Charlie Crist: I Might Run For Senate Again

Via the Orlando Sentinel:

Charlie Crist is considering another run for the U.S. Senate, in the 2016 race. "Well, I have been encouraged to," Crist said Wednesday when asked by phone about reports that he might run again. Crist, who is in New York, declined to elaborate. Crist, a former Republican governor of Florida, ran for the Senate in 2010 as an independent, losing handily to Republican Marco Rubio, but finishing ahead of Democrat Kendrick Meek. In 2013 he formally changed his party affiliation to Democrat and last year ran again for governor, losing to incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Scott in a close race. There is a chance that Rubio will not seek re-election. He has repeatedly said that if he decides to run for president, he would not seek re-election to the Senate.

Other potential Democratic candidates for Rubio's Senate seat are U.S. House members Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, Alan Grayson, and Patrick Murphy. Among the potential candidates on the GOP side is Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

FLORIDA: Hater Cheers Crist Loss

Stemberger is the head of the Florida Family Policy Council and the chairman of the anti-gay answer to the Boy Scouts. He recently declared that the fight against same-sex marriage is "worth dying for."

FLORIDA: Gov. Rick Scott Wins

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the night.

Seen In Florida

GOP Links Charlie Crist To Sex Trafficking Over Donations From Strip Club Owners

Man, they are fucking desperate.

FLORIDA: Marriage Absent From Final Crist/Scott Debate Before Election Day

Last night's CNN-hosted debate between Florida Gov. Rick Scott and former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist included no questions about same-sex marriage, but the pair heatedly sparred about jobs, the economy, the death penalty, medical marijuana, and Scott's Medicare fraud past. The Florida gubernatorial race is considered the nation's tightest. CBS Miami has the full debate in four parts.

FLORIDA: Pro-Charlie Crist TV Campaign Launched By LGBT Group SAVE Dade

Via Steve Rothaus the Miami Herald:

SAVE, one of South Florida’s best-known LGBT-rights groups, has produced a campaign video, Why We Vote, in support of candidates including Democrats Charlie Crist and Annette Taddeo. “I’m voting because Rick Scott and Pam Bondi refuse to recognize our marriage,” says SAVE board chairman Christian Ulvert, seen on-camera with his husband Carlos Andrade. Both men are plaintiffs in the ACLU of Florida’s federal lawsuit against Florida’s constitutional gay marriage ban. In an email to supporters of SAVE announcing the organization's final get out the vote push before the November 4 election, Ulvert appealed for help to buy airtime for the ad as well as funds for voter canvasses, phone banks, and get out the vote events. "All told, we're looking to set a new record of turn out among equality voters in make-or-break races for pro-equality candidates," wrote Ulvert. “We have the opportunity elect for the first time a pro-equality Governor and Lt. Governor in Charlie Crist and Annette Taddeo."

Rick Scott Does Fangate Damage Control

Scott is beyond ridiculous.

FLORIDA: Gov. Rick Scott Won't Say If Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Discriminatory

After the bizarre start to last night's gubernatorial debate, Florida Gov. Rick Scott repeatedly refused to say if he thinks his state's ban on same-sex marriage is discriminatory.

Scott was asked if Florida's constitutional ban on gay marriage was discriminatory, but he refused to directly answer the question, even when asked a second time. He did say he supports traditional marriage. Crist said he supports gay marriage. "Who is it for us to tell other people who to love and what is it in our right to tell other people who to marry?" Crist said. Scott then pointed out Crist supported the gay marriage ban when it passed in 2008. "We don't know what Charlie believes on this issue because he's taken every side on this issue," Scott said.

Scott's debate performance is being characterized as "weak and rambling" even on right wing sites, where the instantly infamous fan incident is being roundly mocked.

BIZARRE: Florida Gov. Rick Scott Refuses To Take Debate Stage Because Charlie Crist Had A Small Fan Blowing On Him

Tonight Rick Scott might have cost himself the election.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott refused to go onstage for the first seven minutes of a debate Thursday night, because his opponent had a fan. No, not a rowdy supporter in the audience. An actual electric fan. Scott's Democratic challenger, former Gov. Charlie Crist, had set up a small fan underneath his podium, apparently trying to keep himself from sweating under the Broward College stage's lights. Scott saw the fan, a prop that often accompanies Crist at public appearances, as a violation of the debate's rules and said he wouldn't participate. The moderators tried to explain the disagreement while Republicans in the audience chided Crist for breaking rules -- at least as Scott saw them -- against props on stage. "We have an extremely peculiar situation right now," moderator Elliott Rodriguez, a local news anchor, said as the broadcast started. "Are we really going to debate a fan?" Crist said while standing alone on stage. Several minutes later, Scott relented and joined the debate. "That has to be the most unique beginning to any debate," Rodriguez said as Scott walked onto the stage.

