CNN

The people of the state of Florida need Charlie Crist for a second term
as governor in Florida. If he becomes senator, which I am sure he will
win by a landslide, the republican senators in Washington today will
fill him with all their hate venom. He may not be able to to continue as
an independent, thinking " what is best for the people of Florida rather
than what is best for my party" person. But just maybe, his one sensible
voice could make a difference. Whatever he decides, I wish him well.
The gay marriage and gay adoption bans should be changed.

Marco Rubio for US Senate all the way!

We need him in the senate. He's done great work as governor following many of former Governor Jeb Bushes policies. Time for him to make the next move.

the only reason he his doing good is because he stood with POTUS......

I'm a liberal Democrat from FL and I gotta admit, I like what Crist is doing in the state... Rational republicans need to rise up and not be the minority in the country, things need to get done.

If this guy runs as an Independent he got my vote.

Right on Ryan in Denver. We need more intelligent discourse. Like all that class and wisdom from the likes of Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Bobby Rush, and Ted Kennedy.

Of course they love him when a huge majority of the people in Florida will not live to see the huge debt being passed on to future generations through this "stimulus". The government believes they know better how to spend money than the citizens do.........

Now, CNN, let's see if you really will publish my comment after rejecting it earlier. You only publish what comments you want published.

he's done a good job here, except he needs to kick out all the illegal mexicans that are bleeding schools and social services dry. Too many politicians across the country, and especially here in Florida like to look the other way; but Mexicans need to go back to Mexico. I'm tired of taxes being increased, schools being overcrowded for American kids, crime rates soaring...all due to illegal mexicans!

@Objective Thinking

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA:

Regarding Jindal, Jindal actually DID listen to his people and he accepted the parts of the stimulus that would not result in a raised tax the moment the stimulus money ran out.

The problem with you is that you oversimplify the stimulus debate into "take it or leave it." Jindal is smarter than you and knows which parts should be taken, and which parts should not be taken.
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He refused money that could potentially help rebuild the 9th ward in Louisiana. Then, he refused unemployment money for those struggling Americans...I need for you to explain to all of us how that is smart.

Charie Crist has common sense. He's practical and moderate, and knows that you accomplish nothing if you dig in your heels on either side of the aisle. Moderate Republicans like Charlie Crist, along with a new breed of Moderate Democrats, are the only way to save our country!

Romney and maybe Crist are the only potential bright stars in the GOP field. Palin is too divisive and lacks experience.

Well, he certainly gets points for being the tannest governor ever. Other than that, I'm not too crazy about how the budget crisis here is being handled.

Native beach-side Floridian Democrat here..... yeah. I really like Charlie Crist. Now I hope no one jumps out of the nearest bush and yanks my Democrat card out of my hands lol.

We need to go ahead and start implementing parts of the Cuban and Chinese economies and other policies as well. It is time for the federal government to get control over the health care system so we can ration it out to those who need it.... we also need to get some of this dissent under control by any means necessary. It's time to stop messing around.

Crist might be a good candiate and have worthy qualities but I will stay right were I am, supporting change – Being liked does not bring change to Americans lives, the courage to go against the grain and to put Americans healthcare and other needs first does.... Many Americans are under the impression that our President is spending too much money but we HAVE to spend money to make money... This is about the next generation getting a better shot not being selfish...

I love how the liberals say what a wonderful moderate Republican Crist is now. If he runs for President, however, they'll call him another George Bush, a Rethuglican, a right-wing extremist, or any of a host of other insults.

You know how I know this?

Because John McCain is one of the most moderate Republicans in the Senate right now. Democrats were always saying how they wished more Republicans were like McCain. As soon as he ran for the presidency, however, they demonized him and elected a man as far from center as you can possibly get.

Crist looks great on the outside. He is such a mild mannered person, never wanting to get in the middle of an argument, never really taking sides, always seeing the glass half full. Many in Florida have commented on his overall abilities and wonder if he really is strong enough to go anywhere else politically. To his credit, he has done well considering he followed John Ellis Bush, right wing nut , brother of W, who hated everything government. JEB hated government so much no one could figure out why he wanted a government job and then it dawned on us that his only goal as gov. was to destroy what government he could while in the Gov.'s mansion. We are hoping he will return to Texas to live out his life with his family and perhaps become Prez of Texas if Rick or Chuck don't get the job!

Charlie's a nice guy, end of story.

"With all the lies and mistrust of the DNC and RNC, I would love to see some more politicians bail and go independent."

I would love to see an independent/moderate party. And rename the Democrats to the Liberal Party and the Republicans to the Conservative Party.

For a Republican he seems like a good guy.

As a Floridian and a Democrat, I have to admit that Gov. Crist as grown on me, which, given how much I detest Republicans for how they have ran this country for the last 12 years, is somewhat of a shocker for me to admit.

Crist is one of the few Moderate Republicans left. The Republican Party better wise up. Palin, Gingrich and the others will lead them to disaster. Only the Moderates can save the Republican Party.

I recently visited my home state a must say I am pleased what govenor Christ has done with our state

Gov Crist has been a fine servant of the people of Florida in several capacities. He will make a great senator and possibly president.

The future of the Republican party looks like Charlie Crist and Jim Huntsman.

The past of the Republican party looks like Gingrich, Palin and Sanford.

Republicans, it's up to you. Forward, or backward? Become relevant again, or disappear?

