Why Obama can win FL

MEMO TO: Sen. Barack Obama

Re: Blowing off 27 electoral votes

Thanks for coming by next week for a three-day campaign swing, senator.

There has been lots of chatter about you ceding Florida to Sen. John McCain, given the way you've ignored the state for eight months and dismissed the 1.75-million Democrats who voted in our disputed Democratic primary. We're trying not to take it personally when you keep talking about the old electoral map — i.e. Pennsylvania, Ohio and US! — being so 2000/2004.

But here's something you and your advisers might be missing: Florida is turning bluer by the day.

The trend is easy to miss when you see the popularity of our Republican governor, Charlie Crist. Add John Kerry's five-point loss here in 2004 and Jeb Bush's 2002 landslide re-election as the DNC's top target, and nobody could blame you for thinking Florida is solidly Republican red.

Take a closer look, though, because Florida's political landscape is shifting dramatically. More here.

McCain returning to Florida

He'll be in Miami Tuesday giving a speech about Cuba and Latin America. No word yet on other public events.

VP Madness: It's Crist vs. Thune

Congressional Quarterly has come up with a cool bracket-style contest letting people decide matchups between possible VP picks for John McCain. Gov. Charlie Crist beat J.C. Watts in the first round. (Jeb Bush lost to Joe Lieberman.)

Now Crist faces U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.

Bashing Crist as VP

  Larry Thornberry, a Tampa writer, in American Spectator smacks down the notion that John McCain should tap Charlie Crist as his running mate: "The conventional wisdom is that Crist would help McCain carry Florida, without which state McCain has little chance of winning in November. But Crist's political pull elsewhere would be limited, because he's at least as unappealing to the conservative Republican base McCain needs to win over as McCain himself is, and has far less gravitas. He's sort of a Dan Quayle without the maturity and seriousness. For long-time observers of Crist and Florida politics, imagining Charlie Crist in the Oval Office is a little like imagining an armadillo in a tuxedo."

Thornberry has trashed Crist before.

FL Hispanics going Dem

Politico: "For the first time, the number of Hispanic Democrats in the state is expected to exceed the number of Hispanic Republicans. ... The significance of the numerical flip is mostly symbolic, but it's a powerful symbol at a key moment: Quietly, Democrats are debating whether to mount a full-out, expensive challenge to Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, in Florida, or essentially cede its 27 Electoral College votes to theGOP. "

Poll: McCain in trouble in FL

Start measuring those vice presidential mansion drapes, Charlie Crist. Quinnipiac University's latest swing state poll shows Hillary Clinton beating McCain in Florida 49 - 41 percent, while McCain gets 44 percent to Barack Obama's 43 percent (moe +/- 2.6). She's also handily beating McCain in PA and OH.

From the release: "Facing McCain in November, Clinton leads 54 - 37 percent among women, while he gets 45 percent of men to her 43 percent. They tie 45 - 45 percent among white voters, while she leads 80 - 11 percent among black voters. In an Obama-McCain matchup, men back McCain 46 - 42 percent, while women split, with 44 percent for Obama and 42 percent for McCain. The Republican leads among white voters 50 - 36 percent, while the Democrat leads among black voters 83 - 8 percent. "

Charlie's tan and McCain's daughter

So Meghan McCain apparently hasn't gotten the memo that Charlie Crist doesn't  "tan" per se, he's naturally got a Mediterranean complexion thanks to his dad's Greek heritage.

A post on Meghan's blog Tuesday features several photos from Miami campaign events Sunday. Under a picture of her dad, Republican presidential presumed nominee John McCain, his wife Cindy McCain, Charlie Crist and his girlfriend Carol Rome, Meghan writes the caption, "I wish I was as tan as Charlie Crist."

Loyal Buzz readers may remember the gov's complexion was the topic of some speculation during his 2006 gubernatorial race. For a trip down memory lane, click here.

