Posted on 11/04/2006 8:09:47 AM PST by dukeman
Even critics are impressed with her debate performances, but experts say it's just too late
ORLANDO -- Virtually out of money, abandoned by state Republican leaders and ridiculed by her detractors, Rep. Katherine Harris is refusing to fade into the background in the final days of her U.S. Senate bid.
Instead, she is becoming more visible, scheduling one of her busiest series of public appearances in weeks and advertising on television for the first time in months.
Even Harris' critics say she has surprised them in her two debates against Sen. Bill Nelson, avoiding the gaffes that have dogged her in the past and showing a greater command of the issues.
"It was somewhat of a success for her," said her former spokesman Chris Ingram, who was one of several campaign staffers to quit the campaign during its struggles. "She did really well for Katherine."
If Harris had presented the public image voters saw in the final debate Wednesday, it is likely some staffers would not have bailed on her, Ingram said.
But most political analysts said Harris' efforts are too little, too late. She trails Nelson by as much as 30 points in the latest polls.
"There's no reason to think she can turn it around," said Nathan Gonzales, political editor of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Report.
"A large majority of voters in Florida have made up their mind about Katherine Harris. There's nothing she can do."
Jim Dornan, Harris' former campaign manager, who was part of a wave of staffers who quit a year ago, agreed that Harris has wasted too much time and needed to focus on rallying independent voters months ago.
"She's begun to get her campaign together, but it's entirely too late," he said.
But political experts said Harris probably won some votes Wednesday in the last of two debates with Nelson.
Seated across from Nelson at a table, Harris challenged Nelson's voting record on tax increases and defended her proposal to dismantle the federal income tax in favor of a national sales tax.
When NBC host and moderator Tim Russert cited studies that say the plan only benefit the rich, Harris rebutted him, citing facts and figures that previously she has struggled to articulate.
"If only she could rewind the clock about eight months," said Aubrey Jewett, assistant professor of political science at the University of Central Florida, who attended the debate Wednesday.
Ingram, her former campaign spokesman, said Harris appeared more viable in the debates than the caricature trumpeted by her critics.
"To a less-informed voter, she probably came across certainly much better," Ingram said. "She didn't trip over herself and create new problems."
Harris' new strategy for the last five days of campaigning is to take her message to public forums for the first time in weeks.
After stumping at church gatherings and other events closed to the media, Harris plans to wave signs and shake hands on a college campus and a downtown business area in Lakeland today.
On Saturday, she plans to attend a Clearwater gun show and a "Harris for Senate" rally at Sumter County's GOP headquarters.
At the same time, Harris seems to be preparing her supporters for defeat.
She confirmed on Wednesday that she is writing a "tell-all" book about the conspiracy to undermine her Senate bid.
While she would not go into detail, Harris has said for months she has copies of former staffers' e-mails that prove they were working against her and for the competition.
"You'll just have to wait and see," she said, when asked about the book after Wednesday's debate.
But Ingram, who worked for Harris from April to July, said he saw no evidence of a conspiracy, even though he said Harris instructed him to help search for incriminating e-mails.
He noted the numerous staffers who bailed on Harris' campaign earlier this year are all die-hard Republicans who wouldn't work for a Democrat behind her back.
"It's just typical Katherine, playing the victim," Ingram said.
"Katherine, say whatever you want, I could care less. No one's interested. No one cares."
Just bringing up the book could be a mistake, because it reminds voters of the "soap opera" that has been surrounding Harris for months, Jewett said.
"It's a distraction," he said.
>>The abuse this woman has taken on this Forum is mind-boggling, and almost caused me to quit FR in disgust.
Amen. It's shameful.
<<
It is also true that her strongest supporters have been on this forum .
To be sure, a nasty thread about her was started a year ago,
late August(2005) - - thanks to Michele Malkin's complaints,
it was pulled immediately .
FreePers were solidly supporting her when the DemoRats unleashed their arsenal of hate against this courageous lady .
GOP VICTORY TOMORROW! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I will, I will ! ! !
Jeb Bush was right.
>>Jeb Bush was right.<<
Jeb Bush should have supported her sooner, or he should have thrown his hat into the ring himself !
To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
The abuse this woman has taken on this Forum is mind-boggling, and almost caused me to quit FR in disgust.
Amen. It's shameful.
GO KATHERINE GO!
Yep, but it will be from out of space where he will sent into for good!!!
About WHAT, "newcomer"???
I got a flyer in the mail today from the state republican party. It was basically for Crist but in the corner they listed four more Repbulcans to support.
Katherine Harrris name was conspicuous by it's absence. It irritated me enough that she is the only one I will vote for.
She still looks good but twenty years ago she must have been a real babe.
Do you not support Jeb Bush? I think he has been one of the greatest governors ever.
To be honest, Jeb Bush was just trying to give her a warning that she wasn't a popular enough politician to run a credible Senate campaign.
What has she accomplished? A humiliating defeat, plus she put her Congressional seat in danger of a pick up by the Democrats. Democrats didn't even have to spend any money to defend the seat.
The blame has to go on her . .she will choose to scapegoat others. I understand she is writing a "tell-all" book soon.
What has she accomplished? A humiliating defeat
Too soon. Wait until tonight - it's not over yet.
If you're right though, and she does lose, she'll have a lot for which to answer.
I saw on MSNBC this am that W snubbed her last night. WTF?
"You really think her breasts would get her poll numbers up?"
Well, lots of people seem to be fond of them, here on FR. That silly "I'm supposedly a horsewoman and yet my toes don't even touch the stirrups" picture has been posted a zillion times here, and always gets a happy reaction.
Both Bushes, one hundred percent (100%) in actions and prayers
I apologize to you all if you feel that I was rude to you. That was certainly NOT anything personal against you, but my passion for our candidate was very strong and sometimes one can express words that should not have been said. So please forgive me!!
Now we have an even more uphill battle and challenge ahead of us, the election 2008, that we need to be united about. I feel this election was a "dress-rehearsal" for clintons to get back into the White House, and the possibility of that could be an additional 16 years of a clinton???
That is REALLY a very scary thought that would keep one awake at nights!!!
Too little; too late.
she isn't a bad person - she was simply a bad statewide candidate, that's all. she should have stayed in congress.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Anyhow, I'm not happy about being right, but you were so unreasonable, unthinking, rude and stupid about this race, I can't help but mock you for this one.
I don't remember any rude comments from you, but again, I don't take website interaction personally. I enjoy reading different viewpoints.
I voted for Harris knowing that my vote did not help her at all. Rocket man was re-elected in a landslide.
Following politics can be depressing sometimes. This week is one of those times.
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