CRIST TALKING ABOUT...CIVIL RIGHTS?

Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist is beginning to work toward winning the African-American vote. Sarasota Herald Tribune political columnist Jeremy Wallace reports that Crist spoke to a group of nearly 200 people who attended a United Negro College Fund event last week in Sarasota.

The AG reminded those in attendence of his office's efforts in two highly publicized racial cases. Two years ago, the Attorney General's office shut down a motel in the Panhandle town of Perry which allegedly placed black visitors in less desirable rooms and told those wishing to use the motel's facilities that no "coloreds" were allowed in the pool. Then two months ago, the office had the site of a 1951 bombing in Brevard County excavated to look for more evidence into the murder of Harry T. Moore, who formed the first NAACP chapter there.

Needless to say, I ain't got a horse in this race, but it'll be interesting to see what GOP primary opponent and State CFO Tom Gallagher responds. His office doesn't really have the opportunity to get involved in racial discrimination issues, so he's at an instant disadvantage.