In some recent articles I have described Charlie Crist as an environmentalist and a longtime opponent of offshore drilling. (I was recalling his time as Attorney General when he fought the Federal Government on behalf of Florida) However, a reader directed me back to the Kendrick Meek Campaign’s spot on offshore drilling and Crist’s support for Sarah Palin as she was speaking on the subject as well as his attacks on then Senator Obama for not supporting offshore drilling. Again, while I believe Crist is in his heart of hearts an environmentalist and against drilling, the video evidence cannot be refuted that for political reasons he flipped on the issue sometime after 2005 before flipping back.
Support of offshore drilling is UNACCEPTABLE for anybody who wants to lead our state. While I personally can be flexible on some issues, this is not an issue that progressives can give an inch on in my opinion. Governor Crist MUST explain these comments. Again, I believe he did not agree in his heart of hearts with what is said here, yet it is still very troubling.
The video is below.
The Florida Squeeze 
Very unfortunate to see this.
I agree that offshore drilling is not a negotiable issue.
In fairness to Crist as you point out even as a Republican he had previously been against it…why did he flip?
LikeLike
The mantra then for national Republicans was DRILL BABY DRILL!
Crist was trying to fit in with McCain and Co.
Still it is a case of him putting his own personal ambition ahead of the state.
Hint, he’d do the same thing the following year when he announced for Senate.
LikeLike
I can’t keep up with Charlie. He’s taken up more stands than the FSU Marching Band. I wonder where Harry Sargeant stands on drilling. Inquiring minds are going to want to know.
LikeLike
Very disappointing… I did not remember this. Who is this man?
LikeLike
“Regular” people have to understand that Charlie will say, or do, whatever is necessary to achieve whatever goal he is seeking. This explains his flip-flops. The fact that some “established” Democrats seem to be supporting him reflects, very poorly, on them. They are seeking their own goals. He has NEVER been reliable, dependable, or predictable. That’s fine when you’re looking at lotto numbers, but not as a characteristic of a state’s chief executive. He can smile, he has charisma, he presents himself as a misunderstood underdog…all to achieve HIS goal. Kind of like Ted Bundy.
LikeLike
Okay Kartik you make a valid point here. We all oppose drilling. BUT let’s make it clear that for the vast majority of Crist’s career he has strongly opposed drilling and he only supported it for a few months because his then party forced him to against his will. This is why he’s no longer a republican.
LikeLike