Florida's Sen. Bob Graham 'seriously Considering' 2004 Presidential Bid

AP ^ | 12/23/02 | Ken Thomas

[Jean S]

MIAMI (AP) - Sen. Bob Graham said Monday he is seriously considering running for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, saying he is not satisfied with President Bush's leadership as the country faces "unprecedented" economic and military problems.

Graham, a 16-year senator who also served as Florida's governor from 1978-86, was recently the chairman of the Senate's Intelligence Committee. He spoke Monday after he appeared on a Haitian-American radio talk show, where he received several calls asking him if he intended to run.

"I'm seriously thinking about options, including the option of running for president," Graham told reporters. "This is a very difficult time for America. We're facing unprecedented problems in terms of our domestic economy, in terms of our international relations, particularly the war on terrorism and Iraq.

"I'm not satisfied with the direction we are being led today," Graham said. He said he's "considering what I think could be my contribution toward a new direction for America."

Graham, 66, said he has not decided whether he will seek re-election to the Senate in 2004 if he does not run for president.

Graham said his interest in running for president is not a result of former Vice President Al Gore's decision not to seek the Democratic nomination, which he won in 2000.

Graham said he will be meeting with family members and advisers over the upcoming holidays, but would not say when he hopes to make a decision.

Some other Democrats who might run for president in 2004 include Sens. Tom Daschle of North Dakota, John Edwards of North Carolina, John Kerry of Massachusetts and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

AP-ES-12-23-02 1118EST

[txrangerette]

Just my opinion, but he could be going
for VP with whoever tops their ticket.
Dems would hope to take FL out of play
for Bush. Those electoral votes are
mighty important. (Remember?)

Also my opinion, Graham didn't plan
the thing on his own. Someone is back
in the shadows orchestrating like mad.

FWIW...

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[G.Mason]

Bob Graham has been around politics in Florida for eons.

Old Bob may be the best the Democrat socialists can put up, but he's a big time loser against Bush here.

[gop_gene]

The dems are trying to pull a scare tactic on the gop. Isn't working--the only time to be worried would be if Graham actually got the nomination--would Hill allow it?

[IMRight]

..who outside of Arkansas had heard of Bill Clinton, when he ran? Or who had heard of Jimmy Carter, outside of Georgia?

Mind you, I can think of worse people than Bob Graham in the Democratic party.

I think you just did. :)

[Cannon6]

Name five

[Let's Roll]

I too laughed out loud when I heard it. Generating laughter is not a good sign - even anger would be preferable.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Al Gore
Hillary Clinton
John Kerry
Tom Daschle
Grey Davis

All of whom have been seriously mentioned as possible Presidential candidates.

Now, finding 5 Dems better than Graham, might be a bit of a struggle.

[KQQL]

If he doesn't run for re-election, then GOP has a good shot of picking up the senate seat.

[summer]

Graham, 66, said he has not decided whether he will seek re-election to the Senate in 2004 if he does not run for president.

I find this above statement rather odd, as I believe he has previously announced, numerous times, that he wanted to retire from politics and would not seek re-election.

As for a White House run, especially on the VP slot, I think voters will perceive that his experience on the Senate Intelligence Committee means he is actually one of the VERY few Dems who could be a serious contender for the White House in 2004 in this current international climate.

[summer]

Thanks for the ping on this news, Julie.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Yawn. Graham hasn't got a chance, and he should know that. He was quiet as a church mouse during the Elian controversy--for that reason alone his ability to carry his own state of Florida would be in jeopardy.

Graham might be able to peel a few northern Florida votes, but he would face a mighty fight for them--he's likely whistling Dixie to see what kind of attention he can get from his fellow 'rat Senators who are also looking at running.

[CPT Clay]

need to put this on the 2004 senate thread. Good info.

[agincourt1415]

NOT IN MY HOUSE!Graham will not carry Florida, LOL, to us, he is no different than Gore. You gotta remember the Florida Freepers are the RANGERAIRBORNE of the Freepers, LOL.

[Joe Boucher]

Bob Graham has ben one of my senators in Florida for years and was a govenor prior to that. I honestly don't remember anything he has ever done as either. What makes this nothing think we should want him as president?????????

[sport]

Another Red Herring.
The democratic candidate for the '04 Presidential Election will be hillary clinton.

Any who seriously believes that al gore bowed out of his own volition is seriously hallunicating.

[sport]

That is the democrat party platform:
1. Lies
2. Fear
3. Class division and hatred.
4. The slaughter of the innocent. [unborn and partially-born babies]
5. Degenercy and pervision.

[crystalk]

The aging Graham would have difficulty, but would probably pull through, a re-election campaign in Fla. for Senate in 2004, when he will be about 68+ years of age. He is a lackluster but workaday Senator.

Someone must be deciding she needs him for Veep, but such a role will not carry Fla. for the Dems. in the present environment...they can always hope something changes back toward the picture of fall 2000...

As Pres candidate he would be dull, duller, and completely incredible. Would probably lose even in Fla.-- and would lose badly nationwide against anything like the current GOP lineup.

[jern]

FYI, Edwards can run for both.

[sport]

You understand that the democrats think that laws apply only to others, not them. don't you?

As in N.J. the democrats in N.D. will petition a judge [Along with almost everything in life, the Judiciary is one more instituition that the democrats have corrupted] that will grant dashel an exemption to run.