Rumors swirl as deadline to challenge Harris nears

[Maddy McCall]

Rumors Swirl As Deadline To Challenge Harris Nears
By WILLIAM MARCH
[e-mail]

Published: May 12, 2006


TAMPA - The Republican U.S. Senate primary seemed to dissolve into a welter of confusion Thursday as several potential candidates considered last-minute challenges to the one whom top Republicans don't seem to want: Katherine Harris.

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At least one potential Harris opponent, state Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland, said he intends to go to see who else files before deciding whether to run.

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"I'm going to go up there early in the morning and see how qualifying goes," Ross said late Thursday. "If it's more than two in the primary, then I think Katherine Harris wins. My best shot is going head to head with Katherine Harris."

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"It pains me that in one of the most-watched Senate races in the country, we appear to be conceding tomorrow at noon," Ross said Thursday.

Much more at: http://news.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB5COOY3NE.html

[wakeme2008]

1. PSSSSS 11:30am filing by Jeb....

Bet on it. :grr:

[JCMach1]

2. JEBtm would be a likely choice

except KH knows WAY TOO MUCH... so not going to happen...

[Journeyman]

3. Politically, it'd be disastrous for John Ellis Bush to run and lose. . .

if he has Presidential aspirations, he'd chuck all the "good" points he's accumulated as Governor if he makes a quixotic run for Senator and loses. More than any other candidate this year, his lose would be seen as a direct repudiation of President Bush. And it would cost John Bush every shred of legitimacy his terms as Florida State Executive had conferred. Seen in that light, I can't imagine J.E. Bush will risk it for a position (Senator) I'm not really certain he wants -- too visible, too many votes on record, and too long a term for him to comfortably run for anything else before 2012.

[wakeme2008]

5. Why would he lose...

Yes the vote would be close and with touchscreen help..... :grr:

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Jeb has spent the last two years

doing everything he can to remain low profile and to not rock any boats.

A campaign against Nelson for the Senate will definitely hurt his chances for running for president, since Jeb has more then a few ghosts in his closet that he like to leave be for the time being.

[goclark]

15. Thry don't care about ghost they are KINGS!

They can do or say anything.

[acmavm]

6. Yep yep yep, I agree and said so Wednesday.

[Journeyman]

4. Hang tough, Katie!. . .

Spend 'em if you got 'em, Kate. Don't be a fool to reason and common sense -- show the world you know how to keep your deck chair firmly in place no matter what the situation.

I salute ya, Kate!

Tho' we'v belted ye and flayed ye, by the livin' Gawd that made ye, yer th' dum'est one of all -- that's by far!

Go-oooooo Katie!

[truthisfreedom]

7. teeheehee! this wasn't part of the bushco plan.

i love the smell of Democracy in the morning.

[Maddy McCall]

9. KICK - WJ just reported that she will have a challenger.

[annabanana]

10. ?. . . . n/t

[Maddy McCall]

11. No info yet.

[Maddy McCall]

12. MORE INFO--ROVE IS TRYING TO RECRUIT MCBRIDE

"If we get into a multi-candidate race then Katherine wins," Ross said Thursday night. "I have been on the phone all day and have been encouraged to run by most, but tonight Sen. (Dan) Webster (an Orlando-area Republican) told me that Karl Rove has tried to recruit Will McBride, an Orlando businessman, to run."

Ross won't enter the race until he learns whether McBride or another challenger to Harris comes forward before today's noon filing deadline. If the White House recruit gets in the race then he will not seek the office, he said.

Ross' entry into the primary would pit two GOP lawmakers with strong ties to Polk County against each other. Harris, 49, grew up in Polk County and graduated from Bartow High School. Ross, 46, is a Lakeland native and graduate of Lakeland High School.

Ross has served three terms in the state House and had planned to run for Florida chief financial officer this year. But he withdrew after learning he would have to sell his interest in his Lakeland law firm. If he is elected to a federal office, he would have to remove his name from the firm, but could still keep his nonvoting financial investment.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060512/NEWS/605120333/1004

[cliss]

13. If Karl Rove is behind this,

then something's up. Why would "The Brain" wait so long to nominate a candidate?

The day before the filing deadline?

I swear, Karl Rove is losing his touch. WHO KNOWS, Little Miss might just win after all.

Maybe Rove is distracted by something?

[Benhurst]

14. The Republicans should run Mickey Mouse.

With a little tweak of the votes via Diebold, they should have no trouble getting their man, or mouse as the case may be, in office.