Former Governor Charlie Crist says he shares President Barack Obama’s vision for the future of the state and the nation. And, in addition to the recent endorsement, the former Republican is also speaking at the Democratic National Convention. But, many Florida GOP leaders say Crist is a turncoat, who is just trying to make a political comeback.
“He has said our party left him. Well, that’s nonsense based on his record,” said Lenny Curry, the Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.
Curry is responding to a recent op-ed article, written by former Governor Charlie Crist.
In that article, Crist endorsed President Barack Obama, saying he’s still the right man to lead the nation and the state of Florida. But, some people, like Curry, do not believe the endorsement of the former Republican is genuine.
“It appears to me that he’s trying to reinvent himself politically, either to run for office or who knows,” remarked Curry.
Curry says to set the record straight, Crist left the Republican Party, not the other way around. Crist changed his registration to no party affiliation in 2010, when he decided to run in a U.S. Senate Race against Senator Marco Rubio. Now, there’s even speculation he may be trying to run as a Democrat against Governor Rick Scott in 2014.
Crist’s recent endorsement of Mr. Obama as well as his speaking engagement at the Democratic National Convention also has drawn a lot of criticism in the form of jokes during the Republican National Convention in Tampa. During a breakfast for the Florida delegates, House Speaker Designate Will Weatherford took a jab at Crist, drawing a comparison between the former Republican Governor and Isaac, a tropical storm at the time.
“Speaking of winds blowing and people shifting positions, the Florida Republican Party had a former member of the Republican Party by the name of Charlie Crist, who's decided not to be a part of our party member anymore," said Weatherford to a crowd who booed his remark.
And, as the program continued, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam joined in, giving Florida Congresswoman and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz a back-handed compliment.
“Charlie Crist has just accepted a speaking invitation at the Democratic National Convention [boos] and all I could think was, 'At least Debbie stands for something, even if it's wrong. What does he stand for except himself," said Putnam. " It's unbelievable! He'll wear any costume just to get in the parade."
While Crist has not yet responded to his critics remarks, he did speak to Chris Matthews, the host of MSNBC’s Hardball. Crist gave a brief preview of what he’ll be talking about at the Democratic National Convention.
“Well, I’m going to talk about the President. And, I’m going to talk about the fact that I think he’s been a great leader, that he has really led us in a very difficult time, obviously he inherited a real mess," said Crist. The fact that he has worked across the aisle. He helped us in Florida when I was a Republican and didn’t really care about the partisanship about it at all. He was very non-partisan and was a gentleman.”
Crist also tried to put the rumors surrounding a gubernatorial run in 2014 against Governor Rick Scott to rest:
Matthews: “You think you might run against him [Scott] next time?”
"I don’t. I don’t think so," replied Crist.
Matthews (to the crowd): "Do you want him [Crist]to run? Do you want Charlie to run? [cheers]
“I’m enjoying the private sector very much,” Crist replied.
But, RPOF Chairman Lenny Curry is not so sure that Crist will be staying on the sidelines, and says he wants Democrats to beware:
“We want to make sure the Democrats understand what they’re getting in Charlie Crist because outside of politics, I care about the state of Florida," said Curry. "Now, Charlie Crist is not a Democrat now, but if the voters in the Primary of the Democratic Party or even the base want to embrace someone who is pro-life, pro-gun, anti-gay marriage, anti-civil union, okay, then that’s their opportunity and their choice! But, sounds a lot like the Republican Party to me, though.”
Crist is not the only person to leave his party and get a speaking slot at the convention for his former rival party. Artur Davis is a former Democratic congressman, who seconded Obama's nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in 2008. Davis, though, recently became a Republican and spoke at the RNC in Tampa. But, Curry says there’s a difference between the two men.
"Charlie Crist is trying to reinvent himself," said Curry. Well, let me back up, Charlie Crist has not gone on the record of changing his positions at this point in time. I don’t know how he endorses Barack Obama, though, when he’s spoken against ObamaCare, when he spoke against many of the Obama policies, when he spoke against many of the policies when he was running for the U.S. Senate.”
In a statement, the Executive Director of the Florida Democratic Party says he believes Crist’s endorsement of Mr. Obama sends “a powerful message to his former party, a message that the GOP has left him.”
Crist is scheduled to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, which starts September 4th, a day after Labor Day.
