Judge Turns Down Charlie Crist's Motion

A judge has denied Charlie Crist's motion for longer voting hours in Broward County.

Finally, the motion said "the delay and confusion caused by those EVID malfunctions compounded county-wide confusion related to recent re-precincting."

The motion was denied by a Broward County judge shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Broward County leans Democratic. Turnout has been below 40 percent. That isn't good for Crist. The Crist campaign plan was to get out the vote in Broward County.

Florida Voting Hotline

If you have questions about where to vote or what kind of identification you need call 844-FL-VOTES (844-358-6837).

Bill Clinton Rally For Charlie Crist

Former President Bill Clinton will stump for Charlie Crist at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Time: Monday, November 3, 2014

Where: Memorial Mall at UCF

The Florida Progressive Caucus and Charlie Crist

Florida Progressive Coalition head Susan Smith has been less than enthusiastic about Charlie Crist winning the Democratic nomination for governor. Smith was Nan Rich's biggest public supporter. The Florida Progressive Caucus is a member of the Florida Democratic Party structure. Which makes Smith's disparaging remarks about Crist stand out.

Smith told William March of the Tampa Tribune that there was a lack of enthusiasm for Crist's candidacy.

But Rich backer Susan Smith, of Tampa, president of the state party’s progressi ve caucus, said her supporters “will vote for Crist, but I’m not sure if the enthusiasm will be there or if people will be working for him. People don’t get excited about voting against something. They get excited about voting for something.”

Smith gave another lukewarm response about Crist to MyNews13.

Despite the effort, some Democrats aren't thrilled about Crist being the nominee.

"People are discouraged about the governor's race," said Susan Smith. Smith is President of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida.

Mitch Perry asked Smith if she would support Crist. Her statement was underwhelming.

“I will no longer speak out and criticize on issues that I care about,” was as far as Susan Smith would go when asked about her support for Crist.

I asked Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant on the Florida Progressive Caucus's lack of public enthusiasm for the party's gubernatorial nominee.

Q: There have been people on social media that have suggested that FDP bylaws allow the Florida Progressive Caucus to speak out against party nominee Charlie Crist. Florida Progressive Caucus head Susan Smith has been rather negative against Charlie Crist publicly since he won the nomination. For the record: is the Florida Progressive Caucus allowed to publicly not back Crist?

Allison Tant: Nan Rich has shown the way to go. She has asked her supporters to support Charlie. I think if the caucus wanted to have an honest conversation with Charlie rather than a contentious one, one where they would honestly listen, they would be happy with his answers. We have too much ground to cover to allow division to occur.

Q: Thank you for your response. On the record question. What happens to the Florida Progressive Caucus's membership if they continue to be outspoken against Crist?

Allison Tant: I am going to have to review with the rules committee. It galls the hell out of me.

We will see what happens next.

It's Over For Nan Rich

Okay Nan Rich supporters. Explain to me how Nan Rich won a good campaign. The Tampa Bay Times is reporting Charlie Crist won 74 percent of the vote. Would you compare Rich's campaign to LBJ's defeat of Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan's defeat of Walter Mondale? Would you use Nan Rich's campaign as a blueprint for how future Democrats should run statewide races in Florida?

Nan Rich never set-up an ActBlue page. Her netroots outreach was nonexistent. She was a horrible fundraiser and would often not inform the media of her campaign appearances. Not a brilliant strategy for a candidate lacking media coverage. The worst part is Rich will convince the Florida Democratic establishment that progressives can't win statewide races. Rich's candidacy did no favors for progressives.

Quote of the Day

“I’m not a scientist either, but I can use my brain, and I can talk to one.” Charlie Crist, on Gov. Rick Scott unwillingness to learn more about man made climate change.

Crist recently met with Florida State University environmental science professor Jeffrey Chanton. The two discussed the threat of man made climate change. Scott has refused to meet with Professor Chanton.

“It’s to try to push the dialogue,” Crist said. “I’m convinced. I’m a believer and I notice that my opponent, Rick Scott, would not meet with this wonderful scientist. It’s important for people who have the opportunity to help direct policy to be open-minded and to listen.”

Scott has refused to say if he believes in man made climate science. That hasn't stopped him from having extremely environmentally unfriendly policies. Scott has supported and later backtracked drilling in the Everglades. Scott owns a $135,000 stake in Schlumberger Ltd. The oil company is involved in drilling near the Everglades.

Scott's environmental policies are based less on science and more on profit.

Annette Taddeo-Goldstein Becomes Crist's Running Mate

Democratic candidate Charlie Crist has selected Annette Taddeo-Goldstein to be his Lt. Governor running mate. Crist's reasoning is Taddeo-Goldstein is a working mom. Say what?

