Sen. Bill Nelson's prospective GOP challengers were curiously quiet this week after the Democrat was raked over the coals by the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Though the Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican House appeared to have at least temporarily ended their game of chicken over a temporary spending bill and FEMA funding, Nelson was accused of playing petty politics.
At a time when too many families and small businesses are suffering from a range of natural disasters -- from flooding to wildfires to tornadoes -- the last thing Congress should be doing is playing politics with FEMA funding," said NRSC spokesman Jahan Wilcox.
"Unfortunately, by preparing to vote against something that they supported in the past, it appears Senator Bill Nelson and his Democrat colleagues would prefer scoring political points off a government shutdown," Wilcox said.
A shutdown was averted when FEMA found enough cash to keep the lights on until the new fiscal year begins Saturday. But on Friday, Nelson was ready to block a House bill that included $3.7 billion in immediate disaster relief assistance.
Nelson and his fellow Democrats said they opposed the disaster assistance bill because it was paid for in part by offsetting cuts to clean energy programs.
The initiatives included an electric car program and controversial loan guarantees of the type that went to Solyndra, a bankrupt company currently under federal investigation over criminal and ethics charges.
With the FEMA spat resolved for now, the House is expected to sign off on the deal this week. But that shouldn't give Nelson a pass, says U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta.
"I'm disappointed that Senator Nelson put loyalty to the liberal wing of his party ahead of Florida. This [House] bill cuts wasteful spending, provides critical disaster aid without increasing the deficit, and averts a government shutdown -- and Senator Nelson voted against it because it cuts off funding for programs like the Solyndra debacle?
"Where are his priorities?" Rooney asked.
Oddly, however, Nelson's announced GOP challengers remained mum.
Spokesmen for former Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner and former Sen. George LeMieux declined to comment on the situation.
Retired Army Lt. Col. Mike McCalister and former restaurant executive Craig Miller did not respond to messages left by Sunshine State News.
Nelson's office also did not reply to a request for comment.
But the saga is not over. News reports on Tuesday predicted that the disaster relief debate could flare again as FEMA will likely have to ask Congress for more money in coming months.
Meanwhile, the failure of Nelson's would-be opponents to capitalize, or even comment, on the situation reinforces public-opinion polls that show widespread ambivalence about the GOP Senate field.
A recent Quinnipiac survey showed 58 percent of Republican voters remain undecided about their choice for a nominee.
"Now you know why I am seeking another U.S. Senate candidate," said Roger Stone, a veteran Republican campaign consultant based in Miami.
Rooney, who has been mentioned as a possible GOP contender, has said he does not intend to vie for the Senate seat in 2012.
Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 559-4719.
