Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate: Crist Campaign Releases New Television Ad “Two Politicians”

TALLAHASSEE – The Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate today released a new television ad, “Two Politicians,” continuing a significant buy in Florida. You can view the new ad at: www.charliecrist.com or HERE.

“TWO POLITICIANS” SCRIPT

CRIST:
I’m Charlie Crist, and I approve this message.

ANNOUNCER:
Two career politicians. Both known for “preposterous deal-making.”

Ray Sansom and Marco Rubio. Rubio was Speaker, “Sansom was Rubio’s handpicked budget chief.” The ultimate insiders.

Both steered millions of taxpayer money into two colleges — then, received “cushy job[s]” from the colleges.

The Scandal unfolds.

Sansom indicted, Rubio subpoenaed.

Marco Rubio – It’s not just what we know, it’s what we don’t know … YET.

Background Information

ANNOUNCER: “Two career politicians. Both known for ‘preposterous deal-making.’” [GRAPHIC: Orlando Sentinel "Preposterous Deal-Making," Editorial, 7/31/08] “House Speaker Marco Rubio and Florida International University deserve each other for their preposterous deal making him a ‘visiting distinguished-service professor.’” (Orlando Sentinel, Copper Editorial, “Wrong lesson: We think: Rubio’s new gig at FIU undermines the cause of education,” 7/31/08)

ANNOUNCER: “Ray Sansom and Marco Rubio. Rubio was Speaker, ‘Sansom was Rubio’s handpicked budget chief.’ The ultimate insiders.” [GRAPHIC: The Miami Herald “Sansom was Rubio’s handpicked budget chief.” Carl Hiaasen 2/20/10] “Sansom was then-House Speaker Rubio’s handpicked budget chairman during 2007-08.” (Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times, Alex Leary and Steve Bousquet, Marco Rubio may be called to testify in Ray Sansom case,” 2/11/10)

ANNOUNCER: “Both steered millions of taxpayer money into two colleges — then, received ‘cushy job[s]’ from the colleges.” “Then came uncomfortable comparisons to another Republican House speaker — Ray Sansom — who steered $35 million to a Panhandle college and then took a job there.” (St. Petersburg Times, Alex Leary and Beth Reinhard, Senate run puts Rubio’s ties to FIU under fiscal scrutiny,” 12/13/09)

[GRAPHIC: Sansom: “$35 million - Northwest Florida State College” St. Petersburg Times 3/4/10] “As budget chairman, Sansom steered $35 million in extra or accelerated money to Northwest Florida State College, where he later took a $110,000 part-time, unadvertised job on the same day he was sworn in as speaker. Rubio helped Florida International University get millions while he was speaker and then took a part-time teaching job there paying $69,000.” (St. Petersburg Times, Alex Leary, “Charlie Crist jumps on Marco Rubio, Ray Sansom similarities,” 3/4/10)

[GRAPHIC: Rubio: “$29 million - Florida International University” South Florida Business Journal 5/14/07] “Florida International University obtained $15 million to build a hurricane research center on its main campus, $5.47 million to fund its new medical school, $5 million to enhance research in its biomedical engineering and public health programs, and $4 million in recurring funds for its undergraduate math and science programs. The hurricane center will include a wind tunnel large enough to test a single-family home, said Steve Suls, VP of governmental relations for FIU. ‘We had a great year, thanks to our Miami delegation and House Speaker Marco Rubio,’ Suls said.” (South Florida Business Journal, Brian Bandell, Jim Freer and Darcie Lunsford, “Universities get funds, tax reform still on hold,” 5/14/07)

[GRAPHIC: “Cushy Job for House Speaker” Florida Times Union 7/27/08] Florida Times Union Headline: “An ‘ironic’ and cushy job for House speaker.” (Florida Times Union, Ronald L. Littlepage, “An ‘ironic’ and cushy job for House speaker,” 7/27/08)

ANNOUNCER: “The Scandal unfolds. Sansom indicted,” St. Petersburg Times Headline: “Ex-House Speaker Ray Sansom indicted” (St. Petersburg Times, “Ex-House Speaker Ray Sansom indicted,” 4/18/09)

ANNOUNCER: “Rubio subpoenaed.” “The defense requested subpoenas for 35 witnesses, including former House speaker and U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio, Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville, and Fort Walton Beach attorney Matt Gaetz, who is running for the House District 4 seat.” (Panama City News Herald, “Panel OKs subpoena lists in Sansom case, 2/11/10)

CONTACT:
Crist Communications
(850) 907-1218
News@CharlieCrist.com