Florida 2012 Senate

[ajc0918]

He hasn't formally announced what every knows was a certainty, but Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos is already raising money for his campaign. Check out his new web site, Mike2012.org.

He's also scheduled a "private strategy session" for Feb. 3 in Orlando. Guests have been asked to raise $10,000 and bring it with them. (see fundraiser letter below)

We've also found what appears to be a more formal campaign site still under construction. But there does not appear to be a registered campaign account with the FEC. More on link...

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/mike-haridopolos-raising-money-us-senate-bid

[SvenssonRS]

Looks like the Nelsons are going to have a fun 2012.

[krazen1211]

This should hopefully be an R pickup. Beyond Nelson the Florida Dem Party is decimated.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Not the best choice from what I have read. Didn't he just get fined for campaign violations or something like that?

[Badger]

Meh, Scott took the fifth eighty some times over Medicare fraud and still got elected governor. Not the thing voters care about it seems.

[DrScholl]

Scott managed to skate through because of the environment, the closeness of the race made that very obvious. As for the Senate race, it's still rather early to see exactly where this one will go, sometimes expected tight races can drop off the radar.

[Lunar]

Meh, Scott took the fifth eighty some times over Medicare fraud and still got elected governor. Not the thing voters care about it seems.

Is Haridopolos a self-funder?

[ajc0918]

Meh, Scott took the fifth eighty some times over Medicare fraud and still got elected governor. Not the thing voters care about it seems.

Is Haridopolos a self-funder?

No.

[Lunar]

It was a rhetorical question

[ajc0918]

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/another-republican-sniffing-run-us-senate

Another interesting prospective candidate...

[feeblepizza]

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/another-republican-sniffing-run-us-senate

Another interesting prospective candidate...

This will certainly be quite an interesting race.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Bill Nelson wins unless it's Jeb Bush, in which case it's a tossup.

[ajc0918]

Bill Nelson wins unless it's Jeb Bush, in which case it's a tossup.

Do you know how strong the Republicans in Florida are?
Rick Scott was elected governor... and the cabinet races weren't even close.

This is a lean D at most, with tossup if Connie Mack comes in (mainly because people know his father).
That being said, Haridopolos could still win...

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Bill Nelson wins unless it's Jeb Bush, in which case it's a tossup.

Do you know how strong the Republicans in Florida are?
Rick Scott was elected governor... and the cabinet races weren't even close.

This is a lean D at most, with tossup if Connie Mack comes in (mainly because people know his father).
That being said, Haridopolos could still win...

I am pretty sure that Mack will run if Bush doesn't. Some of his actions show clear signs of pandering to an electorate very similar to the one that exists in a statewide race in Florida, and not so much in his heavily GOP Fort Myers district.

[jbgator]

Primary will come down to Haridopolos vs LeMieux.  You've got the charismatic, younger-looking state senate President vs Crist's career politician dull-as-a-stump replacement senator.  You're looking at a 2024 US Presidential contender in Mike.

[Kevin]

Has there been any sign that Nelson won't run for reelection? As I read a while back he was considering retirement.

[DS0816]

2012 would be the right time for Alan Grayson to run. (Bill Nelson should retire.)

[ajc0918]

2012 would be the right time for Alan Grayson to run. (Bill Nelson should retire.)

That would be hilarious as Grayson would get totally destroyed.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Primary will come down to Haridopolos vs LeMieux.  You've got the charismatic, younger-looking state senate President vs Crist's career politician dull-as-a-stump replacement senator.  You're looking at a 2024 US Presidential contender in Mike.

Somehow I don't see it falling out so nice and neatly with two candidates. Too many interested in a run and there isn't someone who will scare most out like Crist did in 2010, save for Jeb Bush of course.

[DS0816]

2012 would be the right time for Alan Grayson to run. (Bill Nelson should retire.)

That would be hilarious as Grayson would get totally destroyed.

Why?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

2012 would be the right time for Alan Grayson to run. (Bill Nelson should retire.)

That would be hilarious as Grayson would get totally destroyed.

Why?

Because he is too liberal for the state and not only that he is hackishly partisan at being a liberal. Florida has a slight Republican lean and a seemlingly built in Republican advantage on top of that. And thats before accounting for all the gerrymandering. You also have a very strong and efficient state party machine and a deep talent pool of candidates. Grayson didn't even get 40% in a district that is R+2 and voted for Obama 52-47. Its not like he lost by 10 or something like what happened in VA-05 where a liberal Dem managed to controll the bleeding. And Grayson only won in the first place because Ric Keller was a corrupt sleezeball. 

[Progressive]

Anyone giving credence to the idea that Alan Grayson will primary Nelson?

[DS0816]

2012 would be the right time for Alan Grayson to run. (Bill Nelson should retire.)

That would be hilarious as Grayson would get totally destroyed.

Why?

Because he is too liberal for the state and not only that he is hackishly partisan at being a liberal. Florida has a slight Republican lean and a seemlingly built in Republican advantage on top of that. And thats before accounting for all the gerrymandering. You also have a very strong and efficient state party machine and a deep talent pool of candidates. Grayson didn't even get 40% in a district that is R+2 and voted for Obama 52-47. Its not like he lost by 10 or something like what happened in VA-05 where a liberal Dem managed to controll the bleeding. And Grayson only won in the first place because Ric Keller was a corrupt sleezeball. 

Florida has never elected liberals?

[DS0816]

Anyone giving credence to the idea that Alan Grayson will primary Nelson?

Bill Nelson should join Kent Conrad, Joe Lieberman, and Kay Bailey Hutchison. Alan Grayson should win the 2012 Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. With President Obama re-elected, carrying Florida (which has sided with the winner in 19 of the last 21 elections and is now a bellwether) … yeah, Grayson, is plenty electable.

[Dgov]

Anyone giving credence to the idea that Alan Grayson will primary Nelson?

Bill Nelson should join Kent Conrad, Joe Lieberman, and Kay Bailey Hutchison. Alan Grayson should win the 2012 Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. With President Obama re-elected, carrying Florida (which has sided with the winner in 19 of the last 21 elections and is now a bellwether) … yeah, Grayson, is plenty electable.

The man just lost by one of the biggest margins in 2010 in a district he'd have to win to carry the state.  Face it, he's toxic goods.  Obama could win 60% in the State and Grayson would still probably lose.