Crist kicks off campaign at Moffitt

TAMPA - Walking through a maze of labs, with scientists dressed in white coats, Governor Charlie Crist got a personal tour of the Moffitt Research Center.

He came to the Tampa facility to see the work they've done with money from the federal government.

Last year, they received $20 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. They're working on stem cell research.

Dr. Eric Haura told the Governor how he's working to cure lung cancer. Dr. David Fenstermacher explained how he's looking to make treatment more patient oriented.

"It's really now, about harnessing personalized medicine and making that a reality," he told Crist.

The stop in Tampa was one of three stops on Tuesday for Crist. It's the first public campaigning he's done since the primary election.

At places like Moffitt, Crist said, he can make a difference as an independent.

"I think stem cell research is awfully important. I think any time we can apply science to improve the quality of life, the human race, that's important to support, and we ought to get politics out of it," Crist told the media after the tour.

Crist said like many issues in Washington, stem cell research gets tangled in two-party politics.

Dr. Tom Sellers said it's good to have someone like Charlie Crist supporting them.

"We're in the business of science here, we have some great ideas, and we're at the cusp of making phenomenal discoveries in cancer that's really going to benefit patients," Sellers said. "We need money to do that, and getting that from the government or the state or federal, we'll take it."

On Tuesday, a new TV ad for Crist was also unveiled. It shows Crist walking right in the middle between the words "Democrat" and "Republican."

He arranges the block letters, as he says, "As an Independent, I will take the best ideas of Democrats and Republicans to get things done."

He then reveals the word "Americans." Crist looks in the camera and says,
"Because at the end of the day, there's only one party I work for. I'm Charlie Crist, an independent."

Crist said if he's elected, he will make sure places like Moffitt continue to get funded.