Feeney makes an impression as freshman on Capitol Hill

Orlando Sentinel ^ | 4/28/02 | Tamara Lytle

[LdSentinal]

WASHINGTON -- It took Tom Feeney just over three months to undo a federal criminal-sentencing system that had been 10 years in the making.

Feeney, a freshman congressman from Central Florida, won sweeping new restrictions on the power of federal judges in setting sentences. His controversial amendment -- called divisive and unconstitutional by some but lauded by conservatives -- was part of a bill on child safety that President Bush is expected to sign soon.

The victory is striking for a newcomer to Congress and highlights two themes of the Republican lawmaker's first 100 days in Washington:

Feeney has been a reliable conservative vote -- no surprise for the man who tried to rewrite state law to help George W. Bush win the contested Florida presidential vote. And Feeney is trying to position himself for a Washington repeat of his rapid rise to power in Tallahassee as speaker of the state House of Representatives.

[LdSentinal]

Central Florida conservative with a promising future.

[JohnnyZ]

Sounds like a divisive right-wing conservative to me (gag)!

[GraniteStateConservative]

Didn't he have a mistress?

[TheMole]

It took Tom Feeney just over three months to undo a federal criminal-sentencing system that had been 10 years in the making.

Yeah, 10 years of steady subversion by Clintonoids. Good work Tom!

[MainstreamConservative]

Feeney definitely has a bright future, whether it be in the house or the senate. But it really isn't that suprising he has already proven his effectiveness in Washington. He was the Speaker in the Florida House, where the name of the games is to build coalitions and consensus.

[flrepublican1]

Feeney is a solid conservative and I think he could make Speaker of the US House or will be in a leadership position in Congress. As for Senator, I don't know yet.

[MainstreamConservative]

Absolutely. I think he's likely to stay in the house, where he will rise through the ranks. If he runs for senate, it will be either in 2006 or 2010, but again, I say he stays in the house.

[flrepublican1]

Tom Feeney is a great guy but I don't see him winning outside of Orlando. I think he'll stay in the House and try to climb the ladder in leadership, I don't see him running in 2006. I think Nelson will run for Governor in 2006 and Jeb will run for his seat in the Senate and 2010 McCollum will be running for a 2nd term in the Senate.

[MainstreamConservative]

I agree with everyting you said except about McCollum. In 2010 he'll be a lobbyist. Also, Feeney can win outside of Orlando. It's just I think he'll be more comfortable in the house.