BREAKING

Former Florida GOP Governor Switches To The Dems

Charlie Crist's move is hardly surprising

Dec 8, 2012 by David Mark

Editor-in-Chief t

Image: AP

Charlie Crist, a former Florida Republican governor, is switching to the Democratic party, reports The Tampa Bay Times. Crist has teased the move for years, and his official party change clears the way for a 2014 gubernatorial run as a Democrat.

Crist served as a state legislator, education commissioner, attorney general as a fairly conventional Republican. But he veered left after winning the Florida governorship in 2006, succeeding GOP icon Jeb Bush. Crist supported restoring voting rights for felons and backed President Obama's economic stimulus program.

Crist decided to forgo what would likely have been an easy reelection bid for governor in 2010 to run for U.S. Senate. But his ideological flexibility came back to haunt him in the Republican primary against rising star Marco Rubio. Crist bolted to run as an independent. He lost in a three-way race; Sen. Rubio's now a likely 2016 presidential candidate.

But Democrats are welcoming Crist. He signed papers changing his party from independent to Democrat at a White House Christmas party. "President Barack Obama greeted the news with a fist bump for the man who had a higher profile campaigning for Obama's re-election this year than any Florida Democrat," according to The Times.

"The widely expected move positions Crist, 56, for another highly anticipated step: announcing his candidacy for governor, taking on Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Scott and an untold number of Democrats who would challenge him for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination."

Via The Tampa Bay Times and Politix analysis.

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?	Is Crist a principled politician or a turncoat?

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Comments (view in Forum)

Dec '12

Jack-Black

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He was always a RINO anyway.
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Dec '12

Sharpshooter

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OXYMORON ALERT!!!!!!!!!! Principled Politician

SIMPLEMORON ALERT!!!!!!!!!! Chucky Crist

Great move, the Republican Party just experienced a massive gain. Chucky will fit in quite well with the party of the turncoat, maybe Bozo Biden will help him get into Clown College and Der Fuhrer will get his records sealed.
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Dec '12

martydotcom

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He's.
money in bank next Governor. Current Tea Bag Governor ratings low 30's
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Dec '12

MRMacrum

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From what I know of him, he's one of the more principle one. In my view, the ability to change one's mind based on new information, insight or introspection does in no way indicate one is "not principled". That said, his switch to the Democratic Party is only being a turncoat to Independents. Crist's coat turned the first time when he left the GOP. The two issues are not mutually exclusive.
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Dec '12

Mia

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Definition: politician- charlie christ
public servant-Allen West
Crist inspires no one. He has no courage and no sense of loyalty. He is a poor example for todays youth and he earns no respect.
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Dec '12

sabbatical

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American Reps and Dems should all switch to Commies ...
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Dec '12

mimi57

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If that wasn't so true it would be somewhat funny...HELLO...The Dems are already there, and the Republicans are trying to save what is left of the country. Get it?!
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Dec '12

MRMacrum

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@mimi57 - "Republicans are trying to save what is left of the country." ...

Well maybe they should stop trying to save the US of the 1950s and update 60 years and try to save the US of the 21st century.
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Dec '12

mimi57

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@MRMacrum Which is?...
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Dec '12

MRMacrum

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@mimi57 - I know it isn't the US from my youth. And that is all that is important.
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Dec '12

mimi57

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@MRMacrum I really have concerns as to where this country is headed...
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Dec '12

joyshusband

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Flip Flopper.
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Dec '12

FFX_VA

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I thought he was a loser in search of a new team to sponsor him.
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Dec '12

RealHonesTruth

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The Republican Party is having a Civil War within itself. They made a mistake by letting the crazies take too much control of the Party. Now any decent Republican has to entertain the fringe in order to be chosen by his/her own party. By the way Rick Scott should be in prison for Medicare fraud.
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Dec '12

Neo_NtheMatrix

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SHOCKER!!!

Not.
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Dec '12

Thunderchicken

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For years I've said that the Republicans have become Democrat lite. Recent events show it very well.
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Dec '12

bsking

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principled politician thats f#%kn funny
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Dec '12

mimi57

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He can join the ranks of Spector and 'Biggy Big Chris Christy'...I've never trusted middle of the road <<<</ >>>>>
can't make up my mind politicians, the same way I've never trusted people who don't like dogs...
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Dec '12

MRMacrum

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Well I like dogs. Actually we have one as a member of our family. Stub's her name. Walking on three legs is her game. But I am also firmly planted on one side or the other of the political middle usually. So I guess you can only half trust me. I assume that puts me a tad higher on your "trust" gauge than many if not most politicians. If not, then I would suggest you re-calibrate that gauge. ;)
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Dec '12

mimi57

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@MRMacrum Yep, anyone who loves dogs can be trusted ...to a point. I love three legged dogs, they are so
determined to get around and over come their handicap, I have a 16 yr.old Chow, and he is falling constantly,
I pick him up and take it a day at a time, I know he doesn't have long...it will be one of the saddest days in my life when I have to let him go. Politicians could learn a lot from dogs, especially loyalty!
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Dec '12

MRMacrum

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@mimi57 - Yeah. Dogs do not judge. Dogs do not question. Dogs just always want to be either in your lap or on the other side of the door.
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Dec '12

DrNickels

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He's just being a typical gutless, hollow, politician. I'm sure if republicans get an upswing in power after Obama's next 4 years Crist will be registering as a republican.
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Dec '12

PNWest

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Time will tell. FL has serious buyers regret over electing Bat Boy lookalike Rick Scott. Crist sees an opening and is jumping in.
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Dec '12

DARSB

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In a year when a Democrat takes Florida, down to the Cuban vote, on the way to winning the Presidency a moderate Republican might reasonably feel his prospects are brighter as a Democrat.

Is this evidence of the continuing descent of the GOP? Well, if Gov Crist wins his next race...
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Dec '12

Sonny

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If the republican party continues to allow the the tea party, paul ryan & the likes of rush limbaugh to control its message and policies, they will continues to lose the support of the American People, and, thus more and more people will cease to call them selves "republicans". Not many Americans continue to believe in many of the "theories" that the republican party continues to push. Like "cutting taxes on the most wealthy will result in jobs & prosperity for all". Its already been proven that "trickle-down" did not work...So if they continue on this path, they will lose more people, support, and politicians each and every year.
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Dec '12

Republican5001

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Modern day Benedict Arnold. Turncoat, no surprise. No quarter or parley shall be given.
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Dec '12

NormalFlora

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Why would anyone with a brain call Crist a turncoat for refusing to be a part of the self-annihilation of the GOP?
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Dec '12

alwar

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He is a chameleon....
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Dec '12

seedtick

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Who gives a rat's ass?
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Is Crist a principled politician or a turncoat?