Crist's mid-term report card

In the past year, Crist promised to send "a sonic boom'' through the economy with the property tax cut, bring in new revenue with an Indian gambling agreement, cut property insurance rates, and create jobs through accelerated spending on public works programs. In his 2007 inaugural address, he pledged to "secure work with good pay'' and "world-class schools."

His promises have gone largely unfulfilled. The national recession converged with Florida's collapsing housing market to produce the highest unemployment rate in 15 years, the highest job losses of any state, and deep cuts to public education to balance a faltering budget. The property tax bonanza has been a dud. The math hasn't worked as promised on property insurance. The gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida was ruled unconstitutional. The governor's pitch to create jobs by accelerating road construction amounted to more show than substance.

Where Crist has been successful, it has been the result of his pragmatic, inclusive approach to governing. He revamped the state Supreme Court, replacing three retiring justices with two conservatives and a moderate. He junked touch screen voting machines in favor of paper ballots and extended the hours of early voting even when it was viewed as favorable to Democrats, then presided over a high turnout on Election Day that came off nearly flawlessly.

STORY HERE

Comments

I am still waiting for my property taxes to "drop like a rock".

Democrats has blocked real property tax relief. Time for:

the 1.35% Property Tax Cap Amendment

Report Card:

*Property taxes has Not Dropped.

*Indian Gaming money is in escrow account.

*Gov Crist has halted property insurance from skyrocketting.

Overall, Florida is in pretty good shape compared with other states like New York & California

B+ for Gov Crist

I'd give him a C-

The People still want tax relief and tax reform

[Gator]

With LeMieux keeping most of The tally crowd in the Governor's corner and with Greer keeping the Party under control , Crist wins re elect big! No matter what.

Gov Crist has done a wonderful job compared to Florida CFO Alex Sink, who has run Florida's finances to the ground.

Gov Crist for Governor
Gov Crist for U.S. Senate

Alex Sink for dog catcher.

Didn't Alex Sink allowed someone to embezzle nearly $6 million from Florida's coffers?

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article744991.ece

2 lower ranked employee tooked the fall for it.

CFO Alex Sink should have been "FIRED"

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article829252.ece

[yeah but]

The LuvGuv, LeMieux, and Kise are increasing the costs to do business in florida to save the enviroment because they believe what al gore says is in store for us-----man made global warming. and if you believe that--you deserve your fate.

And Buddy Johnson took over $2 million from just one county....

What does Sink have to do with the spray paint governor's job???

Jobs are leaving the state, no new technology jobs, no greening of the economy, drop in education spending per student, but a whopper of increase for outsourced prison beds... fantastic... you blowhards!

F-

[True Conservative]

F-

Crist will not win re-election. He may of won the re-election of Greer but the base will sit in their hands and watch Charlie during 2010. The base go home empty suit Charlie we are sorry we ever sent you to Tallahassee.

He is doing well, so well I think he could beat anyone in the Senate race
and should run for Mel Martinez'
seat in'10; why should he wait? He should go for it.

Gov Crist will win re-election easy.

[Palin]

Sarah Palin's high school dropout daughter, Bristol, and her high school dropout boyfriend, Levi, with their illegitimate child, Tripp, and convicted drug pusher grandma(Sherry Johnson mother of Levi) could have been living in Washington D.C. if the Republicans had not lost the election.

Palin and her "Family Values" pushed by Republicans are a joke.

Yes, every time Palin opens her mouth she reminds middle America that the Republican Party has lost its way and does NOT represent the majority of Americans.

[Peacock]

Charlie Crist will not get my vote for his 2nd term of Governor, we need Jeb Bush back at least he is a true Republican. We need Jeb to run for Senator. Mel Martinez' old job.
We thought we could at least get rid of Jim Greer, but no way he stack the hall of who he wanted, and some that did run and win, he has worked it where they do not get seated. I call that rig an election. The Republican Party here in Florida I call is corrupt and I don't want to be apart of this corruption anymore. But beware all of you crooks, your day is coming and I do want to be around for that.

