Former Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist was back in the political limelight Thursday night – but on a new stage.
Crist took the podium at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte and said his old party is now too extreme to lead the country.
Crist is the subject of persistent rumors that he will run for his old job again in two years – as a Democrat. But he said he was not at the convention as a member of either major party.
"As a former lifelong Republican, it pains me to tell you that today's Republicans and their standard-bearers, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan just aren't up to the task", said Christ.
Crist also took a shot at the Republican proposal to convert Medicare to a voucher program for Americans under 55 years of age.
He stated, "And particularly important to me and my state of Florida is the challenge of saving Medicare and Social Security so we can keep our promise to our seniors."
Crist left the GOP after breaking with his party on a number of issues, including teacher merit pay. But his departure probably started with his support of President Barack Obama's stimulus package and a famous embrace of Obama during a visit to Fort Myers.
On Thursday night, Crist praised the president for the stimulus package, which the Governor and Legislature used to patch holes in the state budget.
"When he took office, the economic crisis had already put my state of Florida on the edge of disaster," said Christ. "The foreclosure crisis was consuming homeowners, the tourists we depend on couldn't visit, and the vital construction industry had come to a standstill. President Obama saw what I saw. A catastrophe in the making. And he took action."
After the speech, state GOP Chairman Lenny Curry in a statement called it "a sad, shameful display of political opportunism."
Crist told reporters he plans to campaign with Obama in Pinellas County on Saturday.