Mike Thomas has reported in the Sentinel that the Republicans' five leading candidates all have declined to challenge Congressman Grayson. (Yesterday, as soon as Republican Chair Lew Oliver said that Oliver would endorse Jerry Pierce, Pierce dropped out.) As a public service, we have collected the Top 10 reasons that the Republicans have given for their decision:
(1) "D.C. is so hot in the summer."
(2) "I don't want a raise."
(3) "I can do less for my constituents if I stay in Tallahassee."
(4) "Adulation makes me uncomfortable."
(5) "It's much easier to shake down vendors in Orange County."
(6) "The word 'Congress' sounds dirty to me."
(7) "My wife told me that she would love to have me out of town each week, and that makes me kind of nervous."
(8) "I can make so much more money as a lobbyist."
(9) "Washington? Why would I want to fly to the West Coast each week?"
(10) "Would I have to, like, know stuff?"
Congressman Grayson, asked for a comment, stated: "They don't want to run because they don't want to lose." Grayson Senior Advisor Julie Tagen added, "they don't want to run because they don't want to be gutted like a fish."
P.S. In the last 26 years, 237 Florida members of Congress have run for reelection. All but eight won.