Harris Speaks To The Faithful

Miami Herald ^ | August 18, 2006 | Nicholas Spangler

[Theodore R.]

I can think of four FL senators who lost reelection: Claude Pepper in the Democratic primary of 1950 (to George Smathers), Gurney in the general election of 1974 (to Richard Stone), Stone in the 1980 general election (to Paula Hawkins), Hawkins in the 1986 general election (to Robert Graham).

[SFCGeraldRTostensen]

Her house record should speak for itself.

I realize there are many in the state of Florida who are incapable of reading or even simple comprehension; however there is still a stalwart, albeit slim, majority who think and act conservatively.

When voters could see Nelson's ACU voting record during his senate career, I believe that could be the lever that upsets him.

[lugsoul]

I think it is obvious, though I think calling it 'sabotage' sounds a lot like something she would say.

You say no one will say why FLGOPers aren't supporting her. I'll say it. It is because she is crazy. And she is demonstrating that more and more with each passing day.

[aynrandfreak]

I'm not sure if it was that or some other dirt. They could've threatened her family. I put nothing past what McKinney will do to get that seat back. This guy that just beat her could end up dead in two years.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Why would the liberal Miami Herald run a decent piece on Harris?"

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You call that a "decent piece"? It does nothing but mock Harris, her supporters and conservatives in general. It starts off by mocking the college girls for only knowing a couple of words of Spanish. Then it mocks the former baseball player for saying that Harris is beautiful (the next sentence says that she was "not unattractive"). Then it mocks Harris's claim that Bill Nelson doesn't oppose to estate taxes and the marriage tax penalty or support moral values. Throughout the article, the author throws out stereotypes about Harris's mascara, mentions in passing that Harris disenfranchised Florida voters in 2000, and says that Nelson has an insurmountable lead. It also seeks to link Harris to past comments of a Kendall evangelist who attended the event. At its best, the article damns Harris with faint praise, and at its worst it attacks her directly. If you think that this is a positive piece intended to help Harris win the primary, you should get your eyesight checked out.

[Mase]

Thanks for the history. I missed Pepper's loss in 1950. It's interesting to note that Stone and Hawkins only served one term. I'd love to add Nelson's name to that list.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Also, if Harris were elected and voted like Martinez, what would have been gained?"

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While I disagree with Mel's recent position on immigration reform, I think a Senator with a 100 ACU such as Mel had in 2005 is quite a bit better than Bill Nelson, so if Harris wins and votes like Mel quite a bit would be gained.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Ping to a Harris story that isn't a hit piece!

You've got to be kidding me, the media never writes such thinly-veiled snarky accounts of Democrats. Reread it and note the writing style. 100% guaranteed the writer is a liberal, odds are greater than 50% that he's also gay. If nothing else, the comment about an aide checking her teeth for lipstick should have been a tipoff.

[Mase]

Her house record should speak for itself.

There are many here who think Harris should have stayed in Congress and honed her skills more. Many of these same people support the no-experienced McBride. Go figure.

When voters could see Nelson's ACU voting record during his senate career, I believe that could be the lever that upsets him.

Yep. Nelson is the only statewide elected democrat remaining in Florida. The media are working tirelessly in this race to ensure that the real Nelson (ultra-liberal) never sees the light of day. They're also working overtime to focus the race on Harris' personality instead of the issues. Unfortunately, many FReepers seem to agree with the MSM that style is more important than substance.

[monkapotamus]

[NonValueAdded]

Snarky was the word I was going to use in a post I abandoned. That said, by comparison this piece is positively glowing. I agree it is a matter of degree but with those little nuanced comments you note therein, you have to admit the author showed uncharacteristic restraint. "Not a hit piece" doesn't mean it was flattering, just that it wasn't a sound thrashing as are most other articles about KH. Yeah, I caught that lipstick comment but assumed the female readers would be saying "so, what's your point?" and the males would be saying "so doesn't my wife / girlfriend, and look at her on that horse!"

[aynrandfreak]

That was more of a response to post #2. I'm sure that NonValue Added will appreciate your sentiments though.

[SFCGeraldRTostensen]

I truly believed she could unseat Nelson.

Her record in the House was excellent!

[SFCGeraldRTostensen]

....the media never writes such thinly-veiled snarky accounts of Democrats...

You're absolutely correct. It is, indeed, a thinly-veiled "snarky" account that passes for "fair and balanced."

[JulieRNR21]

Have you been able to ask Congresswoman Harris WHY she decided to run for the Senate?

I have and she told me she has grown frustrated with having many good bills pass the House & then get stuck in the Senate due to the Dems.

She believes she can make a difference in the Senate.

Please don't count her out yet. After the primary, I believe that JEB & other GOP will campaign for her.

[GadareneDemoniac]

OK, now we're getting somewhere! You say she's "crazy". What specific behaviors is she exhibiting that make you say that? I realize that she has gone through staffers right and left, but how do we know that the turnover is because of her and not lack of support from the party?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I admit I'm worried about how this party is being run. Although I don't live in Florida, I do live next door. And Florida has way too many electoral votes to risk because of the egos of the powers that be.

[Theodore R.]

Those surveys are rigged. Lawmakers are told in advance how to vote on a particular issue to keep up their tallies. I look for Martinez to move to the left in the coming years.

[JulieRNR21]

My normal contribution to the RNC went directly to the Harris campaign this year...

I stopped contributing to the RNC and have donated more money to the Harris campaign this year than to anyone I have ever supported.

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DITTO BUMP

That's exactly what many of us are doing!

The FL grassroots are with her and many will be in 'shock & awe' when we GOTV and make her our Senator!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Unseating of Bill Nelson, which should have been a breeze, looks bleak.

Quit believing these biased, stupid FL MSM hit-pieces.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I would sincerely hope it isn't because she uses too much makeup.

We don't give a s--t what you think of Harris. We support her, period.