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Charlie Crist at Odds with GOP Since Becoming Governor

April 29th, 2010 by Mike Vasilinda

Governor Charlie Crist’s decision to seek a US Senate Seat as an Independent has been a long time coming. Mike Vasilinda traces his fall from grace with the GOP faithful back to the day he took office.

Since the moment he said “So help Me God” Charlie Crist began undoing much of what Jeb Bush had done the 8 years before. His first action was to issue an open-records decree. Then four months later, he undid a century-old ban on reformed felons voting.

Next he threw out the electronic voting machines in favor of paper. And when  long lines swelled in 2008 at early voting sites, Crist extended poll hours…A move the GOP believes helped Obama win Florida.

“He came to town as the anti-Jeb and he never stopped being the anti-Jeb,” Rep. Evan Jenne (D-Broward). ‘I think there was always within our chamber, I know our chamber especially, there was some anti-Charlie Crist sentiments since day one.”

Then came the man hug.

“I think the Obama hug really ignited a lot of people,” Van Poole, former GOP Chairman said.

In August last year, he made what many consider his most serious mistake. He appointed George LeMieux to the US Senate seat that he is seeking. He not only lost his closest advisor, but he lost the chance to reward longtime party loyalists.

On Thursday, bumper stickers touting his demise appeared on the Legislative floors of the State Capitol.

What the governor gives up is significant. There will be no polling, there will be no staff, there will be no mailings from the Republican party.

There’s also criticism for appointing liberal judges. And the most recent nails in the coffin, the vetoes of the legislative leadership funds and the teacher tenure bill.

State law does not require Crist to return campaign contributions, but he has returned some after being requested to do so.

Posted in Charlie Crist, Elections, Politics, State News | 1 Comment »

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