One-term House member and former presidential election thief Katherine Harris (R) seems poised to announce a decision that will surprise no one — that she’s running for U.S. Senate. As a Dem who desperately wants to see this seat, which currently belongs to Bob Graham, stay in Dem hands, I think this is great news.
At this point, there’s some conjecture at work. The AP is reporting that Harris “has decided” whether she’ll run, but is keeping her decision a secret until next week.
“She is very, very serious about it. She’s in Washington today talking to political advisers, and I think she will let us all know next week,” said Tramm Hudson, Sarasota County’s GOP chairman.
The Miami Herald report, however, was more telling, with Harris quotes that plainly reveal her intentions.
Harris boasted to the Herald about her work as Florida’s Secretary of State and how that gives her an advantage the other GOP candidates, including former HUD Secretary Mel Martinez, the apparent hand-picked candidate of the Bush White House.
”I’m the only one who has won statewide, and has more experience than anyone else,” Harris said.
Noting that the White House encouraged her to run against Sen. Bob Nelson (D) in 2006, Harris said winning this year, in an open-seat race, would be easier.
”That’s a nice thought, but given the choice between an open seat or an incumbent, that’s a really easy decision,” she said.
As for whether her presence on the ballot would enrage Dems and remind them of her role in stealing a presidential election, Harris sounded unconcerned.
”I incite far more Republicans to come out than Democrats,” she said.
The AP report suggests Harris is being coy, but these remarks to the Herald are anything but. No one talks like this unless they’re going to run.
Which I, of course, see as great news. The White House desperately doesn’t want to see Harris as the GOP Senate candidate. The race for Florida’s 27 electoral votes is going to be tight — again — and Karl Rove doesn’t want to find Harris on the ballot reminding everyone about the 2000 fiasco. The last thing Bush needs is a motivated Democratic base in Florida, which is exactly what Harris brings. It’s why the Bush White House more or less forced Mel Martinez into the race.
Best of all, I think once Harris does announce her candidacy, she’s instantly the frontrunner. A Miami Herald/St. Pete Times poll from early December showed that Republican voters in Florida were prepared to back Harris by a wide margin.
Katherine Harris — 29%
Bill McCollum (unsuccessful GOP Senate candidate in 2000) — 16%
Mel Martinez — 11%
and the rest of the eight-person field at 3% or lower
There will be several fun Senate races this year, but Florida’s will be truly entertaining. More importantly, in a year in which five Southern Democrats are retiring, Florida probably represents the Dems’ best chance at keeping a Southern Senate seat.