DARING TO SAY WHAT MANY ARE THINKING/HOPING NOT ALWAYS WHAT SOME WANT TO HEAR

The four Republican candidates for Democratic incumbant Bill Nelson's U.S. Senate seat came together Friday for a forum sponsored by the Belleair Women's Republican Club. Most attendees probably expected a friendly discussion of issues without a lot of "in your face" comments between the candidates, and while that was mostly the case, former admiral and retired financial executive LeRoy Collins, Jr. surprised some by saying what a number of Republicans have been thinking privately for awhile:

"No one works harder than Katherine Harris, but...the notoriety that she's gotten for our party in my opinion has infected us all. So on this occasion I would like to suggest to her that she withdraw from this race."

"I'm serious. I think for the benefit of the country, for the state and also for her own self-respect."

Harris, the Longboat Key congresswoman and former Secretary of State, sat quietly, choosing not to respond to Collins' remarks when she did address the gathering of about 100 at a beach restaurant. The issue was not brought up by the other two GOP contenders present, attorney Will McBride of Orlando and former Resolution Trust Corporation CEO Peter Monroe of Safety Harbor.

Monroe likely decided not to comment after remembering the negative response he recieved earlier in the week at a Manatee County event, when he was actually booed for saying that Harris has no chance to win against Nelson. He did say afterward that he did admire Collins for his statement encouraging Ms. Harris to withdraw.

The crowd was clearly pro-Harris, as many of the women present greeted her with applause and gathered to either take her picture or get a photo taken with her.

Harris did respond to Collins' remark afterward by referring to his single-digit poll numbers and her political experience:

"If you're falling so far behind, maybe it's a good press gimmick...To call on someone who has served in Congress and statewide as secretary of state and in the state Senate who the people have elected is kind of silly."

Collins has been the most on the offensive against Harris during the primary race. In a news release Monday, he challenged the congresswoman to a debate. Harris refused, stating in her own press statement that she would not disrupt her schedule for a such an event.

Read Adam C. Smith's story from today's St. Petersburg Times.
Read Mitch Stacy's story from the Associated Press.