Charlie Crist Broward Event Attracts Dueling but 'Friendly' Camps

Charlie Crist gathered a crowd at the opening of his new Broward field office Saturday, but not all who showed up for the 12:30 p.m. event were Crist fans.

"I'd say there are 50 people standing around in the parking lot who are part of his campaign, plus TV cameras and reporters," said Joseph Kreps, reporting by telephone from Crist's University Drive headquarters.

Kreps supports Nan Rich, the candidate Crist will face in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. He attended the event with about six others. He felt the need, he said, to protest Crist, and did so, carrying signs that read "Democrats for Debate" and "Welcome to Nan Land."

The "Nan Land" sign is a reference to Broward County as the core of Rich's support base.

Kreps emphasized that he is not a member of Rich's staff, "just somebody who is out here to say '(Crist) not debating Nan is disingenuous and unDemocratic."

He said there were about 20 people on one side of the headquarters door holding commercially produced "Charlie Crist for Governor" signs, and on the other, a group with a "Fort Lauderdale Tea Party" banner. Police cars separated the two camps.

"The group of about 10 tea party people are carrying American flags and signs that say, 'Charlie is Anti-Family' and 'Charlie Supports Obamacare.' And one says 'Sorry, Charlie.'"

Kreps said there was no visible bad blood. "Really, I'd call this a nice, friendly turnout all around."