Crist explores VP nod

HOLLYWOOD -- The Buzz tracked down Gov. Charlie Crist after his well-received speech at the Young Republicans event to ask about his reaction to former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's comments earlier in the day.

Romney, in response to a question from an audience member about attractive vice president contenders, mentioned Crist's name as well as those of former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez.

He acknowledged it was "presumptuous" to name names now, but then said, "You can think of a number of people in Florida who would fall on that list from your governor to your former governor to your senator."

Flanked by a mob of adoring fans, Crist at first avoided a direct response. He said he was too busy focusing on being governor of Florida to give Romney's remarks any serious thought.

But then he acknowledged that he has had "indirect conversations through other people, through other campaigns" about the potential VP nod. Now that's straight-talk.

--John Frank, Times staff writer

Comments

He wont survive the vetting process when compared to others who have substantive records. Maybe in 2012, but he is still thin in the accomplishment department.

God help the United States of America if Charlie Crist were the Vice President.

Based on accomplishments, he and Romney are the perfect couple.

Does anybody BUY that act??

Am empty suit mentioned for VP by a flip-flopping phony. Oh yeah, I bet the Democrats are trembling. NOT!

Does that moron, I mean Mormon, understand that Mel Martinez could not legally take over as President?

Watch out boys and girls. Jeb Bush as VP. What an appalling thought.

that doesn't mean he can't be vp. there are people in the chain of command who cannot be president. It skips over them.

[via wikipedia]

# Office Current Officer
1 Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate Richard Cheney
2 Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi
3 President of the Senate pro tempore Robert Byrd
4 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
5 Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson
6 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
7 Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
8 Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne
9 Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns
-- Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez
(ineligible; not a natural-born citizen)†
-- Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
(ineligible; not a natural-born citizen)†
10 Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt
11 Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson
12 Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters
13 Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman
14 Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
15 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson
16 Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff ††

I think the rumors about Crist's private life may hurt him in a veep search, whether true or not. This isn't the Florida press corp who won't acknowledge the rumors, these are hard nose political veterans and rumors can just kill someone's chances of being on a ticket. Plus even if the Republicans win Florida in 2008 the likihood is that they won't win the presidency right now, as they will probably lose Ohio and the western states.

i had you til you said that the dems will win. It depends on the candidate and it looks like all hillary all the time.

The Constitution prohibits a foreign born person from serving as Vice President. It does not skip goofball it is an elected position.

All we need is the gay rainbow flag flying over the VPs residence in Washington. Don't drop the soap in the shower!

Any serious candidate will have Charlie Crist on the short list for VP. He is an extremely popular Governor from the largest swing state. He is a great campaigner who looks terrific on tv. He can raise significant money. He is a terrific addition to any ticket because he appeals not only to Republican, but to Independents and cross-over Ds. And he in fact DOES have a proven track record of accomplishment. While Jeb has a proven track record, his last name is "Bush" which disqualifies him for this election cycle.

You know if Crist were to be picked and win, Jeff Kottkamp would become governor!

Crist won't get many Dem Florida voters unless he denounces House GOP tax mailer like his hand-picked GOP chair Jim Greer just did. Charlie was doing great with his nonpartisan approach until that misleading mail piece falsely attacking House Dems went out.
A lot of local GOP officials are also condemning it like Mayor Baker of St. Pete (Charlie's buddy).

Charlie is in bed with Rudy...But Rudy doesn't like Greer, so Greer will be out soon. Why do you think the 10 extra votes from the Governor were added into H.B. 537 along with the provision that a state elected official would not have to resign if running for a federal office. Say hello to George LeMieux, the new Chairman of the RPOF.

The Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution requires the vice president to meet the same eligibility requirements as the president. That is, the vice president must be at least 35 years of age, a natural born citizen, and a resident of the U.S. for 14 years.

National media, NYT especially will love this coverup if Jeb jumps in.

http://www.flsenate.gov/data/Publications/2007/Senate/reports/interim_reports/pdf/2007-119ee.pdf
Question 15

I thought Charlie was behind John McCain and pad leaned very heavily on all his people to go with him, too.

One more sho of loyalty from CC.

Kottkamp would make a good gov. He is really good at administration.

Kottkamp would make a good gov. He is really good at administration.

[ItFigures]

The mere fact that Mitt even mentions Charlie Crist as an attractive VP candidate scares me. This confirms my concerns about whether Mitt is really conservative. Charlie certainly is barely even a Republican.

[Paul D. Harvill]

But then he acknowledged that he has had "indirect conversations through other people, through other campaigns" about the potential VP nod. Now that's straight-talk.
............................

Honesty !!!!!!!

How sweet the concept !!!!!!!

[Eric Stratton]

It Figures...think about WINNING! The running mate has to help win the General Election...that is why Crist is ther perfect running mate...He brings a lot to the table...not the least of which is the ability to help win Florida.

Eric who is Charlie suppossed to be able to bring to the ticket, the R (where he's registered) or the Ds (who he panders to at the expense of the other ones)?

I dont think he would bring a lot of FLorida R votes

1:11 - I read your link. You are weird.

