Charlie Crist

Charles Crist

Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 2, 2007
Lieutenant Jeff Kottkamp
Preceded by Jeb Bush
35th Attorney General of Florida
In office
January 2003 – January 2, 2007
Governor Jeb Bush
Preceded by Richard Doran
Succeeded by Bill McCollum
21st Education Commissioner of Florida
In office
January 2001 – January 2003
Governor Jeb Bush
Preceded by Tom Gallagher
Succeeded by Jim Horne
Born July 24, 1956 (1956-07-24) (age 54)
Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States
Political party Independent (2010–present)
Other political
affiliations		 Republican Party (Before 2010)
Spouse(s) Amanda Morrow (1979–1980)
Carole Rome (2008–present)
Alma mater Wake Forest University
Florida State University
Cumberland School of Law
Profession Lawyer
Religion Methodism
Signature
Website Official website

Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist Jr. (pronounced /ˈkrɪst/; born July 24, 1956) is an American politician who is the forty-fourth and current Governor of Florida. Prior to his election as governor, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General. He was elected governor in 2006 with 52.4 percent of the vote (against opponent Jim Davis), and took office the following year.

As Florida Attorney General, an office he held from 2002 until his election as governor, Crist was noted for his stance in the Terri Schiavo case, where he broke with the stance of governor Jeb Bush; however, Crist has received criticism from both sides on this issue, as he did not publicly state his position, opposing intervention to keep Schiavo alive until over one year after Terri Schiavo's death.[1]

As governor, Crist has broken with the Republican Party on economic and environmental policy, particularly while working with the Obama Administration on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,[2] opposing some forms of offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and using state funds to purchase land to restore the Everglades.[3] He gained national prominence by taking an active role in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, both for endorsing and campaigning for Republican candidate John McCain and for a political controversy sparked when he signed a bill moving the presidential primary date in Florida to January 29, 2008.

Crist's term as governor ends in January 2011; rather than run for re-election, Crist announced on May 12, 2009, that he would run instead for the United States Senate seat being vacated by then-fellow Republican Mel Martinez. Nearly a year later, in response to his low poll numbers in Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Crist decided to make the run for Senate as an independent,[4] making the election a three-way race.

Contents

Early life

Crist was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania[5] on July 24, 1956, to Charles Joseph Crist, Sr., an American physician of Greek Cypriot descent, and Nancy (née Lee), of Scots-Irish American descent.[6] His family name is adapted from the original Greek name "Christodoulou".[7] Crist moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, as a child, where he attended Riviera Middle School[8][9] and graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1974. He is the second of four children and has three sisters: Margaret Crist Wood, Elizabeth Crist Hyden, and Catherine Crist Kennedy. He attended Wake Forest University for two years, where he played quarterback for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. Crist earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University where he was elected Vice President of the student body and became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He received his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law in Alabama.[10][11]

Early career

After graduating from the Cumberland School of Law in 1981, and having passed the bar on his third attempt,[12] Crist was hired as general counsel to Minor League Baseball, which was headquartered in St. Petersburg. Drawn to politics, Crist was a candidate for public office for the first time in 1986, as a Republican, in the primary race for a state Senate seat in Pinellas County. After losing in a runoff, Crist joined his brother-in-law in private practice in St. Petersburg, but soon returned to politics as an aide in the successful 1988 United States Senate campaign of Connie Mack III, whom he has since described as his political mentor.[13]

He was elected to the Florida Senate in 1992, representing parts of St. Petersburg.[14] He established a reputation as a law-and-order senator, sponsoring legislation requiring inmates to serve at least 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole. He even earned the moniker "Chain Gang Charlie" in some editorials for sponsoring a bill to re-establish chain gangs.[5] He also supported teacher salary increases, co-sponsored laws that created charter schools, and created a vanity license plate sold to raise funds for Everglades conservation.[14] As chairman of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, Crist pursued an investigation into actions of then-governor Lawton Chiles amid allegations that Chiles' campaign had made "scare calls" to senior citizens days before the 1994 gubernatorial election. Chiles eventually testified before Crist and the committee and admitted that his campaign had made the calls.[5][13]

Crist gained statewide name recognition in 1998 as the Republican challenger to the popular incumbent U.S. Senator Democrat Bob Graham. He lost to Graham by 26 percent[15] but was elected Education Commissioner of Florida in 2000 – a position he held until it became an office filled by political appointment in 2003, pursuant to a 1998 constitutional amendment.[13]

Florida attorney general

In 2002, Crist was elected Attorney General. Supporters of his candidacy included America's Most Wanted host John Walsh, who publicly filed Crist's gubernatorial candidacy paperwork, citing his work with the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During his tenure as Attorney General, Crist was lauded by civil rights and consumer groups for expanding the powers of his office to prosecute civil rights and fraud cases; for combating spam e-mail; freezing utility rates; adding restrictions to telecom companies, and protecting the environment.[5][16] He was criticized by pro-life advocates during the Terri Schiavo case when he ended official attempts to keep Schiavo on life support.[5][17]

