Politics

Vying for Crist's attention

Tensions flare in Florida over the governor's rising national status.

By Steve Bousquet and Alex Leary, Times Staff Writers
Published February 29, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [AP photo] John McCain thanks Gov. Charlie Crist for his endorsement of McCain in January. Crist is often touted as a vice presidential prospect.

TALLAHASSEE - For Charlie Crist, two competing events this weekend expose the tightrope he must walk between being governor of Florida and one of John McCain's most visible new allies.

Crist, touted by the media as a possible McCain vice presidential choice, planned to spend this weekend socializing with the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, his wife, Cindy, and a small group of supporters at their Arizona home.

But he also is the guest of honor at a South Florida charity fundraiser called the Governor's Bowl at Dolphin Stadium on Saturday night.

Crist's office called the United Way of Broward County last week to say he would not attend due to an unspecified scheduling conflict, event coordinator Kathryn Glenewinkel said.

The cancellation angered some organizers. An e-mail written by an event sponsor, major auto distributor JM Family Enterprises, said community leaders were "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."

As word spread, Crist backtracked and said he felt obligated to stay in Florida and not join McCain.

"I was given notification that there may be a ball that's in my name, which I did not realize until about a half hour ago," Crist said at midday Thursday. "I was invited by the senator and his wife to join them on some property they have in northern Arizona. I have accepted the invitation, but as I say, if there's a United Way event that's really a governor's ball, I feel an obligation to stay."

Soon after, Crist's office called the United Way to say he would attend. He also has appeared on two recent weekends at fund-raising events for the United Negro College Fund.

But those have not been as visible as his trips to McCain campaign events in the past month in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Arizona. Crist is also expected to be with the candidate next week at two Florida fundraisers.

Crist's surprise endorsement of McCain, three days before Florida's Jan. 29 presidential primary, has been viewed as a key factor in the state that has propelled McCain toward the GOP nomination.

From C-SPAN to the Washington Post, national media outlets routinely include Crist on a list of half a dozen possible McCain vice presidential choices, but the serious vetting of candidates' backgrounds has not begun.

As a popular governor of the nation's largest battleground state with 27 electoral votes, Crist will play a vital role in McCain's campaign. But he also presides over a state weathering difficult economic times, with judges threatening to lay off court workers and university presidents threatening to close their doors to new students next fall.

The legislative session begins Tuesday, and a clash of philosophies is brewing between Crist and fellow Republican lawmakers who reject his ideas to balance the state budget by increasing gambling and spending reserves.

Asked recently if he were worried about the perception that he's jet-setting around the country on McCain's behalf while Floridians are suffering, Crist said: "It has to be reasonable, of course."

For weeks, some of Crist's closest advisers have taken pains to temper their zeal for his vice presidential prospects with the realization that he has a job he was elected to fulfill 15 months ago.

"I don't think anyone should take it upon themselves to promote his candidacy for any office," said lobbyist Brian Ballard, a Crist adviser and member of McCain's Florida leadership team. "He doesn't want individuals, who have the best of intentions, by the way, out there promoting him for any office. It demeans what he did for John McCain."

George LeMieux, Crist's former chief of staff who recently returned to practicing law, has concluded that Crist is the best vice presidential pick because of the state's electoral power and because his popularity transcends both parties and all demographic groups.

"It's electoral math. If Charlie Crist is chosen, you take Florida and put it in the bank," LeMieux said.

Crist's potential liabilities are personal and political. At 51, he's unmarried and has never owned a home, and faced scrutiny in the 2006 governor's race over his personal life.

He also is a moderate in the McCain mold, which may deepen the rift between McCain and the GOP's conservative wing.

Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com or 850 224-7263.

[Last modified February 28, 2008, 23:43:22]