[GOP in name only now]

If Crist has all of this "goodwill" he should show some leadership and pressure Sansom to resign before it gets worse. The legislature has no leadership on the Sansom issue and Sansom himself is in denial, thus will hang on until he is indicted.

same Ron Paul trouble makers at the convention are on this blog. Beginning to think you guys are not just nuts but dangerous---kinda like Hitler in Germany. You are crazy and everywhere with your lies and hateful talk. Mean! I have NEVER seen such MEAN people!

[mike]

Throughout our nation's history, great political leaders - from Roosevelt to Reagan - always combined sunny optimism with real, genuine substantive policy reforms that were designed to help the people and bolster the nation in a meaningful way.

Crist is the polar opposite extreme. He is the quintessential "empty suit" politician, tantamount to a political game-show host.

He speaks in plain platitudes but has nothing of value, of real meaning to offer the people of Florida - except another political campaign and more bumper sticker politics.

[Susan S]

Only in the alternate GOP universe are things going well in Florida. (This would be the same universe, btw, that says the New Deal failed and that Sarah Palin would make a wonderful president.)

Jeb! privatized us into the mess we're in, Charlie has spent more time vying to be VP pick than he's spent governing (which might be a good thing), and the Republican legislature, after giving away the store to corporations and the rich, are now cutting dollars from education and healthcare. Florida will never attract the best and the brightest under GOP leadership. Sansom's ethical lapses/criminal behavior are the least of it.

[President elect]

F- , definitely, he has allowed his appointed Public Services Commission to create the next crisis for Florida via Progress Energy's obscene rates increases and pay before build legislature. This governor is a joke who deserves to be impeached like Blago !!!!!!!!!!

[Ron Ashby]

I visit Florida often. I always buy the St. Pete and Tampa Bay newspapers. I still find it strange that when I buy a certain paper across a counter, I pay taxes on it. Only a good ole politician could come with an idea to tax a newpaper. I am from Illinois and no good and bad politicians. You Floridians, be thankful for what you elected.

[so is Charlie a socialist too--or is it lemieux or kise with mmgw]

Until last week, Carol M. Browner, President-elect Barack Obama's pick as global warming czar, was listed as one of 14 leaders of a socialist group's Commission for a Sustainable World Society, which calls for "global governance" and says rich countries must shrink their economies to address climate change.

By Thursday, Mrs. Browner's name and biography had been removed from Socialist International's Web page, though a photo of her speaking June 30 to the group's congress in Greece was still available.

Socialist International, an umbrella group for many of the world's social democratic political parties such as Britain's Labor Party, says it supports socialism and is harshly critical of U.S. policies.

The group's Commission for a Sustainable World Society, the organization's action arm on climate change, says the developed world must reduce consumption and commit to binding and punitive limits on greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr. Obama, who has said action on climate change would be a priority in his administration, tapped Mrs. Browner last month to fill a new position as White House coordinator of climate and energy policies. The appointment does not need Senate confirmation.

Mr. Obama's transition team said Mrs. Browner's membership in the organization is not a problem and that it brings experience in U.S. policymaking to her new role.

"The Commission for a Sustainable World Society includes world leaders from a variety of political parties, including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who succeeded Tony Blair, in serving as vice president of the convening organization," Obama transition spokesman Nick Shapiro said.

"Carol Browner was chosen to help the president-elect coordinate energy and climate policy because she understands that our efforts to create jobs, achieve energy security and combat climate change demand integration among different agencies; cooperation between federal, state and local governments; and partnership with the private sector," Mr. Shapiro said in an e-mail.

Mrs. Browner ran the Environmental Protection Agency under President Clinton. Until she was tapped for the Obama administration, she was on the board of directors for the National Audubon Society, the League of Conservation Voters, the Center for American Progress and former Vice President Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection.

Her name has been removed from the Gore organization's Web site list of directors, and the Audubon Society issued a press release about her departure from that organization.

[Disgusted Republican]

I agree with True Conservative....

F-

[John Ellis]

Crist has cut taxes more than any Governor in Florida's history. He vetoed more pork barrell projects his first year than any Governor in history. He has worked to expand the economy in Florida...and has made 3 very solid picks to the Supreme Court. You certainly can't blame him for the national/international economic crisis we now face...considering the challenges he not only deserves an "A" on his report card..he deserves to be re-elected.

