Some Florida Dems disgusted with Crist role at DNC

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: The Miami Herald

To President Obama’s reelection team, former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist’s high-profile speaking role at the Democratic National Convention is a coup.

But to many longtime Florida Democrats, it’s revolting.

"If he gets up to speak at the convention, it’ll be a good time to go to the bathroom," said Palm Beach County’s tax collector, Anne Gannon, a Florida Democratic delegate.

“He’s a born-again Democrat,” Gannon said. “He’s a nice man, but he doesn’t have a clue about his value-system.’

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/04/2984054/florida-dems-disgusted-with-crist.html

[progressivebydesign]

1. Yeah, nice way to welcome people into the Party. not. n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. He is welcome to join the Party, but many FL Democrats are not happy as this fits in with

Crist's attempt to get back into the Governor's mansion pretending to be a Democrat.

[aquart]

26. It's not like they deliver the state, though, is it?

[Freddie Stubbs]

27. We delivered FL for Obama in 2008 while Crist campaigned for McCain and Palin

[phleshdef]

33. True, but Crist extended early voting and did many other things to ensure integrity of the vote.

I remember this pretty clearly. The McCain campaign was really pissed at him over that.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

34. He splits the FL party along racial lines in 2010 and then gets a prime convention

speaking slot just two years later?

How many Republicans will Crist deliver for President Obama, and how many members of the President's base will Crist offend deeply?

IMO, the answers are FEW and MANY, respectively.

African-American US House of Representatives member Kendrick Meek (D-FL), winner of the 2010 Democrtic Primary for Senate with more than 57 percent of the vote, is a smart, Kennedy-like politician from a Florida family that has produced generations of fine Democratic politicians.

Crist, loser of the Republican Senate Primary that year, got far more Democratic votes than Republican votes in the General Election, running against Rubio and Meek as an "independent" (See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/02/florida-election-results-_2_n_765881.html )

How many Republicans can we expect Crist to convince to vote for Barack Obama?

Doesn't the party risk splitting Florida Democrats all over again by giving a prime speaking slot to party-splitter Crist? What do Kendrick Meek and other true Florida Democrats have to say today?

[phleshdef]

40. You are acting like you are telling me things that I don't know.

Crist had a right to run as an independent in 2010. I personally would've voted for Meek. But he still had a right to run.

I have no problem with him getting a speaking slot. I think it makes for good political optics for people who aren't hyperpartisan (which is a lot, if not most, people) and thats how the game is played.

None of what you said has anything to do with my point. Crist did the right thing for voting rights in Florida in 2008 and I feel like his actions as governor had a lot to do with Obama being able to get a fair shot and ultimately win the state, whether he himself was supporting Obama or not is irrelevant. He did a great thing for voting rights that year in a state known to have a lot of problems where fair elections are concerned.

[Zambero]

2. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"

Crist and other moderate Republicans have been shut out of today's extreme Republican party. If they are no longer welcome there and are now more in tune with what the Democratic party has to offer, I say let's welcome them with open arms. The final months of a closely contested 2012 presidential election is not the best time to marginalize someone who could be helpful in delivering a critical swing state such as Florida.

[LoisB]

6. You are absolutely correct. I think Crist is a pretty good guy.

[roguevalley]

18. for some, it would be like me having to see Palin speak at the

convention if she changed. we can't put pain aside fast enough sometimes. I am not against redemption. I just also acknowledge other's grudges and grief.

[Freddie Stubbs]

22. In 2006, Crist campaigned for Governor saying that he was in favor of civil unions

In 2008, he campaigned for a state constitutional amendment that banned civil unions.

He's not a good guy.

[wordpix]

14. +100 and it's one more vote FL for O so let it be, geesh

[Freddie Stubbs]

21. Crist is not a moderate Republican

[Zambero]

30. Liberal then?

That would probably be a bit of a stretch. But in no uncertain terms, GOP conservatives soundly reject him as being one of their own. To those on the right he is likely perceived as a lefty turncoat, and to those on the left an old-style Republican. So, by today's standards he would likely be considered an uncommon centrist in a bipolar political environment. At any rate, if he can deliver another 1,000+ votes in Florida for Obama, it might just help to preclude another stolen election.

[Freddie Stubbs]

31. He doesn't have a set ideology

He does complete 180 degree turns on numerous issues.

For instance, when he ran for Governor he stated that he was in favor of civil unions. After he was elected, he actively campaigned for a state constitutional amendment prohibiting civil unions. I'm sure now that he wants to run for Governor as a Democrat he will be in favor of civil unions again.

What will he do once he get elected? Whatever he thinks is best for Charlie Crist.

[AikidoSoul]

29. Though he was a Republican FL governor, we used to say, "He's the best

Democratic governor we've ever had.

He was noticeably more liberal than other FL Democratic governors.

[SoapBox]

3. If the ship was sinking...

I swear the Dems could not hold it together.

Hey Dems...STFU! You may not be happy BUT shut up! Really, you yapped about this to a newspaper? Serious??? SHUT UP!

Sheesh, it's crap like this that just gives the Bully and Bagger Party freaks at ClusterFuxNews, stuff to spew about.

