Vice President Crist

Chris Cillizza makes the case for VP Charlie Crist".. In a toss-up race, Crist could make the difference as he not only has a demonstrated appeal at the ballot box (and high approval ratings to boot) but also has surrounded himself with a highly regarded political team -- both in Florida and Washington. If the state already leans toward McCain, then naming Crist would put it away before Labor Day -- taking a hugely expensive state off the battleground map and allowing McCain, who is likely to be operating at a significant financial deficit to Obama, to re-allocate resources to other large states like Ohio and Michigan. "

Comments

[Donald Lance]

If John McCain were running on his own platform and accomplishments, he wouldn't have to have Crist on board to carry FL. Is he now trying to pander to the tanned? Tanned people will never vote for "Solar"McCane since he is one of those skin cancer elitists!

[Crist for VP]

Here is another case for Vice President Crist:

His selection would invite intense scrutiny by the national media of his bizarre personal life and his total lack of accomplishment as a political leader. This scrutiny, which the Florida press spares him from, would most likely cost him his political career, freeing the people of Florida from his ruinous tenure as governor.

[truth]

I am a Florida Republican and can say for sure that if Crist is the VP there is no way I would ever vote for McCain. I have many many friend who feel the same way!

I'm Republican, voting for McCain because I question Obama's ability to deal with world issues which is the only thing the President really does besides appoint Supreme Court Justices.

If Crist is McCain's VP, then I move to Obama. Regardless of whether he is tough enough to function in a world role, he is very smart and has both innate intelligence and a great education. Crist has neither, just some good handlers and a store-bought law degree from Cumberland U.

Oh! Has anyone checked on CC and his big European date? You know he took Rome along with him.

[The "Forgotten" People!]

I will not for President, a man who knows not who we’re fighting in Iraq, believes “economy” is just a rental car category, has a wife who profits from the sale of America… and chooses as a Vice President, a man who knows not where his office is, wastes tax dollars on phony economic trips while Floridians lose their jobs and homes, dwells in the closet, and pimps $240 as a job well done.

McSame/McFraud ’08 … No way in hell!

[New GOP for Obama.]

Crist for VP? HA HA HA. There goes my vote.

Truth: while I am not sure that I would go as far as voting for Obama, this Republican would rather die than ever cast another vote for Charlie Crist. He is a sham, a joke -- and if he doesn't stop raising those darned eyebrows of his to look like he's concerned/interested/even knows what the other person is talking about, I'm going to vomit. Please, Charlie, get married, take your honeymoon, and then decide that this whole governor thing just isn't for you and resign early! Admit that you have no idea what you are doing -- for the sake of the state you profess to "love." Looking back, I'm kicking myself for not considering Gallagher -- at least he had substance and understood finances.

[Flagophile]

Charlie Crist one heartbeat away from being the leader of the free world!

Ha!

And then Republicans have the audacity to say that Obama is too green.

Now we know why the state paid Warren Buffett $224 million for the right to borrow enough money to get Charlie thru the hurricane season--I hope.

My vote goes to Bob Barr if Crist is picked as a running mate.

854 -- I wish that somehow that was enough! Unfortunately, if the big one comes, heck, even if its a medium one, we will be left scrambling. What Crist has done to us is outrageous. And the $250 million to pay for access to $4 billion, which will have to be paid back with interest, is unthinkable. Perhaps the Governor would be wise to look at how real insurance companies run in terms of protecting themselves against storms and tailor something like that for the state. Surely, Kise and Lemeix can make just as much money off of that market as one of them did with this BS Buffett scheme.

I just laughed so hard I almost lost my breakfast.

CC for vp? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

I hope they start 'vetting' him at the national level. His career would be over and we would finally be rid of him. I doubt those at the national level will give him the free pass that he gets with the media in St. Pete and Florida in general.

[truth]

I sure hope someone in the McCain Camp is looking at this blog and many of the others that have been commented on reagrding CC being the VP. No matter what the phoney approval polls say in favor of CC. he doesnt have the support of his base. He has turned his back on the business community he has turned his back on the citizens of our state and he is trying to use her and her resouces for only his gain. He knows he is done here and better find something else or he is goingto sink in the next election. Anyone who uses marriage to try and boost his rating and quell the rumors of him being gay is violating a very sacred thing. He is not a family man he is a politician and a dirty one at that! Come on Florida lets kick this bum out of office!