In September 2006, Canadian anti-consumer-fraud activist and author Les Henderson criticized Crist's handling of the Lou Pearlman-Wilhelmina Scouting Network affair in his self-published book Under Investigation. Pearlman – a former boy-band producer ('N Sync, Backstreet Boys) and modeling agency owner serving a 25-year sentence for a $300 million Ponzi scheme – had been under investigation by the Attorney General's office since 2002, during the term of attorney general Bob Butterworth. In 2004, Jacqueline Dowd, the assistant attorney general leading the investigation, was dismissed by the office of the Attorney General. Her successor, John MacGregor, ended the investigation in 2004. In later comments, Dowd stated that she did not know why she was dismissed. During the 2006 gubernatorial campaign, Crist's campaign manager commented that she had resigned, amicably, over a difference of opinion on her contact with the press. Henderson, citing $5,000 in campaign contributions from Pearlman companies to Crist received a year after the investigation was complete, argued that the investigation was dropped because of Pearlman's political connections. The Crist campaign responded that decisions on individual investigations were left to statewide staff attorneys and did not involve the attorney general.[18][19] A lawsuit stemming from the Ponzi scheme and investment scandal alleges that Crist and other state regulators failed to protect investors, and also cites campaign contributions.[20]

2006 gubernatorial campaign

During the fall of 2006, Crist consistently led Democratic opponent Jim Davis in statewide opinion polling and so opted to skip a politically risky appearance with President George W. Bush. Having reasoned that the Pensacola area was already firmly in his camp, Crist decided to appear instead in a more closely contested area with Arizona Senator John McCain.

Record as governor

Crist in Brazil, 2007.

Crist has received criticism from Florida Republicans for his fiscal approach, for his support of President Barack Obama's fiscal policies, and for the rigor (or lack thereof) of his official schedule.[21][22][23][24][25][26][27]

Crist has supported capital punishment[28] and gun rights; in 2008 he signed into law a provision that prevents employers from prohibiting employees' bringing firearms to the workplace, as long as the weapons are secure and individuals maintain a concealed carry license.[29][30] On the other hand, Crist has received some criticism for both his approach to fiscal policy and state spending. In January 2009, when the state was facing the repercussions of the nationwide recession, Crist angered some political allies for vetoing proposed budget cuts to popular programs despite what some thought was a prior agreement in favor of the cuts.[31] In the same vein, while Republican governors in some other states were rejecting portions of the federal stimulus package, Crist spoke in favor of it and for Florida receiving its full share.[21] In July 2008, as his office and the legislature grappled with a budget deficit estimated at $2.3 billion, Crist and his fiancée made a 12-day trip to Europe that cost taxpayers over $430,000 (not including $30,000 paid by business executives). Crist – characterizing the trip as focused on trade and economic cooperation – cited an agreement closed with Spanish firm Renovalia for energy investment in Florida. While the deal had been shepherded in part by the firm's American attorney, a brother of US Senator Mel Martinez, according to Martinez the negotiations had stalled until Crist's intervention in Spain.[32][33]

Crist's stance on abortion is muddled.[34] In 1998 Crist ran for Senate as a pro-choice candidate,[34] and has stated multiple times that he opposes overturning Roe vs. Wade.[34][35] Crist has also stated that he opposes a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before a woman can undergo an abortion.[34] In Crist's 2010 campaign for Senate Crist campaigned as a pro-life candidate while he was running as a Republican,[36] however after Crist became an Independent all language referring to Crist as pro-life, or opposing abortion were removed from the website.[37] On June 11, 2010 Crist vetoed a bill which would have removed taxpayer funding for Abortion,[38] as well as require a woman to have an ultrasound before having an abortion.[39]

Crist has supported efforts to ban gay marriage in Florida, and has also endorsed a ban on adoption by gay prospective parents – arguing that a "traditional family provides the best environment for children."[40][41][42][43][44][45][46] His stance led gay rights groups to protest the passage of the Florida Amendment 2 (now Article 1 Section 27 of the Florida Constitution) ban on gay marriage outside the church and reception during his wedding in 2008.[47][48]

He has appointed a majority of the members of the Florida Supreme Court, including conservative and pro-life judges Charles T. Canady (credited with coining the term "partial-birth abortion" while crafting the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act)[49] and Ricky Polston Crist later appointed two other justices to the Florida Supreme Court, James E.C. Perry and Jorge Labarga, who have been described as moderate.[50][51]

