Charlie Crist: Confluence of current events ‘nightmare’ for Republicans, good for Democrats

crist
Charlie Crist says Democrats have new polls to look forward to.

Current polls might have Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis walloping Democrats in the General Election, but Democratic candidate Charlie Crist told the party faithful Wednesday night that things are about to change.

Meeting with the Miami-Dade Democratic Senior Caucus and the Democratic Haitian American Caucus of Florida via Zoom, Crist called the current confluence of events a “three-part nightmare for the Republican Party.”

“I can’t wait to see the polling a week from now,” Crist said, citing the fall of Roe v. Wade, a new round of national gun catastrophesand the congressional hearings on Jan. 6.

Crist, who appeared to be strapped into an automobile as he met with about 27 people online, broke it down. DeSantis doesn’t want to talk about how the U.S. Supreme overturned the landmark abortion case and allowed states to outlaw abortion, Crist said.

“When it comes to Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose, Democrats good, Republicans bad,” he said.

On gun safety, Democrats win also, Crist said.

“Democrats are the party of gun safety, Republicans are in the pocket of the (National Rifle Association),” Crist said. “Democrats good, Republicans bad.”

On the hearings into how violent protesters stormed the Capitol during the procedure to transfer power to President Joe Biden, Crist said the realization of how bad it was is spreading.

“What’s happening there is a disaster for the Republicans,” he said.

Crist did not mention his main rival for the Democratic nomination for Governor, Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried, by name. He said, however, caucus members should spread the word that he’s the one who can beat this current Governor.

He highlighted his superior name recognition, his fundraising ability that outpaces hers, and his previous tenure as Governor, even though he was a Republican then.

‘Not only am I running for Governor, I’ve actually been your Governor. I know how to do it,” Crist said. “Tell Democrats … Charlie Crist as a Republican Governor is the only candidate in this race who actually already has vetoed an anti-abortion bill. And Charlie Crist is the only candidate in this race, Republican, Democrat or otherwise, who actually restored rights of former felons, to give them the right to vote — 155,000 of them.”

Crist also highlighted his diversity bona fides. “Charlie Crist is the last Governor who appointed an African American to the Florida Supreme Court,” he said.

Crist said this is the most consequential race for Governor, maybe in Florida history, because of how DeSantis is using the Governor’s race to run for President.

“This is probably the most important gubernatorial election Florida’s ever had and in large measure because of the guy we’re running against. He’s a nightmare, on every level, every count,” Crist said. “Whether you’re concerned about minority rights, civil rights, human rights, women’s rights, you know, across the board he’s chopped away at it over and over and over again.”

“All he wants to do are things … he thinks are going to help improve his opportunity in a Republican Primary for President in 2024,” Crist added.

For his part, DeSantis has repeatedly said he’s not running for President.

Anne Geggis

Anne Geggis is a South Florida journalist who began her career in Vermont and has worked at the Sun-Sentinel, the Daytona Beach News-Journal and the Gainesville Sun covering government issues, health and education. She was a member of the Sun-Sentinel team that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Parkland high school shooting. You can reach her on Twitter @AnneBoca or by emailing [email protected].


42 comments

  • David in Shoreline

    July 6, 2022 at 11:18 pm

    Oh Charlie…. How in the world do you think a political turncoat like yourself is going to motivate voters to go to the polls in numbers large enough to win against Governor DeSantis? It’s laughable. Do the right thing and return your donors money and find a nice beach to spend your days.

    • Bill

      July 8, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      I’ll vote against DeSantis so if he’s the Dem nominee, he’ll get my vote the same way Biden did against trump. I don’t like Dems and their hippy dippy BS but Desantis and his authoritarian my ‘way or the highway’ BS is worse IMO. That would be the state of politics in the US these days – one vote, two bad choices.

