Former Ruth's Chris CEO Craig Miller might have entered the Republican primary field to take on Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson a bit late, but he has shown in recent days that he's trying to make up for it.
Miller has had a busy few days as he tries to catch up with his chief Republican rivals -- former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner and businessman and retired Army officer Mike McCalister.
Miller launched his Miller on Main Street effort last Thursday. For that he will take a page from the campaign playbook of former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham, working alongside Floridians at their jobs.
Miller kicked off the series of campaign events at Boardwalk Pizza in his hometown of Winter Park. Besides having led Ruth's Chris, Miller also served as the CEO of Uno Restaurants, best known for Chicago-style pizza chain Pizzeria Uno. Millers team has not been averse to pointing to the fact that their candidate started in the restaurant business by washing dishes.
I chose a restaurant to start out because Ive always been comfortable working in the kitchen, said Miller. Today was a great experience and reinforced for me the importance of this initiative. I was able to talk to a young part-time worker about his plans for college and the future of our entitlement programs. And I spoke with the owner about impact fees and overregulation from the federal government. People on Pennsylvania Avenue dont understand how their votes and policies affect everyday Floridians and stifle economic growth and job creation. When I go to the Senate to represent Florida, Im not going to forget my experiences through this initiative.
Miller has promised to hold two workday events a month as he continues his campaign, and has pledged to keep doing them if he is elected to the Senate in 2012.
On Saturday, while Washington continued to bog down in negotiations over raising the debt ceiling, Miller took up the Main Street theme again as he argued that Nelson has been in politics too long.
Bill Nelson has no clue what the people of Florida are fed up with because hes spent four decades as a career politician and is completely out of touch with the voters, said Miller. What Floridians are fed up with is a senator who says hes for cutting and capping spending and a balanced budget amendment, then votes against it. They are tired of a senator who rails against raising the debt limit when Republicans are in charge, but eagerly votes for it when President Obama and Senator Harry Reid tell him to do so. Its time for a senator in Washington that is in touch with Main Street and is ready to lead, not do the bidding of his party bosses.
On Monday, Miller unveiled the endorsement of Col. Joe Kittinger.
Kittinger, a decorated veteran from his time in the U.S. Air Force, who was held by North Vietnam after his plane went down, will head up Veterans for Miller. Miller also served in the Vietnam War.
Craig Miller is the kind of American that Floridians need representing them in the Senate, said Kittinger. It takes a special kind of person, with deep character and a strong sense of patriotism, to volunteer to serve in an unpopular war. And thats exactly what a young Craig Miller did. His devotion to country along with the lifetime he has spent serving others in the restaurant industry are the sort of qualities and experiences that are so lacking right now in our elected leaders. Ive spoken to Craig on numerous occasions and have come to know him well. I am confident that he is the man we need to send to Washington, to fight on behalf of veterans, our men and women currently serving, and all Floridians and Americans who are ready for a new type of leader. I am supporting Craig Miller for Senate and I urge my fellow veterans to join me and do the same.
I am humbled and honored to have the endorsement of Colonel Kittinger, said Miller. As someone who felt a call and volunteered to go to Vietnam, I feel a similar calling to again serve my country. Having the respect and support of a decorated war hero like Joe only encourages me as this campaign gets under way. I will be a fighter and tireless advocate for veterans across our state and for all of our men and women currently wearing the uniform. With Joes help, our campaign will put together a strong veterans coalition from across Florida.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
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