The latest FEC filing from Mike “the Appeaser” Haridopolos wasn’t nearly so bad, relatively speaking, as he’d feared.

Partly because the biggest (current) threat to his nascent campaign is former State House Majority Leader Adam Hasner and Hasner’s take was not much more than half of Haridopolos’ disappointing take.

Granted, George LeMieux raised a respectable $950,000 – marginally more than Haridopolos – but I just can’t take him seriously right now. He has yet to prove he can rise above some very heavy baggage.

Of course, Bill Nelson raised more than double what Haridopolos brought in and has the capacity to consistently bring in solid sums throughout the election, which is something Haridopolos has already shown himself unable to do.

And the really embarrassing thing for the wannabe U.S. Senator is that all eyes have turned towards Congresswoman West’s eye popping $1.5 million single quarter haul.

But sooner or later, West will figure out that all the money he raises (and whatever shadow money pours into the district on his behalf) probably won’t be enough to save him from a district that just isn’t suited for him. He won in a wave election, but so did Alan Grayson. In a normal election year, he’s just not a good fit for it and the situation will probably only get worse after redistricting.

So what’s happening? Folks up in Washington are wondering if he could be the one to actually make a serious run at the well-liked and well established Bill Nelson.

While I’m not sure that’s the case, it’s no secret that the Republican establishment is looking at the four erstwhile Republican challengers (Craig Miller just jumped in, but I expect him to come in near dead last in the primary) and thinking, ‘We’ve got to be able to do better than this.’ Haridopolos knows his constant stream of embarrassments and failure to keep up the pace with fundraising haven’t helped him change their minds.

So, he’s engaged in a little staff shake up. Pat Bainter and  (now former) campaign manager Tim Baker have left the campaign. Bainter might have left willingly – he can work with the state party on keeping the legislature solidly in GOP hands and got a glowing good bye from Haridopolos.

Baker on the other hand, got a curt public statement from his old boss: ‘Additionally, Tim Baker will also be seeking new opportunities and I thank him for his good work and wish him the best.’

I could be wrong, but that reads like a Trump-esque ‘you’re fired’ to me.

Now, all eyes are on who he brings in next. For the sake of his stuttering campaign, Mike had better hope he lands a big name who will lend him some credibility.