Notes For Monday, December 16, 2002

GORE SHOCKER - THE IMPLICATIONS FOR FLORIDA: Gore's decision not to run (see AP WIre story), leaves the following cast of characters fighting for the nomination:

- "Lieberman, who is likely to decide in coming days to seek the White House.

- Gephardt, who also ran in 1988, is 'very, very likely' to run, with the decision by Gore having no effect, associates say.

- Daschle is actively considering a presidential run, but has set no deadline for a decision.

- Kerry has taken initial steps to form an exploratory committee, a preliminary to a formal candidacy.

- Edwards is expected to announce his decision on candidacy after the Christmas holidays, and associates expect him to run.

- Dean is already a declared candidate and has spent much time in early states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina."

Leiberman will not be an automatic for Florida as some might expect - his conservative politics were overlooked when he was the VP on the ticket and his religioin was a novelty.
6:47 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

WALLSTEN ON BYRD: The new "House speaker is less of a mystery, more of a master". Column in Sunday's herald. 6:43 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

BUT I SAID IT DURING AN ELECTION, SO IT DIDN'T COUNT: During the election, John Ellis was happy to take credit for federal govrnment policy that made him look good (e.g., the everglades thing), and that included the bluster about haitian immigrants. Well, now that the election is over, things have changed.

"Advocates for more than 200 Haitian refugees taken into custody in October had expected that immigration rules keeping them in indefinite detention would be eased after President Bush and his brother, Gov. Jeb Bush, said they should be treated no differently than any other asylum seekers, except Cubans. But since then, the Bush administration has instead tightened the immigration rules and broadened their scope, making it virtually impossible for the Haitians to be released soon."

["Hope for Speedy Release of Haitian Refugees Fades". IN THE nEW yORK tIMES.] 6:37 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]