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 hes still working on persuading the MSNBC host to run for the upper chamber.
Id 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 Scarboroughs 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.
You left off the sarcasm tag...right?
Why don’t they try alan greyson? I hear he’s out of a gig...;-)
“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.
They can’t be series.
(/s)- abbreviated sarcasm tag.
Dead office help alert...
Where - in the Democratic Primary?
I’d vote for Nelson
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!
Was Mark Foley unavailable ?
Chokin’ Joe’s toast!
The guy would sell the US out faster than Harry Reid!
He’s been corrupted by MSNBC.
Go West!
It wouldn’t surprise me if this idiot asked Charlie Crist to run again...
Er, that would be with CRIST. :-) When you ‘re a Preacher, that “H” becomes a force of habit. Forgive me, please!
The GOP is going to extinct(sic) itself in short order.
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.
This proves Cornyn is insane. He needs to be locked up in a padded sell with Sheen.
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