Haridopolos supports Obama troop withdrawal but not Ryan budget plan

Florida Republicans debated for the first time Thursday night as they battle for the opportunity to challenge Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) next year.

The candidates include Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who set himself apart from the other three candidates by agreeing with President Obama’s troop withdrawal in Afghanistan and saying he would have voted against House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) budget plan.

The Miami Herald reported that Haridopolos said the troops should come home quickly. “That has to be done because we are stretched thin at home,” he said.

The other Republicans — Adam Hasner, former Sen. George LeMieux and Mike McCallister — criticized the drawdown of troops.

McCallister, a former military man, was most adamant. According to the Herald he said, “Our politicians need to let the generals win the war and they need to listen to them.”

Haridopolos’s differences from the other GOP candidates will certainly help him in the general election — if he can win the Republican primary.

Public Policy Polling’s latest poll, taken June 16-19, shows Nelson would beat Haridopolos, Hasner and LeMieux, but did not test his chances against McCallister.

Nelson led Haridopolos 47-35, Hasner 47-35 and Lemieux 46-35, despite an overall low approval rating.

Only 38 percent of voters approve of Nelson, compared to 31 percent who disapprove.

PPP surveyed 848 Florida voters, with a 3.4-point margin of error.