bobbyw24
11-12-2009, 07:28 AM
Truth and consequences for Crist
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist hasn’t done himself any political favors by feigning ignorance that President Obama was in his home state last month.
Desperately trying to distance himself from President Obama and his own early support for the administration’s stimulus in the midst of a competitive Senate primary, Crist told reporters that he had no clue that the president was in Florida.
But through a public records request, the St. Petersburg Times found his top aides were well-informed of the president’s visit and responded to the White House that the governor couldn’t attend:
A detailed itinerary and invitation was provided by the White House on Oct. 23, three days before the visit, and Crist's executive assistant wrote back the same day saying, "Unfortunately, the governor will be unable to attend."
In ordinary times, Crist's claim may have drawn puzzled looks for a day or two. Obama's visit was widely previewed in the news and the governor is a regular reader. ...
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:qy9pKPZs8ETFLM:http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/President%2BObama%2BHolds%2BTown%2BHall%2BMeeting% 2BFort%2BJi6-hYt6bB_l.jpg
E-mails obtained by the St. Petersburg Times this week through a public records request cast doubt on that claim. The messages prove Crist's office was aware of the visit, and it seems unlikely his aide would have dismissed Crist going to Jacksonville without checking with Crist.
Crist's office declined to comment further Tuesday.
Crist already is having trouble winning over his party’s base against a primary challenger, Marco Rubio, who has run as an unadulterated conservative. But by coming across as a candidate willing to say anything to get elected, Crist now runs the risk of alienating the moderates and independents who have been by his side throughout his governorship.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1109/Truth_and_consequences_for_Crist.html
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist hasn’t done himself any political favors by feigning ignorance that President Obama was in his home state last month.
Desperately trying to distance himself from President Obama and his own early support for the administration’s stimulus in the midst of a competitive Senate primary, Crist told reporters that he had no clue that the president was in Florida.
But through a public records request, the St. Petersburg Times found his top aides were well-informed of the president’s visit and responded to the White House that the governor couldn’t attend:
A detailed itinerary and invitation was provided by the White House on Oct. 23, three days before the visit, and Crist's executive assistant wrote back the same day saying, "Unfortunately, the governor will be unable to attend."
In ordinary times, Crist's claim may have drawn puzzled looks for a day or two. Obama's visit was widely previewed in the news and the governor is a regular reader. ...
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:qy9pKPZs8ETFLM:http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/President%2BObama%2BHolds%2BTown%2BHall%2BMeeting% 2BFort%2BJi6-hYt6bB_l.jpg
E-mails obtained by the St. Petersburg Times this week through a public records request cast doubt on that claim. The messages prove Crist's office was aware of the visit, and it seems unlikely his aide would have dismissed Crist going to Jacksonville without checking with Crist.
Crist's office declined to comment further Tuesday.
Crist already is having trouble winning over his party’s base against a primary challenger, Marco Rubio, who has run as an unadulterated conservative. But by coming across as a candidate willing to say anything to get elected, Crist now runs the risk of alienating the moderates and independents who have been by his side throughout his governorship.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1109/Truth_and_consequences_for_Crist.html