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Crist Putting His Support Behind McCain

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By WILLIAM MARCH and BILLY HOUSE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 27, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - In a dramatic surprise Saturday night, Gov. Charlie Crist handed John McCain an endorsement in Florida's GOP presidential primary that could prove crucial in Tuesday's tight race.

Crist endorsed the Arizona senator with no commitment from McCain to support Florida's top federal priority - a national catastrophe fund to help assure property insurance availability.

But McCain - the strongest opponent of the cat fund among the leading candidates - did seem to soften his opposition, promising "to work very closely" with Crist on the issue and adding, "We've got to provide home insurance for every person who lives in the path of a hurricane."

The endorsement came after a day in which the Republican presidential candidates crisscrossed the Tampa Bay area and the Democratic contenders crossed swords over whether the Florida primary matters.

With a huge victory in South Carolina under his belt - his first since his upset win in the Iowa caucuses - Sen. Barack Obama is sticking by his contention that it doesn't because of the lack of delegates.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, expecting a big win and an endorsement from Sen. Bill Nelson in Florida, made her strongest statement that it does.

McCain, Romney Spar Over Iraq

On the GOP side, McCain and Mitt Romney sparred over Iraq, as McCain brought up a new charge: that Romney formerly favored setting a withdrawal date for U.S. forces.

"If we surrender and wave a white flag like Senator Clinton wants to do, and withdraw as Governor Romney wanted to do, then there will be chaos, genocide, and the cost of American blood and treasure would be dramatically higher," McCain told reporters at a stop in Fort Myers.

McCain based his charge on comments by Romney in a TV interview last year that Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki "have to have a series of timetables and milestones ... but those shouldn't be for public pronouncement. You don't want the enemy to understand how long they have to wait in the weeds until you're going to be gone."

McCain also cited comments by Romney in 2007 that the war was going badly, and advocating a phased withdrawal.

Asked about it at a stop in Land O' Lakes, Romney said McCain is "trying desperately to change the topic from the economy and trying to get back to Iraq, but to say something that's not accurate is simply wrong - and he knows better."

'I Trust The Guy'

Crist announced his McCain endorsement at a GOP fundraising dinner in his hometown of St. Petersburg where both were scheduled to speak, along with state House Speaker Marco Rubio.

"The man who stands next to me really is a great American hero," Crist told the crowd after calling McCain to the podium with him. "I don't think anybody would be better than the man who stands next to me" for president, Crist said.

McCain now has endorsements from the state's top two elected Republicans, Crist and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor also endorsed McCain on Saturday night.

Crist said he made his decision Saturday, and McCain said he didn't learn of it until just before the dinner.

Asked why he endorsed McCain with no promise on a catastrophic fund, Crist said, "I trust the guy. He's not going to say something to me just to garner support. ... He does what he says. He's a straight shooter."

Mike Huckabee, Romney and Rudy Giuliani have all said they support the idea. A story in Friday's Tribune was incorrect regarding Huckabee's stance.

Rubio, scheduled as keynote speaker, found himself upstaged by the announcement. Rubio backs Huckabee and has been at odds with Crist politically.

"Nobody's going to be broken-hearted if John McCain is our nominee," Rubio said.

"Gov. Crist's vote is only one vote," responded Romney campaign spokeswoman Kristy Campbell. "The endorsement that matters most to Gov. Romney is the endorsement of the people of Florida."

How many votes Crist's support will get McCain is uncertain, said University of South Florida political scientist Susan MacManus.

"It certainly projects the idea that McCain is the front-runner," she said, but "endorsements are tough to read in a presidential race because a lot of people already have a lot of information."

"This is still an up-for-grabs nail-biter," she said.

A Piece Of Home For Huckabee

Giuliani, meanwhile, campaigned in Sarasota on Saturday morning and spoke at a GOP fundraising dinner in Orlando on Saturday night, trying to stay above the McCain-Romney fray.

"If you listen to my opponents, it's getting kind of nasty," he said at a Women For Rudy event in Orlando.

Huckabee made three stops in Lakeland, and announced endorsements in Orlando from religious conservative leaders, before heading off to campaign in Alabama.

He dropped by the Lakeland Pig Festival, getting lots of attention as he strolled along lanes of barbecue stands, and at one point spotted a man wearing a pig mask.

"There's a razorback!" the former Arkansas governor exclaimed.

With a shoestring budget and fourth-place standing in Florida polls, Huckabee has cut his Florida travel. Much of his schedule for the next two days is in other states.

Nelson Reportedly In Clinton Camp

The Associated Press has reported, based on unnamed sources, that Nelson will endorse Clinton on primary day. Nelson's office didn't respond to an inquiry about the report Saturday.

In a statement Saturday, Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said, "Despite efforts by the Obama campaign to ignore Floridians, their voices will be heard loud and clear across the country, as the last state to vote before Super Tuesday on February 5th."

So far, neither she nor Obama shows any sign of breaking the boycott-Florida pledge now that the South Carolina voting is over.

Clinton's published schedule shows her in Tennessee today and in Massachusetts and Connecticut on Monday.

Democratic Party officials said large numbers of voters casting early and absentee votes confirm their contention that the primary will have a big turnout, and that Florida Democrats are enthusiastic despite the boycott.

"Democrats are going to the polls and making their voices heard in this open election," said state party chairwoman Karen Thurman. "The nation is going to be watching on Tuesday night."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761 or wmarch@tampatrib.com.

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