Political analysis | Graham's stance on war risks harm at home

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Tue, Aug. 26, 2003

Political analysis | Graham's stance on war risks harm at home
BY PETER WALLSTEN
[e-mail]

As Sen. Bob Graham's campaign for president struggles for a spark, Florida Republicans are gaining confidence that his antiwar message is gradually making the state's senior senator a more vulnerable target should he ultimately seek reelection back home.

Graham's sharp criticism of President Bush's handling of Iraq and the war on terrorism might play well with Democratic primary voters nationally, GOP strategists say, but it risks alienating the bipartisan base of moderates and independents that has turned Graham into one of the most formidable campaigners in Florida politics.

Specifically, they argue, Graham's talk of impeaching Bush over his potentially misleading assertions about weapons of mass destruction could hurt him in a state where both the president and his brother, Gov. Jeb Bush, are popular.

One recent survey by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research gives credence to the theory, showing Graham's job approval at its lowest point in a decade. The numbers also suggest that, as long as Graham's presidential campaign fails to show positive signs and his popularity in Florida lessens, he risks damaging his primary value as a running mate: winning his home state. (snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/6616925.htm

[w4rma]

1. That headline by the Herald is slanderous

I'm sick of these propagandistic newspapers and their smears on Democrats. :mad: :mad:

[sujan]

9. Graham is right

If Floridians see the other way, then maybe they dont deserve such an intelligent guy to represent them. I mean it's not like they are appreciative of the fact that someone tried to prevent this bogus war which (if successful) would have saved a lot in treasury and lives.

[Flubadubya]

2. Telling the truth in a toxic political environment...

can certainly be dangerous, if not disasterous for the truth teller.

What a shame truth is so reviled in our society these days, and it is ALL the fault of the neo-cons and their media lapdogs. :grr: x10!

[teryang]

3. When Floridians see their new tax bill

...and their new college tuitions intended to cover the huge state deficit, Jeb isn't going to be very popular. I don't think he's popular. Commercial landlords are struggling with vacany rents due to failed businesses. Florida is about to implode.

[madfloridian]

4. I question that Mason-Dixon poll. Defining our issues for us.

Bob Graham's campaign should be doing some other polls. That Mason Dixon poll needs to be questioned.

I think they are once again defining our issues.

[ewagner]

5. Hate to see this happen

To a good and honest man.

[lkinsale]

6. Kiss Florida goodbye, if this is really the case

Because it's for sure that if Graham can't carry Florida because he's criticizing Bush, then Dean/Kerry haven't got a snowball to melt there.

This poll has been shown to be weighted toward conservative geographical areas of Florida.

[madfloridian]

8. While I don't quite believe that, I do believe Florida is a done deal.

I have never heard a critical word of Graham really, and I doubt that poll is anything other than defining the issues. I do think Florida is completely lost.

I just think it was probably the first state to go, with TX and CA being grabbed right now.

I think that is a realistic view. The Republicans seem to have so much control, and so much media at their fingertips....it at times seems hopeless.

[gratuitous]

7. A question for all office holders

Would you rather have positive polling numbers 14 months before the election, or run on the truth about the murderously corrupt Bush administration and by doing so possibly end it?

For anyone of character and integrity, the choice is so obvious that this poll can be disregarded.

[Racenut20]

10. Thank You

For seeing the real man.