SHUT UP!!!!!

[bluestateguy]

4. Oh here we go

From the same clowns who broke the primary scheduling rules four years ago and created an unhelpful headache all the way to the convention.

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. The FL primary was moved by the Republican-controlled legislature and the Governor in 2007

Does anyone remember who was Governor of FL in 2007?

[Vincardog]

5. He is welcome as long as he supports a Democratic agenda, not if he wants to move us to be more

Conservative. If their party moved too far right for them why do they think we should do the same?

[DJ13]

12. +1

All too often our party welcomes 'former' Republicans only to see they still act like Republicans, moving the party even further right.

[AtomicKitten]

7. It's all about the optics.

Truth is Crist had his ass handed to him by the GOP because he hugged the president.

I really have no problem with him speaking.

[cosmicone]

8. We should welcome him

simply to prove that we are not like them.

We celebrate diversity of cultures, color and ideas and we don't shut people up because some of their views may not be exactly as our own, especially when they don't affect our core values.

[rachel1]

9. No surprise

A fucking repuke disguised as a Democrat is allowed to speak at the convention?

Why he was allowed is flabbergasting.

I also can't believe people advocated voting for him instead of Kendrick Meek back in 2010.

SMH

[FlaGranny]

10. Well, it was because

Charlie Crist did a decent job as Florida's governer and most democrats actually like him here. He had excellent creds and name recognition and doesn't follow party lines, stood up to republicans. Meek unknown outside his local area and really had no chance statewide.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. Did he stand up to Republicans when he campaigned for Amendment 2 in 2008?

Did he stand up to Republicans when he said that Sarah Palin was more qualified that Barack Obama to be President?

[FlaGranny]

32. No, but

I never claimed he stood up to Republicans every single time, or always was on the side of Barack Obama. He was a decent enough governor, and showed the courage to stand against his own party more than once and gained the respect of many Democrats for doing so.

[Freddie Stubbs]

35. He threw the Democrats a few crumbs when he thought that it would help him

[Mac1949]

11. I lived in Florida when Crist was governor.

He was quite moderate in most areas. The reason we now have governor Voldemort is that the Florida GOP threw him under the bus, because he stood up to them. I think Crist would benefit the Democratic Party far more than some of our existing blue dogs. People can change and I think Crist is going through that process. Also, I find it a bit of a coup, having one of their own speaking out against them. Yeah, embracing Crist could backfire, but it's not a very big risk and imho, worth it.

[YOHABLO]

13. So when is he coming OUT?

[SoapBox]

16. ... funny.

[nanabugg]

15. Remember, it's the Miami Herald reporting this. nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. If you can find some factual inaccuracies, I would welcome that

[Nine]

17. Oh NOOOO! Internal disagreement!!!

Crist is useful to the national party because he stands for moderate Republicans who grew disenchanted with how the Republicans have gone off the deep end. In Florida, it hasn't been so long since Crist was simply the Republican opponent, and he may go back and run again as a Dem against other Dems in a primary. Of course there are hard feelings about that. But what are you gonna do? Sometimes national party goals butt up against state party goals. That's just reality. But of course some people just LOOOOVVVE making hay out of such things.

[David__77]

19. Well, as a Californian, I'd feel the same if Arnold Schwarzenegger became a Democrat.

And he was arguably to the left of Crist. But, as a non-Florida person, promoting Crist does look like smart politics.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

28. Whatever happened to Kendrick Meek, winner of the 2010 D Primary

for Senate with more than 57 percent of the vote?

Didn't Crist, loser of the Republican Senate Primary that year, get far more Democratic Votes than Republican votes in the General Election, running against Rubio and Meek as an "independent"? (See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/02/florida-election-results-_2_n_765881.html )

How many Republicans can we expect Crist to convince to vote for Barack Obama?

Doesn't the party risk splitting Florida Democrats all over again by giving a prime speaking slot to Crist? What do Kendrick Meek and other true Florida Democrats have to say today?

[brooklynite]

36. Just ran into him in Charlotte...

He's very popular with the Democrats here.

[Hugabear]

37. You mean "Chain-Gang Charlie"?

Yep, that used to be his nickname when he was Florida's Attorney General, one he earned by his fondness of prison chain gangs.

He's the epitome of a spineless politician who will say anything that he thinks is popular at the moment.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

38. Crist Has Too Much Baggage To Win As A Democrat Or A Republican

However if Crist has become a Democrats that's his right.

It's the same thing with religion.

If a person wants to change his or her political party that's their right.

Welcome to the party, Mr. Crist.

[Trajan]

39. Your feelings are understandable and justified ...

It is more of an 'in your face, republican!' moment .... Perhaps to help show other republicans the way out of their existential pain and vote for President Obama ...

[Stuart G]

41. Crist is there for only one reason...to help get the Florida electoral vote.

Christ was well liked as governor. Many moderate Republicans admire him..Let us say he helps get us just 2 percent more vote there, that ultimately puts Florida in our column. Giving him 10 minutes is worth it, if we get those 29 electoral votes..