Posted on 04/27/2006 10:19:34 AM PDT by george wythe
Analysts say she has lost once-fervent supporters and could hurt the party.
There is growing concern among Republicans that Katherine Harris not only can't beat Sen. Bill Nelson this November, but she could drag other Republicans down with her.
Harris continues to be dogged by her ties to a corrupt defense contractor, and poll numbers that show she's dropped 24 points since she announced her candidacy.
[snip]
A recent poll conducted by a Republican polling firm that used to be aligned with Harris tested Florida House Speaker Allan Bense's name against hers. No one has claimed responsibility for funding the poll. On Monday, Bense sounded like a potential candidate, saying he was considering entering the race before the May 12 deadline.
Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday that he thought Bense was focused on the legislative session, but added that he would be a great senator.
"I know there are a lot of people encouraging him to run. He's just a great leader and an excellent person ... He would be a great United States senator, but that's up to him," Bush said.
[snip]
Sabato said one of the races that could be affected is the re-election bid of Rep. Clay Shaw, a Fort Lauderdale Republican who is facing a stiff challenge from Democrat Ron Klein in District 22. If Harris dampens the Republican vote in that Palm Beach County district, it could be the difference in unseating Shaw, Sabato said.
Shaw's campaign didn't return phone calls seeking comment. Other Republicans candidates in other races refused to talk about Harris' impact publicly, but privately their campaign staffs say they expect to spend their summer avoiding her
(Excerpt) Read more at heraldtribune.com ...
Love her to pieces, but not ready for prime time. Congressman is a pretty good job, Katherine, especially if you're already rich.
Then the Dems can only blame themselves for the national implosion that follows.
I like Katherine Harris and thought she would make a good Senator, but it is clear she is not catching on as a candidate. Bense has the better chance. Katherine was given the nomination on a platter and did not make it work.
Johnson said Republican respondents voted 38 percent in favor of making retired general Tommy Franks of Tampa the GOP nominee, compared to 34 percent for Harris.For the first time, Republican primary voters have chosen another name over Harris, according to the pollster
He's also a fellow resident of Panama City, the conservative capital of Florida.
Mrs. Harris is gonna get her clock cleaned.
She should remain in that safe house seat in Sarasota because beating Nelson is not gonna happen.
Too bad for the Pubbies in FL.
What asses did the Herald Tribune get their information from this time?
Please stop believing these FL media hit pieces. They're about as credible as Mary Mapes.
Her bra says she is a burden.
Reading the posts of the anti-Harris FReepers who relish these attack Harris articles in the SH-T....
I'd say the liberal FL press like the SH-T, the paper owned by the NY Slimes, is doing a yoeman's job of splitting the FL GOP, making the 'Hate Harris' DemonRATs jump with glee and saving Bill Nelson's Campaign a ton of money!
I will no longer post on such threads so please remove my name if you are going to continue pinging Floridians to these Attack Harris threads.
In absence of Republican polls showing Harris is reasonably close, I have to believe the dozen or so other polls have some merit and Harris is in critical trouble. Picking up 10-15% I would give her the benefit of the doubt, but being 20 plus points down is bleak.
I don't have a horse in this fight.....Oh.....that reminds me......someone ping me when the pic of her on the horse is posted.......
I do. I'm a big supporter of Congressman Shaw.
Two years ago, the Democrats tried to run some gay "sweet thing" against Shaw, but the "sweet thing" had to be hospitalized for exhaustion. The race was too much for the Democrat, so Shaw won easily.
Now the Democrats are trying again to unseat Shaw, since his district is not a safe district. Shaw needs as much help as needed, and Harris is no help.
In absence of Republican polls showing Harris is reasonably close, I have to believe the dozen or so other polls have some merit and Harris is in critical trouble. Picking up 10-15% I would give her the benefit of the doubt, but being 20 plus points down is bleak.
Wouldn't surprise me if the rats aren't the ones influencing Bense.
If loyal Harris supporters will not speak up in her defense, who will?
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