It blows, but Charlie Crist's superstar fan steals spotlight at campaign event [photos]

Brett T. | 8:57 PM on October 16, 2014

As Twitchy reported this morning, #Fangate was trending as people learned that Fla. Gov. Rick Scott had objected to beginning Wednesday night’s debate while his competitor, Charlie Crist, had a fan stashed underneath his lectern. Some called it “the moment Rick Scott lost the election,” while “Charlie Christ’s Fan” began tweeting again about his friend “Tanman.”

It’s no surprise that the Crist campaign has tried to capitalize on the newfound celebrity of his fan, but just how long is this joke going to last? Evan Axelbank of WTVT in Tampa Bay was on hand tonight to catch the fan’s opening act at a Crist rally.

Well folks, the fan is in place. @charliecrist aides def made a big show of walking it in past reporters #fangate pic.twitter.com/OBpZBh8i2j

— Evan Axelbank Fox13 (@EvanAxelbank) October 16, 2014

Did they carry it in on a red velvet pillow or something? In any case, we hope you like looking at fans.

35 minutes away from start of Crist rally. An hour late in total. Never saw it coming. But The Fan did… pic.twitter.com/zsnWy5iiff

— Evan Axelbank Fox13 (@EvanAxelbank) October 16, 2014

Here’s a special treat: a view of the fan from Crist’s point of view — if he ever shows up.

This is kind of the view he will have of The Fan @charliecrist pic.twitter.com/6YS1bzp6oY

— Evan Axelbank Fox13 (@EvanAxelbank) October 16, 2014

Ah, here he is. Any bets whether he mentions the fan?

Crist is on stage in NPR "Who doesn't love a fan? Or thousands of them." @CharlieCrist pic.twitter.com/8qerBSXOHU

— Evan Axelbank Fox13 (@EvanAxelbank) October 16, 2014