Charles Fenwick: Florida Senate Campaign

Bobby wins the Bowden Bowl 41-22

Sat, 25 Sep 2004 23:25:27 GMT

A good pre-game tailgate party and a good game overall.

Us College Republicans had quite a thing going as swarms of people came up asking for 'Noles for Bush and Bush-Cheny '04 stickers at our tailgate party.

Our starting quarterback Chris Rix(who is quite unpopular) got knocked out of the game and the backup Wyatt Sexton played well to the delight of the students who gave him a hero's welcome as he walked off the field after the end of the game.

Martinez wins GOP Senate primary

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 01:56:28 GMT

Miami-Dade results show that Martinez won there by 70,000 votes.

Betty Castor wins Democratic primary for Senate

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 01:19:42 GMT

A total thrashing of Peter Deutsch so far...

A couple of things before I head to class...

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 14:35:54 GMT

Just cast my optically-scanned ballot. I'm in a Democratic precinct in a Democratic county, so my ballot was fairly short. The voting room was as sleepy as one would expect.

I've posted an article to Red State about the final days of the Republican primary: Heel of the Hunt: The final days of Florida's GOP Senate Primary.

All for now... keep your eye on Frances!!!

Senate Campaign News 20040831

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 11:54:55 GMT

On primary day, the top story is the St Petersburg Times' withdrawal of its endorsement of Mel Martinez. The funny thing is that yesterday afternoon the Martinez campaign sent an e-mail with the subject "Martinez sweeps newspaper endorsements". With the reversal of the Times' endorsement and the endorsement of the Tampa Tribune and Florida Times-Union, Bill McCollum received the endorsements from three of the five largest newspapers in the state. Hard to see how that constitutes a sweep for Martinez.

In twist, Martinez endorsement pulled (Tampa Tribune)

Martinez loses papers support (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Other articles make mention of the endorsement without making it the central focus.

Swipes begin to sting for Martinez and McCollum (Florida Times-Union)

U.S. Senate race ends with a snarl (St Petersburg Times)

To win votes, candidates down to the wire (Miami Herald)

Front-runners up last-minute attacks despite GOP's pleas (Palm Beach Post)

Ex-cabinent member struggles in Florida state primary (New York Times)

Senate race, voting issues grab attention in primary (Associated Press)

St Petersburg Times withdraws endorsement of Mel Martinez

Mon, 30 Aug 2004 22:11:57 GMT

Something that I missed in the daily news roundup: As a result of Martinez' attacks on Bill McCollum, the St Petersburg Times has pulled its endorsement of Martinez and is now endorsing Bill McCollum. A sampling of today's editorial:

No matter what else Martinez may accomplish in public life, his reputation will be forever tainted by his campaign's nasty and ludicrous slurs of McCollum in the final days of this race. The slurs culminated with Martinez campaign advertisements that label McCollum - one of the most conservative moralists in Washington during his 20 years as a U.S. representative - "the new darling of the homosexual extremists" because he once favored a hate crime law that had bipartisan support. A few days earlier, the Martinez campaign arranged a conference call with reporters in which a group of right-wing Martinez supporters labeled McCollum "antifamily." Why? Because McCollum supports expanded stem cell research to find cures for deadly diseases - a position that is identical to those of Nancy Reagan, Connie Mack and many other prominent Republicans.

McCollum for GOP (St Petersburg Times)

Senate Campaign News 20040830

Mon, 30 Aug 2004 13:32:38 GMT

A quiet news day as the candidates make their final rounds in search of votes.

The latest Insider Advantage poll, taken on Friday and Saturday, shows Mel Martinez leading by one point over Bill McCollum with 20% of voters undecided.

Weekend poll shows Martinez surging; Race a 32 percent Martinez to 31 percent McCollum free-for-all. (Florida Insider)

Most articles on the race look at how the candidates spent their day on Sunday.