Romney v. Crist for VP? Crist hasn't a chance.

McCain can see Charlie's galavanting and self-promotion, and he wouldn't want that type of ego as his number 2

If Dan Quayle could be Vice President, why not our esteemed governor? If Jimmy Carter could be president, what's wrong with Charlie. Charlie has Quayle's intelligence and Carter's facial expressions. If Al Gore could be Vice President, so can Charlie. After all, Charlie has Quayle's intelligence, Carter's facial expressions, and Al Gore's political philosophy.

[Obama Florida 08]

Attn President Bush and Cronies:

WE ARE IN A RECESSION.

Just thought I'd mention that cause I see you're still denying it, hoping to blame it on the DEMs after you're out of office in January.

REMINDER: THAT'S RECESSION NUMBER TWO UNDER FAILED BUSH POLICIES.

Conservative policy doesn't work. George Bush and CO = living proof. John McCain = more failed Bush policy. P.S. By his own admission, McCain is totally ignorant of economics.

9:15 It's a moot point. No one is going to elect another Republican after the abject failure of Bush. The question is only who will McSame pick to share his defeat.

Crist has no shame nor class. Lifelong Republican here who would rather see Obama as President than Charlie as VP.

9:19 just because you say it is a recession does not make it so - you clearly received your economics schooling from jeremiah wright and the nut-cutter - by your own post you show you are ignorant of economics

then you say there's been two? how do you figure that? wait - don't answer, you'll just waste my time

Obama Florida 08, you idiot, we are not in a recession. Our economy continues to grow. Like the moronic little messiah you are following, you don't know your head from your a** when it comes to economic policy.

If you want to see a real recession, cast your vote for Barack Obama, who has promised to raise taxes on everyone and everything. He'll take our country back to the economic policies of Jimmy Carter.

Do some research on Dan Quayle and you will find that he is an extremely intelligent man. His downfall is that he is NOT a good speaker and presenter. Unlike good time 'live and let live kind of guy' Charlie who clearly doesn't know his @55 from a hole in the ground.

Charlie will never make it past the vetting process. McCain and company are using him for his skills at bilking, I mean raising, money. The man may be a little old, but he's not entirely stupid...

[smell the coffee already]

As a Republican, I can tell you we're not going to win hearts and minds by telling people we're not in a recession. The wholesale goods inflation rate is the highest in 27 years. The stock market has taken a two-year reversal and we're officially in a bear market. The mortgage crisis, always a month or two away from turning around, continues to spiral into uncharted territory, with Florida as the centerpiece of that debacle. The average citizen is staring at that big SUV in the driveway like the gas vampire that it is and realizes that he or she can't afford to buy an affordable replacement. The euro hits a record high almost daily and huge iconic American companies are effectively being snapped up for 50 cents on the dollar.

Don't tout Republican accomplishments in the economic sector. You look like an idiot.

10:11 - the economy is not a republican or democrat thing anyway - it is in its most basic form free individuals deciding what they need or want for themselves and their families - oh and to accept your premise for a moment, uh, the dems have been in control of congress when housing, gas, etc. all went to heck

If anything, our economy is weak right now because of Democratic pessimism and tax policies. Look at the paltry "stimulus package" that the Democrats in congress passed. Look at the price of oil, which has as much to do with the unecessary taxes and over-regulation of the gas industry as it does with supply and demand. Our energy prices are soaring because we have not built a new refinery or nuclear power plant in decades, and that is the fault of Democrats playing to the environmental extremists in their party.

The Democrats have spent eight years wishing and voting our country into recession in the hopes that they could score political points out of it. Congratulations Democrats, your wishes have come true.

I will not vote for President, a man who knows not who we’re fighting in Iraq, believes “economy” is just a rental car category, has a wife who profits from the sale of America… and chooses as a Vice President, a man who knows not where his office is, wastes tax dollars on phony economic trips while Floridians lose their jobs and homes, dwells in the closet, and pimps $240 as a job well done.

McSame/McFraud ’08 … No way in hell!

ITS ALL IN YOU HEADS, YOU USELESS TAX DOLLAR ATM'S...errr... AMERICANS!

