Newt likes Marco but won't 'pick fight' with Charlie

During an interview on his way to the Broward Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day dinner, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich singled out Marco Rubio, a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Ginrich said the GOP needs to be the "party of solutions'' and pointed to Rubio's "100 ideas'' initiative when he led the Florida House.

"He's very attractive and very intelligent and works very hard and will be a major contender,'' Gingrich said. "I hope he has a great future.''

Asked about Rubio's potential Republican rival for the Senate, Gov. Charlie Crist, Gingrich softened his typically harsh criticism of President Barack Obama's spending plan. Crist broke with most of his party's leaders and strongly supported Obama's economic stimulus package.

"I'm not going to pick a fight with any governor in their home state,''  Gingrich said. "Any local politician offered what looks like free money is always tempted to take it. The problem is that none of this money is really free...I have a respectful disagreement with Gov. Crist."