Election Preview: Charlie Crist, The People’s Governor?
October 19, 2014
Editor’s note: This is part of a series of articles from The News Service of Florida, which will include an upcoming story about Rick Scott. This is not an endorsement for any one candidate or party.
It takes at least half an hour to walk down the block with Charlie Crist.
It’s not because the trim, 58-year-old is slow. But a stroll down the street with the former Republican governor, now trying to get his old job back as a Democrat, exhibits Crist’s strongest assets as a candidate.
He glad-hands with store owners, pedestrians and drivers stuck at a stop light. He poses for pictures. He asks about their jobs, their children and their hobbies. With a knitted brow, he listens to their stories. He writes down his cell phone number on the back of a business card if they say they need help. He makes them feel that they matter.
Friends and foes agree Crist is the quintessential pol.
“He is a consummate politician, particularly in the sense that most politicians are actors,” said J.M. “Mac” Stipanovich, a GOP consultant and lobbyist who has known Crist for 25 years and has supported him in every election — until now.
“His social sensors are extremely highly developed. In any situation, he immediately knows the role he has to play in order to please. Then he plays that role flawlessly. It’s intuitive. It’s almost instantaneous. And then, knowing his audience, he knows exactly how to act out his role,” Stipanovich said.
That Zelig-like quality has also made the Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat a subject of ridicule from critics, especially those at GOP headquarters.
At an event in his hometown of St. Petersburg where Crist formally announced he was entering the race for governor as a Democrat a year ago, Republican Party of Florida staffers handed out fans bearing Crist’s visage on both sides.
“Charlie Crist is a fan of whatever you want him to be,” the fans — blue on one side, red on the other — read. The gag was just a taste of a bitter battle waged over the past year by the Republican Party, whose leaders view Crist as an apostate. Incumbent Gov. Rick Scott, his backers and the party have reportedly planned to spend up to $100 million, as they paint Crist as an untrustworthy flip-flopper.
Less than three weeks before the Nov. 4 election, the soft-spoken Crist, who often refers to himself as “a live-and-let-live kind of guy,” seemed unfazed by the assaults.
In an interview, Crist said he is confident he can defeat Scott “by going to people in person and having the chance to reacquaint them with my heart and what I care about, which is them.”
As witnessed during a sidewalk promenade or at one of the many black churches he’s visited on Sundays for the past few months, Crist appears to genuinely enjoy something many politicians hate — campaigning.
“I think it’s nice that a person who’s in politics actually likes people. He enjoys retail campaigning. He enjoys politics. He enjoys governing, but I think he enjoys politics as much as anything. I think it’s refreshing when a guy actually likes to mix it up with his constituents,” said Brian Ballard, an influential Republican lobbyist and fundraiser who once raised money for Crist and is now doing the same for Scott.
Campaigning is an activity that Crist, who registered as a Democrat in 2012, has engaged in throughout his two decades in public office, even during the rare times when he wasn’t seemingly running for office.
“Charlie Crist — a lifelong Republican, Reagan conservative — can go to a black church and preach with the appropriate cadence and applaud with the appropriate rhythm and be as tactile and as huggy as anyone in the building. He can drive across town and go to a Republican women’s club and knock the ball out of the park just as easily. And would do both if he thought there were votes both places,” Stipanovich said.
A protégé of former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, Crist started his two decade-long political career as a Republican when he was elected in 1992 to the Florida Senate, where he served six years before an unsuccessful bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Bob Graham.
Crist then racked up a series of statewide victories, starting with a two-year stint as education commissioner, which became an appointed position two years after he won the seat. In 2002, Crist — a lawyer who flunked the Bar exam twice — was elected attorney general. Four years later, Crist sailed into the governor’s office, defeating Democrat Jim Davis by a seven-point margin.
He never sought a second term as attorney general or governor, another point of ridicule for Crist critics.
A bachelor during his first two years in the governor’s mansion, “The People’s Governor” — a moniker Crist still clings to — could frequently be seen shopping at a nearby Publix supermarket, earplug-wearing bodyguards in tow. Carrying a green plastic basket, often filled with just Crist’s trademark Red Bull and a pre-packaged salad, the governor would turn on the charm for the cashier, holding out his hand and introducing himself as “Charlie.”
