This is a very good example of what ticked off so many Floridians when Crist ran against Jim Davis in 2006. Davis had his ducks in a row on the issues, but good-time Charlie just drifted in and out like a cork bobbing on the tide, propped up by the GOP money machine.
This is why we have seen NOTHING DONE about our skyrocketing property insurance and property taxes, and our dead-last in the country high school graduation rates. It makes me want to pull my hair out.
This story of Crist's groveling at McCain's feet, by selling out our state one more time to the rapacious oil industry, makes me think that good-time Charlie is NOT going to get the VP nod.
This airhead as VP? Give us a break. But if it ain't Charlie, I don't want to think about who it might be.
Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, Mel Martinez
Crist Angles For VP Slot: Endorses McCain’s Plan For Florida Oil Drilling Despite Opposing It Last WeekThink ProgressJune 17, 2008
Yesterday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) proposed lifting the federal ban on offshore oil drilling in Florida. “There are areas off our coasts that should be open to exploration and exploitation, and I hope we can take the first step by lifting the moratoria,” he said, a stark departure from his previous support of the ban.
As the Energy Information Administration noted, lifting the offshore drilling moratorium would have only a minor impact on production and prices. But some Florida conservatives are jumping on the McCain plan anyway. Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) — widely considered a possible McCain running mate — as late as last week opposed the drilling. Today, he flip-flopped and announced he supports McCain:
Crist, last week:
Q: Gov. are you dropping your opposition to drilling for oil off of Florida’s coast?
CRIST: I am not. … No. 1, I don’t like it.
Crist today:
I think that not having that blanket moratorium, and letting state’s rights be recognized, if you will, is certainly appropriate.
Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) who was once “joined at the hip” with Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) in opposing offshore oil drilling, also linked up with McCain today:
I think it’s about providing enough resources where the states want to do it . … The governor seems to have agreed with him (on drilling) and I kind of agree with him so maybe things are changing in that regard.
Florida politicians of both parties “have worked to keep the drilling ban in force along Florida shores for more than 25 years,” the Miami Herald observed today. Many fear “it would harm the state’s beaches that are so vital to its tourism.” Former Governor Jeb Bush (R) has also pushed hard for the ban on drilling.
MSNBC noted today, “No Republicans in Florida have gotten elected statewide without endorsing the moratorium on off-shore oil drilling…if Crist tries to rationalize the McCain decision then we’ll really find out just how much he wants on the ticket.”
Here's more of what our flip-flopping Governor Crist said last week:
Crist opposed drilling in gulf last weekPosted by Jennifer Liberto at 4:43:17 PM on June 17, 2008
At the media availability before Cabinet last week, Gov. Charlie Crist was holding strong against drilling in the gulf. Gov. are you dropping your opposition to drilling for oil off of Florida's coast?
"I am not," he replied.
See below for more about Crist's thoughts on energy and drilling from last Tuesday.
Question: There's also talk of drilling off Florida's coast.
Crist: Who's talking about that?
Question: What do you think about it?
Crist: "No. 1, I don't like it. But nor do I like the price of gas. I don't think the people of Florida are enjoying it, I know they don't. I know they're very frustrated. And I think that...Several thoughts. no. 1 We have a short-term (drought?), I hope, as it relates to the price of fuel. And it's a challenge for our economy. and it ripples through the entire economy. It relates to the price of food, and trucking and other transportation issues and the airline issues. The reality is that we need to find ways to be more energy independent..... It's one of the reasons I think (ethanol) production is so important..." (starts talking about trade mission to Brazil and developing alternative fuels.....)"
"I think the more we move forward, the more clear it is that North America is a place where there's a lot of oil. Whether it's in Montana, or North Dakota or Alaska, or other places, I think people need more help in order to reduce the costs. That's step one. No. 2, I think the development of alternative fuels is going to be increasingly important. It's a finite commodity. I know there's a lot of it. But ultimately being diversified in our energy resources only makes our country stronger."
Republicans are criminally insane.