Crist Rocks the Hard Rock for Billion-Dollar Gamble

Governor got his Hard Rock on Wednesday to sign billion-dollar gambling deal

It was Gov. Charlie Crist at his best.

The newly minted political independent candidate for U.S. Senate leaped out of his black SUV, tugged at his tie, and plunged into a huge crowd gathered near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood on Wednesday.

He was in town to re-stage the signing of the historic gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe, which will bring a billion dollars of added revenue to state coffers. 

The gaming deal means $6.8 billion for the strapped state coffers over a five-year period. For those bucks, the Seminoles can offer black jack, poker, and Las Vegas style slot machines at their reservation casinos in Florida.

The tribe had battled for years to get an agreement on with the state. Crist got one done but the legislature and the Florida Supreme killed it. Crist brought it back after chiseling a money deal earmarked for education.

In the the process, Crist became fast friends with the Seminoles. Not a bad crowd to be in with as he begins his campaign that will include replacing his traditional Republican funding sources, staff, and political infrastructure. All of that had been lost when he bolted the Republican Party.

From the podium Tribal Elder Mitchell Cypress told the huge crowd "Remember November."

But leave it to the always outspoken Max Osceola to really deliver the not so subtle message that the Tribe is in the governor's corner, at least in spirit and likely some cash.

"Governor Crist in the Constitution it does not say we the party, it says we the people," Osceola said.

Contact Us