Paxety Pages

First, Nelson still has no announced Republican opposition.  Jeb Bush says he's not running.  The next two big names, Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher, say they're running for governor. Representative Katherine Harris, who I think would be a lightening rod for national Democrats and a potential loser statewide, won't reveal her plans.

Second, Nelson seems to take the popular side of many issues. He backs Florida's military bases, he opposed the Pentagon's plan to scrap the JFK, he supports upgrading N.S. Mayport to support a nuclear carrier, he's worked diligently to find MIA Scott Speicher, and he was a sponsor of the Congressional Resolution supporting the Assembly for a Civil Society in Cuba. So, let's keep up with just what Bill is doing in Washington.

According to Plogress Report, this week, he's a sponsor of S.1168 which has been referred to a Senate committee:

• Sponsor of S.1168: A bill to amend section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to make inadmissible individuals who law enforcement knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe, seek entry into the United States to participate in illegal activities with criminal gangs located in the United States.

Again, a bill that most Floridians would probably support.

Update - The Miami Herald reports Katherine Harris will run for the Senate against Bill Nelson.

"The time has come to launch a campaign for the U.S. Senate," Harris told The Associated Press.

Harris, who is serving her second term in Congress, is considered a top fundraiser and is a popular figure among Republicans. But she is also despised by some Democrats for her role in overseeing the recount that ultimately gave Florida and the White House to George W. Bush over Al Gore. And her entry into the race could galvanize Democratic voters and contributors.

This is what I was talking about, above. She could well galvanize national Democrat attention and money. I'm sure she will play well here in north Florida, but how will she play in south Florida?

So, what's she up to - leaving aside arcane votes on amendments? There is nothing recorded since Congress came back into session this week. In the week before Memorial Day, she participated as follows:

• Yea On Passage - H.R.2528: Making appropriations for military quality of life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes. (Passed)_
• Co-Sponsor of H.CON.RES.173: Expressing support for the goals of Veterans Educate Today's Students (VETS) Day, and for other purposes. (Referred to committee)
• Sponsor of H.R.2672: To direct the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a program to enhance the mutual security and safety of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and for other purposes. (Referred to committee)

The race is on. This should be a hot one. Let the money raising begin.