SPECIAL OF THE DAY: The "Presidential" Waffle

Crist-Crossin’ Charlie’s House of Waffles

Earlier In The Campaign, Crist Was Proud Of His President. In September, Crist "says he's happy to share the Ritz-Carlton stage with Bush at a $500-per-person event expected to raise $3 million. Crist said he is not looking to take the money and duck out of camera range when standing by the president. ‘I'm not concerned about being linked with him at all,' Crist said. ‘I'm proud of my president.'" He even gave the president a passing grade at in the gubernatorial debate on 10/30, saying, "I think the president gets a B." [Orlando Sentinel, 9/21/06; Debate Transcript, MSNBC, 10/30/06]

But In November, Crist Says No To Campaign With Unpopular President Bush. "President George W. Bush's magnanimous attempt to help Charlie Crist's ‘tight race' has been rejected by the Republican attorney general's campaign. Crist campaign manager George Lemieux said he made the decision today to have his candidate stay away from Pensacola... He denied it has anything to do with the president's sagging poll numbers and the growing animosity many Republicans have for him." However, "Bush is to rally voters in the Panhandle, a GOP stronghold, but the campaign was nervous about alienating moderate Republicans and independents in the rest of the state so close to the election, one adviser said privately." [Miami Herald, 11/05/06; Palm Beach Post, 11/05/06]