[fieldmarshaldj]

It would be worth it to get Foley out of the House (but NOT the Senate nomination). Bense is too "country" (no one, sad to say, is going to be elected to the Senate seat coming from Baja Alabama). Weldon, I have no idea how he'd perform statewide. He might make it close, but I just don't see any "magic" coming from him. I liked Dan Webster, but I don't know if he has "it", either.

It's got to be Jeb, and absent of him, Crist, Gallagher, or ex Lt Gov Frank Brogan. But any of them have to move FAST. This race is slipping away from us the longer we delay with getting the big dogs in.

[AuH2ORepublican]

I hope I'm mistaken, but I thought I read that both Crist and Gallagher are pro-choice on abortion. I think they'd have a hard time beating Bill Nelson statewide if they can't get pro-life conservative Democrats from North Florida to vote for them, not to mention if they don't get a huge GOP turnout.

The 2nd CD held by moderate Democrat Congressman Allen Boyd went for President Bush at a higher percentage than the state as a whole in both 2000 and 2004 (it gave President Bush 52% in 2000 and 54% in 2004). The district now includes all of Panama City's Bay County and many adjoining areas; Speaker Allan Bense is from Panama City and represents it (along with Gulf County and part of Franklin County, also in the 2nd CD) in the state House. I think it would make more sense for Speaker Bense to run against Congressman Boyd, whose voting record, while far less liberal than that of the other Florida Democrat Congressmen, is still far to the left of the district's leanings (Boyd is pro-abortion and his ACU and Christian Coalition ratings are not in the range of a conservative Democrat or even a moderate-to-conservative Democrat). I hope Speaker Bense doesn't pass up an opportunity to get elected to Congress in order to pursue a quixotic run for the U.S. Senate.

[PhiKapMom]

I think it is a shame that Gallagher and Crist are both running for Governor when either of these men would make a great Senate candidate.

[Clintonfatigued]

I think you're too hasty in ruling out Allen Bense. Sometimes, countrified personalities can appeal to urbane people. If you read about the 1964 Presidential election, Democrats were initially worried about LBJ's reception in the Northeast. But he was not only acceptable to them (as they couldn't stand Goldwater), but he actually won them over with his appeals to "Come an' hear the speakin'." And Jimmy Carter didn't win the Presidency on the basis of The South alone.

Also, Bense has a great personal biography, a rise from very humble circumstances to become a self-made millionaire and, ultimately, an important and respected leader in the legislature. If you can find his bio, I think you'll be impressed. It'll make for some terrific TV ads. Americans gravitate to those kinds of stories.