RUFTY: MCBRIDE A WINNER REGARDLESS OF WINNING OR LOSING U.S. SENATE PRIMARY

Lakeland Ledger political columnist Bill Rufty writes in his weekly article about Republican U.S. Senate candidate Will McBride, and how his candidacy and the attention it has received --- especially in the wake of the controversy over questions regarding his heritage --- will position him positively for possible future political efforts.

The Orlando attorney's intent was to wait until 2008 and run for a seat in the Florida House, but entered the U.S. Senate race to challenge current GOP frontrunner Congresswoman Katherine Harris.

He received statewide notice after a recent forum when a Harris supporter, who said that at the request of the congresswoman's campaign asked McBride why he changed his name to Rodriguez. Harris's campaign denies the allegation.

While McBride is of Hispanic heritage --- the son of a Mexican-American father and Dominican-American mother --- McBride is his given name.

Rufty writes:

"McBride almost can't lose in this race even though he may not win.

"His name is out there for future races and he is now portrayed in almost every publication in the state as the innocent wounded party of an increasingly vicious and inept campaign".

McBride will likely lose the primary this time.