On other issues, Crist has departed from traditional Republican policy positions, particularly on environmental policy, an important issue in Florida. He announced plans to sign executive orders to impose strict air pollution standards in the state, with aims to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent of the 1990 levels, by 2050 . Crist's orders would set new emissions targets for power companies, automobiles and trucks; toughen conservation goals for state agencies; and require state-owned vehicles to use alternative fuels.[52] In his gubernatorial campaign, Crist opposed offshore oil drilling, a position he shared with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Crist reversed that position in June 2008, when oil reached peak prices, saying "I mean, let's face it, the price of gas has gone through the roof, and Florida families are suffering, and my heart bleeds for them." [53][54] Later that month, Crist gave a keynote address at the "Serve to Preserve" Global Climate Change Summit he hosted in Florida.[55] At this same June 2008 conference, Schwarzenegger also gave an address and rebuked politicians who suggested drilling in the Gulf of Mexico as a solution to gas prices, stating: "Anyone who tells you this will lower our gas prices anytime soon is blowing smoke."[56][57] Crist continues to oppose offshore drilling close to the Florida coast, but has advocated research into drilling as far as 10 miles offshore.[58][59] In April 2010, following an aerial tour of an oil spill spreading across the Gulf of Mexico, Crist again indicated opposition to off-shore drilling.[60]

Continuing in a role of environmental advocacy, Crist proposed in June 2008 that the State of Florida buy 187,000 acres of land for conservation, in a landmark deal with the sugar industry. Crist described the deal "as monumental as our nation's first national park."[61] Despite a competing offer floated in November 2008 for private acquisition of the land and a decrease in proposed financing from $1.75B to $1.34B, the South Florida Water Board voted 6 to 1 in favor of a final, downsized deal. The agreement, which still faces legal and financing challenges, would give the state 73,000 acres of sugar and citrus plantations for Everglades restoration projects.[62][63][64]

Crist was the first Republican governor to accept the state's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) invitation to a convention, and has been described as the state's "first black governor." Crist endorsed legislation requiring paper records of all ballots cast during an election, stemming from criticism that votes were being undercounted in black communities by computerized voting machines.[65][66] He has also tackled the state's regulation of the insurance industry, particularly for property (in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina) and health insurance. While new property insurance legislation has proved controversial – in particular the creation of the Citizen's Property Insurance Corp and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (both of which have been described as risky and underfunded) – the health insurance reform efforts have been well received. Standing next to former football star Dan Marino (whose son, Michael, is autistic and who inspired the Dan Marino Foundation[67]), Crist signed a law expanding health coverage statewide for autism disorders and he has also signed legislation expanding low-income coverage and creating public and private insurance options in the state.[68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78]

Political activity

2008 presidential election

Senator John McCain played a major role in Crist's 2006 campaign for governor, endorsing Crist and traveling the state to campaign with him. The day before the general election, Crist chose to hold a campaign event with McCain in Jacksonville. A few short months later when the Republican Presidential primary debates were held in St. Petersburg, Crist physically embraced McCain and offered a more tepid welcome to the other presidential candidates. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had also campaigned for Crist during the gubernatorial election, had hoped to secure his endorsement to support a campaign strategy that relied on winning the Florida primary.[79][80][81][82]

In May 2007 Crist signed a bill moving the date of Florida's presidential primary to January 29, 2008. Such adjustments of state primary dates – intended to increase the prominence of an individual states' role in the nominating process of the major political process and known as front-loading – are a violation of the primary rules of both major parties. The change prompted the Democratic National Committee to strip Florida (and Michigan, which made a similar change) of their superdelegates and 50 percent of their regular delegates to the Democratic nominating convention, and the Republican National Committee said it would strip 50% of all of the state's delegates.[83] Crist joined Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm in demanding that their states' delegates be seated. Ultimately, the Democratic National Committee decided to seat all Florida and Michigan delegates while granting each delegate a half vote, and the Republican National Committee came to a similar conclusion.[84][85][86][87]

On January 26, 2008, Crist publicly endorsed McCain in the Republican primary race, saying, "He's a great friend and will do a great job for the United States."[88] McCain later won the primary by five percentage points, despite being outspent by opponent Mitt Romney. Many credited Crist's endorsement for the win, which gave McCain an advantage going into Super Tuesday.[89] In May 2008, Crist, along with Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, spent Memorial Day weekend at McCain's Sedona, Arizona home. Although the McCain campaign denied the gathering was an opportunity to consider a vice presidential candidate, several press outlets reported that the invited guests were indeed being considered for the number two spot on the Republican ticket. Three months later, in August 2008, Alaska governor Sarah Palin was chosen by McCain for the position.[90][91][92]

