Crist says stimulus working, but does not want second one

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) said that the stimulus was working in his home state, bucking other national Republicans who have sharply criticized the measure. Crist, however, said that he did not anticipate the need for a second stimulus bill.

“It’s pretty incredible that 26,000 teachers will continue to work for Florida’s children because of these additional monies…And that’s really the point. This is to help people, Crist told the Miami Herald, referring to thousands of teachers’ jobs saved by federal stimulus funds.

”I don’t anticipate the need for more. The numbers we’ve heard today are pretty significant,” said Crist, denying the need for a second stimulus.

Crist welcomed stimulus funds when the bill first passed whereas other Republican governors, such as the embattled Mark Sanford (R-S.C.), threatened to refuse the funds.

Crist is running for an open Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) in 2010.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee backed the governor, a move that angered many conservatives who are putting their hopes behind former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (R). The 38-year-old is running as a conservative insurgent.

Crist raised dramatically outraised Rubio in the second quarter $3 million to $340,000. Rubio raised over $140,000 in small online contributions.