Marco Rubio - U.S. Senate - 2010

Letter from Crist thanks Rubio for project Crist now calls “pork”

Miami, FL – Governor Charlie Crist’s hypocrisy was on full display today when he attacked Marco Rubio for so-called “pork” spending on projects that Crist himself supported and approved. In addition, Crist’s claim to have vetoed the so-called “pork” spending is laughable considering the fact that he supported close to 98 percent of it. In fact, Crist even sent Rubio a letter saying how “thankful” he was to be able to support one of the projects he now labels as “pork.”

Here are the facts:

• Crist approved more than $120 million of what he now refers to as “pork.”

• Crist actually attended a bill signing ceremony at the University of Miami’s Human Genomic Institute, a project labeled as “pork” by Charlie Crist and The Miami Herald today.

• In a letter dated February 11, 2008 and signed by Crist himself, the governor actually lavishes praise on Marco Rubio for his efforts regarding the human genomics project at the University of Miami.

• “Dear Marco,” the letter begins. “It was truly a pleasure to see you recently during the University of Miami Human Genomic Institute Press Conference. I am thankful that through such efforts, we can provide medical doctors a new research facility and a novel approach to biomedical research so that we can prevent, detect and treat more diseases.”

• Crist ends the letter, “I hope to see you again soon!” This represents a very different side to Charlie Crist than the bitter and increasingly bizarre-acting politician voters have seen recently.

“When it comes to telling the truth, Charlie Crist seems to have lost his way,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos. “It appears Charlie Crist was for all of this spending before he decided he was against it. The fact is taxpayers know they simply can’t trust Charlie Crist to protect their money.

“There’s a reason Marco Rubio is supported by real fiscal conservative leaders like Jim DeMint, Dick Armey, Grover Norquist and organizations like the Club For Growth,” continued Burgos. “It’s because of his common sense conservative record of limited government, less taxes and less spending.”

READ THE LETTER