Trashing Crist's tan

A New Republic writer is particularly snitty about the Charlie Crist tan she saw at the White House Correspondents' dinner: "...with all due respect to the guv's Mediterranean genes, that tan ain't the product of any half-hour in the sun. Crist's skin is baked. Dangerously baked. Damaged-beyond-its-years baked. Makes-Minority-Leader-Boehner-look-like-Conan-O'Brien baked. So I'm wondering: How will Crist's megatan play on the national stage?..."

McCain HQ coming soon to Tallahassee

Anybody else struck by how John McCain has taken a looong time building a Florida campaign organization? He won the primary with barely any infrastructure in the must-win Sunshine state, and that hasn't changed.

In a few weeks, however, Buzz Jacobs will set up shop in Tallahassee, conveniently located close to Charlie Crist and his political team. Jacobs is McCain's former South Carolina state director and now is his regional director for the Southeastearn states.

Jeb: Yes on killing gators, no on VP

DALLAS (AP) — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says he is "light green" on the environment and is skeptical that humans are causing global warming. Bush, whose two terms ended in 2007, also said Wednesday he "can’t imagine" running for national office and isn’t interested in being Sen. John McCain’s running mate.

The younger brother of President George W. Bush made the comments during an address to several hundred business people meeting in a hotel ballroom. Earlier in the day, Bush met with other directors of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp., the hospital chain whose board he joined last year....

...Bush told the Texas audience how he repeatedly vetoed spending state money to market alligator meat. "Alligators proliferate in Florida. They eat small dogs," Bush said. "We don’t need to market them, we need to kill them." After a slight pause, he added, "Is this open to the press?"...

McCain's top FL money bags

George W. Bush had his Rangers and Pioneers, and John McCain has his "Innovators" (who have raised at least $250,000)  and "trailblazers" (at least $100,000). Among the Arizona senator's top bundlers, here are the Floridians:

At least $250,000: Brian Ballard, Tallahassee; Manuel Kadre, Miami; John Moran, Palm Beach; Scott Rothstein, Fort Lauderdale. At least $100,000: Charles Cobb, Jr., Miami; John Dasburg, Miami; John Donahue, Naples; Marty Fiorentino, Ponte Vedra Beach; Alfred Hoffman, Jr., Fort Myers; Harry Sargeant, III, Gulf Stream; Glenn Steil, Sr., Bonita Springs

McCain headed to Tampa

Sen. John McCain is scheduled to visit Florida for a fundraiser April 29 at 11:30 a.m. at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Tampa. Meanwhile, Hillsborough County Republicans at their executive committee meeting on Tuesday discussed the need for volunteers to work in phone banks, knock on doors and recruit voters at gun shows. David Storck, chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, told the group the Republican Party of Florida wants to see McCain beat the Democratic presidential nominee in Hillsborough by 55,000 votes to off-set voters on what he called the "left coast" of southeast Florida. George Bush beat John Kerry in Hillsborough by 37,000 votes in 2004, according to Storck.

FL poll: McCain crushes Obama, not Clinton

Rasmussen robo poll: McCain 53%, Obama 38%... McCain 44%, Clinton 45%.

Jim Greer welcomes Michelle Obama

In honor of her fundraising jaunt through Florida, the RPOF chairman weighs in: "“Throughout his campaign, Barack Obama has completely isolated himself from the people of Florida, failing to meet with Floridians face to face for a substantive discussion of critical issues as we head into the Presidential Election this fall. 

“I understand that Senator Obama may finally grace the state of Florida with his presence in the coming weeks.  However, Florida Democrats should have some serious questions for him when he gets here—like how he can stomach using Florida as an ATM, while failing to take a stand for the inclusion of the votes of 1.7 million Floridians in the selection of the Democrat nominee for President.

Bill Nelson could boost Crist's VP prospects

Well, that's the theory from former Republican U.S. Rep. John LeBoutillier: "...(John McCain) needs to wait to see what the Democratic ticket looks like first because that ticket will signal their electoral strategy. For example, if Obama wins the nomination and picks Bill Richardson, then we know he is going for the Southwest region - New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado - full of Hispanic voters - plus McCain’s own Arizona and California (strongly Democrat anyway).

