The Crist-Clinton-Obama Connection: The More We Learn, The Less We Know

Miami, FL – Through all the spin and confusion, one thing is crystal clear as the Crist/Clinton/Obama secret deal story continues to unfold this morning: The more we all learn, the less we seem to know, and the more questions voters will have.

We know for certain that Charlie Crist initiated the discussions seeking a deal to caucus with the Democrats in exchange for Meek dropping out. We also know that Crist personally talked with Clinton’s senior adviser and the White House.

But here’s what we don’t know:

1.    What specifically did the White House know about this deal?

2.    Who at the White House did Crist talk to?

3.    Was the White House aware that Crist had agreed to caucus with the Democrats in exchange for Meek dropping out?

4.    Why are President Clinton and his spokesman giving vastly different versions of events?

The Facts:

• Charlie Crist initiated the discussions to cut a secret deal to get Kendrick Meek to withdrawal by personally calling a top adviser to former President Clinton. According to the The Washington Post, “Charlie Crist personally called a top adviser to Bill Clinton and asked if the former president would discuss with Kendrick Meek the possibility of dropping out…” And The New York Times writes that, “An official close to Mr. Clinton said the discussions were first initiated by Mr. Crist, who called Doug Band, a top adviser to Mr. Clinton.” As the Tampa Tribune puts it, “There were reports that Crist may have sought to engineer Meek’s withdrawal.”

• Charlie Crist said he would caucus with the Democrats in exchange for a deal to get Meek to withdrawal. According to The New York Times, “Officials familiar with the private discussions said Mr. Crist had made it clear that he would support Democrats in the Senate if he won.” CNN also reported that “As part of the deal, Republican-turned-independent Gov. Charlie Crist would then caucus with Democrats in the Senate.”

• Charlie Crist talked to the White House about making a deal. While unable to say who he talked with, Crist told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren last night that he did contact the White House about making a secret deal. This morning, Florida TV news is reporting that Crist said, “there were a couple of conversations …with folks at the White House.” However, in an e-mail to The New York Times last night, White House Presides Secretary Robert Gibbs said, “Don’t know anything about it.”

• Charlie Crist personally talked with Kendrick Meek and asked him to withdrawal. This morning to CNN, Kendrick Meek confirmed that Crist did ask him to withdrawal.

• President Clinton and his spokesman are giving vastly different versions of events. As the Crowley Political Report nicely summarizes, “President Clinton told CNN that he did not ask Meek to drop out of the race.” If that is the case, why is President Clinton’s spokesman on the record with numerous media outlines, including The New York Times, saying that Clinton had almost convinced Meek to drop out of the race?

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