Flashback: Charlie Crist’s Electric Fan Almost Made a Political Opponent Quit a Debate

Never has a small electric fan caused so much trouble as Charlie Crist‘s (D) Little Coolant That Could. It has a history trouble making.

At the start of Wednesday night’s Florida gubernatorial debate, Crist walked out alone and stood at his podium for several minutes while the moderators explained that his opponent, Gov. Rick Scott (R) would not be participating because he did not agree to electronic items being used on stage. Beneath Crist’s podium was a small electric fan plugged in, presumably to help keep Crist cool under the warm stage lighting. Scott eventually came out.

The Atlantic has a thorough roundup of all the important times Crist was accompanied by his fan, including this one, first reported by the Tampa Bay Times in 2008:

Tuesday night’s forum in Poinciana between the two GOP gubernatorial candidates nearly didn’t get off the ground when Tom Gallagher realized that his opponent, Charlie Crist, had a personal fan on stage and he had none.

“That’s not fair,” Gallagher whispered under his breath to the three moderators after the initial introductions. “Get another fan in here or I’m walking out.”

Like the debate between Crist and Scott, the matter was resolved. A separate fan was plugged in to appease Gallagher and he remained for the debate.

[Photo via screen grab]

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