"Or Obama may go for Florida Senator Bill Nelson and try to take the Sunshine State out of the GOP column. In that case McCain might take Florida’s popular new governor, Charlie Christ (sic), who helped propel McCain to victory in January in the GOP primary there. That would make Florida the key to the whole general election race.

"So, until the Democrats pick both their nominee and ticket - don’t forget that as the ‘out’ party they go first - McCain should wait to make his decision."

Better convention digs for Ohio than FL?

Republican delegates from Florida (27 electoral votes) will be staying at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott, nicely located 12 miles from the Xcel Energy Center where the GOP convention takes place. The party says it's thrilled, but because we're always happy to stir the pot here at The Buzz, we note that the Ohio delegates (20 electoral votes), while divided in two hotels (here and here) are several miles closer than Florida. But Pennsylvania (21) is farther. John McCain's Arizona homies, natch, are directly across the street.

Meanwhile,  the RPOF fired off the release today suggesting the Florida Democrats are more likely to be at a KOA in Denver: "...From the looks of things, while the RNC recognized Florida’s importance in selecting the next President, granting the delegation a hotel assignment large enough to accommodate the entire delegation, Florida Democrats will be enjoying the Denver Convention from a more rustic location.  Check out the Democrat Base Camp here."

The people's VP? Not Charlie Crist

Gallup Poll asked 453 Republicans and Republican leaners to name who they would most like to see John McCain select as his running mate. Mike Huckabee topped the list, followed by Mitt Romney and Condoleezza Rice.

Gov. Charlie Crist registered, with 2 percent, but in the middle of the pack with Ron Paul, Rudy Giuliani and Joe Lieberman. (About one in three Republicans could not think of anyone.)

Nearly everyone else on the list has a national profile, so the fact that Crist is showing up at all may be a sign of his perceived strength as a VP candidate.

VP Crist or Nelson?

  Nothing like evidence that Florida could be a challenge for John McCain to boost Charlie Crist's vice presidential prospects. The Veep-O-Meter this week takes a big swing in the direction Crist flying on Air Force Two on the heels of a Quinnipiac poll showing Mcain vulnerable in the the must-win Sunshine state.

The Fix, Washingtonpost.com's political blog, again last week pegged Crist among the five most likely vice presidential picks for McCain. Perhaps more noteworthy, though, was The Fix putting Bill Nelson among the five likeliest choices for Hillary Clinton, along with Barack Obama,Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, former presidential candidate John Edwards of North Carolina, and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.

Wrote Chris Cillizza: "Every four years, the senator from Florida seems to be among those mentioned -- but not picked -- for the national ticket. He is a more serious choice in this election, having been an ardent advocate not only for Clinton but also her interests in the SunshineState. It was Nelson who, unsuccessfully, pushed hardes for the idea of a Floridare-vote. He's also from a state that is almost certainly going to be a batteground in the fall and remains quite popular among Florida's voters."

Q poll: Clinton and McCain too close to call

Hillary Clinton and John McCain are neck-and-neck in Florida, but McCain beats Barack Obama, a new Quinnipiac poll shows.

In a general election match-up, McCain trails Clinton 44 – 42, too close to call, but handily defeats Obama 46 – 37 percent.

"The difference between Clinton and Obama in Florida is the white vote,” said, Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "She gets 38 percent to 50 percent for McCain, but Obama loses to the Arizona senator 54 – 27 among white voters.  If Obama does get the nomination, how he fares with whites will be crucial to his chances."

FL GOP money going slow to McCain

John McCain should be sitting pretty — catching his breath, building his campaign organization and filling up his campaign account — while Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton rip each other to shreds.Except that in the must-win state of Florida, many of the top Republican money-raisers have yet to step up for their presidential nominee.

