Gelber endorses Obama

Dan Gelber, one of Florida's wannabe super-delegates, blogs his endorsement of Obama: "...Doesn’t he have a Jewish problem? Yes, but only because the Internet doesn’t have a truth key. Don’t believe everything you read in a viral chain email. As an American Jew, a strong and secure Israel is a paramount concern of mine. Not a single fiber in my body worries that Sen. Obama will not cherish Israel with the same fervor I would expect of any American President. Anyone who says otherwise is simply trying to exploit passions for Israel for partisan gain – and that is truly endangering to Israel....

Speculative list of justice candidates

Florida legal circles were spinning on Friday at news of Justice Raoul Cantero's resignation and already people started floating names.

His departure marks the first of three appointments Crist will get to make, because Justice Harry Lee Anstead, 70, and Justice Charles Wells, 69, have to retire next year due to age restrictions in the Constitution.

Here's a speculative list of names of folks who may or may not ask to be considered by the Judicial Nominating Commission: First District Court of Appeals Judges Ricky Polston, Clay Roberts and Phil Padovano.

Other possibilities include Crist’s former chief legal advisor Chris Kise and former U.S. Attorney Roberto Martinez
who is on the State Board of Education. And even Miami Republican Sen. Alex Villalobos who was an early Crist supporter.

Who else?

-- Jennifer Liberto and Lucy Morgan

JAX bucks for McCain

Among the bold-faced names helping John McCain in Jacksonville 4/3 catch up to Barack and Hillary in FL money-raising: former Bush-Cheney Rangers Tom Petway, Marty Fiorentino and John Rood are event chairmen, along with Ed Burr, JB Coxwell, Daniel Davis, John Falconetti, Michael Munz, John Peyton. Rood was a Mitt guy in the primary, Petway uncommitted, and Fiorentino with McCain.

The $2,300 per person luncheon reception is at the Hyatt. See here  for the full host committee.

Times poll: McCain-Crist not huge Dem draw

Telegenic, politically savvy, and popular in a critical state, Gov. Charlie Crist has lots of pluses to offer as a potential running mate for John McCain. But delivering a boatload of crossover Democratic votes in Florida may not be among them.

A new St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9 statewide poll shows that despite his bipartisan popularity, adding Crist to the ticket is only modest help in pulling Florida Democrats over to the GOP column in November.

"There is no reason to expect from this information Charlie Crist adds anything to his ticket in term of helping him win Democrats in Florida," said pollster Tom Eldon of Schroth, Eldon & Associates, which conducted the poll.

Nor does McCain, often touted for his broad appeal, look especially strong among Florida Democrats. The poll shows 16 percent say they are at least somewhat likely to vote for McCain in November, which is in line with the 13 percent of Democrats who voted for Bush in 2000 and 14 percent in 2004.

Nelson's VP Prospects sinking?

If we had a Bill Nelson Veep-O-Meter the needle this week would be dropping far away from him getting a vice presidential nod after his mail-in-primary plan was so roundly torpedoed. Give Nelson credit for stepping up with something concrete, but if he can't convince a single member of the Democratic congressional delegation to back his plan should a candidate expect he can carry the state for a candidate.

While Florida's primary remains stuck in debacle mode, Michigan Democrats look more and more likely to conduct a do-over.

Mr. Speaker of the House, 2014?

It's never too early to test the waters to be Florida House speaker -- even if you're not in the Legislature yet. Mike Weinstein, an unopposed Republican in a suburban Jacksonville House district, has begun quietly seeking support to follow the 2012 presumed frontrunner for speaker, Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. 

"There's some validity to it, but it's a ways out," Weinstein told The Buzz.

A friend of speaker-designee Rep. Ray Sansom, Weinstein already has benefitted from a fundraiser with Sansom and the next expected speaker, Dean Cannon -- who are prominently featured on Weinstein's website for the District 19 race (Rep. Dick Kravitz is term limited). Speaker Marco Rubio has endorsed him, too.

Who is Weinstein? He heads Take Stock in Children, a statewide student-mentoring and scholarship program. He helped bring the 2005 Super Bowl to Jacksonville. He lost the 2003 mayor's race there, too.

