A memo obtained by the Associated Press reveals a behind the scenes message to Harris from Florida state Republican party leaders.
The state Republican Party bluntly told Rep. Katherine Harris that she couldn't win this fall's Senate election and that the party wouldn't support her campaign, a letter obtained Monday by The Associated Press shows.Party Chairman Carole Jean Jordan made a last-ditch attempt in the confidential May 7 letter to force Harris out of the race for the nomination to challenge Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson. But the next day, Harris turned in paperwork to get her name on the Sept. 5 Republican primary ballot.
The letter came as Gov. Jeb Bush was trying to get state House Speaker Allan Bense into the race. Bense announced later that week that he would not enter the race.
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The Harris campaign didn't return a phone message seeking comment Monday.The letter was also signed by national committeewoman Sharon Day and national committeeman Paul Senft.
"Katherine, though it causes us much anguish, we have determined that your campaign faces irreparable damage," the letter said. "We feel that we have no other choice but to revoke our support."
"The polls tell us that no matter how you run this race, you will not be successful in beating Bill Nelson, who would otherwise be a vulnerable incumbent if forced to face a stronger candidate," it said.
Since the letter was written, three political newcomers have entered the race against Harris: LeRoy Collins Jr., son of a former Florida governor; Peter Monroe, a developer who helped manage the government's savings and loan bailout; and lawyer William McBride.
The state Republican Party confirmed the letter's contents Monday. In a statement, Jordan said she was "disappointed" that the private letter had been made public but added that "our concerns about the race and Congresswoman Harris' campaign still exist."
In a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday, Harris had a comfortable lead in the GOP primary race but was behind Nelson by 37 percentage points in a general election matchup.
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2006 Senate Race, Florida
Comments (1)
This is a classic case of b... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Adjoran | July 31, 2006 5:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This is a classic case of blown opportunity which, unfortunately, is becoming the default with the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Nelson is the quintessential vulnerable incumbent Senator. He is a first-termer, the most likely incumbent to be defeated. His voting record is straight party-line, with virtually no independence shown during his entire first term, and it is far to the left of mainstream for Florida. Also, Nelson has done absolutely nothing to distinguish himself in six years. The guy had a bigger target painted on his back than is on those discount stores.
Yet, once again, the RSCC failed to recruit and support a strong candidate to oppose him early. As a result, the race seemed wide open and, given Nelson's obvious weaknesses, lesser lights were bound to jump in. Harris is probably the only well-known Republican in Florida who could NOT beat Nelson.
I blame Liddie Dole.
:-
1. Posted by Adjoran | July 31, 2006 5:32 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 31, 2006 17:32