The Photos: Charlie Crist Campaign HQ Opening
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Charlie Crist opened his Broward headquarters Saturday, a key step in a pivotal county where a big win is necessary for a Democratic victory in November.
Crist was greeted by about 300 Democratic activists and local Democratic politicians at the mid-day event on South University Drive in Plantation.
Broward is crucial to Crist’s success, so much so that he is renting an apartment in Fort Lauderdale during the campaign. The new headquarters will be an operational center for marshalling volunteers in all-important Broward.
Democrats know that Crist will win Broward, which is heavily Democratic. The goal is to win Broward by such a large margin that it offsets Republican areas in other parts of the state.
Crist needs to pull a victory vote margin of more than 225,000 out of Broward to win statewide, according to several sources close to the campaign.
It won’t be easy. The turnout in Broward in gubernatorial races has been plunging for years and has trailed the statewide turnout by as much as 10 percentage points in the last three elections.
Incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign knows math, too. So Team Scott is making a major effort to suppress the Broward Democratic victory vote margin.
Miami Dade and Palm Beach Counties — other areas of some Democratic strength — are also critical battlegrounds for Crist.
On Saturday, Scott’s forces announced it had knocked on 120,000 doors in the campaign to date.
In addition, there is Florida’s history of voting for GOP candidates in off-year statewide elections. A Democratic candidate for governor hasn’t won since 1994 and that was Lawton Chiles, a fabled Florida politician who had been a U. S. Senator 20 years.
The shock troops of the GOP — the Tea Party — were at the Crist headquarters on Saturday. They were a handful, but accomplished their goal of getting some attention from the media.
Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee Sharon Day of Fort Lauderdale also was there to offer GOP views to the media.
The media question for Crist: “Will you debate Nan Rich?”
Ans: “No, my opponent is Rick Scott.”
Rich, a Weston former state Senate, is Crist’s opponent in the Democratic primary.
It is a manufactured issue for political insiders. No sensible candidate as far ahead as Crist is going to give visibility and a forum to a candidate so little known as Rich.
Check out the photos from the opening below:
A video from Charlie Crist about the day’s events in Broward is here.
State Rep. Jim Waldman and County Commissioner Stacy Ritter take a selfie
The crowd outside the new headquarter (Broward Democratic Chair Mitch Ceasar in blue polo and blue faded jeans to the left)
Jacob Smith is Crist’s new deputy field director for Broward
Former State Senator Steve Geller Speaks
Charlie Crist speaks to the crowd
Charlie Crist (white hair) with Sheriff Scott Israel
April 19th, 2014 at 6:13 pm
Crist fits right in. He goes from Republican to Democrat and is married because he does not want people to know he is gay just like his gay buddy Obama he has done nothing but flip flopped on things that are important. He is a idiot and just wants to be a top political ignorant ass just like Obama. At least Rick Scott has done things to make Florida a better place
April 19th, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Great turnout. I remember just six years ago how every single one of the people here couldn’t stand this guy. Amazing how much difference one letter makes in this county.
I was surprised at how old Governor Crist looks now. Lots of stress I suppose.
April 19th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
The crowds were going wild, people parked as far a 5 blocks to see Charlie. They really believe in Charlie. Even as a Republican he appealed to both parties. Good Bye Asshole Rick Scott
April 19th, 2014 at 7:18 pm
First, why is Scott Israel at a political event in uniform? I am sure he will have some stupid excuse.
Second, all these Democrats are aware the Crist was a Republican right? I respected Crist as a governor. I thought he was pragmatic; reaching across the isle and naming Bob Butterworth (an absolute giant) as the Director of DCF was outstanding. But hubris is Charlie Crist’s downfall. This is a obviously a man that will do anything to try to get to a higher level.
It’s sort of pathetic on the part of the Democrats that they are gushing over this chameleon. At least Nan Rich is a true believer in the cause.
Charlie Crist was brow beaten by the Republican majority in the Legislature when he was a Republican; imagine what they will do to him when he is the enemy. Or maybe he will just follow the Obama model and rule by fiat.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Someone must have told Geller the microphone was made out of chocolate, because he’s about to take a big bite out of that thing.
FROM BUDDY:
I don’t want to start a debate on Steve Geller, but I’ve got to add something since Steve’s weight seems a continuing theme in the Browardbeat.com comments.
Yes, Steve has a weight problem. So what? If you consider being overweight a sin, you can add many of the American adults to your list of sinners.
On this Easter weekend, remember what Jesus said: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.”
Another word, everybody has something.
Geller was an amazingly effective member of the state Legislature for two decades. If he was in the Broward Legislative Delegation today, the county would get much more attention from Tallahassee.
Geller was in the Legislature when he worked with Charlie Crist. They worked together, despite the fact one was a Republican and another was a Democratic. The Legislature and this state would be better off if more legislators built relationships that like Crist and Geller.
There are a lot of things to debate in the governor’s race. Steve Geller’s weight is not one of them.
That said, I will not censure the comments unless they are libelous or hurtful.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:16 pm
As a Republican it is clear that Charlie Crist will be a better leader for Florida. Rick Scott is a horrible man who should be in jail for fraud. I would have loved for for Republican Senators Mike Fasano or Paul Dockery to have run. I am disgusted that Rick Scott is representing our party and many Republicans agree. With Gov Crist leading the helm I am confident that both parties will work together for positive change.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:41 pm
Re: Steve Geller
Buddy,
You’re right. It’s just the particular photograph they gave you to post.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:50 pm
To Marco:
The State is in much better shape without Charlie “I’ll tell you I love you for your vote and wallet” Crist. You really think he can get anything done other than stroking himself as usual??
