Well, here's the one with the horse.
Posted on 05/15/2006 7:01:05 AM PDT by dukeman
HUDSON - Relaxed and cheerful, Katherine Harris mixed easily with the group taking a concealed handgun permit course Saturday morning. But before noon, a decision by her staff added another odd chapter to a U.S. Senate campaign plagued by inconsistencies.
At just past 8 a.m., Harris, three other women and two men gathered in the living room of instructor Bill Bunting, who is also chairman of the Pasco County Republican Executive Committee.
Harris, a Republican congresswoman from Longboat Key, seemed more at ease with guns than others in the group. She kept the barrel pointed toward the ground, even as some fumbled and waved the unloaded weapons.
"You see what Katherine did?" Bunting asked. "She did it right."
When a young man in a camouflage hat couldn't find the safety on a semiautomatic pistol, Harris reached to help and quickly identified it.
She took notes during the session and occasionally asked questions as Bunting described the arcane mix of laws that apply to carrying a licensed handgun in different states.
Growing up in Central Florida, Harris said her ease around guns grew out of family traditions.
"My mom was one of the best shots of the whole family. We hunted turkey and quail and dove and then cleaned them," she said.
Harris said she uses a 12-gauge shotgun to shoot skeet and also owns a Smith & Wesson revolver as well as rifles and antique weapons. But she wasn't sure whether she had ever held a concealed weapons permit in Florida, although some news reports last week suggested she had. A public records search of permit holders in Florida indicates Harris does not hold an active permit.
She broke into a wide smile when Bunting gave her a National Rifle Association cap and appeared unconcerned by the months of turmoil her campaign has suffered.
....
About-Face On Photo Ops
One of those who greeted Harris was David Rowe, of New Port Richey, whose only son was killed in Iraq in March. Rowe cried as he told the story, and Harris put her arms around him. Rowe said he admired her fortitude as photographers snapped pictures of the emotional scene.
A few minutes later, as Harris went to the firing line for the required, brief live-fire practice, her staff had a sudden bout of photo phobia.
Communications Director Chris Ingram tried to get the range manager to tell photographers who were 30 feet behind Harris to stop their work, even as other people stood a few feet from her.
Ingram said the campaign's "ground rules" didn't allow the media to take pictures of the congresswoman shooting, even though the restriction had not been mentioned to the media when they were invited to the range. Then he directed another staff member to block the view of a photographer who was still far away from Harris.
At one point, even Bunting seemed frustrated by Ingram's behavior and the delay it created.
Such confusion over basic strategy decisions and a seeming disconnect between Harris and her staff have plagued the campaign.
Asked about the incident later, Harris said she didn't know what the problem was.
"I was glad you guys were there," she told members of the media.
Most of Harris' original staff has quit or was fired in the past two months, and some have since described the campaign as being out of control.
An odd thing to be confused about IMO.
However, the previous sentence,
Harris said she uses a 12-gauge shotgun to shoot skeet and also owns a Smith & Wesson revolver as well as rifles and antique weapons.
warms the cockles of my heart.
If a Katherine-With-A-Gun picture and the Katherine-On-A-Horse picture are ever posted side-by-side on FreeRepublic, a large portion of our male correspondents will dissolve into a quivering, blubbering mass almost instantaneously.
What's nice is that she isn't a hypocrit, unlike Feinstein or whoever that fat cow Senator from California is who had her finger on the trigger of an AK-47 and wants to ban guns while holding a CCW herself.
I've seen Katherine on TV, and while she's attractive, her preening behavior was more suited to someone on a cheerleading squad, or who's running for Prom Queen - no the U.S. Senate.
She looked to have no more intellectual depth than... than Kay Bailey Hutchison!
Well, here's the one with the horse.
Previous FreeRepublic Katherine Harris threads:
Harris shoots, but cameras don't
Three step forward to challenge Harris
Harris Welcomes Senator Martinez's Support, Harris Campaign Also Responds to Close of Filing
Four qualify to challenge Harris in GOP primary
Developer Peter Monroe Challenges Rep. Katherine Harris in GOP Primary
Challenger for Harris still possible
Harris saga points to turmoil within GOP, observers say
GOP can't elude Harris vs. Nelson
lmbo, and spot-on. I have to admit, I resemble that remark.
THAT is her best shot! My favorite. She sure knows how to strike a nice pose.
Like the TV interview where she sat with her back arched the whole time, presenting her two best assets? :)
yee ha
she's got my vote...
teeman
Like Algore with the Kleenex stuffed in his pants, too. Or Clinton on the stool with his legs spread open.
But I like her pose much better. I missed the TV interview. Dang!
Oh wait, that isn't Congresswoman Harris? My mistake.
You're forgiven... obviously...
While Katharine Harris was Fla. Sec of State, her signature appeared on the Concealed Weapons License issued by Florida. I applied after the laws were changed and mine is signed by the Commissioner of the Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Charles Bronson.
It is probably not a good idea for any candidate to be photographed on a tank or shooting a gun. It didn't help Dukakis and it didn't help Kerry.
It's not a good idea as a method of trying to look like something you aren't. But Harris is the real deal, when it comes to guns as the article makes clear. For her, it would shore up her base. For the Dufus Duo from Massachusetts, the photos weren't convincing to the folks who like tanks, guns, etc., while also alienating their base of "Loathe the military" "hate the rednecks" gun grabbers
Maybe she can shoot her staff. Just kidding.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.