Mitch Perry
While the political media world continues to profess astonishment at Donald Trump’s rise in the polls, how about talking about the latest Republican to enter the 2016 sweepstakes?
Say hello to Jim Gilmore.
Jim who, you might ask?
Actually, “why” might be the better adverb here.
Gilmore, 65, was governor of Virginia from 1998 to 2002 (Virginia term limits governors to only one four-year term). He also ran for president in 2007 before dropping out of the race amid a lack of fund-raising. In 2008, he lost a bid in Virginia for an open Senate seat. He also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee. And he ain’t exactly charismatic.
So why is he doing this, other than the obvious ego trip? Frankly, I’ll let him try to sell the American public on his candidacy. But he seems destined to join the George Pataki, Lindsey Graham wing of the field -i.e., sometimes getting literally NO support in presidential polls.
It will get him more press than if he didn’t run. Then again, when was the last time you read or saw anything on Pataki in this race. And why did he ever get into it?
Meanwhile, John Kasich is rising in the polls, and looks like he could make the much hyped-Fox News debate taking place next week. There is more going on than Trump in this race…
In other news..
It’s not everyday you get a story linked on the Drudge Report, but our post on the St. Pete Poll survey showing Donald Trump leading Jeb Bush, 26-%-20% in Florida got a whole lotta attention yesterday. I don’t know what to make of it, other than if you look at the results, things are looking lousy for Marco Rubio these days.
Speaking of the freshman Florida Senator, he can take solace at least that he’s been named by The Hill as one of the 50 most beautiful people in Washington D.C.
That plan by the Florida Dept. of Transportation to add express toll lanes on I-275 in Tampa was discussed on Tuesday night in Seminole Heights.
Rick Scott is calling for an investigation into Planned Parenthood, as those controversial undercover videos continue to stay in the news.
Sarasota House Republican Greg Steube says he’s bringing back his guns on college campuses bill next year in the Legislature. Meanwhile, he’s also still figuring out what seat he’ll actually be running for next year.
