Gov. Charlie Crist introduced Arizona Sen. John McCain this morning at a quick breakfast mixer at the Paradigm. Afterward, they huddled for a few minutes in the governor's Capitol office before he jetted back to DC.
McCain made two trips to Florida last year to support then-AG Crist's run for governor, including once during his contested primary with Tom Gallagher.
"He's been very kind to Florida. He was very kind to me last year," Crist said after the event.
So, were the kind words a wink-and-nod endorsement back from the chief of the nation's biggest swing state?
"Not hardly," McCain scoffed.
"They're all great," Crist evaded.
The governor who owes a campaign debt to all three GOP frontrunners called it good for the party to have a competition, and said he also hoped to meet with fellow GOP hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani when they come to town next month.
"I think we've got great candidates, and the fact that they take time to come to Florida is significant," Crist said. "I think as the governor of our state, it's only right and courteous to welcome them here."
No word on whether he'll also roll out the carpet for Sen. Barack Obama's Tally stop Friday.