Not enough offices to go around

As Democratic candidates line up throughout Florida to run for state office in 2010, when every statewide office will be open for the first time since 1876, it's almost inevitable that some toes will be trod upon and some feelings hurt. Unfortunately, it looks like some of those toes and feelings may belong to state senator and Friend of Blast Off! Dan Gelber (right).

When Gelber announced last weekend in Miami that he was "stepping back" from the U.S. Senate race (a story I had the honor of "scooping" on Twitter, of all places), he expressed the hope that state Democrats could avoid a "circular firing squad" as they jockey for position. He also stated publicly that he was going to be looking at possible Cabinet positions; speculation had centered on Attorney General.

But with today's announcement by another state senator and Friend of Blast Off!, Dave Aronberg, that he would seek the Democratic nomination for AG, things suddenly got a little tighter. So Gelber responded late today with this email to supporters and friends:

A few days ago I receded from the U.S. Senate race in order to avoid the circular firing squad that has characterized too many past Democratic efforts. My hope was that with the opening up of every cabinet office (for the first time in 140 years [sic]) that Democratic hopefuls – like me -- would take a step back to give all of us time to reach a thoughtful judgment on how best to unify our party in a year when real change is finally within reach.

In fact, over the last few weeks many of the potential candidates had been in dialogue with each other and with others hoping to avoid the type of divisions that damage our ability to present a winning slate in November. I am grateful to have heard that so many of you share my concern and were also hopeful that our party could break free of its past missteps.

This afternoon my friend Dave Aronberg let me know that he was not waiting any longer and announced his candidacy for Attorney General. While I would have preferred a different timeline, I expect to be making my own announcement of my intentions within a few days. While part of me worries that this is déjà vu all over again, I am still optimistic that ultimately we will be able to deliver the change Floridians so desperately need.

Sounds to me like Gelber may throw caution to the wind and jump in the AG's race himself. That might encourage former gubernatorial candidate Rod Smith to follow suit, figuring that Aronberg (left) and Gelber would split the south Florida primary vote.

The bottom line in all this, assuming Gelber and/or Smith decide to take Aronberg on for AG, is that Gelber's -- and the Florida Democratic Party's -- wish for uncontested nominees likely will go by the wayside. There simply aren't enough offices for everyone who wants one. And when it comes to the AG race, where the GOP nominee hilariously might well be embattled and ethically-challenged Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, the Democrats can ill afford to knock each other out in a bitter primary battle.

Here's hoping personal ambition takes a back seat to what's best for Florida.