Fla. secretary of state's image bad for political business.(Chicago Tribune)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--The line of autograph seekers snaked around two banquet tables as members of the local Republican Party patiently waited recently to share a moment with the most noted character of Florida's election fable.

There she was, Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, embraced by the rank-and-file Republicans who believe she deserves much of the credit for President Bush's victory. But now, in the aftermath of Florida's colossal political dispute, the state's leading Republicans are keeping their distance.

"People in this town are backing away from her," said a key GOP aide in Tallahassee. "The Republican Party can't say it, but there are certainly elected Republicans who would rather not be in the public spotlight with her. It's unwise politically."

Harris' office calendar tells the story.

The secretary of state was invited and then abruptly uninvited to join Gov. Jeb Bush and members of his election reform task force as they revealed their findings this month in Tallahassee. Minutes before the event began, Harris said she was told by the governor's office that her presence was not needed.

Days later, as a thunderstorm pounded the state Capitol, Harris canceled a news conference where she had planned to unveil her $200 million plan to modernize Florida's voting system. Her aides said Harris canceled after the fierce storm kept her from giving a preview to the governor, the Senate president and the speaker of the House. But the leaders' aides said they had no plans to attend the event, rain or shine.

"I think it's very strange," Harris said when asked to explain the back-to-back jilting.