Pew time prevails in campaign stretch (St Petersburg Times)

GOP Senate hopefuls ratchet up campaigns (Palm Beach Post)

Democrats with eyes on Senate hit streets (Palm Beach Post)

Senate races down to wire (Orlando Sentinel)

McCollum, Martinez locked in tight Senate primary (Associated Press)

Deutsch rallies S. Florida backers (Sun-Sentinel)

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The Tampa Tribune looks at the McCollum-Martinez feud

Top GOP Senate Hopefuls 'Similar'

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The Gainesville Sun frets about negative campaigning

Contentious Senate ads carry risks

Senate Campaign News 20040829

Sun, 29 Aug 2004 09:48:42 GMT

I'll post the real update later, but one quick thing for now: The Florida Times-Union endorsed Betty Castor and Bill McCollum.

U.S. Senate: Up for grabs

LATER: I realized I should have noted just how much later I was going to be with the complete update (Had second day of drill, plus the drive from Orlando to Tallahassee). Anhyhow, here goes:

Mel Martinez says that he had already decided to pull his ad attacking McCollum before Jeb Bush called him.

Bush to Martinez: Pull ad (Orlando Sentinel)

Martinez pulls TV ad ripping McCollum (Palm Beach Post)

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A few general articles on the final days of the campaigns

GOP front-runners get personal as tight Senate primary nears (Palm Beach Post)

Undecided (Florida Times-Union)

Castor, Deutsch make their pitches personal (St Petersburg Times)

Democratic senate candidates court minorities (Palm Beach Post)

Republicans face off in U.S. Senate primary (Daytona Beach News-Journal)

Democratic candidates tout similarities as party strives to keep seat (Orlando Sentinel)

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The Miami Herald looks at how gay issues have suddenly surfaced in the final week of the Republican campaign.

Gay issues become focus of GOP primary battle (Miami Herald)

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The Florida Times-Union lists each candidate and the three issues that the candidates considers to be the most important.

U.S. Senate: Republicans

U.S. Senate: Democrats

Senate Campaign News 20040828

Sun, 29 Aug 2004 02:59:23 GMT

Late post as I'm doing my one weekend a month drill in Orlando.

The feud between McCollum and Martinez has sunk to new lows. Governor Bush asked Mel Martinez to pull his ad attacking McCollum and he did so. In last night's debate McCollum said that he was so offended by Martinez' attacks that he could not support him if Martinez were to win the nomination.

Jeb Bush steps into bitter primary (Knight - Ridder)

Martinez pulls ad attacking McCollum (Associated Press)

Anger escelates as McCollum seeks apology from Martinez (Palm Beach Post)

Bitterness boils over at GOP debate (St Petersburg Times)

U.S. Senate candidates Bill McCollum and Mel Martinez trade barbs (Orlando Sentinel)

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A poll by the St Peterburg Times and Miami Herald has Betty Castor with a 24 point lead over Peter Deutsch. On the Republican side, it shows McCollum leading Martinez by two points.

Republican Senate race a tossup (St Petersburg Times)

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The Palm Beach Post has an article on the Doug Gallagher campaign and one on McCollum at a Hillsborough County middle school.

GOP Senate candidate happy to pay his way

Students have tough questions for McCollum

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The St Petersburg Times has an article on the 'also-ran' candidates

As defeat looms, Senate also-rans stick to message

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The Miami Herald has a brief article on Betty Castor's position on abortion

Castor stand on abortion derided

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The Sun-Sentinel has an article on the Democratic side of the race

Democrats mired in a heated contest

President Bush in Miami

Fri, 27 Aug 2004 23:46:37 GMT

Contrary to what the Orlando Sentinel anticipated a couple of days ago, President Bush's remarks at his rally in Miami today made no mention of Mel Martinez. In attendance were Representatives Mark Foley (a former Senate candidate who has endorsed Martinez) and Mario Diaz-Balart (who has endorsed Bill McCollum.

Remarks by President Bush and the First Lady at Miami, Florida Rally

Senate Campaign News 20040827

Fri, 27 Aug 2004 13:46:22 GMT

The Democrats had a debate last night and new polls came out for the Republican side of the race, which made this quite a busy news day.

