NPR: McCain Looks to Raise Money in Florida

McCain Looks to Raise Money in Florida

The hotly-contested Democratic presidential primary is hogging the spotlight these days, but the presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain is quietly campaigning in Florida.

McCain dropped by the popular Howley's restaurant in West Palm Beach where a small crowd gathered to see the presumptive nominee. Rebecca Gustafson serenaded the Arizona senator with "Hail to the Chief" ... on the kazoo.

McCain's effort doesn't have the drama of the Democratic contest, or the big bucks. He raised far less money in January than either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, but says more money is now coming in.

"It's going much better in the last few days, and I'm sure it will continue to get better. But we have a lot of work to do."

So McCain is holding a pair of fundraisers in the Sunshine State. He calls Florida a diverse state where a Republican can do well, but only if he responds to the issues of concern to voters.

"I'm confident that we can succeed here and win the state of Florida, but I also understand that it requires a lot of work. And the first thing to do is reenergize our party. We've got to reenergize our Republican party, not only here in Florida but around the country."

McCain was accompanied for part of the day by Florida's Republican Governor Charlie Crist. His endorsement helped McCain win the primary here, and Crist has been mentioned as a possible Vice Presidential pick.

-- Scott Horsley

12:50 PM ET | 03- 6-2008 | permalink

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