Graham to Seek Reelection, Insiders Say

[mndemocrat_29]

This from www.politics1.com:

GRAHAM TO SEEK RE-ELECTION, SAY INSIDERS. Sources close to US Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) -- who last month ended his Presidential bid -- told Politics1 that Graham plans to announce Monday that he is seeking re-election next year. Graham has flirted with retiring from the Senate in the month since quitting the White House race. Democratic leaders in Florida and in the Senate have pleaded with Graham to seek re-election, arguing that he is the party's best hope for holding control of the seat. Polls currently show that Graham would easily defeat any of the Republicans currently in the race. According to the sources, Graham has also assembled the core of a new campaign team for the race. Graham, 67, previously served as Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee when the Dems held control. The four Democrats currently running for Graham's seat -- Congressmen Peter Deutsch and Alcee Hastings, Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas and former university president Betty Castor -- all say they will exit the race if Graham runs. At least three of them reportedly polled to see if they could defeat Graham head-to-head in a primary but found that -- even if they could defeat Graham -- they would likely to be too wounded by the bloody contest to win the subsequent general election.

This is good. With Graham running, we won't have to worry about Florida, and it should help Democratic turnout for the presidential election. Hopefully Deutsch and Hastings will run for their House seats. I really like Deutsch and hope that he'll consider another Senate run in the future (possibly in 2006 if Sen. Nelson runs for governor).

[Padraig18]

1. FANTASTIC NEWS!

Go, Senator! You were my 2nd choice, until you dropped out! We need your voice, maturity, intelligence and judgment in the Senate! :thumbsup:

[annxburns]

2. GREAT NEWS

... thank you Bob Graham!

[Deb]

3. Excellent news

He had my vote before dropping out of the primaries. Florida is lucky to have a man of his caliber as Senator.

[jiacinto]

4. Good

We need that!

I really want to volunteer!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. Awesome. Graham will be a powerful force campaigning for our candidate.

[goobergunch]

6. w00t w00t!

/me hurls Graham's seat over into SAFE DEM territory

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. Wahooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

Safe Dem Seat!!!

Maybe he took my advice in an email I sent him last week!

He is a moderate Dem, who is fiscally conservative, socially moderate, and truely gives a damn about security and defense issues unlike Mr. Bush!!!


:kick:

[Doomsayer13]

8. Sen. Graham is a good man

he's a good moderate with candor and conviction. He's an asset to Dems in the senate and I am glad to hear he'll be returning.

[w4rma]

9. Yes! Sen. Graham is one of my favorite Senators! (n/t)

[burr]

10. Graham would make a great majority leader in the Senate...

Unlike Tom Dascle..Bob Graham voted against the IWR, he would be more experienced on what kind of national organization and campaign it takes to win back the Senate. And as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, he knows what are the most important national security issues Democrats can focus on in the next campaign.

Not only this but also..Democrats need an individual, who has served both as a Governor and Senator, to be the Senate leader.

[mzmolly]

11. Yea. Go Graham!!

I wrote him a note last week to encourage he do so. Thank to the DUer who suggested we do so.

[a_lil_wall_fly]

12. YES

I'm soooooo damn glad to see the Senator going for another term
:yourock:
:yourock:
:yourock:
SENATOR GRAHAM

[jiacinto]

13. Graham is about to retire

nt