(Katherine) Harris Almighty? She could have Senate power

Orlando Sentinel ^ | 6/1/03 | Mark Silva

[LdSentinal]

This may be just the campaign for Katherine Harris.

Florida's looming election season offers Republicans a chance to cement a slim majority in the U.S. Senate. But few candidates could attract as much national attention -- and money -- as Harris, the newly seated congresswoman from Sarasota, former secretary of state and heroine for some, devil for others, from the fabled 2000 election.

The beauty of Harris is her name, so well-known that she can afford to wait much longer than anyone else before entering any statewide race.

"I always say I am famous or infamous," Harris says.

Her best opportunity, of course, is an open contest. Anyone's chances of unseating Sen. Bob Graham in 2004 are doubtful. And Graham has complicated the picture by refusing to rule out re-election while he pursues the Democratic Party's nomination for president.

Harris flatly says "no way" to a contest with Graham. But seeking an open seat? "Never say never."

[nutmeg]

read later bump

[nutmeg]

ping!

[Kuksool]

Katherine Harris for Senate is preferable to both Mark Foley and Dave Weldon.

[NonValueAdded]

I recently received a request for donations from Bill McCollum. Wasn't he the Rep that lost a senate race after giving up his house seat?

[Kuksool]

Bill McCollum used to represent the FL-08 (Orland Metro area). Bill McCollum lost to Bill Nelson in the 2000 Senate race, 51%-46%. He thinks he can win the Senate race this time by having former Senator Connie Mack advise his campaign. I doubt McCollum's ccampaign will go anywhere.

[longtermmemmory]

yes.

McCollum or Harris would work better than the other candidates, especially the homosexual. O'Reilly's discussion on the subject has convinced me that a person's sexual orientation DOES matter when it comes to public life. It matters as an issue of character.

[Kuksool]

The Log Cabin Pubbies like Bill McCollum. McCollum has voted for hate crimes and AIDS spending.

[I still care]

Katherine Harris for Senate? Wow, that would be worth it just to see the explosion at the St. Petersberg Times. They are convinced she is the devil incarnate.

They hate Jeb Bush too. They practically read like a campaign ad for Democrats. Of course, Jeb takes no garbage from them, and is constantly sending them letters correcting their misstatements.

[onyx]

Katherine Harris? W-O-W! I like her!

[Atchafalaya]

Wouldn't that be a hugh! turd in the democratic punchbowl. If only it would come to pass; I can hear the grinding of democratic teeth.

[Sonny M]

Katherine Harris for Senate? Wow, that would be worth it just to see the explosion at the St. Petersberg Times. They are convinced she is the devil incarnate.

I don't think she would honestly win, but the damage she would definatley do, we help us control the senate with a much larger majority. Alot of democrats, who are eyeing Terry's job, believe he botched the 2002 elections by pouring in huge amounts of money to McBride, even though every single consultant knew he had no prayer.

Carville, being one of the guys who wants Terry boys job, pointed out that all of the money that was spent on McBride could have gone to other senate races and house races, which could have helped them win.

If Harris ran, Terry would pour record amounts of money to beat her, he would turn the entire machine against her, and by doing so, essentially abandon every other canidate or leave them pretty much on there own every where for them to win, with them short changed, it would be easy pickins.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

I still think she may be too divisive a candidate. As a first-termer, why wouldn't we want to go with Mario Diaz-Balart ? :-)

[Always Right]

I wish Harris would run even if Graham returns. I think Graham's recent attacks on Bush may make him vulneralble, and Harris is a great candidate with great name recognition. Harris is a class act.

[Free the USA]

fyi

[Always Right]

I still think she may be too divisive a candidate.

Divisive???? LOL. Katherine Harris is only 'divisive' to the most rapid of Democrats who will never vote for a republican under any circumstances. Harris is a great candidate for Senator.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Look, we know she'll have the GOP vote locked up, the question is whether she'll be able to get the "swing" independents to put her over the top. My concern is her running will bring up all that "she stole Florida for Dubya" or she was part of some cabal to keep Blacks from voting, etc. from the media and the 'Rats. If Graham runs again, I don't think she will be able to defeat him. As of now, I really don't have a horse in this race. McCollum is a loser, Foley is too... y'know, Weldon may be too Conservative, and now Harris (too controversial). Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see her win and watch the 'Rats have epileptic seizures, but I'm just skeptical. I wish we could get Mario Diaz-Balart in the race. We need a Hispanic GOP Senator.

[T-Bird45]

I wish we could get Mario Diaz-Balart in the race. We need a Hispanic GOP Senator.

Why??? So the Senate can refuse to seat him in the same way they refuse to confirm Bush's judicial nominee?

[PJ-Comix]

Yes. Definitely. Katherine Harris should run. It would give the DUmmies a burst blood vessel when she wins. And I do think she will win. Only the furthest Left loonies will get riled up by her but they wouldn't vote for a Republican in the first place.

[Always Right]

My concern is her running will bring up all that "she stole Florida for Dubya" or she was part of some cabal to keep Blacks from voting, etc. from the media and the 'Rats. If Graham runs again, I don't think she will be able to defeat him.

What I find strange is that you are afraid of Harris being 'divisive', but not Graham. Graham's out running around heavily criticizing the President almost to the point of blaming Bush for 9-11, and you don't worry about him being too divisive? Harris may get the blood boiling of hard-core democrats. Truthfully, I would hope the Democrats run on the 2000 elections, because that issue won't play in 2004 to the moderate voters and the Dems in their anger will be too stupid to realize that.