How can any voter trust Charlie Crist when he says he’s ‘for’ something? All you have to do is wait a while and he’ll change his position.”
Second Amendment Rights
Crist stands with Kagan against guns rights.
Left his support for gun rights when he left the Republican Party
When he was leading in the Republican Primary, Charlie Crist said he would vote against confirming Justice Sotomayor because of her questionable record on defending Second Amendment rights. Now that he’s running as an independent, Charlie Crist has set aside protection for the Second Amendment, supporting Elena Kagan before a thorough investigation into her background and qualifications, and amidst numerous disturbing revelations that she has previously failed to support the Second Amendment.
As Leading Republican, Crist has concerns with Sotomayor’s record on the 2nd Amendment
“I have strong concerns that Judge Sotomayor would not strictly and objectively construe the constitution and lacks respect for the fundamental right to keep and bear arms. For these reasons, I cannot support her appointment to the highest court in the land." (Charlie Crist for U.S Senate Campaign Press Release, 7/21/09)
As Independent, Crist flip-flops, supporting Kagan despite her record on the 2nd Amendment
Charlie Crist on Elana Kagan: "I think she'd do a great job" (Adam Smith, St. Petersburg Times, 5/13/10)
Charlie Crist’s latest position change is enough to make anyone wonder if Charlie Crist stands firm on any issue. There appears to be little difference between Justice Sotomayor’s position on Second Amendment rights and Elena Kagan’s but there is a definite change in Charlie Crist’s position on the issue.
Elena Kagan’s Gun Problem
Kagan’s Gun Problem should open up an inquiry about Elena Kagan’s views on gun rights.
Elena Kagan may be hostile to the view that the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution protects American’s individual right to keep and bear arms. Bloomberg reports today, “Kagan Was ‘Not Sympathetic’ as Law Clerk to Gun-Rights Argument.” With the evidence presented by the Los Angeles Times that Kagan was very active in the gun control agenda during her time as counsel for the President Bill Clinton Administration, a thorough examination of Kagan’s views on the 2nd Amendment is merited. (Kagan’s Gun Problem, The Heritage Foundation, 5/13/10)
As A Clerk, Kagan Wrote That She Was “Not Sympathetic” To A Defendant Who Argued That The D.C. “Firearms Statutes Violate His Constitutional Right To ‘Keep And Bear Arms.
“Elena Kagan said as a U.S. Supreme Court law clerk in 1987 that she was ‘not sympathetic’ toward a man who contended that his constitutional rights were violated when he was convicted for carrying an unlicensed pistol…The man’s ‘sole contention is that the District of Columbia’s firearms statutes violate his constitutional right to ‘keep and bear arms,’’ Kagan wrote. ‘I’m not sympathetic.’” (Greg Stohr and Kristin Jensen, “Kagan Said She Was `Not Sympathetic' Toward Gun-Rights Claim,” Bloomberg, 5/13/10)
Kagan “Accepted” Heller Decision.
“Kagan, currently the U.S. solicitor general, has made few public remarks about the Constitution’s Second Amendment. The Supreme Court in 2008 ruled, in a case that overturned the District of Columbia’s handgun ban, that the Constitution protects individual gun rights. As a nominee to be solicitor general last year, Kagan told lawmakers that she accepted that 5-4 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller as a precedent of the court.” (Greg Stohr and Kristin Jensen, “Kagan Said She Was `Not Sympathetic' Toward Gun-Rights Claim", Bloomberg, 5/13/10)
Kagan Has Stated That “There Is No Question, After Heller, That The Second Amendment Guarantees Americans “The Individual Right To Possess And Carry Weapons In Case Of Confrontation.”
“The Supreme Court held in District of Columbia v. Heller, 128 S.Ct.2783 (2008), that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms. The Court granted this right the same status as other individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution, such as those protected in the First Amendment. Like other nominees to the Solicitor General position, I have refrained from providing my personal opinions of constitutional law (except in areas where I previously have stated opinions), both because those opinions will play no part in my official decisions and because such statements of opinion might be used to undermine the interests of the United States in litigation. I can say, however, that I understand the Solicitor General’s obligations to include deep respect for Supreme Court precedents like Heller and for the principle of stare decisis generally. There is no question, after Heller, that the Second Amendment guarantees Americans “the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation.” (Elena Kagan, Questions For The Record From Senator Chuck Grassley, p.18, 2/10/09)
Kagan Has Stated That “There Is No Question, After Heller, That The Second Amendment Guarantees Individuals The Right To Keep And Bear Arms….This Right….Provides Strong Although Not Unlimited Protection Against Governmental Regulation.”
“If I am confirmed, I will commit to show Heller and the principles articulated in it the full measure of respect that is due to all constitutional decisions of the Court. Only highly unusual circumstances can justify the Solicitor General’s office in asking the Court to reconsider a decision, especially one as thoroughly considered as Heller. Once again, there is no question, after Heller, that the Second Amendment guarantees individuals the right to keep and bear arms and that this right, like others in the Constitution, provides strong although not unlimited protection against governmental regulation.” (Elena Kagan, Questions For The Record From Senator Chuck Grassley, p.19, 2/10/09)
Kagan Worked On Trigger Lock Legislation In The Clinton White House.