The details of the Republican half of the Mason - Dixon poll are out. It shows Mel Martinez leading Bill McCollum by six points, which is an eleven point swing from the July poll. It indicates that Martinez leads in all regions, with central Florida being his strongest and South Florida as his weakest (the region is Doug Gallagher's strongest). 18% of voters are undecided.

I believe this 'lead' is far too high. It doesn't coinicide with either of the internal polls released a few days ago, and it doesn't agree with another poll released yesterday (see next item).

The story buried in the polling stuff is that former candidate and state State House speaker has decided to endorse Bill McCollum after Martinez campaign driven attacks against McCollum's conservatives.

Mason-Dixon poll Florida Senate race (Republican) August 23-24 (.doc format)

Neither GOP leader leader captures clear Senate race advantage (Palm Beach Post)

Polls unclear on front-runner (Miami Herald)

Martinez leads GOP pack (Tallahassee Democrat)

Martinez takes lead in Senate race, poll says (Orlando Sentinel)

Martinez leads McCollum in poll (Tampa Tribune)

Martinez overtakes McCollum (News-Press)

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A poll from Advantage 2000, commisioned by the Florida-Times Union and South Florida Sun-Sentinel . It contrasts strongly against both halves of the Mason-Dixon poll. It shows Betty Castor's lead against Peter Deutsch to be a mere eight points, and it shows McCollum leading Martinez by four points. It indicates that 10% of Democrats and 13% of Republicans are undecided. It was conducted August 23-25, which means that it has one later day of data than the Mason-Dixon poll.

Research 2000 Florida U.S. Senate race poll August 23-25 (Florida-Times Union)

Leading U.S. Senate candidates fight to hold on (Florida-Times Union)

Poll shows Republican candidates for U.S. Senate race are neck and neck (Sun-Sentinel)

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The Democratic debate that was televised state-wide on PBS stations featured the ongoing feud between Betty Castor and Peter Deutsch. Deutsch went after Castor on a variety of issues including Sami Al-Arian and partial-birth abortion (which Castor is against).

Democratic Senate Candidates' Debate Not Without Fireworks (Tampa Tribune)

Deutsch-Castor debate includes pointed exchange (Orlando Sentinel)

Gloves come off in last debate (St Petersburg Times)

Tempers flare in debate finale (Miami Herald)

Three Democratic Senate candidates meet in final debate (Herald-Tribune)

Castor, Deutsch trade barbs over former USF professor (Palm Beach Post)

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The Republican candidates debate tonight and it will be televised state-wide on PBS.

Republicans vying for Senate nomination to appear in final debate (Herald-Tribune)

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The Palm Beach Post covers a story that other papers mentioned in their debate articles. A group calling themselves Alliance to Protect Seniors is making phone calls that disparage Peter Deutsch.

Group mum on backer of anti-Deutsch calls

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Staying with the Post, they have an article on the Alex Penelas campaign.

Democrat Penelas still running - if not in it

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The Associated Press has a biographical article on Bill McCollum.

McCollum says he 'really can help the country' fight terror

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Finally, the St Petersburg Times takes a look at the money awaiting the nominees from both parties.

For U.S. Senate nominees, big money awaits

Polling Stuff II

Thu, 26 Aug 2004 21:03:55 GMT

The Rasmussen poll is up. It looks at hypothetical general election matchups. Betty Castor leads Bill McCollum by three points and is even with Mel Martinez (Note that the margin of error is 4.5%). Against Peter Deutsch, McCollum leads by seven points and Martinez leads by eight.

As expected, the Tallahassee Democrat has a sneak look at the Mason-Dixon poll for the Republican candidates. The paper states that Martinez is now in the lead against McCollum.