      • ADF

        July 9, 2022 at 12:18 am

        Okay, but the side that you’ve chosen to vote for has repeatedly proven, over an extended period of time, that is pro-lockdown, pro-mandate-, pro-restrictions, anti-travel, and pro-passport. They closed state borders and tried to keep people from peaceably assembling, they shut small businesses (many of which never re-opened) and allowed big box stores to stay open; and they made it their stated intention to control the bodies of every human being in the country and make literally every human body a piece of government property . And they WILL do all this again as soon as they are able. Not really sure how that’s any better. For my money, it’s a whole lot worse.

        • Bill

          July 9, 2022 at 7:49 am

          If that’s an issue for you, you should probably vote R.

          Personally, when the pandemic started, I was glad to be living in a time and place where we had access to vaccines. I assumed, stupidly as it turns out, that folks would do the right thing and get vaccinated so we could wipe this thing out. I have both shots and two boosters and haven’t had so much as a sniffle in two years and at this stage, I really don’t care what anyone else does anymore so the whole vaccine thing counts for nothing in my estimation.
          Aside from the culture war stuff, DeSantis seems like a competent Governor but using culture wars to pit Americans against each other for political gain seems reprehensible to me so even though it’s a ways off yet, I’ll probably be voting against him. Time will tell but for conservatives who think everybody who doesn’t agree with them is a liberal, they’d be dead wrong and it’s unaffiliated votes who will move things one way or the other IMO.

  • Tom

    July 6, 2022 at 11:23 pm

    Crisp Chameleon, hypocrite and pathetic liar.
    Only N Fraud crawls on her knees more.
    His double talk, hypocrisy is as meaningless as a cheap night walker.
    America’s Gov will annihilate this worm, and the Dems will be crushed for ten years.
    Monmouth poll released today has abortion last, the last concern, 5% response. Save it liar.
    Gov has spoken on abortion Charlie, you liar.
    15 weeks, two docs notes on life of mother Charlie. You and the Dums support up to birth.
    Loser! Illinois had strick laws Charlie. Save it.

    • Ocean Joe

      July 7, 2022 at 8:23 am

      Good morning Tommy, check this out: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/governor/2022/florida/
      Charlie Crisp AHEAD by 1!
      Maybe all the belligerence, and overreach into our educational and medical communities, legislation targeting minorities, and constant foaming at the mouth has limits.
      On the other hand, it’s Florida. Somebody, quick! Tell me to leave again! We are packed to the rafters, it might help.

      • Tom

        July 7, 2022 at 11:09 am

        Ocean, as usual the most extreme example from you.

        If you believe for a moment that chameleon is within 10 pts, you are more delusional than i comprehended. 538 is a left of center Corp ABC promoter.

        Not sure what the hell you are blabbing about.

        How about the 3% unemployment? His bout Florida leading country in 7.8% wage growth? How bout the best voucher school program. How bout kids not committing suicide, cause schools were opened, not closed.

        Florida is the Mecca of freedom, liberty and opportunity. Rising tide for all under Desantis.

        The news on Florida under America’s Gov this week is a highlight reel. DeSantis is the best Gov in America.
        The peeps know that!

      • nail

        July 8, 2022 at 10:41 am

        Trumps afrerbirth is picking fights with kids, teachers, the immunocompromised, the LGBTQ, various minorities, small children, businesses and Disney.

        You can tell who and what a person really is by who he considers his enemies. I can tell desantis is a coward, a bully, and a generally despicable person, that has a predilection for the authoritarian way of life.

        Todays news tells the story of the future for desantis and why Desantis needs to find a 200 sq ft office in Tallahassee.

        Google searches were found for desantis in 8 states, trump was 48 states for the past month…..

    • marylou

      July 7, 2022 at 1:30 pm

      Regarding your abortion comment: Ron has already indicated he wants a total Catholic Church abortion ban. The “life of mother” means that she is actually in the process of dying—deteriorating vital signs, etc.

      In many places women having miscarriages are being instructed to go home and wait for a fever or hemorrhaging before returning to the hospital, despite doctors knowing that fetal death is certain. Women are dying from sepsis, because frightened doctors can still detect faint cardiac activity.

      Time spent waiting for two doctors who are being threatened with prison, while they wait for a group of lawyers to weigh the legal risks, will be too long for many women.

