RNC Research

Yesterday, The Tampa Bay Times Noted That, For All Intents And Purposes, Charlie Crist’s Campaign For Governor Does Not Exist. “It may not be readily apparent if you follow the Florida media that constantly notes Charlie Crist’s campaign for governor or the Washington pundits who describe Charlie Crist vs. Rick Scott as THE race to watch in 2014. But here’s the reality: There is no real Crist campaign for governor.” (Adam C. Smith, “The Incredible, Shrinking Charlie Crist Campaign,” The Tampa Bay Times, 1/23/14)

Crist Still Does Not Have A Campaign Manager, A Press Staff Or A Campaign Headquarters

Less Than 10 Months Out From Election Day, Crist Still Has Not Cobbled Together A Basic Campaign Infrastructure. “Crist Campaign headquarters? Coming soon. Campaign manager?  Coming soon. Halfway decent Web site? Coming soon. Press operation? Coming soon. Grass roots organizing? Who knows. Weekly announcements of Florida County leadership teams? Dream on.” (Adam C. Smith, “The Incredible, Shrinking Charlie Crist Campaign,” The Tampa Bay Times, 1/23/14)

• Miami Herald Headline: “Charlie Crist’s Campaign Looks Like A One-Man Oz Operation” (Marc Caputo, “Charlie Crist’s Campaign Looks Like A One-Man Oz Operation,” Miami Herald, 1/24/14)

Crist Announced In November That Bill Hyers, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Former Campaign Manager, Would Lead His Campaign, Only To Admit A Few Weeks Later That Hyers Had Already Quit. “In a bad sign for Charlie Crist’s fledgling gubernatorial campaign, his hotshot new campaign manager, Bill Hyers, has left the campaign.  Hyers, fresh off his big New York City win managing the campaign of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio, was slated to start full time any day and had already been introduced to donors.” (Adam C. Smith, “Trouble In Crist World: New Campaign Manager Already Gone,” The Tampa Bay Times, 12/3/13)

Crist Can’t Count On The Florida Democratic Party To Pick Up The Slack

The Florida Democratic Party Barely Has A Pulse, And The State Democratic Chairwoman Is A “Lousy Fundraiser.” “Now, Charlie Crist is a Democrat, and his state party shows nearly as little pulse as his own campaign. State Party Chairwoman Allison Tant, who campaigned for the post promising to be a terrific money-raiser, so far appears to be a lousy fundraiser. If she and the state party are effective at much else, such as registering voters or an effective communications shop, we haven’t seen it yet.” (Adam C. Smith, “The Incredible, Shrinking Charlie Crist Campaign,” The Tampa Bay Times, 1/23/14)

• In The Last Three Months Of 2013, The Florida Republican Party Outraised The Florida Democrat Party Six-To-One - $6.2 Million To $1 Million. “Campaign reports filed Friday show that the Florida Democratic Party raised a little more than $1 million during the three month period that ended Dec. 31.  State reports show that Republicans raised $6.2 million during the same time period. Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry at the party annual meeting said the GOP would continue to raise money aggressively during 2014.” (Fla. GOP Continues To Outraise Dems By Big Margin,” The Associated Press, 1/10/14)