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Charles Crist, Jr.

Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 2, 2007
Lieutenant Jeff Kottkamp
Preceded by Jeb Bush
In office
2003–2007
Governor Jeb Bush
Preceded by Richard E. Doran
Succeeded by Bill McCollum
In office
2001–2003
Governor Jeb Bush
Preceded by Tom Gallagher
Succeeded by Jim Horne
In office
1999–2000
Governor Jeb Bush
In office
1992–1998
Born July 24, 1956 (1956-07-24) (age 53)
Altoona, Pennsylvania
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Amanda Morrow (1979-1980) (divorced)
Carole Rome (2008-present)
Residence St. Petersburg, Florida
Alma mater Florida State University, Cumberland School of Law
Profession Lawyer
Religion Methodist
Signature
Website flgov.com

Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. (pronounced /ˈkrɪst/; born July 24, 1956) is an American politician who is the forty-fourth and current Governor of Florida. A member of the Republican Party, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General. He was elected governor in 2006 with 52.4% of the vote (against opponent Jim Davis), and took office the following year.

As Florida Attorney General, an office he held from 2002 until his election as governor, Crist was noted for his efforts to expand the authority of the office to prosecute civil rights violations and protect the environment, as well as his involvement in the Terri Schiavo case, where he broke with the stance of governor Jeb Bush. As governor he has taken conservative positions on a broad range of social issues, including support for gun rights and capital punishment and opposition to elective abortion, same-sex marriage and LGBT adoption. He has diverged from Republican orthodoxy on economic and environmental policy, particularly while working with the Obama administration on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, opposing some forms of offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and using state funds to purchase land in an effort to restore the Florida Everglades. He has been noted for reaching out to Florida's minority communities, particularly the African-American and Asian communities. He gained national prominence by taking an active role in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, both for endorsing and campaigning for Republican candidate John McCain and for a political controversy sparked when he signed a bill moving the presidential primary date in Florida to January 29, 2008.

While his term as governor ends in January 2011, Crist announced on May 12, 2009 that he will not run for re-election as governor and instead will run for the United States Senate.

Contents

Personal life

Crist was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania[1] on July 24, 1956 to Charlie Crist Sr., an American physician of Greek Cypriot descent, and Nancy Lee, of Scotch-Irish American descent.[2] His family name is adapted from the original Greek name "Christodoulou".[3] Crist moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, as a child, where he attended Riviera Middle School[4][5] and graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1974. He is the second of four children and has three sisters: Margaret Crist Wood, Elizabeth Crist Hyden, and Catherine Crist Kennedy. He attended Wake Forest University for two years, where he played quarterback for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. Crist earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University where he was elected Vice President of the student body and was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He received his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law in Alabama.[6][7]

In July 1979, Crist married Amanda Morrow. The couple had no children and divorced less than a year later.[8] Crist became engaged to Carole Rome on July 3, 2008 and was married[9][10][11][12] on December 12, 2008, at the First Methodist Church of St. Petersburg, where Crist is a member.[13][14][15]

Early career

After graduating from the Cumberland School of Law in 1981, and having passed the bar on his third attempt,[16] Crist was hired as general counsel to Minor League Baseball, which was headquartered in St. Petersburg. Drawn to politics, Crist was a candidate for public office for the first time in 1986, as a Republican in the primary race for a state Senate seat in Pinellas County. After losing in a runoff, Crist joined his brother-in-law in private practice in St. Petersburg, but soon returned to politics as an aide in the successful 1988 United States Senate campaign of Connie Mack III, who he has since described as his political mentor.[17]

He was elected to the Florida Senate in 1992, representing parts of St. Petersburg.[18] He established a reputation as a law and order senator, sponsoring legislation requiring inmates to serve at least 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole. He even earned the moniker "Chain Gang Charlie" in some editorials for sponsoring a bill to re-establish chain gangs.[1] He also supported teacher salary increases, co-sponsored laws that created charter schools, and created a vanity license plate sold to raise funds for Everglades conservation.[18] As chairman of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee, Crist pursued an investigation into then-governor Lawton Chiles amid allegations that his campaign had made "scare calls" to senior citizens days before the 1994 gubernatorial election. Chiles eventually testified before Crist and the committee and admitted that his campaign had made the calls.[1][17]

