This week, former Gov. Charlie Crist will address delegates
at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Many political
commentators believe this is yet another step toward him ultimately joining the
Democratic Party and seeking its nomination for the 2014 Florida gubernatorial
race.
A new poll by Public Policy Polling (PPP) says that Crist,
as a Democratic nominee, would edge incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
“In a hypothetical match Crist, running as a Democrat, would
lead Rick Scott 45-42,” the PPP report stated. “A generic Democrat would lead
Scott by the exact same 45-42 spread.
Scott's approval rating is 41% with 49% of voters disapproving of him.”
Crist has already endorsed U.S. President Barack Obama’s bid
for a second term. As Florida’s governor from 2007 to 2011, he played a big
role in helping Obama win Florida by using his emergency powers to extend the
hours for early voting across the state during Election 2008. He also publicly supported the
president’s $787B American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Crist won 20 percent of black votes during the 2006
gubernatorial election. He has endorsed FAMU alumnus Alfred “Al” Lawson’s campaign
for the U.S. House seat held by Tea Partier Steve Southerland. Back during his
days as governor, Crist also approved millions of FAMU construction project dollars
that then state Sen. Lawson placed in the appropriations bills.
One notable FAMU project that Crist consistently supported
was the Crestview Education Center. Scott attempted to stop the center from opening
by vetoing the $1.5M line item that the Florida
Legislature appropriated for its 2012-2013 operating budget.