Al-Arian Issue Could Haunt Castor In Race (Florida US Senate Contest)

Tampa Tribune ^ | 12/22/03 | WILLIAM MARCH

[JulieRNR21]

Many believe that Betty Castor will be the Democrat nominee to replace retiring Sen Bob Graham.

[JulieRNR21]

Florida Freepers.....PING

[JulieRNR21]

Thought this story might be of interest to you.......PING

[MinuteGal]

If she runs for the Senate, hang her with it!

She thinks the experience from this "episode" qualifies her for higher office. Hah......talk about trying to make lemonade out of a lemon. Pure Clinton-speak, of course.

She was too PC and liberal/chicken to take a firm grip on the Sami affair although it had "cell" written all over it.

If she throws her hat into the ring, I hope we never let her shuffle this "episode" under some prayer carpet somewhere.

[Holden Magroin]

If Betty Castor (Castro?) is nominated, she will win unless Republicans put aside their petty differences and unite behind one candidate. But first, they will have to get rid of Bill McCollum, a proven loser; Bob Smith, a carpetbagging saboteur; Daniel Webster, a nobody; Johnny Byrd, an unelectable, fire-and-brimstone type; and, of course, Katherine Harris, a polarizing, star-crossed egomaniac. Though I have concerns about Martinez's record of giving money to Rats, I have no doubt that that's a thing of the past and that he'll be with us on the issues that matter. He'll be a 100% improvement over Bob Graham Crackers.

[JulieRNR21]

She thinks the experience from this "episode" qualifies her for higher office. Hah......talk about trying to make lemonade out of a lemon. Pure Clinton-speak, of course.

Yep...she apparently does...and don't forget that important endorsement she got from Janet Reno....LOL

[JulieRNR21]

The FL GOP Party must unite behind the candidate who finally wins the nomintion......in order to defeat the Dems!

I'm keeping an open mind until I see & hear from all of them!

[88keys]

"...but first, they will have to get rid of...Katherine Harris, a polarizing, star-crossed egomaniac..."

Actually, from my "Northern perspective", I kind of like Katherine! And she's already said she won't vie for the Senate nomination, so perhaps she's not that "egomaniacal"...! ;)

Bob Smith (formerly of New Hampshire), OTOH...what a maroon!!!

[caltrop]

I'm with Julie on this. The Republican Party needs a real primary, open to any candidate who chooses to run. I can support any of them, although I'm much less certain about Martinez than the others. Incidentally, I think Katherine Harris would be the best choice. From what I can see, if anybody in this race is a nobody, it's Martinez.

[Blue Screen of Death]

...choosing not to challenge Al-Arian in light of the twin employment protections of a union contract and academic freedom.

However, had he walked into the office and said to a female office worker..."Good morning, honey" he would have been out of there before lunch.

[livius]

I like Johnnie Byrd. He's been very effective in the Florida House. Somebody earlier in the thread described him as a "fire and brimstone" type, but I haven't seen this side of him. He addressed a group of us here in Gainesville and he was extremely well-spoken, intelligent and obviously had a program. Isn't that what we want?

[caltrop]

I think Johnnie Bird would be first rate. He leadership of the House was very impressive and he showed no reluctance to keep the Senate and JEB in line on both taxes and spending.

One of the reasons I favor Harris is her ability to raise funds. JEB and the Republican Party of Florida's "All JEB, All the Time" policy has made it difficult for other candidates to get the funding necessary from the RPOF to really press their advantage in the general election. In 1998, for example, Charlie Crist had less than $1.5 million for his Senate race against Bob Graham, who spent $5 million. In contrast, Bill McCollum had $8.6 million to spend in 2000 when he was selected by JEB. Bill Nelson spent $6.5 million to defeat McCollum.

[deport]

Florida Freepers.....PING

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Thanks but I'm not a Florida Freeper..... Good luck with the races over your way......

[JulieRNR21]

Sorry....meant to ping.....dorben

[sharris]

I agree.... Katherine would be the best choice,and she'd have my vote if I lived in Florida!!

[sharris]

I agree.... Katherine would be the best choice,and she'd have my vote if I lived in Florida!!

[sharris]

I agree.... Katherine would be the best choice,and she'd have my vote if I lived in Florida!!

[sharris]

ooopps!!!SORRY about clicking 3 times.....I guess you can see how much I her!!!

[Ben Bolt]

Hi Julie !

Thanks for staying up on things at the State level . I dont know much about this woman but what I see here in the article she does 'nt bring anything to the table .

I'll have to check her out . I see some Rats seem to think she has no baggage with the now famous case so I surely have some doubts about her , but I shall look into her and keep an eye open .

[Marak]

she will win unless Republicans put aside their petty differences and unite behind one candidate. But first, they will have to get rid of Bill McCollum, a proven loser; Bob Smith, a carpetbagging saboteur; Daniel Webster, a nobody; Johnny Byrd, an unelectable, fire-and-brimstone type; and, of course, Katherine Harris, a polarizing, star-crossed egomaniac.

Glad to see that YOU can put aside those petty differences and tell us who to vote for

Maybe, just maybe, we can put something together to allow the Florida republicans to choose the candidate. Maybe we can call it a primary?