Charlie Crist

Crist — who has not committed — has discussed working in St. Petersburg or in Tallahassee, a source confirmed. Crist and Morgan have long been allies, and Morgan helped raise money for his unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate. Morgan was among those pushing Crist to run as an independent when it was clear he could not beat Marco Rubio in the GOP primary.

Morgan is known for his ubiquitous “for the people” billboards and radio ads promoting the firm’s pro-consumer work. As governor, Crist cultivated a similar pro-consumer image.

The firm has offices across Florida and in Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee, but not Tallahassee. Morgan also does not have a lobbying arm. Crist, a Cumberland School of Law grad, leaves office in January.

Crist earlier this week said he was looking at numerous options but declined to be specific about John Morgan and the firm specifically.

Jim Greer

TALLAHASSEE — Former Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer is the subject of a criminal investigation after an auditor found he funneled party money to a political consulting company he owned.

Attorney General Bill McCollum referred the matter to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on March 15 after it was discovered during an internal party audit.

“This information indicates there may have been criminal activity surrounding a former senior official of the Republican Party of Florida and a company called Victory Strategies, LLC,” McCollum said in a statement.

Just a side note that McCollum was never in favor of the actual audit.  John Thrasher stated publicly that he would have a private firm audit the RPOF.  McCollum also knew about the secret deal between Delmar Johnson and Jim Greer for two months before actually going public with the finding.

The audit showed that Greer owned 60 percent of the company and Delmar Johnson, the party’s former executive director, owned the remaining 40 percent. Greer authorized the contract to let Johnson take a 10 percent commission on all dollars he raised for the party coffers. It totaled $133,005 for 2009 with an additional $66,250 for other consulting services.

Gov. Charlie Crist said the news is “terribly disturbing.” Greer was Crist’s hand-picked candidate to lead the state party following the governor’s election in 2006, and Crist remained publicly loyal to Greer until it became obvious in January that Greer had virtually lost all support.

“I find it terribly disturbing to hear, but I know that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will certainly conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation,” Crist said. Asked if the investigation could tarnish leading Republicans, Crist, who’s trailing in polls as a U.S. Senate candidate, said: “I certainly hope that it does not. The acts of individuals are the acts of individuals, and that is for the people to decide.”

Crist said he “had heard rumors” that Greer owned a stake in a consulting company, Victory Strategies, that was paid with party funds.

FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey reports to Crist and the Cabinet, and Crist is constantly accompanied by one or more FDLE agents, but the governor said he did not receive a heads-up of the FDLE probe of Greer. “I heard about it about an hour ago,” Crist said at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Marco Rubio

Miami, FL – Recognizing the importance of the youth vote, the Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate campaign today launched its college campus organizational drive to recruit college students for on-campus campaigning, summer volunteering and voter outreach efforts.  As part of this launch, the campaign announced its 31 Florida college coordinators, who will focus on recruiting supporters, volunteers and interns for the campaign during the final weeks of the spring semester.

The campaign also announced that Rubio will hold his first major statewide college rally on Wednesday, April 14 at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  The event will be broadcast via streaming video to Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate college groups across the state.

“College students are excited about Marco Rubio’s candidacy and drawn to his message of ensuring their generation inherits a secure and prosperous America,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos.  “Through our campus recruiting drive, college students will play a key role in making sure that, by the time they return for the fall semester, Marco will be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate and heading to victory in November.”

“Having a strong presence on Florida’s college campuses is an essential part of communicating Marco’s message and achieving our goals,” Burgos added.  “Marco and his campaign are honored to have students across the state stand with him and stand for the conservative principles that will get America back on a limited government, free market track.”

RUBIO FOR SENATE COLLEGE COORDINATORS

• Ave Maria University: Devin Mace
• Barry University: Sara Quinn
• Broward College: Johann Berenguer
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Mike Carkin
• Florida Atlantic University: James Shackleford
• Florida Gulf Coast University: Jason Boswell
• Florida International University: Johnathan De La Torre
• Flagler College: Bethany Maddox
• Florida State College at Jacksonville: Tyler Smith
• Florida State University: Juan Montalvo
• Indian River State College: Mike Waters
• Jacksonville University: Mike Kerekes
• Lake-Sumter Community College: Tim Mitchum
• Miami-Dade College: Erwin Meinhardt
• Palm Beach Atlantic University: Adam McKinney
• Pasco-Hernando Community College: Jessica Griffin
• Rollins College: Christina Benitez
• Santa Fe College: Monica Gordon
• Southeastern University: Dustin Keeling
• St. Leo University: Nick Bliesner
• St. Petersburg College: Jake Holehouse
• Stetson University: Brooke Nattkemper
• Tallahassee Community College: Miguel Gonzalez
• University of Central Florida: Lauren Edwards
• University of Florida: Josh Mize
• University of North Florida: Hampton Ray
• University of Miami: Vincent Foster
• University of Tampa: Shane Twaddell
• University of South Florida: Thomas Bell
• University of West Florida: Meagan Enderson
• Valencia Community College: John Steuber

