U R G E N T: SPT'S "THE BUZZ": BENSE SAYS NO TO U.S. SENATE RACE

Only days after launching the St. Petersburg Times political blog The Buzz, it has a major story to break: Florida House Speaker Allan Bense (R - Panama City) has decided to stay out of the U.S. Senate race, obviously a dissapointing bit of news to Jeb! and influential folks in the White House.

The Times' Lucy Morgan wrote that Bense informed the governor of his decision earlier today, and that Jeb! mentioned in an e-mail that he respects the speaker's decision.

Bense probably showed his hand last week in mentioning to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Jeremy Wallace that he while he has enjoyed his time in public life, he was looking forward to returning to the construction firm he is a partner in 18 months from now.

Bense probably realized that while he would have likely enjoyed the support of the governor and some national politicos, his name recognition is nearly zero compared to Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R - Sarasota). To many in the religious right, she is a hero and many consider her a primary factor in President Bush's 2000 election...for good or bad. She's already got her campaign crew together, and has been raising money for awhile, so that would put anyone wanting to run or being approached by those wanting to keep her out of the race behind the 8-ball early on.

May as well go ahead and say it's Harris -vs- Nelson...let the real race begin!