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McCain Ally Charlie Crist ... Extends Early Voting In Florida
Florida governor and leading McCain surrogate Charlie Crist signs an executive order today extending the early voting hours in this crucial swing state where Obama is giving McCain the fight of his life:
Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
Of the 2.1 million Florida voters who have already voted, 45% have been registered Dems and 40% have been Republicans.
So this extension, which Crist did in consultation with other local officials, is certainly no favor to McCain from Crist, who's reportedly been at odds with the McCain campaign for various reasons.
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Good.
Crist can likely see the handwriting on the wall and this really is the right thing to do.
I wish some other states that have cut back on the hours would get in line.
October 28, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Charlie is so bitter. He is going to start clinging to guns and religion soon.
October 28, 2008 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Touche
October 28, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Isn't Crist is the guy who went to Disneyworld instead of appearing with McCain at a rally?
October 28, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. And he did so, according to a rumor I just invented, because his prefers fantasy stories told with skill.
October 28, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fierce move by Christ here, doing right by the voters of Florida.
Anyone care to elaborate on the tensions between the permatan guv and the McCain campaign?
October 28, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Politics aside, it was the right thing to do. Tip of the hat to Crist for being an American first, a Republican second.
October 28, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Co-sign.
October 28, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
My first co-sign.
October 28, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crist is one of those moderate Republicans who has been told there's no place for him unless he bows down the party's Christian overlords.
October 28, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
With a name like that, the party's Christian overlords should be bowing to him!
October 28, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please don't feed the religionuts.
October 28, 2008 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was elected to serve the people of FL not to serve the John McCain campaign.
October 28, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was elected to serve the people of FL not to serve the John McCain campaign.
October 28, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can't wait to see what conspiracies the nutjobs over at No Quarter make out of this one. . . "It's the beginning of the Obamabots Nazi takeover of the free world" or some such jibberish.
October 28, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed. "Unhinged" does not begin to describe the mood over there.
October 28, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for diving into that stuff so that we don't have to.
October 28, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd rather only hear from them when they tell the truth. Except when inadvertant.
October 28, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Special guest Harriet Christian on NQR (NQR, WTF?) tonight. I'm stoked!
October 28, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have somewhat surprised that the right has decided to deal with Obama's popularity by screaming that he's too popular - he's Hitler.
That's been pretty breathtaking.
October 28, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed, they are convinced that Obama plans to suppress all political opposition and craft a one party, totalitarian state. The word "projection" springs readily to mind...
October 28, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's the projection of projections, right there.
;)
October 28, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's why the best projectors cost $300 million!
October 28, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
True. Since it's the only way they know how to think, it is the only tool of analysis they have. . . very neanderthal like.
October 28, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
the only way they know how to think,
_____
Is mere ideation the equivalent of thought?
October 28, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
As if Bu$h didn't?
October 28, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I always worry when people with guns start talking about betrayal and purifying the ranks....
October 28, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're dealing with it the way they deal with everything else - by screaming. What they scream is immaterial.
October 28, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Arkady Darell sez:
When in danger,
When in doubt,
Run in circles
Scream and shout!
October 28, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
The whole Hasselbeck-Palain road show is about celebrity -- and selling sex.
October 29, 2008 2:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
*Crist not Christ
October 28, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
As we know from 2000, the Florida governor can be a crucial swing vote in presidential elections.
October 28, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was elected to serve the people of FL not to serve the John McCain campaign.
October 28, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Early voting extended?
In what respect, Charlie?
Seriously, good for Crist. Helping people vote is not a political issue. It's treasonous to think otherwise.
October 28, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow.
Wow.
He's doing the right thing for voters. That's just outstanding. I won't forget this.
I'd like other governors to step up to the plate and follow his example, if they have the opportunity.
October 28, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was hoping you'd show up. If you haven't seen these - I thought I'd return your favor of posting the link to the rally pics on Kos by posting the HuffPo link to the latest slide show of more Obama PDA. I love this shit.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/28/obama-pda-the-one-day-edi_n_138331.html
October 28, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Co-sign!
The Biden one is cute too.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/07/the-bidens-greatest-pda-m_n_132411.html
October 28, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awwwww - that was so sweet and they've been married for 31 years. God I love these candidates who are in love with their wives and show it.
I just love that - it's a nice change from politicians who can't be trusted 3 feet outside their front doors.
