Bush says Harris can't win

Associated Press ^ | 9th May 2006 | Bill Kaczor

[TroubleBoy]

Bush says Harris can't win

BY BILL KACZOR

ASSOCIATED PRESS TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday that U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris has dropped so low in public opinion polls she cannot beat Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in November.

"I just don't think she can win," Bush said at the Capitol in his strongest statement yet about his fellow Republican's struggling campaign.

The governor has made no secret that he hopes House Speaker Allan Bense will challenge Harris for the Republican nomination. Bense has not made up his mind, his wife, Tonie, said Monday from their Panama City home. The deadline for entering September's primary is Friday.

"With all due respect to the governor ... we know we can win," Harris told reporters Monday after filing her qualifying papers.

Harris has been dogged by staff turnover and her acceptance of $32,000 in illegal campaign contributions from defense contractor Mitchell Wade, who pleaded guilty to bribing former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif.

Bush also noted that polls show Harris running about 30 points behind Nelson.

"There's not a complicated reason," Bush said of his assessment that she can't beat Nelson. "It's just that's she's not gained any traction, and it seems that, unfortunately through no fault of her own perhaps, the press coverage is all about the problems in her campaign."

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Perhaps Bush's buddy can, however....wink wink.......

[Retired Chemist]

I agree with Jeb. Harris is toast. She's carrying way to much baggage.

[Kjobs]

Buh Bye, Katherine. Jebbie just sounded your death knell.

[AmishDude]

Unfortunately, so is Bense. He'll just lose by 10, not 15.

Jeb, on the other hand...

[LegendHasIt]

Kind of sad; Political realities aside, what has happened to the much vaunted Bush Loyalty to those that help them?

Were it not for Katherine Harris' courage in November of 2000 it is very possible that the Democrats could have successfully stolen Florida before the US Supreme Court got around to properly settling matters.

[fieldmarshaldj]

That death knell rang a LONG time ago.

[Clintonfatigued]

Hopefully, Allan Bense will be annoucning soon.

[mthom]

Dont the Bushs always cry about the 11th commandment?

[hole_n_one]

Were it not for Katherine Harris' courage in November of 2000 it is very possible that the Democrats could have successfully stolen Florida before the US Supreme Court got around to properly settling matters.

She performed her duties and made decisions based on what was required within the constraints of the Fla. constitution.

Big whoop.

That doesn't take "courage".......it takes mere competence.

[zerelda]

Unfortunately, so is Bense.

What "baggage" is Bense "carrying?" Please share.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I think he meant Bense is also "toast", since Bense has no baggage.

[sruleoflaw]

Sorry to disagree -- but I'd agree with others that it took courage in the face of liberal attack artists, an out of control Florida Supreme Court, a liberal media run amok (with the Post calling her all kinds of names)to do what Katherine Harris did. Too many public sector liberals are committed to winning at all costs -- who cares about voter fraud, breaking the law, lying, cheating, stealing.

[joesbucks]

Were it not for Katherine Harris' courage in November of 2000 it is very possible that the Democrats could have successfully stolen Florida before the US Supreme Court got around to properly settling matters.

You bought the kool-aid.

What she did in 2000 was a no brainer. Plus she had some of the greatest legal scholars working with her.

That being the case, there is no loyalty to be paid back.

[zerelda]

I think he meant Bense is also "toast", since Bense has no baggage.

Oh! Of course. That makes sense. Thank you!

[AmishDude]

I meat to say that Bense will lose also. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear.

[joesbucks]

Could that mean she could suffer a loss larger than......Alan Keyes? Maybe someone can convince him to relocate to Florida. The loss wouldn't be as bad. EV, where are you?

[GladesGuru]

"Jebbie just sounded your death knell. "

Jebbie was also the death knell of property rights in Florida. For those who have forgotten, the 8.5 Square Mile taking was not justified on any scientific basis, was specifically ordered to be protected by Congress, and the Courts upheld the position of the landowners as being the mandate of Congress.

The Cubans being first flooded and then condemned, were part of the swing vote which put Jebbie's brother in the White House instead of the Goron. But Jebbie allowed the agencies to do to the Cubans what Castro had done to them - steal their homes, businesses, and land.

Never forget that the Brothers Bush were involved in the Texas Stadium which was built on condemned homes. While I liked Governor Bush, and think he is essentially a good man, his devotion to property rights is minimal.

Since the Pubbies have managed to squander the momentum/political capital originating with the Contract With America, by doing virtually everything they promised not to do regarding growing government, for Florida Pubbies to run another "moderate Republican" ala the Brothers Bush, will assure a lot of rank and file Pubbies not bothering to vote.

Somewhere there is a Florida Repubulican who is a true originalist. Retread Council on Foreign Relations members like the Bushes, The Klintoon, and Carter are birds of a feather which is increasingly not tolerable to America's conservatives.

[hole_n_one]

Harris made her decisions based on the rule of law.

She had no choice but to do so.........it was her sworn duty.

[zerelda]

I meat to say that Bense will lose also. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear.

No, no. You were clear. I simply didn't read the original reference for your comment properly. It's on me.