The Party's Over, by Charlie Crist: on Principles & Values

Charlie Crist: Original family name "Christodoulos", from Greek Cyprus

When WWI broke out, earning an honorable discharge, he was eligible to become a citizen of the US--not so different from today's immigrant "Dreamers".

Charlie Crist: 1966: Father won Pinellas County School Board seat

I guess you'd call my dad fiscally conservative and socially moderate. He liked low taxes. He wanted local businesses to thrive. But he was troubled by the racial segregation that lingered in Florida and elsewhere. He very much believed in equal opportunity and social programs that worked.

My dad had never shown the slightest interest in running for office. But as a family physician, he'd gotten involved with a new federal program called Head Start. He loved the idea of Head Start. But he didn't like the way the local Head Start office was being operated. He knew the school board was supposed to have oversight. So he decided to run.

Charlie Crist: Married at age 21; divorced soon after

"Let's get married," I said.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said. "Why not?"

"Okay," she said.

Mandy called that night and asked, "Are you sure about what you said this afternoon? We're kind of young." We were both 21. "Yeah," I told her. "It's exactly what I want to do."

We had a big wedding that summer.

She moved to Birmingham, got a job as an urban planner, and we started arguing about silly stuff.

Nobody in my family had ever been divorced before. We cared for each other. She was a lovely person. She still is. It just didn't work out for us.

I do think the experience made me think long and hard before marrying again, and it made me a believer in living together before marriage.

Charlie Crist: 1986: First campaign: lost State Senate primary runoff

I campaigned door-to-door. I had a slogan--"Crist: A Name You Can Trust"--which I printed on yard signs and leaflets.

In a tight 4-candidate field, I made it to the Republican primary runoff, then lost by about 200 votes.

Charlie Crist: While Governor, married Carole Rome; called "First Fiancee"

She told me about growing up on Long Island. Her family was in the Halloween business, she said. I don't think I'd ever met anyone in that field before. She had a business degree from Georgetown University.

Then, we started dating. Dating a governor is not without complication. It's a little different from dating a regular guy. There are a few extra stares in restaurants. And you have these people with guns around you all the time, everywhere you go.

I was head-over-heels smitten. I thought to myself, "I'd like to marry that girl." I don't believe "First Fiancee" is an official title, but some people started using the phrase around Tallahassee.

Charlie Crist: Opposing anything the Democrats proposed--that wasn't my way

In this new Republican view, you needed to bash Obama. You needed to attack his health care plan. You needed to oppose anything he stood for--really, anything the Democrats proposed. It didn't matter whether the idea was a good one or a bad one. The base was hungry for juicy red meat. The long-term strategy, as well I could discern one, went something like this: Republicans had to hurt the president. We had to cripple government. We had to make sure that nothing the Democrats tried would succeed. That way, people would get frustrated with the current administration, and our party would ultimately benefit.

It was as cynical a strategy as I had ever heard. It was the new Republican way. But it wasn't my way.

Charlie Crist: AdWatch: not REPUBLICAN; not DEMOCRAT; but AMERICAN

"The way to get results for Florida and improve the economy," I say, "is by putting aside our differences and putting people ahead of politics." All the while, I am rearranging the letters as I walk, "As an Independent, I will take the best ideas of Democrats and Republicans to get things done," I say. "Because at the end of the day, there's only one party I work for."

The camera pulls out to reveal the letters now spell out "AMERICANS."

And then: "I'm Charlie Crist, an Independent, and I approve this message."

Jeb Bush: 1986: Appointed state secretary of commerce

Mel Martinez: Born in Cuba; came to US in Operation Peter Pan at age 15

That was an issue Mel cared deeply about--and not just because he represented Florida in the US Senate. Mel had his own amazing immigrant story. Born in Sagua La Grande, Cuba, he was 15 years old and spoke virtually no English when he was brought to America in a humanitarian effort called Operation Peter Pan. He lived in youth facilities and foster homes for 4 years before being reunited with his family in Orlando. He finished college and law school and became a successful lawyer.

Rick Scott: OpEd: reversed bipartisanship and excluded Democrats