Love,

Karl Rove and Johnny McSame

The columnist says this at the end:

As always, this piece is meant to spark conversation, so feel free to agree, disagree, condemn or compliment in the comments section below. Tomorrow: The Case Against Crist.

IMO, there's no way McCain picks Crist. The columnist is just looking at all the potential options and what effect (positive and negative) it may have on the race.

The folks that point out the stock market and recessions - We have corrections in the stock markets every 5-7 years (there are usually 2-3 years of decline out of every 10 - or, you could look at it this way...there are about 7-8 up years out of 10).

And recessions?

From 1945-1980 we had 8. 1982-2001 we had 3. This info comes from the National Bureau of Economic Research. We may be in one now. And, even if we are, let's keep it in perspective and realize it's part of a regular economic and business cycle.

10:44 damn you for bringing rational thought to the argument of recenssions...

PLATITUDES ARE NOT ENOUGH, CHARLIE

By SAM RASHID, Special to the Times
Published August 12, 2007

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/12/Opinion/Platitudes_are_not_en.shtml

Kottkamp could be governor. That's something to think about.

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER:

We know who McCain shouldn't pick

By FRANK MICKADEIT

The Republican Prom (aka the annual Flag Day Dinner) was Friday night at the Irvine Hyatt and there was no doubt as to this year's queen. Incoming Sheriff Sandra Hutchens was the toast of both the main ballroom and VIP room (to which I gained access by swapping name tags with attorney Dana Strader, whose bore the necessary "star" insignia. Last year, I plucked Dana Rohrabacher's unused name tag off the table in front to get in. It's a Dana thing.)

"Sheriff Sandra," as her name badge read, roamed table to table introducing herself and accepting congratulations and best wishes. The fundraising for 2010 has begun.

I, on the other hand, spent the evening: 1) entertaining and enthralling Linda Ackerman while her husband was sucking up to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist at the next table; 2) tracking down a rumor that said husband was going to run for Irvine mayor and topple the Agran power structure; and 3) taking a victory lap or two of my own around the room, seeking out CWLA members to fawn over me while doing my best to avoid Paul Walters — who, quite commendably, showed up after a tough loss and sat at the table next to ours with Carlos "Water Bra" Bustamante.

Crist. Oy. Brought in as the keynote speaker because he's on the short list of potential McCain running mates, his performance Friday night truly did help his party. By showing unequivocally he would be a complete disaster for the GOP – the worst running mate since Dan Quayle.

Mr. Crist looks great: – silver hair, ragged shirt, baggy pa— … wait, that's Mr. Bojangles; let's try again: silver hair, warm smile, great tan, perfectly tailored suit of clothes, decent teeth. It's when he uses his facial musculature to try and form cogent sound that he falls apart.

His speech began at 7:38 p.m. and was over at 7:47 p.m. – at nine minutes the shortest Flag Day Dinner speech on record. A couple of years ago, there was a post-dessert standup comic who took longer to spit out one joke. So that was the good part about Crist's speech. Brevity is not always the soul of wit. Sometimes it's just merciful.

But into that nine minutes, he packed two major gaffes and one cliché-ridden anecdote, a nice trifecta. First, he displayed his knowledge of history by informing us that Ronald Reagan "came from right here in Orange County, California." (Sorry, Charlie, that was that other Republican president. Orange County was simply where Reagan's ATM was located.)

Then, again seeking to, uh, connect, with the O.C. Republican establishment, he managed to invoke one of the most reviled names in Orange County: "Your governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is doing a great job! … I love him!"

Thud. The groans in the room were audible … audible!!! Obviously, Crist's advance team had failed to tell him that conservatives see Arnold as a vapid, poll-driven sellout who faked 'em out good.

Crist closed with an anecdote about the American Dream, about "a boy named Adam" who came to the U.S. without knowing English, who worked hard shining shoes, had seven kids … At which point, I wrote in my notebook: "It was his dad." Close. A minute of porridgy drama later, we find out Adam was his grandfather.

OK, here's an easy one, Charlie: How do you spell potato?

As people started filing out, I buttonholed Dick Ackerman to ask about the rumor I'd been hearing all evening. Although he was once mayor of Fullerton, he and Linda moved to an Irvine townhouse a few years ago.

