noone would notice.

Its because he knew independents would be both pro life and pro choice. he didn't want to offend anyone. Abortion is a MAJOR ISSUE, and I don't trust any politicians who tries to swing with the wind on this issue. He is now claiming he's pro choice, but we will see. I looked up info on him, and see he's claimed to be either pro life or pro choice before. I don't mean the talking point "I'm both pro life and pro choice." I mean to say he has been effectively anti choice or pro choice at many different points in his career. How can you trust anyone who is such an opportunist on such a personal issue? Any politician who cannot give a clear answer on a issue that effects millions of women this personally is not to be trusted.


On Elizabeth Warren, I don't know enough about her switch. However, I have seen nothing that comes close to the level of opportunism I've seen from Crist. I understand people change their viewpoints. Hell, I've certainly done that. I'm a atheist who grew up Methodist. However, I don't think Crist's changes are legitimate. I think the man will say anything to get elected. I think if he finds an opportunity to win an election as a republican, he will be a republican by the end of the day.

If he's willing to support the wishes of his constituents, and conduct himself proactively to bring those wishes to fruition, and those wishes coincide with the goals of the Democratic Party, I say more power to the guy.

Getting into a foot stomping exercise because someone with a lot of connections, a lot of experience, and a lot of knowledge has suddenly seen the light is counterproductive and borders on petulance. Anyone who can do the job, who is willing to do the job, who can get the votes and can support the "D" platform is OK with me. This isn't simply about dewy-eyed "true believers," it's about people who can do the work and advance the legislation to change the society. At the end of the day, that's all that matters.

As for going back to the GOP fold, I don't think that will ever happen. They've already called him every name in the book and treated him like shit. That ship has sailed.

Crist left the GOP just over four years ago. How many years does he have to be "divorced" from them before he is regarded as sincere?

It's a no brainer.

But this Crist!! Not!!!

Really that is my only point here. There is a long standing strategy out there of repub's crossing over and infecting from within. Remember Joe Lieberman? "Oh yeah man, I am one of you". I think we can see it operating right here on DU. I am not so big a person that I am willing to forgive. Especially when we have not even began to recover what has be lost at their hands. Fuck um!!!

I guess they have not yet figured out that everyone knows you are a racist the moment the phrase "play(s)(ed)(ing) the race card" leaves your lips.