GALLAGHER FILES FOR GOVERNOR'S RACE; CHANGES HIS STRIPES

It was not surprise that state CFO Tom Gallagher would file to run for governor. It's his fourth shot at the state's highest office. But he's definately changed, clearly to court the far right which has taken control of the Florida Republican Party.

Gallagher has become a big fan of more school vouchers...which means more money taken from the public schools. He was once a supporter of a woman's right to choose on the issue of abortion, but now is an ardent opponent. While 11 years ago he supported a one cent increase in the sales tax to expand prison space, he now calls for more tax cuts, including eliminating taxes on stocks and bonds.

In the latest Strategic Vision poll taken last month and asked of only registered Republicans as to who their first choice for the party's nominee for governor would be, Gallagher was chosen by 28%, nine percent under front runner Attorney General Charlie Crist (37%) and double those who chose Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings (14%). Twenty-one percent were undecided. With those numbers, and the fact that Jennings' failure to jump in puts her in a seriously unflattering position in terms of fundraising and support, don't look for her to run.