Crowley Political Report

Hasner statement to supporters about leaving Senate race

Adam Hasner makes if official that he is dropping out of the Florida Republican primary for U.S. Senate and, as has been widely reported, will run for a congressional seat instead. Here's his statement to supporters:

As you know, I have spent the last year on the campaign trail for U.S. Senate, traveling our amazing, diverse and beautiful state.  It has been a journey Jillian and I will always treasure, and we have been blessed with the opportunity to meet and get to know so many great people, and to learn from them. I have been deeply honored by the support, friendship and endorsements of so many Floridians from every corner of the state.

The call to serve my community and my country continues, but the journey has taken us in a new direction.

Today, I am announcing my intention to run as the Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for the 22nd Congressional District of Florida.  My friend Congressman Allen West and I spoke last night, and he offered me his counsel, and I am honored to accept his endorsement in this race.  Allen West's service to our nation did not end when he left the US Army; it continues everyday he leads in the United States House.

I look forward to serving with him.

For 8 years, I served this community in the Florida House of Representatives.  I look forward to a spirited contest of ideas in the 22nd District, and to working every day to once again represent my friends and neighbors in Palm Beach and Broward Counties as a passionate advocate for jobs and economic growth, for a Congress that lives within its means and plays by the rules it sets for our citizens, for a balanced budget that protects and reforms entitlements and for a strong national defense that honors our commitments to our allies abroad, especially Israel.

I am a conservative and a proud Republican, but I will go to Washington to oppose Democrats and Republicans who put their own self interest above the interests of our country. I do not expect the work to be easy, or the hours to be short.  I won my first race by knocking on over 10,000 doors, taking my grassroots message to the most Democratic precincts in a blue county. I'm ready to do it again, and give the new 22nd District a new fighter in Washington who puts principle before politics.

 PS: This race isn't as big as the United States Senate contest, but I still need your support to hold this seat for the Republicans.  Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Barack Obama will do everything they can to keep a strong, principled conservative out of Congress.  In order to kick off my campaign with a strong start, I need your financial investment of $100, $50, or even $25.00

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Adam Hasner challenges George LeMieux and Connie Mack to ten debates

Later this month we are going to get some important information about Florida's Republican U.S. Senate primary.

That's when each of the candidates will report how much money they raised during the final three months of 2011. It is an important quarter for all three of candidates because if any one of them fails to meet expectations, pressure will build for someone to drop out of the race.

Which begs the question - who will drop out first?

Meanwhile, candidate Adam Hasner sent a cheery letter to rivals George LeMieux and Connie Mack inviting them to participate in ten, 90-minute debates.

"I believe in order to save the miracle of the United States of America - "  

Let's pause there for a moment. "Save the miracle?"  Who writes this stuff?

Crowley Political Report would humbly suggest that after defeating the British, surviving the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War II and decades of bad sitcoms, history tells us things really aren't that bad in comparision to the past.

Ok, back to the letter.

" - beating Bill Nelson is not enough. We need a conservative majority in the United States Senate that will challenge the Democrats, and the Republicans who too often act like them."

At this point, Hasner invites his rivals to ten debates "spread out across Florida's media markets between now and July."

Now here's a hint that Hasner may not make a good showing when he makes his quarterly finance report. 

"You have both earned reputations as proven fundraisers and skilled politicians with considerable support from the power bases in Washington and Tallahassee. I am realistic about the challenges our grassroots campaign will face in trying to compete with you."

At this point you get the promise to run "an issues oriented campaign which focuses on the substantive differences between us."

Hasner closes his two-page letter by suggesting it would be fine if Mike McAlister and Craig Miller were invited to the debates.

Ten debates would be great. Wonder if the other folks will respond to Hasner.

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Adam Hasner new campaign video

Times are tough for Florida U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hasner. Just as it looked like he had a chance to edge out George LeMieux for the nomination, Congressman Connie Mack pops up and says he thinks he'd like to have the GOP nod.

Recent polls show Hasner at 2 percent. He is even behind former U.S. Army Col. Mike McCalister who has shown a singular lack of understanding about Florida politics.

LeMieux, who was appointed to the Senate by former Gov. Charlie Crist to finish the term of Mel Martinez, has struggled to win conservative Republicans and Tea Party voters who loathe Crist and will never forgive LeMieux for being his pal.

A Quinnipiac University poll last week of Florida GOP voters found 32 percent would vote for Mack if the election were held today. LeMieux was at 9 percent, McCalister, 6 percent and Hasner, 2 percent.