Crist gained statewide name recognition in 1998 as the Republican challenger to the popular incumbent U.S. Senator, Democrat Bob Graham. He lost to Graham by 26 percent[19] but was elected Education Commissioner of Florida in 2000 - a position he held until it became an office filled by political appointment in 2003, pursuant to a 1998 constitutional amendment.[17]

Florida attorney general

In 2002, Crist was elected Attorney General. Supporters of his candidacy included America's Most Wanted host John Walsh, who publicly filed Crist's gubernatorial candidacy paperwork, citing his work with the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During his tenure as Attorney General, Crist was lauded by civil rights and consumer groups for expanding the powers of his office to prosecute civil rights and fraud cases.[1] He received acclaim for his work to combat spam e-mails, freeze utility rates, end telecom deception, and protect the environment.[20] He was criticized by advocates of government intervention in the Terri Schiavo case when he ended official attempts to keep Schiavo on life support.[1][21]

In September, 2006 Canadian anti-consumer-fraud activist and author Les Henderson criticized Crist's handling of the Lou Pearlman-Wilhelmina Scouting Network affair in his self published book Under Investigation. Pearlman, a former boy-band producer ('N Sync, Backstreet Boys) and modeling agency owner serving a 25 year sentence for a $300 million Ponzi scheme, had been under investigation by the Attorney General's office since 2002, during the term of attorney general Bob Butterworth. In 2004, the assistant attorney general leading the investigation, Jacqueline Dowd, was dismissed by the office of the Attorney General. Her successor, John MacGregor, ended the investigation in 2004. In later comments, Dowd stated that she did not know why she was dismissed. During the 2006 gubernatorial campaign, Crists' campaign manager commented that she had resigned, amicably, over a difference of opinion on her contact with the press. Henderson, citing $5,000 in campaign contributions from Pearlman companies to Crist received a year after the investigation was complete, argued that the investigation was dropped because of Pearlman's political connections. The Crist campaign responded that decisions on individual investigations were left to statewide staff attorneys and did not involve the attorney general.[22][23] A lawsuit stemming from the Ponzi scheme and investment scandal alleges that Crist and other state regulators failed to protect investors, and also cites campaign contributions.[24]

2006 gubernatorial campaign

Main article: Florida gubernatorial election, 2006

During the fall of 2006, Crist consistently led Democratic opponent Jim Davis in statewide opinion polling and so opted to skip a politically risky appearance with President George W. Bush. Crist had reasoned that the Pensacola area was already firmly in his camp, and instead decided to appear in a more closely contested area with Arizona Senator John McCain.

Record as governor

Crist in Brazil, 2007.

Crist, one of the more popular Florida governors,[25] has taken generally conservative positions on many social policy issues while also receiving criticism from time to time from Florida Republicans for his fiscal approach, for urging bipartisan cooperation — particularly with President Barack Obama — and for the rigor (or lack thereof) of his official schedule.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32]

Staking out a conservative position on social issues, Crist has supported capital punishment[33] and gun rights; in 2008 he signed into law a provision that prevents employers from prohibiting employees' bringing firearms to the workplace, as long as the weapons are secure and individuals maintain a concealed carry license.[34][35] On the other hand, Crist has received some criticism both for his approach to fiscal policy and state spending. In January 2009, when the state was facing the repercussions of the nationwide recession, Crist angered some political allies for vetoing proposed budget cuts to popular programs despite what some thought was a prior agreement in favor of the cuts.[36] In the same vein, while Republican governors in some other states were rejecting portions of the federal stimulus package, Crist spoke in favor of it and for Florida receiving its full share.[26] In July 2008, as his office and the legislature grappled with a budget deficit estimated at $2.3 billion, Crist and his fiancee made a 12-day trip to Europe that cost taxpayers over $430,000 (not including $30,000 paid by business executives). Crist, who characterised the trip as focused on trade and economic cooperation, cited an agreement closed with Spanish firm Renovalia for energy investment in Florida. While the deal had been shepherded in part by the firms' American attorney, a brother of US Senator Mel Martinez, according to Martinez the negotiations had stalled until Crist's intervention in Spain.[37][38]

Crist has supported efforts to ban gay marriage in Florida, and has also endorsed a ban on adoption by gay prospective parents, arguing that a "traditional family provides the best environment for children."[39][40][41][42][43][44][45] His stance led gay rights groups to protest the passage of the Florida Amendment 2 (now Article 1 Section 27 of the Florida Constitution) ban on gay marriage outside the church and reception during his wedding in 2008.[46][47]