Consider that of Florida's 66 so-called Pioneers or Rangers who raised at least $100,000 for Bush-Cheney in 2000 or 2004, only nine have contributed to McCain, a St. Petersburg Times analysis finds. While losing election after election throughout February, Clinton raised more than twice as much money from Florida — $1.25-million — as McCain, who drew $489,000. So did Obama, taking in more than $1-million from Florida.

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.

McCain coming to Florida

The Republican nominee's campaign tour highlighting his life story will take John McCain to Pensacola Wednesday, April 2, where he did flight training, and then the following day to Jacksonville, where McCain lived after getting out of the Hanoi Hilton.

His Florida campaign operation is still almost non-existent - and in way better shape here than Clinton or Obama - but talented former state GOP commuications director Jeff Sadosky (last seen by Buzz carrying Mrs. Fred Thompson's purse in Des Moines) is overseeing McCain's regional press operation across the country. Republican flaks can send Sadosky their resumes.

National Review trashes Crist for VP

  Another rough week for Gov. Charlie Crist on the Veep-O-Meter. First came the St. Pete Times/Bay News 9/Herald poll showing he wouldn't help John McCain draw lots of Florida Democrats.

Now, the April National Review has a Crist profile (Headline: ""He's no Jeb Bush." Charlie Crist -- ambiguous conservative, potential vice president") featuring a laundry list of reasons why conservatives might distrust Crist, including his pro-choice past, his support for restoring felon rights, global warming initiatives, his being described by Democrats as among "the best Democratic governors Florida's ever had," and his handling of the property insurance crisis in Florida.

"He socialized our state’s insurance market,” state Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, told William F. Buckley's magazine. “He’s doing everything he can to run insurance companies out of Florida.”

Poll: McCain beats Hillary and Barack in FL

But Clinton is stronger against McCain, according to the 3/15-26 robo poll by Public Policy Polling: McCain leads Clinton 47-43, and he leads Obama 51-39.

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.

Crist's Machiavellian plan...

...to push the Democrats to count the 1/29 primary is to help Hillary Clinton, which in turn helps his pal John McCain. So suggests the New York Times:

"...Many Republicans think Mr. McCain could beat Mrs. Clinton in Florida, which might explain Mr. Crist’s push to get the Democratic delegates seated. Meanwhile, helping to prolong the Democratic battle over delegates — instead of advocating that they simply not be counted, as the current rules require — could be the governor’s way of making trouble for the Democrats on behalf of Mr. McCain."

Poll: McCain beats Clinton and Obama in FL

  3/12 Rasmussen poll: McCain 47%, Obama 43%; McCain 47%, Clinton 40%.

"For Obama, this reflects a significant improvement compared to polling in February. For Clinton, little has changed. The top three issues in the state are the economy, the War in Iraq, and National Security. Forty-seven percent (47%) say the economy is most important, 17% name Iraq, and 11% National Security."

Crist Veep-O-Meter drops back

Sorry Charlie, the Veep-O-Meter fell back again this week. See here.

Dems to Crist: Butt out and back to work

UPDATE: Crist, Howard Dean and Michigan Sen. Carl Levin will be guests on This Week with George Stephanopoulos Sun.

Florida Democratic party communications director Mark Bubriski scoffed at Crist's suggestions that the state might help fund and run Democratic primary re-vote. Just another effort by Crist to get more media coverage, Bubriski said.

"The state of Florida does not have the money to pay for this election and the Democratic party of Florida is not asking the state to pay for it. We're concerned about the money the Republican legislators are trying to cut from education, health care,'' said Bubriski. "You can't turn on a cable tv station without seeing him. Cameras are knocking people out of the way to get to Charlie Crist and he's loving it. He needs to get back to work to fix this Republican recession."In fact, yesterday John  McCain nearly got bonked on the head by a TV camera trying to get past the Republican presidential nominee to talk to Crist. Check it out here.

Crist feeling the "empty chair" heat?

Maybe the Florida Democratic party's attacks on "empty chair Charlie" Crist devoting too much time to John McCain and not enough to Florida are having an effect. The day after the Democrats' noted Crist's sparse schedule today (ANOTHER DAY OFF! Empty Chair Charlie Skips Out on Florida AGAIN"), while Crist is campaigning with McCain in south Florida, Buzz sees that the governor's office has added more stuff to the governor's official schedule (interviews in West Palm and work and call time in the afternoon).