Sen. Webster wants Gardiner to succeed him

The term-limited Winter Garden Republican is endorsing Andy Gardiner for SD 9 representing parts of Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Webster:  “Andy has been an effective representative since his election to the State House in 2000, and we have worked together on many issues to help improve the lives of our constituents.   Andy is a principled conservative with the experience and commitment to serve Central Floridawell.  I look forward to campaigning with him in the summer and fall.”

Gardiner: “I am tremendously honored by Senator Webster’s endorsement.  Attempting to describe Dan's exemplary service to the people of Floridaover the past 28 years goes beyond mere words, he has accomplished so much.  From leading the rise from the backbenches of a Republican minority to serving as the Speaker of the House, to leading in the State Senate and working as Majority Leader, Dan Webster has been a principled public servant who has delivered for our region and our state.”

Sen. Nelson, D-Fla., defends McCain

Despite the New York Times-generated controversy now swirling around the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, Sen. Bill Nelson endorsed Sen. John McCain as a man of integrity Friday while speaking to the Suncoast TIger Bay Club.

And then, because he's a Democrat, Nelson also endorsed the two remaining Dems in the race, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton, too.

"All three of them are people of great integrity," Nelson said, responding to a question from St. Petersburg Times CEO Paul Tash about reports that McCain did favors for a female lobbyist. "My personal opinion is that any one of the three would make a good president."

Kathy Castor endorses Obama

Castor: "Barack Obama is the right person at the right time to lead our great nation as President in the challenging days ahead. Americaneeds Barack Obama to unite and inspire us to improve our country’s economic stability, health care and national security. Everywhere I go people are energized by the Obama campaign because it embodies our hope for change. I ran for Congress in 2006 to fight for a new direction for our country. Senator Obama offers the most determined and coherent plan for a new direction and change and I am proud to endorse him for President of the United States"

"Obama now leads nationally in the number of pledged delegates, in the popular vote, and the number of states won. It is time for our party to coalesce around Barack Obama’s nomination for President.”

Here's Castor last week as a neutral superdelegate.

Castor's superdelegate thinking

The Democratic Congresswoman from Tampa and uncommitted superdelegate shared her thinking with us. The full Q&A runs in Sunday's Perspective section. Castor:

"I was very interested in the election results in my congressional district, and Sen. Obama won my congressional district. That’s going to be a very important factor, how the folks that I represent voted. It’s not the determining factor, but it is one very important factor.  I would hope that all the super delegates take their responsibility very seriously, and certainly every super delegate that’s a member of Congress should be considering who their districts voted for. But it’s not a determining factor...Another factor is which candidate can be most successful in November and which candidate has a vision for this country. Another factor is their interest in how we provide health care in Hillsborough County. How they see that fitting into their future policy plans."

Hastings: Zip it, Donna Brazile

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, a Hillary supporter and superdelegate, said he's sick  of hearing DNC member Donna Brazile lament the potential power of superdelegates to tip the nomination one way or another. When Gore's former campaign manager pushed hard to strip Florida of all its delegates "I recall her very vividly saying, "the rules are the rules." Well, the rules arer the rules when it pertains to superdelegates,'' said Hastings,. "I will excercise my judgement accordingly."

But he did offer this scenario: "Assume for the moment (Obama) wins the popular vote and wins the deleghate count. I believe critical mass will come about, and Mrs. Clinton probably will free up her delegates, and vice versa."

Jeb backing McCain

At least that's the Buzz we're hearing today, that the former governor with impeccable conservative credentials has sent a check to the presumptive GOP nominee. It's a clear message to Republicans skeptical of McCain.

A word of caution, however - we haven't heard confirmation yet from Jeb himself.

Good enuf for Rudy then good enuf for Fasano

Sen. Mike Fasano says he's following Rudy Giuliani and getting behind John McCain. "His chances are outstanding," said Fasano, who was contacted by the McCain camp. "We now have someone who not only has leadership abilities but can beat Hillary Clinton."

