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.
I always presumed they were pro-life, so if they aren't, that would be a disappointment (and a worry).
(Re: Allen Bense)
Yes, perhaps he could consider a race against the pesky Boyd (who clearly is out-of-step for his Conservative GOP district).