Bill Clinton leads South Florida rallies for Kendrick Meek

For financially strapped Senate candidate Kendrick Meek, the cavalry arrived Monday in the form of Bill Clinton, who rallied the Democratic troops Monday at three back-to-back rallies in South Florida.

The popular former president's appearances offered a shot of free publicity for Meek, a Miami congressman who's been outspent more than 5-1 on television by Palm Beach millionaire Jeff Greene.

``Look, I love Kendrick Meek,'' Clinton told roughly 1,000 people at a Delray Beach recreation center. ``I'd be here for him if I was the only vote he had in the entire country. I also believe with all my heart he should be the next U.S. senator from Florida.''

In the crucial run-up to the Aug. 24 primary, Meek will campaign with former Sen. Bob Graham in Miami Lakes on Tuesday and join President Barack Obama at a party fundraiser Wednesday in Miami Beach.

``Put your hands together for the 42nd president of the United States of America, William Jefferson Clinton!'' said an excited Meek in Delray Beach.

Greene, a real estate mogul with little support from the Democratic establishment, declared himself the outsider'' on MSNBC and campaigned Monday in the heart of Meek's congressional district in Liberty City. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off Nov. 2 against Republican Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running without party affiliation.

The day before he was slated to visit Haiti, Clinton delivered a sweeping defense of the Democratic agenda of health care reform, financial regulation and middle-class tax cuts.

``If you're a Democrat, you need to hold your head up,'' he said. ``I'm tired of reading how we're all belly-aching.''

Though Meek and Greene have made little secret of their contempt for each other, Clinton refrained from mudslinging.

``One guy has delivered for you,'' he said of Meek. ``The other guy has got more money and more ads.''

The Meek campaign hopes the Clinton rallies will drive Democrats to the polls in what is expected to be a low-turnout primary election.

``I'm here to see Bill. I have to be honest,'' said Marilyn Edelstein, 70, of Boynton Beach, who attended the Delray Beach rally. ``But I'm interested in Kendrick too. I'm a true Democrat ...''

The relationship between the two men dates back to 1991, when Clinton was a little-known Arkansas governor in Florida at the start of his presidential bid and Meek was a state trooper on security detail. Clinton has headlined five fundraisers for Meek since he began running for the Senate. about 18 months ago.

Clinton called Meek ``a very close friend of Hillary's and mine,'' and joked that the crowds were ``stuck'' with the former president because Secretary of State Hillary Clinton can't participate in campaigns.

Clinton was speaking at the Signature Grand in Davie. His last stop Monday night was at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.

While Meek was with Clinton, Greene stumped at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Liberty City, where about 100 people attended a birthday party-like rally with a bounce house, face paint and balloon hats.

``It feels like a celebration,'' Greene said. ``I really want to give you folks something to celebrate. That's why I'm running for Senate.''

Greene said that ``I know this is Kendrick Meek's district. He's a perfectly nice fellow, and I'm a big fan of his mom, who was an exceptional congresswoman.''

Nicolas Cage ‘Excited’ To Get Started On ‘Ghost Rider’ SequelIn his first TV spot, Kendrick Meek takes aim at Jeff Greene