Republican Rick Scott gave Charlie Crist, his Democratic opponent in the Florida governor's race, a gift earlier this week when he refused to take the debate stage after Crist placed a small electric fan at his feet. But even though Scott had set himself up as a petty politico, Crist still had to play his hand, and he played it amazingly well, innocently asking the debate's moderators, "Are we really going to debate about a fan? Or are we going to talk about education and the environment and the future of our state? I mean, really." Later, when Scott joined the debate and the fan came up as a topic, Crist followed that up with another gee-whiz beaut: "Is there anything wrong with being comfortable?"
The crowd ate it up. But can Crist ride Fangate all the way to the governor's mansion? His campaign certainly hopes so, with a new fundraising pitch that cheekily refers to his debate coup:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 18, 2024Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - impeachment Peanuts, record-breaking temperatures, and more
-
Pros and cons of solar energyPros and cons Solar power could become the primary source of electricity worldwide by 2050 – but there are still clouds in the forecast
-
Post Office's Capture software to be reviewed over 'glitches'Speed Read Solicitor representing accused postmasters says flaws in the IT system follow 'very similar pattern' to Horizon
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claimsSpeed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aidSpeed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of warSpeed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picksSpeed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikesSpeed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the RivetersSpeed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warnsSpeed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