Chuck must have hired the same consultant who did the education rankings.

Florida! “Last in Education; First in Corruption!”

[Dump Charlie]

Is there a viable Republican candidate for Governor to run against Charlie Crist?

Every Republican in Florida that I have talked with want Charlie gone.

The only way to do it is in the Primary.

If Charlie wins the Primary, too many DEMs will vote for him in the General Election in 2010, and we will have another 4 years.

Any names of potential Republican Candidates for Governor?

[True Republican]

Oooh, I'm so mad at Charlie!

He hasn't cut education, universities or workforce training enough!

Why does big-government Charlie still build socialist roads with our redistributed tax dollars? Why are we still letting young people go to college? Why do we let poor people see doctors?

I won't be satisfied until our entire workforce is illiterate! Because that's what's good for business!

9:28, you have done a good job of regurgitating the liberal caricature of Republicans, and in so doing you have exposed the ridiculousness of your extreme view.

[Andrew Allan]

I'd give Charlie a C+ to a B. Love the way he's eviscerating bloated government. Nice to have someone in office looking out for the taxpayers and not just crooked politicial cronies (many of whom are posting F's on this board). The squealing of the piggies says it all.

I agree with John Ellis - Charles deserves to be reelected either to another term as governor or to a higher office.

And to you folks who say your property taxes haven't dropped - mine have.

"Dump Charlie" is right - until there is a willing-to-run, viable, & capable of raising real money Repub candidate for Gov, we will have 4more years of Charlie Crist.

Sadly, no one will step up. And, Crist's donors that are unhappy with him, will again contribute to him as they won't want to rock the boat.

9:28, you have done a good job of caricaturing the Republicans, and in so doing you have exposed the ridiculousness of their flawed and failed policies.

Or just pointing out that Charlie is nothing more than a Democrat...

Wingnut Libertarians hate all government and would love to see our country descend into anarchy.

[The "Forgotten" People]

We give Chuck an F---

[Buzzard]

10:34 - Hmmm. Anarchy. Wonder if that would be worse.

Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate and he would win hands down.

11:14 - and we get rid of him and his medocrity won't be noticed in the bigger bunch!

Losers always justify their position in life based on others, i.e. comparing us to California and New York.

Conservatives always justify their position in life based on illusions of genetic superiority and hard work, and ignore the real reasons they are successful; usually mommy and daddy, bribery, corporate welfare, or raping and plundering the resources of others.

That picture of Charlie Crist makes my skin crawl: the faux look of concern, the quivering bottom lip . . . ugh.

Susan S-

You're obviously not much of a student of history.

The New Deal failed miserably and prolonged the Great Depression. Were it not for WWII, they might well have been in a depression for another 30 years or more.

Crist would make a great Senator and infuse new blood into our party up there. More imporantly he could secure this seat from any Democrat statewide.

12:08,

Please provide an example of a conservative doing so. Since they "always" do so, this should not be difficult.

Thank you

12:25 I don't argue with the obtuse - they have prepared lies and spin to cover every situation. ex: George Bush - oh, wait, he's not a conservative.

No one is asking you to argue, just to answer a question. You made a statement, I am merely asking you to provide something, anything to support your assertion.

If you can't then that's fine too. But please don't let this public exposition of your ignorance dissuade you from future posts. Many of us truly enjoy reading your ill conceived, poorly researched claims.

They are entertaining but also sad in a way. Sad because you are obviously articulate and have a command of the language but you have bought into the rhetoric, hook line and sinker, without doing any of your own research. This, in turn leads to you making statements you can't back up with evidence, proof, or anything resembling a fact.

"you have bought into the rhetoric, hook line and sinker"

At least I don't make my living blathering it a $5 a pop, little Toadie!

[terminator]

I'll give Charlie a D.

Even though he is a stuffed suit and empty chair most likely he will be re-elected.

Who else will run a primary campaign for the R's?

If Sink doesn't run for Senate, I think she'll sit tight as CFO and run for Gov in 2014.

So, Floridians were stuck with Chuck "the lemon" Crist for the foreseeable future.

You can cast all the aspersions you want and call people names all day but you still haven't answered the question.