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2008 was a year of ups and downs for Governor Charlie Crist. He was thrust into the national spotlight as talks of a Crist VP nomination began to surface. While he lost the nomination, he gained a wife. As Whitney Ray tells us, his biggest test next year could be trying to keep government afloat as state revenues dwindle.

Hear it Here: Crist�s Year in Review

2008 started off strong for Governor Charlie Crist. The plan he backed to lower property taxes was approved by voters and a gaming compact he signed with the Seminole Tribe brought blackjack and Vegas-style slots to Florida. But both plans soured.

The state Supreme Court ruled the Governor�s compact needed legislative approval and despite his campaign promise property taxes didn�t drop like a rock.

But he soon rebounded as talks of a Crist VP Nomination began to surface. Crist spent the summer campaigning for John McCain, and while McCain said �I don�t� a special lady said �I do� and moved into the Governor�s Mansion.

Crist became Florida�s first sitting governor in 41 years to get married while in office. Florida�s new First Lady Carole Crist wants to spend 2009 helping kids.

�Particularly children in Florida are very near and dear to my heart,� said Carole in a December 21st interview.

While his wife will focus on the kids, Crist has an even bigger task: working with lawmakers to find a way to bridge the state�s two billion dollar budget gap. Despite the economic downturn and the shrinking state budget Crist�s approval rating remains in the high 60�s.