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For the first time in 12 years, Florida turned blue and voted for Barack Obama. Voters here also replaced 2 Republican Congressmen with Democrats. Still, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, Florida�s Republican Governor remains exceptionally popular.

Hear it Here: Crist Remains Popular

Charlie Crist promised property taxes would �Drop like a rock�. It was more like a pebble. He tackled high property insurance rates and got mixed reviews. Yet his popularity remains extremely high. A poll by Quinnipac University found if Crist were up for re-election today, he would win. 68 percent approve of the job he is doing.

�His numbers for a sitting Governor are very impressive,� Quinnipiac pollster Peter Brown said. �Especially for a sitting Governor in very tough economic times.�

Even here in Tallahassee, which is solidly Democratic, Crist enjoys a 70 percent approval rating.

Crist dodged reporters and spent the day hob-nobbing with state lawmakers as they organized after the election. Former Republican House Speaker Alan Bense believes the Governor�s popularity comes from reaching across the aisle.

�He�s thoughtful, he�s energetic, and he�s optimistic for Florida,� Bense said. �And I think people are looking for a leader like that today.�

Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson almost endorsed Crist in 2006.

�The people really trust him at this point and depending on how we come out of these economic conditions here, will determine whether his popularity will continue to soar at a high level,� Lawson said.

Even with the accolades, re-election is still two years away, and the economy isn�t cooperating. But for now, Charlie Crist is more than twice as popular as George Bush.