Charlie Crist to Speak at Democratic National Convention

Former GOP Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a St. Petersburg resident, will speak at the Democratic National Convention next week in Charlotte, NC.

The announcement comes as the Republican National Convention is about to convene in Tampa, after a one-day delay by Tropical Stom Isaac. Crist said that Obama is more focused on middle class issues.

In an article reported by the Tampa Bay Times Monday, Crist said:

"I think so much of what the president has done and the good he's tried to do for Florida."

"On issue after issue after issue, he's proven himself as the kind of person who's willing to work across the aisle for the betterment of the people."

Crist also wrote a first-person piece for the Tampa Bay Times outlining his support for the president and his opposition to Romney and the party to which he used to belong. Crist's comments grabbed the headlines Monday, when all eyes were on the RNC in Tampa, recovering from a near hit by Isaac.

Crist described "an element" of the GOP as "extreme."

"But an element of their party has pitched so far to the extreme right on issues important to women, immigrants, seniors and students that they've proven incapable of governing for the people. Look no further than the inclusion of the Akin amendment in the Republican Party platform, which bans abortion, even for rape victims."

Crist, who is no longer registered with either party, endorsed Obama Sunday. Crist's wife is a registered Democrat.