Florida Republican Party to Republican Voters: You're Stupid!

Tallahassee Democrat - www.tallahassee.com - Tallahassee, FL.

To turn the tables on some of our favorite GOP ideologues of the internet, I have this to offer: If Republican primary voters are so smart (for now, a mere assumption), why are Florida Republicans plotting this maneuver?

It may be wishful thinking, but some Florida Republicans are contemplating what could be the most bizarre turn yet in Rep. Katherine Harris' beleaguered run for the U.S. Senate.

According to their speculation, Harris would withdraw from the race if she wins the GOP primary Sept. 5. Harris has told reporters that she has no plans of withdrawing, but the speculation continues.

State Republican Party executives would then appoint a replacement for Harris, an option under Florida's newly revised election law. That replacement would face incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Orlando, in the November general election.

''I've heard a lot of chatter about that,'' said David Johnson, a Republican pollster and strategist with close ties to Florida's GOP.

The speculation includes a scenario in which the party's elite, still clinging to the hope of finding a candidate who can seriously challenge Nelson, would give the nod to whoever finishes second in the Republican gubernatorial primary, Johnson said.

The short answer, of course, is that they don't trust their own voters. That's got to send a powerful message in the general election!