93. CHARLIE CRIST (-)
Governor of Florida
The silver-haired, perma-tanned Crist was considered a front runner for the vice-presidential nod from John McCain but party activists worried about his fiscal liberalism and bachelor status. Crist’s engagement to the businesswoman Carol Rome – they married the month after the election – put paid to the first concern but he is unlikely ever to be trusted by conservatives.
Crist remains front runner in the Florida contest for a Senate seat this November but he faces a tough battle against the conservative Marco Rubio, who has strong backing from grassroots activists and the tea party movement. A strong voice for broadening the base of the Republican party, he warned last year: “This party can no longer hope to reach Hispanics, African-Americans and and other minority groups — we need to just do it. Embracing cultures and lifestyles will make us a better party and better leaders.”
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