On October 12, 2008 Crist contradicted McCain campaign statements with regard to voter registration for the presidential general election. The McCain camp stated there was widespread voter registration fraud occurring in various states, including Florida, and community activism group ACORN may be responsible; Crist stated that he believed such reports were "exaggerated" and that he did not have a problem with the voter registration group known as ACORN as it operates in the state of Florida.[93][94] These contradictions led the press to question if there were problems between the McCain campaign and the Republican leadership in Florida. Some members of the press directly asked Crist if he would be campaigning with McCain in Florida. On October 14, 2008, Crist indicated that his primary responsibilities lay with the people of Florida, saying, "When I have time to help out my friend [McCain] I'm eager and anxious to do so."[95] He did go on to participate in several campaign rallies several days later.[96]

On October 28, 2008 Crist extended early voting hours of operation and declared that a "state of emergency exists" due to record voter turnout and resultant hours-long waits at locations throughout the state.[97] Some Republican operatives were disappointed with the decision, including one anonymous source who said "He just blew Florida for John McCain."[98][99] Some journalists documented the lines of elderly and minority voters waiting in line for hours in bad weather. Crist emphatically stated that it was "not a political decision. It's a people decision."[100][101]

On October 29 and October 31, 2008, Crist made several appearances on MSNBC's Morning Joe in which he told former Florida congressman Joe Scarborough that the race was tightening in Florida.[102][103] However, Crist left a poorly attended McCain rally in Tampa on the last day of the race and was a no-show at previously scheduled interviews that were to take place after the rally, according to Ed Henry, reporter for CNN.[104]

Republican Governors Association meeting in Miami

On November 12–14, 2008, Crist hosted the Republican Governors Association (RGA) annual meeting in Miami. After the resounding Democratic Party win in the 2008 election,[105] there was widespread speculation about the tone of the Republican Governors meeting. Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin was a featured participant and speaker. She held her first press conference since joining the McCain ticket at the post-election RGA meeting, and received the majority of media coverage. Several Republican Governors made anonymous comments to CNN reporter Dana Bash about their disapproval of how Palin's participation in the conference was handled.[106][107] Crist spoke about this at length in an interview with Joe Scarborough[108]

Crist's speech at the RGA conference entitled "Listen to the Voters and Serve" included his sentiments on how the GOP should evolve:

“ This party can no longer hope to reach Hispanics, African Americans and other minority groups – we need to just do it. Embracing cultures and lifestyles will make us a better party and better leaders. This desire for inclusiveness is near and dear to my heart.... Last week, the American people made a choice and this week, if we choose to call ourselves leaders, if we truly endeavor to serve with a servant's heart for the people who count on us, then we too must work together, listen to one another and learn from the leaders who made the kind of history the American people deserve.[109] ”

Crist also held a joint interview with Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina and they discussed the split in the Republican Party over where to direct the party's next efforts to gain more voters.[110]

2010 Senate candidate

Crist announced May 12, 2009 that he will not run for re-election as Governor and will instead run for the US Senate in 2010. The main opponents in the Senate race are Republican House Speaker Marco Rubio[111][112] and Democrats Kendrick Meek,[113] and Jeff Greene.[114] Crist at first appeared to be the front runner of the election, but eventually trailed Rubio by 20 points in opinion polling for the Republican primary.[115][116] As a result, Crist announced his intent to run as an independent "no party" candidate in the 2010 senate election, while at the same time, according to a press release from his campaign, he would remain a registered Republican.[117] Crist officially changed his registration status to "non party affiliated" on May 13, 2010. After initially signaling that Crist might return former campaign donors' contributions, Crist's campaign later indicated that it will not do so.[118]

Personal life

In July 1979, Crist married Amanda Morrow; they divorced less than a year later.[119] Crist became engaged to Carole Rome on July 3, 2008, and was married[120] on December 12 of that year at the First Methodist Church of St. Petersburg, where Crist is a member.[121]

In April 2009, Crist was one of the subjects of Kirby Dick's documentary film Outrage, a Tribeca Film Festival feature about politicians who the film claims are "closeted" homosexuals and who vote against gay rights.[122] In the film, Crist denied allegations of homosexuality, just as he denied them in 2006 when asked by reporter Bob Norman.[123]

