Crist - "As Popular as Barack Obama"

From Congressional Quarterly: Florida GOP Gov. Crist Riding High as Re-election Year Nears

“As popular as Barack Obama ” is a label coveted these days by any politician — and maybe even more prized by incumbents of the beleaguered Republican Party who face re-election contests in 2010, the first midterm election year of Democrat Obama’s presidency.

And according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll in Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist is one of those Republicans who can wear Obama-like approval ratings as a badge of honor.

The survey of 1,370 Florida voters taken Jan. 14-19 showed 67 percent of respondents held a favorable opinion of Crist, who was elected governor in the 2006 race to succeed term-limited Republican Jeb Bush. Those who said they disapproved totaled 21 percent, with 10 percent saying they did not know enough to answer and 2 percent declining to state an opinion.

These numbers for Crist, two years into his term, were comparable to those enjoyed by Obama in Florida during his pre-inauguration national “honeymoon.” Obama scored a 66 percent favorable rating in the poll taken in the six days immediately before his swearing-in, well above the 51 percent of the vote he took in scoring a key electoral vote victory in Florida last November. While 48 percent of the state’s voters favored Republican John McCain for president, just 16 percent of the poll respondents said they disapproved of Obama, with 12 percent saying they didn’t know enough and 5 percent declining to answer.

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But the partisan breakdown on Crist’s poll numbers show that his image as a Republican centrist, particularly on social issues, is helping him build support across party lines. A solid 58 percent of Democratic respondents and 68 percent of independents joined 72 percent of Republicans in approving of Crist’s performance as governor.

Crist's New Republican Leadership Style Evident in RPOF's Saltsman Response

Politico's Ben Smith examines Governor Crist's New Republican leaderhip style and the RPOF's response to the recent developments in the RNC Chairman's race:

Charlie Crist has, in the wake of the election, cast himself as a leader of the modernizing, more diverse Republican Party, and seems to be weighing in indirectly, via a statement from his state party chairman, Jim Greer, on the Saltsman flap:

As the GOP Chairman in one of our nation’s most ethnically and culturally diverse states, I am especially disappointed by the inappropriate words and actions we’ve seen over the past few days. I am proud of those party leaders who have stood up in firm opposition to this type of behavior.

In Florida we have worked hard to reach out to ALL citizens to promote the Republican Party’s principles and values while ensuring that our commitment to African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority communities is sincere and credible. Actions such as the distribution of this CD, regardless of intent, only serves to promote divisiveness and distracts us from our common goal of building our party.

Today, the GOP has an unprecedented opportunity to embrace change and inclusion, and we are either going to welcome this opportunity fully or watch it slip through our fingers. We can only achieve success if Republican leaders reject racial or any other acts that divide us and instead embrace what unites us as a nation.

Governor Crist Names Peter Boulware to State Board of Education

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today appointed Peter Boulware, 33, of Tallahassee, to the State Board of Education.

“Peter will be a wonderful addition to the State Board of Education,” said Governor Crist. “As a former professional athlete and now as a businessman and father, he has proven himself to be a strong role model who values education and understands how important it is in bettering the lives of Floridians.”

Boulware is married with three children and is vice president of the Legacy Toyota dealership in Tallahassee. A former All-American for the Florida State University Seminoles, Boulware graduated in 1997 and played for nine years in the NFL as a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. In Baltimore, he established the Peter Boulware Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization in which Boulware served as a mentor and motivational speaker to inner-city students, many of them young athletes. He currently serves on the Florida State University Athletics Committee, and previously was a board member of the University of Maryland Medical Children’s Hospital.

“I’m very excited that the Governor has appointed me to this position,” said Boulware. “It’s definitely an honor, and I look forward to working to help improve our education system here in Florida.”

Boulware succeeds Donna Callaway, who resigned on June 25, 2008. Boulware’s appointment is effective immediately, and his term runs through December 31, 2009.

Mortgage Lenders Answer Governor Crist's Call for Foreclosure Relief During Holidays

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist joined representatives of the banking and mortgage lending industry to announce a voluntary agreement to provide foreclosure relief to Florida homestead property owners for the next 45 days. Governor Crist encouraged lenders to continue their efforts to actively negotiate with struggling homeowners during the coming months to help people stay in their homes.

“I applaud these bankers and lenders for giving people hope during this challenging economic time,” Governor Crist said. “Struggling families and homeowners should rest easier during this holiday season, knowing that these lenders have heard the pleas of homeowners.”

