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Republican congressional hopeful Gus Bilirakis, left, laughs as President Bush delivers remarks today in Tampa. AP photo
From The Associated Press
ORLANDO - For months, Republican leaders tried pushing Katherine Harris out of the U.S. Senate race in hopes of finding a candidate that could win, and she responded by talking about “the party elite” with disdain at just about every campaign stop.
But now that the party is stuck with her as its candidate to face Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Republican leaders will welcome Harris as President Bush visits Tampa and Orlando Thursday to raise money to help the party maintain the governor’s office, its hold on the Cabinet, and its dominance in the Legislature and U.S. House delegation.
Bush briefly acknowledged Harris at his first fundraising event for Republican congressional hopeful Gus Bilirakis in Tampa.
“I’m proud to be here with Congresswoman Katherine Harris, who is running for Senate,” he told a crowd of about 400 people.
The star of the evening will be Attorney General Charlie Crist, the Republican nominee to replace Gov. Jeb Bush, but Harris will join party leaders at the Orlando event expected to raise at least $2 million for the November election.
“The party invited her and we’re glad she’s able to attend,” said state Republican Party spokesman Jeff Sadosky. “The governor and Chairman (Carole Jean) Jordan both immediately supported her when she won the primary.”
But before she won the primary with less than half the vote in a four-way race, Jordan and the governor refused to back her. For months, Republican leaders in Tallahassee and Washington tried to find a candidate to defeat Harris. Gov. Bush openly said she couldn’t win, and Jordan wrote to her saying the same.
Even after the primary, she was snubbed when Jordan, Gov. Bush, Crist and every statewide Republican candidate except Harris flew around Florida for unity rallies. The party said the events were to highlight state races, not federal campaigns.
Whether she continues to talk about the party elite, Harris welcomes the opportunity to finally join them.
“She looks forward to being with the president and Charlie Crist and Gov. Jeb Bush,” said campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Marks. “We look forward to heading into November with unity.”
Once the darling of Republicans when as Florida secretary of state she oversaw the 2000 recount that handed President Bush the White House, her popularity has been in a tailspin. She’s been tied to a corrupt defense contractor, given embarrassing television interviews, endured former staffers detailing bizarre behavior and been caught at fibs that call her credibility into question.
But she is the nominee and the party plans to show support where it can even if she trails Nelson by more than 30 points in the polls and by millions of dollars in campaign contributions.
Jordan has offered to appear at events with Harris and the party plans to include her on get-out-the-vote mailings and fliers asking Republicans to vote for the entire ticket. She will also be among the candidates the party plans to showcase at events Friday and Saturday during its quarterly meetings.
Most of the money raised at Thursday’s dinner will go to state races, with the priority being to help Crist defeat Democrat Jim Davis as Jeb Bush leaves office due to term limits.
While President Bush’s poll numbers have suffered, Crist said he will be proud to receive the president’s support.
U.S. Rep. Davis’ campaign, though, is using the visit to criticize Crist.
“Nobody more clearly illustrates the need for change in our state and our nation’s leadership than George W. Bush,” said Davis spokesman Josh Earnest. “He’s going to need all the money that he can get to convince the people of Florida that the status quo is the best for Florida.”
Bilirakis’s campaign raised about $500,000 from the Tampa event, a spokeswoman said. Bush lavished praise on the Republican who is trying to win the U.S. House seat his father, Republican Rep. Mike Bilirakis, is vacating after 24 years.
“There is nothing wrong with a son following in his father’s footsteps,” Bush said, laughing.
Posted by robert wilson, St. Petersburg on 09/21 at 11:30 AM
Dem’s convicted felons? Uhm.....let’s see whos been arrested lately. Oh that’s right it would be the Republicians. By the way impeaching a president for doing something that is human nature, regardless if it was right or wrong is much better than doing something to the world that should be punished. Like lying, cheating, creating his own laws to benefit him, his party and the companies that profit from his stupidity. Just food for thought to those of you that still think his the best thing since sliced bread.
Posted by Tom Lowenthal, Tampa on 09/21 at 11:17 AM
Hey Ana,
People like you are the reason there is such a divide in this country. Realize that we are all in this toghether, I am a democrat, I teach your kids here in hills. county, and far from a felon. I failed to see the humor in your comment, and believe you should work on being part of the solution rather than the problem. And your right, republican is the way to go, I mean Dubya has truly done an outstanding job in office......
Posted by Ana Hebb, Tampa, FL on 09/21 at 10:22 AM
HA… I have to laugh. I read some of the comments posted about wasting tax payer dollars and needing a Democrat back in the White House and I just laugh. ‘ Take a good long look at Clintons term in office and then, when you are no longer living in a glass house… cast a stone. And don’t hold your breath on the Dem’s taking over any time soon. You can’t vote if you are a convicted felon so most Dem supporters aren’t eligible to vote.
Posted by Mike Rickey, Zephyrhills on 09/21 at 10:17 AM
Its all political. TIme to waste. I hope he is not using my tax dollars to fuel up that plane. Must be nice people have this type of money and time to waste. Waste not want not. All this for a president who wants to rule the world with “Freedom and Democracy”. I hope it bites him right in the rear someday.
Posted by James Anderson, Tampa on 09/21 at 10:02 AM
I don’t like the man, as a person or a president, but this is something any politican would do. Taxpayer’s money would get used one way or the other and the event is private, so that comes out of donations and their own pockets. This really is no big deal. And this is coming from a liberal,28 idependant by the way.