McCain was asked about Crist and the vice presidential speculation. AP:"You know, obviously, we have just begun that process, and we, in fact, have not even outlined how we’re going to go about this," McCain said at a news conference after he and Crist shook hands with people at a local diner. "We’re looking at how the process was conducted by other candidates and nominees of their party.

"But I know one thing about Governor Crist," he added. "And that is that he is a great governor. He does a great job. And I think that ... there are many ways for him to serve the country."

McCain returns to Florida

The day after clinching the Republican presidential nomination, John McCain will be back in Florida, foraging for campaign contributions along with Gov. Charlie Crist and other supporters. The first event is at the Gulf Stream home of Harry and Deborah Sargeant (he's a Boca Raton business executive who was a frat brother of Crist's at Florida State and is a frequent visitor to the Governor's Mansion). On Thursday morning, McCain holds a second fund-raiser in Naples.

The New York Times reports that as he heads to Florida, McCain is directing his staff to begin "a process" for short-listing possible vice-presidential running mates.

Crist Veep-O-Meter drops back

Crist's clumsiness balancing his home state and too-obvious national ambitions helps swing the Veep-O-Meter backward this week. See here.

Crist forced to skip weekend with McCain

UPDATE: Crist's office called the United Way of Broward County about 20 minutes ago to say he will make the event after all. Organizers were informed a week ago that he had a "scheduling conflict."

The United Way and other charity groups on Saturday are sponsoring the Governor's Bowl, a benefit for children and families in Broward County.

But what's a governor's bowl without the governor?

An e-mail being circulated among some financial backers says South Florida community and business leaders are "rather disgusted" with the governor, "who is ditching the event to be with McCain at yet another out of state campaign rally. ... Feel free to share with his staff as appropriate the level of discontent citizens are having over his absence from tending to Florida's needs."

The United Way of Broward County told the Buzz earlier today Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp was going to stand in for Crist. But when asked by the Buzz, Crist said he plans to attend.

He acknowledged he previously accepted an invitation from Sen. John McCain and his wife to socialize at their home in Sedona, Ariz.

One election night party Crist can't make

Gov. Charlie Crist has been able to party with Sen. John McCain during the last few primaries, but this coming primary, Crist may have to take a pass.

He spent Feb. 5th with McCain in Phoenix celebrating his Super Tuesday victory, after campaigning with McCain a few days. Crist had a trip to Washington to talk about the Everglades, which coincided with the Feb. 12th primaries, meaning he was at McCain's Feb. 12th Potomic victory speech.

But on Tuesday, when McCain is expected to spend election night in Dallas, Crist has got his own plate pretty full with the first day of the legislative session.

Crist on C-SPAN and the VP watch

C-SPAN featured live interviews on Sunday with several governors in Washington for a conference, including Charlie Crist, who answered moderator Steve Scully's questions and took calls for 25 minutes. The final caller asked Crist if it were true that he's being considered as John McCain's running mate.

"Well, I've read some of that, and I'll simply comment by saying it's very flattering," Crist said. "But my focus is on Florida, Listen, I'm a blessed man. I have the opportunity to serve the almost 19-million people that make up our state now." Scully pressed Crist: If he's not interested in VP, why not say so now? "What I want to do is stay focused on Florida," Crist said, and at that point, Scully dropped it.

There's fresh Crist-for-VP talk on the Washington Post op-ed page where syndicated columnist George Will lists Crist first in his round-up of possible VP picks. Will notes McCain is indebted to Crist for the governor's endorsement before the Jan. 29 primary and that Crist's 2006 primary campaign with Tom Gallagher was memorable for its focus on Crist's personal life. Read Will's piece here.      

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."

