TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Crist: Obama visit a surprise

ADVERTISEMENT

By CATHERINE DOLINSKI

cdolinski@tampatrib.com

Published: October 28, 2009

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday he didn't know President Barack Obama was in Florida on Monday.

Last week, Crist spoke candidly about his decision to appear with Obama during his first visit to Florida, saying it was appropriate to show respect for the nation's highest office. However, Crist didn't appear with Obama when the president spoke in Jacksonville on Monday, and the governor had no plans to appear with him Tuesday in Arcadia.

Crist cited Tuesday's Cabinet meeting as one reason for skipping Obama's appearance in Arcadia. When a Tribune reporter noted Obama was also here Monday, when there was no Cabinet meeting, Crist said: "Where was he yesterday?"

When told of the visit, he said, "First I've known of it."

Surprised by Crist's response, reporters gave him a second chance about two hours later.

One reporter asked whether Crist's communications team should be keeping him apprised of the president's visits to the state. Crist's response: "If they want to."

Asked a third time about the president's Florida travels, Crist finally said: "I think we all were aware that he was coming. I didn't know his itinerary; that's all."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT