It was probably the most anti-climatic announcement in politics in recent years: Charlie Crist is running for governor. Crist announced his candidacy this morning in his home town of St. Petersburg.
The announcement had a bit of deja-vu. It was held on the St. Petersburg waterfront, less than a mile from where Charlie Crist announced his run for Senate about three years ago. Then, he had just ditched his Republican credentials and ran as an Independent. This time, Crist came full-circle.
"No matter what they say, it is not a sin to reach across the aisle", Crist said. "It is your obligation to work together. So yes, I am running as a Democrat - and I am proud to do it.
About 150 people attended his kickoff speech, which officially kicks off what is likely to be one of the most interesting races in the entire country. Republicans started their campaign to paint Crist as an opportunist weeks before today's announcement. But with incumbent Rick Scott's polling numbers not doing so well, this race is an open book.