Crist Veep-O-Meter moves

The Crist Veep-O-Meter nudges a tad closer to vice president, though it has less to do with Crist than some of other often mentioned prospects for McCain’s running mate. Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson pretty much took herself out of the running. Meanwhile Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an early McCain supporter who has at least as much vice presidential Buzz as Crist, took a bashing in an op-ed by a Minnesota anti-tax activist.

Minnesota Citizens for Tax Justice director Wayne Cox wrote that the 47-year-old Pawlenty can’t deliver the state for McCain, that Minnesota has become more Democratic-leaning under Pawlenty and he has done little to help Minnesota’s economy.

"He should follow the lead of successful Republican governors like Crist and build a record of results,’’ Cox wrote in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

The Washington Post’s influential political blog, The Fix, on Friday listed Crist as one of the five likeliest picks for McCain, along with Pawlenty, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, and South Dakota Sen. Jon Thune.

To the right, Charlie, to the right

McCain's lobbyist friend, the FL connection

Not clear how long the Buzz will last on this New York Times piece about McCain's old lobbyist companion, but it seems south Florida has always been good to the Arizona senator: "...That February, Mr. McCain and Ms. Iseman attended a small fund-raising dinner with several clients at the Miami-area home of a cruise-line executive and then flew back to Washington along with a campaign aide on the corporate jet of one of her clients, Paxson Communications. By then, according to two former McCain associates, some of the senator’s advisers had grown so concerned that the relationship had become romantic that they took steps to intervene..."

Putnam joins the McCain train

Calling him a common-sense conservative, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow joined the other members of the House Republican leadership in endorsing Sen. John McCain for president.

Putnam, the third-ranking Republican in the House, had backed former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, whose campaign fizzled last month. He joined House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio and Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri in endorsing McCain after McCain addressed House Republicans earlier today.

"Senator John McCain is a man of great character and conviction who has done much for this country," Putnam said in a statement. "There is no candidate better qualified to serve as our nation's next commander in chief."

Where McCain goes, so goes Charlie

Sen. John McCain celebrated victory last night in the Potomac primary and guess who was sharing the stage with him? U.S. Sen. John Warner and you-know-who. (Photo: Getty Images)

Crist: Show me the money

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist made landfall Tuesday in wintry Washington, buttering up the guys who hold the federal purse strings to make sure money designated for the Everglades  actually arrives.

"It's already been put into the process, we just need to get it appropriated now," Crist said at the U.S. Capitol with Sen. Mel Martinez, his host for the Senate's weekly Republican Policy Luncheon. Other special guests included Vice President Dick Cheney and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The senators also heard from Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, whom Crist is backing.

Bearish on Crist veepstakes

U.S. News reports some anonymous Buzz from McCain "insiders": "I can tell you from the very highest source," said one insider, "that it won't be Sanford," a reference to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, rumored this week as a top vice presidential choice. Also, some McCain allies are shooting down a dominant rumor that it will be Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who helped to deliver his state to the maverick Arizona senator, bringing a crushing blow to former candidate Mitt Romney."..

Jeb Bush endorses McCain

Jeb Bush today endorsed John McCain for president, calling him a "patriot and devoted conservative leader."

See news release in jump.

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.

McCain announces Florida delgate slate

John McCain said today that he has filed a full slate of delegates, including state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, lobbyist Brian Ballard and Gov. Charlie Crist, and alternate delegates with the Republican Party of Florida.

"Floridians took advantage of our state's historically early primary and voted in record numbers for Senator McCain last week," Gov. Charlie Crist said in a joint statement with McCain. "Florida Republicans spoke loud and clear and we are excited to be sending our delegates to Minneapolis."

Full list in jump.

McCain worries left and right

Something remarkable was brewing as Sen. John McCain continued a tough trudge toward the Republican presidential nomination on Super Tuesday: Democrats finding common ground with Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. It's one of the stranger phenomena in this already astounding election, both the left and the right in fear that McCain will become the Republican standard bearer heading into November. Democrats worry he's the only candidate who can keep the White House in Republican hands, while some ardent conservatives peg him as a virtual Democrat in disguise.

