Charlie Crist
Miami, FL–Despite U.S. Senate candidate and former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio’s open invitation for a series of campaign debates, Governor Charlie Crist has thus far declined, saying he’s too busy “governing.”
On Friday, Crist will repeat his performance at July’s Florida Society of News Editors/Florida Press Association conference when he attends another statewide organization’s conference only to duck out before the candidate forum.
According to The Miami Herald, “All of the major contenders for governor and U.S. Senate have agreed to attend a candidates’ forum Friday evening in Orlando hosted by the Florida Association of Realtors. Except the Senate frontrunner, Gov. Charlie Crist. … The event will mark the second time Crist has declined an opportunity to contrast himself with his Republican rival, former House Speaker Marco Rubio. Last month, he attended a Florida Society of Newspaper Editors lunch in Palm Beach but left before a candidate forum with Rubio.” (“Crist Dodges Another Candidate Forum,” The Miami Herald, 8/17/09)
“With plenty of real estate to debate on, there is still no room on Charlie Crist’s schedule for a discussion about his historically dismal economic record and Florida’s future,” said Rubio campaign spokesman Alex Burgos. “Once again, Charlie Crist is missing an opportunity to tell Floridians why they shouldn’t blame him for a tenure that has seen Florida’s population decline for the first time since World War II, its unemployment rate nearly triple, housing values plummet and property taxes not ‘drop like a rock.’”
“If this campaign is a harbinger of what we can expect of him in the Senate, Charlie Crist may go on to set records for voting ‘present’ instead of taking definitive stances on the issues of the day,” he added. “As Speaker Rubio welcomes another opportunity to discuss his ideas and principles, his debate invitation to Charlie Crist remains on the table as well as his willingness to work around the governor’s busy ‘governing’ schedule to make them happen.”
On June 22, Rubio Invited Crist To A Series Of At Least 10 Debates
“Because Florida’s next U.S. Senator will be entrusted with steering our state and country during an era of serious domestic and international challenges, it is imperative that we provide Floridians with numerous opportunities to learn more about the choice before them in this election. … Accordingly, I invite you to join me in a series of at least ten debates, beginning this fall. Organized by GOP organizations in each of Florida’s media markets, these unprecedented debates would cover a full range of state and national issues, while showcasing Florida as a national leader in promoting the very best political discourse the Republican Party has to offer.” (“Letter From Marco Rubio For U.S. Senate To Charlie Crist For U.S. Senate, 7/22/09)
That Same Day, Crist’s Campaign Said He Was Busy “Governing”
“Crist’s campaign political director did not have an immediate response to Rubio’s challenge. ‘The governor is clearly looking forward to debating at the appropriate time,’ Pablo Diaz said. ‘Right now, he’s just focusing on governing.’” (“Rubio Challenges Crist To Series Of Debates In Senate Race,” Gannett News Service, 7/23/09)
In Reality, He Was “Governing” At A Washington, DC Fundraiser
“Florida’s Republican Governor Charlie Crist is getting a big boost for his U.S. Senate bid from a bevy of GOP A-listers. Helping to raise money for Crist in Washington are Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) chairman Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and 2008 GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. The power trio will be on hand – along with yet other Republican luminaries – to help attract major donors at an event for Crist slated for June 22 at the NRSC, according to a report in The Hill, which obtained an invitation.” (“Sens. McConnell, Cornyn, McCain To Raise Money For Charlie Crist,” Newsmax, 6/12/09)
The Next Day, He Was “Governing” At An Atlanta Fundraiser
“Yesterday, Marco Rubio challenged Gov. Charlie Crist to at least 10 debates in their GOP primary for U.S. Senate. A spokesman said Crist would debate at the appropriate time but ‘in the meantime, he’s focused on governing.’ But Crist has spent the past two days fundraising, including an event in D.C. yesterday and one this evening in Atlanta. As for governing, his official schedule has shown no public events, just a few phone calls with staff.” (“Is Crist ‘Governing’ Or Fundraising Out Of State?” St. Petersburg Times, 6/23/09)
On July 10, Crist Skipped A Candidate Forum, Though He Was In The Same Venue Just Hours Earlier
“Rubio spoke at the annual Florida Society of News Editors/Florida Press Association conference Friday… Crist, who leads Rubio in the polls by a 2-1 ratio, attended a luncheon hosted by the news editors in the same building. But the governor declined an invitation to appear with Rubio at the candidate’s forum that immediately followed the lunch, saying ‘I have governing to do today.’” (“Rubio Says He Will Win Fla. Senate Race On Ideas,” Associated Press, 7/10/09)
On July 18, Crist “Governed” At A New York Fundraiser
“Florida’s Republican Governor Charlie Crist will head [to] the home of Jill and Bobby Zarin … to raise money for his U.S. senate campaign, reports say. Zarin … stars on the Bravo reality show The Real Housewives of New York…” (“Governor Crist Teams Up With ‘Real Housewife’ For Fundraiser,” The Examiner, 7/10/09)
In July, Crist “Governed” At An Aspen Fundraiser
“Gov. Charlie Crist, recently back from a weekend fundraiser in New York, jets off to Aspen, Colorado this weekend for a $2,400 per person fundraiser… Attire: ‘Colorado Casual.’ the invite suggests.” (“Developers And Casino Backer Hold Colorado Fundraiser For Crist,” The Miami Herald, 7/28/09)
Charlie Crist Has Been Criticized For Saying Little About His Campaign
“The irony is, Rubio actually delivers a message, and Crist, thus far, isn’t. He often answers reporters’ questions about federal issues by saying he’s too busy governing – and then takes time away from his job to raise campaign money at out-of-state events away from the public eye.” (“Rubio Bets Message Vs. Money Wins Fla. Senate Seat, Associated Press, 8/3/09)
