Former Fla. Gov. Crist, once a Republican, now a Democrat

Charlie Crist, the former Republican governor of Florida, is now officially a Democrat, he announced on Twitter late Friday, after filing official paperwork at a White House Christmas party that reportedly was met with a fist bump by President Obama.

Former GOP Gov. Charlie Crist posted to Twitter on Friday night a picture of him holding up his voter registration form, his wife Carole by his side, after filing to become a Democrat during a White House Christmas party.

/ Courtesy/Charlie Crist

It's likely a first step toward another gubernatorial run for Crist, who served as governor from 2007-2011 and, after losing the 2010 GOP Senate primary against now-Sen. Marco Rubio, became an independent and ran against Rubio in the general election that fall. Crist came in second to Rubio with 30 percent of the vote.

In August of this year, Crist announced his support for Mr. Obama's reelection, and scored himself a prime speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

"What changed is the leadership of the Republican Party," Crist told the Tampa Bay Times in a phone interview Friday night. "As I said at the convention, I didn't leave the Republican Party, it left me. Whether the issue was immigration, or education, or - you name it - the environment. I feel at home now."

The switch has been a long time coming, Crist said, recalling friends who "for years tell me, 'You know Charlie, you're a Democrat and you don't know it.'" His record mostly backs that up: Despite fighting taxes and gun control laws, as governor Crist supported higher pay for teachers, was an advocate for civil rights, and voted primarily in favor of abortion rights.

Still, critics scoff at what they call his chameleon quality. A recent press release from the Florida state GOP stated: "Charlie Crist has the ability to meld into any character - from 'Chain Gang Charlie' to sympathetic 'Man of the People' - there is seemingly no role that he can't play."

If Crist does decide to mount a run against the current governor of the Sunshine State in 2014, Republican Rick Scott, the Times predicted it won't be an easy battle for the Democratic nomination. Alex Sink, the 2010 Democratic nominee, said in an interview that will air Sunday evening that Crist will not play a role in her decision to run. "And if I run," she added, "I'm in it to win, no matter who the other comers are."

[AOCGUY]

For twelve years Florida had good solid governance with Jeb Bush then Charlie Crist. We lost sight of the bubble and elected Rick Scott, easily the worst governor this state has ever had. Even those that worked so hard to elect him hate him now despite the fact that he continues to do exactly what he said he would do.

The only reason the OP hates Crist is that he refused to be an extremist, and recognized that he was the Governor of all the people of this great state. I have no doubt that if hrlie gets the nomination he will return to Tallahasse although I would vote for Alex Sink as well. Both fine public servants as opposed to our current Medicare Fraud in Chief.

[mississippigirl2012]

I can relate to Crist, the GOP has become the party of Extremist. I decided to become a Independent and I don't think I will never join another party.

[Ulgnud]

Like it or not, this man has the right to be affiliated with any political party of his choice, for reasons of his own.

[diddy_back_again]

Great! Another democrat to promote socialism.

[Ulgnud]

As the old patriots die off the younger and more socialist types will see the end of the US and reap the rewards of their acceptance of the same forces that destroyed earlier civilizations.

[nearl451]

Frankly, there alot of Republicans,reasonable, rational thinkers, looking for refuge from the Party of mindset unification.

Michael Steele can keep his principles too and come on over. Participate....we need some moderation too.

The Democratic Party is not afraid of discourse and discussion. Come on over Doles, Lugars, etal. We even have room for a Reagan, Bush, or Boehner or two. You'll be hated by the haters, but then again you are called traitors by them already.


Come help us legislate moderately.

[Ulgnud]

Although I am not pleased with the GOP which has lost it's spine, there is no way I will join the America destroying Tax n Spend party. The Constitution party is starting to look good now.

[technocoffee]

America-once Republican, now Democrat. At least those who are intelligent enough to see what years of "trickle-down" corporate welfare has done to our economic base. Not to mention the far-right fundamentalists "Christians" (NOT!) wacko 12th century ideas about women. Good idea to evolve & turn away from all that, Crist. I can't wait for the better things down the road for our country, away from George W Bush, Karl Rove & Ted Nugent-type thinking!

[thenitenurse]

Charlie Crist is full of surprises! Getting married in his 50s after years of being single. Now crossing over and becoming a democrat. Sounds like someone is getting ready for a presidential run.

[omnibus66]

Getting nominated as the Democratic candidate for governor won't be easy. Many Dems will hold having been a pug against him. The only sure thing is that whoever it is, the Democratic nominee will win. Rick Scott is the most disliked governor in the US, and it isn't just because he's ugly.

[antoniof123]

The only thing that can stop Charlie from becoming governor again is the Democratic primaries. If he can win there and I think he can he will sweep into the governors role again.

I hope so because this one we got is a worthless piece of garbage. He is clueless like the CEO that he is, the problem with getting exectives from business as governors or presidents or any other role is they are used to have the orders carried out without questions. So when they don't get thier way they revert back to the same old tactics destroing their oppisiton. That is why they always make worthless leaders, because they can't lead.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

ad_iudicium replies: tell me is there an "IQ ceiling" to being a democrat?
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Intelligence Study Links Low I.Q. To Prejudice, Racism, Conservatism
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/intelligence-study-links-prejudice_n_1237796.html