Byrd aims questions at rivals' principles
Associated PressMel Martinez and Bill McCollum are "mediocre Republicans," says the state House speaker.
Published July 23, 2004
TALLAHASSEE - Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd went on the offensive Thursday in his quest for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, criticizing his main rivals for the seat being vacated by Democrat Bob Graham.
Byrd painted himself as the only consistently true conservative in the primary field in an interview with the Associated Press. He cited Mel Martinez's background as a trial lawyer and said former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum voted for higher taxes and deficit spending.
"They're not strong Republicans and they do not support core Republican principles," Byrd said. "We already have enough mediocre Republicans in the United States Senate."
McCollum and former U.S. Housing Secretary Martinez are ahead of Byrd in recent polls.
"Bill McCollum has participated in voting for increases in the deficit time in and time out. He has been a consistent "yes' vote for raising the public debt time and time again," Byrd said. "McCollum repeatedly cast votes in 1982 and 1983 to raise taxes. He raised gasoline taxes, he raised taxes on Social Security, he raised taxes on airline flights, just to name a few."
McCollum served in the House from 1981 to 2001. His campaign defended his voting record.
"I believe what Mr. Byrd is referring to is Ronald Reagan's economic reform package," said spokeswoman Shannon Gravitte. Byrd also said McCollum supports stem cell research and voted for a bill that would have protected gays from hate crimes. "That is out of step with Republican core principles," he said.
Regarding Martinez, "Having a trial lawyer as the nominee would be not only contrary to core Republican values, but it would be harmful to the president's ability to point out the shortcomings of the Democratic ticket," Byrd said. John Edwards, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's running mate, also was a trial lawyer.
Byrd also questioned Martinez's commitment to an antiabortion agenda, even though Byrd and Martinez this week split an endorsement by the National Right to Life Committee.
"The real question for Mel Martinez is where were you when ... we were fighting for parental notice of abortion? Where were you when we were fighting partial-birth abortion? " he said.
Martinez's campaign said he served on the Florida Right to Life board for three years, his wife has been active with antiabortion groups and they both have been involved with proadoption groups.
"Johnnie Byrd is attacking Mel Martinez for the same reason the Democrats and Bill McCollum are attacking Mel Martinez: because Mel Martinez is the Democrats' worst nightmare and is consistently chipping away at Bill McCollum's lead," said Martinez spokeswoman Jennifer Coxe.