John McCain Has Kind Words for Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is expressing his thoughts on some of the lead actors on Floridas political stage.

McCain considered then-Gov. Charlie Crist for his running mate when he was the Republican presidential candidate in 2008. Since then, Crist has joined the Democrats. Weighing in on Crists chance of defeating Gov Rick Scott in 2014, in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, McCain said he would have a hard time campaigning against Crist and said the former governor has a good chance of getting his old job back.

But McCain also had kind words for the man who defeated Crist in the U.S. Senate race back in 2010. McCain spoke to The New Republic and, while he wished Rubio would do more to push House Republicans on immigration reform, he praised the senator from Florida:

Marco Rubio has played a tremendously important role, he is very articulate, and he has been going out there on the talk shows. He has a bright future in the party. He is a valuable candidate for president. Some people say this will set him back, but remember, I got the nomination of the party after failing on immigration in 2007. Yes, he is new to the Senate, and yes, sometimes I would have liked for Marco to say, Hey John, I am going to say X, but that is minor stuff.