Gov. Charlie Crist paid $15 for a "Proud to be Union" T-shirt today and told organized labor activists "I need your help" in his independent race for the U.S. Senate.
Crist doffed his suit coat and loosened his tie for twin half-hour appearances before the Florida Education Association and the state AFL-CIO. The state labor federation will make endorsements on Sunday in political races and Crist, who never attended labor conventions when he was a Republican, pointedly reminded the union delegates that some of his pro-labor actions -- like vetoing a major education bill passed by the Republican Legislature -- cost him dearly with his former party.
Crist also recalled going to Fort Myers in February 2009 to personally welcome President Obama on his first visit to the state -- when his endorsement of the Obama stimulus package and a quick hug with the president proved fatal to his GOP candidacy for the Senate. Crist switched to an independent run April 29 and early this month switched his voter registration to no party affiliation.
"There are only three words I could say," Crist began his remarks. "I am here. I am here."
About 300 delegates applauded loudly, as Crist continued, "I am here to learn, I am here to listen, I am here to show respect."
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20100521/CAPITOLNEWS/100521014/Gov.-Crist-campaigns-labor-federation-endorsement
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