While he may have a famous name, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla. is still unknown to many Floridians -- but he is looking to change that with his strong stance on foreign policy issues, leading some to wonder if he is gunning for the U.S. Senate in 2012.
Mack sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging the administration to reconsider allowing Russia into the World Trade Organization (WTO) due to that nations support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavezs nuclear ambitions.
Last weeks news that Russia is assisting Venezuela with the development of two nuclear reactors is extremely troubling, Mack said Friday. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is not a man who can be trusted with nuclear energy. This is the same man who has befriended, and works with, Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, supports internationally recognized terrorist organizations like the FARC, and continues to threaten the stability and security of the entire hemisphere.
From his perch as the ranking Republican on the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Mack has been a vocal opponent of Chavez -- but he also is increasingly taking aim at the White House.
Whats more troubling, however, is that the Obama administration has done little to stop this threat dead in its tracks, said Mack. It is outrageous that the administration continues to turn a blind eye to Chavezs dangerous antics.
We must not consider allowing Russia into the WTO while they continue to supply weapons and nuclear capability to rogue states like Venezuela, continued Mack. And we should put Venezuela on the state sponsor of terrorism list once and for all.
Mack has grown increasingly visible throughout 2010 -- leading to increased speculation that the congressman intends to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. Macks father held the seat for two terms, winning it in 1988 before retiring in 2000.
Looking to attract Republican supporters, Mack has taken aim at the White House on privacy issues, foreign policy and economic issues. Mack has called for the repeal of new federal health-care measures introduced by the Obama administration and for the resignation of U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner as the nations economic woes have continue. However, Mack has broken with Republicans on the necessity for tougher immigration laws. The congressman has been a vocal opponent of the new immigration law passed in Arizona and has said that Florida does not need to pass a similar measure.
Public Policy Polling (PPP) -- a firm with connections to Democrats -- revealed in a poll last week that Mack could make a formidable candidate but remained unknown to most Floridians. While the poll showed Nelson taking 45 percent and Mack 33 percent, it showed Mack needs to raise his profile if he wants to run for the Senate in 2012. The poll found 18 percent of those surveyed viewing Mack in favorable terms, 21 percent unfavorable and 60 percent not sure. Nelsons performance was approved by 40 percent, disapproved by 35 percent and 25 percent are not sure.
Mack could face opposition in the Republican primary from current U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos of Merritt Island. The poll found that, like Mack, LeMieux --who was appointed to the office in 2009 and whose term closes at the end of the year --remains unknown to most Floridians. The poll found that 15 percent of Floridians approve of the way LeMieux is handling his duties in the Senate while 26 percent disapproved. The poll found 59 percent of those surveyed are not sure of how LeMieux was doing.
The poll of 448 Floridians was takenOct. 9-10 and had a margin of error of +/- 4.6 percent.
Mack, who is married to California Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack -- the widow of the late entertainer and congressman Sonny Bono -- faces Democratic candidate James Roach and independent candidate William Maverick St. Claire in November. Mack has traditionally won in his district by at least 60 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