References

  1. ↑ Schiavo issue haunts Crist Smith, Adam C. St. Petersburg Times. November 1, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  2. ↑ Charlie Crist Joining Obama At Pro-Stimulus Event Kleefeld, Eric. February 9, 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  3. ↑ Crist's grand Everglades deal under assault Associated Press Thursday, March 11, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  4. ↑ Wallsten, Peter; Bauerlein, Valerie (April 29, 2010). "Crist Looks to Go It Alone". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704423504575212320310724084.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_3. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Morgan, Lucy (2005-05-09). "Crist Will Enter Governor's Race". St. Petersburg Times. pp. 1A. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/835232441.html?MAC=939a2bba9802553477e6bde045fe21f6&did=835232441&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=May+9%2C+2005&author=LUCY+MORGAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&printformat=&desc=Crist+will+enter+governor%27s+race. Retrieved 2007-01-12. 
  6. ↑ Steve Bousquet (October 20, 2006). "Father is first for unmarried politico". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/20/news_pf/State/Father_is_first_for_u.shtml. 
  7. ↑ Medved, Michael (28 May 2008). "The GOP Veep List: Pros and Cons". Townhall.com. http://townhall.com/Columnists/MichaelMedved/2008/05/28/the_gop_veep_list_pros_and_cons. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  8. ↑ "PUBLIC EDUCATION: Like herding FCATs, Crist's challenge is elusive: Make accountability appealing.". St. Petersburg Times. February 25, 2007. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/02/25/Opinion/Public_education__for.shtml. 
  9. ↑ "Crist's politics getting greener; Not all support focus on global warming". Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Florida). April 22, 2007. http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070422/NEWS/704220340. 
  10. ↑ "Charlie Crist: A fuzzy line divides personal and political lives". Sarasota Herald Tribute. August 27, 2006. http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/27/State/Charlie_Crist__A_fuzz.shtml. 
  11. ↑ Laura Fitzpatrick AND Lauren E. Bohn (May 14, 2009). "2 Minute Bio". Time Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1898151,00.html. 
  12. ↑ Hegarty, Stephen (September 1, 2001). "Candidate failed 2 bar exams;Florida's top educator, who hopes to be its top legal officer, says failing taught him "never give up.". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/News/090101/State/Candidate_failed_2_ba.shtml. Retrieved 2008-05-25. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 William March (August 9, 2006). "Sticking To His Guns". TBO.com News / The Tampa Tribune. http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB5Q9E6NQE.html. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Morris, Allen, and Joan Perry Morris, compilers. The Florida Handbook 2007–2008 (31st Biennial ed.). Peninsula Publishing. pp. 31. ISBN 978-0-9765846-1-2 (Softcover) ISBN 978-0-9765846-2-9 (Hardcover). http://www.PeninsularPublishing.com. 
  15. ↑ "1998 U.S. Senate results". Federal Elections Commission. http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe1998/98senate.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  16. ↑ "Victory Smiles at Charlie Crist". The International Coordinating Committee "Justice for Cyprus" (PSEKA). October 20, 2006. http://news.pseka.net/index.php?module=article&id=5900. 
  17. ↑ Mary Elen Klas (July 31, 2006). "Schiavo's Father Blames Crist". Miami Herald. http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2006/07/schiavos_father.html. 
  18. ↑ Kreuger, Jill (February 19, 2004). "Dowd leaves attorney general's office". Orlando Business Journal. http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2004/02/16/daily27.html. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  19. ↑ Follick, Joe (October 3, 2006). "Book: Crist tried to 'whitewash' probe". The Gainesville Sun. http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/LOCAL/210030330/1078/news. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  20. ↑ Huntley, Helen (March 6, 2007). "Lawsuit faults Crist in giant Ponzi scheme". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/06/Business/Lawsuit_faults_Crist_.shtml. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Fla. gov touts stimulus package benefit at meeting". Forbes, Associated Press. January 27, 2009. http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/27/ap5968997.html. 
  22. ↑ Morning Joe. "Crist: Stimulus will help Florida". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#28933203. 
  23. ↑ "GOP Gov Support Obama Stimulus". MSNBC Hardball. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/29001972#29001972. 
  24. ↑ Adam C. Smith (February 13, 2009). "GOP seethes over Charlie Crist's stimulus-plan support". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/story/901859.html. 
  25. ↑ Adam C. Smith (February 13, 2009). "Gov. Charlie Crist takes heat from Republicans for supporting stimulus package". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/article975544.ece. 
  26. ↑ Megan O'Matz and Peter Franceschina (April 17, 2009). "Gov. Charlie Crist's schedule shows many blank days". Sun Sentinel. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-charlie-crist-work-hours-041709,0,3288424.story. 
  27. ↑ "Going after Charlie Crist". Politico The Scorecard. April 20, 2009. http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0409/Going_after_Charlie_Crist.html. 
  28. ↑ Lesley Clark (2 November 2005). "Crist: Hands off death penalty law". Miami Herald, via Herald.com. http://www.fadp.org/news/MH-20051103.htm. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
