Cate: Welcome to the Fluent in Floridian podcast, featuring the Sunshine State's brightest leaders talking about the issues most important to the people of Florida and its millions of weekly visitors. I'm your host, Chris Cate, and in this episode, created by SalterMitchellPR, I talk to former Governor and current Florida congressman, Charlie Crist. 

In our conversation, we talk about the Congressman starting politics, about lessons he learned campaigning over the years, and about serving a multitude of elected roles. We also discuss the current state of Washington politics, the difficulty of passing legislation, and what it's been like to be a member of Congress during the Trump presidency; and you can hear it all right now.

Congressman Crist, thanks so much for being on the show. Most people in Florida know who you are, but perhaps not very much about how your career in law and politics began. Is it right that you were the general counsel for Minor League Baseball, basically right out of law school?

Crist: Yeah, I was. That's true. It was Minor League Baseball's Commissioner's Office, if you will, and we had jurisdiction over all the minor leagues in North America, up into Canada, in the Dominican, and down into Mexico. It was a great job, and I worked under Commissioner Bowie Kuhn and Commissioner Peter Ueberroth and really had a good time meeting some wonderful people around the country.

Cate: How early on did you know that you wanted to work in politics?

Crist: I'm not really sure when that kinda struck me. I guess I probably should have seen it forecast, though, because all through school, beginning with junior high school, and even earlier, I was involved in student government, and did so all through law school! So that should have been a precursor for me that this might be the calling that I would answer. 

Cate: And you have now been part of many campaign elections through the years.

Crist: Yep.

Cate: What lessons would you say that you've learned about how to run a successful election?

Crist: Just be honest. Tell the people what you would like to try to accomplish for them if you're victorious, and honor that commitment. Be as straight-forward as you possibly can, and just stick to the things that are important and how you communicate with the people, the boss, about what's important to them. And listen! Listen a lot, and listen intently. 

Cate: Campaigns have always been contentious, but do you find that the climate right now, when it comes to elections and really politics in general, is really unlike anything you've ever seen?

Crist: Yeah. Certainly in this year it's like nothing I've ever seen, I can tell you that. I've always served at the state level. This is my first federal office, and serving in Washington, and representing my hometown is truly an honor, but it is different from anything I've ever seen, and I'm confident we will get through it. I'm an optimist and I look forward to more bipartisanship and general working together to do what's right for all of America.

Cate: What, or how do you think Congress could maybe take lessons from the way that Florida's government works to improve its efficiency? Are there ways that you think could really change Washington, or do you think it's really in a gridlock, and we're miles away from change?

Crist: I don't think that we're miles away from change. I do see that there are significant differences on the two sides of the aisle, but I am confident that we can find things we can agree upon. After all, Chris, when you think about it we really all want the same things. We all want a great education for our children. We all want to protect the environment, especially as Floridians, because it's so important to our tourist industry. All of us want to be treated fairly in the business sector and by large corporations.

These are things that I think, regardless of whether you're a Republican, Democrat, or an Independent, you care about, and you want, and you hope will be the case for your family, and your children, and your grandchildren, and sometimes we just have a different way of going about getting there; But as long as you have the same overarching goals, I think you can find common ground on much of what you do in order to achieve those laudable things 

Cate: Like you said, you've served in the state legislature, the Florida Cabinet, now you're in Congress. How difficult has it been to adjust to the different responsibilities required of each of these positions and you're going from the Education Commissioner to Attorney General to Governor, state senator? How much difficulty have you had when you take over a new position to adjust to those new responsibilities?

Crist: I don't think there's that much difficulty involved, and I'll tell you why: It all depends on how you view your role as a public servant, and whether I've been serving as a state senator, or attorney general, or in education, or governor, and now as a congressman, the things that I strive toward are to serve the people that have elected you, and work hard every day to look out for their interest, and whether you're voting on legislation, or you're serving as attorney general and you may be bringing suit for one action or another, or you're serving here, as I am, in the Congress, and voting on legislation virtually every day that effects people not only in Pinellas County where I represent, or the state of Florida that I love, but the entire nation. And frankly, it affects the entire world. It is the United States Congress, after all, the most powerful country on the planet. 

I think just facing each and every day, no matter what office you may be holding, just remembering that the people are the boss, that you have an obligation and a duty to be honest and straight-forward with them, and do the very best you can to improve their lives; Then it's not that difficult to go from one position to another. There's always a little bit of a learning curve, no question about it, but it's really not that bad, especially if you have great people to work with in your office, and thank god I do.

Cate: Is there an accomplishment that stands out among the rest in your mind that you've been a part of as an elected official?

Crist: Oh my gosh, there have been many. But, you know, I think that having the opportunity to serve as Governor of Florida was something I never imagined would even happen, but it did. I think that in that role, having the opportunity to bring about automatic restoration of rights for former felons was a great point of pride, for lack of a better word, because it really, I thought, brought to bear the ideal and the notion of forgiveness, and being able to forgive your fellow man for past transgressions. I think that was one that really does stand out to me.

Cate: You've often said that the Republican Party left you, and not the other way around.

Crist: Mm-hmm (affirmative)

Cate: Because both parties seem to be moving farther apart from the middle, do you ever fear that the Democratic Party may leave you, too?

Crist: I don't have that fear. No. I'm pretty darn happy in the Democratic Party, or I wouldn't be here. It just became a matter of the way I was raised by my mother and father, how they raised my three sisters and me, to try to be decent to others, and be respectful, and be courteous; Basically just to do unto others. We've seen in the past year a discourse in politics that is not consistent with that, so I'm happy to be where I am.

