Gov. Charlie Crist met Wednesday with the legislative black caucus, and the Republican governor got a hero's welcome from the all-Democratic group, most of whose members endorsed his opponent, Jim Davis.

"He's the first black governor of the state of Florida," exulted Rep. Terry Fields of Jacksonville as he wrapped an arm around Crist's shoulder.

"It's a long way from our other governor," said Sen. Tony Hill. "But I'm not talking about nobody."

Crist met with the group for an hour, and he did it on their turf -- the Senate Office Building, not in the governor's office. He mostly listened to the lawmakers' concerns on education, health care, funding of hometown projects and the restoration of civil rights for ex-felons.

Crist left after a separate meeting at which Rep. Matt Meadows, D-Lauderhill, lobbied Crist for $1.5-million for a gospel music project for students in his Broward County district.