Rubio to visit Sarasota for fundraiser

U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio - a darling of no less than Sarah Palin - will be in Sarasota later this week to pick up some cash for his campaign.

Rubio, a former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, is currently leading in most opinion polls in the race against Gov. Charlie Crist for the Republican nomination for the seat now held by Sen. George Lemieux, who was appointed by Crist after Mel Martinez resigned.

On Thursday, Rubio is scheduled to appear at a fundraiser sponsored by Sarasota Volunteers for Marco Rubio at the Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. The event will run from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

So far this year, Rubio has raised more than three times as much money as Crist for their respective campaigns. Rubio has reported raising $3.6 million, and Crist has raised $1.1 million.

Organizers are asking attendees at the Sarasota event to donate between $500 and $2,400 - the maximum allowed by federal election law during the primary campaign. For more information or to donate a smaller amount, contact Gale Wyman at (941) 312-6100 or wymanlees1@comcast.net

Giluiani takes his revenge out on Charlie Crist

Rudy Giluiani hung his 2008 presidential bid on a strong showing in the Florida Republican primary. His campaign, however, was derailed by several factors - including Gov. Charlie Crist's endorsement of John McCain a few days before Republicans went to the polls.

On Monday, Giluiani finally got his payback against the governor when he endorsed Marco Rubio for the Republican nomination for Senate.

"This is an easy choice. Not just for Republicans but for Floridians. He is the one and only candidate we can trust to represent Republican principles in Washington,'' Giuliani said during a 20-minute speech in Coral Gables.

Giliuani finished a distant third in the 2008 primary, so it may be overstating it to conclude that Crist's non-endorsement doomed his candidacy. Or that it will give that much of an edge to Rubio.

But politicians have long memories, and when given a chance, like the one Giuliani had Monday, they aren't shy about taking out their revenge when they feel slighted.

Live from Sarasota, it's Karl Rove

In case you can't afford a ticket or being in a roomful of Republicans is not your idea of fun, you'll still have a chance Wednesday to listen in when Karl Rove speaks at the Sarasota County Republican party's Lincoln Day Dinner.

Rove, the reputed "mastermind" behind George W. Bush's political career, will address GOP faithful gathered at the Hyatt Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts. (Tickets start at $150 each; you can register here.)

A private reception will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., a cocktail reception from 6 to 7 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m.

But you'll also be able to listen to Rove talk about health care reform and other topics via your computer. Get details of the Webcast here.

Rubio, FOX News wait for Crist to decide on debate

FOX News has agreed to host a debate between Gov. Charlie Crist and former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio so Florida Republicans can decide who should be the party's nominee for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Naked Politics, the Miami Herald's political blog, reports that Rubio, the darling of many of the same conservatives who made FOX News Channel the No. 1 cable TV news network, has accepted an invite for a March 28 debate, so all that is needed now is for Crist to do the same.

The debate would be moderated by FOX's Chris Wallace, and take place either in Florida or in Washington, D.C.

"We've made no secret about our enthusiasm to debate Charlie Crist in this campaign so when FOX News proposed, we accepted,'' said Rubio spokesman Alex Burgos.

Report: Tampa on short list for 2012 GOP convention (UPDATED)

Tampa has made the list of final four cities being considered to host the Republican National Convention in 2012, according to the St. Petersburg Times' political blog.

No word on who the other finalists might be, but the Salt Lake Tribune reported over the weekend that Salt Lake City also is on the list. Other cities that were believed to have put in bids include Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Antonio, Houston and Indianapolis.

Holding the convention in Florida - albeit in the middle of hurricane season - might appeal to a Republican party looking to wrestle back the White House from Barack Obama.

Undoubtedly, Florida will again be a key battleground in the race.

But maybe not if a Sunshine State favorite launches a presidential bid in 2012.

UPDATED, 6 p.m. EST - Phoenix reportedly is also a finalist.