Category Charlie Crist

A History of Populism in Florida

As Charlie Crist  begins another run for Governor, now as a Democrat, let’s take a look back at some of the other populists that have run for or obtained the Governorship in this state. Note that we distinguish populism from mainstream political philosophy by noting that Governor’s such as Leroy Collins, Reubin Askew, Bob Graham, […]

The Crist Files: Crist attacked Lawton Chiles and Rick Scott on private plane use- what is Crist’s own record on this matter?

On Monday in his fiery announcement speech former Governor Crist attacked Rick Scott stating he was “flying around Florida in a private jet to hold press conferences.” Yes this is a serious issue but Crist has his own demons on this issue. As we’ve chronicled previously on this site Charlie Crist, later-day Democrat had a long […]

Stand Your Ground – Charlie Crist vs Nan Rich; Any Difference?

We’ve discussed at length on this site Charlie Crist’s bad record on guns. However what we have neglected to mention though it is somewhat well known is that Nan Rich joined a unanimous vote in the Senate in favor of Stand Your Ground when it passed in 2005. Rich’s vote at the time went along […]

Charlie Crist, Sarah Palin, John McCain and offshore drilling

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 […]

Charlie Crist on Sarah Palin and the Presidency in 2008

It has been widely claimed that Charlie Crist said Sarah Palin was more “qualified” to be President than Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign. Unless he made this statement privately no evidence exists of this being said. However, Crist did very publicly and openly endorse John McCain’s VP pick even taking to the national airwaves […]

Could Charlie Crist’s Populism help revive an impotent Florida Democratic Party?

The subject of Charlie Crist looms like the elephant in the room on both the Republican and Democratic sides of the proverbial aisle. Crist irritates the Republicans because they fear his popularity and teflon image. Crist enrages progressive Democrats (like myself) because he’s not only a party-switcher but was once a partisan “Ronald Reagan” Conservative. […]

Poll: Charlie Crist or Nan Rich for the Democratic nomination

This is completely unscientific but we’re looking for a sense from readers whether they support Charlie Crist, Nan Rich or wish someone else was seeking the Democratic nomination.      

The Crist Files: 1990s/2000s flip flops on reproductive rights typical of Republicans in that era

I’ve heard people describe Charlie Crist as “pro-choice” and others describe him as “anti-choice” when it comes to Reproductive Rights. The truth is somewhere in between as it was for many partisan, yet moderately inclined Republicans in 1990s, an era when the Christian Coalition was ascendant in legislative and congressional elections. Many Republicans from urban […]

Podcast: Charlie Crist Announces and Election Night 2013

On this edition of the Florida Squeeze podcast Kartik Krishnaiyer, Steven Kurlander, Ryan Ray and Justin Snyder discuss a potpourri of topics including: Charlie Crist’s announcement of his candidacy for Governor. What is the future of Nan Rich’s campaign? Will moderate Republicans abandon Rick Scott? Mayor Bill Foster ousted in St Petersburg by Rick Kriseman. […]

Throwback Tuesday: Charlie Crist, tobacco money, children’s health and the Lawton Chiles Endowment

With the state in a hopeless budget situation thanks to Republican economic policies and a global recession in late 2008 Governor Charlie Crist proposed raiding the Lawton Chiles Endowment which was running a surplus. Mark Caputo and Steve Bousquet had the report at the time about the situation and a potential Chiles family lawsuit: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2008/12/06/57247/ex-gov-chiles-family-threatens.html […]