Florida Senate Race: Castor Strongest Democrat (Rasmussen Reports)

Poll shows Martinez leading GOP race (Tallahassee Democrat)

More polling stuff from the Senate race

Thu, 26 Aug 2004 17:01:34 GMT

Mason Dixon Poll Florida U.S. Senate race (Democrat) conducted August 23, 24, 2004

(WESH - .doc format)

Some details gleaned from the full poll:

Betty Castor gained eight points from the last poll, Peter Deutsch gained ten points, and Penelas lost a point. The number of undecided was cut by more than half. Their is quite a gender gapp. Among men, Castor holds only a four point lead, among women, she leads by twenty-one points.

Castor had the best recognition numbers as 90% of voters recognized her name, 52% in a positive manner. Deutsch has 83% recognition, 37 % favorably (the have similar unfavorable recognition).

Castor holds 25 to 30 point leads over Deutsch in all regions of Florida, except for South Florida. There, Deutsch holds a 19 point lead (that's also where has his strongest support at 14%).

The Republican half of the poll is scheduled to be released tomorrow (although, we may once again get a sneak look from the Tallahassee Democrat). Also, Rasmussen has scheduled a release of his poll for 3:00 PM today. I'll post details / results as they become available

Senate Campaign News 20040826

Thu, 26 Aug 2004 12:59:26 GMT

The top story in the race for Florida's U.S. Senate seat comes from the Democratic side as a new Mason-Dixon poll was released yesterday. It shows Betty Castor leading the field at 45%, Peter Deutsch in second at 31%, and Alex Penelas at 9%. Only 14% of voters are undecided. The articles point out that Deutsch's support is strongest among the black community, and that if he could pull in their undecided and get them out to vote in strong numbers, then he might have a chance. Otherwise, Betty Castor will win. A poll for the Republican field comes out today.

Castor leads other Democrats in poll (Tallahassee Democrat)

Castor leads by wide gap in state poll (Tampa Tribune)

Attacks fail to shake Castor (Miami Herald)

Poll shows Castor still leads pack (News-Press)

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On the Republican side, the Mel Martinez and Bill McCollum feud continues. After the Martinez campaign unleashed some prominent conservative supporters of his against McCollum, retired Senator Connie Mack (and McCollum supporter) Connie Mack released a letter denouncing the attacks. Candidate Doug Gallagher has apparently sided with McCollum on the matter, and has a released an and that solely attacks Martinez (after a previous ad that attacked both Martinez and McCollum). The Friday night debate (which Martinez will attend instead of going to a Bush rally) will be quite interesting.

Martinez rejects rally with President (Orlando Sentinel)

Mack accuses Martinez of 'mean-spirited' attack (St Petersburg Times)

Gallagher enters GOP fracas (Miami Herald)

Mack rips Martinez over hate speech (Palm Beach Post)

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In the rest of the news...

The Democratic candidates have a televised debate today.

3 Senate Hopefuls Will Debate on TV (The Ledger)

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Doug Gallagher has ponied up another $650,000 to spend on advertisements until election Day.

GOP Senate long shot adds his own $670,000 to coffers (Palm Beach Post)

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Mel Martinez was in Gainesville yesterday and the Associated Press has a biographical article on him.

Martinez stumps in Gainesville (Gainesville Sun)

Martinez touts his diverse experience, compassion (Tallahassee Democrat)

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Betty Castor has the 'win psychology' and is planning for the general election.

Castor camp points past Aug. 31 primary (St Petersburg Times)

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The Palm Beach Post looks at how the Deutsch and Castor campaigns use the Internet

Senate candidates banking on Internet experts

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Finally, the Post looks at Peter Deutsch seeking the Puerto Rican vote

Deutsch courts Puerto Ricans

Senate Campaign News 20040825

Thu, 26 Aug 2004 04:21:49 GMT

I swear tomorrow's news update will be more timely. Unless something happens or something like that.

After going much of the primary season touting Mel Martinez as the most electable candidate, the Martinez campaign is now going after McCollum for 'not being conservative enough'. (For those interested, McCollum had a liftetime American Conservative Union rating of 89 when he retired from the House).

