Speculation About Sen. Bob Graham's Future Rampant (Announcement Monday)

AP ^ | November 2, 2003 | AP

[Pubbie]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- He's listened to his friends and colleagues and talked with his family. Now U.S. Sen. Bob Graham has a decision to make.

The 66-year-old lawmaker, who seems to have made a full recovery from major heart surgery in January, was expected to announce Monday whether he plans to run in one more campaign or retire from a political career that began 37 years ago when he ran for the Florida Legislature.

Just four weeks ago, Graham dropped his presidential ambitions after longtime political contributors began to lose faith in the senator's ability to catch on with voters in the early Democratic primary states. He was showing up last in virtually every poll.

A millionaire several times over, the former two-term governor has been in Washington 17 years and may be leaning toward spending more time with his family while finding a less demanding vocation.

"I think it's hard for him to walk away and hard for him to make a commitment for another six years if elected," said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political science professor and close observer of Southern politics.

Whatever his decision, Graham has built interest by the secrecy of his deliberations. A state Democratic Party spokesman said Sunday they were told they'd learn Graham's intentions at his Monday media availability during a break in the senator's 391st "workday" scheduled at a local high school.

"All my friends think it's 50-50," said former Gov. Wayne Mixson, who served two terms as Graham's lieutenant governor. "They're chagrined that they don't know. We have no idea."

Even one prominent Democratic Senate hopeful, former Education Commissioner and University of South Florida President Betty Castor, plans to attend Graham's announcement.

"We're trying to seize the moment if things break our way," Castor campaign aide Jeffrey Garcia said Sunday. "The entire press corps of Florida will be there."

Castor and the other Democrats eyeing the seat - U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd, Peter Deutsch and Alcee Hastings, and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas - have all said they will withdraw if Graham runs.

One of the Republican candidates, former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, is also trying to benefit from Graham's announcement by scheduling a news conference at the Florida Press Center shortly after Graham's announcement.

McCollum, the party's unsuccessful nominee in 2000, faces competition for the GOP nomination from state House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, legal activist Larry Klayman, and state Sen. Dan Webster of the Orlando area.

Numerous telephone messages left Sunday by The Associated Press at Graham's constituency office in Tallahassee were not returned.

[Pubbie]

My opinion is that he isn't running since he said that his decision will be "Personal" rather than Political.

Also his wife apparently wants him to retire since Graham has been in politics non-stop for 37 years.

[longtermmemmory]

Perhaps he is seeing if he is still a viable VP candidate.

[Pubbie]

That could be another factor.

He can't run for reelection if he wants to be VP because then he would have to leave the Senate race, and the Democrats would lose the seat if he says yes to be the VP.

It would be better if he said he isn't running for Senate, and give another Democrat time to get an organization ready to replace him in the Senat.

[longtermmemmory]

The DNC wants florida very much. They are stuck in 2000. The want to do the same thing they did in 2000, 2002 and achieve a different result.

[samantha]

Bob Graham sounds like he has dementia. I believe he is stupid and senile enough to throw his hat back in the race because his tremendous ego,but poor thinking ability will make him feel like the hero of the dems,and give him brownie points. He has a better chance to win than than the other dems,especially Deutsch,and Castor,but Bill Mccollum,and the big pockets of the RPOF will beat the hell out of him because of his disgusting trashing of Bush and the Iraqi war. The Florida Federated women are also going to push like hell for McCollum,and Connie Mack is running his campaign. Graham no longer has any Gop crossover votes in Florida,and the bluedogs cannot stand his butt anymore.

[Pubbie]

JMO but Graham didn't sound too interested in running. I don't think he runs.

Though you could very well be right.

[Rubber Duck]

Alcee Hastings ought to be the Democrat nominee. What better representative of what the party has come to stand for than an impeached and disgraced former federal judge. It would be so fun to see the presstitutes spin bribery and malfeaseance as political persecution. As an added bonus, Hastings is almost as entertaining as Al Sharpton.

[Unicorn]

What monday??????

[Pubbie]

Monday November 2003 - Be There Be There Be There!

[Pubbie]

November 3rd 2003

[GraniteStateConservative]

Castor is very close to Bob. I think he may endorse her after announcing he's retiring. She's been campaigning all weekend.

[Pubbie]

Ah so you think Graham will hang up his cleats too?

What has Castor been saying/Doing these past few weeks?

If she is starting to set up a campaign then Graham is probably hanging them up.

[CyberAnt]

Well .. his "impeach Bush" messages did not go over very good in Florida. I think his supporters have seen the writing on the wall - he can't win - better for him to not run than to run and lose BIG!!

[Clintonfatigued]

It sounds like Bob Graham is about to tell public life "goodbye". And I wish him well. I just wish that Bill McCollum would drop out of the race. He had his chance in 2000, having the primary field cleared for him and outspending his 'Rat opponent by $8.7 million to $6.5 million, and still managing to lose. Many other Republicans could have beaten Bill Nelson. Conservatives should rally around Daniel Webster.

[Holden Magroin]

Bill McCollum is the Bill Simon of Florida. He ought to get out of the primary and go to work as a lobbyist or something. But there isn't anyone truly exciting on the GOP side. Jeb, the three Cuban-American reps, and Connie Mack - the only ones who could win this thing easily - aren't running. Actually, Alcee Hastings would be an improvement over Bob Graham, because he would be a liberal poster boy who Republicans could use time and time again to raise money and energize the base.

[Impy]

Politcs1.com reporting: "Sources close to US Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) -- who last month ended his Presidential bid -- told Politics1 that Graham plans to announce Monday that he is seeking re-election next year. "

Hopefully wrong.

[cardinal4]

As an added bonus, Hastings is almost as entertaining as Al Sharpton.

Indeed he is. Him and Sharpton would make quite a pair..

[Coop]

Sen. Graham, look. We've got Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, plus the New Year's celebration. The holidays are stressful enough as it is. No need to add to that stress with some life altering decision. You need to think of your own well being.

Relax, enjoy the holidays with your family, then make a decision sometime in January.

Certainly no need to hurry... :-)

[Naomi4]

I was with the FRW of Clay, Clay County. We are just south of Jacksonville.

I would like to stay in touch with you, if possible, so we can compare notes on our areas of the state.