Mitch Perry
Charlie Crist demonstrates a sense of humor about himself in a new campaign ad that will begin airing on broadcast and cable stations in the Tampa Bay area.
Called “You Know Me,” the ad features the Democratic hopeful in Florida’s 13th Congressional race as a man of the people, showing himself as a young man with dark hair, assorted shots of him speaking with voters, and a neat twist in the middle of it.
“I’m a fan of fans,” he professes, surrounded by an assortment of the cooling devices in one quick shot.
The former governor’s penchant for keeping cool by having an ever-present fan at news conferences had always been somewhat of an inside joke among political reporters over the years, even leading to the creation of a Twitter account called “Charlie Crist’s fan.”
But the issue went national two years ago, when Rick Scott refused to go onstage for the first seven minutes of a gubernatorial debate against Crist because he had an electric fan set up near him.
“Are we really going to debate a fan?” Crist said while standing alone on stage. Several minutes later, Scott relented and joined the debate.
“That has to be the most unique beginning to any debate,” the moderator said, as did those watching on television throughout the Sunshine State.
Crist is competing against Republican David Jolly in the Nov. 8 election.
