by Mark Silva
This one reminds us of Bill Gunter, a former insurance commissioner and good Baptist in Florida who was running for Senate and happily told a ballroom full of elderly Jewish voters in South Florida once that he had met his wife in Israel.
On a tour bus. She was American.
So who says the Republicans won't have a prayer in next year's Senate races?
Charlie Crist, the Christian (Methodist) governor of Florida who is running for Senate in 2010, has a suggestion for why Florida has been spared major hurricanes on his watch.
The governor told some real estate agents in Orlando today that he has had prayer notes placed in the Western Wall in Jerusalem each year, and no major storms have hit Florida. Just before his election in 2006, the former attorney general and state legislator noted, Florida had been affected by eight hurricanes alone in 2004 and 2005.
"Do you know the last time it was we had a hurricane in Florida? It's been awhile. In 2007, I took my first trade mission. Do you know where I went?" said Crist, telling of his trip to the Western Wall and inserting a note with a prayer. He said it read, "Dear God, please protect our Florida from storms and other difficulties. Charlie."
"Time goes on -- May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December -- no hurricanes," Crist said. "Thank God."
Last year, when state Sen. Nan Rich was traveling to Israel and Crist asked her to place another note in the Western Wall. "It was the same note, by the way,'' Crist said, "the same prayer.
This year he gave a friend bound for Israel another note.
"You can do it on the Internet now,'' Crist noted. "but I'd rather have it physically in there.''
The note went in in May.
"May, June, July, August -- we're getting closer," the governor said today. "Knock on wood. I would ask you all to say a prayer."
Afterward, he conceded that he's not taking real credit for the absence of storms in his hurricane-prone state.
"I give that to God," Crist said. "But it's nice."
( With thanks, and apologies, to Brendan Farrington of the Associated Press. Photo of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist at the announcement of Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) that he will step down before his term ends by Chris O'Meara / AP)
Comments
Hey, it worked for Obama.
Maybe next time Crist goes across the pond he can give a free concert to the European's right after he makes them listen to his boring speech.
Maybe they'll still havea few of those American flags Obama handed out for them to waivefor the camera's.
Posted by: springfieldSpringfield | August 21, 2009 3:20 PM
The Republican theme music for the '12 convention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVtEBubkko8
Posted by: Mr. Theremin | August 21, 2009 3:24 PM
Good lead-in story, Mark. Funny you didn't mention that
the Bill Gunter who tried to con Jewish voters in Florida is a prominent Democrat.
Just trying to help.
Posted by: Bruce | August 21, 2009 3:25 PM
This just in; A 'Bruce/John D' home production.
Cast;
The monster - Tea-Baggers/T.Hall Mobs.
The Victim - Heathcare reform/Dems
The Enablers - Baucus Caucus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C34g5mz1ZQ&feature=related
Posted by: Billy Mumy | August 21, 2009 3:41 PM
If he thanks god for no hurricanes, does he blame god for them when they happen?
Posted by: Fundy Mental | August 21, 2009 3:54 PM
Can you ever have too many deluded politicians?
Posted by: Doug | August 21, 2009 4:44 PM
Oh boy, this is really a bible belt thing. If he thinks his prayer notes actually worked, I have some swamp land to sell him. You can't make this stuff up. It ranks way up there with what would Jesus do? I truly cannot think of anything less relevant. To "Fundy Mental," no, they don't blame God when something bad happens. These looney toons only give God the credit, no blame. Did you hear anyone damning him over 9-11? No. Did it happen because no one prayed it wouldn't? No. It happened because the shrub ignored the PDB, "Bin Laden determined to strike within the United States." Losers.
Posted by: Nancy | August 21, 2009 4:58 PM
That spell I cast on Texas seems to work quite well, I must say.
Torrential floods as the election approached last year....
And now, record breaking drought.......
Those Bush icons they worship down there------false gods!
Why do I torment Texas so?
Just reflexive.
Posted by: ornery | August 21, 2009 8:06 PM
Nancy,
The Fundies actually thought NYC got what it deserved. That's what I was hearing.
Posted by: C.Morrisā§ | August 21, 2009 8:55 PM
i was checking out recent interesting boards here and came across joker.
if you want to see john w given a big logic lesson check it out. shoutouts to oldcreaky, reamer and others. it can be done.
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/08/obama_joker_posters_chicagoans.html#comments
Posted by: Jeff | August 21, 2009 9:18 PM
c,
Yeah, I seem to remember a couple of the TV evangelists saying it was God's punishment, or something. They retracted, but I think their first statements were from their hearts.
Posted by: Groucho | August 21, 2009 9:57 PM
In the case of Charlie C, I'd have to say:
From his lips to God's
d---.
Posted by: ornery | August 22, 2009 12:18 AM
In the case of Charlie C, I'd have to say:
From his lips to God's
d---.
Posted by: ornery | August 22, 2009 12:18 AM
ornery....that gave me a gay old laugh!;)
Posted by: bill r. | August 22, 2009 5:48 AM
Talk about a messiah complex. Crist (or does he prefer it pronounced "CHRIST") takes the cake on this one.
I'd like to hear what Jeb Bush has to say. Is Crist saying old Jeb didn't have enough faith? That's why 3 hurricanes rolled through Florida in the summer of '05?
Posted by: syj | August 22, 2009 2:04 PM
alternate caption
'It's backed up to here! I haven't had a good one in weeks!'
Posted by: OldCreaky | August 23, 2009 10:48 AM
Nevada, Colorado and Arkansas are going through some major political changes and are harbingers of things to come. In Arkansas Blanche Lincoln has taken in so much money in campaign donations it has actually started to backlash as many Arkansans have taken notice and view her as a grotesque pig ready to be slaughtered. Republicans unfortunately, are scared of the money she has collected; it is all they focus on. The Greens will more than likely put someone up too. And then there is Trevor Drown. He has amassed a lot of support of the people in the urban and farm communities. His message resonates among people who are sick and tired of party politics. He will have no need for high priced consultants and over the top media buys. An analysis written by someone who is politically astute within the mini-beltway of Little Rock can be found here.
http://politicsinarkansas.com/2009/08/ross-private-health-care-reform-meetings-%e2%80%98dumb-idea%e2%80%99/#comments
Posted by: Brutherford | August 23, 2009 3:34 PM
Please ignore the previous posting as "Brutherford" is most definitely not my spokesperson.
The Teams are fail.
To learn more about the real Trevor Drown, click my name.
Posted by: Trevor Drown | August 24, 2009 12:54 PM
Will Gov. Crist use our iPhone app to protect Florida? :) http://wp.me/pCyq0-2m
Posted by: Send a Prayer - Western Wall | August 28, 2009 8:43 PM