Posted on 08/04/2005 2:51:32 PM PDT by Crackingham
Republican leaders have been looking around for someone other than Rep. Katherine Harris to run for the Senate, fearing too many Democrats and moderates still despise her over her role in the 2000 presidential recount. But the GOP may be stuck with her.
The White House, National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee and Gov. Jeb Bush tried to talk Florida House Speaker Allan Bense into joining the race for Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson's seat in 2006. But Bense decided this week not to run. Rep. Mark Foley has expressed mild interest in running but has not made any firm commitments. With Bense out, the GOP committee said that it is still talking to candidates who have expressed interest in the race, but that it isn't trying to recruit anyone. Similarly, the governor said he is not going to get involved in any more recruiting.
"I wish her well," he said of Harris, who announced in June that she planned to run. "I think she'll be a formidable candidate."
With her name recognition, ability to raise money and hero status among Republicans who believe she helped preserve President Bush's 2000 victory when she was Florida's secretary of state, Harris is considered the odds-on favorite to beat just about anyone in a Republican primary.
But Democrats still accuse her of helping to steal the election for Bush, who beat Al Gore by 537 votes after the U.S. Supreme Court stopped five weeks of recounts. And Republicans have privately said her negatives among independent and Democratic voters are so high that she will not be able to defeat Nelson.
In fact, it is widely believed that the White House and others asked her not to run.
"Clearly she was talked out of the race the last time around (in 2004) and clearly she had conversations with Karl Rove and others in D.C. who didn't want her to run this time," said Darryl Paulson, a University of South Florida political science professor and a registered Republican. "I don't think she's the right person at the right time, and I don't think there is a right time for Katherine Harris."
Do they have misgivings? Let's leave this judgement to the voters... don't you thin?
Whoaaaaas Pardner!!!!!! Obviously, you haven't seen that picture of that honey on her horse....I don't care what the GOP says!!!!!!!!
Nothing like having loyal friends.
I suspect the naysaying is more within the fevered partisan mind of the AP writer than among GOP "leaders."
Looks like the GOP party hacks want a nice, compromising RINO to run instead of Harris, someone who'll smooch the establishment's rear.
They tried to hang the same thing on Jeb in 2002; it failed miserably. Let the Dems continue to fight their own demons in full view of the voting public. They'll continue their losing ways.
The GOP can't seem to throw people overboard fast enough lately.
IMO all these "misgivings" about Harris is manufactured by the MSM anyway. They're just trolling for some "unknown" GOP "operatives" who'll make a statement so they can run with it.
Katherine is a class act!!!!!
The same people who dis her now also said Jeb would never win re-election, which he won handily.
Katherine was there for the GOP now the GOP should be there for her. She can win with their help!!
Barbra Streisand, at least according to Harris who flat out said no such conversations or pressure occurred. Man, I get tired of the lying presstitutes...
Yeah, because the whole "Bush stole Florida" rage sure helped John Kerry in 2004.
Republican leaders have been looking around for someone other than Rep. Katherine Harris to run for the Senate, fearing too many Democrats and moderates still despise her over her role in the 2000 presidential recount.
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Huh? Read this moronic statement, then reread it again, as I had to do. "FEARING TOO MANY DEMOCRATS AND MODERATES...".
I would like to believe that this is just more AP liberal swill, but is it really?? For those that were deeply involved in that election, as I was, this is the woman that basically SAVED BUSH'S ASS IN THE FLORIDA ELECTION LAW SCAM. She stood up for him, against that corrupt state leftist court that tried to re-write Florida election laws, to get Gore elected -- which was of course, slapped down by the SCOTUS for exactly that reason.
What is the real agenda here? Bush and his administration should be putting rose petals down in front of this woman. What is the deal ???
It's not wise to give too much credence to the AP when they claim to know what Republicans have privately said.
I suspect the naysaying is more within the fevered partisan mind of the AP writer than among GOP "leaders."
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could well be
The GOP supports quacks like Voinovich and Specter but then shuns Harris for the Senate? Go figure . lol
Wonderful...more "unnamed sources".....
Why is it, I wonder, that so many Freepers, who are well aware of the strong anti-GOP bias of the MSM, always believe without question claims of insider information about the Republicans by members of the MSM?
Yep, more AP lies...but I wouldn't doubt the party bosses being sour on Harris though.
This is exactly the kind of thinking that fills the Senate GOP caucus with RINOs. If no good opponent gets into the race within the next few months, the Republican establishment should stop its hand-wringing and back Harris to the hilt. Yes, she faces an uphill battle. But in this environment, it is crucial to excite the base. Harris can do it. And if she gets to the Senate, she'll be well worth the trouble.
"a University of South Florida political science professor and a registered Republican."
1- Political Science professor- majority are Libs.
2- "registered" Republican does not mean he votes Republican
Not the best of sources IMO
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