Another year, another opportunity to raise money. That's Gov. Charlie Crist.
Sadly, though, this year's birthday celebration won't include one of Crist's richest and most colorful pals who a) isn't rich anymore, and b) can't make it to the party.
Yes, the governor turns 54 Saturday, and he and his wife, Carole, are using the occasion to beat the drum for more campaign cash.
In a "Dear Supporter" letter, Mrs. Crist writes:
"It has been four days since my husband kicked off our Birthday Challenge, and the response has been tremendous. Charlie and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous support, your kindness, and your prayers. If we remain on this path, I know Florida will choose bold, Independent leadership and elect my husband to the Senate this fall."
Mrs. Crist reports in her missive that "We are on our way to meeting our Birthday Challenge goal of 100K by Charlie's birthday, July 24th."
"But," the former Carole Rome adds, "there is still a long way to go.Please give what you can -- $5, $10, $100. Consider this a rally-cry. On his birthday, let my husband know he is not alone in this fight."
Too bad his old pal, South Florida Ponzi king Scott Rothstein, is otherwise detained (in federal prison). If he weren't, Crist might be counting on him to pitch in with another $52,000 and a fabulous birthday cake as he did two years ago. Or perhaps $54,000 and something even more super to blow out this time around.
That would go a long way toward $100,000.
But times change, friends (read: contributors) fall on hard times and the governor has had to re-engineer his money machine since bolting the Republican Party in April with the donations of so many GOP contributors. Now he has Democratic operatives and Obama-ites hosting fund-raising parties for him.
The governor's quest for cash recently took him to New York, where he appealed to a group of liberal Northeasterners with his deep commitment against offshore oil drilling (after he was for it, that is).
Well, it's not the Hamptons, darling, but Florida has a few left-leaning environmentalists of its own -- and you can bet they're on Mrs. Crist's mailing list.
As Carole wrote, "Now more than ever, Florida needs a fighter, someone who will go to the Senate and get things done. There is no question in my mind that my husband is the right man for this job.
"Charlie might be an Independent, but that doesn't mean he can walk this path alone. He needs me, he needs his family. More than anything, he needs you, the people of Florida, to stand behind him in demanding results from our leaders in Washington."
And, oh, yeah -- one more time -- he needs money.
Save a piece of cake for Scotty, and don't forget to include the file.
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Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 801-5341.