Calls bolster Martinez as conservative (Florida Times-Union)

Martinez calls McCollum antifamily (Tampa Tribune)

Attacks intensify as primary nears (St Petersburg Times, this article also looks at the Democratic side of the race)

Mack accuses Martinez campaign of mean-spirited attack (Herald-Tribune)

Martinez makes his pitch for Christian Right support (Palm Beach Post)

Conservatives attack McCollum on social issues (Orlando Sentinel)

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Breaking on the Democratic side: Betty Castor leads by 14 points in a new Mason-Dixon poll

Polls show Castor leading the Pack (Tallahassee Democrat)

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Betty Castor and Peter Deutsch continue to squabble over their latest ads

Attacks add up in U.S. Senate race (Orlando Sentinel)

Deutsch, Castor trade shots over TV ads, USF professor (Palm Beach Post)

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The Miami Herald analyzes the two ads. Interestingly, Bob Graham did not approve his image to be used in the Castor ad

Adwatch

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The Democratic candidates have a televised debate on Thursday

Democrats vying for Senate nomination to appear in final debate (Herald-Tribune)

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The Herald-Tribune looks at the Republican side of the race

GOP primary for US Senate coming down to Martinez, McCollum

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The Palm Beach Post looks at how Deutsch and Castor campaign on the issue of Health Care

Castor, Deutsch concentrate on health care across state

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The Miami Herald looks at the abortion issue

A hot issue to use or avoid: abortion

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The Tampa Tribune looks at the female candidates

Female candidates might hold edge

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Careful readers will note that I stated yesterday that Peter Deutsch was in town all day yesterday. Yet, I've linked to no articles from the Tallahassee Democrat about his visit. That is because there are no articles from them (posted online at least, had I seen this earlier, I would have picked up a print edition). Interesting.

Senate Campaign News 20040824

Wed, 25 Aug 2004 04:04:25 GMT

My apologies for the incredibly late post. First week of classes is always a chaotic time.

Peter Deutsch was in town all day today, and was not able to avail myself of the opportunities to meet him. Sigh.

Anyhow, on to the news.

Betty Castor is airing a tv ad in Tampa and Orlando in reponse to the ad that Deutsch is airing there. It criticizes Deutsch as being 'ruthless' and 'nasty'.

Castor airs ad attacking Deutsch (Miami Herald)

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Howard Dean was critical of Deutsch's ad when he stumped for Castor

Democrats criticized Deutsch's attack ad (Orlando Sentinel)

(NOTE: If anyone can e-mail a link to an online version of this ad, I would appreciate it as I can't find it.)

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The Associated Press has more on Dean stumping for Castor

Dean Praises Castor's Record

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The Palm Beach Post at Peter Deutsch's campaigning in the Panhandle of Florida

Panhandle Democrats appear skeptical of Deutsch

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The St Petersburg Times examines the differences betweeen Deutsch's and Castor's health care plans

Medical coverage defining primary

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The Orlando Sentinel reports that President Bush has a campaign trip to Miami on Friday and speculates that it is designed to try to help Mel Martinez.

Bush's Florida swing also a perk for Martinez

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The Herald Tribune looks at the skepticism of social conservaties towards Bill McCollum and reports that he's released a new television ad featuring Connie Mack

Social conservatives question McCollum; Castor strikes back

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Finally, the Associated Press has biographical articles on Doug Gallagher and Larry Klayman

This Gallagher brother wants to be your U.S. Senator

'Conservative reformer' wants to be Senate watchdog

Senate Campaign News 2004823

Mon, 23 Aug 2004 21:24:37 GMT

The Sami-Al Arian issue hit the airwaves on Saturday as Peter Deutsch's campaign released an ad critical of Betty Castor's handling of the University of South Florida professor who was later indicted for having ties to the terrorist group Islamic Jihad. The ad is currently airing in Tampa and Orlando and is not yet posted online.

