This guy is a Republican? A Southern Republican?

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, by executive order, is giving the Sunshine State auto emissions standards as tough as California’s carbon dioxide standards that are under court attack.

The orders call for emission of greenhouse gases in Florida to be cut by more than 25 percent over the next 18 years and by 80 percent by 2050.

One order copies California requirements to reduce the amount of carbon-dioxide cars release into the atmosphere, which automakers are challenging in court.

"We cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer," Crist said of the impact of carbon emissions on global climate change.

If a Democrat is elected president in 2008, watch out for Crist in 2012.