ADMITTING THE ERROR OF MY WAYS...A THOUGHTS FROM LAST NIGHT'S ANNOUNCEMENT

So, the "major announcement" of Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R - Longboat Key) was that she would remain in the U.S. Senate race to challenge Democratic incumbant Bill Nelson, and that she would be willing to spend $10 million of her own wealth to do so.

Give her credit for being incredibly stubborn, which Ms. Harris can be especially if she feels slighted or disrespected. Give me credit for being wrong, and not reading the tea leaves properly.

I should have known something was in the air as soon as it was announced that she would make her announcement with close friend and fellow conservative blowhard Sean Hannity on FOX News. Ms. Harris is a proud woman, and it was my belief that she simply wanted to announce she was exiting the race in front of a friendly interviewer, not having to face an embarrassing situation in front of --- or take questions from --- Florida reporters.

But I can certainly understand the thought of actually deciding to announce her remaining in the fray to Hannity. It would be an live, unedited segment on a national news talk show. It would be on a cable network everyone knows leans hard right, so Ms. Harris would be facing an overwhelmingly friendly audience, and as much of her fundraising has been outside the state, reasserting her intention to stay in may help. It also could be assumed this is a way for her to say "F--- You!" to much of the GOP establishment, who only grudgingly came out publicly in support of her campaign after seeking an alternative. They don't seem to have much of a choice now.

This announcement will quiet the rumblings by Congressman Mark Foley (R - West Palm Beach) and WPB attorney/orphanage operator Thomas Rooney to join the contest. With Ms. Harris saying she would be willing to put up to $10 million for her campaign, neither gentleman will be able to raise that kind of money. Certainly, Mr. Rooney could reach into his own pocket, but he has made it clear in a couple of interviews that he would not do so...at least not to that extent (his limit would be about $250,000).

The $10 million she plans to use was the amount left by her father, the late Citrus and Chemical Bank founder George Harris of Bartow.

But will it win the U.S. Senate seat for her? I especially like the quote noted in this morning's Sarasota Herald-Tribune piece by Jeremy Wallace. It quotes Professor Larry Sabato, Director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia:

"You can spend $100 million marketing dog food, but if the dogs won't eat, it isn't going to sell."

I didn't bother watching the programme: I don't have cable, and the American Idol results show was better entertainment, anyway. Too bad the young woman from Tampa received the fewest votes, and is now out of the competition. Although she botched the Stevie Wonder lyrics, she covered it up fairly well...and there were others still in that were worse.

UPDATE 7:52 AM ET: Congresswoman Harris will hold a press conference Friday in Tampa, where she is expected to face some pointed questions from the local/state media corps.