veronique likenesses: With Charlie Crist set to take DNC stage, Florida Republicans keep bashing him

Thursday, September 6, 2012

With Charlie Crist set to take DNC stage, Florida Republicans keep bashing him

Charlie Crist practices for his Thursday speech at the Democratic National Convention (Getty Images).

Former Florida Gov.?Charlie Crist is scheduled to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte Thursday, and the Republican Party of Florida is determined to remind everyone of his conservative record.?

Crist's speaking slot at the DNC?further fuels rumors the former governor may try to unseat Gov.?Rick Scott 2014--this time as a Democrat.

Here's the statement RPOF released today. (More pictures below)

Democrats are gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina this week to show their support for President Obama and tout his so-called "achievements" -- especially ObamaCare.? But one of the Convention's featured speakers, Charlie Crist, has a long history of bashing the President's signature piece of legislation, Obamacare. 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, Reid and Pelosi a "three ring circus."

"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.? 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," said 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 transcript from a Crist ad that ran during the 2010 U.S. Senate race.

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."

All photos from Getty Images