George LeMieux Plays Political Judo with Connie Mack on Ties to Crist

With his battle with Congressman Connie Mack for the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson continuing to intensify, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux continued to hammer his GOP rival and looked to play a little political judo over former Gov. Charlie Crist.

LeMieux was a longtime friend and ally of Crist, serving as his chief of staff and as deputy attorney general under him. Crist appointed LeMieux to the Senate to serve for 16 months. Having abandoned the Republicans after being surpassed by Marco Rubio, Crist continued to run for the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation.

Speaking to members of the news media on Friday, LeMieux insisted that he had backed Rubio as soon as Crist left the GOP -- and maintained that Mack had backed Crist for months after.

Connie Mack had a very strong relationship with the former governor, said LeMieux.