Palin in Florida at critical time for McCain

As Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrives in Clearwater this morning for a blockbuster tour of Florida, she will be flying around with Gov. Charlie Crist, while scooping up campaign cash and enthusiasm for the Republican presidential ticket.

Palin's high-profile visit, her second to Florida, comes at a pivotal time. Polls show Democrat Barack Obama is now reaping a reward in the polls for having spent millions in advertising over the summer, and Florida Republicans have begun to question the strategy of Sen. John McCain's campaign in the state.

As an apparent sign of the tension between the state party and the McCain campaign, Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer is welcome to attend the events, as long as he makes his own travel arrangements.

The snub comes after Greer forced a tense, top-secret meeting Tuesday with McCain's Florida team and offered a critical take on what it needs to do to prevail in the must-win state.

Greer had already drawn stares from fellow Republicans for comments he made to the New York Times about Palin's shaky TV interviews with Katie Couric.

"She needs to be briefed more on certain aspects," he said. "She continues to be viewed very positively by the base of the party, but she needs to demonstrate that she's got the knowledge and ability to be president should the need arise."

The intramural distraction will surely be overshadowed by the huge crowds expected for Palin, who remains a darling of the Republican Party base even as critics, some within the GOP, question her fitness for the role of vice president.

In addition to Clearwater, she has events planned in Fort Myers, Jacksonville and Pensacola.

So many tickets were requested in Fort Myers that the campaign moved the event to a larger location.

In Jacksonville, the McCain-Palin office set up a two-lane drive-through system Friday to hand out free tickets to Palin's rally, and at one point the line was three blocks long.

Palin's trip is a crucial moment for the McCain campaign. At least four polls last week showed Obama with the lead, though a Florida Chamber of Commerce survey released on Friday had McCain with a slight edge.

McCain's top political advisers acknowledge he will have to step up the effort. In a conference call Thursday, they noted how President Bush won Florida four years ago but only after waging a "very aggressive" campaign.

"It was not a state that anyone would have considered safe throughout the election," political director Mike DuHaime said on the same day word got out that McCain would pull out of Michigan, once thought to be a battleground state.

The McCain campaign wants more than votes in Florida — it wants cash. Palin's less visible but equally important goal for her visit: raising $3-million.

The fundraisers are today at a resort in Boca Raton and at the Naples home of Republican donor Jack Donahue, reportedly at $10,000 per person; and Tuesday at the Jacksonville Jaguars' football stadium.

But Greer isn't sure how much he'll be around. He said he expects to participate in Palin events today but would get his own transportation. He has flown with McCain on recent visits and denied he was being shut out with Palin.

Comments on this article

by not blind	Oct 8, 2008 5:07 PM
Pax. Obama may have been 8 when Ayers was blowing up Americans at home, but he was an adult when he chose to take advantage of his support.

by Tim	Oct 7, 2008 4:45 PM
Palin may be a great mom and just like the rest of the middle class, but in the position she seeks I want the best and the brightest; not just "average joe". We need more than her wit to lead this country right now.

by Suzie	Oct 7, 2008 4:44 PM
Once again Sp Times chose not to print my comment because I am Republican. This paper is so biased it's ridiculous. I'm moving on to a real newspaper that is not biased against anyone not Democrat.

by Joe6pack	Oct 7, 2008 3:22 PM
McCain/Palin are the worst and most frightening people since Dick Cheney. Wake up Florida, Obama 08'

by The Dodger	Oct 7, 2008 3:10 PM
Waht would Jum Grer know about how to win Florida. All he seems to know how to do is run a personal expenses on the RPOF American Express card- to the tune of $543,000 this year alone !How much of that was spent on Gentlemen's clubs?

by Obama Fan	Oct 7, 2008 3:05 PM
"McCain's top political advisers acknowledge he will have to step up the effort. In a conference call Thursday, they noted how President Bush won Florida four years ago but only after waging a "very aggressive" campaign." Ya, it's called cheating!

by snowbird	Oct 7, 2008 1:43 PM
It's a shame to see that hate is live and well in the State of Florida. McCain has sunk to a new low.

by NickD	Oct 7, 2008 1:42 PM
What America and the world needs at this critical time is a New Deal, and the only New Deal on the table is Barack Obama. Can you guys really take this John McCain/Sarah Palin seriously? No one else outside of the USA does, I promise you!

by a	Oct 7, 2008 12:27 PM
give her a 6 pack for joe and let her go back home to her kids soccer games. i think we are about over it...

by Arnold	Oct 7, 2008 12:25 PM
Jake - The "Content" of Obama's "Character" is entirely germaine when evaluating his fitness to be President. He has no more character, judgment or honesty than most "democratic" politicians, and LESS patriotism! You don't care, but we do!

by Wes	Oct 7, 2008 12:02 PM
McCain-Palin have bailed out of Michigan. What states will be next?

by Mark	Oct 7, 2008 11:58 AM
Samuel - Check your facts - She has been a Republican since 1982, when she first registered.

by Jake Jamahl	Oct 7, 2008 11:58 AM
Nice manners Florida! Reading these comments reminds me of a sports blog minus the intelligence. It must be too difficult to think beyond the talking points of your political party to discuss actual issues that will affect Americans. Sheeple rule!!!!