All hail the Crist political machine

The Jeb Bush political network in this state is legendary. After Tuesday, it's time to pay homage to the Charlie Crist political operation, which may very well be what puts John McCain into the White House. ... With speculation already swirling about his vice presidential prospects, his aides are aggressively pumping up Crist's political operation to reporters around the country. The message? Crist can deliver Florida.

More here.

Rudy to endorse McCain

That's the Buzz. Is McCain the inevitable nominee now, thanks to Florida?

Crist's big night

Okay, so I'm starting to backpedal from previous suggestions that Charlie Crist has little chance to get the vice presidential nod. What do I know? I thought Mitt would pull out a narrow FL win.

Any way you slice it, it was a GIANT night for our governor. He put himself on the line with McCain and Amendment 1 and won big. Concentrating on sporadic voters, the Yes on 1/Crist machine made 2.5-million phone calls in the last four days alone and used targetted mail. 

Somebody give Jim Rimes a raise over at RPOF. He and the rest of the Crist team - Heffley, LeMieux, Dibenigno, - flipped the switch for McCain right after the Crist endorsement. Firefighters, troopers, PBA, making thousands of calls. Bill Bunting mobilizing his gun folks. Lots of Cuban-American outreach.

Latvala and Bunting for McCain

Add a couple former Fred Thompson backers to John McCain's team: Pasco GOP chairman Bill Bunting and former state sen. Jack Latvala. Florida's biggest gun show promoters, Bunting and Victor Bean and Bill Bunting sent an e-mail touting McCain to 89,973 Florida gun lovers Sunday.

Behind the scenes of Crist's risky McCain move

For Rudy Giuliani, Nov. 18 was to be a pivotal day on his march to the Republican nomination. Popular Gov. Charlie Crist was to anoint him as the best choice for Florida Republicans, and the two of them, starting in St. Petersburg, would fly from city to city in Florida, revving up supporters and donors. By then, the GOP presidential candidate long assumed to be Crist's top choice, John McCain, looked finished.

The courtship began early last summer, when Crist and his top political adviser, George LeMieux, and Giuliani and his top adviser, Tony Carbonetti, met in the Hamptons. Over the ensuing weeks, the can-do governor and can-do former mayor of New York kept in touch and by early fall, according to Giuliani advisers, Crist had agreed to jump aboard Team Rudy on Nov. 18.

But not if McCain could help it. "I'm telling you I'm going to win this," the Arizona senator reportedly declared in an Oct. 2 meeting with the governor in Tallahassee. Forcefully and full of confidence, McCain urged Crist to wait until after the New Hampshire primary to make an endorsement.

More here.

Crist's cancelled date with Rudy

Suffice it to say the that Rudy Giuliani folks are fuming over the surprise Crist endorsement tonight. After all, they remember when the deal had been set for Crist to jump aboard team Rudy. Nov. 18, to be precise, was set for a Charlie-Rudy fly-around. The Buzz is that Crist had even extracted a promise that he would be on Giuliani's short list for running mates.

But imagine the pressure Crist felt from McCain, who surely reminded him that while Rudy and Mitt awaited the results of Gallagher vs. Crist, McCain jumped in and backed Crist. Crist sure kept this decision quiet, and by all account it really was a last minute one (though close Buzz readers caught the Giuliani/McCain shift).

But let's face it, Crist and McCain are a natural fit and if McCain had not melted down last year this would have happened long ago. Romney, viewed by Crist allies as Tom Gallagher reincarnated, never had a shot at the governor's nod.

What decided this for Crist? How about the 19th century poet William Ernest Henley and the 21st century columnist Bill Kristol. The Buzz is that this kind of blew Crist away

Why Crist's endorsement matters

Among other reasons, national TV exposure.

Shortly after endorsing John McCain, Gov. Charlie Crist went on Fox News and explained why he took so long to weigh in.

"I was looking this past week who I was going to vote for on next Tuesday and came to the decision in the course of this week and I just felt that it would be the right thing to do to support John publicly. Sen. McCain has been a dear friend for a long time. I think he's a great leader. He's a true American patriot. He's a great conservative and I think he would lead our country well and I just wanted to go ahead and do it. It's more of a gut thing than anything."

