MORE PRESSURE FOR HARRIS TO GET OUT AND/OR BENSE TO GET INTO SENATE RACE

As Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R - Longboat Key) has begun running television ads across Florida (except the Miami/Fort Lauderdale market), efforts continue within the Republican leadership to either get her out of the U.S. Senate race or somehow entice Florida House Speaker Allan Bense (R - Panama City) in it.

The St. Petersburg Times political blog The Buzz noted Thursday that Governor Jeb Bush favours someone else to jump into the race:

"I mean, clearly, she has every right to run," the governor said. "I've not made any suggestion about her getting out of the race, but I do think (Democratic incumbent) Sen. (Bill) Nelson is vulnerable. I have doubts about whether she can win. There may be other candidates who aspire to the job who have a better chance of winning."

And Bense, who prior to the current Legislative session was saying he did not want to run for the U.S. Senate, seems to be seriously considering jumping in following meetings last week with White House and Republican Party political operatives, including senior presidential adviser Karl Rove, in Washington. He is now saying that a decision will be forthcoming after the legislative session ends this weekend.