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Report: McCain Believes Crist Would Be Tough Opponent For Scott

TAMPA (CBSMiami) – While it's still more than a year until the gubernatorial election, it's widely expected that former Governor Charlie Crist will run as a Democrat and challenge Republican Governor Rick Scott; and at least one U.S. Senator believes Scott's in for quite a fight.

According to the Tamp Bay Times, Senator John McCain said Crist would be a tough candidate for Scott to beat in a general election.

"There are a lot of people who thought he did a good job when he was governor," McCain told the Tampa Bay Times. "Everything I hear from my friends in Florida is he's going to be very competitive."

Crist will carry the extra baggage of switching from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party if he chooses to run. However, he would likely be the Democrats' best chance at derailing a second Rick Scott term.

Still, while McCain believes Crist could mount a serious challenge, that doesn't necessarily mean the Arizona Senator would campaign for him, or against him.

"I couldn't do that (campaign for Crist)," McCain told the Times. "But I'm not sure I could campaign against him."

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