Charlie Crist Smears and Jeers

Chris Matthews fails Florida voters.

So writes John Sowinski in a November 2, 2006 OTHER VIEWS MY WORD column, published by The Orlando Sentinel.

Sowinski, a partner in an Orlando-based public relations firm and a veteran of statewide ballot initiatives and Republican candidate campaigns, further indicates that Matthews-as a "cable celebrity"-questioned "those who would be governor on national issues on which Florida's governor has virtually no influence."

"Statewide candidates in Florida get precious little time to truly debate the issues and to speak with voters beyond 30-second advertisements. Voters crave opportunities to get to know the candidates and their views on relevant issues."

John is entitled to his own opinion. That's the great thing about a press that remains free-well, at least, at this point in American history.

I can see how those unfamiliar with Matthews Hardball style might feel a little uncomfortable witnessing their candidate of choice squirm under the infamous staccato technique.

Crist and Davis are big boys. Both are well familiar with the Matthews style.

And because the debate was nationally televised, national issues were bound to be explored. As an aside, John...often state governors run for President of this United States...too bad our current occupant of the White House wasn't involved in a Hardball debate of his own.

I learned more about Florida's candidates for governor in one hour than during the entire campaign...and not only about their stands on the issues.

Matthew threw Crist, Davis, and Linn off their "sound-bite" game, stressing all candidates to the point where voters might see the inner candidate, not the well-coiffed media presentation.

The viewer witnessed how these guys handled pressure.

And Crist...well, I'm entitled to my own opinion just like John...

Crist didn't look quite so smooth-so polished....in fact, he looked a bit ruffled.

So ruffled, his campaign has stepped up their campaign technique of playing to the lowest denominator. This time, the Crist campaign has accused Jim Davis of not voting in Florida's famous 2000 election.

In Port Charlotte, the Crist campaign-with the help of Hillsborough County Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson, a former state House member appointed to the post by the governor- began circulating documents that were sent to the campaign and reporters indicating that no vote was recorded for Davis in 2000. The GOP nominee’s staff were careful not to directly accuse the congressman of being a no-show but pounced on the opportunity.

Davis said he voted in person, not by absentee ballot. “A Bush appointee tonight produced a piece of paper that claims to say I didn’t vote. The paper is wrong.”

The Democratic candidate went on to say, "“How many days out are we from the election?” said Davis. “We’re six days from the eve of an election where I am closing the gap..."(Florida Today, November 2, 2006).

The Republicans are great at the old "smear and jeer" campaign.

But smear and jeer in the last days of a campaign means one thing.

Once light years ahead of Davis in the polls, Crist is running scared as this horse race has tightened in the final furlong.

Charlie, your desperation is showing.

And Chris Matthews?

Thanks for shaking up Disneyworld.