http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loca...0,4659952.story

GOPe hero is running again for his old job......as a Rat.

Zitat

---

Former Gov. Charlie Crist announced this morning he is running for his old job by casting the 2014 election as between someone who can represent all Floridians and someone he contends represents the "ideological fringe."

Crist's announcement on the St. Petersburg waterfront Monday morning sets in motion what could become one of America's biggest campaign battles of 2014: Incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Scott vs. Crist his predecessor and a former Republican who lost the confidence and trust of the GOP in 2010 and has re-emerged as a Democrat.

"I trust you. And you can trust me," declared Crist, who already is facing what will become a loud barrage of "don't-trust-him" campaigning by Republicans.

"When Florida needed Charlie Crist the most during difficult economic times, he ran away. If he really wants to be governor now, why did he quit the first time?" said Lenny Curry, chairman of the Republican party of Florida.

In declaring his candidacy, Crist rolled out a Democratic platform promising increased spending for education and infrastructure and a broad new commitment to renewable energy programs. But he also harkened to his old Republican roots, declaring, "I do believe in cutting taxes," and pledging a new cabinet-level position to promote trade.

He also danced around his party affiliation choice, which he said was an issue for the "far-right wing." Crist's fall from grace during his 2007-'11 tenure as governor began in 2009 when he embraced – literally and figuratively – President Barack Obama and his stimulus spending in Florida. That was followed by his veto of a teacher merit-pay proposal pushed by Republicans in the spring of 2010.

On Monday he chastized Republicans who disavowed him as what is wrong with politics, people who contend that "anyone who doesn't agree with them is an enemy."

"When the people give you the honor of being their governor, you aren't the governor of any one party, you are the governor of all Floridians," Crist said.

"So yes, yeah, I'm running as a Democrat!," he summed up. "And I am proud to do it."

Crist's announcement came amid broad hoopla in his hometown of St. Petersburg, but he is not yet a shoe-in to take on Scott next fall. He likely will have to win a primary against former state Sen. Nan Rich of Weston, whose Democratic credentials, unlike Crist's, are longstanding and clear.

He was introduced by Democratic heavyweights that included former Attorney General Bob Butterworth and former state lawmaker Dan Gelber.

---