A Comprehensive History Of Crist's Flips
FL Gov. Charlie Crist (I) has become adept at altering his policy positions to fit the current political circumstance. The media breathlessly reports every time Crist flip-flops on an issue. But the exact number of switches is hard to pin down, mostly because it's so hard to keep up with them.
Hotline OnCall has tallied up every major Crist position switch since his first statewide race, a '98 SEN bid against ex-Sen./ex-Gov. Bob Graham (D). Crist has definitely switched his publicly-stated opinion on 7 major issues, and there are 2 more that may have shifted, depending on how you look at it. There are 4 more issues where Crist's opinions may be open to change, but the exact history of his stances can't be traced or haven't been recorded.
Crist's opinions have largely traced his electoral path. He was more of a libertarian centrist in '98, but a tough FL GOV primary against CFO Tom Gallagher (R) in '06 led him to take more socially conservative positions as the campaign progressed. When Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) considered him for his VP short list in '08, Crist's positions changed to toe the GOP platform, and then edged further to the right during the early days of the '10 FL SEN primary against ex-state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R). After he left the GOP in late Apr., observers have marveled at the speed of his shifts to the left.
Some of his switches are infamous and much derided by his opponents -- his recent veto of an ultrasound anti-abortion bill is just the latest iteration of a complicated abortion record that began in '98, when he was ostensibly pro-choice.
By the end of '06, he was advocating for FL to pass a bill similar to a SD ballot measure outlawing all abortions. Now he says that gov't shouldn't be involved in such "personal" decisions. Offshore drilling is another much-chronicled Crist epic -- he was against it, then he was for it when he was up for VP, now he's against it. Other clear-cut flip-flops include gay adoption (against, now for), Don't Ask, Don't Tell (for, now against), easing Cuban travel restrictions (against, now for), an independent FL redistricting commission (against, now for), and whether he would remain a member of, and a candidate within, his own party. That adds up to 7 total flips.
One of the 2 issues where his positions over time are unclear is his exact stance on a state Defense of Marriage Amendment (DOMA), Amendment 2. He was reported to be initially against a DOMA measure when it came up to consideration in '06. Crist, who voted to ban gay marriage in the state legislature in the '90s, reportedly thought an amendment was unnecessary. Then he shifted, and endorsed the measure, touting in ads that he fought to preserve traditional marriage. But in '08 he asked the FL GOP not to spend any money advocating for DOMA, though he ended up voting for it on Election Day.
The other issue with a similar Crist path is immigration. This one's all about the wording. Crist supported Sen. Mel Martinez's (R-FL) comprehensive immigration bill in '06, but in '08-'10, he touted his opposition to an "amnesty" bill. The immigration bill's GOP opponents largely dismissed it as an "amnesty" bill, so his rhetoric then could be construed as a shift. He also said he had the exact same position as Rubio on immigration, although Rubio had until then taken a tougher immigration stance. After his party switch in '10, he came out, kind of, against the AZ immigration bill, saying it disturbed him.
There are 2 stances Crist took in the '90s which can't be traced to a position he has today. Crist persistently advocated eliminating the IRS in '98, but apparently hasn't been asked in the last decade if he still supports doing so. And on a '98 candidate survey, Crist gave a one word answer to whether he supported NAFTA: No. Not a word on whether he does now.
Along those same lines, Crist shocked observers this May by saying he was "open" to the Employee Free Choice Act, or "card check," at an AFL-CIO convention. We can't find him saying he opposed EFCA on the record, though few GOPers support the proposal.
And the last on our list isn't a switch yet, but he hasn't been asked yet if he would still do so: Crist said in March he would fight to repeal health care law. Whether he still holds that position, he hasn't said.
So that's the tally: 7 definite flip-flops, 2 rhetorical shifts and 4 more where a switch seems inevitable.
Reagan said government is the problem! And lifted usary rate banks could charge. The 90's republican revolution, less government regulation! And now we have world wide wall street financial disasters. Less regulation oil spilling into the Gulf, peoples lives and businesses ruined. And interest rates on credit cards at 35% and higher, you might as well borrow from the mafia, they might break your legs, but they would heal before your credit rating! Be careful what you vote for, republicans are parroting the same montra. Crist is no longer a republican, not walking in lockstep with republicans, go Charlie!
crist charlie (as we call him here in florida - because everything is backwards with him), is what everyone hates about politicians. he doesn't take a stand on anything until he's told what to do - like a little bitch. crist is everything we deplore about politicians. he says one thing, then does whatever is politically expedient. damn i hate this guy (and, every gd politician like him). if you wanna run for office and have everyone kiss yer ass (if you are that gd full of yourself), then at least do what you say what u will do. try to grow some goddamn balls and actually say what you mean. or, at least stick to what you say... even if you think it's wrong. i am still waiting for that one politician (male or female) who sticks to his/her convictions no matter what. the problem with politicians is that we the people allow them to get away with being absolute assholes (like crist charlie) and we don't throw them out on their asses immediately. please God give us one leader who gives a rats ass about this country. just one. Amen.
No thinking person could vote for Charlie Crist.
Most people living in Florida are racists and don't want a Latino or a Black man to win.
That is why they will vote for a scumbag like Crist.
Beware people of Florida if you vote for someone who has no beliefs beyond being elected he/she will turn on you when it is politically expediant to do so.
Crist has always been a RINO. His true colors are now out for all to see since he became an "Independent." Also, he checks hourly which way the wind is blowing.
tom7001:
"Be careful what you vote for, republicans are parroting the same montra."
With Crist, how can you even tell what you are voting for? Did you oppose his positions on the issues before you supported them? And do you actually believe that he won't change his positions again whenever it suits him? The only thing Crist can be counted on to consistently support is Crist, and nothing else matters.
And you misspelled "usury" and "mantra", btw.
Charlie Crist symbolizes everything that's wrong with politics in this country, no matter whether you're a Republican, Democrat, or Independent. He is 100% for himself and getting re-elected, no matter what he has to do, and what positions he needs to change. And don't forget his classic answer on Fox News Sunday that he was committed to running in the Republican primary and that he would not run as an Independent. What a joke he is!
You have our vote no matter what Crist tries to do. I dont believe him on anything.
Charlie Crist is a CROOK and a LIAR! Us Democrats are starting to figure him out! Go Meek!
Floridians..dumber than a box of rocks! They cause more problems with elections,like the 2000 debacle. Put 25 bingo cards in front of most seniors and when "I 15" is shouted out they have no problem dobbing all 25 cards in 3 seconds flat! But, punching a hole in the right circle (choice) on the voting ballot..to difficult to hit accurately. LMAO
Tom7001, I see you are an honor graduate of the publics schools. Leaving that aside, not one of your so-called statements is factually accurate. As for credit card interest rates, well, no one forces a person to use a credit card. It is possible to live without them, you know. Then it doesn't matter what interest rate the banks charge! But on the big issues, such as national defense, limited government, economic recovery and growth, and restoring the principles of Constitutional government, Charlie Crist will be Harry Reid's lap dog. That's just what Florida needs: two Democrat senators, just like California, Massachusetts, or New York.