      • Tom

        July 7, 2022 at 4:03 pm

        He has not you liar.
        Go counsel the fake 10 yr old abortion lie you peddled.

        You apparently are a abortion zealot, what’s acceptable to you?
        After birth? How many day After?
        So no limitation on abortion? Even Roe had that. Please.

        15 weeks or so isn’t enough?
        Life of mother. Europe had docs permission and stronger restrictions.

        To be clear, a strong majority of Americans do not support abortion til 9th month. And Not after birth.
        A strong majority support first trimester, and life of mother.

        You are wrong to come her and lie.
        You are an extremist. Monmouth poll literally had abortion as last, 5% support as important topic. Several other topics were more important.
        Abortion is not the end all, be all topic. It matters reasonably and responsibly, not til birth or after.

        Save it.
        FP the place for extremist zealots on every topic.

        What topic do Dums ever compromise on. Nothing period.

        • marylou

          July 8, 2022 at 2:25 pm

          You say: “Europe had docs permission and stronger restrictions.”

          Sane people say: European abortion services are widely available, no long distance travel. Free (or heavily subsidized) abortion, contraception, and prenatal care. Women can get abortions earlier because they don’t need weeks (or months) to beg or borrow enough money to pay for an overpriced American abortion.

          There is support for women to raise a child in most of Europe: free universal pre-k, parental leave, universal healthcare, subsidized childcare, etc. Republicans oppose all of these.

          Please share the information that you have on the 10 year old girl reported in the news. I’m sure all of us would love to know that this never happened.

      • Lynda

        July 7, 2022 at 5:27 pm

        @marylou
        Thanks for reminding all these men who will never experience pregnancy about the medical facts which put innocent women in danger when their body miscarries.

        I expect not one of these men commenting are ob-gyns into which any woman would be willing to put her life and that of the fetus she is carrying.

  • His Story

    July 7, 2022 at 7:01 am

    The new Herod.

  • Charlotte Greenbarg

    July 7, 2022 at 8:12 am

    It’s the economy stupid

    • marylou

      July 7, 2022 at 1:59 pm

      Tell your Republican Congresspeople to stop opposing the Democrats’ Windfall Profits Tax on corporate greed. Better yet, just stop voting for Republicans.

      • Tom

        July 7, 2022 at 4:22 pm

        Wind fall profits, the abortion zealot Manchurian got her new talking points.

        Did the fake 10 yr old run out of gas going to Indy?

        What are you Jimmy Carter’s cousin.
        What a joke. How about allowing development and production. How about not blaming the gas station store owners.

  • Jackson

    July 7, 2022 at 8:56 am

    He is just sad

  • martin

    July 7, 2022 at 4:38 pm

    only in charlie’s alternative universe

  • Paul and Lynda Friedman

    July 7, 2022 at 5:46 pm

    Charlie Crist is experienced at being governor. He has been outstanding as our Congressional Representative. His replies to letters are coherent, timely and factual. He is able to do the job for which we elected him.

    The current governor of Florida’s only campaign promise and platform was trump’s endorsement. He never told us he is an anti-vaxer opposed to pandemic masks as well as a ultra zealot opposed to any abortion whether to save the life of the pregnant woman, or because the woman is a victim of rape, incest or sex trafficking. Our current governor never told us he would create his own Election Army to prevent people from voting.

    We know Charlie Crist won’t spend his time as governor flying around the country campaigning for another office for which he is unfit by temperament like our current bully of a governor.

    The voters are desperate to have a reasonable, sane governor who will hire qualified professional staff–unlike the current Surgeon General chosen by DeSantis. Representative Crist is fit for the job of Florida’s governor in the challenging times to come.

    • Tom

      July 7, 2022 at 9:13 pm

      Lynda, You are a demented idiot.
      Charlie crist is a chameleon” boot licker. He’s dishonest, he’s worth $2 million as a public servant. DeSantis is worth $300,000, just a guy. Blue collar guy, with the peeps.

      I worked in a congressional office. They are called form letters you fool.
      Chameleon is a hypocrite liar, he has no soul. Just a sell out, perennial loser candidate, and career hack.