"As an American, I feel great knowing the Republican nominee will probably be better prepared and more moderate than some of the alternatives," said Robin Rorapaugh, a Democratic strategist based in Broward County. "As a Democrat wanting to win, I don't feel so great because McCain has real appeal to independent voters."  STORY HERE.

Look who's on the far left ...

... of this photo

Gov. Charlie Crist stands next to Sen. Joe Lieberman as John McCain responds to a question earlier today in Hamilton, N.J. The governor was seen on TV holding the hand of McCain's mother, Roberta.

Crist is campaigning with McCain tomorrow as well and will monitor Super Tuesday results in Phoenix. (AP photo)

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."

Jumping from John Edwards to...Bloomberg

Pensacola trial lawyer Fred Levin, a bigtime John Edwards fundraiser, can't muster much enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or any Republican. "I would hope that after Super Tuesday Michael Bloomberg would see that he is probably the best answer for this country,'' said Levin "He would have no obligation to anyone and the economy is the issue."

There's a lot of outreach and courting going on across Florida to former Edwards and Rudy Giuliani fundraisers. Edwards' former Fl chairman Mitchell Berger is with Obama, while we've yet to hear of a significant former Rudy fundraiser going with Mitt. Among those jumping to McCain: Giuliani Florida finance chairman Joe Fogg, Harry and Dan Sargent, Sarasota chiropractor Gary Kompothecras. Tampa developer Al Austin said he hasn't made up his mind, but Buzz recalls how Mrs. Austin always wanted him to go with McCain. 

Crist hits the road with McCain

One of the reasons Gov. Charlie Crist moved up the release of his budget recommendations was so that he can travel with U.S. Sen. John McCain in a series of out-of-state presidential events on Monday and Tuesday.

Buzz hears that Crist will appear with McCain at a New York City fundraiser on Monday night. And Crist is also tentatively scheduled to appear with McCain in three states on Super Tuesday:  Connecticut, Missouri and Arizona. He'll end Super Tuesday with McCain in Phoenix, at what the Arizona senator hopes will be the clenching of the Republican nomination.

--Steve Bousquet

Why Crist uses a fan

Having just heard yet another person remark on this and because Buzz is all about substance, it seems worth noting one of the biggest surprises of Election night: Charlie Crist sweats. A lot. Not sure this picture does justice to the perspiration spotted on our gov in Miami Tuesday night, but at least we know why he insists on that fan all the time.

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.

Would Crist consider a VP slot?

After speaking with a public policy class at the Florida Institute of Government, Gov. Charlie Crist was asked this afternoon whether he would consider a job in Washington, should U.S. Sen. John McCain win the Republican nomination.

In typical Crist fashion, he didn't say yes or no.

"I love this job. It's a great job, and the people of Florida have been very kind to me to allow me to serve as their governor. I'm trying to do the best I can...I'm obviously very, very pleased for Sen. McCain. I think it's the right thing for our country and I know he'll make a great president. "

Are you saying you wouldn't go to Washington on any circumstance?

"My answer was what I just said," Crist said.

Was Cardenas only Cuban who voted for Mitt?

Kidding, of course, but the exit polling results are pretty stark on the Hispanic vote.  Only 9 percent of Cuban-Americans voted for Romney, while 54 percent backed McCain and 32 percent Giuliani. Given that Romney and McCain tied among non-Hispanic Republicans, 33 percent to 33 percent, it looks like the Hispanic vote sunk him.

Did Romney's sometimes harsh rhetoric cost him Florida? Maybe part of it. But clearly Mel Martinez helped him win over a lot of the south Florida Hispanic voters that Giuliani was bleeding in the final days.

McCain credits Crist, Martinez for victory

John McCain, heading out of Florida on his campaign plane, was asked by a CNN reporter what accounted for his victory. "I'm not at very good at analysis but obviously Gov. Crist and Mel Martinez were very helpful," an exhausted looking McCain said on TV, going on to name the economy and other issues. (AP photo)

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.