Rudy camp shaken by Crist news

Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008 8:52 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger
ORLANDO, FL -- Charlie Crist is on the agenda for the Orange County Lincoln Day Dinner, just below Giuliani as the guest of honor. But an endorsement is not on the menu.

Crist did not appear at the dinner -- he changed his plans several days ago, sources said -- but his presence was certainly felt. Giuliani aides were visibly upset Saturday at the news that the popular Florida governor would be backing McCain.

Giuliani campaign sources said Crist pledged his endorsement to Giuliani in the early fall, when McCain’s campaign appeared dead and Giuliani was leading the state by double digits. But at the time, McCain supporters leaned on Crist to hold back and wait until after the New Hampshire primary. McCain had campaigned for Crist when he was seeking the Republican nomination for governor, and had hoped Crist would return the favor.

After McCain’s New Hampshire victory, Giuliani aides did not know what Crist would do next, but the governor had said as recently as Friday that he might still weigh in before the Florida primary. Giuliani and Crist met when the mayor campaigned in Tallahassee last week, but aides said the meeting was more perfunctory than a plea for an endorsement. Giuliani campaign aides said they were given an early warning today that Crist would throw his weight behind McCain.

The news is a definitive blow to Giuliani, and a sign of his fading prospects in the Sunshine State. Giuliani has gone out of his way on numerous occasions to praise Crist, and each time suggested he would be a viable vice presidential candidate.

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Comments

Chuck Todd,

I celebrate. I sleep well tonight. I wake up with great joy tomorrow. And, then, I have coffee and watch This Week (ABC).

Read Colbert I. King's 1/26 essay on the two Clintons' machine in Washingtonpost.com

GO USA! GO OBAMA! GO USA

Eorse, St. Louis (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:01 PM)

Who cares about Crist? OBAMA IS SPEAKING AND MICHELLE IS WEARING THE JACKIE O PINK SUIT!

Suzanne F (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:07 PM)

I cannot believe conservative republicans will support McCain. He has demonstrated his distain for the Republican Party throughout his career as a politician. No doubt his service to the country is appreciated, however we need a leader like Giuliani who has demonstrated his ability to lead in crisis and manage an economy that is larger than some countries. What if Mitt and Rudy team-up?

cj houston TX (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:09 PM)

I'm in FL and I like Charlie. I've met him twice and he's very nice. I think it would have been better for Charlie to wait 'til after the Republican primary here.

I know why he did it, but, to influence the race like this, I think does all Republicans an injustice. Mac, Rudy, and Mitt are all great candidates; let the Republicans make up our own minds about our nominee. Charlie, you can always "return the favor" in the general election.

RTG, Clearwater, FL (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:12 PM)

Can't trust McCain, can't trust Crist!

Susan, MA (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:12 PM)

In my mind this is just more evidence that McCain = politics as usual. Seems to be an awful lot of back scratching going on. I can tell you, I just lost a lot of respect for our good govenor. I thought Crist would care more about what is good for our country than what is good for his friends.

Shame on you Charlie.

Go Mitt!

Robert Hansen, Clearwater Fl. (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:19 PM)

To CJ, I agree 100%. I think a Romney/Rudy ticket would be awsome!

Robert Hansen, Clearwater Fl. (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:21 PM)

Ghoulie's over and out.

Gene Raleigh, NC (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:22 PM)

Excellent point RTG

eric, boston, ma (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:23 PM)

Crist is very popular here in FL. I beleive he made the right choice for president.

Michael, FL (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:26 PM)

I guess since Crist first endorsed Rudy when the polls put him in the lead, and now he endorsed McCain when he is close to the lead that makes him a flip-flopper. McCain has out flip-flopped Romney lately, I guess like attracts like. I used to be for the "straight talk express" until it derailed. I guess since Romney only flip flopped, but McCain keeps lying and flipping I would vote for Romney. Don't take the bait Florida. At least Romney is Honest!

