Naples Daily News endorses Alex Penelas

[Bombtrack]

http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/pe_editorals/article/0,2071,NPDN_14961_3107623,00.html

Editorial: Election 2004: U.S. Senate: August 14, 2004
GOP can capture seat by following Martinez

By The Naples Daily News
August 14, 2004

The ability to get things done.

That is one mark of a leader.

A leader is what Florida needs — in one of the nation's highest leadership positions, the U.S. Senate.

Florida Republicans have taken seriously this year's opportunity to take a Senate seat capably held by a Democrat, former Gov. Bob Graham, since 1986. The GOP has put forth an impressive field, giving the party's voters a real choice.

We believe Mel Martinez is the leader of the pack.

Florida needs action on roads and security. Martinez, as a former Bush administration Cabinet member with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, can get things done from the start.

As a former Orange County chairman — the super-mayor of the Orlando area — he knows firsthand about growth and other Florida challenges.

We would prefer Martinez, a trial lawyer, to be less conflicted on tort reform. As he surveys options for solving our health-care crisis he ought to put constituents' interests first.

He already does so in backing Everglades restoration, keeping Florida waters free of pollution from oil and gas exploration and improving record-keeping on foreigners in our state and country.

With a crowded field in a primary that will nominate the highest vote-getter without a runoff, every vote will loom larger than usual. Votes for Mel Martinez will be well-directed to a candidate with the ability to win — and keep winning for Floridians in Washington.

[TSIAS]

1. For the record

Here's their endorsement of Penelas from the day before.

http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/pe_editorals/article/0,2071,NPDN_14961_3106722,00.html

[Moderator]

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[King of New Orleans]

3. Unfortunately for Penelas

Collier County (Naples) has very few Democratic voters.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. Please let Penelas win!

[TSIAS]

5. Not sure how much it helps

SW Florida is pretty heavily Republican.

I support Castor, but I've been waiting for Penelas to make his run. I wonder if in reality it's a 2 person race between Castor and Deutch.

[Orangepeel]

6. Well, there's one.

How many endorsements does Betty have? I know the Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, the Palm Beach Post, Gainsville Sun and St. Pete Times did.