Crist's Concern for Dems Disingenuous

Governor Continues to Avoid Governing

For Immediate Release: March 7, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Charlie Crist's extended vacation may have left him with amnesia. While Florida's part-time governor plays the role of nonpartisan leader on television, he's a true partisan Republican in real life. During his week-long media tour to "help" Democrats, Crist seems to have conveniently forgotten that he vowed to veto legislation proposed by Democrats to move the primary to February 5th.

Last year, Florida Democrats asked the Republican-controlled Legislature to set the primary on February 5th. The proposal elicited laughter and mocking from Republicans on the floor of the Florida House. Click here for the audio: http://www.dangelber.com/audio/RepGelberexchangewithRepRivera3May2007.wma

The Governor was no more helpful. "Crist said Tuesday that he would veto any bill attempting to change Florida's presidential primary to a later date... "It doesn't have a chance," said Crist, a Republican. "I think Florida's doing the right thing." [Associated Press, 9/4/07]

"If Governor Crist really wants to make some news, he ought to stop offering up improbable ideas for the Democratic primary instead of dealing with the state's Republican recession as a governor should," Florida Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski said. "Almost hourly, on live TV, Florida's part-time governor feigns concern for Democrats. It's completely disingenuous."

For more information and more details on the part-time governor, visit www.EmptyChairCharlie.com.