Don’t write Nan Rich off just yet.
There are mailers and emails being sent and phone calls being made on behalf of the gubernatorial candidate most people 
have already written off as the also-ran No. 3 — former Sen. Nan Rich, a Broward activist and legislator who is widely considered the underdog longshot in the Democratic primary with former Gov. Charlie “The Turncoat” Crist.
Even though most people are prepped for a showdown between Crist and Gov. Rick Scott in November, Rich is campaigning as hard as she has for the past two years, or harder even, hammering on big Dem issues like money for public schools and health care and increasing the minimum wage. And she and her supporters are buoyed by the recent losses of other bigger-name, better-funded front runners — like Democrat Alex Sink, who lost a heated Congressional race against David Jolly in the St. Pete area and former Republican Congressman Eric Cantor, the House majority leader from Virginia, whose loss earlier this month to a relatively unknown university professor caused shock waves across campaign America.
Democrats have overwhelmingly called for a debate between Crist and Rich. In results of a Public Policy Polling poll released last month, almost 90 percent of 850 Democrats questioned said they would like too hear the two Democrat candidates go at each other. Crist has repeatedly rejected that idea, saying he has to concentrate on Scott and his expected $100 million campaign. Another Public Policy Polling survey released this month show that Crist and Scott would be a dead heat at 42% a piece but that Scott has six points over Rich.
But six points is not so insurmountable four months before the general. And in an unscientific poll by the blog The Florida Squeeze done online last year, Rich beats Crist as the choice for Democratic nominee, 45% to 40%.
Rich supporters say they want another choice between a man they call a crook (Scott) and one they say is an insincere and convenient liar (Crist).
In the latest mail piece from a Super PAC calling itself Progressive Choice Florida, both Crist — who only became a Democrat in 2012 after being a Republican and then an Independent — and Scott are painted as birds of a feather who have both opposed health care reform and hurt public schools, supporting the expansion of the school voucher program. Calling them “one and the same,” the mailer says they both “hide from debates, distort their records and take millions from special interests.”
The kicker: “You don’t get a progressive governor by recycling a conservative one.”
Many already believe that Progressive Choice is a conservative front group trying to help Scott by getting Rich — seen as a weaker opponent to Scott — elected as the Democratic nominee Aug. 26. We won’t know who is funding their campaign until the end of July, since the group — which is being run by a Baltimore political consultant — doesn’t have to disclose anything ’til a month before the primary.
But they are not the only ones pushing Rich. Like her campaign videos released last year — in which people say they “know” Nan — emails circulated by supporters, including South Dade folk music fan Barry White, portray Rich as the only true choice for Democrats.
Related story: Nan Rich pushes harder to be Dems choice against Rick Scott
“Scott is unacceptable; Crist is a Gadfly. Nan Rich is the only viable Democrat in the race, and, by far, the best candidate. I have worked with
her in community organizations for over thirty years; she is truly committed to Tikun Olam, healing the world and making it a bette
r place,” White writes in an email sent out Wednesday.
“Your politics are your politics and I respect that. But if you understand why Nan is in this race and support her, please Like her at Stand With Nan (and your county name) on Google. You will not get any emails because you do. But it will show other Democrats, and the world, that there is support for her; over 20,000 of us have stepped up. And sending her a few bucks, even $25, would be nice,” White writes.
“Talk her up with your Dem friends. Right now we are focusing on the August 26 election and getting registered Democrats to vote for her in the primary. Please help anyway you can. She is the last man standing,” he wrote.
Please put aside our standard political apathy. This is for all of the marbles; speak up now or hold your peace later. Register at Stand With Nan, if you do support her; don’t keep it to yourself. And send her some bread, and love. She is of fine cloth.”
Nan Rich and supporters don’t give up their go for Guv added by Ladra on
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