Florida Republicans continue to complain about Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to extend early voting hours in the state, as reported today in the conservative Tampa Tribune. I guess they have reason to be freaked out. Figures through Thursday show that Dems have built a 384,676 lead over Repugs in early votes in Florida (that includes both absentee votes and votes at early voting sites).
Although Florida Republicans are making public statements in support of Crist's surprising decision to extend early voting hours in Florida, behind the scenes there are a lot of upset GOPers, the Tribune reports.
Both parties officially commended Crist for his decision on Tuesday, which expanded early voting from eight to 12 hours on weekdays to alleviate long lines at the polls. But there was immediate - if mostly off-the-record - grousing among some Republicans, given Sen. Barack Obama's perceived advantage with early voters.
Don't believe the concern trolling from Rachel Maddow, there has been a surge of early voting in Florida, and it is heavily favoring the Democrats. Florida Democrats have reported a lead of 384,676 in early votes (absentee and early voting sites combined). Republicans have not released their own figures but do not dispute the Democrats' tally. Through Wednesday, nearly 3 million people (2,982,896) have voted in Florida, which represents nearly 40% of Florida votes in the 2004 presidential election.
Although most Republicans are not willing to go on record to complain about Crist's decision to make it (gasp!) easier for people to vote, one GOPer willing to do so represented Republican Christians (!):
Even as he endorsed Crist's decision, Christian Coalition of Florida Director Dennis Baxley said he worries it will rake in more Obama votes.
"It apparently is, because of the way campaigns are being operated," Baxley said. "The format we have seen in the Obama campaign has been to rile up emotions and get everybody to the polls to vote before they change their mind."
Mr. Baxley, when you talk about trying to "rile up emotions," do you mean doing something like spreading an email that states "I SEE CARLOADS OF BLACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS COMING FROM THE INNER CITY TO CAST THEIR VOTES FOR OBAMA."?? Is that the kind of riled up emotions you're talking about?? Just curious.
Some Republicans are complaining that Crist exceeded his legal authority in extending the early voting hours.
Both supervisors and lawmakers have questioned whether it was appropriate for Crist to call a "state of emergency" to override the state's election law.
"If there wasn't an emergency, the governor exceeded his authority," said Volusia County Elections Supervisor Ann McFall, a Republican. "I did not see an emergency in Volusia County."
Will a GOP lawsuit against Charlie Crist be far behind? Oh, please let it be so.