More broadly, the Florida governor offered a likely preview of what Obama or Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) can expect from McCain if he is able to set the terms of the general election debate.
Crist repeatedly mentioned McCain’s military service during Vietnam, arguing that national security will be one of the big three issues. The other two — experience and opposition to tax hikes — will ultimately benefit McCain over the Democratic nominee, Crist added.
Crist had on display his usual easy manner with reporters, lobbing jokes and asking questions of his own. That the swing-state governor enjoys high approval numbers, particularly with minorities, is one of several reasons his name has consistently been mentioned as a possible running mate.
But he has also waded into a potential danger area for Republicans running for office this year, calling President Bush “a great leader.”
In his interview, Crist implied that Republican candidates shouldn’t try to run from the unpopular president, but that candidates like McCain should focus on the “roots” of the Republican Party.
“The best thing John McCain can do is be John McCain,” Crist said.
Part of that is continuing to bash the congressional practice of earmarks, which Crist calls a waste of tax dollars.
On the issue of whether Florida delegates should be punished for holding their primary before rules allowed, Crist said he wants to see all of the state’s Republican delegates seated at the convention. The governor, who signed into law Florida’s rule-breaking early primary, added he did not foresee how much trouble the Democratic Party would have with the rule issue.
The DNC stripped the state of all of its delegates for holding its primary Jan. 29, earlier than the approved window. The Republican National Committee (RNC) only stripped the state of half of its delegates.
Crist blasted what he called the “stupid” disenfranchisement of Florida voters by the DNC.
“I think it’s foolish what they’ve done,” Crist said. “Who’s running the show up there?”
Crist added he doesn’t think that voters in the state will punish the eventual nominee from either party. The governor said delegate counts are not on the minds of average voters, as evidenced by the record turnout on both sides of the aisle in last month’s primary.
“I don’t think they care one wit,” he said.
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