Graham to Announce Senate Plans
WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Bob Graham plans on Monday to announce
his long-awaited decision on whether to seek a fourth term. Graham, who dropped
out of the Democratic race for president on Oct. 6, has not indicated which way
he is leaning, but said this week that the decision will be personal - not
political.
Senate Democrats have been urging the 66-year-old Graham, who is considered
the party's best hope of keeping the seat, to run again.
Republicans hold a 51-48 majority in the Senate, with one Democratic-leaning
independent. Three Democrats have announced plans to retire, complicating the
party's chances of regaining a majority. They are: Sens. Zell Miller of Georgia;
John Edwards of North Carolina, a former rival of Graham's for the Democratic
presidential nomination; and Ernest "Fritz" Hollings of South Carolina.
Graham has not had a difficult campaign since he unseated Sen. Paula Hawkins
in 1986 - and even then he won 55 percent of the vote. If he competes for
another term, Republicans contend that his campaign rhetoric against President
Bush will come back to haunt him.
Graham said Tuesday that he is confident he would win with a strong majority.
"I have won the last two re-elections by almost 2-to-1 margins," he said. "I
think that's where this one would go."
Graham was to make the announcement Monday in Tallahassee, Fla., aides said.
Buddy Shorstein, a former chief of staff, said he spoke with Graham about
three weeks ago and thought he was leaning against running. But after another
conversation last week, Shorstein said he thought Graham would run for another
term.
"He runs by his own clock. He always has," Shorstein said.
Democrats in the race have said they will withdraw if Graham seeks another
term.
© 2003 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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