Flak Attack

Looks like Charlie Crist may start handling fewer press calls himself. His gubernatorial campaign has hired as campaign spokeswoman Vivian Rudd Myrtetus, who had most recently handled communications at the attorney general's office and department of education.

Myrtetus started her career in the South Florida media market and spent several years working in the production and news departments of WTVJ-NBC TV and Telemundo Network. Her news experience includes working on several national stories including "The Crash of Valujet 592" and "Versace/Cunanan Murders." She also worked for the Department of Agriculture and served as spokesperson for the Citrus Canker program during the early years of the project.

Her counterpart at the Tom Gallagher campaign is Albert Martinez, who has been working several months on the campaign and last year handled communications for the Bush-Cheney Florida campaign. This year he (wisely it turned out) took a pass on working for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore so he could work for Gallagher.

Martinez worked for Gov. Bush from 1999 to 2003, starting in the mailroom and becoming deputy speechwriter. He also worked briefly for state Sen. Daniel Webster's U.S. senate campaign last year. For the record, Martinez says he is not related to Sen. Mel or Gov. Bob unless it helps during job interviews. Then they become Uncle Mel, and Grandpa Bob.