Cultural Tourism and a Lot About Rum: Crist Celebrates Puerto Ricans in FL

On the day when the Capitol celebrated its version of Puerto Rico Day, Gov. Charlie Crist met with two Democratic state representatives from Orlando and members of the Puerto Rican community on Thursday afternoon.

Crist was in listening mode as Soto talked about foreclosure issues and Thompson talked about cultural tourism. Tourisms still the engine that drives Floridas economy, said Thompson.

Fernando Pena, deputy director of the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration, talked to the governor about the continuing controversy involving federal dollars going to Diageo, the London based spirits maker looking to manufacture Captain Morgan rum in the Virgin Islands instead of Puerto Rico.

The rum issue may have impact in Florida politics. A bill favoring Puerto Rican rum manufacturers is buried in the U.S. Houses Ways and Means Committee. In the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate nomination, former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre has hammered U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek for not showing any leadership on the issue.

With more than 500,000 Puerto Ricans living in the I-4 corridor, both Crist and Soto talked about how they could become more politically active.

Crist said he had never been to Puerto Rico but that he wants to. He said he is impressed with the large number of Puerto Ricans living in Florida and is happy to have them here.

Floridas pretty diverse - maybe the most diverse state, said Crist. Its one of our greatest strengths.