Is Alan Grayson eyeing a comeback? - Politico

[nashville_brook]

(Redistricting will determine a lot political fortunes this election cycle, and for many to come. -- brook)


http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54530.html


(big snip)

The Florida Democrat himself acknowledges that he’s interested in a return engagement – asked whether he’s given the idea of running another campaign, he responded simply: “Yes.”

(snip)

Florida’s still-undrawn new congressional map might be the ultimate determinant in whether Grayson runs again. Key to Grayson’s decision, said Kitchens, will be whether Orlando picks up a new seat in redistricting. The state is gaining two seats in the current round of reapportionment.

“It’s out of my hands,” Grayson said of the GOP-led redistricting effort in the state. “I’m watching the process.”

Grayson said it’s premature to discuss a comeback bid, and that he’s not sure whether he even wants to return to Washington. He has five kids, and said there were other, potentially more lucrative opportunities he could pursue.

But there are signs the former congressman is keeping his political operation active – and the possibility of a 2012 run alive. He’s retained his former Capitol Hill press secretary, Todd Jurkowski, on a volunteer basis and his regular email blasts include a link inviting supporters to contribute. Last month, Grayson’s team circulated a news article noting that the Florida Democrat had outraised Webster during the first quarter even though he wasn’t yet running a formal campaign. He also a attended recent rally for Awake the State, a liberal organization that has been sharply critical of Scott – whom the former congressman called “the worst governor in history.”



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54530_Page3.html#ixzz1LrcGjwYz

[aquart]

1. I should hope so.

[n2doc]

2. I hope so. We need him n/t

[cali]

3. I thought he was a millionaire many times over. why is he even thinking

of getting more $$$$?

[rfranklin]

4. Should he spend his money stupidly like Meg Whitman?

I wouldn't.

[cali]

7. uh, what does that have to do with my post?

[nashville_brook]

9. that's not how it works. fundraising serves many purposes in addition to receiving $, esp

early on.

[AC_Mem]

5. I would support him 100%

Florida NEEDS Alan Grayson!

[RT Atlanta]

6. Please move to GA and run from here

We need some true progressive firebrands to ingnite the dialogue here in GA.

[bluerum]

8. One can only hope.

[Orsino]

10. Is Politico trivializing politics with terms like "comeback"?

Can the Pope celebrate a Mass?

[Not Me]

11. I live in Orlando, I voted (2x) for him, I gave him money. But...

if he wants to run again and win in this district he needs to focus on the issues--unemployment, Social Security, Medicare, etc-- and avoid the grandstanding.
While I have no problem with it (actually enjoy his biting remarks), that is what cost him the election in 2010. There are a lot of people here who felt that he embarrassed them in the eyes of the country.

[edit typo.)

[Larkspur]

12. Except that his "biting" remarks were true

Wonder how those who voted for Webster feel about Republicans wanting to take away their Medicare?

[Not Me]

13. All true...and the retirees here will buy into his positions

if he understands their sensitivities.
At least I hope so...we need him back so badly.

[nashville_brook]

16. the districts are all changing, so we'll see how that shakes out

[pacalo]

14. Grayson & Weiner are the best shakers & movers for the Democratic party.

:thumbsup:

[nashville_brook]

15. amen to that!

[cali]

25. Weiner, yes. Grayson? pffft.

[Brigid]

17. I wish he would move to IN and run here.

I hope he returns.

[upi402]

18. good! k/r n/t

[brooklynite]

19. I won't support him...

...I helped him last year, but I don't see him being competitive in any marginal district that might be up for grabs. Time to look for new blood.

[bluestate10]

20. Agree. The district will be game for a moderate-progressive democrat.

Grayson excites the hard left, but democrats need a more centrist candidate to take that seat back. An energetic, young center-left candidate who speaks well and campaigns hard can defeat Webster rather handily.

[Arkana]

21. I wish him all the best.

Hopefully he's learned not to lie about his opponents when he has so much truth to work with. Daniel Webster IS Christian Taliban, and Grayson could have shown that a hundred other ways than the way he chose--taking an out-of-context quote and passing it off as proof. He should have known that he couldn't get away with that--the media only lets Republicans take quotes out of context.

[dreamnightwind]

22. He's worth about 10 conservadems

...at least. If he can't find a district to run in, I can think of a national Democratic primary race for him. He'd get my vote.

[cali]

23. and he's worth about 10% of my rep

shooting off your mouth is not necessarily an accomplishment.

[Ikonoklast]

26. There are many here that prefer style over substance.

I'd much rather have a representative that actually gets legislation passed, works with the people in his district, and accomplishes something concrete as a congressperson than one who is seen nightly on the shoutfests.

[cali]

27. exactly. my rep is a real progressive who's become a power in the House

after less than 3 terms, who's widely respected and is a leader (chief deputy whip) in the dem Caucus.

I'll take Peter Welch over showboat Grayson any fucking day of the week.

[quaker bill]

24. If they follow the redistricting ammendments

reasonably faithfully, Grayson will have a very good shot as the District will suddenly balance toward Dems.