Amid nationwide media reports that she was ready to abandon her bid for the U.S. Senate from Florida, Rep. Katherine Harris defiantly declared last week that she would stay in the race for the GOP nod against Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.
Harris, best-known for certifying Florida's Electoral College votes for George W. Bush in 2000, vowed to Fox News' Sean Hannity that she would use all of her $10-million inheritance if needed to win the race.
When Human Events Political Editor John Gizzi asked White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan whether the President or anyone in his official family had had discussions with Harris to urge her to leave the race, he replied: "I don't keep up with all the conversations of the senior staff."
In 2004, the White House urged Harris not to run for the Republican Senate nomination, when the administration was trying to clear the field for then-Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez. Martinez eventually was elected in a squeaker, 49% to 48%, over former University of South Florida President Betty Castor.
