Notes For Thursday, December 26, 2002

THE GRAHAM THING. Bill Cotterell cautions not to underestimate a Graham candidacy for president. "Assuming California, Pennsylvania and New York remain 'blue states,' and the Democrats can hold Michigan and Illinois, it's hard to see how George W. Bush can reach 270 electoral votes without Florida. And if there's one thing Bob Graham has proved he can do, it's carry Florida." Read the column. 7:37 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

DYER TO RUN FOR ORLANDO MAYOR. One of the worst kept secrets in town - that Buddy Dyer is running for Orlando mayor - hit the Orlando media this week and statewide media today (via an AP wire story). Dyer will run, expect an announcement Monday. Dyer will be the prohibitive favorite the moment he announces, much to the chagrin of the repubs and conservative dems who have run this city for years.

Five others are already in the race: advertising executive Pete Barr Sr., perennial candidate Alex Lamour, attorney Tico Perez, developer Wayne Rich, and former state lawmaker Bill Sublette.Orange County Commissioner Homer Hartage has expressed an interest in running.

If County Hartage is out of the race (see note below), Dyer might be able to win without a runoff. More analysis of this race as it develops. 7:06 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

POTENTIAL LAWSUIT MAY DELAY MAYORAL ELECTION. An interesting side issue in the Orlando mayoral election is a possible lawsuit by Orange County Commissioner, Homer Hartage. The Tallahassee Democrat reports that, because "State law requires a public official to quit at least 10 days before the opening of the qualification period for another office . . . [and the Orlando] City Council set this election schedule only five days before qualifying begins, Hartage would have needed to resign by Dec. 17." Hartage may file suit ti challenge this quirk in the law, and, in the process, delay the election. 7:06 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

MORE JOHN ELLIS BUSH HIPOCRISY ON CUBA. John Ellis Bush is "readying Cuban trade plan", just in case. 7:06 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

JIM KING SHOWS CLASS. More on Jim King's power sharing with dems, from a Broward perspective. The democrats would do well to remember this when - or if - they return to power. 7:06 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]