Deutsch unleashes attack on Castor's Al-Arian role (Tampa Tribune)

Terror ad roils Deutsch-Castor rivalry (Palm Beach Post)

Deutsch criticizes Castor's handling of USF professor's case (Associated Press)

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As mentioned yesterday, Jesse Jackson endorsed Peter Deutsch

Jesse Jackson endorses Peter Deutsch (Orlando Sentinel)

Jackson backs Deutsch in race for U.S. Senate (Miami Herald)

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Somewhat relatedly, the Palm Beach Post examines the Democrats' chase for the black vote

Within Senate primary, race on for black votes

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The Orlando Sentinel examines how the lack of a runoff could effect the Republican's chances of winning the general election.

A question of electability

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The Miami Herald has a look at Doug Gallagher's campaign

Gallagher spending millions to move up from third place

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The Tallahassee Democrat has an Associated Press biographical article on Johnnie Byrd

Byrd hoping to make leap from state to U.S. capitol

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The Florida Times-Union has a look at candidates from both parties

7 GOP contenders insist: I'm the real conservative

4 vie to keep state on Democratic side

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Finally, the husband of former Republican Senate candidate Karen Saull, Jeff, has announced that he is running for governor in 2006. (Thanks to Henry Stevens, the reporter of the story, for pointing it out to me).

Millionaire announces plan to run for governor in 2006 (The Press-Journal)

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Today's update was late due to first day of classes. From here on out, my plan will be to have the update out by 0800 EST on weekdays and by 1000 EST on weekends, if not earlier.

Mel Martinez radio ad online

Sun, 22 Aug 2004 20:04:25 GMT

His new radio ad is very similar to his television ads, which feature clips of President Bush praising him in 2002. (Unlike, the tv ad, the date of the clips is not evident in the radio ad).

Conservative Leader mp3 (Martinez for Senate)

Martinez radio ad text

Jesse Jackson edorses Deutsch in Senate Primary

Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:46:41 GMT

According to the article, a radio ad featuring Jackson is coming soon.

Doug Gallagher's M&M ads now online

Sun, 22 Aug 2004 19:37:45 GMT

The Gallagher campaign posted their new television ad and radio ads online today.

Like his previous ad and his movie, the television ad really needs to be seen; reading the transcript just doesn't adequetely give you the experience.

M&M Boys television ad Windows Media Real Player QuickTime (Gallagher for Senate)

M&M boys television ad text

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M&M Boys radio ad (MP3) (Gallagher for Senate)

M&M Boys radio ad text

Senate Campaign News 20040822

Sun, 22 Aug 2004 15:32:04 GMT

A pair of candidate's forums at the Florida League of Cities was the dominant topic of reporting in today's news from Florida's Senate races.

On the Republican forum, the papers focus on Doug Gallagher going after Mel Martinez on a variety of issues, including his television ad, which gives the false impression that Martinez has been endorsed by President Bush.

On the Democratic side, Betty Castor and Alex Penelas offered little to argue about, instead they focused on what they agreed on. Peter Deutsch did not attend as he is an observant Jew and does not capaign on Saturdays.

GOP Senate hopeful: Rival too close to Bush (Palm Beach Post)

Democratic Senate candidates want more federal money for Florida (Palm Beach Post)

U.S. Senate candidates tackle homeland security during Hollywood debate (Sun-Sentinel)

Senate candidates' forum tense amid sharp attacks (Miami Herald)

Gallagher targets Martinez in Senate forum (Associated Press)

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The Associated Press has a couple of "Candidates on the Issues" roundups

Republican candidates on the issues

Democratic candidates on the issues

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The Florida Time-Union (Jacksonville) has an article on Gallagher's campaign.

Gallagher's personal touch battles odds

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The Miami Herald has a story on Betty Castor's campaign.

Castor sees civility as ticket to sucess

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The Herald also has a couple of articles on the races from both parties

Democrats: Three major candidates differ in style

Republicans: Key contest becoming a feud

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The Tallahssee Democrat has a look at the home-stretch of the campaign and an article on the lesser-known candidates.