Sean Hannity, who mistakenly called Crist "senator," asked if the governor likes Mitt Romney. "Yeah I do like him. ... All these candidates are good candidates. But at the end, you've got to vote for somebody."

Crist endorsing McCain

UPDATE: Crist: "We have a lot of great people running for president this year. They would all do well. But we have to think about when it comes to Tuesday who are you going to vote for, who are you going to support. And I have been thinking about it a lot. ...I don't think anybody would be better than the man who stands next to me.

McCain: "I thank you for the support of this great governor who is known throughout the this nation and the world as one of the great leaders of the 21st century."

--

It hasn't happened yet, but the Buzz is it will in just a few minutes at the Pinellas Lincoln Day dinner. Only two hours ago, Buzz sat down with McCain, and it was clear he was not expecting an endorsement.

"I threatened him with everything including having to hire someone to start his car in the morning,'' McCain quipped. "I'm a great admirer of Gov. Crist. I don't know what Gov. Crist is going to do but I consider him a good friend and a fine governor. and no matter what happens as far as his endorsement is concerned, as a nominee in my party, the Gov. of florida is important, Important to the republican party and the nation. "

Romney on Martinez: you can't get 'em all

Former Gov. Mitt Romney was asked late Friday afternoon at a St. Petersburg private airport to respond to the news that Sen. John McCain had won the endorsement of Sen. Mel Martinez.

"I think endorsements by and large are nice things to get but don't do a lot for you in terms of actually getting votes," Romney said. "I always try to seek good endorsements....but if other guys get them, well, that's fine, you can't get 'em all."

Later, Romney Florida campaign chair Al Cardenas acknowledged he has spoken with Martinez often in recent weeks also courting his endorsement.

"If he was not going to support us, I'm glad he supported somebody at the end of the process, when a lot of people have already made up their minds as they intend to vote," Cardenas said.

Today, the Romney campaign released a new web ad that spoofs a real McCain ad, saying that McCain is the "favorite Republican among Democrats."

Mel Martinez exepected to endorse McCain

After playing coy for more than a week, U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez is expected today to endorse John McCain for president, possibly in Miami. McCain is scheduled to make an appearance at 5 p.m. today in Miami to speak to the Latin Builders Association.

Baxley dialing for Mitt

The Buzz is that former state Rep. Dennis Baxley, the incoming Christian Coalition chair, is urging social conservatives to vote for Romney in recorded calls. Some Huckabee folks are fuming  that Baxley is improperly invoking the Christian Coalition, even though he's speaking for himself.

Other robo calls we're aware of: Bay Buchanan for Romney, Jack Kemp for McCain and John McCain for McCain.

Who else have you heard from?

Crist snubbing Giuliani?

That's what we wondered when we saw that Charlie Crist had cancelled longstanding plans to appear at the Orange County Lincoln Day dinner featuring Rudy Giuliani Saturday to attend instead the Pinellas Lincoln dinner featuring John McCain (and Marco Rubio).

"I hope that's why, but I don't think so,'' said Orange County GOP chairman Lew Oliver, who is McCain's regional chairman. More likely, Oliver said, Crist simply wanted to ramp up attendance in his home county's Lincoln Day dinner. Hmmm. Or maybe Crist wanted to keep an eye on Rubio in his backyard.

Rudy adds former Congressman to list

Former Congressman Clay Shaw announced today that he's supporting former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Shaw was defeated last year by Democratic Congressman Ron Klein for that seat.

Clay Shaw for Giuliani

The Buzz is that Clay Shaw is throwing his support to Rudy Giuliani and will be with him tomorrow on Boca. In addition to all the ex-New Yorkers in Shaw's old congressional district, they have in common Karen Unger, Rudy's senior Florida adviser who who has helped run previous Shaw campaigns too.

Thompson's supporters split among rivals

Top Fred Thompson supporters have been inundated with phone calls from rival campaigns since the news he'll withdrawal from the race. But so far, few have decided on their next horse.

