In Absentia, Rick Scott is Cheered by Republican Party Crowd in Orlando

One of the biggest applause lines at Friday night's RPOF gathering in Orlando was former House Speaker Allan Bense's praise for Gov. Rick Scott.

"I want to commend the fact that Governor Scott didn't meddle in this race," Bense said in wrapping up an hourlong forum featuring the five candidates for state chairman.

Though the governor is the titular head of the party, Scott has kept his distance from the chair race. He reportedly has not bound his 10 voting delegates to any particular candidate -- and that hands-off policy appears to be playing well with party functionaries who all too well remember the disaster that ensued when Gov. Charlie Crist installed his pal Jim Greer as chairman.

Joe Gruters, one of the candidates for chairman, believes a large segment of the RPOF delegates remains undecided this year.

"They may have a favorite, but they're open to being persuaded, too," said the Sarasota County party chairman, who has traveled more than 5,000 miles visiting with GOP delegates across the state in recent weeks.

The five candidates will make their final pitch starting at 9 a.m. Saturday ahead of the scheduled vote at the Dolphin Resort at Epcot. Scott is expected to attend, and cast his ballot, at that time.