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Campaign Crawlers
Charlie Crist Sued
Florida Republicans want their money back.
TAMPA — Florida’s former RINO Governor Charlie Crist, who shed his Republican disguise in April to seek a U.S. Senate seat as an independent, has shaken both sides of the money tree to great effect. But it’s not clear now if he’ll get away with it. A Florida Republican legislator and attorney in Naples is suing Crist in an attempt to get Crist to, as we phrase it in the South, do right.
When Crist filed for the Senate seat in the spring of 2009 as a Republican he was the prohibitive favorite to win the seat and the establishment Republican money rolled in, much of it from out of state. The Republican National Senatorial Committee, Senator John Cornyn of Texas commander in chief, endorsed Crist and had a hefty check in the mail almost before Crist had descended the podium he used to announce his candidacy.
Crist collected in the neighborhood of $10 million from Republicans before he left the Republican Party in April rather than face sure defeat at the hands of conservative former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio in the Republican primary. Now Crist is hauling in money from establishment Democratic donors who don’t think either of the Democrats in the Senate race have much of a chance in November (they don’t) and said donors would rather have the squishy Crist in the Senate rather than the principled conservative Rubio. Oddly, federal election law does not prohibit a de facto Democratic candidate from running for office on Republican money. The suit, filed in Florida Circuit Court in Collier County, claims Florida law does and that Republicans who contributed to Crist have been damaged.
The honorable thing for Crist to do of course would be to return the money of folks who contributed to him in hopes he would become the next Republican Senator from Florida, not so that he could run against the Republican candidate, which he’s doing. But Crist has only the most casual relationship with the honorable thing, at least in politics.
Shortly after Crist left the Republican Party (after promising countless times he would not do so and banking the checks that came in on that promise), he said he would give the Republican money back. But then Crist, who holds the career and single-season NCAA records for changing his mind on issues, changed his mind about this as well. He said the donors had given the money for a good cause, and his election remains a good cause. (Charlie’s political career has always been the only cause he’s truly cared about.) So he’s keeping the Republican money to run against the Republican in the race.
Not so fast, says Florida State Representative Tom Grady, who has filed a class-action suit demanding that Crist return campaign contributions made by Republicans to his campaign before he bailed. In the words of the suit, “Offering to receive, and accepting, the Republican contributions of his campaign for Senate as a Republican candidate, and then actually running against the Republican candidate without refunding the Republican contributions is not right.”
Well, duh. The practice is obviously underhanded. But the suit will let us know if there is any legal reason to compel Crist to come clean. At any rate, it should lead to some “free media” that Crist would as soon not have.
The suit uses some language that Crist used recently on Fox News with Greta Van Susteren, “Crist has made it clear that he believes a candidate should not say one thing and do another. The parties agree with Crist.” Good luck making all candidates hew that line.
Grady, a securities fraud lawyer in his day job and a former member of the Crist leadership team in Southwest Florida before Crist went rogue, is reluctant to talk about the suit, saying he prefers to allow the complaint to speak for itself. But he did tell me that while federal election law does not oblige candidates to return campaign contributions if they switch parties, he believes Florida Common Law does.
A spokesman for the Republican Party of Florida says RPOF is not a party to the suit, but they agree Crist should return money to Republicans who gave to him in hopes he would be the next Republican Senator from Florida.
“We’re appalled that it has had to come to this,” said RPOF spokesman Katie Betta. “He should have already returned those contributions. The governor should do the right thing now and return the money. He promised time and time again that he would run as a Republican, and Republicans contributed to him on the understanding that he would run as a Republican. He should return all the contributions from Republicans. But at least he should have returned the money of those who asked for it back.”
Rubio campaign communications director Alex Burgos said the campaign is not involved in the suit but is obviously sympathetic to its purposes.
“This is just another example of Charlie Crist’s willingness to say and do anything to win this election,” Burgos said. “He’s breaking promises to Republicans who donated to him in good faith on the understanding that he would carry the Republican banner. It’s all of an over-all pattern with the rest of his flip-flops. I think voters will see through this.”
And this isn’t just a matter of labeling. Crist isn’t running to be the same guy he was last spring only without the R after his name. He’s also changed his positions on the major issues of the day from right to left. The banner he’s now carrying, without declaring it, is the banner of the left agenda of the Democratic Party. It seems only fair to Tom Grady, and to countless angry Florida Republicans, that people with a D after their names finance this crusade.
