Reaction To Crist Ad Again Proves How Weak Crist Really Is

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

For Immediate Release: Oct. 19, 2009

Reaction To Crist Ad Again Proves How Weak Crist Really Is

Tallahassee, FL - With Floridians turning against Charlie Crist's tone-deaf optimism and out-of-touch ways, late last week Charlie Crist's campaign began running radio ads in an attempt to buoy his free falling approval ratings.

"During these hard times, with Florida's unemployment rate above 11%, foreclosures leaving families homeless, and our state population shrinking for the first time since 1946, Charlie Crist continues to only pay lip service to the issues facing our state rather than providing the leadership to move our state forward," said Eric Jotkoff, Florida Democratic Party spokesman. "The universally negative reaction to Charlie Crist's new ad reminds us of how fundamentally weak Crist is as a candidate and once again proves that Crist won't be able to buy Floridians love. Floridians are sick of Crist putting his political ambition above doing what is right for Florida."

Please see below for reaction to Crist's ad: 

Associated Press:  Analysis: Crist ads count on forgetful voters

Gov. Charlie Crist is either forgetful, or he's hoping voters are. In his first radio ads of his Senate campaign, Crist, a Republican, chastises President Barack Obama for trying to spend money to boost the economy. But Crist was a huge backer of Obama's $787 billion federal stimulus package, so much so that he embraced the president on stage during a Fort Myers rally to promote the plan... When Crist pushed for the stimulus package, one of his arguments was that it was needed to prevent even deeper budget cuts. When it passed, Crist said, "I couldn't be more pleased on how this turned out." Crist also says in the ads that he has cut taxes. And while Crist did successful push for cuts in property taxes, he doesn't mention that the last budget he signed included $2 billion in increased taxes and fees, including increased vehicle registration fees and a higher cigarette tax. [Associated Press, 10/16/2009]

Orlando Sentinel: Crist makes some dubious claims on the radio

The governor is looking nervous on the campaign trail. He's trying to bolster his conservative credentials, but he's making some questionable claims to do it. Ten months before the primary in his 2010 U.S. Senate campaign, Gov. Charlie Crist is touting his conservative record in two radio spots running statewide, his first paid advertisements. The ads come at a critical time for Republican Crist: His once-bulletproof popularity is showing cracks. And despite having a $6 million campaign account, he is facing a real primary fight against former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, a favorite among conservatives. [Orlando Sentinel, 10/17/2009]

Herald/Times: Crist ad makes talk show host want to 'swallow vomit'

Gov. Charlie Crist is running a U.S. Senate ad on AM 1240/1270 in Fort Myers. In fact, it's running ad nauseam in the words of the host of Daybreak with Mandy Connell. This morning, she and her callers took little pleasure in hearing Crist's ad that touts him as a fiscal conservative. Connell basically called the governor a liar. Crist's ad, coming 10 months before the primary, suggests he needs to mend fences with conservatives, especially in the Fort Myers-area, which was ground-zero for the man hug with Barack Obama. When Connell went to play the ad just to rip on it, a caller named Ed chimed in: "Please no." [Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau, 10/16/2009]

Palm Beach Post: Fact check: Crist's first radio ad for U.S. Senate campaign

In the first ads of his U.S. Senate campaign, Crist exaggerates his role in the state budget cuts. Simply put, the budget was cut because a historic drop in sales taxes and real estate taxes gave lawmakers less to spend. [Palm Beach Post, 10/16/2009]

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