[Chancellor Palpatine]

Otherwise known as the "shooting ourselves in the foot" strategy which has been so successful in California, the social "conservative" wing of the party pushes another dour, grim, personality free and unelectable candidate amid rumor and innuendo which aren't particularly relevant to anything.

In other words, it ain't their business - unless, of course, they've made similar inquiries of their choice, and whether he has denied enjoying any unnatural acts in the past.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

.

[Stingray51]

If an in-the-closet "gay" Republican gets the nomination, we can be sure the Left will try to make a big issue of it, probably by spreading rumors of GOP discontent (thereby simultaneously knocking off the Republican candidate while making Republicans look "intolerant").

[Mister Baredog]

Otherwise known as the "shooting ourselves in the foot" strategy which has been so successful in California

OUCH!(LOL), but true. Although it took $10 million from Gray Davis for us to beat back Riordan( and elect Simon in the primary) the real threat, in the 2002 election. I guess this is part of the "cling to straws" rationale after the fact.

I voted for Riordan in the primary but it just wasn't enough. LOL

Next we may try the "Terminator".

[Jack Black]

Huh? Care to run that one by us again. McCollum is grim and unelectable in your opinion. What is the California parallel? Simon? Fong? Not Hershonson, that's for sure! He had too much personality.

[hchutch]

Maybe McCollum can be offered an appointment or shifted to run for another job in Florida (say, Lieutenant Governor).

He's a good guy. I've had no complaints about him.

[SwinneySwitch]

How in the h*ll did Ronald Reagan ever win an election in this state?

[Mr. Bird]

Oh please, consider the source. Bill McCollum was my rep for years, and if anything, he's a plain-spoken fiscal conservative with absolutely zero downside. I guess you'll just take the Herald's word for it that "party strategists" are worried?

[Mr. Bird]

And here's ABC News' bio of Bill when he was an evil House Impeachment Manager:

McCollum was one of the Republicans' most visible members in the days after Clinton's Aug. 17 admission of an improper relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Brought up in loyally Democratic terrain by his conservative Republican grandfather, McCollum campaigned for 1964 GOP presidential nominee Barry Goldwater while studying at the University of Florida. He has been assigned to handle witness preparation.

Yep, we'll be shooting ourselves in the foot with this guy.

[Rebelbase]

"and blamed it on Democratic activists who fear his strength as a candidate. "

Yes, we are winning the battle for the people of America. Had this been years earlier, when the Dems were all on the same page, such a comment would have been directed at evil right wingers.

[lady lawyer]

If I were voting in Florida, I would want to know. I would not want to unwittingly vote in another person supporting so-called "gay rights." In that respect, I don't think it is a private matter. Unfortunately, he must be gay. Otherwise he would simply say "no."

[JohnnyZ]

This was already posted last week, when it was actually new news:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/916307/posts

I think the Herald wrote up their own article, but still, nice that you think it's necessary to attack conservatives to get your kicks.

Foley is a big gay rights and abortion supporter; that's plenty of reason not to want him to be the nominee in a sane state like Florida (as opposed to Kalifornia).

Conservative, electable US Rep. Dave Weldon is also considering the race.

[Larry Lucido]

I could care less what a candidate is, as long as he is pro-gun and anti-tax, and isn't pushing for statutes that single out gays for special protections.

On the other hand, it appears to be perfectly acceptable for a Gay magazine to ask whether Clay Aiken is gay.

[jmaroneps37]

At some time in the future, being gay won't mean anything. But that time is still aways off. Foley is a good guy and deserves a shot but; not on a state wide ticket. Because this has gotten out, Foley win NOT win the GOP primary. 04 will be a great year and whether cracker leaves his seat or not, McCollum will beat him or take the open seat. If we get real lucky, deutsch or wexler will run and we'll get rid of another rat congressman in the process.

[george wythe]

If McCollum runs again, either Deutsch or Panellas will trounce him at the general election.

Forget about another Republican pick up in the US Senate. Florida is not a conservative state, but a swing state, and McCollum not a likeable conservative

[Beck_isright]

If the idiots would shut up, he will win the seat down here easily. He's anti-Castro, anti-communist, anti-terrorist, anti-hollyweird, anti-left. I don't care who, what or where he is sleeping. At this point in time in our nation's history, there are more important issues.

[Joe Boucher]

I am a straight veteran white guy nearly 50 years old.
Mark Foley is my congress critter as I live in Port St. Lucie Fl.
He is and has been a very good congressman for many years. I support him and could care less if he is a homosexual. Fact is his sexuality has never entered into whether he is competant or not.
He is a leader in the fight for veterans. He is approachable as a representitive he reflects his constituancy.
If he runs for the U.S. Senate I will probably work to elect him. I know many gays as they are through out society. If they do their job and don't pester me with it then so what? And in reality he hasn't come out and said he is, just that whatever he is is no ones business except his own.
I am married and my wife of 25 years and I have a 16 year old son. Whatever my wife and I do within our sex lives is no one elses business and if one were to press the subject I'd probably try to kick their ass. Mr. Foley at least is more civilized then I.

[Dan from Michigan]

Foley said, is that it's nobody's business but his own

YES! I agree.

As for McCollum, he's WAY WAY WAY WAY too soft on the 2nd Amendment(Foley isn't perfect, but MUCH better on that issue). Not to mention he LOST already. He also pushed for a Patriot Act(secret searches) type bill for Butcher Reno. The only good thing McCollum has over Foley is that he's pro-life.

I'd back Foley over McCollum. I don't like his abortion stance at all, but McCollum lost once already, and is much more hostile to freedom

[thegreatbeast]

Dole was dismal in comparison to the Liar in Chief. Name a dozen politicians who have real flair and claim a prize. Personality is not often a consideration when choosing congress critters.
It would be my earnest hope that we were at the "content of their character" stage but we are not and I'm tired of being duped. I don't care what happens in your bedroom or Foley's but that is not what is at issue. You should know that, Pollyanna!

[tracer]

We should understand why a guy who has had a catheter named after him would be sensitive about this....

[sandydipper]

I voted for McCollum the first time he ran for Congress. He made it an issue to support term limits. Then he announced plans to run for re-election because "the people had spoken" and wanted him to return to DC.

I asked him why it was that incumbents were anti term limits and first timers were pro term limits - he did not answer.