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Democrats Plan To Go After 'Empty Chair Charlie'

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The Associated Press

Published: December 20, 2008

Buoyed by Barack Obama's victory in Florida last month, state Democratic Party Chairman Karen Thurman today took aim at one of her next targets: Gov. Charlie Crist.

Thurman addressed party activists after being re-elected to a four-year term. She highlighted the party's strengths during last month's election and told them there would be no break in voter registration and volunteer recruitment before the 2010 election.

She also said there will be no break in the "Empty Chair Charlie" attacks on Crist, whom the party criticizes for taking too many days off.

"We know that we hit a nerve with that," said Thurman, a former congresswoman who took over party leadership in May 2005. "We should keep those elected Republicans accountable for what they do and we will be watching every day."

The Republican Party of Florida didn't directly address Thurman's remarks.

"We will not respond to the Florida Democrats' divisive political rhetoric. Floridians are tired of the same old sniping, especially during the holiday season," said state GOP spokeswoman Erin VanSickle.

Crist's term ends in 2010 and it's expected he will seek another term. Also on the ballot are all three Cabinet positions and the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Mel Martinez.

Democrats plan to build on the organization and volunteer list that helped Obama take Florida by 236,450 votes, Thurman said. She said the party is already contacting groups of Obama supporters around the state to begin talking about the next election.

"We will keep new volunteers excited about Florida races," she said. "We will build on our success, we will learn from our losses and together we will make gains on the local, state and federal levels."

She noted the party registered far more voters than Republicans and did a better job than the GOP at turning out early voters.

Thurman also listed several congressional seats the party plans to target, including the one Tom Rooney won from Democratic Rep. Tim Mahoney. Mahoney lost amid reports he paid off a mistress to avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit.

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