Crist reacts to Bob Allen's conviction

Gov. Charlie Crist was in Santiago, Chile, on a South American trade mission when he learned that Rep. Bob Allen had been convicted. Asked for a response, communications director Erin Isaac sent this email: "A jury of his peers has spoken and Governor Crist feels we must respect that. This is very sad and very tragic." Any action is the Legislature's responsibility, she noted.

Comments

He should have resigned when he first got arrested. And for pity's sake did he not realize all this sordidness would come out? Please, please, please Allen,have the dignity to resign NOW!!!

Please give Allen the benefit of the doubt and let him appeal the verdict. Larry Craig has been afforded the same benefit. Give Allen a chance.

Typical crap statement from Erin. Who does she have naked pictures of to keep that job?

I am not a perv, therefore jail time I should not serve!

What does the quote say, somebody? All I see is empty space between the quotation marks.
If there's ever an award for meaningless babble that the Press treats as "news," the CC Team's a sure winner. The Press that applauds CC's openness and availability is too ecstatic to realize that what thy're getting is pablum. What's the difference between Jeb's
"secret" substance and Charlie's open but meaningless nothingness?

cmon Buzz, are you going to tell us why Shanta Combs is no longer with the Guv?

The guy has now been convicted by a jury. Under our system. That's IT. 98% of all criminal cases ARE appealed. Most get nowhere. Appeals tend to be just putting off the inevitable.

Besides, this is not a just a matter of legalities. It also involves PERCEPTION. And the perceptio here is that another elected official has committed a crime and is getting a pass, since he is still at his post. That is UNACCEPTABLE.

THE CONVICTS NEED TO GO NOW!

[ALW]

Sexually repressed Republicans like Craig, Allen, Foley, et. all acting out that which they profess to abhor, should come as no surprise to anyone.

Leave Erin Isaac alone people.
And Arlene too. What did they do to you? Huh? What?

Bob Allen - second-degree misdemeanor

Gary Siplin - felony conviction

10:19 But Allen's crime was perverted and disgusting.

Siplin isn't a convicted felon yet - the courts vacated his conviction until the appeals are exhausted. Do your homework 10:19.

I am not an attorney, but can Allen have his conviction vacated until the appeals are exhausted?

9:21 you are hopelessly ignorant.

And vice versa!

934 YOu are so ignorant and stupid it is unbelievable.

Now take a second and think about appeals. If folks could not appeal, then we would not need the US SUPREME COURT.

Must be a product of Florida's education system.

Siplin is a convicted felon who, like 98% of the other convicted felons, is appealing hoping a technicality will save him from having to serve his time. If only to avoid the appearance of impropriety, these felons should go.

Com'on Buzz when are you going to give us a screaming headline about Sen. Bob Graham's monetary take from agreeing to sit on the WellCare board?

9:23 - Chanta left because she was the only true conservative in an administration of leftist liberals. She probably could not bear the thought of spending another year of her life being surrounded by Crist's political allies including Bill Clinton, Robert Kennedy, and Steve Geller. The fact that she was Policy Director for a Governor who could care less about policy (Crist = governed by polls and press) could not have helped, either.

I guess Chanta will go work for the House then . . .

I have no beef with Erin, but Arlene is a vindictive, ungrateful egomaniac who deserves all the vitriol this and other blogs have dished out against her.

I and many others have heard her badmouthing Jeb Bush and his people despite the fact she is where she is today thanks to HIM.

Chanta had an addiction too.

Erin = Underqualified and overpaid.

Arlene = Not sure, except everyone you ask seems to hate her.

Why are the Republicans sexually confused.All the lying to the whoples.Drop like a rock..Heres a big up yours to all my gop friends that delieved cheap taxes aND INSURANCE ,NOT to mention endless war,massive deficits and a moroon for President!

This was the worst statement Ive ever seen, Even Rubio and Greer said Allen should resign, but Erin say's some babble without takeing a stand . When is Erin going to leave so a real press person can take over and when is the Governor going to state acting like a Governor? This is all getting to be to much!

The only thing "sad and tragic" about this situation is that the Governor didn't publically call for Allen to resign like every other high up official. In stead he issues some pathetic wishy washy statement that says absolutely nothing.

By the way... The Gov has been on the longest 5-day trade mission ever. Hasn't he been gone for like 8 days now??

When are we going to see real headlines from the St. Pete Times on Charlie? Reacts - that is a stretch - compared to the other leaders quoted, CC is wishy washy at best.

Crist's reaction was exaclty what it should be. Allen is convicted of a misdemeanor which doesn't have an automatic result under House rules. It is up to the members of the House to deal with it now. If Crist had called for his ouster you would be criticizing him for meddling in the House's business.

Chanta is leaving for the private sector, more pay and better hours than the very tough job she's had and the incredible hours she's put in. She did a great job and she will do well wherever she goes.

As far as Arlene, obviously someone out there got fired by her in the past (certainly exactly what they deserved as evidenced by them posting the immature junk we keep seeing here). Arlene serves the Governor well and she has the utmost respect for the former Governor. The person who keeps traching her here really should get a life and maybe some therapy.

If I were Allen, I would not resign. He has due process remaining in the form of appeals. Appeals are part of the US Constitution.

Don't resign Bob. Don't do it. If you are innocent, you will do yourself a great disservice.

9:29 Thanks Arlene.

Yeah, seriously. I guess arlene is back from the junket to south america and is back to posting on the blogs and defending herself. Hey Arlene, you should tell your press people to stop calling it a "5 day trade mission" in their press releases when it lasted 8 days.

Oh, and by the way, despite the Governor's leftist leanings, he is still the head of the Florida Republican Party. As such, his statement about fellow party member Bob Allen should have been very strong. Publically stating that there is no place in the republican party for such trash as Bob Allen is not meddling in the House's affairs... it's called leadership. At the least, his statement should not have called the situation "sad and tragic". There is absolutely nothing sad and tragic about what Bob Allen was convicted of. More like perverted and disgusting.

Oh, but you are correct on Chanta. I guess one out of three ain't bad.

Just another day for Republican liars. All tooo familiar. They pander to the evangelical right on how moral they are and the evangelical right falls for it every time. The D's are no better. They are losers. These creeps are running our government and taking our great country to the brink of destruction.

[ALW]

I hope Bob Allan & Larry Craig stick around - they are important reminders of the Republican Party's descent into depravity. How many times will it take till we know that too many people have lied. (thanks Bob)

[ALW]

Frankly I can't imagine Bob Allen ever being appealing.

Who will replace Allen?

"other available options" - see the earlier thread on Allen.

Meaning giving him a job in a state agency.

He'll be the next State GOP Chair!

Greer on Allen verdict: 'He needs to resign'

Just pick up on that, did ya, Greer?

"What's in you wallet... err... closet!"

... pathetic

First Arza, no allen, next Kreegel

9:29 (Arlene): as the titular head of the party during the Arza situation, Jeb publicly stated he should resign, and it should be noted that Arza wasn't even convicted of any crime. Even with Allen being CONVICTED, Crist can't muster up the leadership to issue an appropriately strong statement. Rather, he saves his blistering attacks for the insurance industry and the free market...like the good little leftist he is.

Crist did not call for him to leave because he is gay and feels bad for Allen

[John in Tampa, FLA]

When Allen was discussing his gay lifestyle, he said he was just kind of sucked into it.

[Richard]

Bi Sexual Charlie, Foley and Crist having Gay sex parties in 2003 at CoConut Grove in Miami.
Republican stands for REAR END PERPETRATOR.

Charlie should help Bob lick those charges