The Republican Party of Florida is using the possibility of former Republican Governor Charlie Crist running for his old job as a Democrat to motivate donors, reports the Associated Press.
In a fundraising letter signed by state GOP Chairman Lenny Curry, the party says President Barack Obama’s Florida campaign team is poised to help Crist run for office and the GOP needs help to “fight the Obama/Crist machine with everything we’ve got.”
The letter says Crist proudly proclaimed he was a Ronald Reagan conservative and a Jeb Bush Republican and endorsed John McCain for president back in 2008. However, Crist endorsed Obama in 2012 and spoke at the Democratic National Convention.
“Now Crist has adopted the party affiliation and liberal orthodoxy of the Obama machine in order to regain the office he willingly gave up,” Curry wrote. “If he wins, Florida voters and taxpayers will be the biggest losers.”
The letter from the Florida GOP comes on the same day the Republican National Committee included Crist’s image in a slate of Valentine’s Day e-cards poking fun at prominent Democrats.
“I’ll Be In Any Party You Want This Valentine’s Day,” reads the e-card to be sent to the political love of your life.
“Everyone knows our politics could use a little more love these days. So there’s no better way to celebrate than to send that politically-minded special someone a Valentine featuring President Obama or one of his fellow liberals,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus in a statement.
“Who knows? Maybe Democrats will feel the love in the air and join Republicans in working to reduce spending, reform the tax code, and grow the economy. More jobs and more take-home pay: now that would be a real Valentine’s gift for all Americans!”
