So, on Sunday, Florida Congressman Jim Davis (the guy above), made this statement about the legislation the GOP rammed through RE: Terri Schiavo:
"Congress' actions today are a clear threat to our democracy. More than 200 years ago, our forefathers designed our nation's government with three separate, yet equal branches. Today, Congress is about to overturn the separation of powers so carefully constructed by our forefathers by disregarding the laws of Florida and the decisions of a judge that have never been reversed on appeal.
"The United States Congress is on the verge of telling states, courts, judges and juries that their opinions, deliberations and decisions do not matter.
It's a strong statement of constitutional principle, and no matter where you come out on whether Terri should be kept alive or not, it's pretty hard to disagree with.
However, Jim Davis is also planning to run for Governor of Florida in 2006. In fact, he's already running.
There are two emerging opinions on the political consequences of Davis's stance:
1)While it may help in the primary, it kills his chances of winning a statewide general election in Florida.
EX:
Rep. Jim Davis, D-Fla., however, faces a different political dynamic. Like Nelson, he would like to run statewide next year. But as one of several possible candidates in the gubernatorial primary, Davis must win over Democratic voters who will choose a candidate in the primary.
In the national poll, most Democrats felt strongly that Congress overstepped its authority in the Schiavo case.
Davis plunged into the spotlight this weekend as one of the most forceful opponents of congressional action. "I think Jim Davis is going to be hurt badly," said Connor, a former Florida gubernatorial candidate. But Niven said Davis' role is more likely to help him in the primary.
2)It was a priceless "profile in courage" moment that will enhance his chances at winning the general election.
EX:
The politically smart move for Davis, who is running for governor in 2006, would have been to avoid the polarizing debate.
''He took the road less traveled, and that was not the easiest path to take,'' Wasserman Schultz said. ``He could have easily bowed out of this. But let me tell you something: That guy and Ginny Brown-Waite, they have backbones of steel.''
Said Davis: ``Sure, the easiest thing for me would have been to turn my back on this. But that's not why I was elected; that's not why I chose to serve. I did not want to look back and say I did not do everything I could to fight for what I thought was right.
``One of the things that separated people in Washington on this wasn't so much Democrat versus Republican, liberal versus conservative, or their views on sanctity of life; it was their knowledge of the case. Very few members of Congress had the opportunity to know what we know in Florida about how long this has been taking place.''
Based on what happened with Betty Castor in 2004, I tend to lean toward the first perspective. However, with the potential backlash from Seniors against GOP meddling in Social Security, and now the Schiavo case, he may have given himself a populist sledgehammer that Dems in Florida haven't had in a long time.