  29. ↑ Dara Kam (April 15, 2008). "Crist signs bring your gun to work bill". Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/state/epaper/2008/04/15/0415gunsatwork.html. 
  30. ↑ "Florida lawmakers pass "take your guns to work" law". Reuters. April 9, 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0948339420080409. 
  31. ↑ Marc Caputo (January 28, 2008). "Gov. Charlie Crist's budget cut vetoes irk Republicans". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/florida/story/875453.html. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
  32. ↑ Marc Caputo, Steve Bousquet (December 11, 2008). "Florida's budget deficit jumps by $150 million to $2.3 billion". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/top-stories/story/808099.html. 
  33. ↑ Megan O'Matz (December 7, 2008). "Governor Crist and entourage traveled in style across Europe as businesses and taxpayers footed the bill". South Florida Sun Sentinel. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sfl-flgovtrip07sbdec07,0,5721620.story. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 Crist's stance on abortion still hazy BOUSQUET, STEVE. St Petersburg Times August 18, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  35. ↑ Amid intense chatter, Crist denies he would run as independent Smith, Adam C. St Petersburg Times March 2, 2010. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  36. ↑ Charlie Crist on Pro Life/Family Screen Shot of Crist's website from before party switch.
  37. ↑ Crist drops anti-abortion language from website Elliott, Philip. 'Examiner.com' June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  38. ↑ Abortion bill may be political land mine for Crist The Florida Times Union June 1, 2010. June 12, 2010
  39. ↑ Florida Gov. Charlie Crist vetoes ultrasound abortion bill USA Today Jun 11, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  40. ↑ Curt Anderson (November 25, 2008). "Miami judge rules against Florida gay adoption ban". Associated Press. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=6329631. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
  41. ↑ "New challenge to Florida gay adoption ban". The Anniston Star. October 10, 2008. http://www.dailyhome.com/news/2008/as-nation-1001-0-8i30u4543.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  42. ↑ Bousquet, Steve (29 July 2006). "Crist: Gay civil unions 'fine'". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2006/07/29/State/Crist__Gay_civil_unio.shtml. Retrieved 2009-04-13. 
  43. ↑ "Ballot Measures – Florida Amendment 2: Ban on Gay Marriage". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#FLI01. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  44. ↑ Steve Bousquet (February 14, 2007). "Crist backs off ban on same-sex marriage"". Saint Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/02/14/State/Crist_backs_off_ban_o.shtml. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
  45. ↑ Hafenback, Josh (September 10, 2008). "Florida Gov. Charlie Crist won't campaign for anti-gay-marriage amendment". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-flfcrist0910sbsep10,0,2718291.story. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  46. ↑ "Yes2Marriage endorsements". Florida4Marriage.org. http://yes2marriage.org/about-us/endorsements. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  47. ↑ Dolinski, Catherine (December 1, 2008). "Gay Rights Protest Planned For Gov. Crist's Wedding". The Tampa Tribune. http://suncoastpinellas.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/01/gay-rights-protest-planned-governors-wedding/. Retrieved 2008-12-13. 
  48. ↑ "Crist says he has 'no jitters' about wedding". Associated Press. December 4, 2008. http://www.nbc6.net/news/18202402/detail.html. Retrieved 2008-12-13. 
  49. ↑ Mark D. Killian (September 1, 2008). "Crist appoints Canady to the Supreme Court"". Florida Bar Website. http://www.floridabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/jnnews01.nsf/8c9f13012b96736985256aa900624829/2eb4833d95bd10f0852574b3005238aa?OpenDocument. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
  50. ↑ MICHAEL C. BENDER and SUSAN SPENCER-WENDEL (January 2, 2009). "Wellington judge appointed to Fla. Supreme Court". PalmBeachPost.com. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/local_news/epaper/2009/01/02/labarga0102.html. 
  51. ↑ Bill Kaczor (11 March 2009). "Sanford's James Perry named to high court". MyFoxOrlando. http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/031109_James_Perry_named_to_high_court. 
  52. ↑ Jim Loney (July 11, 2007). "Florida To Introduce Tough Greenhouse Gas Targets". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN1125764520070711. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  53. ↑ "Florida's Crist has new view of offshore drilling ban" http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D91CGGV81&show_article=1
  54. ↑ "In Switch, Florida's Crist Eyes Offshore Drilling" NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91680890
  55. ↑ 2008 "Serve to Preserve" Florida Summit on Global Climate Website http://www.myfloridaclimate.com/env/home/2008_climate_summit
  56. ↑ "Arnold’s Subtle Digs at McCain and Crist over Offshore Drilling" http://earthfirst.com/arnold%E2%80%99s-subtle-digs-at-mccain-and-crist-over-offshore-drilling/
  57. ↑ Huffington Post "Arnold Schwarzenegger Calls Out John McCain And Charlie Crist On Offshore Drilling" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/09/arnold-schwarzenegger-cal_n_111567.html
  58. ↑ Bay News 9 "One on One with Charlie Crist" http://www.baynews9.com/VideoPlayer/?Crist_Interview_424
  59. ↑ Bay News 9 "One on One with Charlie Crist" http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/4/25/464723.html
  60. ↑ Crist rethinks support of offshore drilling http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/28/1601349/crist-rethinks-support-of-offshore.html#ixzz0mXCJCy00