He has appointed the majority of the members of the Florida Supreme Court, including conservative and pro-life judges Charles T. Canady (credited with coining the term "partial-birth abortion" while crafting the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act)[48] and Ricky Polston (whose automobile license plate reads "Choose Life").[49][50] Crist subsequently appointed two additional justices to the Florida Supreme Court, James E.C. Perry and Jorge Labarga, who have both been described as moderate.[51][52]

On other issues, Crist has departed from traditional Republican policy positions, particularly on environmental policy, an important issue in Florida. He announced plans to sign executive orders to impose strict air pollution standards in the state, with aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent of the 1990 levels by 2050. Crist's orders would set new emissions targets for power companies, automobiles and trucks, toughen conservation goals for state agencies, and require state-owned vehicles to use alternative fuels.[53] In his gubernatorial campaign, Crist opposed offshore oil drilling, a position he shared with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Crist reversed that position in June 2008, when oil reached peak prices, saying "I mean, let's face it, the price of gas has gone through the roof, and Florida families are suffering, and my heart bleeds for them." [54][55] Later that month, Crist gave a keynote address at the "Serve to Preserve" Global Climate Change Summit he hosted in Florida.[56] At this same June 2008 conference, Schwarzenegger also gave an address and rebuked politicians who suggested drilling in the Gulf of Mexico as a solution to gas prices, stating: "Anyone who tells you this will lower our gas prices anytime soon is blowing smoke."[57][58] Crist continues to oppose offshore drilling close to the Florida coast, but has advocated research into drilling as far as 10 miles offshore.[59][60] Continuing in a role of environmental advocacy, in June 2008 Crist proposed that the State of Florida buy 187,000 acres of land for conservation, in a landmark deal with the sugar industry. Crist described the deal "as monumental as our nation's first national park."[61] Despite a competing offer floated in November 2008 for private acquisition of the land and a decrease in proposed financing from $1.75B to $1.34B, the South Florida Water Board voted 6-1 in favor of a final, downsized deal. The agreement, which still faces legal and financing challenges, would give the state 73,000 acres of sugar and citrus plantations for Everglades restoration projects.[62][63][64]

Crist was the first Republican governor to accept the state's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) invitation to a convention, and has been described as the state's "first black governor." Crist endorsed legislation requiring paper records of all ballots cast during an election, stemming from criticism that votes were being undercounted in black communities by computerized voting machines.[65][66] He has also tackled the state's regulation of the insurance industry, particularly for property (in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina) and health insurance. While new property insurance legislation has proved controversial, particularly the creation of the Citizen's Property Insurance Corp and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (both of which have been described as risky and underfunded), the health insurance reform efforts have been well received. Standing next to former football star Dan Marino (whose son, Michael, is autistic and inspired the Dan Marino Foundation[67]), Crist signed a law expanding health coverage statewide for autism disorders and he has also signed legislation expanding low-income coverage and creating public-private insurance options in the state.[68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78]

Political activity

2008 presidential election

Senator John McCain played a major role in Crist's 2006 campaign for governor. McCain endorsed Crist and traveled the state campaigning with him. The day before the general election, Crist chose to hold a campaign event with McCain in Jacksonville. A few short months later when the Republican Presidential primary debates were held in St. Petersburg, Crist physically embraced McCain and offered a more tepid welcome to the other presidential candidates. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had also campaigned for Crist during the gubernatorial election, had hoped to secure his endorsement to support a campaign strategy that relied on winning the Florida primary.[79][80][81][82]

In May 2007 Crist signed a bill moving the date of Florida's presidential primary to January 29, 2008. Such adjustments of state primary dates, intended to increase the prominence of an individual states' role in the nominating process of the major political process and known as front-loading, are a violation of the primary rules of both major parties. The change prompted the Democratic National Committee to strip Florida (and Michigan, which made a similar change) of its superdelegates and 50 percent of its regular delegates to the Democratic nominating convention, and the Republican National Committee said it would strip 50% of all of the state's delegates.[83] Crist joined Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm in demanding that their states' delegates be seated. Ultimately, the Democratic National Committee decided to seat all Florida and Michigan delegates while granting each delegate a half vote, and the Republican National Committee came to a similar conclusion.[84][85][86][87]