October 28, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the link.
They're adorable together. I don't know how else to put it. And it's so refreshing to see two people still obviously in love with one another while in the middle of these extraordinary circumstances.
October 28, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not sure if this means his implicit endorsement of Obama or rather "F**k you McScum," but either way, it's the right thing to do... props to him.
October 28, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
O/T: Just early voted. I had no idea how emotional I'd feel. I literally had tears in my eyes when she handed me my ballot - and when I marked it for Barack. Wow! I asked the city hall clerk if other people had gotten tearful voting. She told me "we here feel that way all the time." It must be very moving to see how eager people are to vote this year.
October 28, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
O I love your story. I'm almost sorry I didn't get to vote at a polling place because voting absentee didn't have quite that same punch.
But I still was walking a foot off the ground when I marked that ballot and then sent it off.
October 28, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good for you. Stories like yours make us feel confident that there is no complacency on our side. People are excited to vote for Obama, and they want their voice heard resoundingly.
October 28, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know how you feel as well. I voted on saturday (wish he would have done this sooner damnit) and it was amazing how many first time voters were there. Every time I turned around, someone was ringing a cow bell.
October 28, 2008 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for all the kind words. After voting I went to the grocery store and the check-out lady asked if I was having a nice day. Told her it was a great day - that I'd just voted. She pointed to my Obama button with a questioning and hopeful look. She's going to vote for Obama on Friday!
I canvassed both weekend days. And I'm telling you there is a hunger and an excitement for Barack like you just can't believe. At one house, the husband said: "In this house, Obama rules!"
I don't think anyone is going to get complacent. People NEED to cast that ballot after all we've been through. I had to look at it twice - just to be sure it was "A ok."
October 28, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
When I voted it was a bit surreal. It seemed far too easy for something so damn important.
October 28, 2008 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crist sees the writing on the wall and doesn't want to be tied too closely to the McCain gutter campaign and then have to face an Obama ground campaign backed opponent in 2010 and an electorate that is leaning Obama right now.
I expect Charlie to be pretty centrist for the next two years...
October 28, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe more 2012 positioning? "I'm the unscary Republican"?
October 28, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would be my guess.
October 28, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does this make McCain that Anti-Crist? :-)
October 28, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
It makes him LudaCrist.
October 28, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, I think Luda and I are both offended by that.
;)
October 28, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
It certainly can't hurt Crist's re-election campaign.
And if a certain Florida governor should decide to throw his hat in the ring for '12, it's nice and centrist sounding.
October 28, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's going to have to get married by then. BTW, haven't heard anything more about his engagement or didn't it "take"? (Actually, I hate to be mean toward Crist because he seems to be the most reasonable Republican around.)
October 28, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
The wedding is set for Dec 12.
October 28, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Charlie wants to get reelected in 2010
October 28, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. Repubs in purple states/districts want to at least seem like they're not obstructing Obama's election even if they're not endorsing him.
October 28, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't Crist one of McCain's early backers? What changed to make him sour on McCain? I guess that, from where I am standing, this looks more like Crist just doing the right thing, politics be damned, then a case of actively trying to slight McCain. In any event, I tip my hat to the man.
October 28, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crist helped McCain win Florida in the primary, by announcing his endorsement days before the primary and campaigning with him around the state.
However, in recent weeks, it's been obvious that the thrill was gone from their relationship. Crist opted to go to DisneyWorld, I believe, rather than campaign with McCain in one notable instance.
So the thrill is gone. I'd like to think Crist is just doing the right thing, but then I snap out of it, and concur with everyone upthread who is speculating that this is Crist's way of positioning himself for future plans.
October 28, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I fail to see how "doing the right thing" and "positioning himself for future plans" are two separate categories in this instance. The two are not mutually exclusive. I could be quite pleased if all politicians pandered to voters in future elections by doing that which is fundamentally decent and right.
October 28, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Works both ways, though. Something that's for the public good in effect can still be done out of self-interest. The motivations of the actor can be suspected even while if the effects of the action are praised.
October 28, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
That said, I'm sure Democrats get the benefit of the doubt concerning their motivations more often on these boards.
But then that said, I've seen Crist exhibit his weaseliness one too many times during his surrogate incarnations, all the way back into the Dem primaries.
October 28, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
You just can't have a discussion without going there, can you? Yes, we all know you think we're a bunch of liberal dittoheads. You don't have to repeat it all the time.