The Crist campaign failed to return calls and emails requesting comment on the suit and the issue.
About the Author
Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.
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Brian Mc| 7.1.10 @ 6:25AM
Abolish the 17th Amendment
Kyle Kanos| 7.1.10 @ 12:15PM
Amen to this. We now have two wings of Congress who are directly elected by us, when the Framers intended one wing to represent the States and the other to represent the People.
Everything wrong with our current, ever-expanding Federal Government can be traced back to this Amendment.
Melvin| 7.1.10 @ 7:14AM
Hold the presses here. Obama's tanning tax is going to hit ol' Charlie pretty darn hard in the pocket book, so the Republicans really don't stand too much of a chance in getting their donations out of that silver haired, silver tounged weasel.
ggoblue| 7.1.10 @ 7:24AM
he's as oily as one of obamas beaches...and in 124 days, he's going down.
Ret. Marine| 7.1.10 @ 7:43AM
I can remember a time in this country when a man's words were only as good as the man himself. It has taken a while for the people to understand, this man and his words are nothing but words. No honor, no trust. Can't have it both ways and expect the truth to come of it. That never ends well for anyone involved.
gypsie| 7.1.10 @ 8:37AM
Point well taken, Ret Marine, but Crist is not a man: he's the shady used car salesman of Florida politics who has his thirty pieces of silver and doesn't wanna give 'em back
Christopher Holland| 7.1.10 @ 8:45PM
Give the devil his due - at least Judas did what he was paid to do. He was paid to change sides and he did. Charlie Crist was paid to stay on board but he took the money and then jumped ship. Judas had more integrity than Charlie Crist.
AMENBRO| 7.1.10 @ 9:00AM
Careful sir you are treading upon the now mainstreamed philosophical virtues of moral relativism. Startin in about 1975 drawing the distinction between right & wrong became a prejudicial moment for many. In school you just can't do that. It might OFFEND someone, LOL.
Since then being honest has acquired all sorts do ISMS..Mainly specious arguments only propounded with the intent of shutting you up, trashing your HONOR in the process and most often at work the individual the BOSS trusts the least. Like I, if you don't drink you are really one the boss is suspicious of. What the HAIL has society come too?
Charlie Crist is so OPAQUE upon appearance alone, Let alone once he opens his PIE HOLE, anyone's gullibility convincing them to give him a SINGLE THIN dime may be a liability to GOVERNMENT in the first place. Possible a reat chance to separate the WHEAT from the chaff in FL.
Hopefully at the least, the honorable amongst that austere bunch won't get fooled again in the words of the Who. The Who also wrote a tune that is more succinct to this situation WHO ARE YOU? Paul McCartney stupid ass can pen a new tune RHINOS on the RUN
I'd love to get an honest poll metric on how many people in their darkest moments alone agree with Charlie the TUNA and would pocket the dishonest gains. Arlene Specter for one comes to mind, LOL.
Last thought; Charlie walks with campaign cash if he doesn't win just like ARLENE & Chris Dodd among many other career poli, errr I mean CRIMINALS.
Love your posts sir. I admire your service to our country. You are a gentleman and I respect that also.
kathymm| 7.1.10 @ 12:26PM
Amen marine....
I would love to see this guy removed....because he's dishonest to the core....he's a closet homosexual, which I could care less about- except that he's SO against anything FOR gays....he even got married while in office to quiet the rumors to a woman who when asked after the marriage failed 6 months later could only say "ask me that again in 10 years"
Darin| 7.1.10 @ 7:43AM
If Crist doesn't give it back, here's the Republican commercial.
"Charlie Crist courted one party, took their money, and ran off with a different party. Charlie Crist doesn't see a problem with this. Florida voters disagree."
RCV| 7.1.10 @ 12:03PM
We'll see on election day if they disagree. Right now, Crist is widening his lead over Rubio and Meek and is the current favorite.
tom7001| 7.1.10 @ 8:21AM
The should have donated to the rpof, Rubio could pay his mortgage and get back rubs!
Eclare| 7.1.10 @ 8:39AM
A reporter asked a Simpson staff member "What is Allen Simpson in favor of.?" The reply:"Getting elected." "Well what is he against?" "Not getting elected." These seem to be Mr. Christs' principals too.
A. C. Santore| 7.1.10 @ 8:41AM
When I read "But then Crist, who holds the career and single-season NCAA records for changing his mind on issues, changed his mind about this as well," I thought for a split second that Mr. Thornberry was referring to the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Then I remembered. Crist is with the other NCAA - "Never Consistent About Anything."
