Speaking to delegates from Florida and South Carolina on Monday, Gov. Nikki Haley said those from the Sunshine State are being counted upon to carry presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to victory.
We cant win this without you, Haley told the delegates during the Fresh From Florida steak-and-egg breakfast at the Innisbrook Resort and Spa in Palm Harbor.
Republican National Convention delegates from Florida and South Carolina have been assigned to the lush, out-of-the-way resort, as a penalty by the Republican National Committee for their states moving forward on the calendar presidential preference primaries.
Florida, this comes down to you, Haley continued. We will have your back but we need you to go out and change five voters from last time -- five people that voted for Obama; we need them voting for Mitt Romney this time.
Asked about Haleys analysis of the pending contest, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry quickly agreed.
Mitt Romney cannot win the presidency without winning Florida, Curry said.
Curry added that the platform that will be adopted, and for many in the media has been a source of exclusion toward women and Hispanics, wont be supported by all party members and that Romney will be running on his own message and vision.
We re going to have to communicate our message of opportunity, whether youre Hispanic, whether youre Caucasian, whether youre African-American, you can get a job so you can take care of your family, and that you can also dream big dreams and pursue opportunities and your kids can get an education and do the exact same thing.
Curry said party members are more closely in agreement on job creation and spending and entitlement problems, the big issues.
The latest poll from CNN, released Monday, shows Romney lagging slightly behind President Obama on the eve of the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Democrats hold their convention the following week.
Florida remains a key swing state, along with Ohio, Virginia and even Colorado.But some other states, such as Michigan, have shown signs of a shrinking advantage for Obama, according to Fox News.
While the state is expected to remain blue, the Obama campaign could be forced to spend more to retain Michigan --requiring Obama to divert campaign cash from key swing states.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
