The real reason Georgia’s Sonny Perdue is raising money for Charlie Crist

It’s a useful political favor when it comes to the three-state water war that has pitted Georgia, Florida and Alabama against one another for rights to water flowing from Lake Lanier.

Perdue isn’t expected to be at the Cobb County event on Monday, but he added his name to the invitation – a cue to his supporters to turn out with their checkbooks. But with Crist facing stiff opposition from tea party favorite Marco Rubio in Florida, he could be grateful for the help, said University of Georgia political scientist Charles Bullock.

“Crist, because he is vulnerable, may be more willing to talk and negotiate,” Bullock said. “And Perdue is … offering to help (Crist) with his career crisis and is hoping Crist may be more amenable to helping Georgia.”