Senate hopefuls vie for attention

Little-known Senate hopefuls are long shots

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The Orlando Sentinel's Scott Maxwell offers his summary of a Republican candidates debate at Barry University.

The Senate debate in a nutshell

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Finally, here is an article from yesterdays Tampa Tribune (that wasn't posted until today) that covers the latest fundraising numbers.

Castor, Martinez lead in fundraising

Senate Campaign News 20040821

Sat, 21 Aug 2004 15:20:18 GMT

Doug Gallagher's new television ad was once again the top story in the Senate race. The ad derides his opponents Mel Martinez and Bill McCollum as being a trial lawyer and a lobbyist, respectively. As mentioned yesterday, they are referred to as the M&M boys and it shows Martinez and McCollum turning into M&Ms (a green one and a red one, respectively). The St Petersburg Times and Palm Beach Post articles go on to give some insight into the fudraising of the campaigns in recent weeks. Martinez has an approximate $600,000 advantage in cash on hand.

Gallagher begins TV ad barrage aimed at Martinez, McCollum (St Petersburg Times)

Gallagher takes 'M&M' ads to tv (Palm Beach Post)

Attack ads heat up GOP Senate race (Orlando Sentinel)

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Johnnie Byrd is courting the Christian conservative vote

Byrd campaign takes turn to Christian right (Palm Beach Post)

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On the Democratic side, Peter Deutsch and Alex Penelas were at a debate where they debated Republicans who weren't there.

Deutsch, Penelas stop jabbing at eachother, aim at Republicans (Palm Beach Post)

Deutsch and Penelas blast Bush at roundtable love-in; refuse to criticize eachother (Boca Raton News)

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The Miami Herald has an article on the Penelas campaign and the Associated Press has a biographical article.

Penelas hopes to regain voters' confidence (Miami Herald)

Senate race is next step up in Penelas' political career (Associated Press)

Senate Campaign News 20040820

Fri, 20 Aug 2004 15:01:55 GMT

After yesterday's flurry of news, today was kind of quiet.

Doug Gallagher's campaign has released radio and television ads that pick up on a line he used in the debate, that of McCollum and Martinez being the M & M boys. The advertisements call McCollum a career politician and Martinez a trial lawyer. The ad has triggered hand-wringing all around the other major campaigns as they released disparaging remarks about each other.

Angry ads raise ire in Senate campaign (St Petersburg Times)

Gallagher ads spark shots between leaders (Palm Beach Post)

Gallagher's attack ads alter campaign's tone (Miami Herald)

Gallagher ad assails Martinez, McCollum in U.S. Senate race (Associated Press)

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On the Democratic side, Peter Deutsch spoke his most critical words to date over Betty Castor's handling of Sami Al-Arian.: "As a human being you have a responsibility to stop evil. I think on a human basis, it's a failure".

Deutssch hits at Castor over USF professor (Palm Beach Post)

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Speaking of Deutsch, the Tallahassee Democrat has an Associated Press profile of him

Driven Deutsch vows to be 'tenacious fighter' in Senate

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LATER: According to an e-mail sent to supporters, Betty Castor cast her vote today, doing so at the College Hill Library in Tampa.

Senate Campaign News 20040819

Thu, 19 Aug 2004 15:16:22 GMT

Based on quantity of articles, this is the first normal news day for the race since Charley passed through on Friday.

Nevertheless, we lead with Charley. Right now, there is optimism that the primary can be held in every county on August 31, despite the damage caused by the storm. In related news, Jeb Bush may skip the RNC Convention to focus on relief efforts. He was already planning on having a very low key presence there.

Primary election expected to proceed (The Ledger)

Florida primary likely to proceed (Gainesville Sun)

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As one would expect people in central Florida have other things on their mind besides the Senate race, which makes campaigning a bit of a challenge for Republican candidates Bill McCollum and Mel Martinez.