Read below to see some early converts and others who are on the fence.

Crist's endorsement...

...is still no sure thing. "I haven't decided if I will endorse or who I will endorse," he told Buzz today. "It's sort of a gut thing."

Crist had not heard of McCain's reported comments in south Florida today opposing a national catastrophic fund, a top Crist priority.

Times endorses Obama

McCain and Obama are the darlings of Florida's editorial boards. McCain's latest pickups came from the Tampa Tribune , Palm Beach Post, and Orlando Sentinel. Obama snagged the Palm Beach Post, Tampa Tribine and St Pete Times editorial boards. The Times' edit board - distinct from those of us at Buzz - called it a close call.

"In Clinton, we see the past; in Obama, we see a fresh start. Clinton is a divisive political figure; Obama's appeal transcends racial and party lines. She exudes competence; he radiates optimism. She came to the campaign with a sense of entitlement; he came to it with a sense of possibilities. She can be evasive, even misleading; he can be refreshingly candid about his own shortcomings and his political mistakes. She represents business as usual in politics; he at least offers the hope of something better. ...We don't appreciate the Obama campaign memo spinning the Florida primary, which the Democratic candidates are boycotting, as a non-event that will have "no bearing" on the nomination contest. However, we don't think pique should be the basis for our choice."

Mel and McCain

Mel Martinez and John McCain have no plans to appear together Monday in south Florida, says Melissa Shuffield, a former Martinez staffer working for the McCain campaign. And while it's no secret Martinez is a big fan of McCain's, Shuffield tells us that "at this moment there's no endorsement" planned.

---Wes Allison

Mel May

U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida says he may endorse one of the Republican candidates for president before the state's Jan. 29 primary. "I might, but I haven't really made that decision," Martinez said. "Right now I'm just thinking about it and getting a lot of phone calls."

Martinez was the general chairman of the Republican National Committee until he resigned the post last fall. All the top Republican candidates but one - former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson - have called in hopes of winning support, Martinez said, including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Stemberger jumps from Fred to Huckabee

The Huckabee campaign is touting a high-profile defection from Fred Thompson's camp. "John Stemberger, a leading voice in the conservative movement of Florida has switched his personal endorsement in the race for the Republican presidential nomination ..., " a news release boasts. Stemberger will co-chair Huckabee's "Faith and Family Values Coalition for Florida."

"Gov. Huckabee is without question the best candidate to breathe new life and fresh hope into a nation and its people who are fed up with scandal, corruption and big-money power politics. Mike Huckabee is a proven leader with executive experience and a solid record as a champion for pro-life and pro-family values, Stemberger said. "As a result, he has won the trust of more social conservative leaders across America than any other candidate. He has also proven that he is a viable candidate who can take us all the way home by winning both the primary and the general elections."

Rod Smith backs Clinton

"I believe that Hillary on balance is closer to my politics than the   other Democratic candidates,'' said the former gubernatorial candidate and state senator from Gainesville. "Barack Obama is an exiting candidate, he's an excellent candidate ... (But) I believe that Hillary Clinton has got a strong background, longer period of experience in public life, and I tend to believe she's been more specific in her program commitments.''

And yes,  Smith thinks Clinton can win Florida just as her husband did in 1996. "It's going to be a daunting challenge for any of the Democrats to do very well in north Florida but I think linton - and Obama for that matter - has the ability to do as well as anyone...Florida is going to be close. Whoever wins, it's going to be close on either side."

Crist may endorse

Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday that he's thinking about endorsing a candidate before the primary. He calls such an endorsement a "maybe," which is a bit less vague than he's been in previous months.

"I'm not convinced endorsements make a big difference...and what impact they do make, it seems to be (better) if it's closer to the time people are voting," Crist said.

When asked who he is leaning toward endorsing he answered: "Who do you think I should endorse?"

--Times State Editor Joni James

Romney picks up Florida endorsement

Domino's Pizza and Ave Maria College founder Tom Monaghan endorsed Mitt Romney today.

