Allen West Bashes 'Tan Man,' 'Chameleon' Charlie Crist

Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., is turning up the heat on former Gov. Charlie Crist, the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in November.

Noting Crist had been a Republican for most of his political life, West took to his blog this week to bash the former governor as a shape-shifting chameleon and noted he just brought Jim Messina from President Barack Obamas campaign team on board.

President Barack Obamas campaign manager is signing on to help former Republican Charlie Crist return to the Florida governors office as a Democrat, West wrote. Jim Messina is joining Crists campaign as a senior strategic adviser, providing big-picture advice as the race gets under way. Messina joins another Obama alum, ad maker Jim Margolis, in the effort to aid Crist.

Let me give you a brief introduction to Floridas Mr.Tan Man, West continued. Charlie Crist was the Republican governor of Florida not too long ago. In 2008 he pledged his support to one GOP presidential nominee, then switched to Senator John McCain. Crist was all over the media as many felt he was positioning himself to be the vice presidential selection with Senator McCain. That did not happen. Subsequently, Governor Crist became unsatisfied with being the chief executive of the Sunshine State and decided to run for U.S. Senate. When Senator Mel Martinez decided to resign, Governor Crist appointed his former chief of staff. George LeMieux, to fill the seat -- which many saw as a place holder move.

What Crist didnt count on was the challenge of former GOP Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio in that Senate race, West added. Crist dismissed Rubio until the once 40-point gap began to narrow. There were rumors that Crist was considering switching parties since it seemed he was heading toward a GOP primary defeat -- a little stimulus embrace of President Obama was a contributing factor. Crist wholeheartedly stated he would never switch parties. Then, lo and behold, Crist became an independent, claiming both parties were failing the people. Well, Crist failed and lost the Senate race.

Amazingly, Crist decided it was time for yet another political makeover and in 2012, as a Democrat, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, West continued. Parroting the liberal-progressive talking point, Crist says the GOP is too extreme. Obviously, character is not a necessary quality for Democrats and therefore completely understandable having Jim Messina as part of the Crist team. After all, Messina was instrumental in the re-election of the most characterless individual to ever reside in 1600 Pennsylvania (Avenue). So, here we go in Florida, lies, deceit, and misdirection will be the theme of the Crist campaign. What is truly offensive is that Crist, Obama, Wasserman Schultz, and the Democrats believe the people of Florida are just that stupid.

Florida Governor Rick Scott may not be the warmest and fuzziest and he certainly doesnt sport a year-round tan, West wrote in conclusion. But his record of economic restoration in Florida is rock solid, and far superior to that of Crist when he was a Republican governor. But the gubernatorial election in Florida will not be about the issues, because thats not what Messina does. It will be about demonizing Scott. The issues of Medicare cuts should matter. The issues of growing welfare rolls and dependency should matter. The issues of protecting our veterans should matter. The issue of economic growth and business opportunities should matter.