Read more here

Governor Crist Joins Governors, International Leaders to Address Global Climate Change

Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his leadership role in addressing global climate change, joined California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in co-hosting United States governors and international leaders in calling for collaborative action across the globe in the fight against climate change. The Governors' Global Climate Summit, held in Los Angeles on November 18 and 19, focuses on creative, collaborative actions to advance the global climate agreement to reduce greenhouse gas. The summit also provides an opportunity for states and provinces to partner to reduce emissions and grow our green economies.

“Florida’s rapid progress has been possible only through partnership agreements with the United Kingdom and Germany, and with the help of my good friend, Governor Schwarzenegger,” Governor Crist said. “This progress does not come at the expense of future economic growth, but rather as a necessity to the future prosperity of our nations and states.”

Governor Crist has hosted Serve to Preserve Florida Summits on Global Climate Change in 2007 and 2008. Since signing three executive orders in 2007 to reduce Florida’s greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and remove market barriers for renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind energy, Florida has stepped onto the world stage as a major marketplace for advanced energy technologies.

Greer says Madison, Jefferson and the Gang Would Applaud Crist

The Herald Tribune's Joe Follick blogs:

Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer had a short interview on MSNBC this afternoon where he defended Gov. Charlie Crist’s 180-degree switcheroo to expand early voting hours.

Greer was asked about an anonymous quote in Politico from a Florida Republican who said the move will cost McCain the election by expanding the ability of Democrats to vote.

“I don’t believe that. We shouldn’t be partisan when it comes to giving voters the opportunity to participate in the process. I know there are some that believe the governor’s actions yesterday to extend voting was not good for the Republican Party. I don’t buy that. I don’t think we’re going to see a greater number of voters coming to the polls,” Greer said, adding that the number of voters will stay the same even if the lines get shorter.

“I think Gov. Crist’s actions yesterday would make our founding fathers quite proud,” he said.

Time: Governor Crist One of Five Most Important People in American Politics Today

Time's ubiqitous political analyst Mark Halperin lists Governor Crist as one of "The Five Most Important People in American Politics Not Running for President" list on today's The Page.

With less than ten days to go before Election Day, this illustrates once again the key role that Florida's Governor continues to play on the national stage.

Governor Crist Makes Friendly Wager with Pennsylvania Governor Rendell

Governor Charlie Crist today contacted Governor Edward G. Rendell of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to make a friendly wager regarding the outcome of the World Series. Tonight, the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies meet in St. Petersburg for Game 1 of series. If the Tampa Bay Rays win the World Series, Governor Crist will send Governor Rendell Florida stone crab claws and a box of Florida oranges. Governor Rendell agreed to send Governor Crist a Philly cheesesteak and soft pretzels.

Governor Crist will attend this evening’s game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Congratulations Governor Crist

The Cato Institute ranked Governor Crist the most fiscally conservative governor in the United States. The Governor was one of three state executives to earn an A rating, and scored more than 15 points higher than the next Governor in the A category.

The Cato Institute noted Governor Crist’s advocacy for major property tax cuts, including signing a measure that requires local governments to roll back a portion of recent property tax increases, while capping future tax increases for some types of property. The Institute also commented on Governor Crist’s support for Amendment 1, which expanded homestead exemptions and established other property tax breaks including portability, saving Florida taxpayers billions of dollars. Finally, CATO mentions that the State Budgets signed by Governor Crist demonstrate restrained spending including use of the line item veto to eliminate many pork barrel projects.

Victory Rallies With Governor Crist

Palin In Florida: Day 2

Photo courtesy of the Palm Beach Post


Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer told cheering GOP supporters this morning that the presidential race will be decided by a close, tough campaign for Florida's 27 electoral votes. Despite slumping poll numbers, Greer expressed continued confidence that Sen. John McCain will carry the state and win the White House. Greer spoke at a rally prior to vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's appearance at the Jacksonville landing. He also warned Republicans to be wary of media "spin" on the McCain-Palin message. "I am confident as your chairman that when the media obstructs the message of less taxes and less government and more freedom, when they try to spin our words, when they try to mischaracterize what they have to say, you as Floridians will get the message right," said Greer. "You will tell your neighbors, you will tell your friends, you will tell your family."

Governor Crist Posts Approval Rating Near 70 %

A new poll released today by the Florida Chamber of Commerce shows more than two-thirds of Florida voters approve of Governor Charlie Crist's job performance. Governor Crist's job approval total is at 67 percent while only 26 percent disapprove.