Cory, Mendon, Utah (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:31 PM)

Charlie Crist...you are such a disappointment. Wish I never voted for you now. As a conservative Republican how can you possibly endorse "Hillary Lite", McCain.....are you a socialist in disguise? Mitt or Rudy are what this country needs. Not a has been flip flopper Democrat dressed in a Republican suit! Charlie, you screwed up and will most likely be a one term governor because of this poor decision.

Mark & Diane Rode, Coral Springs, FL (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:35 PM)

With the endorsement for McCain (not a true conservative)The GOP is done and very brokered. And lets face another fact: Ron Paul supporters will keep him funded and will write his name in because we ignored him
.We really need to think about why we are so splintered and angry with each other.Go Rudy. Be not discouraged.

Dominique O'Connor, Orlando, FL (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:36 PM)

As usuail the main street press will viilify Giuliani for their own selfish reasons. Tehy only want dems. It is so obvious it can't pass a smell test. Why don't the drive byes jsut admit their all commie leaners and be done with it. Sorosa would spend a billion for hios own selfish reasons. What's happened to the american Dream and Democracy in america???

Duwayne Hollingsworth, Rio Linda, CA (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:44 PM)

Crist should be ashamed of himself. Oh wait, he's a politician.

DCortez, Houston, Texas (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:46 PM)

Great, the Guv of a state with a free-falling economy backs the one candidate who says, "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should'' and who pwants to bring in Greenspan, the man who created this mess.
"I've got Greenspan's book.''

Jorge Zamorano (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:47 PM)

Its a easy endorsement for even a 5 yr old. Everyone knows McCain = Honesty+Integrity+Patriotism

What exactly is Romney? except that he is rich,no military experience,once pro-life panderer to hateful xenophobic wing of GOP

As a LEGAL Immigrant myself, I love McCain and Joe Lieberman,Colin Powell. They are some of the best of best political icons in my America.

Basically if you have not served in Military, you dont deserve my vote!

Srinivas Raja (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:52 PM)

12,000 people are very ill from the effects of cleaning up after 9/11. None to very little protective gear, radios that didn't work, emergency headquarters in the tower. Not to mention he's very poorly regarded to loathed by most people who've ever had to work with him. This guy has profited big time in his shady business dealings from the attack. That's the only *management* of the crisis I can see he did. Dangerous man.

Nancy Gallagher (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:52 PM)

McCain is dirty...Mitt and Rudy need to make a deal.

ClubbieTim (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:57 PM)

Good for Gov. Crist. Senator McCain deserves his shot at the nomination. As for Guiliani -- he is morally bankrupt, and I hope he drops out of the competition.

P.J. Wheeler (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:03 PM)

Romney is by far the most fake candidate in the entire field. He is the one who will tell you just what you want to hear to get your vote, rather than the truth.

McCain on the other hand is the opposite, the most honest politician in the field. And because of his honesty he will sometimes piss you off, but at the end of the day you learn to appreciate.

The most important quality for a leader is HONESTY.

GO MCCAIN!!!

Jay (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:07 PM)

a quite useless exercise........Republicans are unwilling to face one fact , none of their candidates are acceptable to most of their own party . it will be a cakewalk in November for any Democrat ticket.........indeed , it will be so for a decade or more......

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:09 PM)

As a South Carolinian, I know that our state's motto is "While I breathe, I hope." The fact that Senator Obama paid tribute to us near the close of his speech -- "While we breathe, we hope" -- illustrates his ability to touch people in different ways. It also reinforces the choice I made today when I voted :)

John Jamrogowicz, Goose Creek, SC (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:11 PM)

Mac is the only Washingtonier who has a son in Iraq. Mac is the only candidate, be it R or D, who has a son in Iraq, too. Mac kept himself suffering to sustain principle in Hanoi. He keeps principle in Washington office. He will and can do better in the oval office.

I am disdained by Mr Romney's hired Web Commentators.

