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Republican courts TV's Morning Joe for Florida Senate challenge (NRSC wants Joe Scarborough to run)
The Hill ^ | 3/10/2011 | Bob Cusack

Posted on 03/10/2011 9:17:04 PM PST by Qbert

Republicans in Washington are trying to recruit Joe Scarborough to run against Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) next year.

Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), who heads the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), told The Hill on Thursday that he has talked to Scarborough a couple times about a Senate bid. And he indicated he’s still working on persuading the MSNBC host to run for the upper chamber.

“I’d be delighted to talk to him a third time,” Cornyn said. In 2005, Republican campaign operatives tried to get Scarborough to challenge Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.) in the Senate GOP primary. Scarborough passed, and Nelson subsequently trounced Harris in the midterm elections.

Cornyn noted on Thursday that Scarborough’s name ID is higher now than it was back then. Scarborough has been with MSNBC for the past eight years, initially hosting “Scarborough Country” and now “Morning Joe.”

Scarborough is happy with what he is doing, Cornyn stressed. But Cornyn also made it clear that he thinks there is a chance Scarborough could run.

There has been speculation that Scarborough may launch a 2012 presidential bid or be a vice presidential candidate. Scarborough, a former House member, has not ruled out running for another political office. He will turn 48 next month.

Scarborough could not be reached for comment as of press time.

State Senate President Mike Haridopolos is already in the race for the Republican nomination, but the early days of his campaign have been dogged by an ethics controversy.

Other possible Republican candidates include former Sen. George LeMieux, Reps. Connie Mack and Vern Buchanan and former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner. Former Gov. Jeb Bush (R) has also been mentioned.

A recent poll by Mason-Dixon Polling Research shows that Nelson, who is serving his second term, is under the 50 percent mark against possible Republican challengers in five hypothetical match-ups. However, the only one who was ahead of Nelson is Bush, who is not expected to run. Scarborough was not included in that poll.

Scarborough would be viewed as a major recruiting victory for Cornyn. Democrats have a 53-47 majority over Republicans in the Senate, but they are defending 23 seats next year, while the GOP is defending only 10.

The Texas Republican has stressed this year that the NRSC will be far less involved in primaries than it was last cycle, when a few of its prized recruits were defeated.

In sharp contrast to other GOP figures, Scarborough has publicly ripped former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R). He has also sharply criticized conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh and former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who is expected to announce a bid for president this year.

Scarborough served with Gingrich, having been elected to the House in the historic class of 1994. He was easily reelected in 1996, 1998 and 2000. He resigned from the House in 2001.


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: cornyn; establishment; nrsc; rinos; scarborough
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Arlen Specter, Charlie Crist, Morning Schmo- Cornyn sure knows how to pick 'em. (/s)
1 posted on 03/10/2011 9:17:10 PM PST by Qbert
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To: Qbert

You left off the sarcasm tag...right?


2 posted on 03/10/2011 9:18:56 PM PST by icwhatudo ("laws requiring compulsory abortion could be sustained under the constitution"-Obama official)
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To: Qbert

Why don’t they try alan greyson? I hear he’s out of a gig...;-)


3 posted on 03/10/2011 9:19:36 PM PST by rockrr ("Remember PATCO!")
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To: Qbert

“Republicans in Washington are trying to recruit Joe Scarborough to run against Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) next year.”

Maybe they mean they want him to run against him in the democrat primary. That way the GOP can win more easily against a liberal.


4 posted on 03/10/2011 9:21:33 PM PST by icwhatudo ("laws requiring compulsory abortion could be sustained under the constitution"-Obama official)
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To: Qbert
Oh Hell No!!!


5 posted on 03/10/2011 9:21:41 PM PST by darkwing104 (Lets get dangerous)
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To: Qbert

They can’t be series.


6 posted on 03/10/2011 9:21:48 PM PST by EDINVA
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To: icwhatudo

(/s)- abbreviated sarcasm tag.


7 posted on 03/10/2011 9:21:58 PM PST by Qbert ("I seem to smell the stench of appeasement in the air" - Margaret Thatcher)
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To: Qbert

Dead office help alert...


8 posted on 03/10/2011 9:22:09 PM PST by gov_bean_ counter (I am declaring 2011 the year of ME.)
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To: Qbert
Republicans in Washington are trying to recruit Joe Scarborough to run against Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) next year.

Where - in the Democratic Primary?

9 posted on 03/10/2011 9:22:25 PM PST by Cowboy Bob (Greed + Envy = Liberalism)
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To: Qbert

I’d vote for Nelson


10 posted on 03/10/2011 9:22:55 PM PST by pissant ((Bachmann 2012 - Freepmail to get on/off PING list))
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To: Qbert

THIS — is the best the NRSC can do?! Geez — NRSC has learned exactly ZERO from last November. NRSC — you run Mornin’ Schmoe, and the Tea Party in Florida will EAT YOUR LUNCH, just like they did with Christ! What morons!


11 posted on 03/10/2011 9:22:55 PM PST by patriot preacher
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To: Qbert; darkangel82; Clintonfatigued; AuH2ORepublican; Impy; Clemenza; Crichton; BillyBoy; ...

Was Mark Foley unavailable ?


12 posted on 03/10/2011 9:23:05 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Amber Lamps !"~~)
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To: Qbert

Chokin’ Joe’s toast!
The guy would sell the US out faster than Harry Reid!


13 posted on 03/10/2011 9:23:11 PM PST by griswold3 (Character determines destiny)
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To: Qbert

He’s been corrupted by MSNBC.


14 posted on 03/10/2011 9:23:13 PM PST by umgud
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To: Qbert

Go West!


15 posted on 03/10/2011 9:24:00 PM PST by fantail 1952 (Truth is a virus!)
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To: rockrr

It wouldn’t surprise me if this idiot asked Charlie Crist to run again...


16 posted on 03/10/2011 9:24:09 PM PST by Qbert ("I seem to smell the stench of appeasement in the air" - Margaret Thatcher)
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To: patriot preacher

Er, that would be with CRIST. :-) When you ‘re a Preacher, that “H” becomes a force of habit. Forgive me, please!


17 posted on 03/10/2011 9:24:15 PM PST by patriot preacher
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To: Qbert
Enough with the RINOs already.

The GOP is going to extinct(sic) itself in short order.

18 posted on 03/10/2011 9:24:58 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: Qbert

OMG. Demint is going to clean up on fund raising. No conservative in Florida would vote for Joe. Can you imagine the commercial material from his show? Priceless days of him making a fool of himself. Yuk.
I hope they vote out Cornyn, what a ditz.


19 posted on 03/10/2011 9:25:06 PM PST by libbylu
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To: Qbert

This proves Cornyn is insane. He needs to be locked up in a padded sell with Sheen.


20 posted on 03/10/2011 9:25:58 PM PST by Fledermaus (It's time for conservatives to take the country back. Atlas is Shrugging. WINNING!)
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