Charlie Crist On Climate Change: I’m Not A Scientist Either But I Can ‘Use My Brain’ And ‘Talk To One’

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, the Independent candidate, discusses the issues during the television debate between the three candidates running for U.S. Senate from Florida at Nova University in Davie, Fla. Tuesday, O... Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, the Independent candidate, discusses the issues during the television debate between the three candidates running for U.S. Senate from Florida at Nova University in Davie, Fla. Tuesday, Oct. 19 2010. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) recently deflected questions about climate change by saying, “I’m not a scientist.”

Now Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist has offered a response. He said, according to SaintPetersBlog: “I’m not a scientist either but I can use my brain and I can talk to one.”

On Friday, Crist reportedly attended a 25-minute presentation by Jeff Chanton, a professor at Florida State University who specializes in chemical oceanography and has offered to meet with Scott. Chanton discussed rising sea levels as a consequence of climate change, which scientists say threatens Florida’s infrastructure and real estate near the coastline.

Scott’s campaign dismissed the move as a publicity stunt, per SaintPetersBlog.

Crist, a former governor of the Florida who wants the job back, is a Republican turned independent turned Democrat. In 2007, he said “global climate change is one of the most important issues we face this century.”

Latest Livewire
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: