Harris Decides, but Won't Say Yet (FL Senate Run?)

[soup]

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Katherine Harris travels to Washington today to meet with White House officials and other political leaders over the next two days to tell them whether she will run for a Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Bob Graham, a Democrat.

The Sarasota Republican said Tuesday she has made her decision but feels obliged to inform others privately before announcing it, which she said she will do next week. Harris also said she would meet with political consultants while in Washington.

"I have my heart and mind set and am very much looking forward to making a decision public and focusing on that, because I think it's the right decision, and I'm excited about it," Harris said in a telephone interview from Florida.
>snip<
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040107/NEWS/401070366/1004

[velocity]

1. After Rove tell her to fuck off, they have already picked

the Senate candidate, she will probably have a change of heart.

[Josh]

2. No, I think she's running -

"I'm very excited about it"

Why would she be be excited about NOT running? I hope she wins the nomination. I really, really do. Betty Castor will cream her.

[velocity]

4. she is

"I'm very excited about it"

But that is before talking to Rove and crew. I would love her to run too, but I think Rove and crew do not want her in the race.

[soup]

6. Saying her 'heart and mind is set'

kind of seals it for me. Why would anyone say their heart (yeah, like she really has one) and mind (and what a beautiful mind it is) is set, and as you point out, "very excited about it" if the decision was not to run?

sorry about the comments in parentheses, sometimes I just can't stop myself.

[Racenut20]

3. Wingers won't give her the money

The "call to Washington", is probably to tell her that. The only reason she got that much consideration is for hiding and letting the BushCo's run her office in 2000. Her REWARD was all the money for the Congress seat. It looks like RoveCo has realized she is a legend in her own mind.

[soup]

5. Or will hold it until 2006 -

I think it's interesting that this Republican strategist brings up playing poker:

from the article:
>snip<
J.M. "Mac" Stipanovich, a Florida lawyer and Republican strategist who said he hasn't advised Harris on the Senate race, said Harris' statements struck him as evidence she is poised to run. "I don't go home very often and feel obligated to tell my wife I'm not going to go out to play poker tonight," Stipanovich said.

Others who reacted the same way nevertheless said there could be other reasons for the trip. For example, they say, Harris could be negotiating for political rewards for staying out of the race, such as a committee assignment or help running against Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, in 2006.
>snip<

My question would be, Who's holding the cards?

Sure wish this woman would just fade back into the finely milled woodwork she crawled out of, but don't think we'll be that fortunate.

[snippy]

7. I would love to see her run, but I doubt that she will.

I think this scenario suggested in the article is the most likely:

Others . . . said there could be other reasons for the trip. For example, they say, Harris could be negotiating for political rewards for staying out of the race, such as a committee assignment or help running against Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, in 2006.

[Josh]

8. It'd be tough for her to beat Nelson -

he's extremely likeable. That said, 2006 will be quite a deal removed from 2000, particularly if Bush carries Florida in November.

[Grins]

20. ME too..

I pray she runs also. What joy in watching a primary debate between her and former HUD Secretary Mel Martinez. What are they going to say?
Him: "You're a damn idiot. And you're a criminal for your role in stealing an election!"
Her: "Was not."
Him: "Were too."

Her: "You were a do-nothing, got-nothing-done, HUD Secretary."
Him: "Was not."
Her: "Were too."

:bounce:

[Robb]

9. She's going to emerge

from these WH meetings looking like she tripped on a pretzel.

We should be so lucky that she runs. Be ready for it if it happens, because it'll help us a lot, but I can't imagine anyone letting her do it.

[soup]

10. Isn't the Martinez run

pretty much based on a White House scramble to find abH -(anyone but Harris)?

If I'm remembering correctly, when she first started sounding out a run for Senator Graham's seat, the White House went into wing-flapping mode and shoved Mel Martinez out into the field.

Wasn't there also a brief flurry of jeb doing a 'Don't step on my toes, I run Florida' dance?

Personally, I think she's such a polarizing figure, that if she won the nomination, Dems across Florida would definitely be dusting off those voter I.D. cards and dashing to the polls in November. That woman is dragging a lot of ugly baggage with her.

[snippy]

12. I think you have it about right.

According to a reporter from Florida who was a guest on a recent Capitol Gang, Mel Martinez is the White House choice, but there evidently is some animosity in the Florida republican party towards him and towards Turd Blossom Rove. The republicans who dislike Martinez apparently include Jeb Bush. The White House does not want Harris because of the 2000 election. From the transcript:

CARLSON: Twenty seconds. Did I hear you say that the White House would rather lose with Martinez than win with Katherine Harris?

FIEDLER: I -- this is my opinion on this, Margaret, but I think the answer is yes, because Katherine Harris brings up a lot of bad feelings in Florida, and I think could throw the state into the Democratic column in 2004.

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0312/13/cg.00.html

[onehandle]

11. Please, please run...

This would be a Golden opportunity to bring up the 2000 theft and use it against smirk.

[0007]

14. There's something to what your saying!

[coloradodem2005]

13. I hope she sinks like a stone.

I would like to see Harris run and loose. Hopefully she will look bad and make Bush look bad with her.

[seasat]

15. I'd love for Harris to Run.

However, I think that she is playing her only skill. She is using her position to extort some favors. If she did run, it would be great for us because the Repubs would spend all their time firing at each other and would blow a ton of money in primary. You'd have a crowded field of Harris, Martinez, Byrd, McCullum, and Klayman.

We have Castor, Deusch, and Penelas in our primary. Deusch and Penelas are focusing on attacking each other so Betty Castor will probably be the clear front runner. I watched part of Harris's debate during her house run and any of the three Democrats would tear that air head to shreds.

Marinez would be the toughest candidate of the Repubs since he has name recognition and is Hispanic. He will be vulnerable on his record at HUD. Someone recently posted an article on how he ticked off the smaller real estate firms with some rules he passed while at HUD. The main business that is thriving down here is selling real estate to retirees (Not a sustainable economy IMHO). I don't think Harris will run, but if she does it'd benefit us.

[davidinalameda]

16. Run Cruella Run!

I'll send her a check!

whoo hoo!!!

:bounce:

[tabasco]

18. I was thinking Wicked Witch of the East.

Why are these repuglican harpies so downright VILE?

[goobergunch]

17. kick

:kick:

[Demonaut]

19. Dude, its all about the Mascara

She looks like a 70's Porn actress or a stepford wife.