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Acting like this, Crist should switch and become a Democrat.

Lifelong Republican in Florida voting for Rubio. Crist is another Arlen Specter.

No surprise on the $$. Crist is bought and paid for by special interests, particularly developers. In Florida greedy developers.

Don't totally discount Rubio's chances though. We'lll see how Charlie the Obama Hugger stands on additional "stimulus" packages where Obama is going to spend much more $$ than he has.

Feel a hand in your pocket America? If not yet you are going to. If you pay taxes Obama is coming to get more and it won't matter what you make, he is going to take more of it.

Bridgette July 9th, 2009 2:18 pm ET

Why does all of this money has to be raised. Are they buying these offices and our votes are just camoflouge. I don't understand why they need to raise millions of dollars for a job that does not pay no where near there. what happens to that money after the race is over. I think we are being completely ripped off.
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Bridgette, you've pretty much described the major flaw in party politics – the very flaw that Jefferson and Franklin warned.

With respect to the money... well, they spend it on their campaigns. TV time, radio time... paying campaign "volunteers". And as far as the job not paying much... well, it's not the pay, it's the speaking engagement fees and all the other bennies that motivate them. It certainly isn't their desire to help out the citizenry, that's for sure.

the war chest that politicians need to compete is so out of hand

Gov Crist, Good raising voting money. I'm a Obama/Bidlen "12", but you will have my "Pres Crist 2016" Vote!

GO DEMS! Get another seat. Are you listening GOP?

Why do people compalin of having no money yet they give it to these fundraisers? Tho Im sure for both sides alot of the funds came from rich friends...

Does not matter, crist favors obamas tax and spend so me and mine will vote Rubio.

It is not surprising Charlie has raised huge sums of money. He signed legislation gutting Florida's growth management laws, then he transferred complete power to move water around the state to politically-appointed water managent directors. Then he made sure that decisions did not have to go through any public scrutiny, and that the decisions could not be challenged by anyone opposed to the decisions. Talk about gifts to fat cat developers! Charlie should be able to raise huge sums with friends like these. He has totally capitulated to the pave Florida now crowd, and is nothing short of a Bernie Madoff in the Governor's mansion. What a coward!

Why do they think this is big news.

We all know The Repubicans Party-GOP have the backing of the Greedy Corporations CEO of the Healthcare Industry, Bank Industry, and the Oil Industry.

Oh look, another politician is selling his soul for money.....

Why is it that these candidates can raise so much money for their elections and not be able to come up with a simple budget once they are in office? Am I the only one who is wondering where all these contributions are coming from and what this guy is going to do to pay all the contributers back if he gets elected?

he raises alot of money and his last name is crist? he will be running for president DEFINITELY!!! the gullible base of the republican party will follow this guy off a cliff!

Why does all of this money has to be raised. Are they buying these offices and our votes are just camoflouge. I don't understand why they need to raise millions of dollars for a job that does not pay no where near there. what happens to that money after the race is over. I think we are being completely ripped off.

Crist can really give the Democrats a run for our money. He's got the right package as far as political charisma is concern, and he wasn't all about saying NO when the rest of his party was going down that road. That will carry him a long way.

It's all about the money people..it's not about us or our country..who has the most money has the most say and the most votes..what a bunch of dirt balls

Another empty gas bag...bidness as usual!

He's going to need every penny and LOTS more to win. Republicans LOVE to brag about what they raised and then when the Democrats out RAISE them, then the whining and accusations start flowing from the Republicans.

Crist needs to be happy he raised what he did, however, thanks to Palin, Sanford, Vitter, Ensign, the 2010 elections is promising to be another defining moment in our history when the GOP gets another butt whooping.

Atta boy, Christ! Surprisingly, GOP has some sane ones who can engender a marriage between hard-line ultra-right wingers, and loosey-goosey liberals, and take a middle course, until atleast the problem is being addressed.

Guess the Orange growers are making a big profit this year.Just goes to show you hes in the pocket of big business and not the working man and woman of Florida.Dont get fooled by this yokel,he doesnt give a spit about the middle class.

so what,can he beat the democrat in florida, i dont think so,he supported the stimulus,and the gop will never let him live that down. there will be a senator of african american to win that seat,do the math (cnn) charlie crist will lose,he is wasting his time. the power of of the president will prevail.(cnn) do your homework and reveal who that is to defeat (charlie crist)?

Kinda wanna try my hand at mindless, meaningless criticism akin to the GOP's right now:

Hey, didn't anyone ever tell this guy it's not nice to point? What a commy!

tah dah

yeah probaly all our property tax money (developers, Crist, Property Appraisers, and tax collectors) are common thieves.

Charlie Christ is a shoo-in for the Senate seat of Mel Martinez. He is widely known and broadly popular across the state. That answers Mr. Rubio's questions about why he would support stimulus in Florida and environmental protection issues. He has cross-party support. That does not explain to me, however, why he is leaving the Governorship which it would seem to me is a better jumping off point for Presidential office, but probably he wants national security experience.

is he gearing up for 2012 ? is Romney ?...

The last thing that this poor nation needs is another Conservative Senator. Haven't these people done enough damage to the nation already. And Florida, in particular, has a lot to make up for. It was that state that, more than any other, put us in the mess we are in now.

I hope Rubio will run for governor of FL and get some more experience there. He is a good guy.

Rubio is going to end up choking on his words. The stimulus so far has saved jobs, helped refinance mortgages, extended unemloyment benefits and slowly but surely loosening up credit. These Party of NO politicians are going to be out of a job in 2010 and they'll be needing some unemployment benefits.