Empty-Chair Charlie Crist: The Turtle's Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Empty-Chair Charlie Crist's absent leadership is becoming more absurd by the day.

Last week, the latest step in Crist's perennial search for his next job took him to Arizona for a Memorial Day barbeque with John McCain. Gas and food prices made this past holiday weekend an expensive affair for travel and cooking, but that didn't stop Charlie, who after returning from his jet plane jaunt to Arizona complained of having over-eaten. If only everyday Floridians could be so lucky, Mr. Governor.

Not prone to deal with the reality in Florida, Crist's appetite for elite gatherings was restored in time to set off again to New York City for a series of ceremonies with celebrities. A quick glance at Empty-Chair Charlie's schedule today suggests the recent travel, photo ops, interviews, fundraisers, ceremonies, parties and barbeques may have taken a toll.

Crist has just one bit of work today. A visit to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.

And while it may be a shrewd move by the self-professed 'People's Governor' to court the votes of each and every turtle, the convenience of Charlie's visit cannot be underscored enough. The Republican Party of Florida has organized a fundraising extravaganza in Key West today and tomorrow - a fishing trip with the Charlie.

"Tomorrow, Empty-Chair Charlie may sport a deeper tan thanks to his fishing excursion with Republican lobbyists, but today he should be beat-red with shame. With our state mired in a Republican recession and a stack of crucial appointments and legislation to tend to, Charlie keeps playing hooky from work," Florida Democratic Party Press Secretary Alejandro Miyar said. "Someone needs to tell our Governor that Friday isn't part of a three-day weekend."

"Florida needs a Governor who is actually dedicated to the challenges we face. All Crist does is gloss and smile away our problems, never offering leadership or solutions, while taking a seemingly endless string of vacations to all places not Florida," Miyar said.

For more information and more details on the part-time governor, visit:
www.EmptyChairCharlie.com