      You are a liar. America’s Gov does not campaign out of state. You should apologize.

      Gov Ron is the best Governor in the country. Florida’s economy is number one do to his leadership, employment 3%, schools are number one. Wage growth of Floridians went up 7.8% a year due to the strongest Florida economy. His Covid efforts are now recognized as the right stuff.

      DeSantis is the right stuff.
      Rising tide for all, not a few like Biden.
      DeSantis and Marco win big.

      • nail

        July 8, 2022 at 10:32 am

        Are you all Christina Pushaw has to offer? The Russian girlfriend/press secretary of trumps afterbith, cannot send one troll that could possibly sway a vote.
        You’re an old man sitting with Manchurians infecting what is left of his mind, gives us the daily laughs we need.

  • nail

    July 8, 2022 at 10:19 am

    Nice that trumps afterbirth will now be monitoring political and social beliefs on college campuses, no? Doesn’t sound too much like Orwell’s 1984 to me.

    Soon colleges will be forced to teach “creationism”, that vaccines are bad and that slavery never happened. They will have to, if they want their young children to go to college. These young children, will never be accepted in any college in the country, when they learned that FL children never learned, that the south had slaves, that the Holocaust was because of ppl like desantis, and that there were Indians before the white protestants that came to the US on a boat.
    The afterbirth should be proud. He will be responsible for the dumbest generation of children to go to Florida schools

    There was a 19% decline in Florida colleges this year. Think the word got out on desantis authoritarian predeliction?

    Is it any wonder why young people with families are moving out of Florida faster than the elderly are moving in.

    • Tom

      July 8, 2022 at 11:43 am

      Nail You are mental. Well established
      Trump, pushaw, Jan 6. That’s all your talking points allow.
      You are getting your ass kicked, boot licker.
      Your stats are fake as you are.
      Florida is the economic engine of America. 3.0% unemployment, 7.8% wage growth. Billions $$$ relocated in.
      Top education system, and Public school voucher program.
      Florida rising tide for all under America. Hispanics, independents love Ron.
      America’s Gov.

    • ADF

      July 9, 2022 at 12:22 am

      Um, you do realize that this whole “monitoring beliefs on colleges” is a discredited, debunked lie from more than a year ago, right? … Right? … … … ?

      • Tom

        July 9, 2022 at 2:47 pm

        Dunnycrats are scurrilous with venom of a serpent, poisonous leaches.
        Nail is a Manchurian tom a ton, he had no knowledge or understanding of any topic. Total talking points from soros.

        He’s an idiot. Of course it’s not true bout colleges.

        The Dums want 9th month abortion And after birth. Monmouth poll
        Rated abortion last, 5%.

          • Tom

            July 11, 2022 at 7:33 am

            Apparently j d you support after birth abortion, that’s extremist land.
            5% support is no where land j d.

            Stop trying to justify a extreme act. First trimester has support, not 9th month, after birth! It’s a wash out issue after first trimester.

          • Tom

            July 11, 2022 at 10:40 am

            Sorry J D, gloves r off.
            Mary who, nail, corsin and other Manchurians r off rockers. Extremists.

            Most recent Harvard Harris poll says, over 70% Americans oppose abortion after first trimester. Repeat 70%, do not support

            Dem Dums are extremists, they support and want til birth, and after! Horrific, Grotesque.

            Careful what you wish. Lots of Dems in those numbers, voting for America’s Gov, not the serpent chameleon or fraud!

          • JD

            July 12, 2022 at 1:06 pm

            When did I say anything about advocating 9th month abortions? I was stating that abortion matters in terms of rape/incest/mothers health. And it was higher up than you claimed in that poll.

            I’ve live both sides of this debate in realtime and know damn well 24-26 weeks is the edge of viability. Having lost twins and almost my wife in the process of complications.

            Making it hard for a person or doctor (by requiring 2) to make a split decision when minutes count is not only cruel, but true extremist.

  • Tom

    July 11, 2022 at 7:55 am

    BTW, Nail, JD and Mary who, and all Manchurian 5% abortion activists. Your incompetent Biden, Harris are at 29% approval in Florida. Chameleon and fraud have no chance! Getting ass kicked.

