Jennings aims for the middle

Jennings aims for the middle

Democrat seeks moderates' support in Republican district

October 18, 2006 By DOUG SWORD and JEREMY WALLACE | The Sarasota Herald-Tribune

With an apparent lead in her campaign for Congress, Democrat Christine Jennings is rolling out the moderates.

Over the past two days, Jennings has had a trio of moderate, or at least semi-moderate, Democrats visit Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties talking about agricultural issues in the rural part of the 13th Congressional District and on national security in the coastal areas.

They aren't household names, with the exception of retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a 2004 candidate for president.

But they also aren't John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat Jennings invited to Sarasota late last month.

On Monday, Jennings met with citrus growers and cattle ranchers in Arcadia, bringing along Rep. Stephanie Herseth, a South Dakota Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.

On Tuesday at Port Manatee, the message was national security, featuring possible 2008 presidential candidate Clark talking about port security and the Bush administration's troubles in Iraq. Former U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer, D-Indiana, a member of the 9/11 Commission, talked about America's failed diplomatic efforts to combat terrorism.

Jennings' push to raise her profile as a moderate did not surprise political watchers. In the 13th Congressional District, 45 percent of voters are registered Republicans compared with 32 percent Democrats.

"I do think this is a good sign that her campaign is maturing, because bringing in Kerry is not the most pragmatic thing to do in a Republican district," said Susan MacManus, political science professor at the University of South Florida.

Herseth and Roemer deserve the "moderate" tag, while Clark is "on the edge," MacManus said.

The strategy was also apparent to the Buchanan campaign. "I do think she may be trying to portray herself as a moderate, but if you look at her positions, she's a liberal," said Buchanan spokeswoman Sally Tibbetts.

And it's not surprising that Buchanan is trying to make the "liberal" tag stick. "Conservative" is a popular word, and liberal isn't, MacManus said.

Jennings' campaign says its polling puts Buchanan down by more than 10 percentage points, and earlier this week Buchanan acknowledged that his camp's internal polls show him trailing by 3 percent, which would be within the margin of error.

Clark, who also appeared at a campaign function with 16th Congressional District candidate Tim Mahoney, says he's stumping for "dozens and dozens" of Democrats.

Not repeating the L-word, he said, "I'm running into a lot of labeling and name-calling by a Republican party that's bankrupt of good ideas."

Herseth is in the tough position of being the sole U.S. representative in a state that votes Republican in presidential elections. If Democrats gain control of the House and pass legislation seen as overly liberal, it will be hard for moderates like her to retain their seats. The more moderate Democrats in Congress, the better, she said.

"I need people like Christine," Herseth said, explaining why she used her own campaign funds to pay for the trip to Florida.

Although she's trying to associate herself with mostly moderates, more fiery Democrats like former Bill Clinton political adviser James Carville are also coming to her side.

Carville gushed about Jennings to a group of Democrats on Longboat Key.

But Jennings kept her distance from Carville -- also known as TV's "Ragin' Cajun."

"He doesn't speak for me," Jennings told a reporter as Carville stepped to the podium.

They sat at different tables throughout the lunch.

About Christine Jennings

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About Christine Jennings

Christine Jennings has never been one to shy away from a challenge. She worked her way up from bank teller to president of the bank she founded at a time when women executives were rare. On her way to the top of the banking world, Christine served in numerous leadership positions with various banks before serving as President, CEO, Chairman of the Board and Director of Sarasota Bank.

A native of New Boston, Ohio, Christine moved to Sarasota in 1984 and has been actively involved in the community ever since. She has served in leadership roles in a number of civic and charitable groups over the years including serving as President of the Sarasota Downtown Association, President of the Sarasota Film Festival, Board Member of the Community AIDS Network and Board Member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Sarasota County among others. Christine was appointed as Chair of the Real Property-Lease Procurement Task force by former Governor Lawton Chiles.

She has received numerous awards from the groups including the United Negro College Fund, the National Council of Jewish Women and the National Association of Fundraising Executives. She also received numerous appointments over the years to various boards and task forces.

