Senate hopeful blames rival for Gore's loss

By Brian E. Crowley, Palm Beach Post Political Editor
Tuesday, May 4, 2004



WEST PALM BEACH -- A largely genteel Democratic U.S. Senate debate crumbled into hostility during the final moments Monday when U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch accused Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas of abandoning Al Gore during the 2000 presidential election.

It is a particularly volatile charge among Florida Democrats still seething over President Bush's 537-vote victory. And the issue hits especially close in Palm Beach County, where the 2000 election ballot disputes took root.

The issue was brought up by the panel of journalists who asked questions during the 90-minute debate attended by more than 300 Democrats at the Kravis Center's Cohen Pavilion.

Penelas said he was a strong Gore supporter and pointed out that the former vice president won Miami-Dade County by more than 30,000 votes. He said the fact that he was in Spain during the final weeks of the campaign had nothing to do with his support of Gore.

more: http://palmbeachpost.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Senate+hopeful+blames+rival+for+Gore%27s+loss&expire=&urlID=10112905&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.palmbeachpost.com%2Fnews%2Fcontent%2Fauto%2Fepaper%2Feditions%2Ftuesday%2Fnews_047921d18554f0a90088.html&partnerID=491

he's making stupid untrue accusations towards Castor too.