Cate: I know when you bring up family that your father has been a very influential role in your life. How? Has he been an ever-present consultant for you along the way, just about the realities, and not so much a political consultant, but just in the practical ways of serving?

Crist: He's my best friend. His professional life was to be a family physician. It was my first call every morning, and just is the most intelligent person I think I've ever met. I'm sure of it. That's a wonderful thing and a friendship to be able to depend upon as a source of advice that is honest and straight-forward. Because many times when you serve in office... Not many times, but sometimes when you ask for advice from people they kinda think about what it is you'd like to hear, rather than what it is you need to hear. With my dad, it's always what I need to hear. So I appreciate that, and it's been a very special relationship.

Cate: When you reflect on the 2010 Senate race, what comes to mind for you? Any regrets or have you really moved on?

Crist: No regrets at all, no. I believe that life is always about the future. We never know what the future holds for us in life, Chris, and to dwell in the past is a waste of energy and time. There's too much exciting things on the horizon, and that need to be accomplished as we move forward as a nation and a people. So that's what I think about. I really don't dwell in the past. I just don't.

Cate: Even though Republicans have the majority, they seem to be having a lot of bills passed. 

Crist: Yes.

Cate: How much do you feel like Republicans are trying to get a vote from you? Or are they just really working together? How much have they reached out to you?

Crist: Not that much. On occasion, though, we have had some bipartisan moments, and I'm very pleased about that. I wanna give you an example: I am co-sponsoring a bill with Rep. Tom Rooney, who's also a Floridian, he is a Republican, to bring about a small business tax cut. There have been other examples where we have been able to reach across the aisle and work with others on things of that nature. So I'm pleased about that, and it gives me hope for the future as well.

Cate: What's it been like to be a member of Congress during Trump's presidency? Do you feel like there's been extra pressure on you, or does that... What kind of component does he add to that element of serving in Washington right now?

Crist: Well it's a very different construct, no question about it. I don't think we've had a president with quite the same style as President Trump. I find it disappointing. It kinda breaks my heart the way some people are treated by the White House, and the comments that come out, and demeaning others. It's an example that is the opposite of how I was raised, and how to treat others with dignity and respect, so from that perspective it's been kinda strange. But I know we'll get through it, and I'm confident that America will be stronger in the future.

Cate: Have you seen him evolve in any way, or do you feel like he's governing in the same way that he did in January?

Crist: Seems to be the same thing. I haven't seen much change at all. I think that he seems to be governing in the same way that he began back on January 21st. 

Cate: Alright. I wanna transition now to the final four questions that I ask every guest.

Crist: Alright.

Cate: The first being who is a Florida leader who you admire. And that can be someone from the past or the present.

Crist: Oh my gosh, we've had so many great ones. I think Lawton Chiles would be up there among them. I think he was a great governor, a great US Senator, cared deeply about people. Claude Pepper comes to mind as well. Really a champion for social security, which is so important to Florida. Those would be among the two, and I would have to throw in Senator Connie Mack, who I had the privilege to work for, always was a gentleman and a very decent man to everybody. I thought that was an awfully important character trait.

Cate: You worked on his campaign very early on in your career. What was being a part of that campaign like? Was that your first taste of real politics?

Crist: No it wasn't. I had actually run for office myself before that, and lost my first race for the Senate. That was back in '86, but yeah, I was blessed to be able to work on Senator Mack's campaign in 1988. I was actually his chairman for Pinellas County, and it was a great privilege. It was very exciting. It was one of the closest US Senate races in Florida history, and after about three days, they declared him the victor. He was kind enough to bring me on his staff as his state director to open up offices around the state during its first year.

Cate: Coming back to those final four questions. What is something in Florida that deserves more attention than what it's getting?

Crist: I think Medicaid. Healthcare for the poor. Florida, for whatever reason, has chosen not to expand Medicaid, and I think that's a real shame, 'cause for about a million of our fellow Floridians, it means they don't have coverage, and I think that's very, very disappointing.

Cate: What is a favorite place in Florida for you to visit?

Crist: Oh my gosh, well, I'd have to start with St. Petersburg, my hometown. I love it there. But you know, the whole state. I love southwest Florida. It's a nice boat ride from St. Pete to go down that inner-coastal toward Port Charlotte area, it's beautiful. The east coast is amazing, and the panhandle beaches are extraordinary. You think about Florida, there's not a bad place in her, so just about anywhere makes me pretty happy if I'm in Florida.

Cate: The last of these four questions may be the easiest. Do you have a favorite Florida sports team?

Crist: A couple, actually. I graduated from Florida State, so I love the Seminoles. I'm from Tampa Bay, so I'm a big fan of the Buccaneers, and the Rays, and the Lightning. You know what, though, the great thing is we have so many wonderful sports teams in the state. I know the Gators are very proud supporters of the University of Florida as USF. We're just blessed to have so many great teams in our state. It's amazing, really.

Cate: Well I know you've gotta get to a vote, so I'll wrap it up there, but I do really appreciate you taking the time to be on the show.

Crist: Chris, it's a pleasure to be with you, as always. Thank you so much for the time to be with you.

Cate: Thanks for listening to the Fluent in Floridian podcast. If you aren't subscribed to the podcast yet, I hope you'll look us up and subscribe to your show on your favorite podcast app, like Apple Podcast, Stitcher, or Google Play Music. If you leave a review, that would be great, too.

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Have a great day!