That's how often Charlie Crist sprinkled in the first names of audience members during a recent campaign event, and a fitting way to introduce the legend that is his memory.
(As a side note, Jeremy Wallace's column is wryly titled "What Crist Won't Forget: Your Name". I'd guess it's an allusion to schedule-gate).
Crist's legendary memory for names helps account for his status as one of the state's most popular politicians.... Crist, campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by fellow Republican Mel Martinez, says simply, "It's very important to me."
When he meets someone for the first time, he repeats the name to himself several times to secure it in his memory.
"I really make an effort to remember," Crist said.
Keep reading...
Or keep listening.
UPDATE: A relevant story on Charlie Crist's Friday visit to the Miami Herald.
Unlike some of the insecure visitors who have entered the Editorial Board conference room flanked by an entourage, Crist arrived alone, self-confident, and shook everyone's hand with warmth that made it seem as if he knew each of us personally. Greeting a journalist named Nancy, the governor did not fail to observe, aloud, ``That's my mother's name.''