Arlen Hussein Spector | 7.1.10 @ 9:56AM
I haven't seen this blatant political opportunism since "I've Always Been A Yankees Fan." Maybe Hillary should choose him as her VP in 2012, both Independant, of course.
Samwise| 7.1.10 @ 11:49AM
Crist is as dishonest and manipulative as our current president and his administration...why then is he running ahead of Rubio in the polls? Is there a chance Crist is going to win and then thumb his nose at everyone????
Vickie| 7.1.10 @ 12:20PM
This is terrible. You know what's worse? The fact that the Republican party thought enough of this man that they would have given him that money to run on and represent them with. Should he give it back. Of course! But if he doesn't, then those Floridian Republicans get what they deserve. It's the same man with the money, he's just standing behind a different banner.
Edward Koziol| 7.1.10 @ 1:15PM
Just look at Crist if he doesn't look sneaky no one does.The man is a snake if he'd screw people now imagine what he'll do as a senator.
Christopher Holland| 7.1.10 @ 8:49PM
Sounds like he will be right at home in Washington. A snake in the Senate - shame, when did that last happen!
Thayer| 7.1.10 @ 1:43PM
I can't believe he won't give the money back....I forget what a "character" he is and can you imagine what he would do if he were to be elected Senator. Please people of Florida, remember this and vote for the real Republican who will have Florida's best interest always. He is showboating on the commercials for Florida only to advance himself.....not the wonderful people of the Panhandle. Good Luck Florida in doing the right thing this Fall .
DaveS| 7.1.10 @ 2:01PM
There is precedent: Senator what's-his-name from Vermont (who went out of the Party and gave the Senate control to the Dems) and Specter (who did much the same eight years later. Should've got the money back then as now.
glenny44| 7.1.10 @ 2:16PM
The lawsuit is to force Crist "to do the right thing"???????
Question for the attorneys among us : Is Crist guilty of FRAUD in the inducement? glenny
DTCOFAZ| 7.1.10 @ 2:38PM
Crist is a disgraceful human being, next to Obama, that walks around this earth. For goodness' sake, how can he live with himself and look at his family everyday straight in their eyes... The man has no soul, no conscience, nothing but a fake tane corpse moving among us.
LiveFreeOrDie| 7.1.10 @ 2:46PM
I watched an interview with Crist and Rubio. Crist's dishonesty became very apparent after about 10 seconds of listening to him talk. He IS the used car salesman cliche come to life.
Rush Youngberg| 7.5.10 @ 8:00PM
Perhaps, Crist is open to charges of fraud and running a money laundering scam.
michigander_sandusky| 7.1.10 @ 4:50PM
I looked up "dishonest" in the dictionary and there was a picture of Charlie Crist. How anyone, except his mother, could cast a vote for such a reprobate is beyond understanding. The fact that so many will vote for him shows exactly what is wrong with our country...most really don't care about character; they just elect "characters."
Diogenes| 7.1.10 @ 7:59PM
Easy everyone. The only reason that Charlie hasn't returned calls is that he is so busy giving interviews endorsing Barack Hussein Obama's heroic efforts at saving the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, and getting in his last minute tanning bed time, before the ObamaTax kicks in. After that, Charlie will have to return to the "chemical" tan.
MM| 7.1.10 @ 9:15PM
Great column, Larry. Crist is a slippery character whose promises should come with expiration dates. He also removed his pro-life words from his website. Marco 2012 ! Also Rand Paul and J.D. Hayworth ! Establishment politicians should be kicked aside and principled newcomers elected in their place. I can't believe anyone would trust Crist.
Yosemeti Sam| 7.2.10 @ 1:12AM
LOL.
This Crist guy wouldn't last a minute in the Klingon Empire!
The Army Aviator| 7.3.10 @ 5:33AM
Charlie Crist is such a pissant! I hope that the law suit really rubs his sorry behind raw! As he was a RINO, he was also a 1st Class MORON. I'm glad that I am voting this Fall, for MARCO RUBIO!
Flat Spin | 7.4.10 @ 9:08AM
Larry, Great job like always!
I still have faith in the voters and I can not imagine that Crist will win this race.
He stands for nothing except his own ambition, and if the people of this state don't see that then we are all in a lot of trouble. If Crist wins , don't you agree comrad.