Scott's handlers point out that the debate contract signed by both candidates bans the use of electronic devices. Crist's handlers point out that the fan was electric, not electronic. Twitter is blowing up at #FanGate.

(Image via Wonkette)

Douchebag Of The Day - John Stemberger

(Tipped by JMG reader Erik)

RELATED: In July, Stemberger declared that the fight against same-sex marriage "is worth dying for."

FLORIDA: Crist Takes Lead In New Poll

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist had been in a dead heat with Gov. Rick Scott for months. Things are still very close, but there's some good news for the Crist campaign today. Via the Tampa Bay Times:

Crist's 6 percentage-point lead isn't so big because the likely-voter poll's error margin is 4.1 percent. But it ain't the topline, it's the trend to note. And for the past two weeks, the momentum has been for Crist: a net 9 percentage point shift since last week and, compared to the poll released Sept. 9, an 11-point shift. The movement in Crist's direction corresponds with Crist's increasing ad buys. Scott has been pumping more money into TV as well, but he hadn't been as closely answered as he is now. Overall, the poll track in the governor's race indicates one clear takeaway: the race is close and prone to minor shifts.

While in office as a Republican, Crist supported Florida's successful ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage. After jumping ship to the Democrats, he changed his tune. In August he issued an open letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding that she not appeal that month's slew of marriage rulings. That letter was ignored.

FLORIDA: Crist Slips Behind In Latest Poll

Via the Miami Herald:

A newly released Mason-Dixon poll conducted on behalf of Telemundo (conducting the first gubernatorial debate Oct. 10) and Leadership Florida/Florida Press Association (conducting a debate Oct. 15) shows Rick Scott leading Charlie Crist 43 percent to 41 percent, within the magin of error of plus or minus 4 percent. Libertarian Adrian Wylie receives 4 percent. The survey of 625 likely voters was conducted Sept. 2-4, and Mason-Dixon cautioned that its sample reflected current voter registration in Florida (41 percent Democrat, 37 percent Republican, 21 percent other), and "does not assume a higher or lower turnout by either political party." Considering the Republican turnout is consistently at least 4 percentage points higher than Democrats in off-year elections, it's reasonable to assume Scott would have a higher lead if the sample reflected the likely electorate.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is presently accompanying Scott on his campaign tour.

Quote Of The Day - Charlie Crist

"Dear Governor Scott: Four years ago, a district court of appeals ruled Florida’s ban on gay and lesbian adoption unconstitutional. When the ruling came down, I believed it was my job as Governor to exercise the authority vested in me by the people and our Constitution. The day the judge ruled, I declared Florida’s adoption ban over. Gay and lesbian parents began adopting the children they loved immediately. It is one of my proudest moments as an elected official.

"Last Thursday Federal District Judge Robert Hinkle gave you the same chance to speak out for what is right when, in a ruling that would apply statewide, he struck down Florida’s ban on same sex marriage. By declaring the marriage ban finished you could discourage any future appeals and end the nightmare that loving same sex couples all across our state endure every single day, ending court battles that could drag on for months or years.

"Courts throughout Florida are endorsing the principle that government ought not deprive an entire class of citizens the right to marry simply because of whom they love. Florida deserves a governor who will stand up for all of the people of this state.

"You have the power to end the suffering of people like Arlene Goldberg. Last March, Arlene lost her wife and partner of 47 years, Carol Goldwasser. At a moment of enormous and understandable grief, Arlene had to suffer the humiliation of not being listed as Carol’s wife on the death certificate. Even worse, she lost her home because she was denied the social security benefits they had earned.

"When faced with a very similar decision four years ago I did what I believed was best for Florida and best for the thousands of children waiting to be adopted by loving parents. Today, I urge you to do what’s best for Floridians and declare the state will not be challenging Judge Hinkle’s Order or any other orders supporting the rights of all Floridians to marry." - Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who supported his state's ban on same-sex marriage while in office.

FLORIDA: Charlie Crist Glides To Easy Nomination In Gubernatorial Primary

Former GOP Florida Gov. Charlie Crist strolled to an easy win in yesterday's Democratic gubernatorial primary, taking 73% of the vote against former state Rep. Nan Rich.

Mr. Crist's Florida primary victory didn't come as a surprise. The former governor has largely ignored his Democratic opponent, who ran as the "real Democrat" in the race. Mr. Crist has been criticized for shifting his views since he joined the Democratic Party in 2012. He has also heartily embraced Mr. Obama, who won the state in 2008 and 2012 but has seen his approval ratings slide into negative territory among Florida voters, according to poll averages compiled by Real Clear Politics. Mr. Crist's campaign is stocked with former Obama advisers and staffers. The Democrat has raised $8.8 million, according to filings with the Florida Board of Elections, shy of Mr. Scott's $10.3 million. The question Tuesday night was whether Democrats would turn out in force for Mr. Crist, who will need a strong showing from the party's base if he hopes to unseat Mr. Scott in November.

