Mack ignores primary opponents, attacks Nelson [Tampa Tribune, Fla.]

Nov. 29--U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, began the official part of his U.S. Senate campaign by bashing his prospective Democratic opponent, Sen. Bill Nelson, and largely ignoring his Republican primary opponents, in a news conference call this morning.

His main argument: Nelson is "one of Barack Obama's leading guys in the Senate," and a "lockstep liberal," noting that Nelson sided with the Obama administration on its economic stimulus plan, health care reform, cap and trade legislation for cutting pollution, and raising the debt ceiling.

"I recognize there's a primary and a general race," he said. "I'm pleased to see poll numbers that show that I've got a substantial lead in the primary."

Mack had little otherwise to say about Adam Hasner, George LeMieux, Mike McCalister and Craig Miller, his four leading GOP primary opponents.

But asked what distinguishes him from them, and whether his late start in the race will be a handicap, he said they "have been in the race for a year, they haven't really been able to accomplish much in that year. ... The polls show clearly that they don't have the opportunity to beat Sen. Nelson, and I do have that opportunity. We need someone who can beat Sen. Nelson."

Hasner fired back quickly, portraying Mack as a Washington insider. "Voters aren't looking for another career politician who follows polls and is running for higher office just because he can win, or because it is easy," Hasner said in a statement.

Mack, however, denied that his four terms in the House would be a handicap even while Republicans are trying to capitalize on anti-incumbent, anti-Washington sentiments. "I've also been one that's been an outsider in Congress."

He acknowledged criticism from his opponents that he has supported earmarks, but said, "In all of those cases I was fighting and winning for Florida. But most importantly I was part of the group that fighting for change ... I supported the ban on earmarks."

Mack leaked through supporters and aides last month that he would enter the Senate race, but didn't publicly announce a candidacy until Monday night on Sean Hannity's show on Fox News. Asked why he chose that venue instead of making an announcement in Florida, he said, "Sean is a friend and I was honored to have the opportunity to be on his show last night."

In response to other questions:

* Mack criticized Nelson for suggesting that repairing Social Security's financial solvency isn't an urgent crisis because the system is fully solvent for at least 25 years. But asked what steps he would take to fix it, he declined to offer specifics. "I think it's incumbent upon Sen Nelson to tell us what his plan is. I'm on record as supporting a number of plans."

* He declined to reiterate his former statement that the controversial Arizona anti-illegal immigration law was "Gestapo-like," instead sounding a tough note on border control.

"I believe we need to get stronger and tougher on our borders -- lock down the border in a way that only allows legal activity to cross our border," including more agents, a "double-layer fence" and more technology. "We need to recognize the threat that we have in Mexico -- the drug cartels have now become and insurgency," and are are opening up shop here in the U.S."

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