“A centrist course meant negotiating with the firearms industry on a deal to put child-safety locks on guns rather than risk a legislative showdown. Gun-control efforts were a hallmark of the Clinton administration. Kagan had already been involved in an executive order that required all federal law enforcement officers to install locks on their weapons. Those moves angered the National Rifle Assn., which became even more alarmed in late 1998 when Clinton proposed closing the ‘gun show’ loophole that allowed firearms purchases without background checks. A legislative effort to do just that was launched as Kagan departed the White House for Harvard in 1999.” (James Oliphant, “She's A White House Veteran,” The Los Angeles Times, 5/11/10)
Refunding Republican Campaign Contributions
Crist Laughs In the Face of Republican Donors
He Swindled into Supporting His Senate Campaign
It’s not enough that Charlie Crist first lied to thousands of Republican donors by soliciting campaign contributions for a Republican senate campaign. But next, when questioned about whether he was planning to desert the GOP and run as an Independent, time and time again Charlie Crist lied, confirming that he would run as a Republican so that he could keep Republican contributions coming in.
Then, after deserting his post as the elected head of the Republican Party, Charlie Crist again lied to Republican donors by saying he would return contributions from those donors who do not support his decision to take the easy way out of a challenging Republican primary.
Now, Charlie Crist has the unimaginable arrogance not only to keep money he acquired by lying to and misleading thousands of Republicans, but he’s taken it one step further by laughing in the face of Republican donors who trusted him and contributed their hard-earned money to his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
March 28, 2010 - Crist lies to Florida and the nation, promises to run as a Republican and support winner of Republican primary
When asked whether he would rule out running as an Independent, Crist replied, “I am running as a Republican,” adding that he would support whomever wins the Republican primary. (Fox News, 3.28.10) Click here to see the video!
April 8, 2010 – Crist again confirms he will run as a Republican, continues collecting from Republican donors
“To put these rumors to rest once and for all, as we have said countless times before, Governor Crist is running for the United States Senate as a Republican. He will not run as an Independent or as a No Party Affiliation,” said Eric Eikenberg, Crist’s campaign manager… “This should completely and utterly put to rest any of the unfounded rumors… that Governor Crist would run as anything other than the Republican that he is.” (Sarasota Herald Tribune, 4/8/2010)
April 29, 2010 – Crist promises to give Republican donors pro-rated refunds
The Charlie Crist campaign is already hearing from donors asking for their money back, and the campaign is giving donors pro-rated refunds. (St. Petersburg Times, 4/29.10)
April 30, 2010 – Crist again promises donors he will give pro-rated refunds
Crist has told some donors that he would give them pro-rated refunds since he has spent some of his donations. (Miami Herald 4/30/10)
April 30, 2010 – Crist tells MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough he will “probably” refund donations
Scarborough: "If they ask for money back will you give it back to them or will you keep it for the campaign?" Crist: "Ah, probably give it back to them. It's not that big a deal. (USA Today, 4/30/10) Click here to see the video!
May 12, 2010 - Crist changes personal voter registration, announces plans to keep Republican contributions
Donors to his U.S. Senate campaign were told before the switch that they would get their money back or pro-rated refunds. No more. A couple hours before Crist officially becomes an NPA voter, campaign spokeswoman Michelle Todd said there will be no refunds. (St. Petersburg Times, 5/12/10)
Gov. Charlie Crist personally renounced the Republican Party Wednesday, making over his voter registration to "no party affiliation" to match his remodeled U.S. Senate bid and spurning any requests from donors who want their money back. (St. Petersburg Times, 5/13/10)
May 14, 2010 – Charlie Crist: “"I want it. I need it. I want to win."
Crist was blunt about not honoring requests for refunds…"I want it. I need it. I want to win." (St. Petersburg Times, 5/14/10)
May 15, 2010 – Charlie Crist: “I’m going to keep it!”
"What about the guys who gave you money when you were a Republican?!" "I'm going to keep it!" Crist cheerfully responded. (St. Petersburg Times, 5/15/10)
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Don’t Ask Charlie Crist’s Position,
He’ll Keep Telling You A Different Answer
Once again Charlie Crist’s position shifts based on politics, not convictions. Recently, Charlie Crist said there was no need to change the current policy that prohibits openly gay people from serving in the military. But then, Democrat Senate candidate Kendrick Meek got to the left of Crist by embracing Barack Obama’s plan to support a vote to repeal the policy. So now, Charlie Crist has suddenly changed his position in an attempt to appeal to liberal Democrat voters who support repeal of the policy.
Crist Flips On Don't Ask, Don't Tell
“Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday he'd likely support repealing the policy that bars openly gay people from serving in the military -- reversing what he told reporters three days ago. …Crist told reporters in Tallahassee on Monday that "I think the current policy has worked pretty well for America. I really do. So I don't know why there's any need for change at this time." With polls showing Crist popular with some Democrats, Democrat Kendrick Meek had been using his longtime support for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' to cast himself as the "true progressive" in the race. (St. Petersburg Times, 5/27/10)