[Eric Stratton]

First of all...people generally vote for the top of the ticket. The running mate can help in the state they come from...and hopefully help swing independent voters (and if you are VERY lucky a few votes from the opposition party too). Crist is perfect for this roll. He has a 70% approval rating in a key swing state...and he is very capable of attracting the crucial independent vote. Most voters will decide between the two candidates at the top of the ticket..but with Crist on the ticket the chances of Republicans keeping the White House would be dramatically increased.

72 per cent approval rating... that is why he will be VP.

[Broward GOP]

My bet is Rudy picks Crist.They think alike. On Rudy not Liking Greer, that's not true, The Mayor asked for Greer to be seated next to him at dinner and I heard him tell someone in his camp that Greer is doing a great job in Fla. Plus Greer is Crist's Guy. Kottkamp for Gov ,you must be kidding?

[Gallagher guy]

I didn't like Charlie in the primary, and I don't agree with a lot of what he does, but you are on crack if you don't think he's in the top 3 VP candidates for 2008. A republican can not win the white house without Florida with the current electoral math. Dems start with California, new york and Pennsylvania. We start with Texas. Ohio, the other critical state to the GOP, just swept all republican leadership out.

Charlie is our governor.and has stratospheric approval ratings. He wouldn't be picked until five months after the primary is over, so concerns about his relationship with the base aren't well founded, and his fundraising and grassroots in the state would make it safe for any nominee.

Name one other candidate that could safely guarantee 20+ electoral votes for a nominee that would otherwise be in the air not named Bush.

If Romney wins, I expect him to balance the ticket with Huckabee, who is a former Baptist minister and would counter southern concern over his mormonism. If Thompson, rudy or McCain win out, Charlie should be atop their list.

I was at the yr dinner last night, and Charlie very clearly outshined Romney.

Btw- the guy that says rudy doesn't like Greer is nuts. Charlie did well with that appointment.

[Real Republican 2008]

I don't think will be picked but,he has a lot to offer. I heard him last night and he did a very good job. Greer was good to .

8:05... what are you smoking? Kottkamp WILL be Gov if Crist is elected VP. That is what the LG is for. Read your state constitution.

Oh wait... you MUST be either from the retail federation or the insurance industry... you can't FATHOM that Kottkamp might be your Governor.

I think Crist is a ROCK STAR and after last night Chairman Greer should be his warm up act! These two make a good team . Now I know why Crist picked him .Romney did good but No ROCK STAR .Is Crist really talking about VP ,with who ?.

8:05 is either Atwater...who want's to be Governor himself (but, I doubt it... he is too classy to be on a blog bad mouthing a collegue and he and Kottkamp have a good relationship) or, more likely Hasner ... give it up dude! You've gone as far as you are going to go. Bogdanoff... you stupid wench... just go away... you will never be relevant. Or, most likely, David Rivera... aka Satan... yes, we know you are Rubio's butt boy and want him to be Governor, but please, you are so evil, your deeds will come right back at you.

Did RPOF Chairman actually get the Fla YRs to give money to the State Party , if so Greer can move mountains and should be Chairman for life .They have never done a thing for the state party , I heard he told YRs to step up and he would help them and they did ,true? Unbelievable .

Crist would be a definite step up from the current Veep.

Draw an electoral map and try to get to 270 for Hillary or Obama without adding Florida. It's possible but Ohio and Pennsylvania would HAVE to be in the Democratic column.

Last poll I saw had Rudy running pretty strong in PA. That's why the Dean move in Florida is so STUPID. Crist on the ticket would be the coup de gras.

8:19/Gallagher guy,

You seem to know what you are talking about (except for being a Gallagher guy, of course), but I don't agree that Romney would go with Huckabee. Huckabee may be a baptist minister, but that would only illustrate that Mitt is a mormon. You wouldn't counter a candidate that is 5'4" with one who is 6'5". It makes it look a lot worse.

This election will electorally mirror 2004 unless Obama is the dems guy. The race will come down to Florida and Ohio.

Locking down Florida is any nominee's goal 1, 2 and 3. There are no national figures that are perfectly suited to be VP, and this race doesn't look like one where one of the would be nominees will get the gig. They are all too imperfect.

No matter what anybody says, this scenario is a real possibility.

Charlie Crist for Vice President.

Jim Greer for RNC chair after he brokers the deal for Charlie and wins the state for them.

Jeff Kottkamp is our governor in February 2009.

Who would Kottkamp pick as VP?

[Ya]

Chaingang Charlie, please accept the nomination if asked. The more time you spend outside of the State of Florida, the better.

9:28 ir probably IS Atwater. That guy is not what people think. He is out for himself and only himself. I won't support Atwater for dogcatcher again.

11:07...Kottkamp would have to choose someone from Miami, Orlando, or the Bay Area.

[Gene Smith]

The law was changed to allow Charlie to run for VP so that when he loses, he will not have to give up his day job.

I think Kottkamp would pick from Orlando. Maybe Gardiner or Webster?

Webster?? Are you crazy?

Kottkamp would pick Rubio so he would not face a challange from him

Kottcamp would absolutely never pick Rubio. That much is certain.

I bet Kottcamp would pick Webster or Greer for LG .Webster for his Conservative views,or Greer because he is good at promoting the agenda and can motivate the masses.But Webster may wait for Congress and Greer will Most Likely go with Crist.

No chance Kottkamp chooses Rubio. Although, one can see Rubio putting up a 2010 primary challenge against an incumbent Governor Kottkamp, should Crist be the VP.