Here comes ``the people's governor.''

The phrase that Republican Charlie Crist used to describe himself on the campaign trail says everything and nothing, rings hollow and true, like many things he says.

Crist does have an uncanny way of connecting with people, of listening to their concerns, of showing that he cares. Equally uncanny is his way of hitting up fat cats and lobbyists, who pumped an estimated $56 million into his record-setting, made-for-television campaign.

Can you be the populist candidate and the richest one, too?

Candidate Charlie, now Gov.-elect Crist, hasn't changed a bit. Asked during an interview Friday whether he still felt like he was campaigning, he said: ``I'm in people mode. That's very important to me.''

What does that mean? Everything and nothing, hollow and true. Responsive to the people, but telling them little.

Jeb Bush called himself ''the education governor.'' The description fit. Bush has always put forth grand -- and controversial -- ideas about how to change the public schools. He has wonkish ways and smartest-guy-in-the-class attitude.

Crist is neither wonkish nor controversial. Asked with which presidential candidate he feels ideologically compatible with, he says, ''All of them.'' Asked which of the insurance reform committee's recommendations he finds appealing, he says, ''I haven't found any that I didn't'' like.

There are 50 recommendations.

He acknowledged that he hadn't read them, nor has he read the proposed legislation, though he faces a special legislative session on insurance starting Jan. 16.

The proposals that Crist touted repeatedly during his campaign -- requiring companies that sell car insurance to also sell property insurance, and stopping companies from creating financially vulnerable Florida-only subsidiaries -- are not likely to be on the table.

''I don't really care if they are or aren't,'' Crist said. ``I care if they lower rates for people.''

Everything and nothing, hollow and true. The people's governor doesn't pretend to have better ideas than everyone else. The education governor would not only care if his proposals were on the table -- he would make sure everyone was sitting down, paying close attention and taking copious notes.

When the people's governor was asked about his higher education agenda, he didn't lay out any detailed plans. ''I just want it to improve,'' he said. The education governor retooled oversight of the state university system during his first year in office.

Asked for the names of his top education advisors, the people's governor said: ''Anyone who wants to be.'' Inclusive, but not revealing. For years, Crist has freely given out his cellphone number to reporters, waiters and just about anybody who asked for it. Accessible, but not illuminating.

Crist was the host governor-elect at this week's Republican Governors Association conference in Miami. While members lamented the party's loss of six seats nationwide and its majority of governorships, Crist walked the halls with fairy dust on his lapel.

How did he buck the anti-GOP current? ``Hard work . . . listening to the people . . . reaching out.''

He said: ``You can never lose sight of what it's about: It's to serve the people.''

What a refreshing thing to hear. What an easy thing to say.

Here comes the people's governor. Everything and nothing, hollow and true.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16145696.htm