GOP Giddy After Debate

Posted Nov 7, 2007 by By Krista Klaus

Updated Nov 7, 2007 at 05:11 PM

State Republican party leaders couldn’t contain their enthusiasm about the weekend’s Presidency IV convention and debate in Orlando.

    “I couldn’t be more proud of this result,” said Gov. Charlie Crist after the debate. “What’s happening right here today is an example of the good wisdom of putting Florida in the forefront of choosing the next leader of the free world.”

    Crist praised state lawmakers for moving up the Florida primary election to Jan. 29, saying that Florida is getting the national attention it deserves as a result.

    “All roads lead to Florida. I think this is the place where the next nominee will be determined, if you want to know the truth,” Crist said.

    It appears at least one candidate, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney agrees. At a rally for the party faithful on Saturday, Romney pledged to restore all of Florida’s delegates if he’s the party’s nominee in ‘08.

    “If I’m the nominee, I will make sure all 114 Florida delegates get seated at that convention,” Romney told the cheering crowd of 3,000 GOP voters.

    Rep. Connie Mack, chair of Romney’s statewide steering committee, believes he will hold true to his pledge.

    “If anyone can make that happen,” Mack said, “it’s Mitt Romney.”