Why would Alcee Hastings run for Senate?

[ButterflyBlood]

It's pretty obvious to anyone he's got about as much chance of winning a statewide race as Sharpton does of winning the White House, and his candidacy is probably the best case scenario for the GOP. Then we can already write that seat off as lost. Also at 68 in 2004 he's way too old to begin a Senate career, so it's almost like he wants to throw the seat. I found this quote from him:

"If we held an election tomorrow in the state of Florida for a Senate nomination and Graham was not running, I would win that nomination, period. And everybody in the race knows that. I'm their worst nightmare."

Apparentely he thinks that he can win a plurality in a crowded race by getting all the minority votes (which I doubt, minorities aren't stupid enough to nominate a completely unelectable candidate just because he's a minority) and basically feed his ego (that quote above already shows how big his ego is.) It's like he, like Sharpton, is just out to feed his ego and get attention and doesn't care if he throws the election as a result. It's the only possible explanation since it's pretty obvious to anyone he has no chance of winning the general election. I'm pretty pissed. If he does officially enter the race the Florida Democrats need to stop him from getting the nomination at all costs.

[NewJerseyDem]

1. I agree

He would be a disaster for the Democrats. That seat would clearly go to the Republicans. He is too liberal and is an impeached federal judge. That isn't going to help anyone get elected to the Senate. He should be happy that he is even in the House of Representatives considering his past.

[GBD4]

2. And

a prominent black newspaper editor has already said he will try for the FL-23 seat even if Hastings loses the Senate race and runs for House reelection . . . so it will be interesting to see how the community answers to challengers' points . . . further, while Hastings did win in 02, Redistricting has made FL-23 a little more competitive, so anything can happen!

[ButterflyBlood]

3. He won with 78% last time

but if someone will run against him in the primaries, I hope they can knock him off. He's just causing trouble and embarassing the party now.

[SEAburb]

4. how is he "embarassing the party" ?/nt

.......

[ButterflyBlood]

7. see his quote about seeking the nomination

he's got a serious ego problem if he said that, and simply having an impeached judge around is bad enough. but i'd tolerate him if he didn't seem like he wants to throw a seat to the GOP just to feed his ego.

[goobergunch]

5. I concur.

Hastings (FL) is great in the House, but I don't even want to know what the Repukes will make of the "impeached judge" thing. If he's the nominee, we've lost the seat. I don't know why he's running...he's on the House Rules committee, which is one of the best committees in the House.

[ButterflyBlood]

6. sheesh

it's almost like he wants to throw the seat to the Republicans, since he's pretty much the GOP's dream candidate, but has no reason at all to seek the nomination.

[NewJerseyDem]

8. Rule Committe is good for majority

It doesn't matter if your in the minority. He probably think that the Democrats won't return to the majority for awhile.

[Composed Thinker]

9. I don't think

I don't think Graham will be running on either spot for the Democratic ticket, so I don't think we'll have to worry about losing the Senate seat.