Byrd Starts Campaign For Seat in U.S. Senate [Florida]

The Ledger (Lakeland, FL) ^ | October 20, 2003 | The Associated Press

[JohnnyZ]

PLANT CITY -- Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd kicked off his campaign for the U.S. Senate before a hometown crowd, promising to fight for "common sense, conservative values" before he strapped on an electric guitar and strummed the chords to Johnnie B. Goode.

Although the Plant City Republican has been raising money for his Senate race for about three months and lining up supporters even longer, it's been mostly behind the scenes. Saturday's rally at Grandpa Johnson's BBQ Restaurant marked the public campaign kickoff.

Byrd told the crowd he "took Plant City values to Tallahassee, and we're going to take Florida values to Washington."

In a five-minute speech, he promised lower taxes, fiscal responsibility and a strong national defense.

Rather than take swipes at state Sen. Daniel Webster or former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, both Republican candidates for the same Senate seat, Byrd took aim at Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Ted Kennedy and the United Nations.

"Who do you trust to fight the war on terror?" Byrd asked the crowd. "Hillary Clinton and the United Nations or George W. Bush and a Republican senator from Florida?"

Between July and September, Byrd raised $846,000 for his bid, more than either Webster or McCollum.

[JohnnyZ]

Searched for 'Byrd'.

Probably better to go with a new look in 2004, so Byrd or Webster rather than McCollum. (Klayman is a joke.) I think either would be good; Webster is a little less self-promoting.

I do like how Byrd is observing the 11th Commandment.

[goldstategop]

I think either of them can knock off Bob Graham who is political damaged goods and has exposed himself during his short-lived presidential campaign as another liberal - which don't fly well down South.

[JohnnyZ]

Oh, I think Bob Graham will beat all comers if he runs. Those last couple percent are might tough to get, especially by candidates who've never run statewide.

[republicanwizard]

My preference is for Daniel Webster. I think he can defeat Graham, now that the veneer of moderation will be wiped off his blank grandfatherly face.

[Kuksool]

Johnnie Bryd is getting a lot of media attention with the Terri case. This might help him in the general election.

[caltrop]

Byrd impressed plenty of people, including me, by being so uncompromising in his opposition to the Senate's desire for higher spending during the last session. His leadership, IMHO, made the difference.

[Xthe17th]

Two Byrds in the senate? Oh noooooooo!!! Maybe it'll be like matter-antimatter and they'll cancel each other out.

[JohnnyZ]

Maybe it'll be like matter-antimatter and they'll cancel each other out.

I like scifi but I'm not up on the theories: wouldn't matter and antimatter explode?

[dangus]

>> I like scifi but I'm not up on the theories: wouldn't matter and antimatter explode?

I'm ashamed I don't remember this all like the back of my hand, but what they'd do is change into energy, thus cancelling each other out, but giving off quite a bang in the meanwhile. There was a time when I could've told you why.

[hresources]

Don't worry about two Byrds. The one from WV is on life support.

[varina davis]

Johnnie Bryd is getting a lot of media attention with the Terri case. This might help him in the general election.

Absolutely! Plus he's a true conservative, well spoken and a Southerner.

[TaxRelief]

This Byrd is the "right" type of Byrd!

[JohnnyZ]