Florida Gov. Rick Scott brought former Gov. Jeb Bush, one of South Florida’s most popular politicians, to campaign with him 
last month in Homestead.
Friday, former Gov. Charlie Crist — who wants his job back — raised the ante and brought a former U.S. President to the battle for guv.
And Bill Clinton can turn any campaign into a concert tour.
But his role Friday was more cheerleader than front man as he stumped for Crist, a one-time Republican governor who is running for the same job now as a Democrat in what many expect to be a tight race.
Read related story: Charlie Crist names Annette Taddeo as running mate
His role as a cheerleader at what amounted to a blue pep rally indicates how important this governor’s race is for both parties on a national level. In the nation’s largest swing state. On a midterm year.
And he basically said that the whole thing depends on how many Dems come out in November.
“We’re great at doing what’s right if there’s a presidential election on the ballot but we’re not nearly as good as our Republican opponents are at showing up in the midterm elections,” Clinton told the crowd of about 200 supporters at the JW Marriott in downtown Miami.
“The whole shebang is going to depend on who shows up.”
It is just the first of several planned high-profile campaign events with blue big shots that hope to rally the troops. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will campaign with Crist on Monday and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who may challenge Hillary for the 2016 nomination, will stand by Crist later this month.
Read related story: Lynda Bell jumps in on photo op with Rick Scott, Jeb Bush
Their biggest job will be to convince Dems that Crist, who has run as a Republican and as an Independent, is really one of them. On Friday, Clinton seemed to focus on the most loyal blue voters: Blacks and women. He reminded the crowd of several hundred that Crist, even as a GOP guv, extended early voting hours and enacted the automatic restoration of votin
g rights for ex-felons convicted of non-violent crimes. And, he reminded them, Gov. Rick Scott — who he painted as a millionaire beholden to business interests — has since undone both measures. The former prez also said that Crist would work to raise the minimum wage, ensure equal pay for women and expand Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of Floridians.
While he easily beat Sen. Nan Rich for the nomination Aug. 26, he is still fighting the flip-flop image and what national observers call an unprecedented barrage of negative advertising that paints him as a professional “slick politician” who did a “lousy” job as governor.
According to the Associated Press, Scott has spent more than $25 million on advertising so far. Expect it to be $100 million by the time November comes. Because it seems to be workings. Polls that had Crist leading earlier this year show the margin is closing.
So, who is Scott going to bring to campaign with him next? George W. Bush? Or is baby brother the best Scott can do?
Bill Clinton adds star power to Charlie Crist campaign tour added by Ladra on
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Is Annette Tadeo a part of the Crist campaign? She seems to be more of a campaign staffer. No signs with her name, no banners, no announcements include her name, Charlie Crist and Bill Clinton didn’t even mention her name.
Annette Taddeo is a Latina from the county with the largest population and with the largest Hispanic population. Ignoring her in Miami Dade is not just an oversight, it’s a damned insult to all Hispanics.
Wuff wuff
Orlando, you got to be kidding. When our state is recovering from high unemployment, high taxes etc. you are actually asking people to vote for Wyllie “even if it’s just for honesty alone”. You really have nothing good to say about him, but that he is honest? Do you pretend those that are unemployed and going through a rough time to actually buy this? Please give the people some credit. I hear this Wyllie is a Libertarian which usually get single digit numbers but can screw up an election. People look at the candidate’s record and see what they have done. So far Scott has done a damn good job. I particularly have not agreed with him all the time but he has done damn good job overall. People don’t be fooled.
Chris I wonder how much you are getting paid to write this comment. Again another Libertarian to once again screw up another election. In almost every election a Libertarian pops up with no record whatsoever and wants to challenge the real candidates. But voters know better and they check their record. In this case they can check Charlie Crist record which almost bankrupt Florida with Gov Scott’s record which made it a complete turn around. That is the record. I wish all of these ” wannabes” would do something for our state so they have a record to go on. I suggest Wylie show us what he can do and run in 4 years when it’s an open seat. We need Gov Scott to finish the job he started to do. So far as the record shows he has done a good job for Florida.
Why vote between 2 known liars? Florida, we are fortunate enough not to
be stuck picking one liar or the other this time. We actually have an
alternative. Take advantage of the opportunity. Adrian Wyllie deserves
my vote. He is a honest average Floridian just as you and I , that is
willing to stand up and do something for the interest of all of us here
in Florida. The other candidates both Republican and Democrat are owned
and controlled by special interest, like puppets and will lie to your
face to gain your vote, then continue the same old agenda that we
complain about year after year. Time to get off this merry-go-round,
election after election, thinking it will be any different. Take a
stand, vote for the candidate that loves this state and is willing to
take time out of his life, effort and money to SERVE the people of
Florida and stop voting for these ‘paid for’ career politicians that are
only out for money and fame and have zero interest in us Floridians.
Even if it’s just for honesty alone, vote for Adrian Wyllie instead of
the other two (Scott/Crist) which are proven liars. The choice is yours
and yours alone, if you want the same old corruption and slap in the
face, go ahead and vote for one of the two puppets (Scott/Crist) OR do
what is right for our (yours and your children’s) future and vote for
Adrian Wyllie. Support him by donating to his campaign, spreading the
word and contribute to the super brochure program which I think is very
powerful. Visit his website today