Crist drops in on The Donald for some tax bucks

Charlie Crist visited an old friend in NYC Thursday night, getting Donald Trump's help with a $1,000-a-person fundraiser for the property tax amendment. (full story here.)

"He's working hard on real estate taxes," Trump told the crowd of about 40 people, who sipped on pinot grigio and Trump Ice (bottled water) and munched New England crab cakes, stuffed spinach rolls and vegetable wontons. "I like him. He's just a special guy."

Crist pulled on family roots to sell the property tax plan, which goes before voters Jan. 29. "Preserving the American dream is incredibly important," he said, recounting his grandfather's journey from Cyprus in 1912. "That's what this is all about, that's the crux of this entire argument."

Ivanka Trump was there, along with South Florida real estate investor Mary Ann Portell, Sarasota's Gary Kompothecras (1-800-Ask-Gary); New York fabric mavens Jill and Bobby Zarin, former Bill McBride backer Jack St. Martin and a phalanx of Crist insiders: Meredith O'Rourke, Chris Kise, George LeMieux and Jim Greer.

The Buzz also saw Carole Rome, the woman a NY tabloid said is Crist's new girlfriend. "He's a wonderful man. He's doing wonderful things for Florida. I'm a Florida resident (Miami Beach) and I believe in him," Rome said.

Yeah, but are you dating? "No, no, no. That's silly," Rome said as a friend pulled her away.

Minutes later Rome was at Crist's side, introducing him to friends and offering him a glass of wine, which he politely accepted and just held. Crist talked to Rome for a while, gave her a hug and left with his entourage into the New York night. And then probably headed straight to bed. Crist had an interview with The New Yorker at 8:30 Friday morning, followed by a tour of Goldman Sachs then a sit-down with Time magazine. 

A few tidbits: Crist, running a bit late, jumped from a cab and hoofed it to Trump Tower. Greer, in a different car, did the same. Mr. Trump did a little running of his own. He skipped out of the fundraiser early to attend a gathering of models signed to his agency. Among them, Lauren Caitlin Upton.

She could not be reached for comment.

Comments

[Omega83]

so, let's make it harder for 1st time homebuyers to achieve the american dream...is that what it's all about Charlie?

but I guess you wouldn't know, because in your mid 50s, you've never been a 1st time homebuyer.

And now, MY taxes pay for YOUR housing

I'm through with this clown.

[UF Alumni]

whats with the picture on the digital camera screen?

uf...Donald and Charlie the "cam hams" seem to have been actually caught on camera flip-flopping!

Thank goodness we have a Governor who can go places and present well.

He has my vote!

So, did he pay for the $1,000 a plate dinner or did the state or was it a "gift"?

"Thank goodness we have a Governor who can go places and present well."

Yeah, who cares about the little things like honesty, hard work, qualifications, integrity, a natural tan, doing the job they were elected to do, and someone who actually knows where their freaking office is.

Way to make no sense, 2:29

Isn't this special? I would have thought 'the Donald' actually had more brains than that, but surprise! He must be an idiot as well. Omega83 has it right. Maybe the courts will help us all out and then this state can end up with some real change that might actually help. What a joke.

Do we even have a Governor? 2010 can't come fast enough.

Wow, is there a photo op that Cristi won't pass up? I wonder if he has an opinion on the Rosie-Donald feud?

[Sue]

2:29 just goes to show how REALLY STUPID people can be....Who cares how he presents himself??...I care about how property taxes are going to crush the people of Florida. How much longer does he think we can go on without real tax reform?? $240 per year is not "dropping like a rock, Charlie"...Get back home and get to work on reducing our taxes...If he does not enact real reform, Florida will be in a recession the likes of which we have never see...

2:29 - I suggest you get some sleep so you can think a little more clearly

[Mel]

Re: $1,000-a-person fundraiser for the property tax amendment.

If this is such a good deal why does it need to be heavily promoted?
I don't get it!

wow! That is some crowd of people mixed up together in above story. "Ask Gary", Donald Trump, Crist's maybe girfriend Carole Rome, and now even Miss "Where is, and so forth, such as find a map Iraq" South Carolina Lauren Caitlin.

UF Alumni -

The digital camera is just depicting Charlie as his true left-leaning self...

Who is smarter between the Governor and Miss South Carolina ?

we have to remember that trump hangs in florida a couple weeks out of the year too.i really don't thinks he needs any tax help as the rest of us do,does he.why doesn't ol'charlie wait till the trumpster visits marlargo to do his fancy partying on our tax dollars?? maybe he'll go on regis and kelly next with trump,since they're ol' buddies probably now too.

[jackie]

I doubt he has a girlfriend. Really doubt that. Just a show, like everything else he does. All that is consistent with this man is his TAN

[Mary]

Well, at least Donald got one thing right..Charlie is "special"

[Correction]

St. Martin worked for Will McBride.