Bill McCollum Says He Needs Taxpayers' Dollars to Get His Message Out

Really? After spending $30 million on his state and federal political campaigns and serving in public office for three decades, Bill McCollum needs public financing to get his message out?

Yep. The attorney general says he will, if allowed, tap the state's campaign kitty in an effort to keep up with Rick Scott's cash machine in the GOP gubernatorial primary.

Scott, a multimillionaire who has spent an estimated $15 million of his own money to wage his campaign, has vaulted to a 13-point lead over McCollum in the lastest poll.

If Scott's outlays top $24.9 million, McCollum will be eligible to receive up to $250 in state matching funds. That day may never come, however, as Scott last week established a "527" committee to raise additional funds -- which would not count toward his total.

Either way, Scott's campaign derides McCollum's hat-in-hand approach to public financing.

"Bill McCollum says he's opposed to public financing. He says he has to do it because he's running against a millionaire. What was his excuse when he took public money in 2006 (attorney general campaign)?" asked Jennifer Baker, spokeswoman for the Scott campaign.

"If, after spending well over $30 million in previous campaigns, you can't find support among Republicans to finance statewide campaign, that speaks more about your vision and your leadership," Baker said.