![Crist_Desantis side_by_side (9)](https://floridapolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Crist_Desantis-side_by_side-9-1280x960.jpg)
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist was on national television Monday evening, where the Congressman and candidate for Governor was given a full segment to critique Gov. Ron DeSantis.
During an appearance on MSNBC’s “The ReidOut,” the Democratic frontrunner was able to focus on potential General Election attacks as host Joy Reid called Crist “Governor,” allowing Crist to pitch himself, and not DeSantis, as the real pro-business candidate in the 2022 race for Governor.
“The Florida Chamber of Commerce ought to back me instead of DeSantis for what’s going on. I’m more pro-business,” Crist said, after recounting the Special Session brinksmanship against Disney for opposing the Parental Rights in Education law, and DeSantis plays of recent vintage.
“Disney can’t express its right to free speech in the Sunshine State anymore?” asked a dismayed Crist, who accused the current Governor of “bullying” for deciding to punish Disney World by pushing two “unconstitutional” bills targeting the company during the just-wrapped Special Session.
“It is outrageous,” Crist continued. “And then the notion that the Governor is saying ‘yeah, you know,’ in the press conference when he signed the bill last week. ‘Are you doing this to take out punishment on them?'”
“Yeah, that’s what we’re doing,” Crist seemingly paraphrased. “To brazenly admit it like that. Usually, you’d be a little more subtle, but not this fellow.”
“I think I’ve figured it out,” Crist went on to add. “I think what’s going on here is that Gov. DeSantis is so laser-focused on the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary and going against Donald Trump, he’s trying to out-Trump Trump.
“It’s almost like he goes to bed every night thinking ‘What group can I punish tomorrow? Women, African Americans, LGBTQ, you name it,” Crist said.
The back-and-forth continues between DeSantis and Disney, and what’s clear is that Crist sees a potential opportunity for his campaign emerging from it.
It is a slim opportunity, however, as the Chamber has expressed support for DeSantis and, though officially nonpartisan, typically backs Republicans. Last year, the organization brought in DeSantis to keynote its Future of Florida Forum and in the 2018 election, it endorsed him over Democratic nominee Andrew Gillum.
8 comments
Tom
April 26, 2022 at 1:38 pm
Camillion can pitch it. It will fail.
He may get one, possibly 2 votes.
What’s he going to say? I wouldn’t have shut down Florida business, really?
How bout schools? And workers? He’s in the bag with the cuomo model!
How bout Florida’s 3.2% jobs unemployment, recapturing all pre Covid lost jobs and some. Top 10 in USA, lower than Feds unemployment.
How bout 8.7% wage growth? Third in USA.
Over $15 billion in state finance reserves.
Florida is the economic Mecca example for growth, opportunity, liberty and freedom thanks to America’s Gov! No chance!
DeSantis the best!
MK
April 26, 2022 at 5:21 pm
I love it when Desantis\Trump fanatics throw out random facts that have little to do with truth. They are literally proving a point about how bad education is in Florida.
Desantis gladly took tons of Federal assistance and spread it around like it was their own so they could boost the economy and wage their culture war at the same time. Let’s not forget about all the seniors and others who passed away from covid because of Desantis “money over life” covid policy. He is trying to turn this state and country into a racist, homophobic, fear monger autocracy.
PeterH
April 27, 2022 at 11:04 am
Absolutely correct MK! DeSantis is a political hack and Tom is a willing DeSantis bootlicker with surgically implanted knee pads!
Tom
April 27, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Go towel off your boys at Lincoln peter h. Just another know nothing on FP, you must pay them for your idiocy.
Good job exposing your ignorant side MK.
Ad usual dysfunctional Manchurians can’t deal with facts. The Gov has them all All on his side! He dominates and wins!
FP is clearly compromised with the extremists spouting far left extremism. Center of gravity is right of center in Florida. Biden’s 36% approval assures huge wins across the state for Repubs. You clowns don’t even know GOP is up 120,000 on hard party registrations. Dem had a 250,000 plus lead 3 yrs back. That’s almost 400,000 swing. Wah cry eye, losers. DeSantis the best!
JD
April 27, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Lest we not forget the Sunshine State still has 3.8M NPAs and Independants.
Before even Florida’s Math debacle that’s greater than a 400K swing.
They have a choice and can have voice. Careful on counting them chickens yet.
Just Saying.
Tom
April 27, 2022 at 10:35 pm
No one counting the chicks JD. Glad you are engaged again.
Let’s be clear, the Dums are atrocious. Camillion crispy critters is a flipping fish in the pier gasping for breath. The Dum party is non existent.
370,000 swing on party registration is massive. To suggest that every NPA’s is swinging for a Dum is not mathematically probable. Lucky if half of those that may vote would vote for a Dum. Especially since America’s Gov is polling high, mid 50% with independents and Hispanics. The poll in Miami Dade had Gov at 50% in approval with Dems, outstanding.
It’s a long shot at best JD. America’s Gov believes in and applied. a rising tide for all Floridians, not a few.
Florida is the Mecca example for USA on economy, education vouchers, pay raise, jobs unemployment, wage growth, environmental policy, and so much more. Rising tide for all!
Tom
April 27, 2022 at 11:05 pm
JD, Brendinen and amandi poll in March has Miami Dade Dems falling over for Desantis. Bigly
Tom
April 27, 2022 at 5:44 am
Facts are funny things MK.
You love nothing, know nothing.
That’s as idiotic statement as is.
FYI, fact: America’s Gov ensured more seniors and Covid inoculated per Biden’s HHS. Btw, Biden and Fauci recorded, record more death.
Florida’s economy number one, record jobs, employee wage growth, third lowest – opportunity. Public School vouchers expanded to poor and minority kids. Expanded trade school, jobs junior college programs. DeSantis accomplishments unlimited you fool. Typical ignorant Manchurian.
Rising tide for all under America’s Gov, not a few. Do for America, what has been done for Florida!
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