Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday he wouldn’t rule out voting for President Barack Obama in November.
Crist — who was a member of the Republican party until 2010 and is now a registered independent — said in interviews with MSNBC and CNN that he would “consider” casting his ballot for Obama on election day.
“Consider? Sure, I would consider that,” Crist said on MSNBC’s “Daily Rundown.” “I really think he’s sincere and genuine. I think we have a lot time, a lot of issues to talk about, but I think, in his heart, he’s trying to do what’s right for the country overall.”
And in an interview with CNN, Crist pointed to the improving economy as a reason he might vote for Obama in November.
“I would consider that, of course I would,” Crist said on “CNN Newsroom.” “I’m interested in watching the campaign as it unfolds, as most Americans are. This has been a tough time for the president to govern, I think everyone understands that. But we’re starting to see some positive signs going forward as it relates to the economy. That’s very important.”
Crist also noted that the Republican primary has been “pretty nasty” and said he looks forward to a more positive race into the fall. He told CNN that making an attempt at unity, such as he did with Obama during his time as an elected official, may be political suicide.
“Well, maybe it is,” he said. “Certainly it seems to be in the Republican party, where the word ‘compromise’ has almost become a dirty word.”
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Crist said on MSNBC he would not “definitively rule out anything” for his future, such as running for office as a Democrat, and he told CNN he’s “enjoying the private sector.”
“Life’s pretty good for Charlie Crist right now,” said Crist, an attorney with the firm Morgan & Morgan.