On January 26, 2008, Crist publicly endorsed McCain in the Republican primary race, saying, "He's a great friend and will do a great job for the United States."[88] McCain later won the primary by five percentage points, despite being outspent by opponent Mitt Romney. Many credited Crist's endorsement for the win, which gave McCain an advantage going into Super Tuesday.[89] In May 2008, Crist, along with Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, spent Memorial Day weekend at McCain's Sedona, Arizona home. Although the McCain campaign denied the gathering was an opportunity to consider a vice presidential candidate, several press outlets reported that the invited guests were indeed being considered for the number two spot on the Republican ticket. Three months later, in August 2008, Alaska governor Sarah Palin was chosen by McCain for the position.[90][91][92]

On October 12, 2008 Crist contradicted McCain campaign statements with regard to voter registration for the presidential general election. The McCain camp stated there was widespread voter registration fraud occurring in various states, including Florida, and community activism group ACORN may be responsible; Crist stated that he believed such reports were "exaggerated" and that he did not have a problem with the voter registration group known as ACORN as it operates in the state of Florida.[93][94] These contradictions led the press to question if there were problems between the McCain campaign and the Republican leadership in Florida. Some members of the press directly asked Crist if he would be campaigning with McCain in Florida. On October 14, 2008, Crist indicated that his primary responsibilities lay with the people of Florida, saying, "When I have time to help out my friend [McCain] I'm eager and anxious to do so."[95] He did go on to participate in several campaign rallies several days later.[96]

On October 28, 2008 Crist extended early voting hours of operation and declared that a "state of emergency exists" due to record voter turnout and resultant hours-long waits at locations throughout the state.[97] Some Republican operatives were disappointed with the decision, including one anonymous source who said "He just blew Florida for John McCain."[98][99] Some journalists documented the lines of elderly and minority voters waiting in line for hours in bad weather. Crist emphatically stated that it was "not a political decision. It's a people decision."[100][101]

On October 29 and October 31, 2008, Crist made several appearances on MSNBC's Morning Joe in which he told former Florida congressman Joe Scarborough that the race was tightening in Florida.[102][103] However, Crist left a poorly-attended McCain rally in Tampa on the last day of the race and was a no-show at previously scheduled interviews that were to take place after the rally, according to Ed Henry, reporter for CNN.[104]

Republican Governors Association meeting in Miami

On November 12–14, 2008, Crist hosted the Republican Governors Association (RGA) annual meeting in Miami. After the resounding Democratic Party win in the 2008 election[105], there was widespread speculation about the tone of the Republican Governors meeting. Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin was a featured participant and speaker. She held her first press conference since joining the McCain ticket at the post-election RGA meeting, and received the majority of media coverage. Several Republican Governors made anonymous comments to CNN reporter Dana Bash about their disapproval of how Palin's participation in the conference was handled.[106][107] Crist spoke about this at length in an interview with Joe Scarborough[108]

Crist's speech at the RGA conference entitled "Listen to the Voters and Serve" included his sentiments on how the GOP should evolve:

“ This party can no longer hope to reach Hispanics, African-Americans and other minority groups — we need to just do it. Embracing cultures and lifestyles will make us a better party and better leaders. This desire for inclusiveness is near and dear to my heart.... Last week, the American people made a choice and this week, if we choose to call ourselves leaders, if we truly endeavor to serve with a servant's heart for the people who count on us, then we too must work together, listen to one another and learn from the leaders who made the kind of history the American people deserve.[109] ”

Crist also held a joint interview with Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina and they discussed the split in the Republican Party over where to direct the party's next efforts to gain more voters.[110]

Outrage documentary

In April 2009, Crist was one of the subjects of Kirby Dick's documentary Outrage, a Tribeca Film Festival feature about politicians who the film claims are "closeted" homosexuals and vote against gay rights. The film featured interviews with multiple subjects who claimed to have had sexual relations with Crist.[111] This led to a public debate about Crist's sexual orientation, right to privacy and the political ramifications of the claims for future elections.[112][113][114][115][116][117]

2010 Senate candidate

Main article: United States Senate election in Florida, 2010

Crist announced May 12, 2009 that he will not run for re-election as governor and will instead run for the US Senate in 2010. Some opponents in the senate race include fellow Republican Marco Rubio[118][119] and Democrat Kendrick Meek.[120] During the 2008 election, Crist was also mentioned as a potential 2012 presidential candidate.[121]

