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Brown-Waite's Congress bid gets aid from Dick Cheney
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer
Brooksville Republican Ginny Brown-Waite's campaign to oust U.S. Rep. Karen Thurman will get its most high-profile boost when Vice President Dick Cheney appears for Brown-Waite Thursday in Tampa. Invitations for the $250 per person "Countdown to Victory" luncheon -- $1,000 for a special reception and photo opportunity -- began circulating throughout the district this week. The Times is not printing the time or location at the request of the White House, for security reasons. Area Republicans could barely contain their excitement that the Bush administration was endorsing their candidate. "It shows they're really wanting Ginny Brown-Waite to be elected to Congress, because they know she'll be helpful to the president's program," longtime Hernando County Republican activist Mary Ann Hogan said. "Dick Cheney wouldn't be coming if they didn't want her to be elected." Wes Stow, chairman of the Citrus County Republican Executive Committee, said Cheney's appearance was very important for those who want to have a member of Congress more attuned to the region's interests. "It shows that there is focus on this campaign from the national level and right from the White House," said Stow, who is also chairman of the state Republican Chairmen's Caucus. "(Brown-Waite) is conservative, and she won't be voting with Ted Kennedy like Karen Thurman has. . . . Ginny Brown-Waite is exactly what this district needs." The outgoing state senator is giving Thurman, the 10-year incumbent Democrat, her toughest run in a race that observers nationally have deemed too close to call. Republican state lawmakers targeted Thurman of Dunnellon, during redistricting efforts, turning a 5th District with a Democratic majority into one where 52.5 percent of voters supported President George W. Bush in 2002. The National Republican Congressional Committee has poured money and ads into Brown-Waite's effort. Other high-ranking Republicans -- including House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois, Majority Whip Tom DeLay of Texas and NRCC chairman Tom Davis of Virginia -- have helped Brown-Waite raise money. Brown-Waite still remained well behind Thurman in cash available going into the campaign's final month. She had about $200,000, compared to Thurman's $600,000, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. House Minority Whip Nancy Pelosi of California stumped for Thurman, and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham of Florida has been scheduled to campaign with her. She invited Hastert to her recent forum on prescription drug legislation; he declined. But for the most part, Thurman has eschewed the cameos. "This is a race about the voters in this district," Thurman spokesman Steve Tankel said. No one from the Brown-Waite campaign was available for comment.
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