Janet Reno Cuts Footloose!
Former Attorney General Janet Reno made it official on Monday, leading a group of state workers to the state Capitol to file papers formally declaring her candidacy for governor.
She files riding a huge wave of national publicity for her own version of the famed Saturday Night Live skit, "Janet Reno's Dance Party." For $25 a head, 2,200 Reno supporters, 160 member of the media, some party faithful and the just morbidly curious saw life imitate art as Reno boogied her way to campaign cash at Level, a trendy South Beach hot spot that has in recent months played host to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Britney Spears. Friday night, it was General Reno's turn to take the floor in an effort to pump up her campaign coffers.
Until now, Reno's political star power has failed to translate into hefty campaign contributions. Indeed, the fund-raising of her unknown Democratic primary opponent, Tampa attorney Bill McBride, has dwarfed Reno's. McBride has raised $1,573,411 this year, compared to Reno's $849,498. In addition, the Florida Democratic Party and some unions are financing heavy TV ad campaigns on McBride's behalf.
Incumbent Republican Gov. Jeb Bush has raised $5.6 million thanks in part to the help of his big brother, who has made 10 trips to the state as president. The Florida Republican Party has an additional $10 million on hand.
The Reno camp insists its not worried about the financial disparity. "We feel we're on track with our fund-raising," Reno spokeswoman Nicole Harburger told CBS News. "We have no concerns about our ability to fund-raise, especially after we become the nominee."
At her 64th birthday party Sunday, Reno told supporters, "We can get elected in this state without big money. … We can use Florida as an example to the nation of how you run an election and how you win an election."
Despite McBride's financial advantage, Reno still holds a 2-to-1 lead over McBride in some recent statewide polls. The Reno juggernaut, though perhaps underfinanced, may be heading for victory in the Sept. 10 Florida primary, which isn't pleasing all Florida Democrats.
"The problem is, we have a candidate who is not going to lose the primary and will not win the general election," said Christopher Korge, a leading Democratic fund-raiser from Miami.
A poll conducted June 18-26 by the Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel showed Reno trailing Bush by 16 points. Even more worrisome, 48 percent of general election voters had a negative opinion of her. Jeb Bush, by comparison, had a 59 percent favorable rating versus 39 percent unfavorable.
Concerned about Reno's health (she was diagnosed in 1995 with Parkinson's disease) and political baggage from the Clinton administration, the Florida Democratic establishment initially courted other candidates to take on Gov. Bush, including former ambassador to Vietnam Pete Peterson. Earlier this month, Peterson endorsed McBride, saying he represents the Democrats' best chance of unseating Bush. Likewise, a teachers' union that has endorsed McBride maintains that Reno cannot beat Bush in the general election.
McBride campaign manager Robin Rorapaugh suggested to the St. Petersburg Times that a primary win for Reno could be tantamount to handing Bush another term in Tallahassee.
"They have to look seriously at whether Janet Reno is the spoiler in this campaign. She's a great lady and beloved in Democratic circles, but at some point she's got to make the decision whether she can get the resources together to mount a credible campaign. We're confident that we can," said Rorapaugh.
But Reno's supporters have equal confidence in their candidate.
"People say they are concerned because her hand shakes," said Reno's younger sister Maggy Hurchalla. "But I'm told, on Friday night, she shook her booty."
BY SUSAN SEMELEER