Here's three day's-worth of Q-and-A between the press (Miami Herald, St.
Petersburg Times, Palm Beach Post and Bay News 9) and Gov. Charlie Crist re: His
relationship with accused Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein:

Q: Why did Rothstein give you so much money?

A: I think he wanted me to win. I think he thinks I'm a good public servant.
I hope that's why.

Q: What was you relationship?  

A: He was a contributor that worked hard.

Q: Was he a friend?

A: We had a friendship

Q: Didn't you fly down to his wedding?  

A: Carole and I went to a wedding reception.

Q: Would you call him a close friend?

A: I'd call him a friend.

Q: What were your first thoughts when you heard the allegations.  

A: I thought it was horrific. When you meet anybody in life and at a later
point in life they run into an issue like that it is a tragedy. It's terrible
for their family. Imagine you're his mother. It's just very, very sad.

Q: From a practical basis you can't pick and choose the people that donate
money to you, can you?  

A: To a degree you can. I think the issue here is what kind of knowledge you
had before somebody launched an investigation. None of that had happened yet.

Q: What lessons have you or should you or other candidates learn from the
fact that there are these tainted donations you’ve received (e.g., Harry
Sargeant, Alan Mendelsohn, Scott Rothstein)?

A: As Alex Sink has learned, as some of my primary opponents have learned,
you do the best that you can. And I’m the kind of person who gives a person the
benefit of the doubt and had no reason to believe there would be any problems
with any of those people until after those problems surfaced.

Q: When’s the last time you spoke to Rothstein:

A: It's been weeks, at least

Q: Can you describe your relationship with him?

A: He had supported me like he did many others, I think CFO Sink and many
people. That's about the extent of it.

Q Why not return all the contributions from any of Rothstein’s partners?

A: Are there allegations against those other people? Not that I'm aware of.
Fair enough?

Q: Did you consult with Rothstein on South Florida issues?

A: No.

Q: Did you consult with Rothstein, Mendelsohn and Sargeant on a daily or
weekly basis during your 2006 governor’s campaign?

A: No

Q: What’s the connection between public corruption and money?

A: You have to look at those things on a case –by-case basis to be fair. And
that’s the only way to tell, honestly.

Q:  What is your statement about Scott Rothstein, the firm and those who were
allegedly fleeced?

A: It’s still unfolding, in all candor. It certainly doesn’t look good. And I
know the prosecutors will do the right thing.

-- Marc Caputo