Welcome to

Governor Charlie Crist today made official his entry into the US Senate Race. He was immediately endorsed by the Chairman of the Republican US Senatorial Committee. And as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the governor chose a decidedly low key approach.

The Crist announcement came in the form of a low key email just after 9 a.m. Then at a news event to introduce the new acting state emergency director, Crist had to be asked about the race and seemed almost bashful.

“The challenges that Florida faces are not just Florida challenges, they are national issues,” Crist said. “And as a result of that, I believe I can best serve the people of Florida, if they’re willing to allow me, as their next U.S. Senator.”

Then the governor was off to promote college for veterans and celebrate the state’s Spanish heritage.

By downplaying his Senate candidacy and showing up at three public events, the governor is basically saying to the public, ‘look, I’m doing my job.’

Crist’s popularity is astronomical. And although they can’t vote yet, he surprised these school kids from Pensacola by shaking each of their hands and making an impression.

He has the same affect on adults including state representative Clay Ford.

“He’s a shoo-in,” Ford said. “He’ll campaign hard, of course.”

Even Democrats concede he is the front runner.

“I think a lot of it depends on the type of campaigns that are run, but I would say the governor enters as the favorite in both the primary and the general,” Rep. Ron Saunders (D-Key West) said.

The First Campaign theme is already developing. Democrats are saying Crist is abandoning the state in a horrible mess. The Governor says he wants to go off to Washington to fix things.

Crist is expected to have primary opposition from former House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami. Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek and State Senator Dan Gelber are running on the Democratic side. There are also several lesser candidates interested in the race.