National: Charlie Crist

Obama and Gov. Charlie Crist sharing a stage may seem like an unusual alliance.

Let’s review: As prices on a product go up, demand for a product decreases. As prices for a product go down, demand for a product increases. It’s basic economics.

Florida is just the latest place where that’s happening. To close a gap in the state budget, the legislature is considering raising the cigarette tax. Being no fan of smoking, I’ve got zero problem with that. The problem, though, is that they want to raise the tax to balance the budget.

Governor Crist, who had been totally against the idea, is changing his tune.

Efforts to increase the tax by a dollar are gaining support as the budget continues to fall.

With Jeb Bush having opted against running for the U.S. Senate, NRSC chairman John Cornyn turns to the one other Florida politician who could conceivably clear the field and start with a significant advantage over any Democrat - Bush's successor as Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) on Wednesday said efforts are ongoing to persuade Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) to run for his state’s open Senate seat.

“We’re going to continue to visit. It’s very early in the game, but recruitment is important and the ability to be competitive on the financial front is very important too.