Three reasons why Florida didn't turn out the vote for Crist:

[Sancho]

1.) It was a big strategic error to delay immigration reform from Washington (and helped no one), but Charlie didn't pick up on that mistake. The immigrant population did not show up because there was no concrete plan to help them at all. Who cares if Washington or the state legislature is likely to pass something? Any progressive running in Florida without talking immigration reform is missing a pile of votes.

2.) State employees are pissed off. Not because the schools got less money. Scott took half their pension contribution and put it in the general fund. He went after all kinds of benefits (life insurance). Teachers, cops, professors, DMV folks, etc. didn't hear a word from Crist about restoring the damage, forcing funds back into the retirement pool, or regaining tenure. As such, the enthusiasm among state employees was not there and a large percentage simply didn't vote.

3.) Everyone in this state is tired of the traffic. Scott vetoed the train for God's sake! Even the repubs thought it was stupid. Free money pissed away. Every local municipality is covering the state with asphalt and concrete and there is no plan to stop it. Crist had a big opening if he had pushed a highway, train, and mass transit plan - including thousands of jobs, improving tourism, and using less energy. Not a word. He could have gotten a bunch off the couch with that one.

I went to rallies, voted, and did what I could, but the same old core voted the same old way. There was nothing in the campaign to attract the independents, pissed off repubs, or new voters.

[NV Whino]

1. It's the same tune played by most losses

The democrats have not been proactive. Take a look at California. We dumped the obstructionists, elected Democrats, and they got to work. They also had an agenda to continue. We reelected them with a heavy majority of votes. Even the Republicans voted for them.

You can't just whine and moan and/or sling mud. People want a plan. People want their representatives to stand for something. People want to solve the problems.

[Sancho]

2. Yep.

[kdmorris]

3. Charlie Crist ran a campaign that consisted of

"I am not as bad as Rick Scott"

Nothing about what he WAS and how he was going to help us.

I went to rallies, voted, and did what I could, but the same old core voted the same old way. There was nothing in the campaign to attract the independents, pissed off repubs, or new voters.

Yep... spot on. Same here, but I'm the "same old core".

Not to mention the fact that only 49% of registered voters actually voted.

[Isoldeblue]

4. It makes no sense to me

that there was such a poor turnout from the Latino vote. They have so much more at stake than me and other white folks. I see it as a tantrum to stay home over resentment of deferment, as it's being called. Before I was all for illegals getting the same rights. But when there isn't a willingness to do their part, I feel a little crazy over it. The election was lost largely in part, because of this. How can I not be very upset? I know this sounds bigoted, but it's difficult for me and my husband not to be very angry at the reasons why that crook won. If they want to be American citizens with the same rights, then exercise those rights for the rights of citizenship that they are demanding......

[madfloridian]

5. This move could explain a lot of the problem.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-delays-executive-immigration-action-until-after-midterm-elections-in-november/2014/09/06/e3ecf346-35cf-11e4-9e92-0899b306bbea_story.html

President Obama will postpone action on his promise to remake federal immigration policies through executive authority until after the midterm elections in November, the White House announced Saturday, acquiescing to Democrats’ fears that such a move would damage their prospects for maintaining control of the U.S. Senate.

White House officials acknowledged the deep concerns inside the party and emphasized that the decision to delay was also driven by the calculation that a unilateral move in the heat of the electoral season could doom the chances of more sweeping immigration reform beyond Obama’s presidency — maybe for a decade or more.

[Isoldeblue]

6. I understand and can appreicate that

But that should have been all the more reason to come out and vote to protect future reform! Not throw a tantrum, like I hear many on tv have and not vote! I want them to become American citizens! I really do! But damn it! They have to do their part as well and they didn't. If they didn't like "being deferred", wait till they see what the repugs will do now for them.... Their not voting does not endear respect. I know I sound like a bigot. I am trying so damned hard not to feel like one.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. So, vote to re-elect the guy who clearly won't do any of those things or stay home because

the guy who just might try to accomplish some of those things didn't say so while campaigning?

Yeah, that makes total sense.



So basically....bite your nose off to spite your face.

[Sancho]

8. I think the campaign was "I'm better than Scott" and not focused on issues that GOTV.

I simply didn't see ads, speeches, or anything else that attracted young people, state employees, a large immigrant population, or even the independents. That's why more than half the registered voters didn't vote.

I think if someone had actually shouted about an issue that folks cared about, they would have showed up. I was SOOOO tired of hearing about how many jobs the other lost years ago and who had the most friends who went to jail. It was a stupid campaign (to me).

There was no platform of interest.