Bob Graham - Floridian

Well, it's official: Bob Graham hasn't got a clue. Well, actually he's officially tossed his hat in the ring as a Democratic candidate for President. But then again, that is the same as not having a clue.

For those of you who don't know Bob Graham from that weird guy down the street, let you clue you in as a lifelong Florida resident.

I don't know either.

He was Governor as I was really growing up, yet I remember nothing about him other than he was Governor. I asked my parents what they remembered. He was Governor. That's it.

Now the fact that we have virtually no memory of him could mean many things. It proves that he doesn't do real good at that "taking a public stand" thing - the war in Iraq was half over before the local news started reporting that Graham had voted against it. It may also be indicative of his inability to have any real influence on anything.

After all, if he couldn't royally screw up the State of Florida then he's not exactly a figure that would inspire fear in opponents. We have a county (Palm Beach) in which the people took to the streets in 2000 to protest that were too stupid to be able to vote. If you can't screw up with constituents like that, well then you're just not a real politician.

So Graham comes to the race as a virtual unknown - even in his home state. Maybe he can be a breath of fresh air. Something different, right? This was his opportunity to burst onto the scene and show people why they should vote for Bob Graham.

And what does he do?

He announces his candidacy during Bush's speech on the Lincoln. He rips Bush for the war and for slacking in the war on terrorism. He deplores that Bush has delivered and will be running on tax cuts.

Incredibly, he killed his candidacy during his announcement speech. He said nothing to distinguish himself from the other tax and spenders. He did nothing to promote an alternative foreign policy, he only whined about Bush's successful implementation of his. Graham did nothing to tell voters who he was or why they should vote for him.

Except that he was a Democrat running for President.

So once again, Florida has to suffer a political humiliation. First it was the election of 2000, now we actually have to claim Bob Graham. How much suffering should one state have to endure?

The only good that will come from Graham's candidacy is that he will lose his Senate seat. Now as long as we don't elect Lawton Chiles to the seat, we'll be good to go (hopefully).