Charlie Crist

Charlie Crist, born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in 1956 rose to international prominence when he took over the reins of the Governorship of the state of Florida, from John Ellis Bush. His family settled thereafter in St. Petersburg, Florida wherein he learnt the effective value of participation. He was the second eldest in his family, the others being his three sisters. He was the vice- president for the student body at Florida State University, from where he graduated in 1978, receiving his undergraduate degree in the process. He received his degree in law from Cumberland School of Law, situated in Alabama. He was married to Amanda Morrow, whom he met at the Florida State University, in 1979, but they divorced soon thereafter.

Cristolodou, aka Crist, won a seat in the Florida senate in 1992, representing parts of St. Petersburg. Six years later, he became popular throughout Florida when he contested against the Democrat Bob Graham, though he lost the election by 26%. He sponsored various legislations, the most notable of which is STOP (Stop Turning Out Prisoners), a bill which required prisoners to complete at least 85% of their prison sentences, on the stance of public safety. The same earned him numerous honors, including his appointment as an Honorary Sheriff, an honor bestowed upon by the Florida Sheriff’s Association, something given to only three people in the organization’s rich long history.

A republican, Crist, in 2000, he was elected the Education Commissioner of Florida. Four years later, he was elected by more than a third of a millionth of votes to become Florida’s Attorney General. A couple years later, in November 2006, he beat Democrat Jim Davis, to become the 44^th Governor of the state of Florida. Ever since, he has stood at the forefront of Florida march ahead.

In 2012, Charlie Crist, the Governor has all chances of fancying his dreams about the White House. His credentials till date in Florida include, working towards reducing cost of doing businesses and housing in Florida, ensuring safety, providing world-class education, just to name a few. In July 2007, he hosted the Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, and also passed the Anti- Murder Act the same year to ensure the safety of all Floridians.

President Obama, in 2012, should he keep up the promises he has laid forth, will stand a tough opponent for Crist. Crist, though, if he plans to stand for the Republican nomination, must first complete his term of the Governor of Florida, to add to his credentials, of being the governor of America’s Sunshine State.

For Charlie Crist, 2012 is not a long shot away, and so is not his dream at the White House. Well, if he doesn’t get the Republican Party nomination in the next upcoming elections, he can indeed do so in 2016. By then, his experience at the top level would have grown tremendously as so would have his confidence.

In 2012, Charlie Crist may have to face off his predecessor, the ex- governor John Ellis Bush, who too may stand in his path betwixt his the party ticket for the big showdown. Though he isn’t as popular as his former, he can well outrun him, if Florida is really shining high on his behalf four years down the lane.