Charlie Crist, potential John McCain running mate, to marry

Well, now he'll have a date for the inaugural ball -- though there are still a few hurdles left to getting an invitation. But Charlie Crist, Florida governor and a high entry on most lists of potential Republican veep contenders, is getting married.

Our cousins at The Swamp and the Central Florida Political Pulse have the details. The bride-to-be and Crist's flame of the past nine months is Carole Rome, 38, president of her family's century-old costume business, where some of the costumes are of the variety not likely to go over well with the Christian right (may we direct you to Devilicious and Marie Antoinette). Rome and ex-husband, Todd Rome, CEO of Blue Star Jets, have two children, ages 11 and 9. Crist, 51, was married briefly in his early 20s and has no children.

Crist says they're planning a fall wedding in St. Petersburg, where he lives, though that calendar could get awfully crowded if John McCain taps him. And if the Republicans believe Crist on the ticket can land them Florida, you can bet they'll be lobbying hard, though the last word was that Mitt Romney was topping the contender list.

Crist, you'll remember on this day set aside for barbecuing, was one of the trio that McCain invited to his Arizona spread on Memorial Day weekend, the launch of barbecue season, for a little R&R and presumed political talk. Romney and Bobby Jindal were the other two touted guests, all considered to be under consideration by McCain as possible running mates.

-- Scott Martelle

Photo: Carole Rome with Charlie Crist; credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Tom J]

So this should presumably stop the persistent rumors that Crist is gay. jftr, the 13-year age difference is less than the 17-year age difference of the McCains.

[Richard Morgan]

Oh my doesn't she look warm and fuzzy. Was this arranged or what?

I 'm restraining myself from being really cynical about this event.

[larry ward]

who the hell is Crist??? I guess someone who can bring Fla. into the flow!! time we look for a vice pres who brings some experence in problems other than just Florida.

[db]

ghurl friend please:enough already!

[Russell H]

Crist has been involved in Florida politics for a while and was state senator, attorney general, education commissioner...he has a longer resume than Obama.

[Donna Branham]

If you are wondering why I'm not voting Republican this year - we have Mcain who committed adultery, now Crist who weds a lady who is approx 12 years his junior - both shining examples of American family life.

[L.G. Moore]

Yes, that's right...I vote on all my candidates on just how much younger their wife is. Never mind on how they stand on important issues.

[Jonathan Swift]

Carol is a hot looking woman but she is also a spoiled gold-digger, one has to wonder what she sees in Charlie Crist other than a hoped for VP bed in the Whitehouse

[Chad]

What is sad is that we have to choose between two worthless candidates. When are the american people going to wake up and realize that big business runs both parties and government and say enough is enough. Both candidates are bad for this country. BOTH!!!

[Marco Sedlav]

Hummm, why does Rock Hudson come to mind when I read about this? In the days before Rock came out of the closet, his handlers arranged for a "marriage of apperarance" for him in order to stave off a major exposure of Hudson's sexual orientation that would hurt his career.

[MissClarity]

First married a few months and then never again hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Rocky like indeed but why does it scream, I say scream, convenience marriage. Methodist is a feel good church religion. Look at the list of Methodist, Bush Jr, Clintons, Cheney, no laying it all at the alter like other churches. Need I say more. Another relationship (church) of convenience. Hmmmmmmm

[jimjus]

good old party's performance is old getting married to young one.

[Steve]

I've known Charlie over 30 years, went to law school with him. He is not gay. That is a fact.

[Sylvan]

He can offshore drill her all he wants, just keep him away from our Florida coastlines.

[Elais]

STeve, IF it is indeed FACT, what is your real name and can you give FACTUAL evidence you know Crist?

[Frank]

It's a fact that single men are not seriously considered for major office, looks funny. So he is now engaged to a younger divorced woman, with whom he's been having sex, who also has children = ready made family, which makes him eligible for VP. No, the Veep doesn't sleep in the White House, Jonathan, but you can't parade a running mate of his age w/ no wife attached and we all know why. Makes Romney look better all the time

[aleks]

I'd have no problem with a gay Vice President, but a VP that gets married just to prove he's not gay? Hmmmm.

[Chuck]

Charlie Crist, is undoubtably a great guy and leader, but after dealing with being gay, at his age, to try to recreat e himself for John McCain, is such a self sacrifice, that we need to relieve him from the pain

[Steve]

I have the Law school photo of our class
Graduated 1981 Cumberland school of Law
Check the archives of the school it is located in Homewood Alabama on the campus of Samford University
Directly across from Homewood High School on Lakeshore drive
Contact any of his classmates And, by the way, Steve is my real name

[robinia]

@Donna

LOL! Okay, so people are questioning politicians' beautiful young wives? Would their credibility increase if they married women who are as old as Phyllis Diller or Joan Rivers or women who have the physical features of the Wicked of Witch of the West, Rosie O'Donnel or your mother in law?

Please...your comment says volumes about your own self esteem and physical appearance.

I recommend in the near future that you don't judge a book by it's cover and neither will I!

However, in November, don't forget to get on your broom and fly to the nearest voting booth.

[Jennifer]

I agree both candidates are bad for our country and I find it very interesting that after every debate Ron Paul was the leader in votes (not televised) but online poles. If McCain had any smarts he would have Paul as his VP...