Monaghan, who also once owned the Detroit Tigers, left the pizza business in 1998 and devoted himself to funding Catholic causes. More than a decade earlier, he founded the Ann Arbor Ave Maria Foundation to focus on Catholic education projects. He established Ave Maria College in 1998 in Michigan and opened the Ave Maria School of Law in 2000.

Giuliani announces veterans team members

Before he hits Melbourne and West Palm Beach on Wednesday -- and finds out the results of that little contest in New Hampshire -- Rudy Giuliani made official his list of veterans coalition members. (Giuliani courted veterans at the American Legion Post in Largo on Dec. 26.)

Retired Army Col. Charley Price of DeBary is the state chair. The list includes retired admirals Robert Natter of Ponte Vedra Beach and Kevin Delaney of Jacksonville, who are also among his national military policy advisors.

See below for more.

Berger braving Iowa snow for Edwards

The Buzz caught up with uber Democratic fundraiser Mitchell Berger of Fort Lauderdale, who's in Iowa working the phones and knocking on doors to reel in undecided voters for John Edwards in Indianola and Winterset, south of Des Moines. "There's a lot of support for John here, and there's some support for Barack Obama and for Bill Richardson. ... It doesn't seem to be breaking at all for Hillary," Berger said.

We wondered how Al Gore's buddy felt about John Edwards picking up the endorsement of Ralph Nader, who many blame for Democrats not winning the White House in '04. "I'd rather have Ralph in the system than out of it," he said.

Nelson: Florida more important than ever

Despite the Democratic presidential boycott of Florida and the unpleasantness between Florida leaders and the DNC, Sen. Bill Nelson sees Florida's Jan. 29 primary shaping up to be crucial: "Despite the Democratic National Committee trying to miniize Florida, I think Florida is going to be a major influence going into the 22 primaries on Feb. 5, '' Nelson told Buzz.  "It looks like the Democratic candidates are going to kind  of be bunched up with  with no clear winner coming into late January...'' Nelson told Buzz. "Florida becomes the table-setter for super Tuesday."

Nelson said he'll be surprised if candidates actually bypass Florida after South Carolina's primary on Jan. 26. "They're saying they won't (for now) because there's a gun to their head from Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Sen. Nelson dismissed the suggestion that he's already aligned with Clinton, and said he hasn't decided when and who to endorse:  "Clearly the nominee is going to need Florida in November, so I'm going to wait and see how they treat us in the meantime."

Jumping ship from Mitt

From the PB Post today: "...Former state senator Dick Langley, who had been a co-chair of Mitt Romney's Florida campaign, ripped a Romney sticker off his lapel and replaced it with one of Huckabee's..

"I just couldn't figure out where Mitt stood," Langley said to applause from the crowd. "I had to have somebody that I could know where he stood, with the right values for this country and for a future for this country." "

Langley was a co-chair for Lake County.

A Crist-McCain deal?

The Buzz is that Charlie Crist has promised John McCain he won't make a presidential endorsement until after New Hampshire's Jan. 8 primary, though Crist wouldn't confirm such a deal with McCain: "It was a private conversation,'' he told Steve Bousquet.

But a strong showing in New Hampshire would resurrect McCain's candidacy heading into Michigan and South Carolina, and Crist's endorsement could be a giant boost for the Arizona senator in Florida Jan. 29.

Here's how McCain campaign manager Rick Davis assessed Florida in an e-mail to supporters: "A state Rudy Giuliani has bet his whole campaign on, Florida will be so driven by momentum from previous victories that no amount of early money or organization will make a difference. John McCain is right on the issues in Florida and has the unique ability to bridge political divides in this historically divided state."

Haridopolos digs Huckabee

State Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic, is jumping aboard team Huck: "I support Mike Huckabee because of his positive, optimistic message," Senator Haridopolos said. "He, better than any candidate on either side, is listening to the voter and projecting a message that communicates with all Americans."

Month before election, Thompson names grassroots leaders

Republican Fred Thompson started late, so maybe it's no surprise that a month before the Sunshine State votes his campaign is naming its northeast Florida grassroots team.

