Katherine Harris WILL NOT To Run for Senate

Orlando Sentinel ^ | 1/16/04

[11th Earl of Mar]

Congresswoman will not seek the seat held by Bob Graham, GOP leaders say

By John Kennedy | Tallahassee Bureau Posted January 16, 2004

TALLAHASSEE -- Katherine Harris is expected to announce today that she will not run for U.S. Senate, key Republican leaders told the Orlando Sentinel Thursday night.

After weeks of speculation about her political future, Harris apparently has decided to stay out of the crowded GOP primary field, although at least one party source conceded that she could change her mind.

As part of what were described as "delicate" discussions with GOP leaders, Harris will instead seek a second term in the U.S. House and likely will run for the seat now held by Florida Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2006.

Harris herself was saying little.

[JohnnyZ]

I seriously doubt Harris is beatable in ANY primary. Why do you think this guy would beat her?

Because he was just elected statewide twice, is very popular, and has already locked up establishment support for 2006. And Harris is not the be-all and end-all in Florida.

It's academic, anyway.

I'm sorry, that's just terrible hair:

[Democratshavenobrains]

This is the closest thing to a victory the Democratic Party has had in Florida for years.

[Pubbie]

President - No - VP is possible for Jeb however.

[ClintonBeGone]

It is possible for her to out-poll (in 2002) Bush (in 2000) without being a stronger candidate and that is because they faced different opponents. If her opponent was weak relative to Bush's she would get a proportional boost.

This is a legitimate point, however - the attacks on her here have been in the context of the dems using the 2000 election results against her. The issue was never stronger for them in 2004 and yet she still did better in her congressional district than GW Bush did in 2000, when this controversy did not exist.

[MindBender26]

All good friends, great people

[MindBender26]

re: KH not running: Instead of sending me the wagered flowers, a appropriate contribution to any of the following will be acceptable:

The campaigns of

Mel Martinez
Cong John Mica
Cong Mark Kennedy
Cong Ed Shrock
Cong Rob Simmons
Cong Shelly Moore Caputo
GOPAC
Free Republic

Be Well

[MindBender26]

Cong Rob Simmons:

Former CIA Field Officer with outstanding record there. Very bottom line, reality based Conservative.

[ClintonBeGone]

LOL I'll send them each a rose :)

[JohnBDay]

Fantastic news, her being on the general election would have done more for Democratic turnout than anything I could possibly imagine. And running for Senate less than two years after entering the House would make it look like she's just using offices as stepping stones. 2006 would be better because she's two more years removed from the controversy and it's not a presidential election year.

[MinuteGal]

Florida Freepers, as you may or may not know, our state is now divided into three regional chapters. If you want to belong to the chapter in your area, you must register or re-register right away with your new chapter leader.

Instructions on how to do this are on the Florida state chapter forum. Click on the flag on your profile page to get there. Scroll down to the re-organization post of Jan. 10.

We want to be organized and ready to roll when the election campaigns begin in our great state!

Thanks,

Leni/MinuteGal
Temporary Florida Re-organization Chair

[MindBender26]

Cash is cheaper.... and better. I know you will send it, because you are a man of your word, are you not?

Be well.

KH says Hi!

[theyibby]

I would love to see her run, but politically speaking, she is probably making a good decision.

Graham would be tough to beat and then she'd also be out of her seat in the House (at least I think so). Another term in the House will help to solidify her political base and leave her better positioned for a run for Nelson's seat or when Graham retires.

But goooooooooooo girl! She gutsy. I like that.

[ClintonBeGone]

Graham would be tough to beat

Yib, Graham IS retiring. That's what this 'is she in or is she out' thing is all about. :)

[Always Right]

It's certainly still a question that can be answered. As I explained to you before, the comparison between her and GW Bush's results were limited to the same district.

Her district was remapped in 2002, so a comparison between 2000 and 2002 is almost impossible. The current district is not as strong Republican as it once was.

[ClintonBeGone]

Her district was remapped in 2002, so a comparison between 2000 and 2002 is almost impossible. The current district is not as strong Republican as it once was.

No, its very easy. How do you think they draw 'republican' or 'democrat' districts during the redistricting process? They have voter history broken down to the census trac. In her case it's even easier than that. If a congressional district is NOW made up of county 1, 2 and 3, it's very easy to predict its vote (or know it's history) because the voting history in this case is broken down by county (or city) boundaries.

[Tempest]

Because a Bush/Harris combination in Florida would excite the little Rats too much and get them chomping at the bit with their tiny little teeth. The Dems would capitalize on the combination and use their tactics of fear and distortion to weaken both of their positions by focusing on past controversies as opposed to current issues.

[CFC__VRWC]

No, because she is a distraction Bush does not need, and she could actually cost Bush Florida.

I think you're going a little too far when you say Katherine Harris could cost the President the state in 2004 - it would take a bit more than that. However, you're absolutely correct about her (right now) being a distraction that the GOP doesn't need. Besides, she hasn't even finished her first term in the House, so a Senate run now would come off as her being opportunistic and interested only in acquiring political power. You can be sure the Rats would have spun it like that.

She'll kick serious Rat butt in 2006. Now all we have to do is put up with the avalanche of "Martinez is a RINO" crap that's sure to come.

[sharris]

I love katherine......she made the right decision not to run,better for her in 06.

[JulieRNR21]

KH said today that she went to DC to do a job and she needs more time there to complete what she's begun. She added that she had NO pressure from the WH not to run. It was her own decision.

She plans to meet with the other Senate candidates before deciding on who to endorse.

She'll be in a good position to go after Nelson's seat in 2006!

[Vision]

Acting like a party hack does not qualify one to be a US Senator.

Sir, when she realized the situation she was in, she went to a democratic law firm and every move from there on was a joint decision...acording to Sean Hannity. She's one hell of a women.