...the politically androgynous former governor of Florida...
was poised for a political comeback Tuesday as voters select a Democratic nominee to challenge Republican Gov. Rick Scott in Florida, one of four states where voters were choosing candidates for statewide office.
Crist, running against former state Sen. Nan Rich, has won three statewide races as a Republican, and it wasn't that long ago that he called himself a Ronald Reagan/Jeb Bush Republican. He was once considered a potential running mate for 2008 Republican presidential nominee
John MaverickMcCain
... the Senator-for-Life from Arizona, former presidential candidate and even more former
foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution...
and he had the backing of GOP leaders in a 2010 bid for Senate - until Marco Rubio used an image of Crist hugging President Barack Obama
I mean, I do think at a certain point you've made enough money...
to chase Crist from the primary.
After campaigning for Obama in 2012 and completing his political transition later that year, Crist, 58, now is the favorite to win the Democratic nomination to face Scott. His opponent, Rich, has been running for governor longer than Crist has been a Democrat but lacks Crist's name recognition and money.
Scott, 72, who has minor primary opposition, has already anticipated that Crist will be his opponent. He's spent millions of dollars on ads criticizing Crist and pointing out how he has changed from opposing to supporting same-sex marriage, gun control and Obama's health care plan.