October 28, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a question of motivation.
Extending the voting hours is the right thing to do for voters. Why did Crist do this? Just because it was the right thing to do? Or, because doing this thing (whether he thought it was right or not) would prove politically useful?
If doing the right thing proves politically useful, politicians will do it. However, I'm not aware of politicians doing the right thing very often. They're more likely to do the politically useful thing.
In this instance, they happen to be one and the same "thing". Oh happy day.
October 28, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess that is my point. All of us, not just politicians, act generally in our own self interest. There is nothing especially wrong in doing so. Thankfully, when our system works, it is designed such that it provides incentives for politicians to do the right thing because it makes their interests coincide with our interest. Rather than "snapping out" of our felicitous reactions to the news, we should be glad that this is a (too rare, especially in the last 8 years) instance of the system working as it ought.
October 28, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
According to my sources in Florida Charlie was a life long bachelor. He thought he was going to be nominated for the VP slot so he went out and got married to help the ticket. McCain picked Palin. Now Charlie is "stuck" with a wife. That is the rumor being handed around from Republican to Republican in Palm Beach.
October 28, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
My Florida sources are wrong. Charlie got engaged, not married.
October 28, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's supposedly getting married in December.
October 28, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
A well-developed sense of decency reacted with a spasm of revulsion at the odious campaign tactics to which McCain has sunk, perhaps? I know McCain turned my stomach too, even though my sense of decency may be somewhat jaded these days.
October 28, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Passed over for veep. Rumor was that he got engaged so he would be more palatable to the McCain campaign.
Don't care I am just happy he is doing the right thing.
October 28, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe we are giving Crist too much benefit of the doubt. My guess is that with Absentee balloting so far being in favor of Obama, he wants more time to get the old folks in to vote.
October 28, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Most of the old folks already voted. They vote absentee more often than not.
October 28, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
But is that not another way of saying that he wants to see everyone get a chance to participate? It seems to me that is a good thing, even when the results are not to our liking. I want democrats to win, but I want them to win honestly, not because of some sort of dodgy vote suppression scheme. Even if Crist's gesture serves to convenience Republicans, we should still salute it because, more fundamentally, it is serving to convenience voters.
October 28, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, absentee ballot voting isn't in favor of Obama. There were significantly more Republican absentee ballots than Democrat.
The voting tallies now show more overall Democratic voters because of the early voting, not because of the absentee voting.
October 28, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think he is just trying to stave off the negative press about the GOP tied rules that made long lines at the polls. Florida is trying to get away from looking like it has in previous elections.
October 28, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
If I recall correctly, the original Florida early voting bill called for 12 hours/day of early voting M-F and 12 hours per weekend. Republicans in the state legislature cut that back to 8 hours/day and 8 hours/weekend. So all this order does is restore the early voting hours to the level originally called for in the bill.
October 28, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama down by 8%........ in MISSISSIPPI!
October 28, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
O my god!
He should be down by 18 in Mississippi.
This gives me goose bumps -
October 28, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Charlie Crist is a smart politician - he knows what side of the bread the butter is on...
1st he goes to Disneyworld instead of a McC campaign event and then this - he might actually survive the toxic repub party.
October 28, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
One thing is for certain, if it were Jeb Bush instead of Crist the hours would probably much more strict. I really appreciate what Governor Crist has done here, advocating for his electorate. I know that shouldn't be surprising, working for the people that voted for you and all, but I guess our opinions of Republicans in general have gotten pretty damn low.
October 28, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm. I was at a Florida Obama field office late yesterday and they basically had stopped early vote canvassing because the lines are just ridiculous. Three and four hours or more in South Florida. I took my wife to a Cuban (presumably pro-McCain) neighborhood (you can early vote at any location in the county) to vote Sunday because the line was so short -- it took just two-and-a-half hours for her to cast her ballot. I was in North Florida (Daytona) Saturday (the north is the McCain half of the state) and people said there was no waiting there.
So I guess we'll start canvassing again. The eight-hour per day early voting rule was imposed by the Fla Legislature on a perfect party-line split, so the conventional wisdom is that this change to 12-hour days is a Dem win. But changing the rules in the middle will have the effect of making it easier for the less-energized voters.
So who will it really favor?