The folks below will cover Alachua, Clay, Columbia, Duval and Gilchrist Counties.

UPDATE: The Thompson campaign said these folks aren't "new;" many have been with the campaign from the start. Apparently just the media release is new.

Also, the campaign's Florida political director Brandi Brown is headed to Iowa after the Christmas holiday to help run the operations the last week before the Jan. 3 caucuses.

Diaz de la Portilla helping Huckabee

Along with Marco Rubio and David Rivera, Miami state Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla is hosting the 12/26 $200-per-person Mike Huckabee fundraiser at the Miami home of Carlos and Michelle Pastor.

Thompson adds key Christian leader; endorses marriage amendment

Republican Fred Thompson added a well known name to his Florida team today. He received the endorsement of Dr. Gary Cass, Fort Lauderdale resident and a long-time pro-life activist who is the current chairman of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission.

(For the campaign's full release, read below.)

UPDATE: It appears the Thompson campaign is making a strong effort today to shore up social conservatives. Moments after the above announcement, it issued a statement today saying Thompson supports the efforts to ban gay marraige in Florida. It seems he is following Mitt Romney's lead amid a surge by Mike Huckabee.

"I applaud the work of Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage," he said in a statement. "Their efforts will give the people of Florida a voice on this very important subject. ... As President, I will appoint judges who apply the law, not make it up from the bench.  We should not be held subject to judicially created social policy, and I will use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to defend the institution of marriage."

Rubio endorses Huckabee in Miami

Dec. 10 - 10:08 am: As expected, House Speaker Marco Rubio endorsed Mike Huckabee this morning in Miami. So did state Rep. David Rivera.

"Mike Huckabee gives conservatives the best chance at the presidency," Rubio told the Buzz. "It's a combination of conservatism and common sense." Rubio and state Sen. Dan Webster will serve as state co-chairs for the campaign.

Dec. 9 - 5:09 pm: The rumor the Buzz heard earlier about Marco Rubio endorsing Mike Huckabee is true. The two met for an hour today at the Courtyard Marriott in Miami, before the Univision debate. Tomorrow morning, the House Speaker will express support for the once-longshot GOP presidential candidate.

The move underscores Huckabee's ascendancy and Fred Thompson's fall as the conservative choice in Florida. Rubio had been courted by Thompson but never pulled the trigger.

Crist: Take a hike Saunders

With Burt Saunders challenging Rep. Connie Mack for re-election, Charlie Crist today made clear he stands firmly with his old boss and mentor's son: ""Congressman Connie Mack has proven over and over that he knows how to fight and win for the people of Southwest Florida, our state and our nation, and I wholeheartedly endorse his re-election."

RPOF Chairman Jim Greer: "While it is disappointing that Sen. Saunders would abandon the deep-rooted values of the Republican Party of Florida in exchange for his own personal gain, his decision to run as a non-party affiliate is another example of why Congressman Connie Mack is better suited and more qualified to serve the people of the Fourteenth Congressional District."

Spanish debate "has no place" in campaign

So says Tom Tancredo, who is boycotting the Univision debate though, we suspect, nobody will notice. While Mitt Romney is touting a new Spanish language radio ad in Miami and  more Miami-Dade supporters, Tancredo released this statement: “It is the law that to become a naturalized citizen of this country you must have knowledge and understanding of English, including a basic ability to read, write, and speak the language,” Tancredo said. “So what may I ask are our presidential candidates doing participating in a Spanish speaking debate? Pandering comes to mind...America has been a melting pot of people from all over the world but it can not survive as a nation if our immigrants do not assimilate. A common language is essential to that goal. Bilingualism is a great asset for any individual but it has perilous consequences for a nation. As such, a Spanish debate has no place in a presidential campaign.”

Marco and Huckabee?

At Presidency IV the rumors flew fast and furious that Marco Rubio was about to endorse Fred Thompson. Didn't happen. As the Univision debate in Miami looms, the rumors are flying that the House Speaker  is about to endorse Mike Huckabee, who has reached out to him recently. We haven't reached Rubio yet, but his pal David Rivera, also officially neutral for now, said he hasn't heard of any pending endorsement from Rubio.

Thompson names Tampa Bay organizers

Republican Fred Thompson rolled out his local grassroots organizers for the Tampa Bay area. These folks -- including a number of big names -- are leading the charge as chairman for their respective counties:

In Pinellas, County Commission Chairman Ronnie Duncan; in Hillsborough, Sandy Murman, former House Speaker Pro Tem and state committeeman A.J. Matthews; in Pasco, the trifeca of Zephyrhills Councilman Danny Burgess, Dade City Mayor Pro Tem Steve Van Gorden and Property Appraiser Mike Wells; in Hernando, Commission Chairman Jeff Stabins; and in Manatee, Bradenton Vice Mayor Gene Gallo and Bradenton Councilman Patrick Roff.

For a full list of local organizers keep reading below.

DiMatteo digs Giuliani

It's well-known that Pinellas GOP Chairman Tony DiMatteo is a Rudy Giuliani guy (he's never forgiven us for not being more generous on a Rudy crowd estimate a few months back), but he's refrained from formally endorsing him. The Buzz is that the DiMatteo endorsement will come today. That would be Rudy's second FL REC chair endorsement, having already snagged Broward's Chip Lamarca.

Dan Webster digs Huckabee

There aren't many Florida endorsements left that matter a whole lot, but it seems to us this one carries real weight: State Sen. Dan Webster announced his allegiance to Huckabee, accompanying the former Arkansas governor to campaign stops in Tampa.

"I love Mike Huckabee...I haven't made anything public yet but it's pretty obvious why I'm here,'' said Webster. "...He's a breath of fresh air, and I think he's got the ability to build a coalition similar to what Ronald Reagan built."

Story is here.

Thompson adds Miami-Dade volunteers

Fred Thompson's campaign named a handful of volunteer grassroots leaders in Miami-Dade to help boost its outreach to Latino voters -- a territory rival Rudy Giuliani is putting great effort in reaching.

County leadership positions announced today include co-chairs: Homestead Mayor Lynda Bell and Miami-Dade Commissioners Joe Martinez and Natacha Seijas. The latter two previously endorsed Thompson when he appeared at Miami's Urbeita Oil in October. Other's involved Lois Jones, Chris Miles and Luis Rodriguez.

Rubio playing hard to get

The buzz at the Republican convention in Orlando a few weeks ago was that House Speaker Marco Rubio was going to endorse Fred Thompson. It never happened.

Speculation grew when Rubio and the former senator were listed as guests at the Florida Family Policy Council dinner, which took place last night at the Weston Diplomat in Hollywood.

But once again, Rubio was mum about who he would back.

“I’m very interested in his campaign,” Rubio said of Thompson, according to the Palm Beach Post. But Rubio also said he likes other candidates.

Hillary snags Buckhorn

Former Tampa city council member Bob Buckhorn, a savvy political strategist, fundraiser, and former Evan Bayh supporter, has signed on with Hillary Clinton's campaign. He's helping  host a Dec. 4 $250-per head Clinton fundraiser at the home of Pat Frank. The headliner is Clinton campaign chairman and former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe. 

"It is clear to me than nobody is better prepared to be the next president of the United States than Sen. Clinton,'' Buckhorn said. "Throughout the campaign she has proven her mettle, demonstrated her command of the issues and offered a vision for an America that we all aspire for. Now more than ever we need a president that inspires us, not divides us and who is ready on day one to lead this country."

Sheriff meets with Thompson; picks Romney

On Tuesday, Collier County Sheriff Don Hunter sat down with Fred Thompson to talk illegal immigration on the morning the GOP presidential candidate rolled out his reform plan.

Today, just two days later, Hunter officially endorsed Thompson's closest rival, Mitt Romney.

The Massachusetts governor's campaign has talked to the sheriff for some time, but didn't get the OK from Hunter to announce the endorsement until late Wednesday.

If Hunter gave Thompson a chance when they met, it appears he didn't past the test.

Read the news release below.

Jeb Jr backs Giuliani

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