The rail-thin Crist’s eating habits — he eats but one meal a day — is also a source of ribbing, and of frustration for campaign workers and staff, who often go hungry on the campaign trail, and even, at one time, for the chef at the Governor’s Mansion.
Crist’s culinary tastes are just one of the quirks drawing derision from detractors.
An avid fisherman who lives in a condominium overlooking the water in downtown St. Petersburg, Crist’s George Hamilton-esque, golden-brown appearance earned him the nickname “The Tan Man.” Crist — an admitted sun lover who once jetted around St. Petersburg in a yellow convertible Mustang — laughs off the handle. He says his Greek heritage is responsible for his bronze look.
The ubiquitous miniature fan inevitably found at Crist’s feet beneath the podium is another source of teasing. At a recent event in Panama City, Crist was cooled by not one but three fans as he delivered remarks to the NAACP’s Florida conference.
Tan, fan and food aside, the most obvious target for critics is the decision by Crist, who reportedly made Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s shortlist as a potential running-mate in 2008, to abandon the GOP in a quest for the U.S. Senate in 2010. Crist ran as an independent against Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Kendrick Meek.
Without a party backing him, Crist earned 30 percent of the vote — 10 percent more than Meek — but was handily outstripped by former state House Speaker Rubio, whose 49 percent victory sent him to Washington.
Two years later, Crist revealed his registration as a Democrat at a White House Christmas party, where he was accompanied by his wife, Carole.
The Crists were married in 2008 — Crist was also married briefly in his early 20s — at the Vinoy Renaissance Resort in the former governor’s hometown, which he affectionately calls “The ‘Burg.”
Since then, Crist has been fiercely protective of his wife, who periodically accompanies him on the campaign trail but who is reportedly a major, behind-the-scenes force.
One of the more memorable moments of the Crist wedding featured a boozy Jim Greer, hand-picked by Crist to chair the Republican Party of Florida, who took the stage to belt out several Elvis Presley songs. Greer later pleaded guilty to four counts of grand theft and one count of money laundering and served an 18-month prison sentence. In a salacious tell-all released this summer, Greer excoriated his former pal Crist as a backstabber who would do practically anything to climb to the top of the political heap.
Crist maintains that he knew nothing of Greer’s wrongdoing.
Courting Florida Democrats for more than a year, Crist — a onetime “Reagan Republican” who as a state senator sponsored legislation requiring inmates to serve 85 percent of their prison time and at one time embraced the nickname “Chain Gang Charlie” — repeatedly invokes the mantra that “I didn’t leave my party, my party left me.”
His memoir, released this summer, is titled “The Party’s Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat.”
Crist points to his record bucking his own GOP as chief of state to demonstrate support for causes more aligned with his new party than the one he dumped.
One of his first actions as governor was to make it easier for convicted felons to get their rights restored, including the right to vote. He issued an executive order forcing polls to stay open later during the 2008 presidential election after reports of voters waiting in long lines to cast their ballots. He vetoed legislation that would have forced women to have ultrasounds before getting abortions, a measure later passed by the GOP-dominated Legislature and signed by Scott. In his final year in office, Crist inflamed Republicans when he axed a bill that would have done away with teacher tenure.
This year, Crist apologized to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community for his previous support of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Florida.
He’s made increased education funding and the environment two of his top campaign priorities.
“All we need is somebody to lead with common sense again. That’s why I’m running. Who understands that everybody counts. That’ we’re all in this together,” Crist told hundreds of black activists in Panama City this month. “It really comes down to one word. Respect. It’s about respect. … These things matter. What goes around is coming around. It’s coming around in 24 days as long as we work hard and do what’s right. We’re going to finish strong.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Mother And Son Indicted In Murder Of Covenience Store Owner
October 18, 2014
An Escambia County Grand Jury had indicted Dontonio Diaz Thornton and Willie Mae Thornton with one count of first degree murder-premeditated or felony in the death of a convenience store owner.
The mother and son are accused in the September 13 murder of Phoung Nguyen Truong, 50. He was found deceased behind the counter at his place of business, the T M Food Mart located in the 1000 block of West Michigan Avenue.
