WASHINGTON (CNN) – Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said Friday he would not appoint himself to fill the remaining time left in Sen. Mel Martinez's, R-Florida, Senate term.
Crist, who is running for Martinez's seat, would not speculate on who he might appoint to fill the remaining term, but the governor also noted that "there is not a long list of candidates" for the position.
"This is a very serious thing and I recognize that," Crist told reporters at a briefing in Florida.
"There is not a short list," he said. "There is not a long list, but I am getting a lot of calls and recommendations and volunteers."
Crist told reporters that Martinez informed him of his decision yesterday.
He also said the governor's office will likely have "an application process, a questionnaire, an appropriate vetting" before appointing a replacement.
"I'm confident we will be able to reach a decision in the next few weeks before the senate goes back into session," he said.
Earlier Friday, Martinez announced publicly that he was resigning his seat. Late last year, Martinez said he would not seek a second term in the Senate.
From CNN Politics
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Appoint Marco Rubio.
Appoint Sarah Palin.
Since Christ will not appoint Jeb Bush, he will have to appoint Rush Limbaugh who lives in Florida in order to pander to the far right. If Christ appointed someone actually qualified such as Janet Reno or Bob Graham he would lose the Senate primary.
good for him...Florida old coots do not need him at all....
Try appointing Mickey Mouse! He would be in good company in Washington.
Appoint Jeb Bush?!?!?!?..............Please!!!
Crist is gonna 'appoint' someone who does not have a prayer of beating him in the Republican Primary for when that seat comes up for reelection.
Seriously......some people are so dense!!!
I doubt it will be Bush unless he promises not to run next year. I think Crist has convinced himself he wants to be a senator and I don't think he would want a prolonged primary battle.
He seems to be a smart guy but I have seen many posts on here from Floridians not too enamored with him. But, almost anything is a step up from Martinez.
Good luck Florida!
Although I hate to admit this, only because I have no proof otherwise, Christ isn't a usual Republican pig of a politician. He does have a part of his soul still left in him that the Republican party wasn not able to drive completely out of him.
We find this condition sometimes among a few Republicans who seem to be a little more than coolaid drinkers. These so called flashes of sanity.
I hope that for the sake of the Republican party, and this country, that these guys like Voinovich and the few who actually voted for Sotomayor and still have some sanity left in them, have enough pull to right that ship that has gone awry 40 years ago (after Nixon took over the party over from Goldwater).
As far as Mel Martinez, ha ha hahahaha, I'd personally send him to Cuba for a little re-education after what he and the Republithugs did to Betty Castor, a first rate educator, and a great lady. You know, a couple of years after 911, they kept showing a picture of her on the same screen as Osama Bin Laden.
Republican filth, scare tactics, too bad the people of Florida fell for thier crap.
The only thing that Barack Obama inherited in this past six months.
Is hisown ignorance of what it takes to run a Government.
And does this mean for 5 yrs in the Senator Martinez receives a lifetime of retirement and health benefits? Does he receive a big book deal for leaving early? Or perhaps a talk show? This is another waste of money by the House & Senate.
the money is coming from us – for a better america for a better future, it is coming from us our children and our grandchildren, for a better america for a better future. or stay the same and go down the drain. GOP is serving up hogwash and many are drinking freely!
I see that the silly are still hard at work on the blogs...Palin? You do have to be a legal resident of the state for a specific amount of time to become a Senator or Representative. Limbaugh would be an amusing choice, since he would actually have to shut up for hours at a time when he didn't have the floor!
As for Jeb Bush, I don't think the people of Florida would be very happy about that. Mind you, that hasn't prevented Governors from both parties from appointing unpopular choices before, but Crist seems to be fairly level-headed in comparison to most GOP governors.
Somewhere in Florida there is a 90 year old widow of an ancient Congressman. She can keep the seat warm for him.
Actually, the last thing this nation needs is another Republican Senator. One more guy to stall, equivocate, deny, block, defy, disregard, and defeat any effort to solve any of the nation's problems.
Appoint Sarah Palin. This would really peeve the liberals.
He will appoint Sarah Palin – who will also quit – allowing Crist to secure the seat for himself.
Good! But, that means Charlie Crist will have a chance to run in the next elections in 2010....
~Dennis Junior~
He has been a WORTHLESS Governor – decreasing property taxes, and then doubling licensing and tag fees. He's been running around w/his "trophy wife" in CT & NY while our state ranks #49 in education. Look up "empty suit" in the dictionary and you'll find his picture. He won't appoint Jeb Bush...that would spell the END of him. On the other hand, that might be a good move. I think former Governor Bob Martinez would be a good choice if he's interested. Can't wait for Gov. Alex Sink – democratic woman – the next gov of FLORIDUH!!
Pick me!!
When will Governor Crist come out , everyone in Florida has always known ....... I wish people would just be honest ...
I think most Republicans are so evil they long ago sold us out for their campaign money. I wish they'd all just go away.
I love Crist because he actually is the sort of Conservative that represents my values. You know, he supports Pres. Obama, so therefore...
Crist and Obama what a team..
Crist recently got married and I'm sure he doesn't want dirt thrown in his face.
If he appoints Bush he's really dumb......It would make more sense to appoint himself.....So what if people don't like it......Anyway, Bush's only appeal is to his base....And he'll need more than teabaggers and gangsters to win an election......