The Miami Herald recommends for U.S. Senate
2006-10-23
Source: Miami Herald
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rss feedOn the night that he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, Bill Nelson pledged to represent all the people of Florida, ''not just the ones who voted for me.'' In the ensuing six years, he has kept that promise, adopting a moderate approach on most issues and taking a leadership role in defending Florida's vital interests, such as keeping our beaches safe from the effects of coastal drilling.
Sen. Nelson, a Democrat, has earned the trust of Florida's voters and deserves another term.
The campaign of U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris of Sarasota, Sen. Nelson's challenger, has failed to take off. This is due largely to embarrassing turnovers in staff and tepid support -- if that -- from Gov. Jeb Bush and other Republican leaders. For that, Rep. Harris has no one to blame except herself.
Politically, Ms. Harris made her bones as a strong party loyalist, as witness her role in the 2000 election. However, she decided to mount a Senate challenge rather than keeping her safe 13th District seat after serving only two terms, using her name recognition, or rather notoriety, even though Gov. Bush and others warned against it. Her sudden transformation into a maverick challenging the party hierarchy is simply not credible.
A maverick campaign can be a winner, but only when the challenger has enthusiastic grass-roots support and undeniable populist appeal. Unfortunately for Ms. Harris, neither of these applies in her campaign. Nor has she met with much success in trying to paint Sen. Nelson as a liberal.
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