Governor Charlie Crist released the following statement regarding the passing of Marco Rubio’s father, Mario Rubio:

“I’ve called Speaker Rubio to express my deepest condolences regarding the loss of his father. My thoughts and prayers are with the Rubio family during this difficult time.”

Since the General Election officially started last night, our phones have been ringing nonstop with calls from passionate supporters all across Florida, all asking one question:

Charlie Crist is a Washington outsider fighting for the people of Florida. He isn’t relying on party bosses running national political machines. It is only with YOUR organizing and YOUR support that we will beat the two-party system and propel Governor Crist to victory in November.

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We are pleased to announce that Gowalla has chosen our campaign to help launch their new political platform – Gowalla Goes to the Polls. Please sign up for Gowalla, so you can follow & interact with Charlie Crist on the campaign trail!

Sign In Here: http://gowalla.com/join

Keep Up with Governor Crist on the Campaign Trail Here: http://gowalla.com/charliecrist

And if you have a mobile device, be sure to download the Gowalla app!

About Gowalla: Gowalla is a popular location-based social networking platform with almost 200,000 users. It’s the perfect platform for keeping track of the Governor on the campaign trail, as well as for seeking out fellow Crist supporters and like-minded, future friends!

BY KEVIN DERBY
SUNSHINE STATE NEWS

Gov. Charlie Crist’s campaign team is rebutting comments made by the staff of Marco Rubio, who is a rival candidate in the U.S. Senate race.

A spokesman for Rubio pointed out the recent removal of content on Crist’s campaign site indicating that the governor supported tax cuts backed by President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003.

“If Charlie Crist no longer supports making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent, he should tell Floridians immediately,” said Alex Burgos, a spokesman for Rubio.

The governor’s camp quickly responded.

“Gov. Crist unequivocally supports the extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax rates,” said Danny Kanner, a spokesman for the Crist campaign. “These are tough times, and we should not be raising taxes on any Americans.”

The tax cuts will expire at the end of the year unless reauthorized by Congress.

BY MICHAEL MORSE
FACTCHECK.ORG

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s position on the new federal health care law has shifted, but not as much as Marco Rubio’s latest ad says.

In the highly competitive race for the U.S. Senate, Rubio — the presumptive GOP nominee — released an ad July 22 titled “The People,” which claims: “Charlie Crist now says he supports Obamacare.” That’s not true.

…(Crist) says that “repeal must be accompanied by a responsible substitute.”

Get the Facts >>

FACT CHECK: Recent reports in the media have confused my position on the Obama health care bill.

The Obama health care bill was too big, too expensive, and expanded the role of government far too much. Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. But being an independent, I have the freedom to be an honest broker for the people of Florida without regard for political party, and the reality is this: despite its serious flaws, the Obama health care bill does have some positive aspects.

Repeal must be accompanied by a responsible substitute — repeal without passage of a substitute law protecting those with pre-existing conditions, closing the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, and allowing parents to keep their children on their insurance coverage until age 26 would be wrong. While I would not have supported the legislation, we have to recognize the positive components and work together across party lines to make our health care system more affordable for both consumers and the government.

This debate must not be about political posturing; it must be about protecting the people of Florida and America, and I intend to do that hard work when I get to the United States Senate.

Charlie Crist

Thank you all for making my birthday so special.

Thanks to your great support, we reached our fundraising goal – your support is truly the best birthday gift I could ever receive. To thank you for your generosity, I wanted to share my mom’s recipe for the cake she baked every year for my birthday.

I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as my family and I do.

Many thanks,

Charlie Crist

Nancy L. Crist’s Chocolate Cherry Nut Cake

Ingredients:

2 1oz squares of chocolate
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1 egg unbeaten
1 ½ cup sifted flour
1 tsp baking soda (if self rising flour)
¾ tsp salt
1 cup milk
¼ cup Maraschino cherries, chopped
2 tbsp cherry juice
1 ½ chopped English walnuts

Directions:

Blend sugar and butter
Add egg – blend
Pour melted chocolate into mixture – blend
Gradually add dry ingredients, which have been sifted together, alternating with milk
Beat mixture well after each addition
Add cherries, cherry juice and walnuts
Beat a little longer
Pour mixture into greased 12.5” x 7.5” pan

Bake at 325 degrees, 40-45 minutes
Cool and top with chocolate icing of your choice and decorate with walnut halves

Our nation’s Independence Day is a tremendous occasion to celebrate the greatness of America and all she represents. As Americans, we are blessed with a history, freedoms, and opportunity unlike any other nation in the world.


As we observe our nation’s independence, we remember the strength and fortitude of our founders who stood strong against tyranny and fought for freedom. America is a beacon of hope, liberty and courage for all. These ideals are what inspired my grandfather to come to this country from Cyprus, Greece, over a century ago.


On the Fourth, we must be sure to continue to honor the courage of those who fought for and continue to defend our freedom at home and abroad. Let us show our gratitude for the faithful service of the men and women of our Armed Forces as we embrace the enduring principles of freedom, hard work and determination that will make our nation strong for generations to come. Their bravery and sacrifice makes it possible for us to enjoy our liberties.


I wish all Floridians and their families a safe and blessed holiday. May God continue to bless our nation and the great state of Florida.

-Charlie Crist

I hope that your summer is off to a great start and that you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.


Carole and I had the honor of visiting with Floridians throughout the Panhandle last weekend. We visited with fishermen, restaurant and shop owners, Veterans and tourists who had come to visit our great state.


As you know we are facing tremendous challenges in view of the BP oil spill which is now threatening our shores unlike anything we have ever experienced before. This spill is now being reported as the largest environmental disaster in our nation’s history. As we begin our summer it’s important that we all come together to face this challenge. I want you to know that I have and will continue to do all that I can to protect our beautiful state and navigate us through the challenges ahead.


As you now know our campaign is about putting people ahead of politics. We are all tired of the same old excuses and politics as usual.


I need your help to carry this message to Washington. Every dollar you contribute will make a real difference, and I want you to know how personally grateful I am for your support. Please take a moment to donate today. Our campaign to change the ways of Washington has powerful and extremist forces aligned against it. I know that with your support we can make a difference and break the partisan gridlock gripping Washington today. This is a fight we can win!


Many thanks for your continued support.


Charlie

We celebrated another successful week on the campaign trail! Governor Crist met with supporters all around the state, including Republicans, Democrats and Independents. Last night the Governor and the First Lady met with grassroots supporters in Miami to celebrate Cuban Independence Day. Governor Crist is thankful for the confidence Floridians continue to place in him as he works to become the People’s Senator!


Last week we opened our new campaign headquarters in the Governor’s hometown of St. Petersburg, FL. If you weren’t able to join us for the grand opening, please visit the Governor’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/charliecrist to view all of the photos from the opening.


The enthusiastic support of our campaign has been overwhelming as countless new volunteers dedicate their time in our new office. Out in the field, our grassroots team is distributing yard signs and bumper stickers all around the state and making phone calls to promote Governor Crist’s message of bringing real change to Washington. We are so grateful to the tireless work of our volunteers and their efforts to make the first week in our new office a great one. Together, we can bring an end to the partisan gridlock that is paralyzing Congress!