The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 4)

ROMNEY CHECKS McCAIN br> If Sen. John McCain was anticipating endorsements from Sen. Mel Martinez and Gov. Charlie Crist in the Florida primary, he's in for a disappointing surprise, according to Romney campaign aides. /p>

"If those guys want a political future in this state, they will sit on the sidelines," says one Romney adviser. "We have some of the biggest Florida fundraisers with us right now, and if Mel or Charlie went with McCain, we'd make them both pay when it came time for them to get donor dollars for another race."

Martinez was telling friends he was prepared to endorse McCain last week, and the McCain campaign was privately crowing about both Martinez and Crist endorsements. But Romney supporters in Florida have been putting pressure on both pols to sit on the sidelines in this primary state, threatening to make life difficult for them financially if they go with another candidate.

"This is so typical of the Romney people thinking they can buy their way to a victory," says a McCain aide in Tallahassee. "We think in the end we'll get both endorsements. It just might take a little extra effort."

p> CATHOLIC COACHING br> St. Louis University head basketball coach

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