“She’s a working mom, she’s a great Floridian, she has a heart of gold,” Crist told a Miami press conference on Thursday.

I love working mothers but I wished Crist talked about Taddeo-Goldstein's grasp of policy and her qualifications to govern a state the size of Florida.

The working mom angle is being pushed by the Crist campaign. The campaign had Taddeo-Goldstein send out this fundraising email.

My family moved to Miami when I was 18.

This state is where I founded my small business, met my husband, and started my family.

Just like so many Floridians, I've lived the American dream.

As a working mom and a small business owner, I know how much Florida's families are struggling.

I understand what it's like to wonder if you're going to be able to meet payroll -- and I understand what it's like to balance attending a PTA meeting at my daughter's school with meetings and conference calls at work.

That's why I'm so honored that Charlie asked me to join this ticket as his lieutenant governor. He believes that people like you and me deserve a seat at the table.

I'll join Charlie to fight for our families.

A more likely reason Taddeo-Goldstein is in good standing with the Florida and national standing.

Vice Chairman - Florida Democratic Party

Executive Committee member - Democratic National Committee

There are legitimate questions about Taddeo-Goldstein's skills on the stump. Taddeo-Goldstein lost her last two elections. In 2008, Taddeo-Goldstein a congressional race against Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. In 2010, she lost a county commission race. Taddeo-Goldstein's best chance was to run against the controversial David Rivera. Taddeo-Goldstein bowed out and Joe Garcia won the seat.

Side note: Dan Gelber spent a lot of time promoting Crist to Democrats. Gelber appeared to be an early front runner to be Crist's nominee. I wonder what the consolation prize for Gelber is.

Blast From the Past: Charlie Crist Hearts Sarah Palin

This is a laugh fest. I may have posted this before but it is worth posting again. Charlie Crist tells Larry KIng how intelligent and qualified Sarah Palin is to be Vice-President. This video has to be cringe inducing for the Crist campaign.

Hat tip to Leslie Wimes.

Ask Charlie Crist If Peter Schorsch Is Working On the Campaign

I recently emailed Amanda Litman of the Charlie Crist campaign and asked if Peter Schorsch was involved with the Crist campaign. Ms. Litman never responded to my email. I have nothing against Ms. Litman. I do want to know if Schorsch has involvement with the Crist campaign. Florida voters have a right to know if Crist is getting campaign advice from Schorsch.

Background on Schorsch

Schorsch has bragged in the comments of this blog about having a intimate relationship with Jack Hebert's daughter. Schorsch was at one time employed by Hebert.

First and foremost, is my blood feud against political consultant Jack Hebert. I mean, I hooked up with his daughter, for goodness.

The problem with that was Hebert's daughter was in high school at the time. Schorsch was in his mid-twenties. Schorsch again admitted to the relationship in the St. Petersburg Times.

In 2003, Schorsch had a falling out with the firm's founder and principal, Jack Hebert. The disagreement stemmed at least partly from Schorsch's decision to date Hebert's high school daughter, Schorsch said.

The same article details legal problems Schorsch had starting in the late nineties.

In 1998, a judge signed an order evicting him from an apartment at 11150 4th St. N for failing to pay $575 in rent.

In July 1998, he was caught driving on a suspended license by University of South Florida police, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records.

He was charged twice more for driving with a suspended license, in January and March of 2001.

Also that year, he was sued by a holding company because he wasn't making car payments. His car, a 1995 Ford Contour, was repossessed.

In 2007, Schorsch pleaded no contest to two counts of grand theft. According to the St. Petersburg Times, Schorsch took campaign money from candidates Ed Helm and Eve Joy and provided no services in return.

Then, in 2006, Schorsch was arrested on charges he stole nearly $10,000 from the Democratic club, and from Ed Helm and Eve Joy, who ran for mayor and a seat on the St. Petersburg City Council, respectively, in 2005.

Schorsch took their money and did no work.

After pleading no contest, he was sentenced to two years of house arrest and three years of probation, during which he was prohibited from working in campaigns.

He also was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and pay restitution.

But Circuit Judge Joseph Bulone agreed to withhold a formal finding of guilt for Schorsch, who had no other felonies, which meant he would no have a record as convicted felon.

Schorsch was also charged with writing 16 bad checks. To say Schorsch has serious ethical problems with money is an understatement.

The same year, The Florida Elections Commission found Schorsch guilty of violating 40 counts of state campaign law. Schorsch used his organization Take Back Tampa Bay to buy food at Pizza Hut and Gumby's The FEC found that Schorsch filed a false information repeatedly with the FEC. Schorsch was fined $66,475.00. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Schorsch has still not paid the majority of the fine.