Posted by EDDIE POSLUSZNY, LAND O LAKES on 09/21 at 09:58 AM
Dialogues Part I & II, by CHICAGO
Posted by Anita Johnson, Tampa on 09/21 at 09:57 AM
Hey Jake: If we get nuked by Islamic fundamentalists, none of THOSE problems will matter much, will they?
Perhaps if Clinton had worried more about terrorism and less about AIDS and poverty, we wouldn’t all be walking around with a bullseye on our backs.
Posted by Joyce Taylor, Tampa, FL on 09/21 at 09:51 AM
Again, the President finds himself wasting tax dollars for a whole day on fundraisers for Republican candidates. There are more important things he should be doing. It goes to show you where his mindset is. He is the worst President ever and I sincerely hope the Democrats do take back the White House. It’s in need of a major cleaning.
Posted by Sue McMillan, Formerly of Tampa on 09/21 at 09:50 AM
Jeremy,
You from Venezuala?
Sue
Posted by Michael MacQueen, Tampa on 09/21 at 09:45 AM
I remember when Jimmah Cartah came to town on a fund raising trip. I took my two young daughters to the airport to see The President Of The United States! We stood with our noses pressed against the chain link as he emerged from Air Force One.
No wonder my children have questioned my sanity.
THERE was a joke for a president. I’ll take Dubya ANY day.
Posted by Jake Clemens, Tampa, FL on 09/21 at 09:43 AM
Meanwhile in NYC, Clinton is raising money too...to support the IMPORTANT causes in the world. AIDS, Poverty, Ethnic cleansing. Remember those problems?
Posted by Tom Fillion, Tampa on 09/21 at 09:33 AM
While he’s at the stadium, maybe he can convince the Bucs they’re not on a losing streak too.
Posted by Dale Davis, St. Petersburg on 09/21 at 09:24 AM
This president is the biggest joke in American history, he is so detached from the normal working American. He has no problem tying up traffic, making people late for work or appointments, just so he can waste taxpayers money for his own need. 2 years and 3 months can’t come fast enough, and whoever voted for him should be ashamed.
Posted by CARMEN ORTIZ, Tampa on 09/21 at 08:51 AM
Well to me it doesn’t matter which President is at the White House and decide to visit Florida or any other state people will always complaint no matter what because thats in the world we live!!!! so people let the man do his thing in peace!!!!
Posted by HJ Brencsons Jr, Tampa on 09/21 at 08:44 AM
Liberal slant? Nah, sounds more like the honest truth. Republican, Democrat, Bush or Clinton....flying aorund on Air Force One swarmed by Secret Service agents and tying up local law enforcement for a couple hours of campaigning is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Posted by Steve Glassfan, Tampa, FL on 09/21 at 08:42 AM
WORST, MOST WORTHLESS PRESIDENT EVER.
Posted by Harold Moore, Tampa on 09/21 at 08:33 AM
This has been going on since long before I started following politics in the 60’s. If it bothers you that much, move to a place where they don’t have an electoral process. On the other hand, if you don’t like it because it’s a REPUBLICAN doing it, hang around so we can continue to make you
miserable through yet another election cycle.
Posted by Kyle Berry, Lakeland, FL on 09/21 at 08:17 AM
I mean honestly people, this is what politicians do… And I Dont know if you read the article, but it says the event cost $1000 a person, I mean lets think about it, if it cost that much, I would think they could put on a nice event without dipping into taxpayers dollars. Get over it, the president travels. I mean you could move to cuba, I hear its REAL NICE there.
Posted by carol radabaugh, tampa on 09/21 at 08:13 AM
Why can’t you people stop beating on our President? Try walking in his shoes. George Bush is doing all he can to preserve our freedom and security. To the Bush Beaters,,, I say, “if you can do it better, try it and see what they say about you!!"Carol Radabaugh, Tampa, Fl.
Posted by Louie Brake, Tampa on 09/21 at 07:58 AM
Please the liberal slant is in full motion: wasting tax payer dollars, and he has better things to do. So I guess when Clinton was at fund raisers and trying to cover up stained dresses it was a great use of tax payer dollars?
This is what Presidents and Governors do regardless of their political party. Lighten up people.
Posted by Jeremy Jones, Tampa on 09/21 at 07:56 AM
Great. Now it’s gonna smell like sulphur around here.
Posted by Rich Sheld, Tampa on 09/21 at 06:25 AM
Another waste of the tax payers money, is this necessary to go to this expense, flying here for a one hour meet and greet.
I’m sure the cost is very high, why don’t you give us an idea just how much it coct to have this meeting.
Posted by John Eanes, Tampa, Florida on 09/21 at 04:46 AM
I would hope our President would have better things to do than campaign for republicans in Florida. With everything going on-one would think he would not waste any time. But oh, I almost forget we are talking about Bush.
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Posted by Joyce Taylor, Tampa, FL on 09/21 at 11:50 AM
Hey Ana Hebb. Where do you get off bashing ALL Democrats. I am speaking truthfully on my last comment. We are a self-employed middle class family and were doing real well when Clinton was in office. Don’t forget the federal funds were in the black then. This President has run our country into the ground. Worst federal deficit ever!! Not to mention all the other corruption taking place. We are a struggling middle class family now (and I am definitely sure we are not alone)and all his promises to help the middle class families and the elderly are just empty words and promises to us. As far as felons go, it takes one to know one. That comment shows your level of mentality. What a joke you are. Oh, and have a nice day.