Crist Ducks Family Florida Policy Council Event

I find it fascinating how Republican politicians want to keep Christian Right activists at arm's length. Popular Governor Charlie Crist turned down an invitation to speak to Family Florida Policy Council. Dark horse candidates Mike Huckabee and Sam Brownbeck went to the event and gave a major pep talk.

''Please don't give up now,'' said Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, who was followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. ``We can win this fight.''

Well said by two men polling in the single digits in Idaho.

Crist was far more receptive towards the Christian Right when he was a candidate. He told a Roman Catholic priest he would sign a bill to ban abortion. The Hatemonger Rev. O'Neill Dozier was a major Crist backer. Dozier showed his intolerance by attempting to shut down the construction of a peaceful Islamic mosque.

On September 23, 2006 The Miami Herald reported, "The Rev. O'Neal Dozier suffered another political slap Friday. Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist told his staff to take the Pompano Beach minister off all his campaign committees. The move comes after the Rev. Dozier characterized Islam as a 'cult' and a 'dangerous religion,' on a South Florida radio talk show in July. Dozier also recently announced plans to distribute booklets to residents living near the site of a future mosque in a black Pompano Beach community. 'While Charlie Crist respects Rev. Dozier's right to express his political and religious beliefs, he does not agree with Rev. Dozier's recent statements and writings concerning Islam,' according to a statement issued Friday by Crist's deputy press secretary Erin Isaac. 'While radical jihadists give Islam a bad name, Charlie Crist believes that we must not confuse those who practice any religion with a prayer toward peace with extremists who pervert religion to further a radical cause.' The Rev. Dozier initially made his remarks on the radio show and several times in discussing his opposition to construction of a mosque in a 'black Christian' Pompano Beach community. Dozier and others opposing the mosque -- which has been approved -- have also said they would rather see affordable housing on the roughly 5-acre property. Dozier confirmed that someone from Crist's campaign called Friday about his removal. 'I'm just simply doing what I think any true pastor would do,' Dozier said."

The GOP has a very sick relationship with the Christian Right. Christian religion and politics have both been tainted by this merger.

Update: TampaBay Democrat has a post on Florida Family Policy Council gala.