In Florida Governor’s Race, Democrat Charlie Crist Woos Crucial Black Vote

[Purveyor]

By Letitia Stein

TAMPA Fla. (Reuters) – As the leading Democratic candidate for Florida governor, Charlie Crist would be expected to draw overwhelming support from the state’s more than 1.6 million registered black voters.

But rallying them is proving a challenge for the 58-year-old former Republican, who is facing a tight race against incumbent Governor Rick Scott and needs a heavy turnout by minority and liberal voters to deliver a major political prize to the Democrats.

“Charlie Crist has some real work to do to regain trust in the black community,” said Daniel Smith, a political science professor at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “He’s got a mixed track record.”

A lawyer and campaign veteran who became a Democrat nearly two years ago, Crist served as the Republican governor from 2007 to 2011 after beginning his political career as a state senator, where he was dubbed “Chain Gang Charlie” for proposing prisoner roadside work crews.

“I believe in justice, and I think most Floridians do,” Crist told Reuters when asked about the inflammatory nickname. He added, “I also believe in forgiveness.”

more...

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/30/in-florida-governors-race-democrat-charlie-crist-woos-crucial-black-vote/

[blkmusclmachine]

1. Crist, a former Republican, is now our very own little DINO.

3 cheers for another "New Democrat" ...

[66 dmhlt]

2. Right ... And like Rick Scott has been such a paradigm of progressive programs

I'll take Charlie Crist ANY DAMN DAY!

(Save your sarcasm until mid-November - we got work to do!)

[Sunlei]

3. I wish he didn't change parties. I hate the USA Corp abuse, use of prisoner slaves.

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.