[Dutchgirl]

I think Nelson got in when the networks called the race before the polls closed in the pan handle. The further north you go in Florida, the more conservative it becomes. Alot of people, driving home form work to the polls, heard that the race was over and did not vote...Bush's win would have been much larger except for this issue. Oddly enough, Katherine Harris sent a letter to all the networks before the 2000 elections,reminding them of the time zone issue. It was very close between Nelson and McCullom- a popular House impeachment manager.

Graham was more like Zell Miller as a Gov., but his years in DC have changed him. As head of the intel committee, many people here hold him directly accountable for the intel failures of 911, and his participation in the stark partisanship in the senate has left alot of Floridians with a bad taste in their mouths. Nelson on the Armed Services committee is a joke- following his antics in the sweater speech with Graham.

Who to replace Graham? In Jax, Mayor John Delaney, former Dem, now a Rep, Catholic, pro life, actually did something about drainage (a huge issue in a town that floods at high tide) ran unopposed in last elections, retiring due to term limits. Also, former Congresswoman Tillie Fowler- came in with the 94 revolution, honored her term limit pledge, theerby retaining her popularity.

Jeb's running mate Frank Brogan would have some support. Several cities have new republican mayors that are black or hispanic, a sure draw for independent and dem crossover votes. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out in 04.

[Fledermaus]

I think Nelson got in when the networks called the race before the polls closed in the pan handle. The further north you go in Florida, the more conservative it becomes. Alot of people, driving home form work to the polls, heard that the race was over and did not vote...Bush's win would have been much larger except for this issue.

I've said this before and will say it again...I don't believe this bit of urban legend.

First, any half smart conservative would know when the polls closed. Second, given the importance of 2000, I can't believe any decent conservative who wanted to vote would turn around and go home, or leave the line at the polls, or whatever...just because they heard something on the news. They wouldn't care or know it's just typical liberal press fodder.

But if it's actually true, then these voters are as stupid as anyone who couldn't poke a hole in a piece of paper or follow a direct line from their candidate to the hole to punch.

Both my state Senator and state Representative were unopposed in 2002...but I voted for them anyway. Anyone who would not go vote based on a stupid news story would think, "oh, their unopposed, why bother to vote for them?"