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Former FL Gov. Crist comes out for Obama

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    Will endorsement have any impact?

  • Duration 4:47
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Well tropical storm Isaac isn't the only thing raining on the Republicans parade.

Democrats are taking every opportunity to try to throw a wet blanket over the goings on at the GOP convention.

Today we're learning former Florida governor Charlie Crist to left the Republican Party to become an independent will speak at the Democratic Convention in Charlotte.

Yesterday governor Crist wrote and -- -- editorial endorsing President Obama.

Joining us now in Tampa he's our senior political analyst Brit Hume.

-- I -- -- share with our viewers the closing line enough problem that editorial that -- Charlie Crist wrote for the Tampa Bay times he writes.

President Obama has a strong record of doing what's best for America and Florida.

And he built it by spending more time worrying about what his decisions would mean for the people.

-- for his political fortunes that's what's and that's what makes him.

The right leader for our times and that's why I'm proud to stand with him today.

How upset are Republicans about all of this.

As far as I can tell John not at all upset Charlie Crist really is yesterday's man in the state of Florida and I think certainly nationally where he was.

Once thought to have some ambitions and its prospects.

John I would say that his announcement for Obama polls clearly under the heading of things the world will little note nor long remember.

Not least because Charlie Crist established a reputation here and part of being an extremely flexible politician.

He was once thought to be a conservative Republican now he's apparently a liberal Democrat it's been a migration has taken a number of years.

And has been marked by a number of political setback for him so he's not a big figure -- More now his well for Republicans wasted no time in releasing some quotes from Charlie quit Crist.

That he's given over the years one of them said I don't agree with the guy meaning President Obama hardly anything he does I mean.

What they're doing with health care right now is unbelievable that's a quote from -- 2010.

And then I think Charlie Crist is a conservative and always has been and I believe in less taxes less spending less government more freedom -- I'm a Reagan Republican that one goes back.

Some years farther and this is the guy who is speaking to the democratic national -- convention.

You know -- -- rally's gonna have a speech -- -- because if you know it's kind of a interesting.

Footnote to all these developments but these kinds of switches.

Normally don't really move the needle very much in terms of the public perception of the -- -- the candidates.

Occasionally -- -- have -- that would somebody particularly successful in conspicuous in one party.

Switched his allegiance is but I don't think that really applies here attitude to former governor Crist who's.

Who's you know he's been on the political decline for a long time is is.

His best days are well behind him and I think and I don't think this.

New presence in the Democratic Party will revive him very much in 2000 for -- sitting democratic senators spoke at the Republican country convention nominating George W.

Bush for a second term.

He took a pot shot at the nominee of his own party John Kerry -- -- play that clip for you.

This is -- man who wants to be the commander in chief of the US armed course.

Escort visible around -- bond.

Spit balls.

Talking there about the votes John Kerry had cast against very various weapons systems I remember that line I thought it was a pretty powerful speech.

What we'll remember this about -- -- Zell Miller Zell Miller.

Was a conservative.

He was a Democrat.

And at that stage they were still were some conservative Democrats around but most of them have moved to the Republican Party which required a party shift.

But not a principle -- for them so Zell Miller's presence.

Was a symbol of love of a shift in the in the fortunes of the Democratic Party in the south and in the make up up.

They were losing people like Zell Miller and that was meaningful.

At the time and this is a different matter with Charlie Crist of course who was once a conservative and is now apparently a full blown liberal it's.

Represents a shift of the different continent and completely unregistered or are or with no party affiliation at least according to van away ran and I guess he ran as an independent against Marco Rubio until losing to him in the primary and get and I -- they went nowhere and -- -- -- His star really begun to fade.

Kind of say -- going.

So it won't have the same impact as say is Zell Miller did in speaking to be -- -- doubted gunning is that Zell Miller was a pretty fiery speaker and a colorful personality and I and I Charlie Crist is I would say much less so.

All right.

Brit Hume -- to get your take on from Tampa and thank you John enjoy the week there thanks for.

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