Crist channels Abe Lincoln -- but is he honest about it?

Gov. Charlie Crist continued his Lincoln Day Dinner speaking tour Thursday night with a stop in Vero Beach.

Crist's Indian River County appearance was advertised as a visit from "Governor Crist, not candidate Crist," but the campaigner just couldn't help himself.

"I'm asking for your vote," he told the dinner audience.

He then likened himself to Abe Lincoln, noting that the 16th president was trailing badly in his bid for re-election in 1864.

Though Crist received a warm enough reception in one of the most reliably GOP counties in Florida, a few key Republicans were absent. Former RPOF Chairwoman Carole Jean Jordan wasn't in attendance. Neither was Indian River County Commissioner Bob Solari.

Several staunch Republicans said privately that they expect Crist's opponent, Marco Rubio, to carry the county by a wide margin in August's GOP Senate primary.