Haridopolos Slams Sen. Nelson for Playing 'Political Games'

Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, criticized Democrat U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, whom he is trying to unseat in 2012, for politicizing the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Nelson told reporters in Tallahassee Monday that a GOP-backed elections bill that prevents voters from changing their address on Election Day would disenfranchise the soldiers who conducted the raid on bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan. The bill was recently amended in the Senate to provide an exception for military members and their families to change their address on Election Day.

"Today I stood on the Senate floor and congratulated President Obama for a job well done by bringing justice to the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks. Then a few hours later, Senator Bill Nelson stoops to a new low and plays political games by comparing pending legislation to a terrorist organization that has killed thousands of people. That is unbecoming of a United States senator and a leader in our state. That kind of fear-mongering is irresponsible. Instead of playing political games, were focused on passing a no-new-taxes balanced budget, unlike Washington, D.C.

"Bill Nelson should be ashamed of himself," Haridopolos said.