TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) --

In an interview published in Thursday's Tampa Tribune, the longtime bachelor says: "I'm ready."

Gay rights activists are planning to demonstrate outside the St. Petersburg wedding against the gay marriage ban that Florida voters passed last month. Crist said the protesters have a First Amendment right to do so.

On other topics, the Republican governor spoke glowingly about his meeting with President-elect Barack Obama earlier this week. Crist said Obama was in tune with Florida issues, and called the Democrat a "very gracious guy."

In response to news that former Gov. Jeb Bush is considering a run for the Senate, Crist dubbed him a "great Floridian."