Jeb and Charlie in happier days
There have been a buttload of stories in Florida about Republican Gov. Charlie Crist endorsing Sen. John McCain in the primary. Most are like this.
The backing from the governor, who has an approval rating that hovers near 70 percent, could prove to be a crucial factor in persuading Republicans who have yet to make up their minds to vote for McCain…
”He’s a great American patriot. He’s a true American hero,” Crist said of McCain as the two appeared together on stage at a Republican dinner in St. Petersburg. “He’s a great friend and will do a great job for the United States.”
Yada yada. But the really big news here is not that Crist is paying McCain back for campaigning on the governor’s behalf in the 2006 Republican primary (even though he is). No, the whopper is the way Crist just keeps distancing himself from Jeb Bush.
Back in that 2006 race, Charlie made it look like he and Jeb were the best of pals, and that voting for Crist would be like voting for Jeb all over again. That worked, but from day one in office Charile has taken every opportunity to not only not do it Jeb’s way but to ignore the former governor’s bequest altogether.
Which brings us to endorsing McCain. As early as a year ago, Jeb let it be known the Mormon from Massachusetts was his guy.
Jeb Bush, who hasn’t publicly picked a favorite in the Republican presidential race, privately is talking up the candidacy of Mitt Romney and steering some of his closest advisers to the campaign.
The former Florida governor has said repeatedly he won’t be a candidate in 2008 despite encouragement from his father, the former president, and his brother, the current one. But Jeb Bush’s support, even tacit, would be critical in the state that decided the 2000 presidential election.
“Governor Bush said, ‘Before you commit, I want you to meet Mitt Romney. He is the kind of guy you will like no matter what,’” said former Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings. “The governor was very candid about the fact that he really liked this guy.”
It turns out Jeb’s support is, in fact, less than critical. Thanks to Charlie’s intense popularity and his big brother’s disgrace, Jeb’s support grows less important with each passing day.
Buck updated the list of former Jebbies who are now Mitties. The fact that Charlie Crist’s name is not among them speaks volumes about Jeb’s current influence and his prospects for future public office. Jeb who?
