Posted on 08/19/2006 11:41:24 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
WASHINGTON — Sometimes expectations can be fatal.
You automatically go into a situation assuming, expecting one thing and then, before you know it, you're awash in disappointment and trying to come up for air.
It can happen in relationships, business encounters and, well, political campaigns. Katherine Harris, the Longboat KeyRepublican and U.S. Senate hopeful, learned the hard lesson of expectations this week when she assumed she had the support of four Republican colleagues.
Early in the week, she proudly announced on her Web site that Reps. Mark Foley, R-Fort Pierce, Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, Jeff Miller R-Pensacola, and Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, had given her campaign a stamp of approval.
Harris was wrong.
On Wednesday, Harris staffers were bombarded with complaints from her supposed congressional backers.
"Did she just expect that we would endorse her?" one lawmaker's staffer complained to a high-ranking Harris staffer.
On Thursday, the endorsements were removed from the Web site.
Coincidentally, (or maybe not) Harris also had high expectations of state Sen. Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, on Thursday when she anticipated his appearance at a campaign rally. When Webster was a no-show at the sleepy Orlando airport rally, Harris was caught off guard.
"They called back twice and said he'd be here," she told the Orlando Sentinel this week. "He said he was going to be here on the stage with me today."
What Harris did not know was Webster probably wasn't around because he already had endorsed opponent Will McBride for the Republican Senate ticket.
Meanwhile, adding even more insult to injury to the struggling Harris campaign, a certain Web link has been floating around the Florida delegation during a lethargic congressional August recess.
The Urban Dictionary, an online resource for only the hippest words and phrases recently added the term "Katherine Harris crazy" to its lexicon.
No joke. (Any nonbelievers can check it out themselves at www.urbandictionary.com.)Here's how they define Katherine Harris crazy: Noun. As insanely optimistic as Congresswoman Katherine Harris. Usually characterized by an overly optimistic estimation of someone's chances of achieving success.
According to the dictionary, here's how the phrase is used in a sentence: "Did you hear Jim just bought 500 dollars in lottery tickets? That boy is just Katherine Harris crazy if he thinks he's going to hit the jackpot."
If you've used the phrase "Katherine Harris crazy " too many times and you're looking for another word to use instead, the dictionary offers some synonyms:
Crazy, insane, ridiculous, unlikely, or optimistic.
I think Kathrine Harrisshould have waited and just ran for reelection. She would have had a much better cance the next time around. But then things can change and she can still pull through
She has my support as well.
Well, if the job involves riding horses, she has my support, too. I was under the impression that the job of United States Senator had other requirements, though.
The constant posting of this photo, rather than information supporting here in the position she is standing for, is not a positive thing.
Judging by the picture, she does not seem to need it.
Posting the photo with the implication that her good looks somehow enhance her qualifications makes conservatives look like superficial frat boys.
I don't think the woman has a chance in Hell of becoming a US Senator come November.But the true believers will not be swayed so I guess I'll bow out of further comments.
I pity her. This is as severe a meltdown as I can remember since Marion Berry responded to a cocaine bust by saying "The bitch set me up."
I hope Carl Rove and company keep off her case.
The GOP political establishment should have supported her from the beginning.
This McBride candidate may be their ploy to take her out not to mention all the nasty stories being bandied about.
The liberal media hate her for 2000 regardless and would call her a wacko at the drop of a hat.
Yeah, I feel sorry for her. She tried hard, but just doesn't have the support to win, and this has really turned into a disaster. It looks real bad now, but she could save a lot of face and retain some dignity by withdrawing respectfully.
If she were to go back to congress, bide her time there, she could still rehabilitate her career and have some options down the line, but it will take time (and patience).
More pointers on how not to run a political campaign!
Good grief, how many photos of AC get posted. It was a joke for crying out loud.
"Posting the photo with the implication that her good looks somehow enhance her qualifications makes conservatives look like superficial frat boys.
"
There's nothing at all wrong with good looks, but they are not a requirement for the Senate. Yet, every thread about KH ends up with this photo being posted, as if that should convince anyone of anything.
Yes, she's a good looking woman. That's just fine. There are lots of good-looking women. How does that pertain to her qualifications for the Senate.
Given the number of people who have fled her campaign, I'm thinking she's not all that good at working with a team. Being in the Senate definitely requires a lot of teamwork, a stable staff, and the ability to work with other Senators.
I see no indication that she is capable in those regards.
As for the GOP abandoning here, it is my understanding that endorsements are not made during primary campaigns, when multiple GOP candidates are vying for the position.
Harris cannot possibly win this election at this point. Time for her to withdraw and at least offer some hope of getting a Republican into that seat.
Hmmm....who to vote for?
"Good grief, how many photos of AC get posted. "
If you're referring to Ann Coulter...then far too many.
Campaign.
Ever.
She has a solid conservative record, back when she was Secretary of State in FL, and when she was a Congresswoman.
This information is easily accessible not only on Harris threads throughout FR, but on her campaign website as well.
Please keep in mind - and I can't stress this enough - that nobody filed to challenge Nelson other than her, up until literally the last minute when 3 no-name opponents decided to jump in for feces and giggles.
"Hmmm....who to vote for?
"
I can't tell, from the photos. Who is the older woman? What is she running for? What are her political positions.
Looks don't matter when it comes to qualification for political office. It's what's behind the eyes and between the ears that matters
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