NELSON KEEPS SAFE DURING VISIT TO MANATEE COUNTY

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson spoke to a group of about 100 people this week at Manatee Community College, focusing his remarks on opposing oil drilling off the Florida coast and expressing his fustration with rising gas prices.

Sarasota Herald Tribune political reporter Jeremy Wallace reports in his Political Insider blog that Nelson called on President Bush to force oil companies to freeze gas prices as he did following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks so that consumers can have a break at the pump.

Not making any mention of probable Republican challenger Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R - Sarasota) during his visit, the Democratic incumbant kept to safe political issues. Nelson also remarked on the price of prescription drugs continuing to rise, the increasing number of uninsured drivers, and his ideas to require automakers to increase fuel effiency.