Florida Elections Commission Ruling Against Peter Schorsch

There is a Facebook group that I started called "Ask Charlie Crist If Peter Schorsch Is Working On the Campaign." Schorsch has worked on previous Crist campaigns. Schorsch was involved with the Charlie Crist's announcement that he was running for governor. The Crist campaign needs to answer on if Schorsch is currently involved with the campaign. It is a simple yes or no answer.

Why Equality Florida Endorsed Charlie Crist

Florida Squeeze columnist Kartik Krishnaiyer is disappointed by Equality Florida endorsing Charlie Crist over Nan Rich.

Let me make it clear that I believe firmly that the rush to back Crist among many on the left will undermine their credibility when it comes to advocacy on policy in the next legislative session and quite possibly in the 2016 election and beyond. Sure Crist is likely going to win the primary with ease, but credibility long term for some of these activists should trump short term gain.

There is a double standard there. Equality Florida doesn't want to be on the outside if Crist does become governor. Crist is also going out of his way to make Equality Florida happy.

Crist developed a relationship with Equality Florida when he ran for the U.S. Senate as an independent in 2010. Crist worked with Equality Florida to develop a policy paper on LGBT rights. Part of Nan Rich's problem is Crist continues to outflank her. Rich is more progressive. Crist is better at developing relations with political groups.

Governor Charlie Crist LGBT Position Paper by Equality Florida

Jim Greer's Book 'The Chairman'

I haven't read Peter Golenbock's book "The Chairman: The Rise and Betrayal of Jim Greer.". I did have this exchange with Golenbock on Susan Smith's Facebook wall.

Golenbock: He's not a crook. If you read the book, you will see that the real crooks conspired with the state attorney general to force Greer to accept a guilty plea. Michael, read for entertainment value. It's a fascinating inside look at politics, and when you get to the end you will understand exactly why Greer accepted a plea deal rather than gamble and end up spending ten years in jail, rather than a year and a half. Susan, I'm the author. I'm the one getting paid.

I have written about Jim Greer paying himself with Republican Party of Florida money. Greer was convicted and is serving 15 months. As chairman, Greer funneled RPOF money to himself through Victory Strategies. Greer was later convicted and sentenced to 18 months.

This is a particularly hysterical passage from the book. Greer had a very bad idea of how to promote Crist.

“One night we took over a museum and showed the movie National Treasure with Nicolas Cage and Jon Voight. We served hors d’oeuvres and wine and brought in Voight, a big Republican who was a star in the movie. He made a speech and posed for photographs. The reason I chose that movie was I wanted to promote Charlie Crist as a ‘national treasure.’

Words fail me.

Charlie Crist Ad Defends Obamacare

Running away from Obamacare didn't help Alex Sink win her congressional race. Charlie Crist has released an ad defending Obamacare and attacking Rick Scott's position. This is text from the voiceover in the ad.

“Rick Scott wants to take us back to the days of insurance companies denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, where women are charged more than men, and lifetime caps limit care even for kids with cancer.’’

President Harry Truman said, "Given the choice between a Republican and sonmeone who acts like a Republican --- People will vote for the real Republican all the time." Crist is a Democrat now. Republican voters aren't going to flock to Crist if he flip flops on Obamacare. Crist has lost those voters forever. Democrats have to defend Obamacare. There is no other viable political option.

Homophobic Slurs Hurled at Charlie Crist

It is bad when conservative blogger (and no fan of Charlie Crist) Javier Manjarres takes Charlie Crist's side over the Fort Lauderdale Tea Party. Crist did a book signing in Broward County. Manjarres reports that the Fort Lauderdale Tea Party greeted Crist with homophobic slurs.

The group of about twenty, some being associated with the Fort Lauderdale Tea Party, which still camps out on a busy street intersection every Saturday, looking more like homeless Occupy Wall Street protesters than anything else, decided that it was ‘OK’ to yell out, “Charlie, you look like an AIDS victim.”

Manjarres makes a point that political activists on the Left and the Right should heed.

We all disagree with Charlie Crist’s politics. Because Americans have a First Amendment right to do so, some of us use a pen and a keyboard to raise awareness to Crist historic policy flip-flops, while others will prefer to hold up signs on a street corner and protest their disappointment and disagreement with Charlie.

But to yell out offensive remarks like this has no place in politics, let alone society.

Amen.

Charlie Crist and Nan Rich Fundraising Numbers

I would rather see Nan Rich as governor. However, her fundraising numbers are lagging. Rich raised $14,423 in January. The Florida Democratic Party gave $50,000 in in-kind contributions to help pay for Rich's staff.

