Randy Quoted in Orlando Sentinal ( High Speed Rail )

Mica, at a news conference in Winter Park on Monday, said he might support only a portion of the route, from the airport to Walt Disney World, because it has the potential to draw tourists. The remainder of the leg, he said, could be a money loser. "The last thing I want is for this to be a boondoggle," he said.

But state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, predicted at the convention center that Scott ultimately would back the train.

"His entire campaign is about jobs, jobs, jobs. I don't know of any other project that can do that with so very little investment on our [the state's] part," said Dockery, serving on Scott's transition team.

That promise was good news to Randall Boggess, who manages a metal-fabrication plant in Mulberry in Polk County. It makes more sense to spend money on a high-speed train rather than on unemployment benefits and welfare, he said.

"We're already spending the money," he said. "That's all moving out with no return. That's failure."

Dan Tracy can be reached at dtracy@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5444.