Crist Courted As Possible DEM Challenger to Scott

It was the worst kept secret in Florida politics that the Obama White House was rooting for Charlie Crist over Kendrick "moderate progressive" Meek. Members of Obama's 2008 presidential campaign were working on the Crist campaign. Team Obama cut a deal with Crist to caucus with the Senate Democrats. In exchange, Bill Clinton asked Kendrick Meek to dropout. Now David Axelrod is praising Crist for supporting the stimulus.

“I don’t think he did it for the president; he did it for his state. He stepped up and it was a gutsy thing to do,” said David Axelrod, Obama’s chief political strategist, who said the campaign would welcome Crist’s support. “We welcome any and all support and he’s someone who the president has regard for.”

The reason Team Obama still has a crush on Crist is because there is talk about Crist running as a Democrat against Gov. Rick Scott. Crist's friend Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, is excited about the idea.

“That would be enormously exciting. He has the statewide name recognition and he’s someone who looks out for the people,’’ said state Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg. “The Democratic party is the big tent party, and I can’t see why they wouldn’t embrace Charlie Crist.’’