U.S. Senate Race 2004, Florida campaign [Archive]

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Floridaguy

12-22-2003, 01:49 PM

Ok, there was a mention of Katherine Harris being in the race, in the Soros thread in Editorials, but thought this was more of an Election 2004 news item, so here it is. Warning: this article is from the Bradenton Herald, a leftist leaning, almost socialist paper in Manatee County. You will note the article is much more concerned with which Democrat is going to take over KH's House seat if she runs for the Senate, not anything else... http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif *Rest assured, this Congressional seat will stay in Republican hands. http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Everyone is waiting on Katherine Harris.

If and when U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris decides to run for Bob Graham's Senate seat, at least a few people are waiting in the wings to take over her District 13 seat.

And not all of them are Democrats. Republicans waiting to occupy Florida's former secretary of state's seat in Congress include state Rep. Donna Clarke, R-Sarasota, and Tramm Hudson, chairman of the Sarasota County Republican Party. Both say they'll run if Harris decides to join the fray for Graham's seat. Hopefuls line up if Harris leaves House. Sarasota politician urged to run for U.S. Senate (http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/7541751.htm)
Quote[/b] ]Harris will also enter a crowded playing field if she seeks Graham's seat. While Gov. Jeb Bush said last week that former federal housing secretary Mel Martinez is not the "hand-picked candidate" of the Bush White House in Florida's hotly contested Republican primary for U.S. Senate, some speculate he will be the favored candidate.

Looks like Matt and I might be very busy. The dollars in our area might be in heavy demand! http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag19.gif *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cowboy7.gif *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rwbelephant.gif

Floridaguy

12-30-2003, 09:12 PM

Another article, this time from the perspective of the Dims..... http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Florida is the red state with the blue asterisk. A state where the GOP has enormous control but no certainty of victory in the 2004 elections. After all, as it is famously known, Bush won Florida by only 537 votes.

And the president, for the first time since his election, is considering coming to Palm Beach County in January, according to Republican sources. Details of the proposed visit have not been completed.

But as vital as Florida's 27 electoral votes may be to the national Democratic Party, Florida's only other statewide race in 2004 -- the one for the U.S. Senate seat held by party elder Bob Graham -- could be just as important to the state party.

A loss in that race would be a crushing defeat for Florida Democrats. For the first time in the party's post-Reconstruction history, the Democrats would be reduced to holding a single statewide office, that of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who is up for reelection in 2006. (http://www.palmbeachpost.co m/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/friday/news_f3be0b87204e80a 70076.html)

Hey, what are we here for if not to give the Florida dumb Dims yet another crushing defeat? *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

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Floridaguy

12-30-2003, 09:43 PM

Alright, one more story for tonight on the race. The Mel Martinez factor..... *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Former Housing Secretary Mel Martinez will get a regular paycheck as he builds his likely campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Martinez, a Cuban-born Republican, will do ''strategic planning'' for the Miami-based Akerman Senterfitt law firm, consulting for corporate clients as he courts contributors for what is likely to be a heated campaign to replace the retiring Democratic Sen. Bob Graham.

(psstt.... Matt, pay attention to this next part, especially the last line) http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

<a href="http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/7552845.htm" target="_blank">The White House, worried that the GOP field lacked a big-name contender who could share the Florida ballot with the president's reelection, viewed Martinez as a candidate with appeal both in the swing regions of his Central Florida home and among a diverse bloc of Hispanic voters from Miami to Tampa. But early polls show that the White House's worst Florida fears could come true: The state's controversial former secretary of state, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, leads all GOP candidates, including Martinez.
* * * Harris, who White House officials fear could mobilize Democrats by dredging up unpleasant memories of her starring role in the 2000 recount battle that put Bush into office, is expected to decide soon whether she will run and has indicated she is leaning toward jumping in.
</a> hmmm...... (I added the emphasis at the end)

http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag19.gif *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cowboy7.gif

pRIMrose

12-31-2003, 04:41 AM

Personally, I hope she runs. http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/yes.gif

Floridaguy

01-05-2004, 07:53 PM

Well, Martinez has now officially filed. This "might" prompt someone else to file soon, too *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Martinez said he would immediately begin calling supporters to raise money.

"You want to try and earn this nomination one Floridian at a time," the Orlando Republican said. "I'm not counting on anything being handed to me."

Martinez, 57, rejected earlier overtures from the White House to run for Senate because he preferred to run for governor when Gov. Jeb Bush's second term ends in 2006. But he reconsidered after Graham announced his retirement in November and fresh White House appeals. He has been planning his campaign since he resigned his Cabinet post last month.

Ex-HUD Chief Files for Fla. Senate Race (http://story.news.yahoo.com /news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040105/ap_on_el_se/martinez_senate_2)

Hmm...better not let Mel get too far ahead...... *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag19.gif *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cowboy7.gif *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rwbelephant.gif

Floridaguy

01-07-2004, 07:44 PM

We are getting closer folks, to the final announcement by Katherine Harris. Is Sarasota prepared? Are any of us? *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif *

The Sarasota Republican said Tuesday she has made her decision but feels obliged to inform others privately before announcing it, which she said she will do next week. Harris also said she would meet with political consultants while in Washington. (click here) (http://www.heraldtribune.co m/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040107/NEWS/401070607/1060)

Does this sound like someone who decided "not" to run? *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laff.gif

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Floridaguy

01-09-2004, 11:07 AM

Yet another hopeful in the midst. You know, I liked Bob Smith. If he had a chance of winning, or if certain other people weren't in the race, I could easily have supported this conservative 18-year former U.S. Senator from NH, too.

GOP veteran says he's ready for another Senate run (http://www.heraldtribune.co m/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040109/NEWS/401090419/1060)

http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif *More dollars being donated locally to the U.S. Senate race, that could have gone to a "very" important Florida House race! * http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag19.gif *http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cowboy7.gif