“It took Republican candidate for the Senate and former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio’s opposition to Sotomayor to force Crist into a ‘me too’ position. … Until Tuesday, Crist had really taken no positions on any major federal issue since announcing his candidacy. He would have you believe this is because he is too busy performing his duties as governor. This is ludicrous in view of the amount of time he has spent promoting and raising money for his U.S. Senate candidacy. Despite claiming to be busy working, Crist’s duties as governor have not prevented him from attending nightly fundraisers, including multiple out of state fundraising events. … The Miami Herald recently wrote that Tallahassee is the one place you’re least likely to find Gov. Crist. The only place you’re less likely to find him is taking a stand on important federal issues, until he’s forced into it.” (Crist Avoids Taking Stands On Major Issues,” Op-Ed By Former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre, The Miami Herald, 7/24/09)
“Republican Charlie Crist says he’s too busy governing Florida to take a stand on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor and other federal issues. … ‘If you want to serve as U.S. senator, people deserve to know where you stand on the issues,’ said Republican Marco Rubio, who opposes Sotomayor’s confirmation. ‘I’m prepared to fly up to Washington and New York to debate him . . . if I have to work around his fundraising schedule.’ The front-running Democratic candidate, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami, also called on Crist Thursday to weigh in on the Supreme Court nominee. ‘Florida needs a senator who studies the issues of the day and stakes out principled positions rooted in conviction,’ Meek said in a fundraising appeal that praised Sotomayor. ‘Our state does not need a fence sitter who is the last person to formulate opinions about issues of profound importance.’” (“Gov. Charlie Crist Won’t Take A Stand On Sotomayor,” The Miami Herald, 7/17/09)
“But even without Crist, the event still managed to show a contrast between the governor and Rubio as Senate candidates. Crist has said little about his candidacy and even less about issues facing the federal government. Rubio took questions for 45 minutes about a wide range of issues – Cuba, taxes, the environment, the federal stimulus package, immigration reform, Supreme Court appointments and more – and answered them in detail.” (“Rubio Says He Will Win Fla. Senate Race On Ideas,” Associated Press, 7/10/09)
“When asked about the ongoing health care debate and the idea of whether or not he is opposed to creating a public plan Crist had this response: ‘Obviously the health care debate is incredibly important, it’s a huge issue for Florida clearly and I think, you know, that we want to have as much as the private sector involved as possible,’ Crist said. This is not an isolated incident. Crist has steered clear of talking much about any of the federal issues… Rubio has spent most of his campaign focusing on what he thinks is wrong with the Obama administration all down the line.” (“When Will Crist, Sink And McCollum Have To Take A Stand?” The Fine Print, 7/13/09)
“Rubio’s a big thinker. … Crist’s a modest thinker — and big fund raiser. … He skipped their forum for U.S. Senate candidates — so many places to go, so much money to raise — staying just long enough to work the room (nobody does it better) and present an open-government records award to his aide… The governor personifies those admirable traits. And yet most of the people who actually accomplish anything, especially in government, generally put more value on new ideas, innovation, competence and kicking butt. Those are qualities Marco Rubio values. The former Florida House speaker from West Miami was the only candidate at the forum and served notice that he’s on a mission from God and Grover Norquist. He’s going to rough up Charlie on the issues before the primary is over. … Still, Rubio has big ideas going for him. Charlie Crist has the force of a sunny personality and a bipartisan record. Republicans do have a choice, not an echo.” (“Crist Thinks Cash, Rubio Thinks Big, The Miami Herald, 7/15/09)
Compared To His Debate-Hungry 2006 Gubernatorial Campaign, Crist’s Debate Ducking In 2009 Marks A Remarkable Turnaround
“Attorney General Charlie Crist challenged Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher Wednesday to a series of 12 debates to show Floridians how democracy should work. … This election should be more than a contest of who can raise the most money, Crist wrote. The candidates could chart a different course by engaging in 12 debates beginning later this year, he said, likening the potential series to the historic debates between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. ‘We could cover the great breadth of our state and together make a statement that we are both committed to a full, open and thorough exchange of the issues that affect Florida’s future,’ Crist wrote.” (“Crist Asks Gallagher For Series Of Debates,” St. Petersburg Times, 6/30/05)
“Crist’s campaign issued a statement in which he said: ‘It is well known that the treasurer knows how to raise money. I look forward to a campaign not just purchased on television, but a real discussion of issues. … For our part, we are still counting the contributions to our campaign.’” (“Gallagher Taps $3-Million In 6 Weeks,” St. Petersburg Times, 7/2/05)
“Crist, former St. Petersburg High senior class president, later spoke to the party faithful for 15 minutes, touting his pledge to never sign a new tax, and his challenge to fellow Republican candidate Tom Gallagher to hold a series of debates before the September primary. ‘I asked my opponent to debate. Actually, I’ve asked him to debate 12 times,’ Crist said. ‘And he said, ‘Well, maybe we’ll do it in July.’ ‘Whatever.’” (“Pinellas GOP Wows Crist,” St. Petersburg Times, 10/12/05)
