Bense: I’m supporting McCollum
by Michael C. Bender | July 27th, 2010Former House Speaker Allan Bense called us back this afternoon after he said his e-mail inbox filled up with messages about our post earlier today that reported he held a private meeting late Sunday with GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott. Bense is a top fundraiser for the other guy in the primary: Attorney General Bill McCollum.
“I’m a strong Bill McCollum supporter,” said Bense.
Bense provided proof that Scott’s campaign requested the meeting and said he accepted to be polite.
“I guess in today’s hardball politics that’s not the way to be,” he said
Bense, the chairman-elect of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said he doesn’t have any inside knowledge on who the chamber might endorse and that he’s not pushing for either candidate. The group is conducting some candidate interviews for other races today in Miami today and could make their announcement in the governor’s race this week.
We’ve heard the race has caused some hand-wringing within the chamber.
That’s not too surprising, considering the tens of millions being spent on the race. McCollum is expected to win the group’s endorsement, given the large faction of members who have worked closely with incoming House and Senate Republican leaders, both of whom are staking McCollum.
But the board also has some dues-paying members friendly with Scott, a Naples businessman who owned hospitals and clinics all over the state, and who don’t want to see the group hand potentially $3 million over to McCollum.
The U.S Chamber today pumped $500,000 into McCollum’s 527, The Florida First Initiative.
Bense implied he was just one of 54 state board members when we asked if he was pushing the chamber to spend money on McCollum, who is expected to win the group’s endorsement.
“I have not been called by anybody to lobby for him at the chamber,” Bense said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Bense said he thought it was a tight race, which aligns closer to McCollum’s spin.
Scott was telling voters on the road last week that he was up 20 points. Insiders close to Team McCollum say fresh polls from the field last night show them just 4 points behind. Neither camp has been willing to share any more details. UPDATE: Here are some details on the latter.
“It’s anybody’s race,” Bense said. “Four weeks in politics is a lifetime.”
Tags: 527s, Allan Bense, Bill McCollum
Where's the money? Use The Post's interactive database of who wants and who's getting federal dollars.
Use these interactive graphics to find and contact Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast legislators.
July 27th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Of course he’s backing his old crony buddy….these career politicians just look out for each other, regardless of political views. Vote them all out. This coming election motto should be “IF THEY’RE IN…..THEY’RE OUT!”
July 27th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Personally, if the Chamber says red, I
go blue. I hate career politicans and
the cronyism. Alan Bense knows he’s going for his good buddy Bill and that’s
fine, but for once be honest. Isn’t it sad that this is the best the Republicans can put up for Governor? Where oh where is good ole boy Jeb? I would vote for him in a heart-beat. The
Republicans as usual are going to blow it and we certaintly don’t need the Dems
in any Floridan office. Why don’t you guys get your acts together for once?
July 27th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Allan Bense is right on, he was being polite to a candidate who was visiting his, and my, hometown at their request. To suggest otherwise is simply not true.
I, too, support Bill McCollum. He has a record you can look up. Money may buy TV time but it can not buy values, principals and integrity. I am a source you can name. I suggest that Mr. Scott come out, debate and talk about real issues….in public.