References

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  23. ^ Follick, Joe (October 3, 2006). "Book: Crist tried to 'whitewash' probe". The Gainesville Sun. http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/LOCAL/210030330/1078/news. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  24. ^ Huntley, Helen (March 6, 2007). "Lawsuit faults Crist in giant Ponzi scheme". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/06/Business/Lawsuit_faults_Crist_.shtml. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
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  34. ^ Dara Kam (April 15, 2008). "Crist signs bring your gun to work bill". Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/state/epaper/2008/04/15/0415gunsatwork.html. 
  35. ^ "Florida lawmakers pass "take your guns to work" law". Reuters. April 9, 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0948339420080409. 
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  37. ^ Marc Caputo, Steve Bousquet (December 11, 2008). "Florida's budget deficit jumps by $150 million to $2.3 billion". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/top-stories/story/808099.html. 
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  39. ^ Curt Anderson (November 25, 2008). "Miami judge rules against Florida gay adoption ban". Associated Press. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=6329631. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
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  41. ^ Bousquet, Steve (29 July 2006). "Crist: Gay civil unions 'fine'". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2006/07/29/State/Crist__Gay_civil_unio.shtml. Retrieved 2009-04-13. 
  42. ^ "Ballot Measures—Florida Amendment 2: Ban on Gay Marriage". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#FLI01. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
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  44. ^ Hafenback, Josh (September 10, 2008). "Florida Gov. Charlie Crist won't campaign for anti-gay-marriage amendment". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-flfcrist0910sbsep10,0,2718291.story. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  45. ^ "Yes2Marriage endorsements". Florida4Marriage.org. http://yes2marriage.org/about-us/endorsements. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  46. ^ Dolinski, Catherine (December 1, 2008). "Gay Rights Protest Planned For Gov. Crist's Wedding". The Tampa Tribune. http://suncoastpinellas.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/01/gay-rights-protest-planned-governors-wedding/. Retrieved 2008-12-13. 
  47. ^ "Crist says he has 'no jitters' about wedding". Associated Press. December 4, 2008. http://www.nbc6.net/news/18202402/detail.html. Retrieved 2008-12-13. 
  48. ^ Mark D. Killian (September 1, 2008). "Crist appoints Canady to the Supreme Court"". Florida Bar Website. http://www.floridabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/jnnews01.nsf/8c9f13012b96736985256aa900624829/2eb4833d95bd10f0852574b3005238aa?OpenDocument. Retrieved August 20, 2009. 
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  50. ^ "Wells submits resignation, as expected, giving Crist the 4th court vacancy". Miami Herald. http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/11/wells-submits-r.html. 
  51. ^ MICHAEL C. BENDER and SUSAN SPENCER-WENDEL (January 2, 2009). "Wellington judge appointed to Fla. Supreme Court". PalmBeachPost.com. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/local_news/epaper/2009/01/02/labarga0102.html. 
  52. ^ Bill Kaczor (11 Mar 2009). "Sanford's James Perry named to high court". MyFoxOrlando. http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/031109_James_Perry_named_to_high_court. 
  53. ^ Jim Loney (July 11, 2007). "Florida To Introduce Tough Greenhouse Gas Targets". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN1125764520070711. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  54. ^ "Florida's Crist has new view of offshore drilling ban" http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D91CGGV81&show_article=1
  55. ^ "In Switch, Florida's Crist Eyes Offshore Drilling" NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91680890
  56. ^ 2008 "Serve to Preserve" Florida Summit on Global Climate Website http://www.myfloridaclimate.com/env/home/2008_climate_summit
  57. ^ "Arnold’s Subtle Digs at McCain and Crist over Offshore Drilling" http://earthfirst.com/arnold%E2%80%99s-subtle-digs-at-mccain-and-crist-over-offshore-drilling/
  58. ^ Huffington Post "Arnold Schwarzenegger Calls Out John McCain And Charlie Crist On Offshore Drilling" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/09/arnold-schwarzenegger-cal_n_111567.html
  59. ^ Bay News 9 "One on One with Charlie Crist" http://www.baynews9.com/VideoPlayer/?Crist_Interview_424
  60. ^ Bay News 9 "One on One with Charlie Crist" http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/4/25/464723.html
  61. ^ Guardian UK "Florida to buy 187,000 farmland acres to preserve Everglades" http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/24/conservation.usa
  62. ^ Miami Herald "Crist praises water managers for support of Big Sugar land buy" http://www.miamiherald.com/business/breaking-news/story/1048326.html
