Q&A: CHARLIE CRIST
Transcript: Charlie Crist On The WH Candidates, Endorsements And More

© National Journal Group Inc.
Friday, Jan. 25, 2008

National Journal's Linda Douglass sat down with Florida Governor Charlie Crist for "National Journal On Air." This is a transcript of their conversation. Audio of the full show is also available.

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Q: So I want to welcome Governor Charlie Crist of Florida, who is observing and probably giving a little advice here and there in the Florida primary. Welcome, Governor.

Crist: Thank you, Linda. It's great to be with you today.

Q: Well, very exciting primary under way in your state, and certainly Florida was interested in having this early primary to draw attention to the state. Has this primary helped Florida in any way, do you think?

Crist: I think it's helped Florida enormously. It really has put the Sunshine State at the forefront of selecting the next leader of the free world, and that's very exciting to the people of our state, and I think it will make a big difference in who ultimately is elected president.

Q: What kinds of issues do you think in Florida are going to drive the choice? I mean, the interesting thing about Florida is how diverse it is, and there are very diverse issues on the table, everything from, certainly, the economy, to hurricane insurance.

Crist: Well, there's no question about it, hurricane insurance is obviously a lead topic for people in Florida. It's very important to the people of our state -- how we'll respond, react and keep them safe. In addition, tax cuts are important to Floridians. It relates to the economy, gives them the opportunity to have more of their money in their pockets. We're working very hard in Florida to cut property taxes on the same day that we nominate our respective nominees for president. So those are the issues that are really in the forefront, along with climate change and a myriad of others.

Q: Well, you mentioned hurricane insurance, and it's once again one of those issues that is really specific to Florida. Several of the candidates have campaigned on local issues in states where they've done well, Romney certainly in Michigan talking about the auto industry. Now, Giuliani in your state is talking about creating a national catastrophic fund for victims of hurricanes, such as the residents of Florida. How effective is that as a means of campaigning in your state?

Crist: Well, I think it's effective. One of the things you want to do as a candidate is be responsive to the people you are appealing to, no matter what the audience might be. In our case, the audience is Florida and Floridians, and they care deeply about, you know, being protected. The national catastrophic plan is important to the future safety of my fellow Floridians. So they care a great deal about that. They are also very concerned about tax cuts and how that impacts them and the economic future that we all face in America, and so I think they are very much attuned to that. All the candidates are on that topic and they are on message and they are doing very well in Florida, and I think it's going to be an exciting result come Tuesday.

Q: If you can believe the polls -- and that would be a dangerous thing to do in this campaign -- but if you do believe the polls, it looks like it might be coming down to John McCain and Mitt Romney. Why would that be in your state?

Crist: Well, you know, they are both very good candidates, they've both had very distinguished careers -- in addition to the other candidates, frankly. They've worked hard, they've done well, they are well organized, and they are very appealing, and I think all of those factors play a role, as in any campaign, as to the opportunities each of them has to succeed come Tuesday night.

Q: Now, John McCain endorsed you in your primary race in Florida. Why have you not endorsed him?

Crist: Well, I'm very appreciative of the fact that he was helpful to me early on, but frankly all of these candidates helped me during my campaign for governor, so I feel a sense of gratitude to each and every one of them. They are all friends of mine, and they are all running great campaigns here in the Sunshine State, and they've been here awhile, so I'm grateful they are spending a lot of good money in Florida. It's good for our economy.

Q: Might you endorse?

Crist: I haven't ruled it out, but as we get closer, it becomes slimmer, so time will tell.

Q: What's going to make your mind up?

Crist: What would make my mind up? Probably be just a gut feel, to be honest. I try to lead with my heart -- as I say, all of them are friends, and I think the world of each and every one of these candidates, and they are working incredibly hard, and time will tell.

Q: You know, in Florida there hasn't been nearly as much discussion of the immigration issue as there was in some earlier states. Why is that?

Crist: Well, I don't know. You'd have to ask the candidates why they're not talking about it as much. I can only guess or assume, which is dangerous, that, you know, Florida being probably the most diverse state in the country might have something to do with that. We have an awful lot of people here from somewhere else, and it may be that simple as to why it hasn't been quite the topic it has been in some other locations.

Q: And finally, just a question as a Republican -- do the feelings about the war in Iraq and the state of the economy make this a tough year for Republicans, or not?

Crist: I don't think so. I think our country has challenges ahead of us. I don't know that it matters what your party affiliation might be. I think that the role of any candidate and their job is to continue to try to work hard to gain the trust and confidence of the voters and, you know, all of them are trying to do that. They are working very hard, and whether it's talking about the war in Iraq or the economy or climate change or whatever the issue might be, I think that, you know, being on topic, being on message, being disciplined and continuing to move forward and be optimistic, is one of the most important things a candidate can do.

Q: OK, well, thank you so much, Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Great to hear from you today, appreciate it very much.

Crist: My pleasure, great to be with you, and all eyes on Florida Tuesday.

Q: Absolutely.