Christine Jennings, 60, retired from the banking industry in 2004 and currently resides in Sarasota, Florida. She is running for Congress as a Democrat, seeking Florida’s 13th Congressional District seat currently occupied by Katherine Harris.

During her 20 years in the area, Christine served as:

• Founder and President/CEO/Chair of Sarasota Bank
• President and Board member, Sarasota Film Festival
• Director, Florida Bankers Association
• Chair and Trustee, the John and Mable Ringling Museum Board of Trustees
• President and Board member, Downtown Association of Sarasota
• President, Sarasota Ballet of Florida
• President, Mental Health Association of Sarasota County
• Director, Community AIDS Network
• Executive Committee Member, United Way, Manatee County
• Director, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Sarasota County
• Director, Florida West Coast Symphony
• Honoree, National Council of Jewish Women
• Honoree, United Negro College Fund
• Outstanding Volunteer, National Society of Fundraising Executives
• Graduate of Leadership Manatee

Jennings Campaign Calls on Buchanan to Return Contributions from Foley PAC

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Jennings Campaign Calls on Buchanan to Return Contributions from Foley PAC

Monday, October 02, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kathy Vermazen, 941-735-5372

SARASOTA – Today, the Jennings campaign called on Vern Buchanan to return the $2,000 contribution he received from Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL), who resigned from the U.S. house after sexually explicit electronic communications with a minor became public.

The contribution Buchanan received from Foley’s Florida Republican Leadership PAC was one of just eight contributions made by the PAC during the 2006 election cycle, placing Buchanan in an elite circle to receive support from Foley. In fact, the $2000 contribution given by the PAC to Buchanan’s campaign is the largest amount given by Foley to any non-incumbent candidate, according to records available at www.opensecrets.org.

“For more than a year, the politicians in Washington were more concerned about protecting one of their own instead of protecting children at risk,” said Jennings press secretary Kathy Vermazen. “It’s concerning to find Vern Buchanan in such a small group of recipients to benefit from Mark Foley’s PAC, and he should immediately return this contribution and join us in calling for an investigation into what those in charge of Congress knew about Foley’s behavior more than a year ago.”

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St. Petersburg Times: Buchanan's bucks

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Buchanan's bucks

October 14, 2006 | The Buzz - St. Petersburg Times

Republican Congressional District 13 candidate Vern Buchanan threw another $700,000 of his own money into his race against Democrat Christine Jennings this week. That brings to $1.57-million from Buchanan in the general election and $3.6-million all told. From the Jennings campaign:

"Despite outspending his opponent by 4-to-1 and getting fundraising help from high-profile Washington politicians, Buchanan continues to be hampered by the baggage of numerous business scandals and lawsuits, and continues to trail in the polls. History has also proven that the vast majority of self-funded candidates lose their elections, as the need to pour in so much personal wealth is a strong sign of a troubled candidate. Said Jennings press secretary Kathy Vermazen, “No matter how much Vern spends to buy this seat, it will be a losing investment for him – voters are simply fed up with the politics as usual that he represents.” "

TIME: Florida 13

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Florida 13

October 13, 2006
Posted by TOM BEVAN | TIME

A month ago I speculated about the negative effect Katherine Harris is having in her old Congressional district. Things have only gotten worse since then.

This week Democrat Christine Jennings released another poll showing her lead over Republican Vern Buchanan expanding to 12 points (50-38) from eight points last month. Also this week, a new independent poll by RT Strategies/Constituent Dynamics shows Jennings leading Buchanan by three (47-44).

So is Jennings really ahead? I think so, especially since this is how Buchanan's spokesperson responded to the Jennings poll:

Buchanan spokeswoman Sally Tibbetts disputed the poll's findings but would not release any poll numbers to refute it.

"Our internal polling shows that the momentum is on Vern's side," she said, adding that Buchanan's polls show him "within the statistical margin of error."

Again, the only poll that counts is the one taken on election day, and Republicans have a solid registration advantage in the district, so it comes down to a matter of turnout. With Charlie Crist running strong in the Governor's race but Katherine Harris lagging badly in the Senate contest, the GOP ticket in Florida is a mixed bag - especially for Buchanan in Harris's old district. If Buchanan does manage to pull this one out, it'll only be by a hair.