Bill Clinton Is Back in Kendrick Meek's Corner, Campaigns for Senate Hopeful

Bill Clinton was back on the campaign trail Monday for Florida Democratic Senate hopeful Kendrick Meek, a candidate he may -- or may not have -- urged to drop out of the race at one point.

Clinton reportedly talked to Meek -- at least in a round-about way -- about the possibility of suspending his campaign and supporting independent Charlie Crist, a moderate who is the current governor. Meek is running third in the polls in a contest led by conservative Republican -- and tea party favorite -- Marco Rubio. Meek said last week that Clinton did not ask him directly to get out of the race and insists he never agreed to any such arrangement.

On Monday, Clinton was in Orlando and it was back to full-throttle campaigning for the Democratic ticket, including gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink, according to the Washington Post. Clinton leaped onto the stage at a rally and gripped the hands of his friend Meek. "I keep looking for this enthusiasm gap the Republicans say exists and I can't find it to save my life," the former president said to cheers from a crowd of about 500, which batted around beach balls in downtown Orlando.

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who is not facing reelection this fall, dismissed the idea of any awkwardness between Clinton and Meek. "This was a love fest. He's campaigned for Kendrick 14 times," Nelson said. "What other candidate could say that?"