FLLA, Metairie, LA (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:12 PM)

I want to add a note about the article MSNBC is running on the front page of this site about Crist endorsing McCain. It says, "At the very least, the nods of Florida's two top Republican elected officials could serve to validate McCain's candidacy with the GOP establishment and counteract the fears among some that he would not be a loyal Republican while in the Oval Office."

This is not true, because both Crist and Mel Martinez are regarded as Moderate to be kind and as liberals by many Republicans. Their popularity comes from independents, liberal republicans, and some democrats. This is like saying that a Hillary endorsement of McCain would help Conservatives feel better about McCain. It sounds to me like spin for a liberal candidate from a liberal news source.

CRM (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:17 PM)

McCain failed with the law to keep the people from hearing the issues and news and he failed on the illegal immigration issue severly. If he gets in he will listen to no one. He believes he's a god on Mt. Olympus. Many friends of mine were POWs and if thats all you need to be pres it's too bad for America.
A Korean vet.

Irv Weinsoff, Miami, Florida (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:22 PM)

Hahahahahahahahahaha. Good Riddance to the 9iu11ani. A lot of the ghosts of the fire-fighters who lost their lives due to Rudey's incompetence will rest easy tonight. Good riddance to bad rubbish

RepuBSDetector (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:30 PM)

The problem here, once again is "business as usual"! Charlie wants to be Vice Pres. and so he waits till the last minute to "place his bet at the window" believing now that "his political horse has come in". This is the same political garbage our nation has been dealing with year to year! Look at "Mike". I like Mike! Hukabee will save this nation from the demise that is nearly certain if we do not all pick "the man for the times"! THIS IS THE NEW AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Jack Powers, Lake Butler, Florida (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:41 PM)

Huge pick up for McCain. With this endorsement and the Martinez pick up, should give him a good bump for tuesday primary. Looks like the GOP establishment is starting to rally around McCain.

Romney fans. McCain is a conservative, WAYYYYYYY before your canidate "converted". Your guy thought he was going to be able to buy this election and it looks like it will fail again. Mitt Romney is not a true conservative. Thompson is a true conservative, Newt Gingrich is a true conservative. Romney is a liberal republican who modified his views to run for President.

McCain will win florida. He is the better candidate, the better leader and the better man! Hands down.

asher (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:43 PM)

Jack Powers, Lake Butler, Florida (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:47 PM)

My hope is that the people of Florida can see through McCain's Washington-style politics of having favors owed, special interests to pay and people in his pocket to address. You beg long enough, you will get the endorsements you want. It is what Washington Politicians do when they can't stand on their record. These are the acts of a desperate and angry man who was clearly showed up in the recent debate.

Kelly Warnick, Orem, Utah (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 11:09 PM)

Moderate republicans and conservative democrates will come out for McCain.......wait and see.

Steve, San Francisco, CA (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 11:15 PM)

... Am I missing something here, McCain is not a republican ... He was endorsed by the NY Times and now the Governor? Maybe some back room deals going on ... if he gets the nomination watch for this one to be one his cabinet.

Also Mitt Romney is hardly getting any press. The LEFT MEDIA is trying to ram McCain down out throats!
Mitt leads in delegates and yet there’s hardly any mention of him. McCain lashed out at Mitt telling a vicious lie about how he wanted Iraq timetables for the pull out of the war. This is so untrue and for a straight shooter he's way off line and desperate to try to bring us back to the war. It’s not the only thing that’s wrong with Washington. McCain is wrong for America, he's old and I don't care what his grandmother is doing. He's a career politician and soft on immigration and taxes.

Mitt is the real deal and can streamline Washington in a way that no other president before his time has ever been able to do. His resume is irrefutable. He has given more of his time and money in charity than most. Don’t hate him because he’s rich. I think most of us would want that for our children. But tell me would we be so quick to spend a small fortune on running for public office … Hell; I’d be out in the Caribbean enjoying the sun. I feel he’s the right guy for the right time.

