Everywhere you look, Gov. Crist is there

By Steve Bousquet, Times Tallahassee Bureau Chief
In print: Saturday, May 24, 2008

You can expect to see Charlie Crist on national TV this weekend as one member of a high-profile house party at John McCain's Arizona ranch. That's not unusual; Florida's governor hasn't been shy in recent weeks about increasing his national exposure. From policy discussions to assessments of what one cable host called his "fresh as a daisy'' looks, Crist is a regular media magnet. Now, as talk intensifies about his prospects as McCain's running mate, look where the governor has been hanging out.

Thursday: On CNBC's Power Lunch, Crist discusses a new law aimed at spurring the Florida economy. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going," Crist says. He also gives an interview from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to Fox Business News.

Wednesday: New York Times reporter Kevin Sack joins Crist on his three-city Florida fly-around promoting the governor's health proposal for the uninsured. Result: two articles. One is a story on the proposal; the other discusses Crist as a potential McCain running mate.

Sunday: Crist appears on CBS's Face the Nation to talk about recent Republican setbacks in special elections. What Republicans must do, Crist says, is get back to their roots of "lower taxes, less government and more freedom."

May 14: Crist appears on CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Discussing John Edwards' endorsement of Democrat Barack Obama, Crist says, "It makes a strong statement about what a populist in the Democratic Party has to say about Sen. Obama. It's good news for Sen. Obama."

May 7: Crist lunches in Washington with Tim Russert of NBC's Meet the Press.

April 28: On Fox & Friends, Crist promotes McCain's proposed gasoline tax break. On MSNBC's Morning Joe, co-host Mika Brzezinski introduces him as "Florida's Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who is looking pretty fresh — fresh as a daisy — after a long weekend of partying!"

April 26: Crist attends the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner as a guest of Fortune magazine. The Washington Post "Reliable Source" column reports that "Crist hit on Morgan Fairchild at Tammy Haddad's Saturday brunch: 'So, do you ever get to Florida?' Worst pickup line ever."

April 23: Crist appears on Fox News discussing how Democratic infighting helps McCain and offers that McCain "was very gracious today in congratulating Sen. Clinton on her win in Pennsylvania last night." He also appears on CNN's Situation Room.

Comments on this article

by voxy	May 26, 2008 5:53 PM
well, yall are the ones who let them get away with STEALING the 'selections'. LMAO !! I love EACH of these commenters. How refreshing as a daisy.......

by Brent	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
While the cuban's drill for oil only 35 miles from Key West ,Crist refused to allow any drilling in Florida Waters while complaining about fuel prices.

by Jerry	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
We dont want Crist. He has ruined the FLA economy, someone take him to DC and remove him from FLA!

by Ralph	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Creist chases the TV cameras while Florida Burns and is on the brink of a financial crisis..He should stay home and act as governor of Florida not be campaigning for a national spot.sorry I ever voted for him and never will again.

by billv	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
crispy macbush 3 four 0ne. Down to Obama.

by gosh	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
for "Crist's sake," only..... and... that's, that's, all, folks

by Otta	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Charlie, We wanted our TAXES to "drop like a rock", Not our homes value!!!!! (Must be all that peroxide he uses to get "Wrestler Hair" Color)

by Otta	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Now, If he would only do his job here!!!

by Scorps	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Charlie has always been style over substance. Sadly thats what matters to most people these days. The State and the Country need better than "Leisure Suit Charlie".

by Sue	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Haivng gone to high school with Microwave Charlie (since I wasn't part of the Snell Isle clique he never gave me the time of day) I can only hope that if he ends up as VP (a chilling thought) he has changed a lot. Shallow then and apparently still.

by ted	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
What sick puppies we all are voting for pretty boy morons like Bush and Crist over and over and over and over...are there no real leaders left in America?

by Bill	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Everywhere but Florida. What has he done for us? NOTHING!!!! He is using his position as Governor as a stepping stone to a national position.

by yvonne	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Uhmmm Maybe he should try staying in Tallahassee and doing some good for Florida Residents

by cheryl	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
I forgot his Charlie a Democrat or Republican...

by gene	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Yup...Crist is 'everywhere'.... everywhere there is a camera; publicity. Wonder how long it will be before there is U.S. Mail Stamp?

by Ted	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
All this from the guy whose biggest campaign strategy was to chide Jim Davis for not showing up to work. Empty Chair Charlie sure loves the spotlight; his real job, not so much.

by Larry	May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
If Crist is selected as the #2, McCain will lose my vote. I did not vote for this classic say anything, do nothing politician for Governor. I will not help vote this yes-man clown to a higher office and burden the rest of America with another fraud.

by Brondie25	May 25, 2008 12:17 PM
By the way....just exactly who is paying for his travel?

by Brondie25	May 25, 2008 12:17 PM
Yeah..He's everywhere except HERE fixing the State's problems. I can't believe I fell for his rhetoric. He has done NOTHING to help the citizens of Fl with the problems at hand.

by overtaxed	May 25, 2008 12:17 PM
Hey Charlie! Hello??? We're still here waiting for property taxes to "drop like a rock"! And what about insurance? And what's the deal with the letter you sent for an "unworthy student" to be admitted to UF? Guess what-Your popularity is sinking!

by yvonne	May 24, 2008 2:00 PM
Pehaps he should stay home and go to work

by jackie	May 24, 2008 1:54 PM
"fresh as a daisy" is correct. Does the nation need a man who looks "fresh as a microwaved daisy" He is a joke and fake.

by terry	May 24, 2008 1:54 PM
He is a microvaved joke.

by jackie	May 24, 2008 1:54 PM
Mirowave Charlie in the white house? please. Never vote for McCain if he is VP. He has done nothing for Fl., except look pretty. Is he going to marry the girl friend? Please, he is a joke. We don't need anymore jokes.

by Deward Bowles	May 24, 2008 1:54 PM
I am not in Florida but it seems to me that Crist is responsible for having Florida disenfranchised from both parties. I am sure the economy must be banging on all cylinders down there given his policies. Well good luck with him.