Charlie Crist & Marco Rubio

Miami, FL – With the first 2010 U.S. Senate Republican primary debate scheduled for this Sunday on FOX News Sunday, the Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate campaign today questioned which Charlie Crist will show up.

In a new video series launched today, Rubio for Senate provides Floridians with flashbacks to the first time Crist ran for U.S. Senate – in 1998 against Sen. Bob Graham – and debated before the legendary Tim Russert.

As voters will see, there are plenty of reasons to wonder: which Charlie Crist will show up and what positions will he change in order to win this Sunday?

WATCH THE VIDEO

“One of the advantages of perpetually running for political office is that Charlie Crist heads into this Sunday’s debate as a five-time statewide candidate with lots of debate experience,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos.  “Charlie Crist is a slick politician and debater who will say and do anything to score a win.  In addition, he has also made several appearances on Sunday shows, including his most recent one in which he vigorously promoted the failed $787 billion stimulus.

“As these flashbacks will show, a lot has changed since the last time Charlie Crist ran for U.S. Senate, including his positions on a host of issues, though his willingness to say and do anything to get elected is still alive and well,” Burgos added.  “However, Charlie Crist’s biggest challenge this Sunday will be to reconcile his past positions with today’s desperate need to say whatever he thinks is necessary to get elected.”

FACTS ABOUT SUNDAY’S DEBATE

• This is Marco’s first statewide campaign.

• This is Crist’s fifth statewide campaign.  It is also the second time he has run for U.S. Senate.

• This is Marco’s first campaign debate ever.

• Crist has participated in numerous debates – in both primary and general elections for U.S. Senate, Education Commissioner, Attorney General, Governor and now U.S. Senate again.

• This is Marco’s first appearance on a nationally televised Sunday show.

• Crist has been a Sunday show guest before.  In his last memorable Sunday show appearance, Crist defended the stimulus on Meet The Press.

Charlie Crist & Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio’s latest campaign email hits Governor Crist on “Trust”.  It’s titled Oh, you can trust Charlie Crst…   Snip it of email is below

“Miami, FL – Lately, Governor Charlie Crist has seized on a new campaign buzz word: “trust,” which U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio has long insisted is what this election is all about – who Floridians can trust to go to Washington, stand up to the Obama-Reid-Pelosi agenda, and offer a clear alternative.

According to the Miami Herald, “Crist used the loaded word at least a dozen times in a 10-minute speech at a breakfast in Miami hosted by the Christian Family Coalition, an offshoot of the well-known Christian Coalition.” (Miami Herald, 2/27/10)

“Florida voters can trust Charlie Crist alright…to raise taxes, embrace Barack Obama on the stimulus and health care, and be completely untrustworthy on mainstream Republican values,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos.  “Marco Rubio has said all along this race is about trust – it’s about who Floridians trust to go to Washington, stand up on principle to the current misguided agenda, and offer a clear alternative.

“Marco’s record and deeds prove he’s the only one in this race who can be trusted to do this, whereas Charlie Crist has proven time and time again he can only be trusted to stand with the big government, big spending agenda that is threatening America’s future.”

With Rubio in the center of Credit Card Gate one has to wonder about voters “TRUSTING” him as well.  Several sources pointed out that Rubio has other purchases that were made but put on other RPOF AMEX cardholder’s card.

While Speaker of the House Rubio had many opportunities to introduce legislation curtailing illegal immigration yet never did.  As for Rubio’s statement that voters can trust Crist to raise taxes and embrace the stimulus, isn’t this the pot calling the kettle black?  Rubio, you did after all say that you would accept stimulus funds as well or did you forget this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNg4gvWtAE8

When it comes to trusting Rubio or Crist voters are going to be left holding the bag.  At least Bob Smith is shooting straight these days and not double-talking.

Charlie Crist

Governor Charlie Crist wants to increase state spending while lawmakers are looking for ways to reduce government. Crist’s plan holds state workers harmless, increases school spending and pumps millions into environmental projects. As Whitney Ray tells us, lawmakers call Crist’s plan “ambitious.”