How solid are those numbers? We won't know until Mack actually starts campaigning and voters get  better look at him. 

Meanwhile, Hasner offered up this new campaign video today. One suggestion - don't let your candidate sit in back seat. Put him right up there in the front passenger seat so he doesn't look like he has a chauffeur.

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Why the Quinnipiac poll goes too far in looking at the Florida Senate race

Florida Republican voters can stay home next year because the nominee for U.S. Senate has already been decided, according to Quinnipiac University.

In fact, the Q's assistant director, Peter Brown, suggests that Congressman Connie Mack has such a formidable lead over his rivals - Adam Hasner, George LeMieux and Mike McCalister - that they should quit now.

Really?

“Although 45 percent of GOP voters, including 59 percent of GOP women, say they are undecided, Mack becomes the overwhelming favorite to win the Republican nomination,” Brown said.  “Mack’s candidacy may force the other GOP contenders to reconsider whether they want to stay in the race.”

That tidbit comes from the Quinnipiac press release about the survey results.

There is no question that the poll suggests that 30 seconds after Mack entered the race he jumped into a huge lead.   The survey of 513 registered Republicans (margin of error 4.3), shows 32 percent would vote for Mack if the election were held today. LeMieux was at 9 percent, McCalister, 6 percent and Hasner, 2 percent.

Yes, this is good news for Mack.  Clearly his name recognition - even if some of those voters only know his father, former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack - is a big help.  Mack can now go to potential donors and tell them it's time to get on board.

And the poll results are particularly dismal for Hasner who falls behind the unimpressive campaign of McCalister. As for LeMieux, if the poll is right, the former U.S. Senator continues to have a tough time convincing Florida Republicans that he deserves to go back to Washington.

But is Brown right to draw the conclusion that Mack is so strong the other candidates should consider quitting?

Nope.

Brown's comments about Quinnipiac polls have increasingly had little to do with political reality. He tends to offer opinions that seem out character for what should be an analytical look at the polling results

For example, in this poll, the Q once again looks at Florida Gov. Rick Scott's job approval  (36 percent approve and 50 percent disapprove) .

Brown describes those numbers with "Scott’s job approval remains in the toilet."  

Hardly an academic approach.

The poll suggests that Mack (40 percent)  and Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson (42 percent)  are in a dead heat.

Brown concludes:  “The fact that Mack is essentially tied with Nelson, who has been a statewide political figure for two decades, should set off warning bells at Democratic headquarters.”

Perhaps, but Brown jumps to a conclusion that a single poll, a year before the election, does not necessarily support. 

Finally, Brown gives us this tidbit:

“In a race as close as the Nelson-Mack affair could become, how President Barack Obama does in the Sunshine State in his re-election could play a major role in deciding who wins the Senate seat,” said Brown.

While Crowley Political Report is delighted to have Brown's opinion, it must be noted that there is nothing in the Q-poll that asks anything about Obama or his impact on the Florida U.S. Senate race in 2012.

The Quinnipiac Poll can be a useful look at a moment-in-time in the campaign when it sticks to the polls results. The meaningless commentary, however, casts doubts on the university's ability to understand its own data.

 

 

 

 

LeMieux takes shot at Nelson and Mack but ignores Hasner

Crowley Political Report wonders if this new web ad by former U.S. Senator George LeMieux is not in fact taking hard shot at Adam Hasner.

How you ask?

After all,  the ad talks about Republican Congressman Connie Mack, the newest entry in the GOP primary for Florida U.S. Senate, and Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson.

Not a word about Republican Adam Hasner.

Perhaps the not so subtle message here is that Hasner is not to be taken seriously. By targeting Mack, who has yet to formally announce his campaign, and Nelson, LeMieux seems to be conveying that he may be a tad more worried about Mack than Hasner.

Should he be?

At this point, we need to hear a lot more from the Mack folks before voters can take him seriously.

Here's the LeMieux video:

 

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George LeMieux fires first shot at Connie Mack

Well that didn't take long. Less than 24 hours after Congressman Connie Mack entered the Florida Republican campaign for U.S. Senate, George LeMieux sent an email to supporters criticizing Mack's record.

But first, LeMieux welcomes Mack to the race. A nice gesture but Crowley Political Report suspects LeMieux feels otherwise.

 Here's the email:

Dear xxxx,

You may have heard the recent news that Congressman Connie Mack is likely to join the Republican field as one of my competitors for US Senate.

