Foley drops out of FL senate race

[ringmastery]

What's interesting about this is he's supposedly a closeted-gay republican and was taking a lot of heat the past few months. He was also pretty moderate. Every repub left is a right-wing nut. This is good news for the dems, whether graham seats reelection or not.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6695230.htm

[ButterflyBlood]

1. this is good

he was probably the best candidate they had, if it weren't for the fact that the fundies would refuse to vote for him due to his sexuality.

[Cha]

2. Yeah! It sounds like good news! Is Peter Deutch running and

how are his chances...I remember him from the Florida Fiasco.

[TSIAS]

3. Deutch is running

It's turning into a nasty fight. Deutch and Alex Pinelas are at each others throats. Deutch is probably the most preferrable candidate of the 5 running.

[ringmastery]

4. I like

Betty Castor. She's a woman, former education commisioner and has run statewide before, and also from the tampa area, an important swing part of the state.

[TSIAS]

6. Yep

I like Castor as well. I'm still undecided about who I'll support in the primary. My hope is still that Graham runs for his Senate seat if he doesn't get the Presidential nomination.

[Cha]

5. THanks Tsias!

I always liked him but don't know him that well...he was just kind of a "lifeline" in the 2000 coup.

[GBD4]

7. Deutsch is running

and so far his campaign is simply anti-Penelas, full of negativity and personal attacks. completely a turnoff (and he's my Rep no less!)

I am uncommitted as of now, but I think Betty Castor, already elected statewide twice, is a nice alternative

the good thing about Deutsch is he can raise loads of money which would obviously be advantageous in the general election

[ringmastery]

8. someone to watch

is Alcee Hastings. He could be bad news. All you need is a pluraity to win the primary and he could clean house with black voters and win with maybe 30%.

I don't think he is electable in the general election.

[GBD4]

10. Definitely bad news

he would never win statewide, but unless he makes his candidacy all about race, voters will vote for the candidate they perceive to be most qualified, not for the candidate who simply looks like themselves, so in that case the scandalous Alcee Hastings won't be elected!

yes, he is scandalous. he is great in the House, and he has done some nice international work, too, which is rather impressive. however, he was impeached when he was a FL judge...

[TSIAS]

9. I'm uncommitted

I'm undecided as well. Most likely I'll choose between Castor and Deutch. I'm uncomfortable with Pinelas with regards to Election 2000 and the Elian Gonzalez case. I like Alcee Hastings, but I don't think he could win statewide. He's probably the closest to me in ideology, but his impeachment will hurt his chances. Boyd is a conservative Dem. Enough said on him.

Castor is an interesting candidate. Deutch probably starts out with an early lead, but I can see her making it a tough primary.

[Cha]

11. Why the heck was Alcee Hastings "impeached"...?

[ringmastery]

12. I think

federal bribery charges but the conviction was overturned on appeal.

[jos]

14. You won't have to make that decision

The candidate will be Bob Graham.

[ringmastery]

13. interview with Foley

U.S. Rep. Mark Foley is ending his dream of becoming Florida's next U.S. senator.

His father has cancer and Foley, choking back tears, said Thursday night, "He's always been there for me and I have to be there for him."

In an emotional interview with The Palm Beach Post, Foley, his voice quavering, talked about the the intensity of a statewide race, the demands on his time and the enormous need he feels to help his father, Ed, and mother, Frances, both in their 80s and in poor health.

His staff cried. His opponents were stunned. And the Republican Party suddenly found itself minus the campaign's leading candidate and most prodigious fund-raiser.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/news_f385488420f030130019.html