  63. ^ Miami Herald "Crist has competition: U.S. Sugar has offer from another suitor" http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/11/crist-has-compe.html
  64. ^ AP "Fla. revises deal with US Sugar to save Everglades" By Jessica Gresko The Associated Press November 11, 2008 http://www.topix.com/content/ap/2008/11/fla-revises-deal-with-us-sugar-to-save-everglades
  65. ^ AP, 23 August 2007 Crist earns kudos from black caucus
  66. ^ Brendan Farrington (October 11, 2007). "Gov. Crist lauded by African-Americans, called 'first black governor'" (). South Florida Sun-Sentinel. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-flfcristblacks1011nboct11,0,6766644.story. 
  67. ^ http://www.childnett.tv/videos/stories/foundation_inspired_family
  68. ^ Insurance Journal "Fla. Gov. Crist Persuades Cabinet to Block Insurers' Exit" http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2007/02/01/76468.htm
  69. ^ http://www.flgov.com/release/9150
  70. ^ "Governor Crist Launches Shop and Compare Website" http://www.ShopAndCompareRates.com and http://www.flgov.com
  71. ^ Wall Street Journal "Florida's Unnatural Disaster Charlie Crist, taxpayers and the next hurricane." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123371173559046209.html
  72. ^ Associated Press "Crist: Florida 'better off' without State Farm" http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090129/NEWS/901290919/0/LIVING
  73. ^ NPR "State Farm Abandons Florida's Homeowners Market" http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99942808
  74. ^ Miami Herald "Crist to State Farm: Good riddance" http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2009/01/crist-to-state-farm-good-riddance.html
  75. ^ Saint Petersburg Times "Crist to State Farm: Bu-bye!" http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2009/01/crist-to-state.html
  76. ^ CBS 4 "Crist To Sign Citizens Rate Hike Legislation" http://cbs4.com/politics/Florida.Citizens.Insurance.2.1001569.html
  77. ^ New York Times "New Florida Law Allows Low-Cost Health Policies" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/us/22crist.html
  78. ^ WKRG "Crist Signs Autism Health Insurance Coverage Bill" http://www.wkrg.com/medical/article/crist_signs_autism_health_insurance_coverage_bill/14127/
  79. ^ Seattle Times "We'll win Florida, Guiliani says" http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004121276_rudy12.html
  80. ^ MSNBC "Giuliani pins his hopes on Florida" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22706715/
  81. ^ Farrington, Brendan (January 30, 2008). "Gov Crist could benefit from McCain win". Associated Press. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-01-30-104286216_x.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  82. ^ The Boston Globe "Calling McCain a true American hero fla governor endorses" http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/calling_mccain_a_true_american_hero_fla_governor_endorses_senator/
  83. ^ AP and Fox News "Florida Governor Signs Bill to Move Up Presidential Primary to January" http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,274254,00.html
  84. ^ New York Times "G.O.P. Plans Early-Primary Penalties" http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/us/politics/29calendar.html
  85. ^ Miami Herald "All 114 FL delegates get seats on GOP convention floor" http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/08/all-114-fl-dele.html
  86. ^ CNN " Florida, Michigan get all delegates, but each gets half vote" http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/31/dems.delegates/index.html
  87. ^ Politico "Florida Gov. wants all delegates seated" http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0208/Florida_Gov_wants_all_delegates_seated.html
  88. ^ "McCain scores Crist's endorsement". Miami Herald. January 26, 2008. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/395209.html. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
  89. ^ Ray, Whitney (January 27, 2008). "Crist’s Endorsement Helped McCain Defeat Romney". Capitol News Service. http://www.flanews.com/?p=1693. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  90. ^ "McCain to host possible VPs at home". CBS News. May 21, 2008. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/21/politics/main4116775.shtml?source=related_story. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  91. ^ Nagourney, Adam (May 22, 2008). "McCain looks to fill ticket and 3 hopefuls step up". New York Times. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/21/america/21cndmccain.php. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  92. ^ Cooper, Michael; Elisabeth Bumiller (August 29, 2008). "Alaskan Is McCain’s Choice; First Woman on G.O.P. Ticket". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/us/politics/29palin.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  93. ^ Deslatte, Aaron (October 12, 2008). "ACORN's voter signups bother McCain, but not Crist". Orlando Sentinel. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-capview1208oct12,0,3684013.column. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  94. ^ "GOP May be exaggerating voter fraud". Associated Press. October 15, 2008. http://www.examiner.com/a-1639690~Crist__GOP_may_be_exaggerating_voter_fraud.html. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  95. ^ Kallestad, Brett (January 26, 2008). "Crist says Fla. is his top priority, then McCain". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/725918.html. Retrieved 2008-10-15. 