Brian J (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 11:17 PM)

Bye bye Rudy "9/11" Giuliani. Next up, Mitt Romney!

http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2008/01/speaking-of-florida-and-particularly.html#links

KYJurisDoctor, KY (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 11:33 PM)

Dominique,

You're only half right about us Ron Paul supporters, we will keep him funded as long as he needs, but our payback for being ignorned won't come in the form of a wasted vote by writing in his name. We're not that stupid. You'll just have to wait with anticipation to see what crazy shenanigans we come up with to screw up "McCentury" and the other warmongers chances of winning.

Americans for a President who doesn't suck (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:04 AM)

Good call Robert, I like the Romney/Rudy idea.
Go Mitt.

Cheri Simmons (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 12:30 AM)

Excellent choice. McCain is definitely the most deserving and will provide us with the leadership we need.

My hope is that the people of Florida and beyond can see through Romney's facade. He is a chameleon...changing to whatever his surroundings need him to be.

Perhaps this will mean Romney can't buy the nomination.

ProudofMcCain, Charlotte, NC. (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:00 AM)

McCain was FOR benchmarks this year...the hypocricy is blatant. Chuck and Russert should make sure they have this document.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/byauthor/166271

MikeJ, Murrieta, CA (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:10 AM)

Anybody who takes the time to read McCains bio would realize that he is big time trouble!!! Christ and Matinez back him because they want the Hisponic vote. ($5000 bucks for citizenship. By the way that could be drug money). All the hard working LEGAL Hisponic's should kick their butts! Reading Romneys bio and McCains is like reading about night and day. I'll pick Romney over all the Republican candidates.

SWL84 (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:14 AM)

McCain's divorce from his first wife is very interesting. All those who belive is family values should read up on this situation after he arrived home as a hero.

SWL84 (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:36 AM)

How is anyone calling McCain a liberal and in the same breath Romney and Guliani the "true conservatives"??? Romney is on record painting himself as to the left on some issues than Ted Kennedy (when he wanted to be the Senator from Mass.). Guliani is not only another conservative come lately, he's also morally corrupt. His pay scheme to hide visits to his mistress may have been legal, but come on! His wife at the time got a restraining order to bar the mistress from the mayor's mansion. And his good buddy the police chief now indicted on corruption charges? Are we kidding here? You know, now that I think about it, at least Romney seems like a personally decent fellow. I'm still backing McCain, but I'd be able to sleep at night with Romney. Guliani makes Bubba look like St. Peter!

Larry W. (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:45 AM)

Wait and see...rudy not doing well in the polls but a good friend and good conservative...hmmm(finger in wind) McCain is doing better in polls and offers a pretty good deal...oh well rudy wasnt THAT good of a friend anyway..so transparent..who cares, these fatcats all stick together. Mr Gov..the favor better be a goodin coz you lost a lot of GOP supporters!
Of course the outsider is the one they all despise..he threatens their existence...GO MITT!!

Lynn (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:47 AM)

It's incredible how anyone could call McCain too liberal or a flip-flopper, then espouse the virtues of Mitt Romney in the first paragraph.

Andy, Baltimore, MD (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 6:30 AM)

If I have to settle for a Liberal I want one that has a proven track record of success. I want one that defended Christianity against porn-art. I want one that told the Saudis to stick it up their. I want one that treated Arafat like the terrorist he was. RUDY GIUILIANI.

Dennis D (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 6:37 AM)

What's the deal with all these Republicans who snub the Hollywood "elite" but then travel with some has-been star as though to attract dumb white males who actually believe the characters in action movies are real: Huckabee with Chuck Norris, McCain with Sylvester Stallone, and Guilliani with Jon Voight. Are these actors going to be their running mates, too? In hat case, pick one who actually might up for the job, like Arnold the Terminator. Frankly, McCain, at his age, ought to pick George Clooney (not a real doctor but played one on TV), who might be ready to revive the oldster enough to remind him that Vietnam is over. Huckabee needs that actor who played in "The Passion of the Christ," since he'll need a miracle to get any farther. Guilliani might be smart and pick up "Law and Order" actor Fred Thompson, who showed more stuff in the series than as a candidate. And Romney? WHy none other than Bill Paxton from "Big Love."

