Allan Bense suggested as Katherine Harris challenger (Florida Senate race update)

The Miami Herald ^ | May 7, 2006 | Gary Fineout

[Clintonfatigued]

When House Speaker Allan Bense walked into the fourth-floor rotunda of the Capitol shortly after midnight Friday, he was greeted by applause from a crowd of lobbyists and lawmakers sporting red, white and blue stickers that read ``Allan Bense. U.S. Senate.''

The message from Gov. Jeb Bush down to the rank-and-file Republicans in the Legislature and those who make up a large share of Tallahassee's lobbying corps is that they want Bense to challenge U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris for U.S. Senate.

[Clintonfatigued]

If elected, Allan Bense would be an outstanding addition to the U.S. Senate. Florida conservatives should encourage his candidacy.

[Clintonfatigued]

I can't tell for sure. But there were a number of people wearing "Bense For Senate 2006" buttons at a recent political event.

It's a good sign.

[fieldmarshaldj]

He has until Friday to decide. This is gonna be a helluva week.

[llevrok]

How does he look on a horse?

[PhiKapMom]

You have freep mail which you are going to enjoy!

Tomorrow should be an interesting day in Florida and one a lot of Florida activists have been waiting.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

He does not look as good as Harris on a horse. But I don't want a good looking canidate on a horse. I want someone who will take this pivotal seat for Republicans. Bense may be it and I love Harris, but she is 30 points behind in the polls mostly due to a bad campaign and baggage from the 2000 election which sure was not her fault.She was simply fulfilling her job.

[capt. norm]

Yes!!!

[PhiKapMom]

I think the tide is turning and now Nelson is going to have a real race on his hands with Bense -- that seat has been so winnable and now the chances are going up considerably.

[MassachusettsGOP]

So you are saying, Bense is running then?

[zbigreddogz]

I sure hope he runs. He can do just what Martinez did, i.e. run on 'I can win and McCollum can't' which is 100% true with Bense/Harris. I think she's very beatable in the primary and at the very least, he'll force Nelson to run hard and not spend all his money trying to beat Crist/Galligher or wazzhisname (the one vulnerable R congressman, can't remember his name). Even if he loses, he'll be helpful, and he'll certainly be set up for another statewide race down the line.

[MassachusettsGOP]

Davis

[MassachusettsGOP]

woops haha thats the Dem running for Gov, you and I mean Klein (D) vs. Shaw (R)

[PhiKapMom]

If I was a betting person, I would be betting on "yes" -- stay tuned for the next 24-48 hours.

[SE Mom]

I would like to work for someone who has the potential to BEAT Nelson. I'm up to here with his voting record and attitude.

I don't know anything about Bense at this point- I'll go do some reading.

[shield]

Just a rumor: Porter Goss

[Mase]

If Bense runs for Senate it's because Crist and Gallagher don't want him as Lt. Governor.

[FloridianBushFan]

I agree I love Harris and I would love to see nothing more then for her to beat Nelson and look on the Democrats faces, but her campaign is all messed up. Part of the problem is the GOP not backing her and a big part is how screwed up her campaign is. I have opened my eyes and realize that maybe it is time for someone to enter the race.

I do think that Allen Bense could do it. He just needs to make sure his campaign runs smooth and is well organized unlike Harris. No matter what though I will support whoever is the nominee for the Republicans cause I do want to see Nelson gone.

If we all join together, stop complaining and support the nominee no matter if it is Harris or Bense, then Nelson can be beat.

[no dems]

I think this is too little too late. Go ahead and coronate Nelson for another term.