We're hearing that Republican Florida House Speaker Allen Bense
(R) is quietly talking to state and national GOP fundraisers about
challenging Rep. Katherine Harris for the Republican Senate
nomination. The filing deadline is May 12. Harris has been under
intense pressure to back out of the race in light was a series of
gaffes, whiffs of ethical impropriety and staff defections. A
candidate should knows she's cooked when her own campaign advisers
go public with information that her opponents would normally leak.
Timing here, obviously, is critical. Sen. Bill Nelson, who at one
time was considered to be a beatable candidate has raised upwards
of $10 million, and his seat is now considered safe. All of this
comes at a time when national Republican leaders are getting an
earful about the dire condition of the party leading into the 2006
election cycle. Day-after reviews of polling numbers in Ohio raise
a number of red flags about party enthusiasm and the ability of
some candidates to get out the vote.