The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

p> SHE'S BACK br> The White House is pulling back on any support it might have had for Rep. Mark Foley 's candidacy in next year's Florida Senate race, seemingly setting up the possibility that it will attempt to woo rookie Rep. Katherine Harris , the state's former secretary of state, to run instead. Foley, who has been successfully fundraising in Washington and in Florida, was viewed as a preferred candidate over former Rep. Bill McCollum , who lost in his Senate bid in 2000 to replace retiring senator Connie Mack . /p>

McCollum has the organization in place to run again. But first the White House and Sen. George Allen, the key Senate candidate recruiter, focused their attention on HUD Secretary Mel Martinez, a former Orange County, Florida pol. But Martinez took a pass.

"We may still prevail with Martinez," says a hopeful RNC staffer. "There is still some time. We'd prefer someone who can excite voters, and McCollum underwhelms. We know that. There are also some concerns about Foley's experience and ability to run a statewide campaign."

Foley, though, has been raising money at a decent clip, and has been lining up support across the state.

topics:
NATO