Tripping around Europe, for Crist's sake!

Charlie Crist, the Republican guv of Florida, bundled up some two dozen folks to take a two-week trip to Europe to "foster" foreign business for the Sunshine State.

One can't help wonder why his fiancee, her sister, nine bodyguards, and photographer had to schlep along. I didn't get invited. Of course, I'm not his biggest fan, but still.

Crist and entourage flew to London, to Paris, to St. Petersburg (not Florida) and Madrid.

Initially their travel budget was a "mere" $225,000 but skyrocketed to $430,000 by the time they hit the dirt back in Florida. Of course, when that many people spend $148,000 on eating, drinking, sleeping, transporting themselves, and "incidentals," it do add up!


Florida currently has a $2 billion budget deficit; a big problem. And that's exactly why Charlie and friends had to take this trip! Got to get more overseas bizness, said Charlie's office, as that will be "instrumental in keeping our state from greater distress."

Maybe Charlie, being a Republican, confesses to the belief one has to spend money to make money. But did they need to go "first class"? Did they really need to lay out $1,300 on minibar refreshments and $320 on electric fans to keep ol' Charlie cool when speechifying?

The trip occurred in July. Do you suppose part of the reason was to give Charlie some "foreign policy" credentials the better to boost his chances of becoming McCain's VP candidate?

You think?


Some feel maybe Charlie should have stayed home considering the state of Florida's economy and to show solidarity with the large number of Floridians who are facing foreclosure because they've lost the jobs needed to pay their mortgages.

For some people the trip created a "perception" problem. A short time ago, House Speaker Ray Sansom, "landed a part-time, $110,000 job at Northwest Florida College after years of championing the college's funding projects."

What a controversy began to brew, Crist downplayed things by suggesting "It may be more of a perception problem. ... Sometimes stories like this can get going and conclusions can be implied that may not be true. ... Don't assume that a couple of facts can be laid together necessarily lead to a particular attack."


While some have compared Crist's tripping about Europe with Sarah Palin's profligacy, perhaps this comment by an anonymous person sums up how many Floridians feel about Mr. Crist's trip:

"Is Crist kidding??? Seriously, 'a perception problem'? This guy takes the cake.

"How are: 9 bodyguards, $1300 minibar tab, fiancee's sister riding along, 'perception problems'?

"Hey Crist the 'perception' you are a good governor is a 'problem'!


There's more here.