    People now eat dog food in Biden, Harris America. How ignorant and dense can Harris be? She can’t even articulate or speak on any topic at all. What a clown show.

    • marylou

      July 11, 2022 at 11:39 am

      Abortion polled higher than: Immigration, Gun Ownership, Job Security, Housing/Rent/Mortgage, Safety/Crime, and Taxes.

      Despite the poll showing voters’ concerns about the economy and prices (the 4 answers that were higher than abortion), every Republican voted against the recent Oil and Gas Price-Gouging Bill. Florida’s congresspeople are voting to protect corporate donors’ profits, rather than voters’ interests.

      Vote out the corrupt Republicans!

      • Tom

        July 11, 2022 at 1:47 pm

        Chain yourself to a beach poll you Mary who. Midnight pool
        Girl. Go scream lungs out.
        Aren’t you thankful mommy and daddy didn’t abort you. Typical extremists

        5% in Monmouth poll.
        70% in Harvard Harris do not support after first trimester.
        Extremists like you do a dis service.
        Wah , Wah and Wah

      • Tom

        July 12, 2022 at 3:43 am

        There is no person at 10 yrs with abortion from Ohio to Indiana. Well documented. Just another fake lie. Total canard, fabrication and manipulation. Mary who total loser.
        Socialist liar.

        • JD

          July 14, 2022 at 4:15 pm

          Again Tom, you were wrong. The rapist of the 10 YO came forward.

          Nobody wants to kill babies Tom, but they don’t want injustices like incest and rape to stand either. It’s too extreme.

          It’s why DeSantis is quiet about focusing on further abortion bans until after the election. It would mobilize too many against him.

          If his policies are winning so much, how come we were named the most expensive place to live? 3% unemployment and 6% wage raise doesn’t mean shit when rents, homeowners insurance, and electricity have gone up 20-50%. FPL was allowed to raise the rates when everyone knew the state was in trouble.

          How about the $5.8B removed from businesses taxes during his tenure and $1.5B added to taxes on the populace?

          What about the teacher shortage? That’s a direct result from his policies. He seems to want to pay more for Cops and a militia, but not teachers and then wants them to fall in line to his ideology?

          People are eating dog food because DeSantis used his influence and big Kahonies to fight needless culture wars (to fill his presidential ambitions coffers) instead little old him doing his job.

          The broken record of gas prices, inflation, and the specter of recession. Guess what? There isn’t any indicator we are in a recession in any metric except a psychological one.

          Likewise the polls are shifting. Your 40 seat flip isn’t completely a given now. The republicans should not have reached so far.

          • Tom

            July 15, 2022 at 6:48 am

            Not true JD.
            oh you mean the illegal that raped?
            The 9 yr old? Who is 10 now.
            The doctor is being investigated. The state of Ohio was not preventing this.
            There will be consequences. Some are suggesting it was the father?

            The whispers had to be echoed JD, as the left media is scurrilous. More info coming. The lefts extremism on abortion is overwhelming. So you support til birth or after? Are you a doctor?

            Educators have been given 2 raises, 2 bonuses. Stop the handwringing. Teacher union sued, Gov won to open schools. DeSantis saved kids lives, no suicides over closed schools. The parents, peeps know he saved kids, and the parents.

            Floridians live tax free, less taxes. Don’t start your exaggerations. You don’t have 3% unemployment and 7.8% wage growth by accident. DeSantis saved Florida.

            Yes, recession JD, broken record is indistinguishable? 11% inflation, 40 yr high? Definition is “Two consecutive quarters” of negative growth.

            Stop the lies, cover up and Dem demagoguery. Biden Harris own it, Dems own the economy now.

            Recession brings up to 70 house seats, Biden’s 29% approval is the anchor around neck for chameleon, fraud and dumings. You all are drowning in Biden Dem incompetence. Nice try J D, appreciate you but gloves are off.
            Take care. America’s Gov, rising tide for all in Florida. Not a few Biden Harris.

