Does Florida Have Enough Vice Presidential Timber—For Both Parties?

Fri, March 28, 2008 - 5:20 PM

WASHINGTON -- Florida may find itself without any delegates at the Democratic national covention, and only half of its delegates at the Republican convention.

But then again, the state does have two of its top elected statewide officials -- Republican Gov. Charlie Crist and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson -- being repeatedly mentioned as vice presidential possibilities.

The latest such speculation came today in The Washington Post.com's Politics Blog. It did a fun “VP Watch” item, listing what it describes as the latest line on the top five possibilities for Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain.

Crist is listed as among Republican McCain’s possibilities. And Nelson is among Democratic Clinton’s possibilities.

Here what it says about Crist:

“The Florida governor has a strong case to make that his endorsement of McCain in the waning days of the Sunshine State primary cinched the nomination for the Arizona Senator. Crist's popularity among Florida voters could well strengthen McCain's hand in a swing state in the fall. (It also doesn't hurt that McCain praised Crist as “a great governor” during a campaign swing through the state earlier this month.) The biggest problem for Crist? He's not beloved among conservatives many of whom feel McCain has to pick one of them to get their votes.

Here’s what the column says about Nelson:

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 Sunshine State. It was Nelson who, unsuccessfully, pushed hardes for the idea of a Florida re-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.

Read the column entire column here:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/03/friday_line_veepstakes.html?hpid=topnews

-- Billy House