PUTNAM FOR GOVERNOR? MAY HAVE TO WAIT AWHILE...UNLESS, OF COURSE....CONTROL CHANGES HANDS!

Lakeland Ledger political columnist Bill Rufty looks today at local congressman/Bush puppet Adam Putnam's possible future ambitions. Will they be in Tallahassee, or will they remain in Washington?

Pundits have generally said that at some point Putnam would return to Central Florida and run for Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services when incumbant Charles Bronson decides to retire, eventually using that as a stepping stone for a gubernatorial run. However, that might be put on hold, considering the fact that he is considered a rising star in the House.

Putnam is on the House Rules Committee, and has become close with House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R - IL). According to Rufty's column:

Hastert and Putnam, along with a few other members, went on an Alaskan fishing trip this summer and the speaker has been a guest at Putnam's ranch in Polk County more than once.

Putnam has gone on trips in which the invitation to members of Congress were specifically issued by the speaker. There have been congressional trips to England and to Russia along with other fact-finding missions.

Recently, Putnam was in the delegation headed by Hastert that went to China, Japan and Mongolia.

"Why would he want to step down in status?" asked a congressional aide who has followed the careers of several members of Congress. "He is on the way up the ladder over there (the Capitol) and he is more powerful and can do more right now in this city."

Now the big downside would be, of course, if somehow...someway, the Democrats regained control of the House. One can dream...OK?