Crist in Karl Rove's doghouse

The controversy over Charlie Crist dissing President Bush won't go away. White House political adviser Karl Rove made it clear he wasn't happy with Crist's decision to snub President Bush's Pensacola visit, thus likely ensuring that the controversy will be the talk of cable TV pundit shows Monday night.

Rove pointedly asked what event Crist was at that would rival the expected crowd of 10,000 at the president's election-eve event.

Crist was working the crowd at a popular Delray Beach restaurant, Lox Around the Clock, when he was asked about Rove's criticism.

"We just wanted to be all around the state of Florida today," Crist said. "I'm very pleased that the president is here. Glad he's come to our state. But I've got to get around Florida."

Crist is hitting eight events in six TV markets. The goal of his strategists is to get his face on as many evening newscasts as possible. But as he waved signs at a Fort Lauderdale intersection, TV reporters from Miami stations kept asking about the president's visit.

One reporter asked Crist is he's still supporting President Bush. "Of course I am," Crist said. "I think he's a great man and a great friend."

-- Steve Bousquet

Comments

Why doesn't idiot Rove get a clue. A candidate is running a state-wide race and must campaign in other parts of the state during the last days. Isn't anyone smart enough to tell Rove to shut his trap and stop giving the media fodder.

Rove seems petty

Instead of making sure Pensacola turns out 80%, now they are all going to stay home. Way to go, Charlie.

Rove's doghouse. Couldn't be a better place to be. Independents and undecideds will look upon this favorably. Good move Charlie

Rove is a machine, I think he knows what he is doing.

4:33 -Yea, you're right. Republicans losing control of the house. Love that Rove machine.

[Poll Dancer]

I dont think anyone short of God himself could stop the republicans from losing control of the US house in this kind of climate.

Crist gave the man a "B" and snub him.

I don't ever want to hear another republican talk about having respect for the office of President...a candidate who benefited from the President tried to distance himself and didn’t have respect for the office of the president.

Charlie- way to tick off national republicans... Why don't you switch parties?

Still seeing this story every 20 minutes on CNN. Charlie better brace himself for an evening of terrible news coverage.

[Dave]

Good for Crist, I think it will help him in his campaign to be known as someone who will snub Bush. I'm not wooting for any more republicans god knows, but kudos to Crist for having the common sense to avoid associating himself with America's root problem today. If he DOES win, all may not be lost in Florida after all.

boy if Rove is pissed now just wait until he finds out about Charlie's friends like Bruce Carlton Jordon and Jason Wetherington!

4:39- Tick off national Republicans, who cares. Does that mean McCain is not one? Guiliani too?

Or did you mean, right wing extremist Republicans?

Rove is irrelevant.

Does this mean that Rove will waterboard Crist?

This is a brilliant move. I know of hard core Dems that are seeing this and are now rooting for Crist. It also blunts Davis's links of Crist to Nationals, and takes away media coverage of Davis. Lets face it, R backing Crist will not switch to Davis over this so its a a win-win for Crist. Brilliant!

[SEX KITTEN]

SINCE THE PINELLAS REPUBS ARE ABOUT TO LOSE 3 LEGISLATIVE SEATS, DO YOU THINK IT WAS SO WISE OF THEIR CHARIMAN DOWN THERE TO FOCUS ONLY ON CRIST AND BILIRAKIS?

HIS SLOGAN WAS "CHARLIE, GUS"

WHAT ABOUT BERFIELD, CAPELLI, REEDER?

WHAT NOW TONY?

[Gene Smith]

Here is the part I really love:

"The goal of his strategists is to get his face on as many evening newscasts as possible."

The goal is to get Charlie's mug on TV? He's going to get that anyway, you morons. The real goal is to get those swing voters and make sure your base gets out.

Maybe George isn't so smart after all. How'd he let that lead evaoprate like that?

Gene, loosen up tat thong there sparky… before you have prostrate issues. The goal is to push the swing to Charlie having Charlie separate himself from W. and having that plastered all over the TV. Get it?

The base is there, the D’s will not show “AS USUAL”, and those D’s that do show and happen to be gay will vote for Charlie. You see, it worked perfectly.

