As McCain campaigns in Florida, many suggest governor as V.P. choice

As McCain campaigns in Florida, many suggest governor as V.P. choice

Some of the party faithful said the Florida governor isn’t conservative enough to be McCain’s running mate.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Facing pressure to raise money, woo conservatives and motivate his base, U.S. Sen. John McCain campaigned hard in Palm Beach County alongside Florida Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday and stayed mum on questions about a vice presidential running mate.

On his first day on the campaign trail since locking up the Republican nomination, McCain repeatedly lauded Crist as a national leader on key issues like energy policy and the environment that may be crucial topics for McCain to capture swing voters in November.

While addressing a boisterous breakfast-hour gathering of 250 supporters at Howley’s Diner on Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, McCain was repeatedly interrupted with applause from the backers, several of whom shouted “Crist for V.P.”

Thursday’s visit followed a Wednesday night fundraiser in Gulf Breeze, Fla., where McCain raised an estimated $1 million from a few hundred backers at the home of a Crist college roommate.

Together, the Palm Beach County events showed that for McCain, Crist’s popularity will be helpful in tapping South Florida’s wealthy political donors and churning up interest from moderate Republicans. In making that point, McCain said he would be relying on Crist for advice and support, especially in matters related to energy, the environment, the Everglades and homeowner’s insurance.

“I look forward to the opportunity as president of the United States, working with Charlie Crist, to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil,” McCain said.

What’s still not clear is whether Crist, who has been governor for little more than a year, offers enough political experience to serve as the No. 2 in the White House and whether Crist has credentials to appease conservatives.

Several patrons at Howley’s said they would be tickled to see a McCain-Crist ticket, adding that it would likely guarantee a Florida win.

“McCain would win, for sure, if he had Charlie Crist on his side,” said Doug Smith, a local homebuilder and longtime McCain backer who lives near Howley’s and arrived early for a good seat to meet his favorite politician. “I think Charlie Crist has a lot of strong support.”

Others, such as Brenda Schwerin of West Palm Beach, said they are a bit reticent about Crist on a national ticket. She said she wouldn’t be opposed to him running but said she’d prefer “ a more conservative pick” along the lines of former presidential aspirant Mitt Romney.

McCain did nothing to dampen local enthusiasm for Crist.

“As many of you all know, his endorsement obviously was very crucial in my ability to win the primary here in the state of Florida,” McCain said of Crist while speaking to reporters at Palm Beach International Airport. “I’m well aware of the importance of the state of Florida in a general election.”