KATHERINE HARRIS: IS SHE IN...OR IS SHE GETTING OUT?

Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R - Longboat Key) cancelled plans to attend the Southern Republican Leadership Conference being held this weekend in Memphis, and said that she will end speculation regarding the future of her troubled U.S. Senate campaign next week.

According to Adam C. Smith in today's St. Petersburg Times, Ms. Harris addressed a statement to delegates as the conference, which said:

"Unfortunately, I am unable to join you this weekend, as I prayerfully prepare with my family, friends and advisers to finalize the strategy for a major announcement next week concerning my candidacy for the U.S. Senate...I will continue to look to our Founding Fathers, who pursued their vision with integrity and perseverance, to discern the best course of action for the state of Florida and our nation."

The tone of the statement caused a couple of big-name state GOP types to speculate that the former Florida Secretary of State is preparing to withdraw.

Republican strategist J.M. "Mac" Stipanovich said "I would be hard pressed to interpret that as anything other than a prelude to withdrawal. Normally you wouldn't have to meet with friends and family to make a major campaign announcement that you're staying in." And GOP consultant Geoffery Becker remarked, "That kind of letter makes it sound like she's getting out."

It was less than a week ago that she was quoted by Sarasota Herald Tribune political columnist Jeremy Wallace as saying:

"I am out there...We are running hard. We think we have great momentum...We've had some negative hits but we've had an overwhelming response from grass roots and leadership around the state that are saying, 'Go for it,' and that's what we're doing."

And even yesterday, instead of being in Memphis as Ms. Harris had initally planned, she was making campaign stops in Charlotte, Hardee, and DeSoto counties.

The waters have definately been muddied, but my guess is "YERRRRRRRR OUT!" (You can tell I've got baseball on my mind).