Brown endorses Deutsch in [Florida] Democratic Senate primary

Bradenton Herald (AP) ^ | Nov. 10, 2003 | Ken Thomas (AP)

[JohnnyZ]

U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch picked up the endorsement of a key black member of Congress and the state Democratic Party's highest-ranking woman Monday in the race to succeed Florida Sen. Bob Graham.

Deutsch, of Pembroke Pines, received the backing of U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown during a stop in her Jacksonville area district. Brown was among the first black members elected to Congress from Florida since the post-Civil War era and could help Deutsch court black voters in the August 2004 primary.

Deutsch told reporters that Brown's endorsement was "a real serious statement in terms of what I expect to happen in August of next year and November of next year."

The announcement represented the latest jockeying for position since Graham said last week he would not seek re-election. Former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor pointed to internal poll numbers last week showing her with an edge in the primary.

Brown said she was encouraged to endorse Deutsch by U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, a black Democrat from Miramar who is exploring a Senate campaign but could instead seek re-election to his congressional seat. Deutsch said he could not "conceive of any possibility that (Hastings) and I would be running against each other."

Hastings spokesman Fred Turner said the endorsement did not come as a surprise to the congressman, who was continuing to evaluate his options. Hastings spent the weekend in central Florida and was meeting with supporters in South Florida this week as he considers a potential Senate campaign.

"If U.S. Rep.Hastings gets in the race then I'm sure he and Congresswoman Brown will have another conversation and hopefully they'll have the opportunity to continue to work together as well," Turner said.

Deutsch and Brown, two of the state party's most senior members in Congress, have a long history together. Both were elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1982 and won seats in Congress in 1992.

Brown said she wanted to make an endorsement early in the process and thought Deutsch's frenetic style would serve the party well.

"Peter is hungry," Brown said during a conference call with reporters. "He is going to do what it takes to win and I think it's Peter's time."

Castor spokesman Stephen Gaskill said the former University of South Florida president would also be releasing endorsements of her own. Castor will be traveling to Washington on Tuesday to meet with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Emily's List, a political action committee that helps female Democratic candidates who are pro-abortion rights.

Deutsch and Castor are competing against Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas in the Democratic primary but the field could grow. State Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell of Fort Lauderdale met with party officials in Washington last week and may join the field.

The field of Republicans includes former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Longwood, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd of Plant City, state Sen. Daniel Webster of the Orlando area, Miami lawyer Larry Klayman and Pinellas County Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd.

U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris of Sarasota and Sarasota car dealer Vern Buchanan have said they are considering entering the Republican contest.

[JohnnyZ]

This is hugh for Peter Deutsch. Brown's endorsement will go a long way, and it looks like he might be edging Hastings out of the race.

[jwalsh07]

This clown is definitely representative of the democratic party. It is my fervent hope that he wins the nomination for his party.

[ClintonBeGone]

Deutsch, of Pembroke Pines, received the backing of U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown

LOL reading this made coffee spill out of my nose I've laughed so hard. This is like Maxine Waters endorsing Dennis Kucinich for President - a yawner.

[JohnnyZ]

This is like Maxine Waters endorsing Dennis Kucinich for President - a yawner.

Except that Deutsch may have the best chance of getting the Rat nomination.

[VeniVidiVici]

Weren't both Brown and Hastings convicted of crimes?

Deutsch is a carpet bagger of the worst sort too. Every time he opens his mouth I wish somebody would stuff a dead mouse in it.

[tell me]

He makes me sick too. I can still feel my revulsion from having to see him on tv all too often after the 2000 Florida fiasco.

[Holden Magroin]

Most people in Florida are carpetbaggers. I hope Mel Martinez will reconsider.

[Clintonfatigued]

If I'm not mistaken, Corinne Brown has a history of ethical lapses. She is not the most influential of African-American politicans.
By the way, I like your name!

[samantha]

Peter Deutsch is a mean,nasty,rotten SOB,on his good days. He has always had one of the highest turnovers in employees. He is not civil to anyone,even in charity situations. He made a fool of himself on a jail and bail for charity gig that my husband was helping out on. He was so horrible,and refused to go along for charity,and to this day I do not mention his name to my husband because he goes ballistic. My husband was a democrat at the time,and is not political except for his hate for Janet Reno,and Hillary. He is not liked at all by fellow members of the house,just as he was despised in the florida house. He is a loud nouthed New Yorker,that cannot win statewide. My guess is either Betty Castor or Alex Penales.

[clintonh8r]

She is not the most influential...

She is a skank, however. This race should be good entertainment. A Jew, a black and a Cuban duking it out in the primaries. There are going to be some victim-group fireworks happening. By the time they get a nominee everybody in the party will hate each other.

[CFC__VRWC]

This is hugh for Peter Deutsch. Brown's endorsement will go a long way, and it looks like he might be edging Hastings out of the race.

The loco left of the Florida Rat party is actually doing something smart by consolidating its power base early? Wow - I never thought I'd see the day that those clowns would actually do something right.

[clintonh8r]

I had the distinct pleasure of shouting down Deutsch in front of the Broward County corthouse during the 2000 recount.

[Dan from Michigan]

If Hastings doesn't run, I hope it's Peter Deutsch. Deutsch is a whiny nut, only second to that bitch and twin Bob Wexler.

[Dan from Michigan]

GOOD. Oh yeah. He wanted you arrested for that.

[Kuksool]

In the mind of Deutsch, an endorsement from Fidel Castro would be the icing on the cake.

[Kuksool]

Don't be surprised if Alcee Hastings starts referring Corrine Brown as an "Uncle Tom" for not endorsing him.

[Clintonfatigued]

And don't forget, a woman (Betty Castor) is running. Also, a "Southern moderate" (Allen Boyd) is thinking of re-entering the race.

[My2Cents]

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