Connie is a friend.  His father was an outstanding US Senator for whom I have great respect.  I welcome Congressman Mack to the race, and look forward to detailed debates on the issues and our records.

This race is about the critical challenges facing our country, our economy, and Washington’s disastrous fiscal policies.  It is essential that Florida Republicans choose a nominee in 2012 with a record that stands in stark contrast to that of liberal incumbent Bill Nelson.

While Congressman Mack has done some good things in Washington, he will have to explain to Floridians why he voted in favor of raising his own pay several times, and supported thousands of wasteful earmark projects, including the Bridge to Nowhere, funding for the Connecticut Aquarium and Kentucky Tourism, and the 2005 Highway Bill that included 6,376 earmarks worth $24 billion. At a time when Washington needs real budget and spending reform, Connie Mack's record shows him to be more of the problem than the solution.

Click here to learn more about how my record compares with Congressman Mack and Senator Nelson's records.

 

Connie Mack joins Florida Senate race - What happens to LeMieux and Hasner?

Florida Congressman Connie Mack caused a Twitter explosion last night after the Miami Herald's Marc Caputo reported that Mack will enter Florida's U.S. Senate race.

This is not good news for Adam Hasner and George LeMieux. 

Give credit to the Hasner folks, they got off their tweets a lot faster than the LeMieux folks.

About 9:3o p.m., the slightly dosing TwitterWorld erupted with this tweet:

Marc Caputo - Reconsideration alert: Connie Mack to enter US Senate race hrld.us/vOyRIg

A few minutes later:

SaintPetersblog Peter Schorsch - Whoa! Connie Mack to enter US Senate race (via @marcacaputo)

debitking Nelsa - Ummm? Really? RT@umarsattar  HUGE NEWS: Connie Mack to enter FlSen race.

 Abel Harding - Wow. RT @MarcACaputo: Reconsideration alert: Connie Mack to enter US Senate race

As the tweets gather steam, the first reactions come from the Hasner team:

 Alberto Martinez - Game on. RT @MarcACaputo Reconsideration alert: Connie Mack to enter US Senate race

Christian Camara - No Reconsideration alert: I'll continue supporting @AdamHasner, since hes been a loyal conservative and only candidate that supported Rubio.

POLITICO picks it up:

Ben Smith – Connie Mack jumping in to Fl Sen

Caputo adds to the drama:

MarcACaputo - Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who was endorsed by Connie Mack, is scheduled to have a Connie Mack fundraiser

The word spreads and then the speculation begins:

Abel Harding - Will be interesting to watch who lines up behind @ConnieMackIV out of the starting gate. Will LeMieux lose endorsements, donors?

Jennifer Duffy - With Rep. Connie Mack poised to jump into #FlSen,  this race just got A LOT more interesting

CrowleyReport - Who does Connie Mack hurt more - LeMieux or Hasner?

An hour into Caputo's original report, tweets from national news organizations are picking up. Speculation continues and Hasner's folks offer this:

TheRickWilson - With Rep. Connie Mack poised to jump into #Fl Sen this race just got A LOT more interesting. Over/under on when @george lemieux  leaves the race to spend more time with his law firm?

DJGroup David Johnson - Notice eerie silence from the Fans o'George tonight. Usually they are tweetin themselves into tizzy

By midnight, the tweets became a trickle.

But the political drama started last night by Cornelius McGillicuddy IV, once again proves that Florida politics is always full of surprises.

Did George LeMieux make a $150,000 mistake?

Marc Caputo of the Miami Herald took a moment to chat with Jim Greer, the deeply embarassed and criminally charged, former head of the Florida Republican Party about a little financial deal that was arranged for George LeMieux.

The conversation was not pretty.

First, let's all understand that Greer is cranky. He believes a bunch of folks, including LeMieux, threw him under the bus. So, it is not surprising that Greer may no longer be in the mood to defend the folks who cheerfully put him in charge of the party.

But some facts are not in dispute.

Is George LeMieux's Florida Senate campaign in trouble?

First the good news for George LeMieux. Crowley Political Report took a look at what LeMieux and his Florida U.S. Senate race rival - Adam Hasner - reported in their most recent campaign finance statements to the Federal Election Commission.

The most important numbers, at this point in a campaign, are always in the cash-on-hand column. Far too often a candidate who raised lots of cash early the campaign,  squanders it on all sorts of things that are profitable for consultants but leave the candidate broke in the final weeks of a campaign.

