Supporters Of Katherine Harris (R-FL) Feel Betrayed By GOP Establishment

The Hill ^ | June 29, 2005 | Bob Cusack

[Clintonfatigued]

"It's unimaginable that the White House folks and the National Republican Senatorial Committee would be so disloyal to Katherine Harris, especially after all she has done for the Bush family and the Republican Party," a Florida political operative who supports Harris said. "It's unconscionable and a stab in the back."

[Clintonfatigued]

I don't blame the White House for being concerned about Harris's viability, but sneaking behind her back to find primary opposition is an outright betrayal.

[highball]

"all she has done for the Bush family"?

I'll admit some ignorance here, but what are they talking about? The 2000 election? That was her job, nothing more.

[FairOpinion]

It usually helps to read the article. ;) And you don't need to register to read this one.

"The operative added, "If it is true, they should be ashamed and embarrassed, considering she stepped aside at their request for the president and Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) in 2004. It's her turn."

People loyal to Harris claim her move not to run last year demonstrated her loyalty, noting that the president has already won his reelection bid. Some in the White House were concerned that a Harris run in 2004 would have hurt Bush's chances in the Sunshine State."

[Always Right]

i believe she headed up the campaign for Bush in Florida

[Pikamax]

couple of things, No one should think its their "time" in politics, if she is good enough to beat the others in a primary so be it. But to think everyone should be cleared out of the way is nonsense.

They have not gone behind her back, they have been upfront about interviewing other candidates because in every poll including mason-dixon she is getting beat by a weak incumbent by a huge margin. If she wants to be given a chance, whining doesn't cut it.

[k2blader]

The (R)'s use their people just like the (D)'s use theirs. It won't change unless the party is made over.

[Luke21]

I find it interesting how the same people who encouraged Queen Brunhillary to run for the senate think Harris is too polarizing a figure to do the same.

[Altair333]

Agree, a Senate seat is just too important not to run our best candidate. She should have tried for a House seat instead.

[CyberAnt]

This is a Bush-bash - that's all.

Katherine Harris didn't support Jeb Bush for gov. and he didn't support her for Sec of State.

That fact was pointed out during the 2000 election. Why now is everybody saying it's the Bush family who is being somehow disloyal to Harris.

"After all she's done for the Bush family". ALL HARRIS DID WAS HER JOB.

When are people going to get this.

Why is the GOP expected to support her now. The public may love her .. but I can understand that she brings up a lot of bad memories in FL - and we certainly cannot afford to lose a senate seat.

However, name recognition is important and for that reason it's a toss-up .. would the name recognition be a help or a hindrance. Hard to tell.

[marron]

after all she has done for the Bush family and the Republican Party,"

Uh, no.

I like Harris because she is smart, she has guts, and she's been tested in the fire.

But she did nothing for Bush or the Republican Party. All she did is follow the law. There is no payback for following the law, you do your duty and let the chips fall where they may. This time it may help one party, next time another, but the law is the law.

When she is executing her duty she is neither Republican nor Democrat.

But she carried herself with grace under fire, and she has character, which is reason enough to support her. She would be a worthy member of the Senate. Whether she can win or not is another question, something she and her advisers will have to work out. I would hate to see her give up her congressional seat if she can't win the senate.

[highball]

Thanks for the clarification.

I have to echo the statement that I don't like anyone who thinks its their "turn." I didn't like it when Bob Dole said it, I don't like it when supporters of Harris say it.

The public trust must be earned, and constantly re-earned. It doesn't "belong" to anybody.

[doc11355]

Agree, a Senate seat is just too important not to run our best candidate. She should have tried for a House seat instead.

Doesn't she already have a House seat?

[byteback]

I'm not sure that Harris can win but she's earned the right to run. She stepped aside for Martinez in a Presidential year to run against an incumbant in '06. The WH doesn't have to support her but should at least take a hands off on challengers.

[no dems]

She already holds a House seat. This shows how much people "DON'T" know about her.

[k2blader]

The public trust must be earned, and constantly re-earned.

Indeed. But if republicans really believed that, they'd have no problem with conservatives choosing to vote 3rd party.

[no dems]

C'mon. That's "Good ol' boy politics." What do you mean she "earned the right to run". This is still America and anyone who wants to do so can run for public office. It was Bob Dole's "time to run in 1996" and the GOP took a good ol' fashioned butt whoopin'.

Enought already. Go for the best candidate.

[Flux Capacitor]

----The operative added, "If it is true, they should be ashamed and embarrassed, considering she stepped aside at their request for the president and Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) in 2004. It's her turn."----

I don't give a damn whether or not career politicians get their "turns" on the merry-go-round. What I care about is seeing the GOP nominate a strong conservative who can win this seat. The White House is worried, and well it should be, considering that Harris is soundly beaten in every poll taken for what is arguably the most winnable Senate seat for Republicans next cycle. I like Katherine Harris, I admire her for standing firm in 2000, but she's kidding herself if she thinks she's going to beat Bill Nelson.

-Dan

[highball]

Maybe she's "earned the right to run".

Doesn't mean she's earned the right to run unopposed....

[no dems]

Good point.