J.M. "Mac" Stipanovich, a Florida lawyer and Republican strategist who said he hasn't advised Harris on the Senate race, said Harris' statements struck him as evidence she is poised to run. "I don't go home very often and feel obligated to tell my wife I'm not going to go out to play poker tonight," Stipanovich said.
Others who reacted the same way nevertheless said there could be other reasons for the trip. For example, they say, Harris could be negotiating for political rewards for staying out of the race, such as a committee assignment or help running against Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, in 2006.