(Details from the FEC reports are below)

 LeMieux appears to be doing fine. He has raised $1.35 million and his cash-on-hand as of Sept. 30, was just bit more than $1 million.

Hasner has raised $1.1 million but his cash-on-hand is just $785,000.

Yes, I know, you have to spend money to make money.  And groundwork is being laid, blah, blah, blah.

So that's the good news for LeMieux. He has managed to hang on to most of the money he has raised.

But the FEC report also suggests that LeMieux's campaign is having problems. He raised less money than Hasner in the three months ending Sept. 30. LeMieux raised $403,000, while Hasner collected $535,000.

What does this mean?

George LeMieux, crushing regulations, expensive seniors and more

Crowley Political Report got an email from Florida Republican Senate candidate George LeMieux. Oh wait, he sent this to everyone.

Anyway, this is LeMieux's "Four Freedoms Plan" - these include "freedom to work, freedom from debt, freedom from foreign independence and free to pursue the American dream."

LeMieux even gives a nod to Norman Rockwell - not likely to help him with the under 30 voter. He also likes the word "crushing."

Among his ideas:

Cut corporate tax rate to 25 percent. No government bailouts. Repeal "crushing" regulations. Establish a national right to work law.

Plus the usual cap spending, cut spending, reform spending. Toss in means testing for Social Security and Medicare and raising the retirement age.

Let's not forget banning earmarks, freezing salaries for all federal employees (oops, except the military), and, our favorite "for every two employees who retire, only one should be hired."

Does that include members of Congress?

 LeMieux would also allow oil and gas drilling "100 miles off our coast." (like in the Bahamas? Cuba?)

Let's not forget "Repeal Obamacare," school choice, abolish Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, oh and get rid of more of those "crushing regulations."

You can read LeMieux's plan here.

LeMieux is facing Adam Hasner and Mike McCalister in Florida's GOP primary.

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Another is too, is not, featuring Geoge LeMieux and Adam Hasner

Sometimes Florida's U.S. Senate races feels a bit like a middle school tussle among kids arguing over whether Superman or Batman is the toughest crimefighter.

Our kids are fighting over who is SuperConservativeMan.  Or is that BatConservativeman. Maybe SpiderConservativeMan.

Anyway, Adam Hasner and George LeMieux are donning their capes and masks each proclaiming to be the real Conservative Superhero.

Of course they are.

The latest version of this cosmic squabble comes from the LeMieux website phonyconservative.com.

Yup, this is the level of debate in Florida politics. The site features a cartoon image of Hasner wearing a court-jester's hat.

And, are you surprised, a video.

Sorry kids, no cartoon before the movie.

 

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Jim Greer blames Florida Republican leaders for his downfall

Tampa television station WTSP is airing a two-part series on the downfall of former Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer.

Part 2 is the most interesting. The reporter, Mike Deeson, gives Greer free rein. If Greer was challenged about any of his assertions, viewers don't see it. Deeson also interviews Greer's wife, Lisa, Greer attorney Cheney Mason, and other Greer supporters.

An excerpt:

Oviedo, FL - Money, greed and political backstabbing appeared to have been commonplace in the Florida Republican Party's effort to oust former Chairman Jim Greer and undermine former Governor Charlie Crist's Senate bid.

Greer, who ended up in jail, has never talked about the inner workings of the Republican Party until now.

When 10 News asked Greer how this incident affected his life a year later, Greer choked up. He couldn't talk for more than 20 seconds and finally said, "Well, I can't get a job and I have no money to take care of my family because I have to give it all to my attorneys."

Greer says his problems began when he fired party fundraiser Meredith O'Rourke. O'Rourke was making $30,000 a month and a 10% commission on everything she brought in.

Greer says he underestimated her ties to the conservative wing of the party and influential lobbyists.

Jeb Bush does not rule out backing a candidate in U.S. Senate race

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, when asked by Crowley Political Report whether he planned to endorse a candidate in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate,  said today he is "not intending to get involved but circumstances can change."

That leaves the door wide open for Bush to lend his name to one of the candidates. But which one?

A Bush endorsement in the race would have a powerful impact on the outcome. While Bush did not indicate which way he would lean, a big clue came today when his closest political confident, Sally Bradshaw, announced that she is backing former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner.

Those who have watched Bush and Bradshaw work together believe that Bradshaw would be unlikely to back Hasner without at least a tacit nod from Bush.

