3 local leaders may eye Senate (Foley, Hastings, WELDON)

The Tribune (TCPalm.com) ^ | May 25, 2003 | Joel Eskovitz

[KQQL]

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[KQQL]

P.S...........State of the Economy will decide who will
will in 2004................................................R or D

[fieldmarshaldj]

"I think Alcee Hastings would have a great shot at the Rat nomination, especially if it's a 4- or 5-way affair (Panelas, Deutsch, thateducationwoman, Boyd). He'd almost certainly be the only black candidate and is a hero to liberal blacks."

Yes, I'm sure his distinguished tenure including that of his being one of the few impeached Federal Judges in U.S. history definitely gets liberals all excited. The 'Rats I think we'll go apoplectic if he gets the nomination. He definitely scares the straights.

[Torie]

None of the Pubbies generate much confidence do they? Foley will be asked about his sexual preference, and that will be a distraction. If he admits that he is gay, it will probably be curtains for him in the primary. I tend to doubt that Weldon is a supple enough conservative, unless he is charismatic, which I doubt.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"None of the Pubbies generate much confidence do they?"

There does seem a lack of "dynamism." Where are the Herman Cains of Florida ? An outsider might do the trick.

"Foley will be asked about his sexual preference, and that will be a distraction. If he admits that he is gay, it will probably be curtains for him in the primary."

That would play a part, but he's a bit more liberal than primary voters would care for in FL (but certainly no Jim Greenwood), and that's the biggest mark against him. I'd prefer he stay put in the House.

"I tend to doubt that Weldon is a supple enough conservative, unless he is charismatic, which I doubt."

Aside from what I've read about Weldon, I've not seen how he "connects" to the people. My concern is how he'll be marginalized as a "Religious Right" type. FL may be a southern state, but it's not Georgia, Alabama, or South Carolina. He had some initial trouble with his House reelection in '96 because of his stances, but converted the seat into a safe one for him (but then, so did Bill McCollum, and he went nowhere in the Senate race). I think the best fit for the seat would be fmr. Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan, but he's not likely to leave his newly-acquired job.