State: Harris basks in attention

[AP photo]
Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris is introduced at the Florida Inaugural Ball Saturday at the National Buiding Museum in Washington.

"We came to see you -- not the president," said David W. Ferguson, a Jacksonville plastics supplier who photographed his daughters with Harris.

Throughout the inaugural festivities this week, the Florida secretary of state has been greeted by hugs and standing ovations. The woman who was the target of personal attacks during the election controversy is being treated like a conquering hero who helped the Republican army defeat the enemy.

"She has the strength of the elephant," gushed Carole Jean Jordan, a Republican national committeewoman from Vero Beach. "It's a very quiet strength."

Indeed, Harris appeared uncomfortable with all the attention. She nervously pushed her hair back during her speech Saturday morning and hustled through the lobby to get away from reporters.

In her speech, Harris told Florida Republicans that she had erected "a firewall to make sure that everything was conducted without any partisanship" during the state's election controversy. But the firewall is down.

"I want you to know how pleased I am to be back in circulation," she said.

At times, being a celebrity can be uncomfortable. When she left a reception Friday night, Harris was greeted by a sneaky group of protesters disguised as partygoers. They shouted at her and asked how it felt to have "stolen the election."

Harris said she didn't believe she had stolen the election, and was then whisked into a waiting car as the protesters shouted "Shame, shame!"

For the most part, however, Harris has received a warm welcome in Washington. With a full schedule of Republican events and VIP receptions, she hasn't seen many Democrats, except from the window of her chauffeured black sedan.

She was ridiculed for her makeup and flashy clothes after the election.

"All the big Ds (Democrats) just ripped her apart," Jordan said. "She's a great target. She's drop-dead gorgeous. She's got high visibility."

When Florida GOP Chairman Al Cardenas introduced Harris to the crowd of 300 Florida Republicans on Saturday morning, he said Democrats had "played by different rules, and one of their weapons was personal destruction."

Harris has toned down her image in the past few weeks. On Saturday, she wore a black jacket-dress with black suede high-heeled shoes. Her makeup was subtle.

In her speech, Harris didn't dwell on the attacks but said she is glad the controversy is over.

"I cannot wait to go back to the state of Florida and everything will be back to normal," she said.

The state had been unfairly maligned, she said.

"We've been the brunt of so many jokes. But I know that Florida stands tall."

Florida Republicans say the bright side of the controversy is that Harris is well-positioned to run for another office, possibly the seat held by U.S. Rep. Dan Miller, R-Bradenton, who is expected to retire.

Ferguson said Harris has "the kind of thing America needs -- statesmanlike stuff." Jordan said Harris could be the first female president.

But Harris said Saturday she has no immediate plans to run for another office. "I'm going to go back and be secretary of state and hopefully, if I do a good job, the future will take care of itself."

She called the election "the civics lesson of a lifetime" and said the strong showing by GOP candidates at all levels was proof that Florida is a Republican state.

She ended her speech with a wish for the next election.

"Let's just pray in 2004 for a landslide."

-- Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.

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Lucy Morgan

From the Times state desk