Prosecutors said Truong was shot and killed in the course of a robbery.
Three County Unemployment Rate Falls
October 18, 2014
The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment level decreasing in the North Escambia area.
Escambia County’s unemployment fell from 6.6 percent in August to 6.0 percent in September. There were 8,517 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 7.0 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment also decreased, from 6.2 to 5.5 percent from August to September. Santa Rosa County had a total of 4,175 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 6.2 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment decreased from 8.7 percent in August to 7.6 percent in September. That represented 1,066 people unemployed in the county during the month. One year ago, the unemployment rate in Escambia County, Alabama, was 8.2 percent
Florida’s for September was at 6.1 percent, down from 6.3 percent in August; that’s the lowest since June 2008. The state’s jobless mark has fluctuated between 6.2 percent and 6.3 percent for most of the year. Florida’s two-point drop from August to September mirrors the federal dip in unemployment, with the national jobless mark currently at 5.9 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.6 percent in September, was down from August’s rate of 6.9 percent and was above the year-ago rate of 6.4 percent
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Tate Gets District Win Over Crestview (With Photo Gallery)
October 18, 2014
The Tate Aggies beat the Crestview Bulldogs Friday night, 42-28
With 6:31 to go in the first quarter, the Bulldogs took an early lead that they held until the second. With 10:11 in the half, the Aggies tied it up 7-7 with a 34-yard touchdown on fourth and 11 from junior quarterback Sawyer Smith to Reginald Payne.
Alondo Thompkins propelled Tate into a 14-7 lead with a 55-yard touchdown run with 8:14 on the clock in the second. Then, with 4:12 in the half, Payne was in for his second touchdown of the night on a sneak play from 1-yard out, and Tate was up 21-7 with 4:12 in the second quarter.
Smith found Darren Lee for a 45-yarder with 50.3 second on the clock for a 28-7 Tate lead at the half.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Less than three minutes into the third quarter, Tate moved up to 35-7 with a 12-yard keeper from Smith. Crestview scored twice before Alonte Thompson made it 42-21 with a 1-yard touchdown dash. Crestview capitalized on an Aggie fumble with 8:09 in the fourth, 42-21.
Crestview recovered an onside kick for one more touchdown with 6:23 on the clock for the night’s 42-28 final.
The Tate Aggies improved to 6-2 overall, and an important 1-1 in the district.
“The district win is huge in a three team district,” Coach Ronnie Douglas said. “Our backs were against the wall because if we don’t win, we’re done.”
“We still have a real good chance. Crestview and Niceville still have to play, so we are still waiting on that.” Last season, Crestview beat Niceville, leading to a three-way tie and a district shootout.
Tate will host Fort Walton Beach next Friday night, 7:30 in Cantonment.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Suffering From Allergies? Don’t Blame The Goldenrods
October 18, 2014
The bright yellow flowers of the goldenrod are everywhere in the North Escambia area, taking the blame from allergy sufferers. But one of fall’s most colorful plants actually gets a bad rap, according to the University of Florida Extension Service.
The true culprit for all those sneezes and sniffles is ragweed, according to Environmental Horticulture Agent Alicia Lamborn.
Goldenrod plants are bright and showy, producing large, heavy pollen grains that are carried off by bees, butterflies and other pollinators rather than by the wind. Ragweed bares greenish yellow flowers in small heads which produce copious amounts of pollen, carried by the wind rather than insects.
Ragweed flowers are not showy which means these plants are often easier to recognize by their stems and leaves. Ragweed has branching purplish stems that are rough and hairy, and leaves which are smooth, but deeply divided into lobed portions.
Pictured: Goldenrods bloom alongside a dirt road in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football Finals
October 18, 2014
Here is a look at Friday night’s high school football finals score from around the area.
FLORIDA
- Northview 43, Freeport 9 [Read more...]
- Tate 42, Crestview 28 [Read more...]
