Hastings endorses Deutsch for U.S. Senate [Floriduh]

The Ledger (Lakeland, FL) - AP ^ | January 9, 2004 | Associated Press

[JohnnyZ]

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings endorsed fellow U.S. Rep.Peter Deutsch for the Senate on Friday, saying he is the only candidate who can step into the job without a learning curve.

Deutsch is one of three Democrats running in the Aug. 31 primary to replace Sen. Bob Graham, who is retiring.

"Peter's experience in the area of commerce is unrivaled by any of his opponents - and in the international arena, the same thing" Hastings said.

Hastings, who considered and decided against running for the seat, said he plans to actively campaign for Deutsch and share his list of supporters.

He also said that his endorsement will help Deutsch statewide and not just in Broward County, where both live. Hastings, who has served in Congress for 11 years, said he has visited every city in Florida either as a candidate or public figure.

"When it comes to retail politics I don't have any rivals. You're damn right it's going to resonate," Hastings said of the endorsement. "I know a hell of a lot of people in the state of Florida. Quite frankly, I believe I know more people personally in the state of Florida than all of the U.S. Senate candidates combined."

Deutsch has served in Congress since 1992 after 10 years in the state House.

"For anyone who knows politics in Florida, there is no one better, there is no one who has more influence in the outcome of elections in Florida than Alcee Hastings," Deutsch said.

Other Democrats running for Senate are Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas and former Education Commissioner Betty Castor.

Republicans running include former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Longwood, state Sen. Dan Webster of Winter Garden, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd of Plant City, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez of Orlando, Miami lawyer Larry Klayman and former New Hampshire Sen. Bob Smith of Sarasota. Republican U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris of Sarasota has said she's considering a run.

[JohnnyZ]

Good news, Deutsch just tied Castor for front-runner status. Once we find out how little money Castor has raised, Deutsch will power into the lead.

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[JohnnyZ]

Alcee's going to do everything he can to get the black vote out for Peter Deutsch in the primary, which means Penelas is history and Castor's in deep trouble.

This is Alcee's big chance to become The Kingmaker.

[jmaroneps37]

alcee is smart enough to know that this race is a dog and he's not going to put his neck into that noose.

[The Old Hoosier]

This is very good. Deutsch is definitely the weakest candidate in the current field.

[JohnnyZ]

Deutsch now has 2 out of the 7 US Reps on his side, including himself.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Excellent news! Peter Deutsch always had more money (and ability to raise it) than the other Democrat Senate candidates in Florida, and Alcee's endorsement will help him win the black vote. Alex Penelas is the Democrat candidate I fear the most, and it looks like he's getting squeezed out in South Florida. Hopefully the ultraliberal Deutsch will beat out Penelas and Betty Castor in the primary (but not after a bloody primary that leaves the Democrats deeply divided) and Mel Martinez will carry all of the Republicans, conservative Democrats and swing non-Cuban Hispanics for an easy victory. And if we can win the GOP-leaning seats in NC, SC and GA and if Vitter can beat out Chris John in Louisiana, that would be a 5-seat GOP pickup in the South alone! All of a sudden, a 60-seat Republican Senate majority is not entirely out of the question (although 56-58 seats is more likely).

[Dan from Michigan]

GO PETE!!! I could beat Deutsch. More accurately. Deutsch would beat himself.

[Dan from Michigan]

Penelas I know beat out a lot of dems. I don't know anything about Castor.

As for Deutsch, I can't see him flying with the Cuban vote, the panhandle(at all), or all the Midwest snowbirds near Tampa.

[ken5050]

and Alcee wants the dem nomination for Governor next time out...

[AuH2ORepublican]

"As for Deutsch, I can't see him flying with the Cuban vote, the panhandle(at all), or all the Midwest snowbirds near Tampa."

---

Absolutely. He's way too liberal for Florida. Penelas isn't as liberal as Deutsch, and could do well with Cubans and other Hispanics (especially if Mel Martinez doesn't get the GOP nomination), which is why I'd much rather that Deutsch wins the primary. Since most Cubans are registered Republicans, and since Penelas shares the Miami area with Deutsch (who will likely own the Jewish vote and---after Alcee's endorsement---should do very well with black voters), I don't see Penelas getting enough votes to win the primary.

We now have to keep our eye out to see who Congressman Kendrick Meek and his mom endorse, since they are the only black leaders in South Florida whose influence comes close to Alcee's.

[Pubbie]

"All of a sudden, a 60-seat Republican Senate majority is not entirely out of the question (although 56-58 seats is more likely)."

Actually if we can have a +7 seat net pickup (Hard but not impossible) we will have a 60 seat majority because Ben Nelson will switch to the GOP and Jeffords will switch back in exchange for the Dairy Compact (Or whatever it was that he wanted in Vermont).

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Actually if we can have a +7 seat net pickup (Hard but not impossible) we will have a 60 seat majority because Ben Nelson will switch to the GOP and Jeffords will switch back in exchange for the Dairy Compact (Or whatever it was that he wanted in Vermont)."

---

Ben Nelson could very well switch, but there's NO WAY Jim Jeffords will switch back to the GOP. Have you seen his voting record since he switched? It's to the left of Hillary Clinton's. And his switch was so painful that he wouldn't get more than 25% in a GOP primary in Vermont. Jeffords will never be able to return to the GOP.

And BTW, the Northeast Dairy Compact was approved by the GOP Congress and was still in effect when Jeffords switched, so that was by no means the reason for his defection. He switched because he was an extreme liberal, and thought he could be an extreme liberal Committee Chairman only if he was a RAT. Too bad his chairmanship lasted less than a year-and-a-half. ; )

[Pubbie]

"NO WAY Jim Jeffords will switch back to the GOP."

I think he will actually, he toyed with the idea of switching back after the GOP victories in 2002.

[Kuksool]

Jeffords can stay way he is. I don't want him back. Jeffords makes the Terminator Governor look right-wing.

[Clintonfatigued]

LOL--if Alcee Hastings endorsed me, I wouldn't want anyone ot know about it.

[JohnnyZ]

I think he will actually, he toyed with the idea of switching back after the GOP victories in 2002.

And was basically told to go to hell, IIRC.

[Pubbie]

If we only need one more seat to get the Super Majority, then the GOP will try hard to get back Jeffords (Even though they know he is almost certain to lose reelection in Vermont - but that's ok because we are likely to pick up seats in 2006 - so we can keep the Super Majority or even add a little to it.)

[Coop]

But you neglected to factor in the impact of Katherine Harris, should she indeed throw her hat in the ring.

[JohnnyZ]

If we only need one more seat to get the Super Majority,

Then there's no way we'd need Jeffords. He'd just take good committee assignments away from real Republicans, and the caucus would never stand for that. With 59 Republicans, we'd only need one rat to halt filibusters, which would be easy to get, especially from people coming up in 2006, like Bill Nelson and Mark Dayton and maybe Kent Conrad. Tim Johnson wouldn't want to spend his time being the 41st vote in a filibuster . . . and the list goes on.

Ain't no need for Jeffords, ain't no room for him, and the GOP in Vermont wouldn't stand for it. They are DYING to go against him in 06.