Fla. GOP Scolds Charlie Crist for Hypocrisy

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist – whom many Republicans consider a turncoat for supporting President Obama’s stimulus plan and challenging Sen. Marco Rubio as an Independent after being defeated in a GOP primary – is trying to run further from his conservative roots with an address Thursday at the Democratic National Convention.

But Florida Republicans aren’t prepared to let Crist off the hook. On the eve of his big speech they’ve resurrected a old radio ad attacking Obamacare that Crist ran in March, 2010, during his failed Senate bid.

“One of the convention's featured speakers, Charlie Crist, has a long history of bashing the president's signature piece of legislation, Obamacare,” the Republican Party of Florida said in a statement released Wednesday. “In March 2010, while running for U.S. Senate, Crist released a radio ad criticizing 'the backroom deals, the secret promises' liberals used to force a 'government takeover of healthcare.' He even went so far as to call Obama, (Senate Majority Leader Harry) Reid and (then-House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi a 'three ring circus.'"

Here is a link to Crist’s old ad. Take a listen.

In addition to simply embarrassing the former governor, pointing to the ad also lays the groundwork for 2014, when Crist may run as a Democrat or Independent against Gov. Rick Scott. Billboards touting Crist have already sprung up along the Florida Turnpike and other major highways in the Sunshine State. They were bought by the law firm that Crist is currently attached to and tout his work as governor.

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"With his recent endorsement of Obama and speaking gig at the Democratic National Convention, Crist is trying once again to shed his political skin simply to further his own personal ambitions,” the Republican statement continues.

“But his words speak for themselves. That's why it's no surprise Florida Democratic leaders are so cool to a potential Crist run for Governor," added RPOF Chairman Lenny Curry. "The RPOF isn't going to let Crist, or the people of Florida and the nation, forget about all the things he has said and done so easily."

Here’s the full transcript of the ad.

"The backroom deals, the secret promises, Washington liberals forcing government takeover of health care. Obama, Reid, Pelosi. It's a three ring circus. Who pays? All of us. But in Florida, one leader already enacted common sense conservative solutions, Charlie Crist. As Governor, Crist passed Cover Florida. Now Floridians can take charge of their own health care through market based strategies. Thousands already enrolled and climbing. Charlie Crist helped create the Florida discount drug card. Over 130,000 have already saved nearly 6 million on prescriptions. Most important: no tax dollars were used. In fact, no Governor has reduced our taxes more than Charlie Crist. He's endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association, Fraternal Order of Police, and Crist earns an A+ rating from the NRA. The proven, tested, Republican candidate for Senate, Charlie Crist. I'm Charlie Crist, and I approved this message."

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