After four straight years of declining revenues, Governor Charlie Crist is calling for an increase in state spending.

“We have got to move forward on education, that we have a re commitment to our environment and I think those two things are important to Florida’s economy,” said Crist.

Crist’s budget increases education funding by half a billion dollars, pumps 100 million into the environment and offers tax breaks to businesses. Florida Tax-watch calls the proposal optimistic.

“It doesn’t really get into cutting government and getting into what normal Floridians are doing, tightening their belt, finding ways to do more with less, focusing on core services and eliminating operational expenditures,” said Rob Weissert a spokesman with Florida Tax-watch.

Crist’s spending plan relies heavily on money from increased gambling, raids on trust funds and an uptick in revenue collections.

Over the past five months the state has collected more money than predicted, that trend is expected to continue.

Money from fee increases could also pump millions into the state’s checking account, but state lawmakers aren’t sure the boost will be enough.

“It’s ambitious. It’s our job to look at his categorization of the various priorities of spending and then craft a budget in cooperation with the senate,” said State Representative Dean Cannon.

If revenues don’t increase as much as the governor predicts, and a gaming compact isn’t reached, lawmakers will have to make tough decisions that could include spending cuts and possible layoffs.

One of Crist’s ideas receiving applause from Republican legislative leaders is reworking the class size amendment. State lawmakers are scheduled to unveil a plan tomorrow that would base class size on school populations instead of individual classes.

Charlie Crist

“I am concerned that President Obama’s decision to end NASA’s Constellation program, and prematurely conclude the nation’s significant investment in moon exploration, may place the nation’s space leadership role in question. Without a bold policy and goal for the future of American space exploration, we may cede our nations’ premier space leadership to other countries.

“Despite today’s announcement, there are significant opportunities for Florida in the commercial space industry, and I will work aggressively to ensure Florida is prepared to capitalize on these possibilities.”

Charlie Crist & Marco Rubio

Over the last few weeks have you noticed how the media has been presenting Crist in a positive light?  They haven’t been hitting him like they were on his endorsement of Obama’s stimulus, for the last 2 weeks I have been hard pressed to find anything remotely negative about Crist in the mainstream media.

After the shellacking the Democrats took in Massachusetts you can expect the media to essentially take the gloves off now.  This past weekend the Liberal media attempted to paint Rubio as a horrible carnivore.   Then you had the Press Corps meeting in Miami.  None of the questions they used in their video or reporting had to do with the issues.

This morning on a conference call Rubio noted, “You’re going to see a very aggressive mainstream media in the aftermath of the Massachusetts Senate race. There wasn’t enough time for them to have an impact on a late-breaking phenomenon, and I think you’re going to see them react to that experience… The mainstream media agrees with this administration and its view on the role of government, and they’re going to be very aggressive against anyone who challenges that. When we were just a blip on the screen, we were an interesting curiosity, but now that we’re in the lead, they’re going to be very aggressive.”

Today the Rubio campaigned announced a fundraising blitz.  They want to raise $1,000 for every $1 Billion of the wasted $787 Billion of the so-called stimulus.  February 10^th marks the one-year anniversary of the Crist-Obama man hug that has haunted the Crist campaign.

Donate online right now at marcorubio.com

Marco Rubio

This morning I woke up to a Google Alert that I thought was very interesting.  NBC Miami had a story that basically called Marco a pig killer.  The story was regarding a picture that Future Sen. Marco Rubio uploaded to Twitter around Christmas.  It showed a hog that was about to be slaughtered for the families Christmas.

Being from Polk County and growing up in Frostproof I found nothing weird of the picture.  We are humans we eat animals!  I believe these Liberal pundits just want to imagine that their food beef, pork, or chicken comes from some magical place, a place where the animal is treated like a princess.   This is just one example that shows how far out of touch with reality these people are.

Do Liberals hunt?  Most likely not, they oppose guns most of the time.  Do Liberals Eat?  Michael Moore doesn’t look like he has missed a meal to me.  Is it really that big of a deal to butcher an animal for food?  What have we become a nation of sissies? (No offense to anyone named Sissy)

Is it a crime to provide for one self?  To provide for ones family?  I think not!  Even the Liberal Media is in on the hits.  They never once asked Marco anything on the issues at the Florida Press Corp. conference.  Instead they chose to keep trying to ask tricky questions about Ray Sansom.

I think I might go to pig fest in Lakeland after all today.  Maybe I will be labeled a pig killer too.  Hopefully someone will ask me about it… then I can respond that the pig was so damn delicious I couldn’t resist!  Don’t talk with your mouth full Liberals!