Southern Political Roundup

U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, who as secretary of state was at the center of the 2000 presidential recount in Florida, plans to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson next year. Nelson, a former shuttle astronaut, is considered a moderate by Washington standards, and has often been considered difficult to unseat in the half-red, half-blue Sunshine State.

But Florida seems to be creeping more into the red column, and Harris is a popular Republican. She also can bring in the cash, with a long background in the state's business community. It also doesn't hurt that her father, George, is a well-known banker. The AP reports:

Nelson is considered a moderate with the ability to attract crossover voters. He has focused on issues including opposition to oil drilling off Florida's Gulf Coast and support of the space program — a priority of his ever since he rode aboard the shuttle Columbia in 1986, when he represented Florida in Congress.

Republicans have said they believe Nelson is beatable. An April poll of 1,044 likely voters from both parties showed 35 percent would like to see Nelson win a second term while 37 percent said they would prefer another person. He received approval from 50 percent of those polled, while 17 disapproved and a third didn't know.

Meanwhile, Alabama native Janice Rogers Brown -- now of California -- appears set for confirmation to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia after a protracted fight in the U.S. Senate. The smart money has her on the short list for any upcoming Supreme Court vacancies -- hence the attempt by her political opponents to "bloody" her up now and try to halt her judicial rise.

And in Tennessee, Howard Dean's state coordinator and Davidson County Democratic Party chairman is under investigation for child pornography. Rodney Mullins has since resigned his party post.