Gov. Charlie Crist's press shop just issued an update confirming that Crist has asked longtime Congressman C.W. Bill Young to apply for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Mel Martinez. But Young, R-Indian Shores, said earlier today that the topic of Young filling the post did not come up during a 15-minute conversation Saturday night with Crist.

Instead, the conversation, initiated by Crist, centered on what kind of person would be good for the job, Young said. Young said he told the governor the choice would reflect on Crist as he campaigns for the seat during the 2010 election cycle.

Young said he was surprised to read in a newspaper article that state Republican Party chairman Jim Greer was counting him among the possible candidates.

As to whether he would consider it, Young, 78, was cautious about committing.

"I don't think I'm prepared to say yes or no,'' he said. "It's purely hypothetical.''

On the other hand, he didn't sound like someone who would be ready to step aside for Crist at the end of the interim term.

"Anybody he appoints is going to have to understand that Charlie says he's going to run for a full term. That's a big issue with me,'' Young said. "Am I really ready to retire at the end of the term?''

Facing about five foot-high stacks of health care bills on his desk, Young went on to say, "I feel good, I have lots of energy. There's a lot of work to be done in the House.''

*