NY Times Mag Presses Fla. Governor On Personal Life

Fri, June 20, 2008 - 3:29 PM

WASHINGTON – An early sample of the national media scrutiny on Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and his personal life if he is tapped as John McCain’s vice presidential running mate will be offered in this Sunday’s New York Times Magazine.

Greg Mitchell, of Editor & Publisher, writes today in the newspaper industry magazine that “all those old rumors that the longtime bachelor may be gay have gained new currency -- along with reports about Crist dating several women.”

Mitchell specifically points to this Sunday's New York Times Magazine, in which he says writer Deborah Solomon “coyly sort of raises that issue at the very end.”

As depicted by Mitchell, the magazine has Solomon kicking off an interview with Crist by stating: "Your personal life is not that of a typical Republican candidate. For starters, I hear you're"-- wait for it -- "not a property owner."

Crist replies, "It is true. I do not own property."

Solomon then moves on to, "You were married nearly 30 years ago, but the marriage lasted less than a year. Do you prefer"-- wait for it -- "living alone?"

Crist is quoted as saying, "I got married and divorced because it didn't work out. I haven't found the right one since."

“Of course, the use of the word "one" may be parsed for days,” suggests Mitchell.

Finally, he reports that Solomon asks Crist: "You can't find one woman in all of Florida?"

"Maybe I have. Stay tuned,” Crist is reported to have told Solomon.

Mitchell goes on to report that earlier in the article, Crist claims he is a "common-sense Republican.”

When told people say he will be remembered as much for his tan as for his accomplishments, Crist reportedly says, "that's very flattering," hastening to add that he does not use self-tanning lotion, 'it's the sun" -- and his Greek heritage.

-- Billy House