Posted on 08/10/2006 4:33:12 AM PDT by davidosborne
This evening, Tom Gallagher said "This isn't about who looks the prettiest on tv. This isn't American Idol... This is about the soul of the Republican Party."
Crist is the sensible type of Republican Florida needs. If I still lived there, he'd get my primary support.
What bothers some people about Crist is how devious he comes across in numerous issues. He just isn't trustworthy. Maybe it's the influence of the special interest groups.
A "civil union" is government recognition...ESC research is unethical in that it destroys a human life...faith is a part of life so it shouldn't be excluded from the political realm...and not working to end abortions is not a conservative position.
If CC has already compromised--before being elected--on these issues, what will he compromise about once elected?
I still think he's a RINO. I'll probably hold my nose and vote for him if he's nominated, but he doesn't have my support for the primary.
Charlie Crist wants to keep climbing but he never earns it. He'll step over as many people as need be, however if you meet him in public, he seems like such a nice guy.
Do you think a 50 year old man with an AARP membership should do his own checkbook or should his father handling his finances for him? Can you imagine a Governor who doesn't even do his own finances?
I hope somebody's reading this thread because Charlie sunbathes on the roof of his rental condo (doesn't own real property) and his dad handles his money.
ARE CRIST SUPPORTERS NUTS? That's the only conclusion I can come to...
Tom Gallagher is soooooooo right. The only difference is that Crist didn't do the yee-haw scream. But, other than that, CHARLIE CRIST IS LIKE HOWARD DEAN.
Yee-Haw! I luv outing closet liberals. I'm so glad Gallagher has now done it too!
They are too creeped out by Crist and on the issues, that's why UNDECIDEDS are choosing Gallagher.
What's his view on the 2nd Amendment?
It was more than two defections. When are you going to address the 11 issues above? Until you do, please don't bother to ping me with your useless blind pro-Gallagher propaganda. I'm still waiting.......(but we both know you won't answer)
Undecided voters are choosing Tom Gallagher on the issues.
Why a nole is obsessed with ethics is beyond me. I know some noles who don't have any ethics - they do have bioethics though.
What are you going to say when Gallagher gets creamed in September? Did you see his fundraising this week? He raised an impressive $225. That's right...I'm not kididng. He had $225 in new hard money contributions. His totals, when you include in kind and interest, were less than $15K. That is PATHETIC. Like I said, if you aren't going to appease all of us Crist supporters by at least ADDRESSING the issues above, then please keep me off your ping list. You are offering NOTHING to this debate. You don't even have to defend Gallagher. Just acknowledge that you understand why not everyone can support him, given the 11 reasons listed above.
Florida's economy is healthy. Why work on something that ain't broken?
On the other hand, there are many social issues in Florida that need attention.
If he's going to focus on the economy, he's taking the easy way out.
A majority of problems in Florida are with social issues largely because of the liberal supreme court partnering with the aclu and with activist judges and trial lawyers.
Okay, now I get it. If Crist doesn't focus on social issues, then his liberal friends can keep destroying people's lives and get rich doing it!
Crist is going to look the other way, I'm afraid.
I haven't read it yet myself but I am worried about Charlie Crist.
Has it ever occurred to you that Tom Gallagher has a large war chest already? Of course not. Did you realize that middle class families and lower income families and seniors don't have extra money but they have a right to vote just like the fat cats.
Tom Gallagher's asking for everyone's vote, NOT THEIR MONEY.
Get it?
You keep saying that Gallagher has been closing in the polls. Do you have any proof of this, or are you just making stuff up again. Last I saw, he was over 20 points down.
Dear Friends,
Thank you for all of your hard work this week. It was another great week on the trail.
I would like to start this weeks Notes from the Trail by addressing our nations security. As you all are well aware, this week our nation received news that officials from the United Kingdom joined with US officials and stopped a terrorist plot against our nation and arrested more than 20 suspected terrorists. This event is a stark reminder that even though we are safer now than we were pre-9/11, we are still not completely safe. That is why we must continue to call on the federal government to secure our borders and enforce the law.
