Charlie Crist backs President Obama

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist

/ Getty Images

(CBS News) Just two days before the official kick-off of the Republican National Convention in Tampa this week, Charlie Crist, Florida's Republican-turned-independent former governor, officially announced his endorsement - not for presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney, but for President Obama.

In a Sunday op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times, Crist, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the 2010 Republican Florida Senate nomination before launching a bid as an independent, lauded Mr. Obama's handling of the economy and maligned "extreme rhetoric" nationwide.

"Across Florida, in Washington and around the country, I've watched the failure of those who favor extreme rhetoric over sensible compromise," he wrote. "I've seen how those who never lose sight of solutions sow the greatest successes."

"We have more work to do, more investments to make and more waste to cut," Crist continued. "But only one candidate in this race has proven a willingness to navigate a realistic path to prosperity."

The Miami Herald's Marc Caputo pointed to the op-ed as another piece of mounting evidence that Crist is planning on joining the Democratic Party. He also speculated that Crist is positioning himself for a potential speaking slot at next week's Democratic convention, and possibly even a gubernatorial run in two years.

Republicans were quick to write off the former governor's remarks.

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry chairman, meanwhile, blasted Crist for what he called a "repugnant display."

"Today we have seen a repugnant display from a self-centered, career politician," Curry said in a statement. "While the people of Florida, and thousands of visitors who've traveled here, are facing an emergency, Charlie Crist has demonstrated, yet again, that his political ambition will always come first."

Meanwhile, on ABC's "This Week," Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, chair of the Republican Platform Committee, said, "Governor Crist's endorsement adds one more vote in Florida and that's it. He's wrong on about every other point."

[tomsojo]

Talk about backing a loser. This is Mitt Romnie's election to lose. As a proud member of the LDS church, I know for sure Mr. Romnie is going to win. Mitt Romnie 2012!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTY6n9yw204

[TimeToEvolve]

You have to be an absolute moron who hates yourself and your family to back a Republicon. For any office. They lack normal common sense.

[whosaid1]

and tell me...for those that know him,...who is really surprised that this "idiot" would do that ??

[mikesfilms]

Romney's achievements as governor of Mass: Took state down to 47th in job creation: 0.9% versus 2.7% for New York, 4.7% for California; the national average was 5%. According to the US Census, Mass lost 222,000 people, not because of wealthy conditions. State lost 14% of manufacturing jobs due to outsourcing. He pushed down economic growth close to national bottom. Left citizens with $10,504 bond debt each, highest in the nation. If president, he plans to apply his dumbstorm to the nation.

[JV1970]

I know of one governor who's endorsement he won't get! My governor is a conservative, pro-life Republican. In fact my state is just about as red as it can be. Every county went for McCain in the last election. I AM VERY PROUD OF MY STATE!

[Eco99]

So were all the Dems who switched parties also repugnant and self-centered, politicians or does it only apply when republicans switch parties? Does this also apply when Dems and Rerubs come together in rare displays of bipartisianship. This reaction certainly demonstrates why congress is so dysfunctional with the party of no.

The GOP is full of repugnant self-centered career politicians with no interest in Americans other than themselves.

[wfw3536]

Is this breaking news? Live in Florida part time and Crist is washed up and probably could get elected to a county office.

[marychgo]

Democrats believe in a big tent. Since there's clearly no room for a halfway sane Republican in the GOP (as witness the comments in the article and on this thread), Charlie Crist is welcome to join those of us who believe in doing what works rather than going back to the failed policies of free-market fundamentalism.

[calif7]

Charlie Crist has it right when he said as a GOP governor he worked together with Obama to pull Florida out of the morass BUSH/Cheney left it in. He sees the extremism the GOP is catering to and obviously is turned off by Romney's catering to this extremism. The GOP has changed and many voices of reason are fleeing from it.

[Harry1899]

This is, as Paul Harvey used to say, the rest of the story. Crist has a full-time job as a partner with Orlando's largest personal injury lawfirm, Morgan & Morgan. Crist's boss, founding partner John Morgan has hosted many Democrats at his mansion in Heathrow, Florida including John Kerry, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The President of the United States has been to his house for a fund-raiser in the past year. Morgan has vast influence in Democratic politics in Florida. This "announcement" was timed to coincide with the open of the Republican convention.

[nearl451]

Like you, Paul Harvey was also full of beans.