...
Still, Burgan noted, voters rarely mention the (FBI) investigation on the campaign trail.
Gillum’s Democratic opponents also haven’t seized on the issue. A Florida voter would be hard-pressed to find a negative television advertisement about Gillum. And when Chris King, one of Gillum’s opponents, was asked about the investigation in a gubernatorial debate in June, King defended Gillum.
Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, said there are a number of reasons for Democrats’ reluctance to weigh in. The case is still murky and Gillum hasn’t been implicated in any wrongdoing, so Gillum’s opponents would be going out on a limb somewhat to knock him for the investigation, Jewett said.
Gillum also hasn’t polled consistently well enough to warrant attacks from his Democratic opponents, Jewett noted.
But if Gillum were to secure the nomination, it’s extremely unlikely that his Republican general election opponent would hold his fire, said Florida State University political science professor Carol Weissert in an email to the Tampa Bay Times.
“Floridians—or really any voters—don’t want to put a ‘tainted’ candidate in office,” Weissert wrote. “Gillum isn’t well-known among voters which means he doesn’t have a reservoir of goodwill to draw down on against tough corruption allegations.”
Still, Burgan noted, voters rarely mention the (FBI) investigation on the campaign trail.
Gillum’s Democratic opponents also haven’t seized on the issue. A Florida voter would be hard-pressed to find a negative television advertisement about Gillum. And when Chris King, one of Gillum’s opponents, was asked about the investigation in a gubernatorial debate in June, King defended Gillum.
Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, said there are a number of reasons for Democrats’ reluctance to weigh in. The case is still murky and Gillum hasn’t been implicated in any wrongdoing, so Gillum’s opponents would be going out on a limb somewhat to knock him for the investigation, Jewett said.
Gillum also hasn’t polled consistently well enough to warrant attacks from his Democratic opponents, Jewett noted.
But if Gillum were to secure the nomination, it’s extremely unlikely that his Republican general election opponent would hold his fire, said Florida State University political science professor Carol Weissert in an email to the Tampa Bay Times.
“Floridians—or really any voters—don’t want to put a ‘tainted’ candidate in office,” Weissert wrote. “Gillum isn’t well-known among voters which means he doesn’t have a reservoir of goodwill to draw down on against tough corruption allegations.” //
Thanks for finding & posting that link & excerpt.
A dispassionate part of myself says “Let’s see how this plays out, pass the popcorn, please.” The rest of me warns “Get ready for hell to be unleashed on the state in the meantime.” (see above post)
I’m sure reaction depends on whether one lives in an increasingly, unabashedly liberal urban area or in conservative area.
We will need every conservative vote we can get - hearts & minds.