SPECIAL OF THE DAY: The “Muddy Waters” Waffle

Crist-Crossin’ Charlie’s House of Waffles

"Charlie Crist: pro-choice, pro-life or pro-family?  Or all three?  In his quest to appeal to the broadest possible constituency, the Republican candidate for governor has walked a fine line on the issue of abortion; so fine, in fact, it can be hard to tell where he stands."  [St. Petersburg Times, 08/18/06]

1994: Crist and Abortion, a Twisted History Begins

Crist Supported Abortion Rights
In 1994, Senator Crist supported the right of women to have abortions but was against government funding of them. [St. Petersburg Times, 10/09/94]

1995: Crist Votes Pro-Choice

Crist Voted Against 24 Hour Abortion Waiting Periods
In 1995, Senator Crist lined with Democrats in voting against a bill calling for a 24-hour waiting period and counseling for women seeking an abortion. The bill failed the Senate Health Care Committee after a 3-3 tied vote. "Sen. Charlie Crist, R-St. Petersburg, crossed party lines to vote with Democrats on the committee against a bill that had heavy support from abortion opponents." [St. Petersburg Times, 04/19/95] 

Crist Voted Against Right To Know Law.
In 1995, Crist voted against SB 1816 in the Health Care Committee. The bill required voluntary and informed consent of a woman upon whom termination of pregnancy is to be performed or induced, requiring that the physician who is to perform the procedure, or physician's designee, provide certain information by prescribed deadline; required written certification that the pregnant woman has been provided with certain information. The bill failed 3-3. [Senate record, 1995]

1996: Crist Flip Flops, Tries to Change Laws, Not Hearts

Crist Voted In Favor of 24 Hour Abortion Waiting Periods
In 1996, Senator Crist voted in favor of a bill requiring young women to wait 24 hours and obtain counseling before getting an abortion. According to the article, "Crist favors a woman's right to choose abortion but said it is appropriate to be sure that minors are adequately counseled." [St. Petersburg Times, 03/29/96]

 
1997: Crist Tries to Change More Laws, Not Hearts

Crist Voted to Prohibit Late-Term Abortion Even When a Woman's Life Was Threatened.
In 1997, Crist voted for HB 1227, a bill that would prohibit late-term abortion even when a mother's life is threatened by carrying a fetus to term.  The bill was similar to a measure passed by Congress in 1996 but vetoed by President Clinton. The Ledger wrote, "Abortion-rights supporters described both measures as unconstitutional and said they would challenge them in court if they become law. The late-term abortion vote ‘said to us is if a woman has a serious physical illness and will be crippled or die and this is the best procedure you can use, you cannot use it,' said Anne Gannon, a lobbyist for the National Women's Political Caucus." [Ledger, 05/02/97]

Crist Voted for "Informed Consent" To Make Women Be Told Of Adoption and the Development of the Fetus. Crist voted for HB 1205/SB 746. The Ledger wrote, "The Woman's Right to Know Act... would require physicians to counsel every woman seeking abortions about alternatives to the procedure, including adoption, as well as its medical risks. Opponents say the measure is unconstitutional because it mandates ‘informed consent' that is not required for any other medical procedure." [Ledger, 05/01/97]

 
1998: Crist Runs for Senate, Runs Back to the Left 

Crist Opposed Constitutional Amendment Banning Abortion
In 1998, Charlie Crist said, "no" when asked, "Do you favor a constitutional amendment to ban abortion?" [Palm Beach Post, 11/01/98]

Crist Said He Is Pro-Abortion Rights
In October 1998, Charlie Crist said he is pro-abortion rights. [Tampa Tribune, 10/13/98]

Crist Voted for Parental Notification Bill That Included Judicial Bypass.
Crist voted for HB 3999, a parental consent bill that allowed for judicial bypass. The Ledger wrote, "The Florida Senate gave final approval Thursday to a bill requiring teenage girls to notify their parents at least 48 hours before they receive an abortion. The measure (HB 3999), which passed by a vote of 31-9 after a strongly worded and intensely personal debate, does not force girls to have their parents' permission for the procedure, however, and a parental-consent measure failed in the House of Representatives this week." The Times-Union wrote, "A parental consent bill was signed into law in Florida in 1988. But the state Supreme Court overturned the law in 1989 because it violated the constitutional right to privacy. Similarly, attorneys who oppose abortion restrictions say the latest attempt at parental notification is on shaky legal ground. Backers say the bill's impact on young women is softened by its exemptions. Exceptions would be made for emergencies -- when the mother's life is in danger -- or when the minor has been the victim of sexual or emotional abuse in her family. A minor also could avoid notification by convincing a judge she is mature enough to make the abortion decision on her own. The bill also would make it a third-degree felony for doctors to give an abortion without proof of parental notification." [Ledger, 05/01/98; Florida Times-Union, 04/09/98]

 
2005: Crist Runs for Governor, Takes Hard Right Turn

Crist Flip Flops On Abortion
In 2005, the St. Petersburg Times wrote Charlie Crist's position on abortion has changed from 1998 to 2005. According to the article, then-U.S. Senate candidate Crist in 1998 said, "I am pro-choice, but not pro-abortion. I believe that a woman has the right to choose, but would prefer only after careful consideration and consultation with her family, her physician, and her clergy; not her government." However, in 2005, "Today Crist calls himself ‘pro-life'..." [St. Petersburg Times, 03/03/05]

NARAL Pro-Choice America: Crist Is A "Mixed Choice" Politician
In 2005, NARAL Pro-Choice America labeled Charlie Crist a "mixed choice" politician. [St. Petersburg Times, 03/03/05] 

 
2006: GOP Primary Heats Up, Crist Swings for the Right Field Fences

Crist Supported South Dakota Ban
In March 2006, Crist said he supported the abortion ban passed in South Dakota in early 2006, banning all abortions even victims of rape and incest. According to the article, Crist said that if he were governor, he would support the same bill. The South Dakota ban only allowed abortion procedures only if the mother's life is in danger. [News-Press, 03/25/06]

Crist Plays To Audiences When It Comes To Talking Abortion
According to the Tampa Tribune, Crist told a Catholic priest that if he were governor, he would support South Dakota abortion ban. However, he changed his tune when speaking with the Associated Press, saying he would only sign similar legislation if it provided exceptions for rape and incest. [Tampa Tribune, 03/24/06

Crist Called Himself Pro-Life, Wanted To Limit Abortion To Cases Of Rape, Incest, Or Danger To Mother's Life.
Crist said in August 2006, "I'm pro-life. I don't know how else to say it. I'm pro-life, pro-family, pro-business, pro-Republican."  Crist responded to a questionnaire in the Tampa Tribune by saying "I am pro-life. I support limiting abortion to cases of rape, incest or where the mother's life is in danger."  [St. Petersburg Times, 08/18/06; Tampa Tribune, 09/03/06]

Crist Called Himself Pro-Life But Did Not Want To Change Current State Standards On Abortion.
Crist "has promised no dramatic changes to current state standards regulating [abortion] and ducks questions about what he would do if the landmark Roe v. Wade decision is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.  ‘I'd rather change hearts than law,' Crist said last week.  During a television debate with Gallagher in August, Crist also dismissed Gallagher's attempt to make him commit to a future abortion ban, saying, ‘While I am pro-life, I respect those who may have a different point of view,' Crist concluded."  [Orlando Sentinel, 10/09/06]

Crist: I'm Pro-Life and Proud
In the first gubernatorial debate of the general election on October 24, Charlie Crist said, "I'm pro-life and I'm proud of it, but I don't think I should impose my will on other people."  [Associated Press, 10/25/06]