by John L.	Oct 7, 2008 10:58 AM
Why don't we not only put Obama in the WHite House but make some extra keys to the WHite House and Capitol for Farrakhan and any Muslims and/or Palestinians who want a set for themselves. I think that would be quite hospitable, don't you?????

by Joann	Oct 7, 2008 10:32 AM
The Palestinians are dying to get Obama in office,just aching to give him money, doing anything they can to get him elected, and why?

by Arnold	Oct 7, 2008 10:25 AM
Sushi: How could we doubt the unbiased Wash. Post? Such good hearing, one voice out of 5-10,000? Even if true, would that mean the others all shared the thought? You're no intellectual! Probably not a Christian, either! Who'd you impress? Nobody!

by Arnold	Oct 7, 2008 10:25 AM
You lefties apparently don't realize that Republicans and Independents DO care about the facts of Obama's background, which are damning, despite your denials and lack of patriotism. What'll happen to your party when it goes 0 for 3? I'll be laughing!

by Arnold	Oct 7, 2008 10:19 AM
How typical of the lefties to conveniently pretend that the head of the Keating investigation didn't clear McCain of any involvement, which he did. That's "not guilty", losers, despite your attempted smear! You have no honor! You think lying is ok!

by Arnold	Oct 7, 2008 10:18 AM
FactChecker: Lincoln was a Patriot, and the wisest and best President we've had. You shame yourself by comparing Obama to Lincoln. Obama is without question the WORST candidate in history, worse than Carter. Lincoln, JFK, MLK wouldn't speak to him.

by Don C.	Oct 7, 2008 10:17 AM
Blagojevich, Rezko, Father Phleger, Farrakhan, the PLO, Hamas, MOST modern day criminals and convicts don't have friends who are this shady.

by Ellen	Oct 7, 2008 9:20 AM
I gotta tell ya, WHO CARES? McBane and Failin are just more of the same GOP who loot the treasury for their buddies. Tell you what--I'll stop hating the GOP when they stop trickling on me!

by Ann	Oct 7, 2008 9:20 AM
Now Sarah Palin can claim to have been in a state just 90 miles from Cuba! Has she gotten her passport yet? Someday she might go to Texas and be right next door to Mexico!

by Pax

Oct 7, 2008 9:20 AM

When Ayers was placing bombs Obama was 8 year old, but when McCain was palling around with John Singlaub a major player in the Iran-Contra scandal McBush was a grown man. When McBush sat on the board of the World Anti Communist League, a racist nazi radical organiztion he was a grown man. When McBush was part of the Keating 5 McBush was a grown man. I wonder if republicans really want to go down this way.

by Bill	Oct 7, 2008 9:20 AM
Palin is in oil's back pocket, only reason for her ascent. A harvard grad vs. a barely grad who relies on her looks but please keep her on her pedestal? Dan Qualye is a genius by comparison. Put down the snakes and read some books folks.

by Joey	Oct 7, 2008 9:19 AM
Can you say "new-cue-lar"? Is there any sane individual who would want Sarah Palin to potentially have access to our nuclear codes? Bring on the "End of Days"!

by Sam	Oct 7, 2008 9:19 AM
I would like to ask her about her involvement with Pastor Muthee.

by john	Oct 7, 2008 9:19 AM
The Palin Campaign used children as props in coachman park. The 8th grade class from St.Cecilias catholic school where taken to coachman park by bus and were supposed to be put behind palin on the stage, but were late and were put in the field. WHY?

by Marcia	Oct 7, 2008 9:19 AM
Failed to note that Palin is only being sent to areas that play to her base. They are not bringing her into other places where independents can hear her. or democratic areas. She is preaching to the choir .. she will gain NOTHING . she is a PUPPET

by Tom	Oct 7, 2008 9:19 AM
I'm personally offended by McCain's choice of Palin as running mate. He just proved he doesn't care about the country, or our problems, he's just cares about winning. Disgusting. His slogan should be MCCAIN FIRST.

by kathleen	Oct 7, 2008 9:19 AM
Reporters not allowed to ask anyone in the crowd questions per Palin security??? Afraid the supporter/apples don't fall far from the candidate/tree? Well...

by Palin	Oct 7, 2008 9:19 AM
Todd Palin = Alaskan Independence Party. WOW!

by Newport	Oct 7, 2008 9:18 AM
Hey wasabi - Guess what? ALL papers ARE biased - just as YOU are biased. Have you not yet realized that EVERYONE has an opinion yet? Me included? Or would you actually prefer a STATE RUN newspaper, with only ONE opinion OR ELSE?

by John	Oct 7, 2008 9:17 AM
Before you vote for McCain and "You Betcha" take a good look at you stock portfolio, & your 401K! The credit standards may have been in place before Bush was elected, but he did nothing to stop corporate greed from destroying our country. NO McSame!!

by Mark	Oct 7, 2008 9:17 AM
by Jo Anne Oct 6, 2008 12:00 PM Last 30 days is when the real campaigning begin. Remember Kerry in 2004. He had a much bigger lead. WRONG. Bush was way ahead from August 2004 on.

by Arnold	Oct 7, 2008 9:17 AM
Obama has associated himself with Wright, Phleger, Farrakhan, Ayers & Dohrne, Rezko and Abortion extremists not in SPITE of their activities, but BECAUSE of them!