Crist should greet Obama

First, Gov. Charlie Crist supported the Republican-led Legislature's special session last month when it agreed to seek federal stimulus dollars for the first link of a high-speed train. Then he signed the bill.

But now that President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are coming to Tampa Thursday — reportedly to confirm the deal — he's not sure he can finagle his schedule to show up? The U.S. Senate candidate, facing a tough primary, is apparently worried about how it would play with the Republican base to be seen with the nation's top two Democrats. He's still getting blowback from the so-called man hug he gave Obama in February, when the president brought the first federal stimulus check to town (and which the Legislature was only too happy to spend).

It's time for the governor, who is normally a gracious host, to show up and do his job. This isn't a partisan play. It's about what could be the crowning achievement of his administration.

Overnight, the game would change for Central Florida, from the immediate jobs that come with building the first link between Tampa and Orlando to the long-term economic gains created by investing in mass transit. Crist and legislative leaders should be clamoring to be on the stage to embrace what is expected to be $2 billion-plus in federal largesse at a time when 11.8 percent of Floridians are out of work.

That doesn't mean Crist has to give Obama a hug. Just a thank you, on behalf of all the people of Florida.