Former FL Gov. Crist introduces President at Seminole event

SEMINOLE, Fla. - For Charlie Crist, it was a hug that helped destroy his political career as a republican.  This time, it was a hug that might symbolize his rebirth as a democrat.

The former Florida governor gave the introduction to President Barack Obama during a rally at St. Petersburg college in Seminole, and just like he did at a rally for the president's stimulus bill in 2009, he hugged Mr. Obama wholeheartedly.  

While his conservative opponents relentlessly used those images against Crist during his Senate campaign, the once lifelong republican may again use those images to bolster his standing to dubious democrats.

"I'm not in that party anymore.  They left me," Crist said about his eventual banishment from the GOP.  He proceeded to compliment Mr. Obama and his wife, and urged the crowd of more than 11,000 democratic supporters to vote for the president in the November election.

"We're in a hot game right now," Crist said.  "But we have a leader with a cool head."

Mr. Obama followed the former governor with nearly 30 minutes of attacks on Mitt Romney, goals for his second term, and pleas for voters to turn out in this most crucial of electoral battleground states.

The president criticized Romney and the GOP for their support of additional tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans as a means to boost the sagging economy.

"Tax cuts when times are good.  Tax cuts when times are bad," Mr. Obama said.  "Tax cuts to help you lose a few extra pounds.  Tax cuts to help your love life," the president said facetiously.  

An audience member, playing along, yelled how they don't work.  Mr. Obama laughed.  "Somebody said it doesn't help," the president remarked, presumably referring to both the economy and love lives.

On the issue of Florida's environment and its valuable beaches, Mr. Obama pledged to keep special interests out of White House policy making.

"I'm not going to let oil companies write this country's energy plan.  Or endanger our coastline," he said.

The speech was similar to the president's acceptance address at the Democratic National Convention two nights earlier, focusing on his accomplishments during the last four years.
 
In particular, his handling of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Medicare reform, and tax cuts for the middle class.

Noticeably absent from the speech was any reference to a disappointing jobs report released Friday, showing lower than expected numbers.

Instead, the president urged Floridians to help get out the vote.

"Florida, can you make some calls for me?  Can you knock on some doors for me?" he asked, as the crowd cheerily roared "yes!"

At the beginning of the rally, Florida senator Bill Nelson said the election can be entirely decided on the state's 29 electoral votes.

The president confidently concluded his visit by predicting victory in Pinellas County, which he won in 2008.  

"We will win this county.  We will win Florida.  We will finish what we started."