- Baker 42, Jay 14
- West Florida 27, Gulf Breeze 7
- Washington 23, Pine Forest 14
- Escambia 44, Milton 34
- Pensacola 35, Pace 10
- Arnold 38, Catholic 36
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 38, St. Lukes 26
- W.S. Neal 47, Satsuma 21
- St. Pauls 49, Escambia County (Atmore) 12
- Escambia Academy 48, Pike Liberal Arts 14
- Open: T.R. Miller
Northview Pounds Freeport
October 18, 2014
The Northview Chiefs were ranked No. 5 in the state in Class 1A as they headed into a 43-9 pounding of the Freeport Bulldogs Friday night in Freeport.
Northview jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a touchdown from Lett.
Freeport worked their way to the red zone, but their endzone pass was picked off by Cameron Newsome for a return that set up a Chiefs 30-yard field goal, 10-0 Northview.
Tydraee Bradley added another touchdown for the Chiefs with 1:45 to go in the first quarter, 16-0. The Chiefs rolled on to a 31-0 halftime advantage before allowing a touchdown and field goal from Freeport in the second half.
Lett rushed for just 220 yards Friday night along with three touchdowns two weeks after setting a school single game record of a 313 total rushing yards. The senior is now well over 1,000 yards for the season — 523 of those yards in his last two games for those doing the math.
Newsome is at about 500 yards for the season after earning 137 yards along with a touchdown Friday night.
Chiefs are now 5-1 overall, 2-0 in the district. They will host 4A Walton Friday night before taking on the undefeated Baker Gators for the district championship October 31 in Baker.
Pictured top: The Northview Chiefs in action against Freeport Friday night in Freeport. Pictured inset: The Chiefs’ Cameron Newsome goes down after a long interception return, setting up a 30-yard Northview field goal. Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWS: Monday Night Storm Damage In Cottage Hill Was Not A Tornado
October 17, 2014
Damage to several homes and outbuilding in the Cottage Hill area Monday was not caused by a tornado — that’s the word from the National Weather Service in Mobile.
NWS forecasters said Thursday afternoon that there was no need for them assess the damage directly. Escambia County Emergency Management surveyed the damage and determined it was caused by straight line winds.
Four homes were damaged but were still liveable following the storms, plus the roofs of several barns and outbuildings were damaged. Several trees and power lines were also downed.
There were no injuries reported. There was a tornado watch, but no warnings, in effect as the storm hit.
For more daytime photos of the storm damage, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional K-9 Unit Places 2nd, Escambia Road Prison 6th, In Southern States Manhunt Competition
October 17, 2014
The Century Correctional Institution K-9 Unit placed second in the multi-leash division in the recent Southern States Manhunt Competition, while the Escambia County Road Prison placed sixth overall. Less than five minutes separated the first six places.
The multi leash division consists of more than one K-9 being utilized to track a suspect with the teams ranked by the amount of time that it took to capture the suspect. A total of 29 K-9 teams from Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas participated in the event hosted by the Escambia County Road Prison.
The Florida Department of Corrections has 38 K-9 programs statewide which are used to support law enforcement agencies with felon apprehension, locating missing persons and locating and providing aid to persons in distress. In Fiscal Year 2013-2014, the Department’s K-9 tracking teams were deployed 710 times.
Pictured: From Century Correctional Institution – Major K. Carter, Officer J. Sanders, Officer K. Reaves, Officer D. Smith, Officer J. deGraaf, Sgt. B. Townson, Asst. Warden L. Marinin, Warden D. Sloan and Major D. Dunlap. Pictured below: Escambia County Road Prison officers during the competition. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Public Meeting To Address Roundabout At Mobile Highway, Beulah Road
October 17, 2014
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting concerning the placement of a traffic roundabout at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Beulah Road in Escambia County. The meeting will be held Tuesday, October 21, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Beulah Senior Center, 7425 Woodside Road.
Roundabouts have been identified by the Federal Highway Administration as an effective means of reducing the frequency and severity of crashes at intersections. The proposed roundabout would provide a new, yield-only movement for local road users. Although this project is in a preliminary planning stage, design and construction are not currently funded.
This meeting will provide you an opportunity to preview the proposed design, ask questions and/or submit comments concerning upcoming projects. Maps, drawings and other information will be on display. There will not be a formal presentation, however FDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and discuss the proposed project.