Phil Ammann
Bill Day’s latest is a take on former Gov. Charlie Crist, rumored to be contemplating another crusade for the U.S. Senate.
This news is not surprising for those familiar with the former governor, former Republican, and former Gov. Rick Scott opponent — who also “blew” a 35-point lead against Marco Rubio for the Senate Republican primary in 2010.
That loss helped precipitate Crist’s shift from the GOP to an independent, which then led to a move to the Democratic Party and … the rest is history.
Crist’s shifting sands of party loyalties may have contributed to his single-point loss to Scott in the 2014 Florida governor’s race. Losing (even by a point) to someone well known as the most disliked governor in America has got to hurt. It also makes Crist the rarest of political animals — a candidate rejected by voters as a Republican, Democrat and independent.
Regardless of his standing within the political establishment, with the state GOP still aggrieved over Crist’s “defection” almost three years ago, he remains a well-known figure with Floridians.
Hence the rumor that friends are literally “calling” Crist to consider mounting another campaign.
However, according to insiders, these appeals were not for the U.S. Senate run in 2016. Several of those who phoned are friends and political allies sending condolences for Crist’s sister, who passed away two weeks ago. Since many of those political friends are … well, political … most of the conversations naturally gravitated towards politics and the future. (It is typical for individuals experiencing a great personal loss to reflect on the future.)
Anyhow, this is what trial balloons are for. And in the case of St. Petersburg’s favorite son, that balloon — in Day’s opinion — is elegant, opulent and with one substantial leak.
