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.
Ladysmith: Incredible, isn't it? Harris did exactly what she was supposed to do in her position back in 2000, showing her trustworthiness and character. They were the kind qualities we want from the GOP...And they wonder why people don't want to put their necks out and run for office.
I wish Bush had shown half the loyalty to Linda Tripp and Katherine Harris he has to Donald Rumsfeld.
Maybe it's a "woman" thing. /s
I read about her gaffes...well, I'm not a FL resident so I don't know about them. But good grief the lady has stuck in there and for that I give her credit. Some Rs in "Leadership" have done their dirty deeds to a few elected officials & candidates here in WA State too. Then they prat about the "Ronald Regan's 11th commandment." They must have forgotten he ran against an incumbant Republican for President!
Politics IS a dirty business, even if the dirty business is simply bad manners.
Proudly voted for Katherine last Tuesday!
"The thing is she DIDN'T "do a favor" for Republicans. She FOLLOWED THE LAW! I'm so sick of that fact being twisted."
She DID do the Pubs a favor by being moral and honest and following the law. That's the favor. If it would have been a Dem doing Katherine's job, they would have been dishonest, immoral, and would have broken the law to get their candidate in. Therein lies the difference.
http://www.local6.com/news/10248992/detail.html
Joe here is a link to the article I mentioned in your private mail. I'm not that good at posting. Thanks
In 2005, looking at the numbers, I thought our strongest bet would come with a Congressman from Palm Beach with 2 million dollars in the bank.
So Harris is still better.
Harris promised to give $10 million of her own money to the campaign.
She failed to do so. She put in $3.5 and stopped. Good start, but not what she promised. If she doesn't pull it out tomorrow (and I hope she can, for the sake of the Senate), then she'll have nobody to blame but herself.
That money could have made the difference. Why didn't she donate it?
Whoa! She's got my votes... um, vote.
at this point she is protecting her future viability.
The strong enough to play the conservative but weak enough to play the conspiracy victim is annoying.
She knew the score going in. She was going to not get ANY support at all.
All efforts now are about the ground war.
This backhanded article is about reminding democrats about 2000.
at this point she is protecting her future viability.
The strong enough to play the conservative but weak enough to play the conspiracy victim is annoying.
She knew the score going in. She was going to not get ANY support at all.
All efforts now are about the ground war.
This backhanded article is about reminding democrats about 2000.
Oh, don't get me wrong - I think it's smart for her to save the money, since she can't win.
It was a dumb promise to make. But the fact remains that she made that campaign promise back in March, and she has since broken it. That campaign promise helped keep better candidates out of the primary. Who wants to run against a candidate with a $10M war chest?
Again, we need the seat and so I hope that she pulls it out. But if she loses, she only has herself to blame. She can't complain that the state GOP didn't give her any money for commercials if she won't spend the money she herself promised to give the campaign.
WHY and again WHY would he win more easily than Kathrine Harris???
he is very popular and the gop wouldnt of abandoned him like they did with harris
Hi neighbor: "Welcome" to a great Conservative posting forum. - My wife and I were also at Nova that evening!
We had met K.H. in our church at a Sunday evening service a couple of months earlier. I spent some time to talk with her husband Anders and his daughter Louise in our native language (Swedish)!!
We live in Miramar Isle between the Turnpike and 441 about 4-5 miles from Palm Avenue. Yesterday we went around our neighborhood handing out Election Guides from Christian Coalition and talking to people about b.n's "career" as Insurance Commissioner selling us out and being instrumental in our Home Insurance premium doubled from last year!!!
Buster; you have been "hear" long enough to know that your name calling is welcome here. That's is what they do on DU!!!
In contrary to the "left" coast, Florida is a Red State, and we don't need your wishes about Bush, whoever that might be. We will put the great congresswoman K.H. into the Senate without their help!!!
Got it???
Within the Conservatives, she is even more popular than the less Conservative Bushes!!!
You are drinking tooooo much of the "drive-by" L.S.M's cool aid!!
We are voting K.H. in as our new Junior Senator. Period!!!
i already voted for her and your toooo angry must be cactus juice your drinking now period and goodbye
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