George LeMieux Caught Fibbing About His Closeness To Crist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 8, 2011
Contact: Rick Wilson
850-284-6284

Charlie Crist Republican Reinvention Alert:

George LeMieux Caught Fibbing About His Closeness To Crist

Boca Raton, Fl – In an attempt to win over Republican Primary voters,Senator George LeMieux has been trying to distance himself from Charlie Crist and the Crist Policies he helped craft.

The reinvention continued this week, on a Florida radio show, where Senator LeMieux gave this explanation of his relationship with Crist:

“LeMieux said he thought Crist was okay, but ‘after 2008 he went to the left – I didn’t support that.’ He said that he counseled against this so-called shift to the left, then said a moment later that maybe it was 2009 when he ’started moving towards the left.’ (Mitch Perry, “George LeMieux survives Ray Junior interview, ignores Charlie Crist slur” Creative Loafing, 06/07/11)

George LeMieux must not think these Crist policies were “moving toward the left”:

• In 2007, Pulling Funding For Florida Marriage Amendment.

• In 2007, Holding “Global Climate Change” Summit and Signing Executive Orders Mandating Cap And Trade System In Florida.

• In 2006, Pulling Jeb Bush Off His Campaign Website.

But worse, George LeMieux helped shape Crist’s movement “towards the left,” and continued to support Charlie Crist well beyond the 2008 and 2009 movement “towards the left.”

“Senator LeMieux continues to be haunted by the nearly two decades he spent orchestrating the rise of Charlie Crist Republicanism in Florida,” said Hasner campaign adviser Rick Wilson. “Despite his attempted reinvention, Senator LeMieux has a public record of shaping Charlie Crist’s movement toward the left that overshadows the 16 inconsequential months he spent in the United States Senate as Crist’s handpicked-Senator.”

Background:

LeMieux “Helped Shape” Crist’s Movement Towards The Left “LeMieux didn’t just advocate Crist’s policies, he helped shaped them. Some are unpopular with conservatives – a global-warming initiative, felons voting rights, a gaming deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, accepting President Obama’s stimulus money, an Everglades land purchase that benefitted U.S. Sugar and expanding the role of government in the property insurance market.” (Marc Caputo, “Crist Legacy Haunts LeMieux” The Miami Herald 04/23/11)

George LeMieux Continued To Support Charlie Crist Well Beyond The 2009 And 2009 Movement “Towards The Left”

• In 2010, After Crist Had Embraced The Stimulus, And Weeks Before Crist Left The Republican Party, LeMieux Called Crist “A Good Republican” “‘He is a good Republican,’ LeMieux said of Crist, ‘and he should run to win the Republican primary.’” (The St. Petersburg Times, 4/23/10)

• LeMieux Hosted Fundraisers For Crist In 2009 “As Crist rival Marco Rubio has gained ground, LeMieux has quietly stepped up on behalf of his former boss. He co-headlined a Washington fundraiser for the governor last week and set up a political action committee, Protect America’s Future, to funnel money to Crist and other political allies.” (Beth Reinhard and Marc Caputo “LeMieux watching out for Fla., Crist” The Miami Herald, 11/27/09)

• LeMieux Attacked Marco Rubio On Behalf Of Charlie Crist In 2009 “George LeMieux, the veteran Crist campaign strategist, said Rubio broke his promise not to go negative. He shrugged off a debate challenge: ‘It appears that the first debate Marco Rubio needs to have is between Marco Rubio and himself.’ (Bill Cotterell “Crist aims for Senate” Pensacola News Journal, 05/13/09)

Charlie Crist’s Movement Towards The Left Pre-Dated LeMieux’s Phony 2008-2009 Timeline

• In 2007, Charlie Crist Held “Global Climate Change” Summit and Signed Executive Orders Mandating Cap And Trade System In Florida – George LeMieux Was His Chief Of Staff “Though some, including many of Crist’s fellow Republicans, dispute whether humans are to blame for global warming, the governor said, „There is a strong body of scientific evidence indicating the global climate change is real. We cannot ignore this situation any longer. We have a responsible to face this reality head on and take action to address it now.” (Los Angeles Times, 07/13/07)

• In 2007, Charlie Crist Pulled Funding For Florida Marriage Amendment – George LeMIeux Was His Chief Of Staff “Gov. Charlie Crist said this morning he would “probably not” be in favor of using money raised by the Republican Party of Florida to help get a gay marriage ban amendment on the ballot. Crist made his comments just a day after RPOF chairman Jim Greer said he would support the amendment and was even willing to consider helping the group pushing the amendment financially.” (The Miami Herald, 02/13/07)

• In 2006, Charlie Crist Pulled Jeb Bush Off His Campaign Website – George LeMieux Was His Campaign Manager “The day after the primary, Crist’s campaign Web site took down its photos of Bush. And as governor, Crist has taken positions that are the opposite of Bush’s, including Crist’s efforts to expand Indian casino gambling.” (Brendan Farrington, “With election near, Charlie Crist changes” The Associated Press, 12/07/09)

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