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/01/charlie_crist_to_scott_rothste.php
Please. He’s already screwed all of us over more than once. He’s counting on us to just bend over and let him do it again.
April 19th, 2014 at 9:11 pm
Stacy, that is a very unflattering photo. Social media does not always work in a positive way.
April 19th, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Did Jesus also say, “Holy Crap, you can’t believe the view from up here!”
April 19th, 2014 at 9:44 pm
I never thought I would vote Democrat until now. Rick Scott is the most despised governor in the history of Florida. I agree with Marco, another ethical Republican should have run…. The Hispanic community has been insulted by him and his administration for the last time. My entire church is supporting Charlie.
April 19th, 2014 at 9:47 pm
@Owl
yeah the stress shows
he has been trying to ‘practice law’ (PI so I read) in St Pete since loosing senate race to rubio
lot easier to live on taxpayers dime
April 20th, 2014 at 1:02 am
Scott
You are amazing!
Charlie Crist
April 20th, 2014 at 2:07 am
Carlos and Marco, I will believe Charlie Crist is straight before I believe either of you two are Republicans.
April 20th, 2014 at 9:14 am
Any Sheriff is entitled to wear their uniform to any damned place they wish. They are the sheriff at all times, in or out of uniform, so what they wear means nothing. Putz.
April 20th, 2014 at 9:38 am
Buddy, so nice to hear you say to #5 “He who is without sin, cast the 1st stone”.
Please make sure you and the posters remember that year round. So many posters attack and are mean spirited, please remind them the next time too
What you are actually saying is “we all make mistakes” and WE DO!. Let’s not be so easy to attack, and not forgive.
thanks again for the comment..
Happy Easter!
Rico Petrocelli
April 20th, 2014 at 9:50 am
As to Charlie Crist, until he mans up and debates Nan Rich I will continue to consider him a Republican.
Crist has been a Democrat, an Independent and a Republican in the past four years purely out of political convenience.
If he is a Democrat then he needs to prove it in what he says, believes and promises to do. He needs to be put on record. That is what debates do and unless he debates his primary challenger I will never vote for him.
Charlie Crist is not God. He must earn my faith.
April 20th, 2014 at 10:19 am
Rick Scott only cares about lining the pocket of big corporations. He treats the average Joe like scum. He will be pummels in the election. A vote for Rick Scott is equivalent to blowing FPL, private prison owners, and the Charter School management fiends. If you love Florida, God, and mankind Charlie is your man. Rick prays only to the almighty dollars.
April 20th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
@16
Kindly explain to me how I’m supposed to love this god?
Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:18
April 20th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
It’s deplorable that the entire state of Florida can’t come up with better candidates for Governor than this. Most of the blame fir this goes to “Lower Alabama” and “Lower Georgia” aka North Florida.
Rick Scott is the lowest scumbag ever to disgrace the Governor’s office since Andrew “Genocide” Jackson.
Nan Rich wouldn’t make it into office due to North Florida. And she’s not likely to remain in politics long enough for North Florida to learn to accept her.
Charlie Crist is a weathervane who for now is pointing in the right direction, and he’s already been Governor of Florida for four years (2007-2011). So he’s the best of the three so far.
I can think of one Floridian who would be an excellent candidate for Governor – Jeff Atwater. If the Florida Republican Party had any sense, they’d treat Rick Scott like used toilet tissue and immediately nominate Atwater as their candidate for Governor.
April 20th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
Hey Plain Language:
Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes, 3 provides:
MISUSE OF PUBLIC POSITION.-No public officer, employee of an agency, or local government attorney shall corruptly use or attempt to use his or her official position or any property or resource which may be within his or her trust, or perform his or her official duties, to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption for himself, herself, or others. This section shall not be construed to conflict with s. 104.31.
Since everything Israel does is corrupt, he is probably in violation of the statute. Even if he was just there for moral support, he isn’t “entitled to wear [his] uniform any damned well [he] wish[es].” And I’m the putz; don’t resort to name calling, it only plays into the stereotype.
April 20th, 2014 at 3:28 pm
I also heard that Charlie’ wife will play a big role down here in Broward.I told you all weeks ago she is the key to draw in voters. I also think th emore time he spends in Broward will gain traction in other parts of the state that he needs help in. Never stop Charlie. Keep bringing up how much money Scott had to pay the feds (1.4billion) to keep him out of jail. Get the actually court transcipts and run w/ it. As far as these “circus fat” people supporting Charlie, just don’t eat him…..
April 20th, 2014 at 3:33 pm
I remember seeing Charlie Crist being asked by a panel moderator if he was going to switch parties. He slouched in his seat, widened his eyes, and with furrowed brow replied very softly, “I’m a Republican.”
It was painfully obvious that he had already decided to leave that party, which he did very shortly thereafter. Body language doesn’t lie, even though the person who inhabits it does.
Having said that, the choices are Bad and Worse. Benjamin Franklin was prescient.
April 20th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
#21 — did you get your law degree in a cracker jacks box? That section is not applicable to a sheriff wearing his uniform. You don’t even seem to know what corruption is. Boob.
April 20th, 2014 at 7:10 pm
I know both Geller and Crist went to FSU, so I suspect their original friendship was based on a school thing. As for his being overweight, Geller is also unattractive which makes him a target. Dump the mustache.