The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 2)

br> Look for word to begin leaking out about Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison 's political plans in the coming days. Hutchison has almost $7 million in a federal campaign account that can be used to finance a campaign for statewide office in Texas. /p>

There is a growing speculation that Hutchison wants out of the Senate and into the governor's mansion in Austin.

Current Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who in early 2004 spent extensive time in Washington attempting to raise his political visibility and national fundraising appeal, is expected to run for re-election. Hutchison, though, is popular in the state, and in some quarters more popular than Perry.

Hutchison's political ambitions already have some on Capitol Hill talking about her as a possible vice presidential contender on a Republican ticket in 2008.

p> DEM DILEMMA br> The Florida state Democratic delegation met in Tallahassee on Monday to try to figure out how best to get back into the political game in the 2006 election cycle, this, after seeing their party fall further behind in both the Florida house and senate in the 2004 elections. /p>

According to one attendee, a small minority in the meeting of about 70 state Democratic officials insisted that the winning strategy was to speak openly about their Democratic values: pro-abortion and pro-labor, for example.

But that idea was quickly shot down by a decision to hire political consultants in the coming weeks to develop and test political and issues positions that play well with Florida independents.

p>The consultants will be hired at a cost of more than $2 million. "It's probably money well spent," says a Republican Florida House member. "Now Democrats can finally find out what they believe in." br> /p>

topics:
Abortion, Iraq, NATO