October 28, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't be 100% sure it will favor Dems (although I think it will), but in an e-mail sent to all the Florida lawyers providing election protection for the Obama Campaign, the head lawyer called it "a fantastic development." So it appears that the Obama campaign is very happy about this. The only problem is that we now need lawyers to sign up for extra shifts due to the extended hours. It’s a nice problem to have, though, and I really appreciate Governor Crist for signing this executive order.
Speaking anecdotally, I poll watched for 4 hours on Sunday at a local library here in Tampa. I arrived at 10:05, a few minutes after the polls opened, and I literally could not find a parking space. I drove around for about 10 minutes before someone who was parked illegally left, and I then took her (illegal) parking space. The line contained at least 400 people, and the precinct supervisor said it had been that way ever day since early voting started, with no let up. Once they got inside, most voters said they had waited about a hour and a half, but they were happy to do it. A few things that made me feel really good:
1. Lots of Obama bumper stickers on the cars in the parking lot.
2. Lots of people wearing Obama t-shirts and buttons inside (that's not prohibited in Florida).
3. LOTS of new voters, almost all of them between 18-25.
4. Lots of African-American voters and lots of women.
5. The staff was really on top of things and worked hard to resolve any voter problems (e.g., people who had a new address or name change). Each voter who arrived during my 4 hour shift got to cast a regular ballot, and there were no provisional ballots cast.
Despite the fact that our Supervisor of Elections in Hillsborough County is a Republican, I have to say that he and his office have done a pretty good job this election cycle, and so far, they have been very cooperative and communicative with the Lawyers for Obama.
I just pray that things will run as smoothly on November 4th.
October 28, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
The other team is ahead and he's putting more time on the clock.
October 28, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great Ground Grapevine Gooner Girl.
(How is that for alliteration ?)
October 28, 2008 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
It looks like Crist just threw his hat in the ring for 2012. I wonder how Sarah Palin likes this?
October 28, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crist was on McCain's short list for VP choice. Maybe this is Crist's payback for picking someone so unqualified instead of him.
October 28, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crist might actually have a decent respect for democracy. Last year he undid Florida's ban on voting by ex-cons: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/04/post_31.html
October 28, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is nothing political about this. I have early voted here in Flori-da. The system for voting is broken. Period. There is no way they can handle the expected numbers next tuesday. Crist is just trying to protect himself somewhat from another ugly election day
October 28, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please correct that headline! I know Charlie's popular here in Florida, but let's not make him god-like. It's "Crist," not "Christ."
October 28, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe by not adequately preparing his state for record voter turnout, he's worried about being the cause of another election fraud of the grandest proportions like his predecessor - what his name again? - oh yeah, Bush.
Or he's pissed at McCain for picking Caribou Barbie.
...or maybe
October 28, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I heard Stephanie Miller railing on Crist about voting machines that are desperately needed, but are sitting unshipped.
Any status on these machines?
October 28, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now isn't this the same Charlie Crist who did the right thing on felon voting - restoring voting rights to thousands?
It's hard, I know, it's hard for me, but we need to remember that there are some Republicans who don't view every decision through a partisan lens.
October 28, 2008 6:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I live in S Florida and Crist has been heavily rumored to be gay but once his name was placed on the short list for VP with McCain he suddenly got engaged. Heck of a coincidence for a guy in his 50's and never married before. That may be the source of his discontent, he thought he was a shoe in for VP, helped McCain win Florida in the primaries and then he chose Palin. Who knows? Charlie may have even gotten engaged to prepare for that job. :-)
October 28, 2008 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
You people aren't cynical enough!
Obviously he's doing this so they have a better gauge by which to rig the vote on Tuesday! ;)
October 28, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not a Floridian, and I don't know much about Crist, but this isn't the first time that he's shown initiative in support of the best interest of Florida's voters. In response to the still-unexplained loss of 18,000 votes cast on electronic voting machines in a 2006 Sarasota election, Crist called for the replacement of these machines, throughout Florida, with optical-scan systems. Voting machine experts agree that optical-scan systems, while less that perfect, offer an important advantage -- the scanned paper ballots provide an independent audit trail, which can be consulted in the event of a scanner malfunction. Crist's initiative echoes similar replacement programs initiated by Democrats in Ohio and California. On this matter, as against my strong Democratic convictions, I'd have to say that Floridians are fortunate to have Crist in office.
October 28, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink