McCain and the 'Three Floridas'

Flying over Florida with John McCain, the Arizona senator described three different political Floridas. He experienced the sweep of the state's diversity with the neck-snapping experience of flying from Pensacola -- which is more like Alabama more than the Sunshine State -- to Miami, a Hispanic-majority city that embodies where the rest of America will be in 30 or 40 years.   

"My sense is that it's three states: northern, central and southern," McCain said, "and I think they're very distinctive politically. But if I had to guess ... it seems to be moving a little bit back toward the center."

McCain spent Friday night and Saturday flying around the state in support of Charlie Crist's bid for governor. Joining McCain on the fly-around was Craig Goldman, executive director of his Straight Talk America political action committee.

McCain downplayed ideological differences between Crist and his more conservative opponent, Tom Gallagher. He said he senses that a lot of the support for Crist was "performance-based. They like the job he did on education, they like the job he did in the Senate, they like the job he did as attorney general. I think a lot of times that has more to do with it than the ideological bent."   

McCain's likely 2008 run for the White House will find lots of support in Florida. In the Navy town of Pensacola, a man wore a "McCain for president 2000" T-shirt to Crist's rally. In Orlando, a man held up a hand-made McCain for president sign.

Comments

More free advertisement for the "home town boy" maybe we should just call this the:

"St Pete Times Crist for Governor blog"

It really is nauseating.

McCain got what, 15 % in FL? No one cares about his trip to FL to campaign for President, please beat a different drum.

zzzzzzzzz

How about advertising the debates for tomorrow night at 8:00 on PBS and what channels they are on.

"McCain's likely 2008 run for the White House will find lots of support in Florida. In the Navy town of Pensacola, a man wore a "McCain for president 2000" T-shirt to Crist's rally. In Orlando, a man held up a hand-made McCain for president sign."

If 20% (what he got in 2000) is 'alot' of support, then McCain is in trouble. The liberal media is really stretching here. Typical.

"flying from Pensacola -- which is more like Alabama more than the Sunshine State".

Would it be just as appropriate to say Miami is 'more like Mexico/Cuba than the sunshine state". We're all Floridians. Why is the Times a bunch of bigots who hate North Florida?

In fact, it would be very appropriate for the Times to apologize to all of the citizens of North Florida.

what's wrong with alabama or any one of the nation's other 48 states?

why is everyone so sensitive about comparisons??

the main question: do people in alabama get spam from peter nehr too?

why doesnt he have a consultant to tell him to put his spam machine in neutral for a few months??

North Florida IS Florida. The rest of the state is just a mix of transplants and their litters.

Believe me, people would be offended if the paper said the FLORIDIANS in Miami were more like MEXICANS than FLORIDIANS. All three parts of Florida are unique and equal. There are no second class Floridians as the bigoted and elitist Times suggests. Please apologize now!

And the Floridians in North Florida, are the true Floridians, the people whose families have lived in this state since it has been a state. How many of the people in central and south florida can say that thier great grandparents, grandparents, parents, or even they themselves were born here?

Next they'll write a blurb about those 'silly Christians' in North Florida who just can't comprehend the 'abortion clause' of the constitution. No wonder the Times is for Charlie Crist.

9:44 -

Alabama is a state in this great union. MEXICO is a different COUNTRY.

[terminator]

McCain must be on prozac or something.

"What Charlie Crist" did for education"?

You've got to be shitting me! What did Charlie Crist do for education? Can anyone honestly answer that question?
I doubt even Charlie himself can answer the question besides to say he followed Jeb Bush's education reforms.

For those of us in the know who worked at DOE when Charlie was the "so-called" Commissioner, we know the guy was AWOL for two years and was rarely seen inside the Turlington Building.

It's obvious, McCain knows little to nothing about Charlie Crist except he thinks he'll win the Republican nomination.

Wonder what McCain's going to do when he learns about Charlie's "alternative lifestyle"?

9:55... Doesn't matter... How Can I be "more like you than myself". I am myself.

This is what they said about North Florida: "North Florida is more like Alabama than Florida"

This is insulting.

Impressive that McCain flew down to endore Crist. That's Martinez, McCain, John Walsh, all major police and firefighters endorsements throughout the state. Gallagher should really withdraw. It is only hurting the party and delaying the inevitable.

[George]

The comparison to Alabama, without more facts, makes the comparison ambiguous. What does Steve mean by "like Alabama"? Possum hunting, fishing, rednecks? Or friendly, hospitable? I don't think an apology is needed, unless he meant it in a negative way. Steve?

If only Trent Lott or JC Watts said what Steve said... Then we'd have a story... Steve would probably be attacking him... Typical.

10:46, To say that any part of the state is more or less of a Floridian is wrong... This has nothing to do with Alabama... If he isulted Alabama too, that's another offense...

[Boca Grande]

There is nothing wrong with comparisons to Alabama. Afterall the toothbrush was invented there. (Of course anywhere else it would have been called a "teeth" brush.)

McCain says Florida is moving back to the center. From the left or right?

What is the big deal about him comparing North Florida to Alabama? I know a lot of North Floridians who call North Florida "LA" or "Lower Alabama." If you have ever been to North Florida, you would realize that it is much different than the rest of the state. South Florida is much different as well.

North, Central and South Florida are all very different regions. I think anyone from those regions can recognize that, so what's the problem here?

11:16, I repeat. "To say that any part of the state is more or less of a Floridian is wrong... This has nothing to do with Alabama... If he isulted Alabama too, that's another offense..."

Steve's quote was, "Pensacola -- which is more like Alabama more than the Sunshine State".

He said that North Florida was more like another state than Florida, which means that North Florida is not a part of Florida. Or that something is wrong with North Florida.

North Florida is very much a part of Florida. All three parts of Florida are unique, but they are all equal parts of Florida. Don't say one is more like another state or country than Florida itself.

If something "is", it can't be like...

I've got $20 that says Tom Gallagher gets more votes in Alabama than he does in Florida.

Let's face it: Crist has too many endorsements and money to lose this thing. Gallagher supporters are fleeing. (as witnessed by his meager 40,000 in contribution money raised in July)He will soon have his ethics panel hearings on his insider trading as well. Gallagher is toast.

Gee, there are some awefully techinal complaints today. First of all, the endorsement of McCain is hardly "insigficant". Regardless of the outcome of the election against W, McCain is currently the Republican front-runner for President of the United States. In fact, if McCain wins the endorsement of the party the odds are very good he will be the next President of the United States. So his endorsment is very significant.

What did Charlie do for education? He served as Secretary of Education. He continued the implementation of the A+ initiative, he implemented the Sharpening the Pencil Act, and did everything he could to make Gov. Bush's proposal successful. In short he did no less, and no more, than Gallagher did as Sect. of Ed.

Now maybe you haven't traveled the state, but this just in for cave dwellers...Florida is very much like three distinct regions (maybe 4). That's not a slam on Florida, it is a recognition of the size and diversity of our great state. To suggest that McCain's comments are somehow ill advised is just plain silly.

Finally, terminator you are a loser.

[terminator]

12:01
My my what a hissy little fit we can throw when we're angry with the big bad Terminator.

At least the people over at DOE saw Gallagher on a weekly basis and knew who he was and more importantly, respected him as someone who brought something to the table as it relates to public education.

First, it's Commissioner of Education not Secretary of Education. Second (sorry), Sharpening the Pencil was already being done by OPPAGA prior to Charlie coming in. Another piggyback job by CC!

We'll see who the loser is on Sept. 6th anonymous.

[George]

11:24, you're assuming the comparison is negative. But you have nothing to back that up. I've heard people here say, "they're [people in Chattahoochee] like South Georgians, warm, hospitable, laid back, funny." What's wrong with that?

[George]

Terminator, you are right about TG's background and contributions. But, Charlie kept himself in the public eye- positively- by staying in government (and the media) for years. Taking on Bob Graham also earned him many points. The difference between these two in most people's minds is pretty simple: they like and trust CC; he has almost no negatives. Even Tom says that CC steals his lines, but delivers them better.

John McCain is right on when he talks about 3 different Florida's. He will lose all 3 Floridas in the R Primary in 2 years.

terminator

You are so funny dang funny
You get the unsinkable Molly Brown award for Gallagher Team blogging; you go boy!

GO TG!!

Let's hear it for the NE FL (FLORIDIANS) purist Republicans that know the difference between a RINO liberal and a real Republican.

Sorry Charlie... you're a liberal

1:05... that is NOT what he said or what I am assuming.

If Steve what have said North Florida is more like ALASKA than Florida, it would have been just as insulting.

It implies that the rest of Florida is in the correct Florida mold, and North Florida should get clumped with the rest. In other words they say it's a lesser Florida.

I'm surprised Steve didn't call for sucession.

1:05... that is NOT what he said or what I am assuming.

If Steve what have said North Florida is more like ALASKA than Florida, it would have been just as insulting.

It implies that the rest of Florida is in the correct Florida mold, and North Florida should get clumped with the rest. In other words they say it's a lesser Florida.

I'm surprised Steve didn't call for secession.

Poor poor pitiful termie. Wrong again. The Sharpening the Pencil Act was passed by the Florida Legislature in 2001. The Commissioner of Education (n/k/a Secretary of Education)was indeed Charlie Crist who was responsible for enforcing the act.

Yes, you will indeed see who the loser is on September 6...that list will include Gallagher.

[terminator]

2:25
thanks for the kudos!

I know I've made some friends and alot of enemies on this blog but hey guys, let's not take it too seriously.

it's a heck of alot of fun getting under your skin you Cristites!

Didn't know that Crist picked up almost all police and firefighters endorsements. Wasn't sure who to vote for. Now it is looking pretty clear that Crist is going to take this thing.

I was on the fence until I saw that gay.com endorsed Charlie...I think this State needs a progressive guy like Charlie as Governor!

When if all the firemen and policemen don't give a rat's rip if the new gov wants gay civil unions, taxpayer fudning of human embryo destruction,

Trumps gambling towers proliferating thru-out Fl,
classize implementation tax increase, forced busing, etc.
they are a pretty sad grouop of uninformed voters and republicans.

Gallagher clowns awfully quiet. Either they can't afford polling or they can and have seen that they should have dropped out when the getting was good.

Gallagher will rally tomorrow with the debate and then it's all over for Crist!

Gallagher is experienced, decisive and proven.
Crist is a silly stuffed shirt who doesn't know anything (FCAT?, Cat Fund?).

It comes down to: Who do you want in charge when the next hurricane hits?

Karlinsky or Colodny.
That's what it comes down to.

it would be accurate to say north florida is like alabama, but not that north florida is more like alabama than florida

3:32
Remember police and firefighters aren't the smartest guys around.

That's why they're policemen and firefighters!

Mostly a bunch of macho idiots who have the same maturity level as a bunch of college frat boys!

I heard thru the grapevine, that MANY< MANY rank and file guys are not happy at all that their presidents endorsed someone when they didn't vote on it first.. May just hurt the old CC when those guys, get together, BAND OF BROTHERS, and say no way am I doing what the pres. orchestrated... Most of those guys won't vote in the primary, but still aren't happy with no voice in the matter.!!!

Yes, just look at all of the groups and leaders that have endorsed Gallagher....Hellllllloooooooooooo.

10:01 That is exactly what is happening in Broward County. The REC contrived to endorse CC.

But Broward is TG country.

McCAIN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2008!

Charlie Crist for ... Private Citizen in 2006.

wow that's kind...attack firefighters and police on their intelligence

i hope someone breaks in to your home, rapes you, then sets it on fire

"The REC contrived to endorse CC"

then why did they vote TWICE to endorse him?

9:20 The first time, they ambushed everyone and didn't even notify BOTH candidates. That is all against RPOF's rules.

The second time, they packed the room and refused to tell anyone the rules under which the voting would be conducted until about half an hour prior. Then Vice-Chairman Maureen Jaeger (also an employee of the Attorney general's office) during working hours went down to the room where the meeting was to be held and made sure it was locked up so they could control access. If there had been a fire, there would have been a tragedy.