Stung by leaders of her own party and facing a Republican primary battle, Katherine Harris has turned to North Florida and the small towns that dot the state's rural landscape to reinvigorate her campaign for the U.S. Senate. Since Memorial Day, the Longboat Key Republican has spent nearly every weekend in North Florida, attending festivals in towns that even the ol' Florida crackers aren't likely to pick out on a map. Jasper, Perry, Mayo and Palatka have seen more of Harris than big cities like Miami, Orlando and Tampa. "It looks like she's focusing on the folks who have a more favorable impression of her," said Dan Smith, a University of Florida political science professor.That's not surprising, given how roughly she's been treated by her own party and the media, Smith said. North Florida might just offer her sanctuary from questions about her private dinners and illegal campaign donations from a corrupt defense contractor who bribed another member of Congress. Her appearances and speeches aren't likely to get the same scrutiny and tough analysis from the weekly publications and small newspapers as they would in major media markets, he said.
It also makes sense for Harris to target the state's conservative base in preparation for the Republican primary, Smith said. Even though her three opponents are largely unknown, Harris needs to make sure conservative voters aren't tempted to cast ballots for her opponents -- especially since Gov. Jeb Bush was openly courting other Republicans to challenge her. The most threatening of the primary trio appears to be Orlando-area attorney Will McBride, who has family ties to Salem Communications, the Christian radio empire. With support from religious commentators and financial support from conservative backers, McBride could present a serious challenge.