Jason Delgado
Charlie Crist criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday for making a “partisan visit” to Pensacola while hundreds remain missing after a building collapsed in South Florida.
The “partisan visit” Crist lambasted was a send-off event for 50 state law enforcement officers deploying to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a security mission.
While less than a ten-minute stop, Crist, a former Governor himself, accused DeSantis of putting political ambition ahead of Florida’s needs.
“It’s shameful that Governor DeSantis left the scene of a terrible crisis to hold a partisan press conference,” Crist said in a statement. “Hundreds of Floridians woke up in grief as 159 of their family, friends, and loved ones were still unaccounted for after the horrific building collapse in Surfside yesterday morning.”
As of Friday afternoon, fire rescue personal and first responders are still searching for 159 people within the rubble of the beachside building.
Video of the collapse showed the center of the building appearing to tumble down first and then a section nearest to the ocean collapsing seconds later.
In the hours since the collapse, DeSantis has held several press conferences including an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
“An entire community and city are reeling from the devastation as first responders are working around the clock to save as many lives as possible, but Florida’s Governor spent the morning on Fox News hosting a meaningless campaign stunt hundreds of miles away from Surfside,” Crist said.
DeSantis returned to Surfside Friday afternoon where he is expected to appear for three events — an afternoon briefing with state and local officials, a visit to the Family Assistance Center and a visit to the Shul of Bal Harbour.
DeSantis on Thursday declared a state of emergency in Miami-Dade County.
At the White House, President Joe Biden addressed the condo collapse, saying that his administration is “ready to move with federal resources immediately.”
21 comments
Tom Palmer
June 25, 2021 at 4:26 pm
Don’t let affairs of state get ahead of affairs of state.
Ron Ogden
June 25, 2021 at 4:42 pm
Crist uses one of the most tragic events in recent Florida history as justification for snide political remarks in an attempt to advance his candidacy, and Tom Palmer extracts a quote from what many consider one of the most racist movies of all time to add his snicker to it.
It is comments like Crist’s and Palmer’s that give evidence in support of the proposition that no person with a single OUNCE of human feeling could sink to the level of being a Democrat in 2021.
Kathy
June 25, 2021 at 8:56 pm
I agree 100%. Christ is playing Dirty Games. I give props to De Santis for splitting himself up to take care of multiple crisis that have been plaguing us ALL. I know De Santis has his best interest for the families of all the fallen at Surfside. Problem with Christ is he has ZERO to grasp on to make De Satis the bad guy.
Tom Palmer
June 25, 2021 at 11:21 pm
Quit whining. Blazing Saddles made fun of racism. Must have been over your head.
Tom
June 26, 2021 at 1:14 am
Palmer you are confused like Fraud & Crispy Critters. Cheap shot artist crispy tried to throw some mud. DeSantis is doing the right thing. America’s Governor marches on.
Phil Morton
June 27, 2021 at 5:37 am
Sending 50 cops to patrol the 1954 mile southern border is a clearly political stunt and a very badly timed one when 50 cops sent to south Florida would have actually been beneficial. Charlie is correct.
Tom
June 29, 2021 at 11:27 pm
No it’s not a political stunt Phil.
You are wrong.
David
July 1, 2021 at 7:07 am
I agree, it’s needed! I moved here from Arizona and the border is a mess!! Was alot better from about 2016-2020… Wonder why! Thank you DeSantis for sending help.
Tom
June 25, 2021 at 7:01 pm
Palmer you are confused like Fraud & Crispy Critters. Cheap shot artist crispy tried to throw some mud. DeSantis is doing the right thing. America’s Governor marches on.
Arthro
June 25, 2021 at 7:25 pm
This is comical coming from Charlie Crist – king of the pandering political opportunists. Why didn’t Charlie run for a second term as Governor? Because he was greedy and wanted to jump into the Senate seat. Luckily, he got his butt handed to him by Marco Rubio. He will get skewered by DeSantis. You got nothing, Charlie.
kathy
June 25, 2021 at 8:57 pm
100%, he was no savior or miracle maker in Florida.
martin
June 26, 2021 at 4:25 pm
charlie talks and no-one listens.
Edward Lyle
June 26, 2021 at 6:04 pm
So… the Governor visits Pensacola while Chuck visits bath houses…
… got it
Charlotte Greenbarg
June 27, 2021 at 8:31 am
The same Chameleon Charlie who would have complained if Gov. DeSantis hadn’t visited and kept on top of everything. Slither away Charlie.
Evan Miller
June 27, 2021 at 8:56 am
Crist has zero credibility, as does Val Demmings. Did she ever find her service weapon that was stolen from her unlocked city vehicle?
Paul Begallia
June 27, 2021 at 9:37 pm
Good grief. Crist looks like he’s pushing 80. Guess the saying is true, can’t teach an old dog new tricks (:
Matthew Lusk
June 28, 2021 at 3:35 pm
Charles Christ is emotionally like a beauty queen, he just wants to be flattered and liked. I can’t imagine any heterosexual man voting for him. He’ a total disgrace to manhood. I bet he wears maxi pads.
Tom
June 29, 2021 at 10:39 pm
Crispy critters crisp is just blowing gas.
If the great Governor DeSantis had not Charlie would be complaining. If your ordering men into action you should see them off. Governors can do more than one thing.
Tom
June 30, 2021 at 6:34 am
Enough of Florida politics rerunning this article.
Move on please. Non story
Tom
June 30, 2021 at 6:53 am
The state has a national crisis but Florida politics publication finds the ability to retread a 5 day old article that is dishonest. How low can it go. It’s a non story.
Tom
June 30, 2021 at 10:06 am
Vultures, disgusting Dems and media co-Horts.
Facing down a 100 year pandemic with common sense policy. Saved schools, seniors and Florida society. Governor will wipe the floor with the Dem party in 22. If 45 does not run he will be the nominee. Fraud Fried is a joke along with crispy critters.
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