Campaigns face storm's challenges (Orlando Sentinel)

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Speaking of Martinez and McCollum, they both released internal polling yesterday. The McCollum campaign's poll of 500 likely Republican voters showed McCollum at 34.6% and Martinez at 18.2% with 37.4% undecided. Martinez' campaign first stated that they wouldn't release their internal poll, but did so an hour later. Their poll shows McCollum at 34% and Martinez at 30%, with 21% undecided (gee, the Martinez campaign was saying McCollum is going to finish third, see Aug 11 post for a reminder). The Palm Beach post article has plenty of tidbits on the other Republican candidates and is a worthwhile read.

McCollum and Martinez spar over polls

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On the Democratic side, Peter Deutsch went to Betty Castor's home field to talk about health care.

Deutsch talks health on Castor turf (Palm Beach Post)

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One more article from the Post. Doug Gallagher's complaint to the Florida Board of Elections was dismissed. The complaint regarded Mel Martinez' ad showing President Bush touting him at a rally in 2002.

State denies complaint over GOP Senate ad

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The Tallahassee Democrat has a biographical story on Betty Castor

Castor savors opportunity for new political challenge

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Like everyone else, the Senate candidates are in pursuit of absentee voters.

Senate hopefuls pursue more absentee voters (St Petersburg Times)

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Finally, the Tampa Tribune has an article on Castor and McCollum trying to establish themselves as front-runners and also has various tidbits on the race. On the matter of gaining the 'Win Psychology', that is making yourself, your supporters, and undecided voters think that you are the inevitable victor, I must say that Betty Castor has the edge on the Democratic side in a big way. On the Republican side, one wouldn't know that McCollum was the leader as he hasn't established the win psychology in a similar way. Martinez' campaign has instilled the Win Psychology in his supporters, but hasn't shown the confidence that the Castor campaign has that's necessary to truly have the Win Psychology

McCollum, Castor claim frontrunner status (Tampa Tribune)

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Finally, the Associated Press has a general article on the Senate race

Graham seat vulnerable in Florida in race watched around nation

Senate Campaign News 20040818

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 10:20:48 GMT

I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but Charley dominates the news, even that of the Senate Campaign.

As I had mentioned in previous posts, the Mel Martinez campaign headquarters in Orlando is without power. It turns out that the McCollum campaign is similarly challenged. Alex Penelas has stopped campaigning while he deals with his mayoral duties, which have increased due to the storm.

The Palm Beach post has a fair bit of discussion on how the storm affects campaign strategy. They report that Gallagher has sent out 400,000 DVDs of his campaign movie to selected voters, but not to anyone living in an area affected by the storm. The article ends with a quote from Republican consultant Mike Murphy: "If you are a candidate who was depending on Southwest Florida to win, you could be in trouble." Well, I don't think that was the case for anyone, at least not from what I had seen.

Senate campaigns damaged by storm (Palm Beach Post)

Charley alters campaign strategies (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

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The Palm Beach Post has an article on a Republican candidates forum at Barry University.

Top GOP Senate hopefuls support Cuban embargo

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The Post continues with its string of informative articles with one on recent endorsements on the Democratic side of the race. This article concludes with details from reports filed with the FEC on Monday, which indicate how much cash the candidates have on hand. Peter Deutsch leads with $1.1 million, Penelas follows with $882,000, and Betty Castor brings up the rear with $760,000.

Castor picks up union endorsement

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The Miami Herald has an article on the issue of health care, focusing on Castor's and Deutsch's plans, with mentions of the Republicans at the end.

Healthcare issue has both parties divided

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In an article published yesterday, it is revealed that Mel Martinez is against each of the constiutional amendments put forth by the lawyers this year, as well as the one put forth by the doctors. See my post on Proposed Florida Constitutional Amendments for details on the referenda.

The Grass Roots (Ocala Star-Banner)

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Finally, the race got an article in the Washington Times. As the article is based on a poll that is a full month old, it is unclear why it came out when it did (yesterday).

GOP's Florida front-runner may not be best Challenger