Harris, GOP differ on Jeb Bush commitment: She says governor will stump for her -- is it true?

Orlando Sentinel ^ | 10 September 2006 | Jim Stratton and Daphne Sashin

[Alter Kaker]

U.S. Senate candidate Katherine Harris said Friday that Gov. Jeb Bush will campaign with her in the next two months, but the state GOP said no such commitment exists.

Harris, appearing in downtown Orlando, said she will travel with Bush and others as she seeks to defeat incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.

Nelson, meanwhile, formally kicked off his campaign Friday in Tampa, saying he wanted to "take our nation in a new direction."

Touring with Bush, the state's most powerful Republican, would bring Harris badly needed credibility and steady a campaign that, at times, appeared ready to collapse.

But Friday, it was unclear what Harris was talking about. The Governor's Office referred questions about Harris to the state party. And party spokesman Jeff Sadosky said the governor had not agreed to stump with Harris.

"We've not heard anything from the Governor's Office one way or the other," Sadosky said.

If Bush did join Harris, it would be a dramatic turnabout. The governor has criticized her campaign and said he did not think she could beat Nelson.

He said this week he supports her candidacy but has given no indication that he will do any heavy lifting for her.

Republican political consultant Todd Harris -- no relation to the candidate -- said he doesn't expect Bush to go beyond some helpful words. The Harris-Nelson race is too lopsided, he said, and resources are better spent on more competitive races.

"I'd be very surprised if any senior official from the party did much to help her," said Todd Harris, who worked on Bush's 2002 re-election campaign.

Early this week, Bush campaigned with a host of high-profile Republicans, including Charlie Crist, the party's gubernatorial nominee, and Tom Lee, its choice for chief financial officer. Harris was not invited.

[pissant]

GWB will stump for her.

[bill1952]

Ping.

[Truthsearcher]

He should.

[okstate]

Harris is delusional if she thinks even the Hardee County dog catcher will be campaigning for her.

[RobFromGa]

Why wouldn't he at this point?

[stm]

JEB has committed his support for he. He is an honorable man and I know he can be held to his word.

[sgtbono2002]

Certainly every republican should be campaigning for her. She won the Primary and is entitled to no less.

jeb should be right there with her as should the president.

[bill1952]

As if you have a clue what will happen here.

But hey, you do know how to listen to the MSM.

Keep on listening, okie.

[TitansAFC]

---"Early this week, Bush campaigned with a host of high-profile Republicans, including Charlie Crist, the party's gubernatorial nominee, and Tom Lee, its choice for chief financial officer. Harris was not invited."---

Ouch.

That one stings.

It's worth a visit from the Bush brothers to show support for anyone facing Nelson - even if the odds are astronomical. The fact that they don't really seem to be acknowledging that there is a Senate race in Florida is a bit disheartening.

I think they should at least make one appearance for her. I wouldn't count on it, though. Despite the hopes that the Florida and national GOP would start flooding the campaign with support no matter who won, only the endorsements of the primary opponents have been forthcoming so far.

I supported McBride, but it is time to focus on Nelson here. It doesn't help an already long-shot race when the President and/or Governor keep going out of their ways to help Crist and company, while not even inviting Katherine Harris.

Sadly, I now find myself pretty openly rooting for Lincoln Chafee over Steve Laffey. It seems that the national GOP isn't bluffing when they threaten to let unfavored candidates wither on the vine this election season. They must really feel threatened even more than they indicate.

I hope that Karl Rove still has a trick up his sleeve somewhere. But for crying out loud, stop lopping off the heads of Conservative candidates this year.

Sheesh!

[pissant]

I've read very little about Laffey that makes me want to support him over Chafee.

[deport]

GWB will stump for her.

---

Interesting..... I'm not sure that the President is that big of a help especially when you put both Ms. Harris and the President on the same podium to remind the voters of 2000 and 537 votes..... The President may could help with the Party turnout some but then this seems to have been a fractured primary somewhat in the Senate and Governor primaries..... There are still posters on this forum ranting about Gallagher's loss and slamming Crist.

With some luck maybe Ms. Harris can pull it closer to where at least the President may be able to help with some fund raisers.

November 2, 2004 General Election

Official Results

President and Vice President of the United States
	Bush / Cheney (REP)	Kerry / Edwards (DEM)	Peroutka / Baldwin (CPF)	Badnarik / Campagna (LIB)	Cobb / LaMarche (GRE)	Harris / Trowe (SWP)	Brown / Herbert (SPF)	Nader / Camejo (REF)
Total	3,964,522	3,583,544	6,626	11,996	3,917	2,732	3,502	32,971
% Votes	52.1%	47.1%	0.1%	0.2%	0.1%	0.0%	0.0%	0.4%

[montag813]

Oh c'mon, we all know she is a freak, but she is a damn loyal one, and the Bush brothers owe her big time.

[PhiKapMom]

You are so right! The President is not going to stump for her as it would be foolish to bring up 2000 in people's minds.

[Oystir]

Sorry, KH said herself that this is going to be a grassroots campaign and that is the way it is going to be. KH will not receive GOP funds (the $ will be grassroots or her own) and she will get minimal other support. This is a reality. This cannot not even be considered bad news; KH was told this before she ran. KH may get a photo op or two but GWB will not be overtly involved in her campaign nor will Jeb - they will be involved for Crist. Resources will go to tight races or potential upset states - the Florida Senate race is neither.

[JulieRNR21]

I've started a campaign along with 4integrity to ask FL Freepers who are Harris supporters to write to JEB and ask him to actively campaign with Katherine Harris for the Senate.

He responded to my email with this:

+++++++

I support Katherine and will encourage people to vote for her. However, my focus will be on the governor's race.

Jeb

---

Jeb Bush

+++++++

I think he answered me because I told him of my work in my home County and my position as Committeewoman in my Precinct which is heavily Republican.

So when you email JEB and ask others to email JEB tell them to include their activism for the party.

I believe that if he gets enough emails from the grassroots we can convince him do more than just say 'Vote for Katherine.'

We certainly need her conservative vote in the Senate and JEB's personal popularity and endorsement could help her beat Nelson.

Here's the email address he used to respond to me:
jeb@jeb.org

[mission9]

Thats the bottom line, this campaign must be grass roots or it is nothing. Deploy innovative grass roots we win. JEB and the Karl Roves of the GOP need a trip to the party wood shed. They have their finger in the air, and they think they can tell which way the wind is blowing.

[mission9]

I have had enough of this Kabuki dance. Katherine has paid for her place at the table of power.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

but the state GOP said no such commitment exists.

More backstabbing and innuendo by the FL GOP. They have no record that Jeb even mentioned this.

Both Jeb & President Bush has ALREADY met with Harris in June and one or both of them will campaign on her behalf down the stretch. But once again, we have bootlicking, low-level party hacks who are trying to work their way up the political establishment ladder by trying to throw some mud at Harris.

It's important for Harris, however, to just campaign and not worry about Jeb's endorsements. She won the primary without the establishment and she can definetly win the election without them too.

[deport]

JEB and the Karl Roves of the GOP need a trip to the party wood shed.

---

And you want to express that feeling openly even though Ms. Harris needs and wants their support.... Smart campaign move. On the other hand maybe they feel that Ms Harris is the one that needs a trip to woodshed... It is the Harris campaign that needs this so the campaign and her supporters need to get off their high horse and try to mend fences. JMO.