Political Ruminations

Gov. Charlie Crist Calls Out Republicans at the DNC

During a speech at the DNC, former Republican governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, voiced his concern that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan would “break the promise of Medicare and Social Security”, emphasis mine:

“ When I look at the Republican ticket today, I see two candidates who would break the fundamental promise of Medicare and Social Security, and cut investments in our middle class which are so important to our economic recovery. And when I look at President Obama, I see a leader with a cool head, a caring heart and an open mind, a president who has demonstrated through his demeanor and through his deeds that he is uniquely qualified to heal our divisions, rebuild our nation and lead us to a brighter future together. ”

Morning Quote: Charlie Crist

Former Florida Republican Gov. Charlie Crist (now a registered Independent) throws his support behind President Obama in an op-ed for the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday, emphasis mine:

“As Republicans gather in Tampa to nominate Mitt Romney, Americans can expect to hear tales of how President Obama has failed to work with their party or turn the economy around. But an element of their party has pitched so far to the extreme right on issues important to women, immigrants, seniors and students that they've proven incapable of governing for the people.”

Image Credit: Associated Press

(via National Journal)

Morning Quote: Charlie Crist

In a piece for the Washington Post, former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (I) on voter suppression efforts by Republicans in statehouses around the country (number of voters to be robbed of their right to vote is thought to be 5 million):

“ Including as many Americans as possible in our electoral process is the spirit of our country. It is why we have expanded rights to women and minorities but never legislated them away, and why we have lowered the voting age but never raised it. Cynical efforts at voter suppression are driven by an un-American desire to exclude as many people and silence as many voices as possible. ”

Via Josh Marshall, who noted “Voter suppression is as close as you get in democratic politics to mortal sin. And it's going to be one of the prime features of the 2012 election. It is shameful, cynical and frankly disgusting.”

Adding…..voter suppression is the last resort of a flailing political party which cannot  win on its  own merits.