Inside Politics: Death Star construction now a matter for Obama

Joined by a gaggle of news media, Mr. Crist on Thursday filed his paperwork at the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office in downtown St. Petersburg.

Afterward, Mr. Crist joked with elections workers and held a short news conference outside.

Mr. Crist said he “feels comfortable” as a Democrat but remained mum on whether he would challenge Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

He added there were a few issues he would handle differently than when he was governor - including his signing of a petition banning same-sex marriage. He said Thursday that he wouldn’t sign that petition today.

Mr. Crist was elected governor as a Republican and then ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an independent. He tweeted Friday night that he was becoming a Democrat.

TEXAS

Bush could leave Houston hospital before Christmas

HOUSTON — Ex-President George H.W. Bush can look forward to spending the holidays at home after nearly three weeks in a Houston hospital with a bronchitis-related cough.

Methodist Hospital spokesman George Kovacik said Thursday that Mr. Bush has steadily improved and remains stable as he battles the lingering effects of bronchitis. Mr. Kovacik said Mr. Bush’s treatment now centers on physical therapy to increase his strength.

The spokesman said doctors expect the 88-year-old ex-president to be able to celebrate Christmas at home with his family but no discharge date has been set yet.

Mr. Bush has been in the hospital since Nov. 23. He also was in the hospital for the same cough-related illness for about a week in early November.

Mr. Bush and his wife, Barbara, have homes in Houston and Kennebunkport, Maine.

• From wire dispatches and staff reports