Anthony F. Davis, Seoul, South Korea (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 7:55 AM)

DIRTY POLITICS McCAIN STYLE. ANOTHER FAVOR BOUGHT. Clearly Governor Crist must have found out that Mitt Romney was not going to let him use the placement of Florida's Primary and it's importance to get a VP job or other Washington-style favor for Crist. Don't buy this same old McCain Washington-style bribe/favor politics of having people owed, special interests to cater to and people in his pocket to address. You strike the right self-serving deal with McCain, Crist and you will get the political gain that you want? This is what Washington Politicians do when they can't stand on their record. McCain is a desperate and angry man who will stop at nothing to vindicate his losses rather that serve an ideology.

Kelly Warnick, Orem, Utah (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 8:49 AM)

I knew McCain would get more votes as the process goes on, the others have so much baggage that looks like they are carrying Bushs bags, McCain is not the party lemming and will get many conservative dem vote if Obama is the dem choice.

John Alexander (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 9:16 AM)

McCain, how many favors have you promised now? These endorsements are so transparent! What did you promise Charlie Crist? Vice Pres., or a post in your cabinet? We know it was one of the two. Everbody knows that if you win the Florida primary and steal the nomination with the lies you've been desperately telling over the last two days, that you've sold your honor. I absolutely know that you will never win the general election because you have destroyed the republican party with your liberalism, and they will not vote for you. I personally will write in Romney's name in the general election, as will millions of others. If republicans wanted you in the White House, we would have put you there by now. This is not a Washington good 'ol boys game McCain. We're not going to put you there just because you think it's you're turn. Romney should start hammering you on the fact that you were talking behind the scenes in the last election about being John Kerry's vice presidential running mate. Disgraceful! You lied at that time about your intentions of crossing party lines and becoming a democrat, but the person who ran your campaign confirmed it was true for the country! Your mommy wants this nation to hold their nose and vote for you? She should vote for you herself since she doesn't mind holding her nose and yours at the same time. We haven't forgotten about the republican senator in Florida who gave you an endorsement this weekend too. What did you promise him McCain? My Friend, your mouth is writing checks to these people that we aren't going to allow you to cash! I hope the good people of Florida are as fed up with your Washington style backroom wheeling and dealing as the rest of the republican party is. If you can claim to be an expert on the economy after sitting on a senate commerce committee, then we can claim to be an expert on your type of liberal politics after three elections with you. Go back to Arizona John, retirement should have been about 5 years back.

D. Olsen, Draper, Ut. (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 9:29 AM)

McCain's a stubborn nasty old man who's been squeezing his POW card this whole election.
I want a brilliant positive mind that will lead this country in a fresh new direction and out of the darkness McCain will keep us in.

lfr (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 9:38 AM)

America,America, where have you gone. Vote for Ron Paul and come home.
McCain is all over the media outlets and not loved enough by all republicans. I personally don't trust him. Rudy ruined his own chances by not investing time in other states and his eggs in the big basket of Florida.
Ron Paul will be in the general election mark my words. He is the only TRUE CONSERVATIVE and has been the same for 20 years. The media should not have done what is called a BLACKOUT on him and the GOP she not have ignored him and deprived him of the same coverage. He was our only chance. We and the media treated him like a stepchild.
Can any of these candidates with their endorsement beat Obama? We are worried about Hillary but once again we could be wrong. Wrong on the who should be our GOP nominee and who the DEMS will pick.

Dominique O'Connor, Orlando, FL (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 9:43 AM)

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