Termed out in the Senate, the rumor went, he would challenge the probable Agran Party nominee for mayor, Sukhee Kang, and most likely beat him. That would create a Republican majority on the council (with Shea and Choi remaining on the council) and allow it to wrest control of The Great Park from Agran.

"Do you want to build on a rumor or do you want the truth?" Ackerman asked.

A little off my game, I succumbed to ethical conduct.

"Absolutely not," Ackerman said of any mayoral run. "I'm supporting Christina Shea. I've been on her committee from the beginning, and I will continue to be."

Meaning Shea will run for mayor and probably win, but it will be hard to come up with a third credible Republican candidate (or someone of any party who's independent of Agran) to win a council seat and take control of The Great Park. So Agran lives another day.

The word "recession" seems to bring out the GOP spin-meisters and Bushite apologists in force!

Obama = Carter

We will for sure have a worse economy under the tax and spend Dems.

Look at the past two years of a Dem controlled Congress---A disaster!!!

McSame = Dubya

We will for sure have more young American men and women dying for corporate profit and daddy's revenge.

Look at the past 8-years of a Dubya and Dickey controlled adminstration---A currupt and disgraceful disaster!!!

Look at Big Business crying for tech grads and at the same time gobbling up Corporate Welfare and Tax Cuts as fast as the GOP can shovel them out. Reality = You get what you pay for. Pay your taxes and let the DEMs invest in education. We have no future with the irresponsible GOP.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/07/15/science.degrees.ap/index.html

Don't worry. Cindy McCain already vetted Charlie. Women know about "those things".

Funny dems don't mind the "tax cuts" in the form of rebates.

You guys can talk Bush down all you want, but, the fact remains that the Pelosi Reid DEMOCRATIC Congress' approval rating PLUMMETED soon after they took control.

Same 'ole same liberal, socialist policies don't work and aren't popular.

Obama and the Dems want to rob Peter to pay Paul.

No thank you, NObama.

Does anyone realize that the last time that banks and S&Ls went belly up in huge numbers that it was another Bush in the White House? Does anyone realize that it is the same bankers who are getting rich off of depositors while bankrupting the bank and skating off to leave the taxpayers to insure the deposits. This isn't just corporate welfare; this is an organized crime racket. It is fine to suggest that the economy isn't a Democrat or Republican thing, but it is also fair to note that Clinton balanced the budget (actually a surplus) with very little in the way of the kind of organized corporate crap (Milken, Enron, Keeting 5 . . . yes, that included McCain, Tyco, etc.) that has halmarked the 12 years of the two Bush administrations.

ANd of the 11 recessions between '45 and '01, SEVEN were while, or just after, a DEMOCRAT president had office.

No thank you, NObama, Pelosi, or Reid.

[Criminal-in-Chief]

1:33
Yes, we have had the father and son combo of Criminals-in-Chief.

And our country is in deep do-do.

First rule of any intelligent human being...When you find yourself in a hole...quit digging!

1:33

Not to be partisan, but can you remember the last time a Democrat occupied the White House?

Can you tell us who really hired
Craig Livingstone?

Remember Travelgate?

Employees who worked for 4, count them 4, admistrations summarily fired.

Vince Foster?

Hillarycare?

Whitewater?

(...I just found that file, here the whole time in the outer office..shazaam!)

Sandy "I did not steal and stuff those classifed documents in my pants and socks Burglar?"

Monica Lewinsky.. I did not have, blah blah blah

"It depends on what the meaning of is is?"

No thanks, we'll keep a Republican in the White House.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Stand Bi]

Okay, what's really going on here is the florida press won't write anything critical of this administration because they're too afraid that their pink slip is right around the corner.

I'm sure all the governor's cronies are telling steve b. and the other press corps members that they are going to hire them if they lose their private sector jobs. If any of them write anything other than puff pieces, they'll be off the resume list.

Crist will be exposed by the national(and now international) media. What's said is bryan ballerd is calling all the shots and will bring down both the local and national party.
Stand Bi....

[None of the Above]

Way Back in March I Opined the following and I believe it still holds true...

Regardless of whether Mr Crist is likable enough, intelligent enough, hard-working enough, etc., by the time that the selection is to be made, the economy will more than likely be in a full blown recession, and, at this same moment, summer and the Hurricane Season will be in full bloom. These two circumstances will be significantly determinative as to Mr Crist's Chances, which, I believe, have never been serious at all.