          • Tom

            July 15, 2022 at 9:06 am

            Declare yourself JD, whet the hell do you and your Manchurian nation stand for? 9th month? After birth? How bout first trimester? What’s compromise? You leftists offer none, extremists. Lynda, Mary lou? Extremists. Abortion on demand.

            Biden’s in Saudi Arabia. We have oil and production refineries and we get this idiot, begging Venezuela, Iran, and our once close ally Saudi’s. Do you know how incompetent this team is?
            How embarrassing.

            The AOC, Sanders green no deal and Brian Deese, new world liberal order, anti carbon and gas. These people hate carbon. Just Pathetic. They’ve destroyed our country.
            No more mr nice guy! JD. Buckle up

        • JD

          July 15, 2022 at 9:00 am

          So it wasn’t true before and is now that it is, it’s the doctor’s fault that tried to ease a 9-10 year old’s issues from being raped? And did anyone say anything about condoning it?

          And requiring a masters in many cases for teachers and paying 45K a year is why we have a teacher’s shortage. A Bonus is temporary.

          And you don’t know if I am a doctor or not (or if I just went to medical school). But I’ve live both sides of this debate in realtime and know damn well 24-26 weeks is the edge of viability. Having lost twins and almost my wife in the process of complications. I don’t want some bullshit law to complicate things or impart more pain.

          If you are going to give DeSantis for the good things (unemployment, economy, jobs, state open), then you have to give him credit for the bad things (teacher shortages, covid deaths, housing / rents skyrocketing, insurance debacle). It’s only fair.

          No offense Tom, but while DeSantis has some good things in his corner, he has just as many on the ledger sheet. Gloves are off.

          • Tom

            July 15, 2022 at 10:58 am

            JD, I regret your loss. I also had that with spouse, I get it. I am just saying the left is refusing to limit. First trimester, yes. Life of mother, Yes. A rape or other provision with supervision can work. Not at birth nor after. That’s extreme. Over 70% do not support late term.

            I wish you and spouse well. God blesses those who face sorrow.

  • Joe Corsin

    July 11, 2022 at 8:13 am

    DeSantis collaborated with ISIS against coalition forces in Iraq….raped a dead cat in Iraq… killed thousands during COVID… worshipped hard core criminal Donald Trump. Vote Crist for governor..

    • Tom

      July 11, 2022 at 7:26 pm

      Not sure who is more mentally ill, Mary who or the new be Joe.
      Soros must be paying new recruits.
      Really ignorant ones! So stupid.

      Mary who, the ten year old is a lie, nice try. Joe, America’s Gov is a leader of men, as Captain in Navy! You should stop embarrassing self, but you won’t!
      You both need mental health.

  • JD

    July 15, 2022 at 9:44 am

    22-24 weeks. Edge of Viability. If they are doing 15 weeks, exceptions for Rape and Incest and health after that point. Not this 6 week bullshit.

    What refineries? There hasn’t been a new refinery built in the USA since 1973 and 50 within the country have been closed. Some not coming back online after the pandemic went endemic because of business rules. They are running 24/7 just to keep up with demand. Hell, they sent some of the oil released from the strategic supply overseas because we could not process it.

    And that’s private business not wanting to invest in the refineries. Should Congress and Biden nationalize the oil industry like France and other countries did and force them to build more refineries and we subsidize them with a tax?

    Or you for just removing all regulation and let them pollute the fuck out of the southern states were most are? Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi are some of the most polluted states in the nation from refineries.

    • Tom

      July 15, 2022 at 11:08 am

      No JD, EPA Congress make it not feasible. U gotta be crazy to what to encourage production.

      I support protecting the environment, not crushing business
      Our country is excellent on minimizing pollution.

      So your saying empty out our oil caverns? Give China comp a million barrels, connected to Hunter? That’s impeachment. Do you realize how filthy foreign crude oil is, unlike ours? Which is pristine.

      AOC, Sanders are mentally ill. Deese and Granholm are idiots.

      You are looking at 250 to 260 new Repub. majority in House of Reps!

Comments are closed.


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