Now, for the last time…. PUT DOWN THE CRACK PIPE, CRIST IS GOING TO WIN REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH BLOGGING YOU DO!

btw, how much does he pay you for that anyway?

Come on Gene, even you have to admit this plays positive for Crist among Dems and Most Independents that don't like Bush and it takes away from Davis being able to use this connection. Even Davis states he wanted to get a photo to use that he didnt get. This very likely will erode support away for Davis among Dems and Independents that like Crist but just could not seperate the local and nationals and now can, it does nothing to erode Crist base as they would never support Davis over this.

If Charlie wins tomorrow

He'll be the GOP Governor in the 4th largest state (3rd by next eleciton), that was bale to get African American votes and who stuck his finger at the Rovemeister himself

Charlie is a risk taker. He wins this, he is in string standing far beyond Florida. GOP, take notes

Would you please remind Rove he is not on the ballot tomorrow, has not been on a ballot since College Republican days, and to kindly shut the f-ck up?
He is a staff guy. Be quiet.

[mommadona]

Karl "Eggies" Rove's delusion of grandeur has smacked right up against reality...

NOT ONLY DOES THE EMPEROR OF THE BUSHCO HAVE NO CLOTHES ON....HE'S TRAILIN' A BIG OL' HUNKA TOILET PAPER ON HIS HEEL AS HE STRUTS.....

Hey, Karl....Gannon called.....said he's available ANY time after November 7th.

[mike]

The bottom line is that Florida Republicans nominated a guy for Governor -- now the head of the GOP in Florida -- who refuses to be seen in public, the day before the election, with the President of the United States -- a fellow Republican. Perhaps a wise and expedient political decision, but it certainly does not show much courage or loyalty on Crist's behalf...

[State Voter]

Is this some kind of farce?

Are there really Republicans that believe that NOT standing beside the president of the US when he is stumping for you is a good idea?

W: "Wait, I got an idea, lets do this...lets go down to Florida where our party guy is losing ground at record speed, let him refuse to be seen with me and then all the people that don't like me will vote for him".

Man, someone needs to write a screenplay about that strategy. What a hoot!

go Charlie tell Rove to stick it!

It's all scripted b.s. damn, these guys are good.

What the Republicans should be looking closely at now is how well a Governor that snubbed the sitting President is going to get things done when it comes time to look to Washington for help on some issues.

5:49 - Did you hit your head and not seek medical care? Lame Duck President and a Democratic House. I think Charlie would do just fine.

[the shadow]

eat it, Gene!

[jaguar]

This is purely a media-driven anti-Republican story. Crist has a plan to get elected which includes stumping in South Florida, which normally goes Democratic. So far so good. President Bush ha a strategy to fire up the base in safe GOP areas like the Panhandle. Also, so far so good. Why in the world does Crist need to abandon his plans to babysit the President, who already has Jeb by his side? Getting his face on LOCAL news in So Fla is a BETTER strategy than appearing (again) with the President.
Its just the Democrats and a liberal media pushing a Crist snub of Bush. There is no snub, there is no story, except for more evidence of liberal media bias.

What would have been smart would have been to have the president go to South Florida where Charlie was.

"Did you hit your head and not seek medical care?"

Yes, I'm on my way to the walk-in clinic now.

I support Charlie Crist but feel he should've attended the President's event in Pensacola. Governor Bush was in Sarasota this morning and made it to Pensacola. Charlie must have forgotten you are able to make it from SE Fl to Pensacola in roughly 2 hours by plane. This would've gotten him coverage in the panhandle as well. Karl Rove is a great man who has a right to be critical of his decision. I doubt the restaurant in Boca had as high of a turnout.

6:02 - then why did Charlie ask him to come?

Rove should shut his piehole because it is his boss' polling numbers causing us to lose the House, possibly the Senate and numerous governorships. Charlie is a bright spot in the anti-Republican wind that is blowing and he can make Charlie lose votes with the base by running is fat-headed mouth. F'd-up the war in Iraq and now Florida. Go away.

6:50PM, he's getting all the votes in ultra-conservative Panhandle anyway

6:50- Put down the kool-aid. I repeat put down the kool-aid.

