Crist left the GOP to pursue a U.S. Senate seat as an independent in 2010. (mike3k/Creative Commons)

Democrats are likely to use Crist, a Republican-turned-independent, as an example of Obama's appeal to those outside the president's own party, according to the New York Times. Giving speaking slots to politicians with ties to the opposite party has been a common convention tactic in recent years as the parties try to broaden their appeal.

Crist parted ways with the GOP to compete for a U.S. Senate seat as an independent after it appeared he would lose in the primary to Marco Rubio, who eventually won the three-way race in 2010. Rubio is scheduled to speak at the Republican convention on Thursday.

The former governor recently penned an op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times, praising Obama's "vision of a future built by a strong and confident middle class," according to USA Today.

As expected, Crist's speaking role at the DNC did not earn him the approval of Republican leaders in Florida. Lenny Curry, chairman of the Florida GOP called the 56-year-old's endorsement of Obama as "a repugnant display from a self-centered, career politician."

Read the full story at the New York Times or USA Today. For more of Neon Tommy's Election 2012 coverage, click here.

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