Opinion
The Miami Herald
June 22, 2008
And now it's time to play, ''Who is the real Charlie Crist''? Does the man have any conviction aside from the fervent need to be loved by John McCain?
Florida's governor (he's still Florida's governor, right?) seems to have misplaced his gravitas. He's against offshore oil drilling. He's for offshore oil drilling. He's -- wait -- McCain's now changed his mind? No problem. Whatever the man says, that's what Crist believes.
Give us a break. Say this for Jeb Bush: He steadfastly opposed drilling off Florida's coast, big corporate interests be damned. He didn't waver, didn't pander, and Lesser Bro in D.C. respected it.
Crist? He wants to be vice president so badly, he'd sell the state up the Loxahatchee and back with McCain grinning in the canoe behind him like a crazed Mr. Watson.
FOOL'S ERRAND, DRESSED UP
Last week, President George W. Bush joined presumptive Republican nominee John McCain in proposing that the ban on drilling along the coasts be lifted. McCain wants to lift the federal moratorium and then let states decide what to do along their coasts. The whole thing is shameless election-year posturing that only a dunce would fall for.
As if drilling for oil off Florida's coast could actually solve the country's humongous energy problem. I mean, we invaded Iraq, and all we have to show for it is a lousy $4.25 at the pump. Who really believes a few oil rigs off Fort Walton Beach will help anything?
It's like Hillary Clinton's silly ''gas-tax holiday,'' a proposal premised on the idea that the country's serious long-term energy problems can be cured by helping people drive more. Thank God these people aren't doctors -- they'd treat a massive hemorrhage with a 500-page promise to give out free Band-Aids.
To be fair to Crist, McCain seems to inspire Flip-Flop Syndrome in anyone who comes within 30 feet of him.
Maybe it's contagious. As a senator, McCain voted against a package that would have funded much-needed Everglades restoration. Then, as presidential hopeful, he showed up in the Everglades to make like the big environmentalist.
When The Miami Herald's Beth Reinhard called him out on this hypocrisy, McCain said that he'd voted against the package only because it included unworthy projects.
Two people forgave him -- one was his mom and the other was Mario Diaz-Balart. Diaz-Balart had been a passionate advocate for the restoration money and -- like the rest of Florida's Republican representatives -- had supported the funding package.
But then McCain activated his force field and Diaz-Balart's jaw suddenly went slack: ''In hindsight,'' he told The Miami Herald, ''I was wrong and he was right.'' He was right . . . he was right . . . he was right.
UP FOR A PUPPET SHOW?
Now it's Crist's turn to babble like a fool for McCain.
Contrast two different responses to McCain's boneheaded idea, as quoted by The Associated Press.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican governor of California: ``I will do everything in my power to fight the federal government on this issue and prevent any new offshore drilling.''
Crist: 'I think that not having that moratorium, blanket moratorium, and letting states' rights be recognized, if you will, certainly is appropriate.''
You tell 'em, Charlie. Really, enough is enough. Mr. McCain, you've had your fun. Now it's time to please release the governor's brain.
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