Crist's PSC appointee owns bar that exploits women

There have been very few politicians in recent memory as tone-deaf as Florida governor Charlie Crist. Does he have no idea what he's doing? Doesn't he do background checks, or give any consideration to how things look? It's one thing to say "I don't care what other people think" ... but it's another entirely to do so when you're governor of America's fourth-largest state and a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Not long after Gov. Crist essentially appointed himself to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Mel Martinez (by installing his longtime crony and political clone, George LeMieux), the Guv has made another highly questionable decision, appointing Pensacola accountant Benjamin "Steve" Stevens to the state's Public Service Commission.

Stevens has come under fire for part ownership of Rick's Cabana Lounge, a bar in Cantonment, near Pensacola. Crist critics have circulated ads from the lounge which promote "Lingerie Fantasy Fests" and "Dominatrix Night." The governor called the campaign to discredit Stevens "really despicable."

"They're doing it because they're frustrated, because they can't raise rates," he said, noting he chose Stevens because "he's an honest man and he's trying to earn a living." The PSC has been besieged by allegations that commissioners and staff members are too close to the utilities.

Stevens did not respond to requests for comment but Rep. Dave Murzin, a Pensacola Republican and chairman of the PSC Nominating Council, defended him.

"If anybody in the political process thinks owning a bar is a really bad thing and they wouldn't support a candidate because of that, then we've got problems," he said.

Murzin -- who said he has never been in Rick's Cabana Lounge -- said he has accepted campaign contributions from the Florida Institute of CPAs. Stevens was president of the organization from June 2008 to June 2009.

Since 2002, Murzin has accepted $7,000 in contributions from the group's political committees. The committees gave a total of about $309,000 to candidates during that time.

Rep. Murzin, I don't believe the issue here is that "owning a bar is a really bad thing." But you Republicans who are in charge of so much in Florida (which is why our education system blows, why our economy is in the crapper, etc.) need to understand that actions have consequences. You can't tout yourselves as the "family values" party and then have your party's governor appoint people to office who make their living in large part by exploiting women. (Yes, I realize that most Republicans have little regard for women -- or, in the case of women Republicans, little regard for themselves -- but that doesn't excuse them from accountability.) That's the issue, Rep. Murzin -- not owning a bar, but saying one thing and doing another ... something you Republicans are oh, so good at doing.

In fact, Gov. Crist, what's "really despicable" is that you would hitch your political wagon yet again to a person who exercises poor professional judgment. Stevens is entitled to earn a living, sure -- but next time you want to wave the "family values" banner, just remember that one of your most prominent allies is making his money -- and his reputation -- on "Dominatrix Night" at a rural northwest Florida bar. Heckuva job, Charlie.