Karl Rove a "great man"?

Abraham Lincoln was a great man.

Karl Rove?

I think the reason the White House is upset is because the President could have gone to another state to help someone else and skip Florida all together if Crist was not going to show up.

and...

this was arranged...if Crist were going to do something else he should have told at least told Jeb sooner than this morning.

Charlie's campaign NEVER confirmed his attendance. I repeat: NEVER confirmed his attendance.

[glasstique]

Anyone who believes that Rove has the best interests of the PEOPLE of the United States at heart needs to get some of Rushs Rush stuff and get a new high going. The national Republicans have made a disgrace of my party , I am a Republican. Have been for 35 years.But I have been an American born and raised for 58 years. A Vietnam veteran , ex -police officer and I cannot recognize the party of Goldwater , Reagan , Eisenhower and many others of real grit in this republican party of today. I am voting to change the direction of this country to the better and I hope all well meaning Americans will do the same. I just hope that the powers in the shadows do not play with the votes. The nation is watching and is very leery of the accuracy and veracity of the electronic polls totals.

charlie is a schmuk!

Ask Karl about his childhood in Utah. He told all the kids that picked on him in Jr high school that he would pay them back. It may very well be that his time as part of the evil empire has expired and his getting back at the bullies is over. We want leaders not manipulators anyway. For a moment Charlie - I was kinda rootin for ya - then I came back to my senses. The real Florida race that matters is the one that Bill Nelson is winning - hopefully it will set him up for President. Jeb has plans for 08 and we need to think ahead. They have done enough damage both of them those Bush brothers. It will take many,many years to correct. If they want a library...I know a great place deep in the Wyoming mountains in the state that Cheney took over some years ago. You know there is still lotsa natural gas there too.

[Upset Republican]

I must say the planets have aligned themselves just right for Davis to become Governor. George Bush, who is immensely popular in the Panhandle was invited to Pensacola by Cristy, and then was stood up by Cristy. It was the top story on the local news yesterday evening/night and again this evening. Also on the local news was the quote of Cristy saying "Pensacola is not part of Florida". Bad move Charlene. Then we have the Pensacola News Journal endorsing Davis. We have the 527 ads blistering Cristy all over the TV and radio. Plus now, we have a gift from God that I prayed for- Tuesday will be nothing but torrential downpours and thunderstorms all over the pandhandle and north Florida, but south Florida's weather will be nice. I'm officially neutral in this race, but I strongly suspect Davis will win. God bless.

[Imadashell]

Good luck to all tomorrow .We have ejoyed aggrevating many of you from Plantation Fla in Blue West ?Broward. ..Thats our job.We hope Jim wins..Crist is alot better than Jeb.Thank goodness all the candidates are attorneys that can read the constitution ..Florida is at risk vote your conscience ..Happy polling. Imadashell needs a vacation.

Good move, Crist. W is a bumbling idiot, a tiny-minded, remarkable embarrassment by all accounts, propped up by toadies and jackals. W would have hurt Crist as he's hurt so many R's. Throw the bum out.

Charlie did confirm with Jeb Bush's office.

Davis is now expected to take Florida. If he doesn't Jeb will have had his hand it in it I'm sure. By the way the Republicans keep saying that the Dems will raise taxes if they get in. What about the record of Republicans in the great State of Florida over the last 6 years with respect to property taxes. My taxes have tripled...but that doesn't count? My homeowners insurance has quadrupled...excuse me that is not a tax! The Republicans accuse the Dems of the things they are guilty of...why? to win votes any way they can. I saw Charlie standing on a street corner today selling himself. Nobody ....I mean nobody beeped at him included the gays!

[Mike]

Crist is another Republican no diferent than those now in office. His politics are the same as well.
Want more of what you already have?
High property taxes, High insurance, "liability", "wind" and "sink hole" insurance policies?
Vote Crist.
What's next Crist? Rain insurance?

Good idea anyway to distance himself from Bush though.

If Charlie did not confirm then why does the media keep reporting that he was supposed to introduce the President?

I doubt the White House would assume that Charlie Crist was coming without some agreement. This is the President that hopped around on his plane on 9/11, I doubt his staff would have him some place without a committement.