This story continues to amuse me:
White House political strategist Karl Rove and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have been trying to talk Florida Rep. Katherine Harris out of running for the Senate next year, but have been unsuccessful thus far.
Mrs. Harris has had several private meetings with Mr. Rove and with NRSC officials, including Chairman Sen. Elizabeth Dole, North Carolina Republican, who have urged her to forgo the Republican Party’s high-priority Senate race. Instead, they want her to run for a third House term, pointing to internal polling data that shows she cannot beat freshman Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in 2006.
But the congresswoman, who won national attention as Florida’s secretary of state during the bitter ballot recount in the 2000 presidential election, has argued in these meetings that she has proved the polls wrong throughout her political career. To prove it again this time, she has put together a cadre of heavyweight campaign advisers, including Ed Rollins who managed President Reagan’s 1984 campaign.
“I know I can win this,” she has told doubting party officials.
I will not back down from my promise, either:
I will donate $100.00 to the non-political charity of Katherine Harris’s choice if she beats him in 2006. $200.00 if she does it by more than 3% points. Unless Florida is more insane than even I thought, she doesn’t stand a chance.
It just isn’t going to happen.
Quaker in a Basement
Underestimating the insanity of Floridians is a risky game, John. I know. I grew up there, went to college there, and then cleared the hell out.
ed in texas
Can you say ‘lightning rod’? I knew you could.
And Florida’s a bad place when it comes to lightning.
Anderson
“For example, the polls showed Al Gore winning in Florida, and I sure proved THEM wrong!”
BinkyBoy
Maybe if she leaked some confidential information or ignored all data and caused the death of tens of thousands of people. That seems to be the only way to get a promotion in the Republican party anymore.
Fail upwards, baby!
don surber
“Say 2000 election. Come on say it. Come on.”
2000
“Good, bouy. I knew you could do it. Here’s your Scooby Snack.”
Marcus Wellby
I dont know, she could win — that trashy/trampy MILF look is sort of in now. I know she could sure get the “pizza delivery boy” vote.
KC
Well, you never know, she may come out well in the debates. Hell, imagine if she wins, calls out her favors on the WH, then bumps Frist out of the leadership.
Blue Lady
Don’t get too attached to your money, John. The Democratic party in Florida is extremely weak and there is a tremendous amount of Republican wealth here.
Kimmitt
I was about to say. Anyways, it’s incredibly trashy of Rove to try to talk her out of running, since they pretty much owe her their jobs.
John S.
As a Floridian, I would welcome Katherine Harris as the official GOP candidate in next year’s Senate race. It is true Republicans have gained a lot of ground here, but no other candidate will fire up Democratic voters here like seeing that woman’s name on a ticket.
There is so much left over hatred and animosity for her that her very candidacy will be to Democrats like blood in the water is to a shark.
Slartibartfast
Please. She’s running against the very popular Bill Nelson, who won his seat by a 5% margin over the very popular Republican Bill McCollum. Bill McCollum, I add, already had time in US government (USHOR) whereas Nelson went directly from Florida government to US government.
I think John’s money is safe.
arnott
Please. She’s running against the very popular Bill Nelson, who won his seat by a 5% margin over the very popular Republican Bill McCollum. Bill McCollum, I add, already had time in US government (USHOR) whereas Nelson went directly from Florida government to US government.
I think John’s money is safe.
yeah , that can be fixed by the use of voting machines !
RW
I remember that quote circa ’02 when Terry McAuliffe used something similar to describe Jeb Bush. I also remember it in ’04 to describe George W. Bush. Pretty soon all the “we’re really mad as hell” talk will eventually turn into a Democratic victory and the people who have used it for years can stop assuming that once they say it, it will result in an election win.
Here, let me try: “I will win the lottery”. So let it be written. :)
Don’t forget the aliens and the little green monsters.
Good lord…..just when I think I’ve seen the last tinfoil hat representative…
Slartibartfast
If she’s not running unopposed, I’m not sure if she’ll survive the primaries. You know, if I really loathed her, I’d probably be referring to her as a “twiddly twat from Agnes Scott” (which is part of a song that I’ve heard an Agnes Scott grad sing, to the same tune as “Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech”). But I can’t summon any strong emotions about her; I just don’t think she’s all that smart because she really REALLY needed to serve some more time in elected government before challenging Nelson, who I consider to be a strong incumbent.
Kimmitt
RW — I’ve got a really good plan that’s EVEN CHEAPER than voting machines — you give me the ballots, and I’ll tell you who won.
I’m an honest guy, so you have no reason to fear, right?
Slartibartfast
I didn’t comment on this, but it should be noted that the voting machines that (could be wrong, here) are being alluded to are not in widespread use here in sunny FL. Nor do I or anyone I know want them to be.