As a democrat I gotta admite I love Charlie Crist. It's too bad more republicans weren't like him – then we might actually have an intelligent discourse in this country and a more healthy political process.

Crist is great and he is an anomaly in the Rushlican party... He is an independent thinker; he has a brain; and he uses it for something other than "no." With Crist, it is people first, the rest second.

The man uses his brain.

He Is one of the Few Republicans I Like a Moderate not a Far right wing nut!

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA:

Regarding Jindal, Jindal actually DID listen to his people and he accepted the parts of the stimulus that would not result in a raised tax the moment the stimulus money ran out.

The problem with you is that you oversimplify the stimulus debate into "take it or leave it." Jindal is smarter than you and knows which parts should be taken, and which parts should not be taken.

Among the many reasonable and sane Repubs. Gov. Crist is a crisp example of how to call and gather his wits amongst the callous cacophony of the right-wing extremists and the naive and notorious neocons. what a breath of fresh air! We would like Chuck Norris and Rick Perry to behave or be booted out in a brutal way, if they continue to brandish bullyin' banners of secession.

Crist is a gov with ideas to protect the state.

The one major thing I do not approve with Crist is keeping the FCAT. The FCAT is the biggest waste of money in the state of Florida.
We need to teach kids basic skills not teach to a test.
I hope if he becomes senator he will help pass laws to abolish standardized test and start using money for education more effectively.

one of the leading reasons for Crist's popularity is that he was sensible enough to recognize the need for Obama's stimulus plan. Democrats like when Republicans manage to be sensible.

I am not a Pepublican nor anything else. I vote for the best person for the time. From what I have heard I think Crist would make a good candidate in 2012 for his party. The Republicans must get new blood in their party if they ever want to come back. Each possibility has something wrong with his/her ideas, but he seems to have the least. He doesn't appear to be as deep in the rut as the rest. I would prefer him over any others, particularly Palin! She was the worst thing that ever got into governments politics. No matter who I vote for, if she's on the ticket, they lose! (and I'm a woman)

As being a native Floridian and a Liberal Dem, I still must say that if there was any Republican I was to back it would be Crist all the way. He's a decent guy (which now-a-days is rare on both sides) and even though we don't agree on ideologies, I still love that man to pieces! Considering Florida has done tremedously worse (ehm, Jeb) I am glad I can have a republican from MY state that is not a crazy nut-job spewing nonsense. Classy, calm, and someone I feel I can have a real debate without name-calling and kindergarden antics. Go Charlie!

The gentleman is way better than that horse's butt Jeb Bush

With all the lies and mistrust of the DNC and RNC, I would love to see some more politicians bail and go independent.

I guess that means they all like his labor camps that, though set up under Jeb Bush, continue to operate out of the public eye. And while the media is quite adept in painting politicians in bright shining colors, he's yet to guanrantee free and honest elections in Florida. This has all of the earmarks of a media snow job.

No we don't. He accepted money from the government printed out of thin air. In the end, his act will hurt us rather than help us.

@ SCott the Independent, who said "One of the few republicans that makes sense."

Actually, I think that makes him not a Republican, but that's ok...we'll let him keep wearing a meaningless label if it makes him happy: as long as his actions continue to make sense.

People always cross the river when it bad on the other side we need all the highly intelligent people on our side to turn this economic around. Florida tell Govern Crist the big D is the future of the state.

I did not vote for Governor Crist; however I am pleasantly surprised at how he is doing. He has really showed himself to be for the people of Florida and not jut another politican. He has done things that will really help this state in these difficult times.

When you side with a popular President and distance your self from the Party of No, of course you'll have good poll numbers. More GOP governors need to follow Gov. Crists' example. Listen to the people of your state and stop the politcal posturing. This means you; Palin, Jindal & Sanford.

Good for him. I'm a conservative and a republican, but I like a healthy mix.

That being said, we need new blood in The Senate and Congress, on both sides.

Someone should tell Charlie that the road to the Republican Presidential nomination runs through the statehouse, not through DC. I'm fairly sure he's got his eye on a potential 2012 run, and Republican leaders have made it clear that Senators are persona non grata. If he wants to make a run, he needs to stay a governor. The problem is, he'll get totally savaged in the primary by those who would call him a RINO, say he isn't a real conservative, and there would be a vicious ad campaign tying him to President Obama. The GOP has defined itself as "whatever the opposite of Obama is" and Crist hasn't been angry enough at the President.

Many of us are relieved about Governor Crist for one reason only: he is not Jeb Bush.

If there is any decent Republican out there, Crist is the one. He handled himself with class throughout the election and is not afraid to accept the stimulus money for his state. Now if we can only convince him to come to the other side!

Oh, you do? Then I guess you love his support for the gay adotpion ban there that's placed the futures of many foster children in jeopardy and limbo. Then I guess you love his support for the gay marriage ban there, despite his own questionable sexuality. Then I guess you love all the sky rocketting property taxes he helped usher in. Then I guess you love having your home insurances dropped and or skyrocketting. Crist is not what you think he is.

Here come the Crist haters... "I live in FL and he is the devil". Crist is well-suited for his position and has done a superb job, given the disparities between classes and ethnicities in Florida, and troubles facing the country and the world. Not to mention Cuba issues.

Bravo Governor, and best of luck as either Governor or Senator in the future.

One of the few republicans that makes sense.