Rival Democratic candidate Charlie Crist raised $374,767 in January.. Crist's PAC "Charlie Crist For Florida" raised $637,300 last month. Crist is killing Rich in fundraising.

The one piece of bright news is a Public Policy Polling shows that Rich could beat Gov. Rick Scott. The numbers have more to do with Scott's high unapproval rating than with Rich. Most Floridians still don't know Rich.

Astroturf Charlie Crist Protest

I love how members of the tea party keep needing to get pointers on how to protest from the GOP establishment. RROF South East Regional Director Diana Ramos sent this email out on what signs to use at a protest of a Charlie Crist book signing.

• Charlie Crist: Obama’s Favorite Democrat

• Charlie Crist: Obamacare’s Biggest Fan

• Charlie = Opportunist

• You Can’t Trust Charlie

• Failed Governor

• 3 Parties, 3 Years, Lousy Governor

• Charlie 2010 or Charlie 2014, Which One Do You Believe?”

I actually can't blame the Republican Party of Florida for telling the tea party what the signs should say. You can see tea party sign disasters here, here and here. I have to say this one is my favorite.

Charlie Crist Voter Suppression Ad

Damn. This is a great ad. Say what you will about Charlie Crist being opportunistic. (You won't get any argument from me.) But Crist delivers a powerful speech about the right to vote on the University of Florida campus. I hope the ad draws more attention to the voter suppression tactics of the Rick Scott administration.

Nan Rich Goes on the Offensive Against Crist

Democratic candidate for governor, Nan Rich, is fundraising off of Charlie Crist's professed love of Jeb Bush The Rich campaign sent sent out this email from Buddy MacKay.

Did you hear or read what Charlie Crist recently said about Jeb Bush? Itâs hard to believe â but, sadly, itâs true.

When a radio host asked Charlie Crist if Jeb Bush would be a good president Crist said âYeah, I think he probably would. He made a great governorâ¦â (Click here to read the story.)

I canât understand how Crist, or any real Democrat, could think that Bushâs policies -- policies that hurt our public schools, the environment, and especially the middle class â made him a âgreatâ governor.

Frankly, it was frustrating for me to watch Jeb Bush undo so much of the good that Lawton Chiles and I worked to achieve as the last Democratic Governors of Florida.

I want a real Democrat in Tallahassee because I believe that staying true to Democratic principles is the right path for Florida. That is why I'm standing with Nan Rich, and I hope you will too.

It is time for Rich to go on the attack against Crist. It is the only chance Rich has to win the primary. Rich has to make Crist undesirable to Democratic voters.

Charlie Crist Say Jeb Would Make a Good President

This will drive progressives crazy. Democratic candidate for Governor, Charlie Crist, told radio host Michael Smerconish that Jeb Bush would make a good President.

SiriusXM host Michael Smerconish: “Would Jeb [Bush] make a good president?”

Former FL Governor Charlie Crist: “Yeah, I think he probably would. He made a great governor, in my humble opinion. He’s a good man…I don’t agree with him on everything…but when I saw him as Governor [of Florida] when I was Attorney General—and they’re elected separately in Florida—we had a lot of hurricanes, and Jeb Bush did a great job protecting our beautiful Florida during that [time].”

I don't miss Jeb and don't want to see him ever become President. Crist invoke Jeb's name during a recent visit to Morning Joe.

“Jeb Bush said it better than I can say it,” Crist said. “He said today’s Republican Party is perceived as being anti-women, anti-immigrant, anti-minority, anti-gay couples, anti-environment, anti-education. I mean, pretty soon, there’s nobody left in the room.”

I doubt Bush hearts Crist after his leaving of the Republican Party. Crist is making a political calculation that Floridians really love all things Jeb. Crist is running to the left to prove he's a Democrat and professing a man crush on Jeb. I have no idea if this political calculation will work. However, I doubt Crist cares what I think.

Write A Caption: Charlie Crist Edition

Thank you internet.

Media Should Ask Charlie Crist About Peter Schorsch

Charlie Crist will speak to the media tomorrow.

WHAT: Governor Charlie Crist holds a media availability

WHERE: Outside the West Palm Beach Train Station, 209 S Tamarind Ave, West Palm Beach, FL

WHEN: 1:00 PM on Friday, November 22, 2013.

The media and activists should ask why Crist has allowed Peter Schorsch to be involved with his campaign. Schorsch owes the Florida Elections Commission $68,000.00, has pleaded no contest to grand theft, has had run-ins with the IRS, and is currently the focus of an online harassment investigation. Yet Crist tapped Schorsch to help set-up his campaign kickoff. I think this requires an explanation on the part of Crist.