FOX 4 WFTX - Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples News, WeatherChanging Charlie: Governor under fire from own party
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Our Republican Governor, Charlie Crist is taking some heat from critics within his own party that's he's not conservative enough to be Florida's next senator. Political analysts say he's trying to win over conservatives by distancing himself from President Obama and his stimulus policies...and the result is conflicting statements.
So, Four In Your Corner wants to know where does he stand? I put that question right to the governor.
When President Obama came to Fort Myers nine months ago, Governor Crist introduced him with these words.
GOV. CRIST: "We know that's important that we pass this stimulus package. "
The governor sounded ready to spend.
"I think it's fantastic. Are you kidding me? We don't have to raise taxes...going to spend on roads...it's remarkable. "
But now, Governor Crist says President Obama and his stimulus policies are a problem, not the solution. "It seems to be the president solution to everything is spend more money..that's not the recipe for success in my view."
Is he changing his tune? I got him on the phone.
PATRICK: "Gov. Crist...do you support the stimulus package that Pres. Obama got passed?
GOV. CRIST: "What I support is utilizing the monies that have come to Florida for the benefit of my fellow Floridians....I know that it has helped Florida save about 20,000 teaching jobs...the exact plan is not one that I would have voted for."
PATRICK: "You said you wouldn't have voted for it...but you're staying the results were good and you called it fantastic...why wouldn't you vote for it?
GOV. CRIST: "Well there are things I wouldn't have necessarily supported or had in the final version of the bill. The concept is one that our country needed."
I asked about the President's recent visit to this Arcadia solar plant. At the time...the governor said this about the president.
"I didn't know that he was in this state. I understand that he had, I think a fund-raiser last night as I read this morning and I think he's gonna go to a solar plant today."
PATRICK: "It seems like a big switch..you were on stage with him in Feb more recently when he came...You said didn't know Whether he was in the state."
GOV. CRIST: "No, I knew he was in the state, I just didn't have his itinerary..."
PATRICK: "I thought you said you didn't know which day he was here...I'm sorry..I thought you said at the time you didn't know which day he was here."
GOV. CRIST: "No, that's not accurate."
PATRICK: "You did know which day he was in here in Florida."
GOV. CRIST: "That's right. I just didn't know which city he was going to be at in different points in time."
When CNN asked Governor crist about his position on President Obama's stimulus package Wednesday night, the Governor said he never endorsed it.