  61. ↑ Guardian UK "Florida to buy 187,000 farmland acres to preserve Everglades" http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/24/conservation.usa
  62. ↑ Miami Herald "Crist praises water managers for support of Big Sugar land buy" http://www.miamiherald.com/business/breaking-news/story/1048326.html
  63. ↑ Miami Herald "Crist has competition: U.S. Sugar has offer from another suitor" http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/11/crist-has-compe.html
  64. ↑ AP "Fla. revises deal with US Sugar to save Everglades" By Jessica Gresko The Associated Press November 11, 2008 http://www.topix.com/content/ap/2008/11/fla-revises-deal-with-us-sugar-to-save-everglades
  65. ↑ AP, 23 August 2007 Crist earns kudos from black caucus
  66. ↑ Brendan Farrington (October 11, 2007). "Gov. Crist lauded by African Americans, called 'first black governor'". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-flfcristblacks1011nboct11,0,6766644.story. 
  67. ↑ "A Foundation Inspired by a Family". Childnett.Tv. http://www.childnett.tv/videos/stories/foundation_inspired_family. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  68. ↑ Insurance Journal "Fla. Gov. Crist Persuades Cabinet to Block Insurers' Exit" http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2007/02/01/76468.htm
  69. ↑ "Florida Governor Charlie Crist | Governor Crist Launches “Shop and Compare Insurance Rates” Web Site". Flgov.com. http://www.flgov.com/release/9150. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  70. ↑ "Governor Crist Launches Shop and Compare Website" http://www.ShopAndCompareRates.com and http://www.flgov.com
  71. ↑ Wall Street Journal "Florida's Unnatural Disaster Charlie Crist, taxpayers and the next hurricane." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123371173559046209.html
  72. ↑ Associated Press "Crist: Florida 'better off' without State Farm" http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090129/NEWS/901290919/0/LIVING
  73. ↑ NPR "State Farm Abandons Florida's Homeowners Market" http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99942808
  74. ↑ Miami Herald "Crist to State Farm: Good riddance" http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2009/01/crist-to-state-farm-good-riddance.html
  75. ↑ Saint Petersburg Times "Crist to State Farm: Bu-bye!" http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2009/01/crist-to-state.html
  76. ↑ CBS 4 "Crist To Sign Citizens Rate Hike Legislation" http://cbs4.com/politics/Florida.Citizens.Insurance.2.1001569.html
  77. ↑ New York Times "New Florida Law Allows Low-Cost Health Policies" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/us/22crist.html
  78. ↑ WKRG "Crist Signs Autism Health Insurance Coverage Bill" http://www.wkrg.com/medical/article/crist_signs_autism_health_insurance_coverage_bill/14127/
  79. ↑ Seattle Times "We'll win Florida, Guiliani says" http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004121276_rudy12.html
  80. ↑ MSNBC "Giuliani pins his hopes on Florida" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22706715/
  81. ↑ Farrington, Brendan (January 30, 2008). "Gov Crist could benefit from McCain win". USA Today. Associated Press. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-01-30-104286216_x.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  82. ↑ The Boston Globe "Calling McCain a true American hero fla governor endorses" http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/calling_McCain_a_true_american_hero_fla_governor_endorses_senator/
  83. ↑ AP and Fox News "Florida Governor Signs Bill to Move Up Presidential Primary to January" http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,274254,00.html
  84. ↑ New York Times "G.O.P. Plans Early-Primary Penalties" http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/us/politics/29calendar.html
  85. ↑ Miami Herald "All 114 FL delegates get seats on GOP convention floor" http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/08/all-114-fl-dele.html
  86. ↑ CNN " Florida, Michigan get all delegates, but each gets half vote" http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/31/dems.delegates/index.html
  87. ↑ Politico "Florida Gov. wants all delegates seated" http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0208/Florida_Gov_wants_all_delegates_seated.html
  88. ↑ "McCain scores Crist's endorsement". Miami Herald. January 26, 2008. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/395209.html. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
  89. ↑ Ray, Whitney (January 27, 2008). "Crist’s Endorsement Helped McCain Defeat Romney". Capitol News Service. http://www.flanews.com/?p=1693. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  90. ↑ "McCain to host possible VPs at home". CBS News. May 21, 2008. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/21/politics/main4116775.shtml?source=related_story. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  91. ↑ Nagourney, Adam (May 22, 2008). "McCain looks to fill ticket and 3 hopefuls step up". New York Times. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/21/america/21cndmccain.php. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  92. ↑ Cooper, Michael; Elisabeth Bumiller (August 29, 2008). "Alaskan Is McCain’s Choice; First Woman on G.O.P. Ticket". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/us/politics/29palin.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  93. ↑ Deslatte, Aaron (October 12, 2008). "ACORN's voter signups bother McCain, but not Crist". Orlando Sentinel. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-capview1208oct12,0,3684013.column. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  94. ↑ "GOP May be exaggerating voter fraud". Associated Press. October 15, 2008. http://www.examiner.com/a-1639690~Crist__GOP_may_be_exaggerating_voter_fraud.html. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  95. ↑ Kallestad, Brett (January 26, 2008). "Crist says Fla. is his top priority, then McCain". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/725918.html. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  96. ↑ Smith, Adam (October 19, 2008). "Sunnily,Gov Crist stumps for McCain". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/article861228.ece. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  97. ↑ Flaherty, Mary Pat (October 28, 2008). "Crist Extends Early Voting Hours in Fla.". The Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/28/crist_extends_early_voting_hou.html. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  98. ↑ Smith, Ben (October 28, 2008). "Crist Extends Voting Hours". The Politico. http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Crist_extends_voting_hours.html. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  99. ↑ Rabin, Charles; Jennifer Lebovich and Marc Caputo (October 29, 2008). "Florida's Early Voting Hours Are Extended". The Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/florida/story/745715.html. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  100. ↑ Maguire, Kirstin; Amy Sherman and Adam H. Beasley (October 28, 2008). "Florida declares emergency, Extends voting hours". The Miami Herald. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/54888.html. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  101. ↑ Charlie Crist. (October 28, 2008) (.MP3). Crist press conference audio on extending voting hours in Florida. St. Petersburg Times. http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/files/cristpresser2008-10-28.mp3. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  102. ↑ Charlie Crist, Joe Scarborough. (October 28, 2008). Morning Joe Interviews Crist on October 31, 2008. MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27470890#27470890. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  103. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvAgWmwPKHM [Morning Joe with Crist]
  104. ↑ CNN "McCain draws small Florida crowd on race’s final day" http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/03/mccain-draws-small-florida-crowd-on-race%E2%80%99s-final-day/
  105. ↑ CBS News "Barack Obama Wins Presidency" http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/04/politics/main4571289.shtml
  106. ↑ Dana Bash (November 14, 2008). "Awkward Staging of Palin's First Press Conference". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/11/14/ac.raw.thursday.cnn. 
  107. ↑ Joe Follick (November 14, 2008). "On Crist's turf, it's Palin's show". Herald Tribune. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081114/article/811140355. 
  108. ↑ Joe Scarborough. "Morning Joe Interview with Crist on Republican Governors 2008 Meeting in Miami". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27717080#27717080. 
  109. ↑ A Message from Charlie "Listen to the Voters and Serve" By Charlie Crist http://www.charliecrist.com/
  110. ↑ Bloomberg News "Governors Crist, Sanford Split Over Republican Path to Success" http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aahiSQ2bhTN8&refer=us
  111. ↑ Damien Cave and Gary Fineout (May 12, 2009). "Restless in Tallahassee, or With Eye on 2012, Governor Rolls Dice". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/us/13cristq.html. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  112. ↑ Miami Herald "Is Republican Party united behind Charlie Crist?" http://www.miamiherald.com/515/story/1045369.html
  113. ↑ Beth Reinhard (April 2, 2009). "Kendrick Meek raises $1.5 million for Senate bid"". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/569/story/980067.html. 
  114. ↑ Smith, Adam; Beth Reinhard (2010-05-01). "Billionaire Democrat Jeff Greene jumps into Florida Senate race". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/billionaire-democrat-jeff-greene-jumps-into-florida-senate-race/1091739. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  115. ↑ "Poll: Crist Ahead If He Runs As Independent". CBS News. April 15, 2010. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/15/politics/main6399577.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody. Retrieved 17 April 2010. 
  116. ↑ Finn, Tyler (April 16, 2010). "Will Charlie Crist Run as an Independent?". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20002724-503544.html. Retrieved 17 April 2010. 
  117. ↑ "Crist’s independent run draws praise – and scorn". http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-04-30/news/os-crist-independent-20100429_1_democratic-strategist-steve-schale-charlie-crist-independent-voters. Orlando Sentinel, April 30, 2010.
  118. ↑ Reinhard, Beth (2010-05-13). "Charlie Crist won't refund campaign donations - Florida". MiamiHerald.com. http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/13/1626770/crist-no-refunds-for-former-fans.html. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  119. ↑ Bousquet, Steve (August 27, 2006). "Charlie Crist: A fuzzy line divides personal and political lives". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/27/State/Charlie_Crist__A_fuzz.shtml. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  120. ↑ "Crist–Rome Wedding Photos". St. Petersburg Times. December 12, 2008. http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2008/12/arrivals-to-cri.html. Retrieved 2008-12-13. 
  121. ↑ "Governor Crist and Carole Rome set wedding date". WFOR-TV. http://cbs4.com/local/Florida.Governor.Charlie.2.790985.html. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  122. ↑ "Re-outing Charlie Crist". Salon. April 24, 2009. http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2009/04/24/outrage/index.html. Retrieved September 5, 2010. 
  123. ↑ Norman, Bob (October 19, 2006). "Crist Denies Trysts". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2006-10-19/news/crist-denies-trysts/. Retrieved July 10, 2010. 

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