George W. pins a new moniker on Crist

"Chain Gang Charlie'' is redubbed "Chalkboard Charlie'' by presidential candidate Bush.

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 27, 2000

Charlie Crist has a new nickname: "Chalkboard Charlie."

That's how Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush introduced the candidate for state education commissioner Wednesday night in Tampa. With a small crowd of other elected politicians on stage with the Texas governor at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Bush urged voters to back "Chalkboard Charlie."

"Not bad, huh?" Crist, a St. Petersburg resident and former state senator, said Thursday.

Crist previously was dubbed "Chain Gang Charlie" by a St. Petersburg Times editorial writer in 1995 for his fervent support of legislation to bring back chain gangs in state prisons.

Bush likes giving legislators and reporters nicknames. During his bus ride from Daytona Beach to the Orlando area Wednesday, he told Crist he had heard his nickname and offered to change it. "I'm going to give you a new one," Crist said the Texas governor told him.

The presidential candidate suggested "Chalkboard Charlie." Crist liked it and so did Gov. Jeb Bush, the Texas governor's younger brother. So the Texas governor unveiled it at the fairgrounds to a cheering crowd.

Does Crist prefer "Chalkboard Charlie" over "Chain Gang Charlie?"

"They're both fine," the always diplomatic candidate said before acknowledging, "I like this one better."

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