Crist Veep-O-Meter drops

  We're not at all buying some of the national press Buzz that John McCain may have mortally wounded himself in Florida over his new drilling stance, but it's so far not helping Charlie Crist's national image. The Hotline today even questioned whether Crist's support for McCain's position had sunk his VP chances.

"No one can say Crist hasn't been a team player. Turn on MSNBC or CNN's Sit Room and you're likely to see his tanned visage pitching for McCain. More important, the FL press corps wasn't seriously criticizing his extracurricular activities, giving him ample opportunities to build his nat'l profile. ... (But) if "taking one for the team" compromises your home-state standing, doesn't that make you less helpful to the party? And does Bush's decision to come out in support of drilling today only ensure its unpopularity?"

A bigger reason the Veep-0-needle swings back? Crist's first non-Florida review of his speaking skills before Republicans last week in Cal. (Crist showed "unequivocally he would be a complete disaster for the GOP - the worst running mate since Dan Quayle," wrote an Orange County Register columnist). Reminded us of Bob Graham's disastrous '00 tryout as an Al Gore surrogate speaker in Nashville.

Comments

[Disgusted Republican]

Like we in Florida don't know this already.

This kind of stuff makes my day.

"More important, the FL press corps wasn't seriously criticizing his extracurricular activities,"

Ouch. Don't you reporters have any pride in your work as journalists? Even the national press is picking up on it.

WHAT… WE HAVE A GOVERNOR?

What the hell weren’t we told about this? Here, all along I thought this mess we’re in was because we didn’t have a Governor to help keep watch over… hey, wait a minute…

… ALL THIS IS HAPPENING- AND – WE HAVE A GOVERNOR?

Why the hell were we told about this?

WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?? THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA ARE FOR DRILLING IF IT IS SAFE AND IF WE CAN GET MONEY FOR FLORIDA!! HELLO---------WE WANT GAS PRICES TO GO DOWN== EVEN IF IT WILL BE 5 YEARS BEFORE WE SEE THE OIL. BRING IT HOME!! DON'T PAY THE TERRIORISTS FOR OIL SO THEY CAN DESTROY US!!!
ANNOUNCE DRILLING, RELEASE RESERVES AND THE PRICE OF OIL WILL DROP AND FAST.

Charlie:

I supported you and raised money for you. You have betrayed me, my family, the citizens of Florida and the business community. You have taken actions which will eventually de-stabilize the competitive insurance market, You have broken your word on numerous issues and now you want to destroy one of our natural resources that generates millions in tourism dollars. You are truly an idiot. Lost my vote and my money.

[Disgusted Republican]

4:22 - Well said. I second that.

I'm in; all in favor say I!

This is truly disappointing. Crist will suffer not only from this cynical turnaround, but he will have to defend the way it completely contradicts his otherwise good stance and hard work on clean energy and global warming solutions.

Gov Crist will earn praise from Americans.
This is NOT a flip-flop. He adapted because Americans are getting hammered by $4-$5 gas.

This is being a good leader, a person that can adapt as situation changes.

polling show Floridians want more drilling

McCain will pick J C Watts as the V.P. and This I was told by the great pumkin charlie brown. the pumpkin dosn't lie.
Go Gators

[mayo]

It is looking more and more like the GOP would have been much better off with Romney as the nominee.

Crist's "flip-flop" on oil drilling off our precious coastline is disgraceful pandering - plain and simple. It is terribly disappointing to say the least. After working so hard over the years to create his own independent brand, seperate from an unpopular president and party, it is shocking that he would be so anxious to jump aboard this sinking ship. Too bad.

- mm

[smart cookie]

5:44
Puh-lease. Don't follow up praise for leadership with a reference to polls. The politicians are manipulating the high gas prices to cynically push for oil drilling as a solution.

That's lying, not leadership.

Crist sees his VP chance and he is selling out Florida's coasts. Why would anyone continue four more years of the failed Bush Cheney energy policy? Why? More war, more cars that guzzle gas, more carbon pollution, more dependence on oil, more profit for the oil companies?

Good luck with your Global Warming Summit next week, Charlie. The credibility you have gained in spoonfuls you have now lost in a bucketful.

i loath charlie christ -- please pick him mccain so he can go away

9:26pm,

You have no understanding of how oil prices are determined. It's traded in the international marketS.