Former Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist pens a powerful endorsement of President Barack Obama today, in Former Gov. Charlie Crist: Here's why I'm backing Barack Obama. It is well worth a quick read, even just to remind ourselves of our President's accomplishments and the advantages of the Democratic Party.
I'm confident that President Barack Obama is the right leader for our state and the nation. I applaud and share his vision of a future built by a strong and confident middle class in an economy that gives us the opportunity to reap prosperity through hard work and personal responsibility. It is a vision of the future proven right by our history.
... Many have already forgotten how deep and daunting our shared crisis was in the winter of 2009, as President Obama was inaugurated. It was no ordinary challenge, and the president served as the nation's calm through a historically turbulent storm. ... The president's response was swift, smart and farsighted. He kept his compass pointed due north and relentlessly focused on saving jobs, creating more and helping the many who felt trapped beneath the house of cards that had collapsed upon them. ...
President Obama has a strong record of doing what is best for America and Florida, and he built it by spending more time worrying about what his decisions would mean for the people than for his political fortunes. That's what makes him the right leader for our times, and that's why I'm proud to stand with him today.
Governor Crist also has some harsh, but true, words for the Republican Party, reminding us of the sad truth that it " has failed to demonstrate the kind of leadership or seriousness voters deserve."
My personal feeling is that Fair Use Guidelines ought to have exceptions when it comes to quoting praise of our President,and the Democratic Party, or criticisms of Republicans, but alas, I do not get to make the rules. So, please follow the link, and read the Governor's whole letter. You will be refreshed, invigorated, and glad you did. And, you may well, also, feel those "fired up and ready to go" embers starting to glow again.
And, please contribute to our President's reelection campaign, and also please choose at least one down ticket race, and contribute there as well. We are going to need the House and Senate, and local Democrats as well, if we are going to keep our country moving "Forward." We also need volunteers to help get out our vote on election day, and help folks get voter IDs in states where voter suppression is occurring.
Go Team Democrats!
7:01 PM PT: Speaking of ringing endorsements, and lack thereof, I'm surprised folks are not making a bigger deal out of Ron Paul's refusal to give a total endorsement of Romney so therefore getting blackballed from the Republican convention.
I actually had published this then saw that Triumph10 already did a great job writing it up a few hours earlier. So I deleted it, but since I have the text here, and it fits in with the 'fair and balanced "opposing view spirit, I'll put some of it here.
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Ron Paul Refuses to Totally Endorse Mitt Romney and Let Romney Campain Vet His Speech So Will Not Speak at RNC Convention!
Representative Ron Paul of Texas refused to let Mitt Romney's campaign vet his speech, or give a total endorsement to Romney, so he will not speak at the Republican convention. Paul will instead lead a rally at the University of Florida's Sun Dome, according to Narahan Mahon, of the New York Times,. r
Mr. Paul, in an interview, said convention planners had offered him an opportunity to speak under two conditions: that he deliver remarks vetted by the Romney campaign, and that he give a full-fledged endorsement of Mr. Romney. He declined.
“It wouldn’t be my speech,” Mr. Paul said. “That would undo everything I’ve done in the last 30 years. I don’t fully endorse him for president.”
Mr. Paul’s campaign chairman, Jesse Benton, acknowledged the frustrations that the Paul high command had been forced to manage.
Some true believers want to “dress in black, stand on a hill and say, ‘Smash the state,’ ” said Mr. Benton, who is married to one of Mr. Paul’s granddaughters. But “it’s not our desire to have floor demonstrations. That would cost us a lot more than it would get us.”
That reflects both sides of the movement’s new circumstances. To enhance its long-term viability among Republicans, Paul campaign leaders decided to cooperate with Romney forces for a smooth convention, while eschewing compromises that would have alienated core supporters even more.
I wonder if this is one reason Mitt Romney chose Ayn Rand loving, Paul Ryan as a way to consolidate libertarians, who the Pew Research Center says are 10% of voters, and who otherwise might be angry at Mitt Romney's treatment of Ron Paul?