On Economics…

Florida’s economic model is totally unworkable. There are not enough well paying jobs available in this state – there never have been, and trying to pretend that $10 or $12 an hour will buy happiness and long term personal prosperity in this state is idiotic, especially when you consider the burden that taxes and home insurance place on those earning these types of wages as they dream of owning a home. Hell, the escrow portion of your monthly mortgage payment begins around $1000 and that is before you find a house. If you could find an “affordable” home in the state your still looking at a mortgage payment in the neighborhood of $2000 if not more.

With stagnant growth, looming layoffs, et al, just around the corner how does the Governor of such a state fit in to the National picture in any fashion, especially considering the real possibility of another major hurricane hitting us.

Amendment One was a joke. Assuming that I am partially correct that $500 per month of your Escrow is taxes, how in the world does $20 per month make that more reasonable or affordable.

We all have chosen to live in Florida – Hurricane Alley – of our own accord, presumably. While I am no supporter of HOW the Insurance Giants have insulated themselves from this real risk, it should be completely obvious to even the most dim-witted of us that the Legislature has no political will to come up with a solution, either at the national level or the state level.

Taxes will never be addressed until the inequities of the current Sales Tax Florida are adequately and fairly assessed.

Mr Crist’s failure to address these real issues is why, in my opinion, he will not make it to the National Stage.

[hobson-thats who!]

I am not so sure that Charlie will automatically deliver Florida in the face of a scarily tanking economy with bank closings. Florida is the bough of the ship as far as any imminent recession/depression. If Florida's economy implodes, God could not deliver the state to the GOP.

[terminator]

although I agree with many on here about what a worthless POS Crist is, unfortunately, he won't be gone, in fact he'll be back as our crappy Gov for another two years if he loses (was passed during the 07 session). Remember the bill dealing with moving the primary date and providing for a paper trail?
Yeah, we're stuck with a real turkey and his new Misses Rome as our First Lady of Florida!
How's that ride with you guys?

Ps McCollum and Marco are already licking their chops at the 2010 Primary and I'm sure Ms. Sink will be a shoe in for the Dems.

[Trunk]

Nice smile, nice tan, nice fiance. That's about it.

2:07

Not to be partisan, but our economy is tanking, the national debt is astronomical, we're sending our children to Iraq to die for oil company profits, and this is what you bring up as a comparison?

Can you tell us who really hired
Craig Livingstone? (Who?)

Remember Travelgate? (No.)

Employees who worked for 4, count them 4, admistrations summarily fired. (Um.. Sorry, no. - were they U.S Attorneys?)

Vince Foster? (What's your point?)

Hillarycare? (Bring back National Healthcare!)

Whitewater? (Not Guilty)

(...I just found that file, here the whole time in the outer office..shazaam!) (Wow that's lethal!)

Sandy "I did not steal and stuff those classifed documents in my pants and socks Burglar?" (Who?)

Monica Lewinsky.. I did not have, blah blah blah (At least he was with a woman.)

"It depends on what the meaning of is is?" (Yawn!)

No thanks, we'd rather have murderer in the White House.

Thanks for the reminder.

Wow. 2:07 and 3:15. While both of you have made your points, the bigger issue is the fact that Charlie Crist - the most pathetic governor there could possibly be - thinks he has a chance at being vp. And for whatever reason, certain individuals in the press and most assuredly the SPT, keep ramming this down our throats. Charlie is incompetent at best and whenever someone out there really delves into his 'resume', it is painfully obvious what a bomb he actually is... Forget the obvious issues regarding his personal life. He's a failure that has managed to smile and schmooze his way into a higher office. He's as high as he's going. It's just a shame that we can't recall him before he finishes the ruination of Florida.

Wow. 2:07 and 3:15. While both of you have made your points, the bigger issue is the fact that Charlie Crist - the most pathetic governor there could possibly be - thinks he has a chance at being vp. And for whatever reason, certain individuals in the press and most assuredly the SPT, keep ramming this down our throats. Charlie is incompetent at best and whenever someone out there really delves into his 'resume', it is painfully obvious what a bomb he actually is... Forget the obvious issues regarding his personal life. He's a failure that has managed to smile and schmooze his way into a higher office. He's as high as he's going. It's just a shame that we can't recall him before he finishes the ruination of Florida.