Biden and Crist urge Floridians to get out and vote blue
By Christopher Smith
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Nov. 1) — “Folks, it’s great to be with the next governor of Florida, Charlie Crist!” President Joe Biden called out from the stage.
As the Nov. 8 election draws near, Rep. Charlie Crist stepped out to speak to the public the importance of voting, with the hope of defeating incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The Charlie Crist campaign event in traditionally blue Miami-Dade County focused on the things that Democrats warn DeSantis will do if he gets elected to a second term. Republicans have been making inroads in this part of the state, particularly with Latino voters.
This event was Crist’s last opportunity to get people out to vote. With the election on the horizon, a few thousand people were in attendance as the Democratic party brought out the big guns, getting famous actors and performers onstage — and went as far as getting President Biden to the campaign event.
Women’s rights are in jeopardy, Crist said, and DeSantis is willing to take away women’s rights to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest. The Charlie Crist campaign said it was appealing tp voters of all ages to vote so this will not happen.
Abi Musallam, a 33-year-old political campaign organizer, said this election would be among the most critical in her lifetime.
“This election is important because we need to make a change in Florida,” Musallam said in an interview outside the campaign event in Miami on Nov. 1, a week before Election Day. “We need a candidate that will support women’s rights, and healthcare.” Crist, a former Republican governor of Florida, promised to protect women’s rights if he is elected again, and even went as far to promise to sign an executive order that will protect women’s rights on “day one.”
Daniela Sanchez, a 31-year-old political campaign organizer, said being a Democrat “aligns with my values.”
“Voting does matter, it’s our civic duty as citizens to vote and the importance of voting can stop the wrong person from getting in the seat,” Sanchez said. “Charlie Crist wants to protect all women’s rights and healthcare. DeSantis wants to take away our rights as women which is not fair.”
Crist appealed to voters who are concerned about taxes in Florida, which historically has drawn many to the Sunshine state.
“When I was governor property taxes were low, but under DeSantis property taxes and Florida power have skyrocketed,” Crist told the crowd gathered at Florida Memorial University in Miami.
Barbara Martley, a 61-year-old representative of the group Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement fighting for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence, is a strong Crist supporter.
“While we’ve been in the Republicans’ rule for 28 years, everything has gone downhill,” said Martley. Some of the issues Martley spoke about are how the property taxes are up, cost of living is up, the environment is being neglected.
“Womens’ rights have gotten worse and worse. I really think Charlie Crist will improve in all those areas that need to be treated and perhaps legalize marijuana,” Martley added.
Martley believes this election is important for Moms Demand Action, because, she said, Gov. Ron DeSantis has promised that he will pass legislation to allow permitless carry, which would increase the number of guns on Florida’s streets and lead to even higher rates of gun-related violence. He also promised to roll back the three laws legislators passed after the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Park in Parkland. “Which is everything that goes against the purpose of our group because we want more gun control,” Martley added. “Every vote is critical.”
DeSantis, Crist said, wants to make it difficult for people to vote. “He created his own election police and arrested Floridians who are allowed to register by his own administration, ‘’ said Crist.
Actors also exhorted the Miami crowd to vote blue and get active.
“It starts with someone,” said Jennifer Lewis. “Rosa parks sat on that bus because she stood for what she wanted.”
Actor Keegan-Michael Key took the stage with a similar message
“How many people are at this campaign today?” he asked. “One, two, three? Well, I know it’s more than me. It’s more than enough people at this campaign who can vote to put this election in our favor.”
Biden has been hitting the road to stump for Democrats across the East Coast, particularly in extremely competitive races in states such as Pennsylvania and Maryland. The president is hoping to maintain a Democratic majority in Congress so as to push forward with his agenda during his last two years in office.
“We should build America the way it should be built!” Biden bellowed. The president, who often ends speeches with “God to protect our troops,” send up an alternative prayer: “God, give some of our Republican friends some enlightenment.”