  96. ^ Smith, Adam (October 19, 2008). "Sunnily,Gov Crist stumps for McCain". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/article861228.ece. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  97. ^ Flaherty, Mary Pat (October 28, 2008). "Crist Extends Early Voting Hours in Fla.". The Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/28/crist_extends_early_voting_hou.html. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  98. ^ Smith, Ben (October 28, 2008). "Crist Extends Voting Hours". The Politico. http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Crist_extends_voting_hours.html. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  99. ^ Rabin, Charles; Jennifer Lebovich and Marc Caputo (October 29, 2008). "Florida's Early Voting Hours Are Extended". The Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/florida/story/745715.html. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  100. ^ Maguire, Kirstin; Amy Sherman and Adam H. Beasley (October 28, 2008). "Florida declares emergency, Extends voting hours". The Miami Herald. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/54888.html. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  101. ^ Charlie Crist. (October 28, 2008) (.MP3). Crist press conference audio on extending voting hours in Florida. St. Petersburg Times. http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/files/cristpresser2008-10-28.mp3. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  102. ^ Charlie Crist, Joe Scarborough. (October 28, 2008). Morning Joe Interviews Crist on Oct 31,2008. MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27470890#27470890. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  103. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvAgWmwPKHM [Morning Joe with Crist]
  104. ^ CNN "McCain draws small Florida crowd on race’s final day" http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/03/mccain-draws-small-florida-crowd-on-race%E2%80%99s-final-day/
  105. ^ CBS News "Barack Obama Wins Presidency" http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/04/politics/main4571289.shtml
  106. ^ Dana Bash (November 14, 2008). "Awkward Staging of Palin's First Press Conference". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/11/14/ac.raw.thursday.cnn. 
  107. ^ Joe Follick (November 14, 2008). "On Crist's turf, it's Palin's show". Herald Tribune. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081114/article/811140355. 
  108. ^ Joe Scarborough. "Morning Joe Interview with Crist on Republican Governors 2008 Meeting in Miami". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27717080#27717080. 
  109. ^ A Message from Charlie "Listen to the Voters and Serve" By Charlie Crist http://www.charliecrist.com/
  110. ^ Bloomberg News "Governors Crist, Sanford Split Over Republican Path to Success" http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aahiSQ2bhTN8&refer=us
  111. ^ Outrage, 2009, directed by Kirby Dick
  112. ^ Alex Koppelman (April 24, 2009). "Re-outing Charlie Crist". Salon. http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/04/24/outrage/index.html. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  113. ^ Megan Slack (April 28, 2009). ""Outrage" Documentary: Activists Outing Gay Conservatives". The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/28/outrage-documentary-activ_n_192476.html. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  114. ^ Kris Kitto. "As 'Outrage' documentary debuts, outing is deflating". The Hill. http://thehill.com/cover-stories/as-outrage-documentary--debuts-outing-is-deflating-2009-04-22.html. 
  115. ^ Tina Daunt (May 8, 2009). "Kirby Dick's 'Outrage' comes at pivotal moment in gay rights fight". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-cause8-2009may08,0,6665296.story. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  116. ^ Terry Gross (May 6, 2009). "Kirby Dick: In The Political Closet, Dark Shadows". National Public Radio. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103832005. 
  117. ^ A.O. Scott (May 8, 2009). "Secret Lives in the Age of Gay Rights"". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/movies/08outr.html. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  118. ^ Damien Cave and Gary Fineout (May 12, 2009). "Restless in Tallahassee, or With Eye on 2012, Governor Rolls Dice". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/us/13cristq.html. Retrieved August 21, 2009. 
  119. ^ Miami Herald "Is Republican Party united behind Charlie Crist?" http://www.miamiherald.com/515/story/1045369.html
  120. ^ Beth Reinhard (April 2, 2009). "Kendrick Meek raises $1.5 million for Senate bid"". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/569/story/980067.html. 
  121. ^ Martin, Jonathan (November 10, 2008). "GOP Gears Up For 2012". The Politico. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/09/politics/politico/main4586394.shtml. Retrieved 2008-11-15. 

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