On Monday, in Fort Lauderdale, I had the opportunity to address an Insurance and Tax Forum. At the event, I explained my comprehensive strategies to provide insurance and tax relief for Floridas families. Less taxes and less regulation will grow our economy and today, thanks to Republican stewardship, Florida has one of the strongest economies in the nation. We must maintain our commitment to less taxes and less regulation and keep our economy expanding for the future.
On Wednesday, I was in the Villages where I spoke about the need for our next Governor to follow the path laid out by Jeb Bush, and stay committed to the values of the Republican Party.
Yesterday, I officially kicked off the final 25 days of this campaign. With less than a month to go before the primary election, its time to re-focus on choosing the candidate whos best qualified to represent the Republican Party.
I have great respect for my opponent, but over the course of the last year, it has become very clear that we have very different ideas about whats best for the Republican Party and for our state. Our differences are meaningful, and they are consequential.
For the next 25 days of this campaign, I intend to talk about four critical issues that separate us: taxes, immigration, insurance and family values. Over the next month I am going to convince the voters that Im the best person to lead our party. Im going to stick to the issues, and I urge my opponent to do the same. This race should not be about the candidates personal lives. It should not result in mud-slinging and our paid messages need to remain positive. Doing otherwise will only help the Democrats in November.
This race all comes down to this: my opponent wants to take the party in a new direction, away from the conservative course set by Jeb Bush. I want our party to remain conservative in every sense of the word. Thats a fight that I can and will win.
Thanks again for another great week. With only 25 days left of the campaign, things are really starting to heat up at the grassroots level. Many of you have been involved in President Bushs and Governor Jeb Bushs campaigns. As you know, campaigns are won at the grassroots level, and the campaign with the best team in place will win. This one is no different. This primary race is important because we need someone with the vision and integrity to lead our great state like Governor Bush has over the last 8 years.
Tom Gallagher
Crist's dad does his checkbook for him. Crist doesn't own anything.
Is his dad going to run the economy for him or will that be Alex Sink's friend Katie Pemble running the economy? LOL Emily's List or daddy?
Crist has no perspective because he does not lead a normal life.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/politics/15255112.htm
AP newswire Excerpt:
"There will be a lot of people surprised when the votes are counted. People are just now beginning to realize there's an election," said Gallagher, who added that he has never seriously considered getting out.
Gallagher, the former insurance commissioner, displayed his expertise on insurance problems and said candidates who promise to force companies to lower rates aren't telling the truth.
Part of the blame was in 1996 when then insurance commissioner Bill Nelson allowed national insurance companies like State Farm and Allstate set up separate Florida-only companies. Nelson is now a U.S. senator.
Gallagher said that the Florida-only companies jack up rates saying they have too much risk, while the national parent companies show huge profits.
The same companies wanted to do the same after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, when Gallagher was the commissioner.
"I said no, and did not let them do it," he said. "Unfortunately I wasn't the insurance commissioner in 1996."
When asked why Republicans aren't backing him considering he has the most experienced with insurance, Gallagher shot back, "Who said they aren't? I think we make that decision on Sept. 5."
Gallagher also explained why he has switched positions on two major issues since he ran for governor in 1994. At that time, he opposed school vouchers and described himself as "pro-choice."
He said he was education commissioner when Gov. Jeb Bush's voucher program was put in place and he saw first hand that it made a difference in people's lives who otherwise couldn't remove their children from failing schools.
"Those parents were so excited about the opportunity, to have a choice," Gallagher said. "I was wrong. I saw what happened and I was wrong."
He also said the birth of his 7-year-old son Charlie, as well as the feelings of his wife, Laura, changed his mind on abortion. He now supports an outright ban on the procedure.
"From the very beginning of this campaign I've been totally consistent," Gallagher added, before taking a shot at Crist. "He's a different person every place he goes."
The NRA has endorced Crist for governor.
That means a lot. Florida has Marion Hammer leading the charge on some very important gun rights issues in Florida. It has been the leader and first in the country in a long time to pass a Concealed Carry Law. The law has spread to the other states and now there are only two states that haven't any CCW provision. Castle Doctine has been passed and again, spread to the other states. It's very important that Florida have an strong Second Amendment supporter in the governor's chair. That means Crist.
I seen no reason for enthusiasm for Crist exept by special interest groups whose agenda is contrary to that of the majority of Floridians. Crist has the character issue.
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