Another dynamic at work is that Hasner's wife, Jillian Inmon Hasner, worked on Bush's campaigns and in his administration. She also worked for former President George W. Bush's campaigns. She most recently was campaign manager for Meg Whitman's unsuccessful bid to be California governor.

The Bush family believes in loyalty and Jeb Bush stays close to many of those who helped him with his political career.

Bush over the last few years has made it clear that he was not terribly fond of former Gov. Charlie Crist - even before Crist left the Republican Party.  Does that ill-feeling spread to George LeMieux, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Crist?

Odds are that Bush will not make an endorsement until late in the campaign. If Bush endorses Hasner, many Florida Republicans are likely to follow his lead.

Hasner still has a long way to go. Bush will not hand him an endorsement unless Hasner proves he is a viable candidate - which means raising enough money to be competitive, not making any major mistakes, and doing well in the polls.

If Bush endorses Hasner, it will be interesting to see how the LeMieux campaign counteracts it. Of course the biggest surprise would be if Bush endorsed LeMieux.

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Allan Bense endorses Adam Hasner

Apparently if your name is Allen/Allan Florida Republican contingent is not interested in running for the U.S. senate.

Both Allen West and Allan Bense have said they will pass on the honor.

Bense, a former Florida House speaker, endorsed Adam Hasner in the GOP primary.  Hasner is a former House majority leader.

In a statement released by the Hasner camp, Bense of Panama City, takes a backhand to former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux.

“I’ve known both Adam and George throughout the years, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Adam is the principled conservative that Florida Republicans should support. Adam has a long record of standing up for mainstream, conservative principles that no other candidate in this race can match. He’s earned a reputation as a fighter and a straight-shooter who sticks to what he believes, no matter which way the political winds blow. I know he’ll go to Washington and stand up to both parties when they stray from the common sense, limited-government reforms needed to turn our country around.”

 “It’s not enough to elect just any Republican next November. Our Party needs to nominate someone who can fight against the Obama-Nelson agenda and stand shoulder to shoulder with Marco Rubio in the United States Senate. Adam Hasner has the best track record of any candidate on cutting taxes, cutting spending, and fighting for the pro-growth economic policies that we need to create jobs and re-ignite the American economy.”

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Allen West says no. Mike McCalister says oops. George LeMeiux explains.

A Florida Republican political operative said to Crowley Political Report recently that he has never seen such a bunch of amateurs running some of the U.S. senate campaigns.

Tis a bit harsh.

Still, it has been an interesting few days for Florida senate watchers.

NO.

The big headline is that Allen West finally gave a firm "no" - to the question of whether he would enter the senate race.

That huge sigh-of-relief you hear is coming from Adam Hasner, George LeMieux, Mike McCalister and Craig Miller who certainly trembled at the idea of West getting in the race. Loved by Tea Party voters and sitting on far more cash than any of the other candidates, West would have rocketed into top contender status.

After mulling the idea a bit, West concluded he would rather run for a second term in the 22nd congressional district.

"I believe the place where I can best effect the needed change is from the people's House — the House of Representatives," West said in a statement.  "I have been given one of the highest honors to serve in the House of Representatives, and I will continue to serve the citizens in that capacity."

OOPS.

That basically was the explanation that McCalister offered after the Miami Herald's Marc Caputo caught him on camera fibbing about whether he had testified before Congress while serving in the Army.

Video of the former colonel claiming he testified before Congress is out there on YouTube. Caputo asked McCalister about those claims after Saturday's candidate forum in Orlando. McCalister denied ever saying he testified before Congress.

By Monday, he was backing off with a petulant written statement in which he grudgingly admits: "Although I didn’t recall saying it when asked by the reporter, I did say that I testified."

EXPLAINING.

LeMieux took several swipes at his senate race rivals during a recent meeting with Sarasota County Republicans.

Should Charlie Crist endorse George LeMieux or Adam Hasner?

 
Consider the possibilities of Charlie Crist endorsement in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Sure, you could argue that an endorsement from the former Florida governor would be worthless. And there is little doubt that most Republicans want little to do with Crist - especially the Tea Party faction.

On the other hand, a Crist endorsement would be an interesting political ploy.

Imagine if Crist endorsed Adam Hasner. That would be a wonderful thing for George LeMieux who is being portrayed by Hasner as Crist's twin brother.

Allen West for Senate - the idea is catching on.