Crist's support for same-sex marriage has been "pinned" to the top of his Twitter feed for several weeks. Crist supported Florida's Amendment 2 when governor.

FLORIDA: Charlie Crist Tells Gov & AG To Stop Defending Gay Marriage Ban

Via Steve Rothaus at the Miami Herald:

Charlie Crist, Florida's former Republican governor and attorney general, says current Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi don't have to defend the state's 2008 gay marriage ban in court. Crist, who is running to become governor again (this time as a Democrat), spoke Thursday as he accepted LGBT-rights group SAVE's endorsement at City Hall the Restaurant in Miami. "It’s unfortunate that Rick Scott and Pam Bondi feel this way about gay marriage and are not embracing or tolerant of it. It’s embarrassing, frankly," Crist said. "The rest of America is moving forward and they’re still on the wrong side of history on this issue. But we can fix it and they call it an election. Only 89 days away, so help is on the way. "What would I do differently as governor? Everything. To this issue, specifically, he shouldn’t be fighting it through the attorney general’s office. They should cease and desist on fighting gay marriage -- same-sex marriage -- and equality. The time has passed to do that."

Crist supported the ban when governor but reversed his position after leaving the GOP and becoming a Democrat. Recent polls show him tied with Scott in the gubernatorial race.

FLORIDA: Crist And Scott In Dead Heat

A poll released in Florida this weekend shows that Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist are now in a dead heat for the coming gubernatorial election. Crist had been leading by several points in some (but not all) earlier polls.

The poll finds both candidates have secured their respective bases. Scott gets the support of 73 percent of Republicans while only 16 percent back Crist who, before he left the party in 2010, had run for statewide office fives times as a Republican. Despite only joining the Democrats in December 2012, 72 percent of Democrats support Crist while 13 percent back Scott. Voters outside the major parties go for Scott. 40 percent to 34 percent. Scott is upside down in the poll, with 48 percent of those surveyed seeing him as unfavorable and 46 percent viewing him in a favorable light. But the governor’s job performance gets his nose above water, with 46 percent approving of it and 45 percent disapproving of it. Crist is also under water in the poll, with 46 percent seeing the former governor as favorable and 47 percent viewing him as unfavorable.

Last year Crist, a former Republican, endorsed marriage equality after having backed its constitutional ban while governor. His run for governor was endorsed last month by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida.

RELATED: In the most recent poll, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi leads her Democratic challenger, George Sheldon, by several points. Sheldon is the former Assistant Secretary for Families and Children at the US Department of Health & Human Services.

New From Florida Gov. Rick Scott

FLORIDA: Former Gov. Charlie Crist Files Pro-Gay Marriage Amicus Brief

Via Equality Florida:

Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist has filed an amicus brief today in support of the marriage equality lawsuit Pareto v. Ruvin, which is set for a hearing on July 2 before Judge Sarah Zabel in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami. Judge Zabel will hear from attorneys who filed a lawsuit in January on behalf of six same-sex couples and Equality Florida Institute. The lawsuit argues that Florida’s laws barring same-sex couples from marriage violate the United States Constitution by denying them the legal protections and equal dignity that having the freedom to marry provides. In the brief, Crist stated that as a former Governor and Attorney General who previously supported the ban, he is in a unique position to provide the court a perspective on why it is wrong, harmful to Florida and harmful to gay couples and children who are denied the protections only marriage provides. Crist is among the fast growing majority of Floridians, 57% currently, who have come to support full marriage equality.

Also filing pro-gay briefs are the mayors of Orlando and Miami Beach. The lead counsel for the plaintiffs is National Center for Lesbian Rights attorney Shannon Minter. On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a motion to intervene on behalf of the state as Miami-Dade County Clerk Harvey Ruvin is not "actively defending" against the suit. Earlier this month the above-named judge denied the Liberty Counsel's motion to intervene on behalf of three local anti-gay Christian groups.

Read Crist's amicus brief.

Could Florida be next? I think we've got a good shot.

RELATED:  According to poll released this week, Crist is currently tied with Gov. Rick Scott in the 2014 gubernatorial race.

FLORIDA: Charlie Crist Endorsed By HRC, Vows To Bring Marriage To State

Former (and possibly future) Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was today endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida. The above tweet links to his petition page:

Love is love. Rick Scott has said marriage equality is a "non-issue." Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi argued that recognizing same sex marriages performed in other states would "impose significant public harm." Charlie will fight to bring marriage equality to Florida, because love is love. He's proud to have the support of the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida in our work. Add your name if you'll stand with him, too.

A poll released yesterday shows Crist tied with incumbent GOP Gov. Rick Scott.