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ADAM C. SMITHAs the 2004 election approaches, the president's re-election campaign organizes fundraising events in Tampa and Miami.
Florida made George W. Bush president, and now the Sunshine state is about to help kick off his 2004 re-election campaign.
Just days after the president filed papers to run for another term, Republicans on Tuesday were organizing fundraisers for next month in Tampa and Miami to raise money for a presidential campaign expected to eclipse all previous fundraising records.
It's a signal both of Florida's electoral strength and its many deep-pocketed donors that the state would be among the first fundraising trips for the president outside Washington. Other early fundraisers next month are expected in New York and possibly Los Angeles.
Details were still being formulated Tuesday, but state GOP finance chairman Al Austin said the president likely would attend fundraisers in Tampa and Miami in late June.
Despite the president's high postwar popularity, Austin said Florida Republicans can't afford to be complacent - especially with Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Graham running for president.
"We can't let where we stand today influence our feelings about the campaign. The biggest concern a lot of us have is where's the economy going to be a year from now?" said Austin, a Tampa developer and longtime Bush supporter.
Florida, home of the president's brother in the governor's mansion and of the notorious recount in 2000, is poised again to be a key player in the presidential race, at least in fundraising.
In 2000, Florida donors pumped $5.76-million into the Bush-Cheney campaign, more than any other state but Texas and California. In that race, Bush raised about $100-million from individual donors, while this time the campaign reportedly expects to raise at least $170-million.
Bush has visited Florida 14 times since becoming president, and his popular brother will help his re-election. Still, Republicans and Democrats see a potentially tight race for Florida's 27 electoral votes.
"Florida is very much in play ... Bush didn't win Florida last time, so he shouldn't take it for granted this time," said state Democratic Chairman Scott Maddox, referring to the controversial recount that decided the 2000 election.
There's also the Bob Graham factor. The three-term senator and former governor is mounting a presidential campaign that is already hurting other Democrats' ability to raise Florida money.
A recent St. Petersburg Times poll showed Graham losing to Bush by nine points among Florida voters. But even Gov. Jeb Bush acknowledges Graham would be a "formidable" opponent for his brother.
Austin doubted Graham's presidential campaign would get far, but he said Graham could still wind up as a strong vice presidential candidate. That could make Florida at least as competitive as it was in 2000.
"With Graham on the ticket it's going to be much tougher than it was with Joe Lieberman on the ticket," Austin said.
- Adam C. Smith can be reached at (727) 893-8241 or adam@sptimes.com