Returning yesterday from a trip that took Crowley Political Report to Charleston, Washington, Boston and Chicago, we find that there is surging interest in the idea that Congressman Allen West should run for the U.S. Senate.

This is not a new idea to CPR. On July 12, we wrote:

Seriously, isn't Allen West the best GOP candidate to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson? ... Politics is about money and timing. West has said he is not interested in running for the senate but money and timing suggest there may be no better time than now for the former Army Lt. Colonel.  ... Should West decide to run for the U.S. Senate, much of the GOP field will collapse shortly after his announcement.

More of our July 12 report is here.

On Sunday, West told WPTV-Newschannel-5 program To the Point - "I am running for congressional reelection that is the most important thing right now."

...

Interviewer Michael Williams asked: "Can you be talked into a senate run  in 2012?"

West replied: "Right now, no."

Williams: "Right now no, but you'll leave the door open?"

Haridopolos unimpressed with Hasner, LeMieux wants Jeb instead

Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos tells To the Point that neither Adam Hasner nor George LeMieux impress him as U.S. Senate candidate and he would like to see Jeb Bush or Allen West get into the race.

Haridopolos says little about his reasons for dropping out of the Republican primary during his appearance on the Sunday show which airs after Meet the Press on WPTV-NewsChannel 5 at 10 a.m.

Lots of Republicans would like to see Jeb Bush run for office in 2012 but most of Bush's supporters dream about him running for president. Bush has repeatedly said he is not interested in the White House and there's a snowball's chance on a hot Florida day that he will run for the senate.

Crowley Political Report - a political analyst for WPTV - recently suggested that Allen West may have no better time than now to run for the Senate. So far, West has expressed no interest in the race.

Haridopolos has made it clear in a number of interviews that he think very little of Hasner and question's Hasner's credential's as a conservative.

Does Haridopolos' opinion matter?

Not hardly. Once he dropped out of the race insisting that he would not run for any political office next year, he turned himself into another soon-to-be forgotten portrait in the Senate chamber.

Once out of office, people quickly forget you were there.

Ask Bill McCollum.

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Florida Senate race looking for a frontrunner

 
Crowley Political Report drops off the grid for a few days and the next thing you know there is a shake-up in Florida's U.S. Senate race. Or was there?

Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination with the feeble excuse that he just now discovered that running for statewide office while being senate president is very time-consuming.

Really?

Of course, that excuse is nonsense. There is lots of speculation that Haridopolos will soon be embroiled in the legal problems of ousted and arrested former state GOP chairman Jim Greer. He is scheduled to give a deposition in the case next month.

Whatever the real reason for Hariodopolos' hasty departure from the race, the fact is that he was very unlikely to win the nomination.   And while everyone, including Gov. Rick Scott, went through the motions of wishing Haridopolos a fond farewell from the race, seconds after he dropped out the scrambling for position began.

If you're anybody of importance in Florida GOP circles who supported Haridopolos,  your phone is already ringing with calls from former  substitute U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner.

Neither Hasner nor LeMieux have shown a commanding presence at this point.

Should Allen West run for the Senate?

Seriously, isn't Allen West the best GOP candidate to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson?

As Miami Herald political writer Marc Caputo aptly put it, West has given Florida Republicans 1.5 million reasons why he might be the GOP's best candidate.

As Crowley Political Report noted recently, this stage of the U.S. senate race is all about money. During the 3 month period ending June 30, West raised $1.5 million for his campaign to win reelection to Florida's 22nd congressional district. Toss in the $433,000 West raised during the first three months of the year and he has collected nearly $2 million.

Impressive.

Politics is about money and timing. West has said he is not interested in running for the senate but money and timing suggest there may be no better time than now for the former Army Lt. Colonel.

Republicans love West. Tea Party activists love West. Rush Limbaugh loves West. Conservative independents love West. And most Democrats loathe him.

If you get West, you get someone who doesn't pull his punches and leans extreme. That might not sell in any other election cycle but right now, in the Tea Party controlled Florida Republican Party, extreme sells.

Should West decide to run for the U.S. Senate, much of the GOP field will collapse shortly after his announcement.

Compare West's $1.5 million in the last quarter to the money raised by the existing U.S. Senate candidates - Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos' $900,000, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux's $950,000, and former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner's $560,000.

Could West defeat Nelson?

Nelson will not be easy for any Republican to defeat. For now, the more interesting political question is whether West will be convinced by his supporters to take a chance on running for GOP senate nomination.

In Florida, anything can happen.

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