Crist likely to veto abortion ultrasound bill

Gov. Charlie Crist all but said today he would likely veto a controversial bill requiring women to get an ultrasound before an abortion.

"On two fronts it disturbs me," Crist said today during a meeting with The Tampa Tribune's editorial board. "That you would force a woman to go through this procedure . . . almost seems mean-spirited. To have your government impose on you, listen to a lecture, then on top of that, you have to pay for it."

Crist said he has not yet received House Bill 1143. Once it reaches his desk, he'll have 15 days to sign the bill or veto it. He said there is "probably not a whole lot" keeping him from saying he's against it.

"Just time," Crist said. "Trying to gain more wisdom. I've got 15 days. I'm going to use them."

The bill requires women who want an abortion to get an ultrasound exam in the first trimester of their pregnancy. Women would have to view the ultrasound and receive an explanation on how fetuses develop.

State Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said it is disappointing that Crist is apparently leaning toward a veto.

"It's clearly a political move," Stargel said. "This bill is good policy."

Stargel said giving women all the facts and details before an abortion makes common sense.

"As a woman, I think it's safe practice," Stargel said of the mandatory ultrasound. "I hope he reconsiders."

The bill passed in the state House of Representatives on April 30 with a 76-44 vote and in the Senate with a 23-16 vote.

At the Tribune meeting, Crist also addressed his decision to leave the GOP, which he said was "exciting and a little scary," to run as a no-party candidate for an open U.S. Senate seat this fall.

"I feel very liberated," he said. "I always said it before. It's just a little more fun now."

Crist has weathered seething criticism from members of his former party since his announcement on April 30. The animosity surprised him.

"They really shouldn't be upset with me. There's no reason to be-really. I'm not sure I really understand why that's so difficult for some to deal with."

But the switch, he said, means he made "a lot of new friends too."

The change in affiliation comes at a time when representatives and senators "are terrified of their primaries," he said.

Crist pointed out Utah Sen. Robert Bennett, who lost a bid for the GOP nomination last week.

"Look at Sen. Bennett, a pretty darned conservative guy and he had his hat handed to him," Crist said. "The first thing they think is, 'how is this going to play in the primary?'."

Without the GOP-and its resources-Crist admitted that raising funds for his campaign will be a challenge.

"Fundraising hasn't been terrible, but it hasn't been what it was. I'm out there alone." But his constituents, he said, are "not going to be disappointed if I win."

In terms of campaigning, Crist said he is going to be "reaching out to a lot of teachers, quite frankly." He said that maybe his actions on the ultrasound bill will gain him some constituency.

He is confident voters will elect him U.S. Senator.

"I think I'm going to win, I really do. I think there's a thirst for a new path in Florida and in America."

Crist then answered questions from the editorial board on a variety of topics.

• On the oil spill: "I'm pleasantly surprised it hasn't gotten to our shores yet. But until they plug the thing, there's no endgame."

• On asking petroleum giant BP for $34 million for a marketing campaign to encourage tourists to visit: "I believe they'll honor that request. Our beaches are pristine and unscathed. It's important to get that message across."

• On the possibility of convening a special session regarding off-shore drilling: "I'm in conversations with the Senate, who I think is more amenable on a drilling ban. I'm working on the House. I hope to have a consensus over the weekend."

• On Senate Bill 6, the teacher tenure bill: Crist said it started out well, but with amendments, "it got ideologically greedy."

• On the economy: "I think it's turned a corner. But we're a tourism state. In order for us to flourish, others have to flourish first."

• On the Republican Party of Florida removing a portrait of him from the lobby of its Tallahassee headquarters, then selling it on eBay for $7,700: "I don't think it's a reflection of all Republicans in Florida. Sometimes the leadership of any one organization can get a little out there."

And about the oil painting itself: "I don't know why anybody would buy it. I didn't. And it's me."