By ELLEN GEDALIUS

TAMPA - Opponents of President Bush's Cuba travel and aid restrictions see hurricane damage as a fresh opportunity to go after Bush and other Republicans on an issue that's especially hot in Florida.
Democrats hope to peel away some of the Republicans' Cuban-American support. Bush backers and others say that support remains solid.

Cuban-Americans represent about 60 percent of Florida's 850,000 Hispanic votes, a segment with clout in a state that is crucial to the presidential race.

Bush triggered restrictions June 30 limiting visits to Cuba to once every three years and curtailing supplies that can be sent to the island. The goal is a tight economic squeeze on dictator Fidel Castro, but critics say Cuban families feel the pain.

In Washington, with budget legislation nearing approval this week, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed one bill blocking the travel limits and another easing restrictions on business people trying to sell food and medical supplies in Cuba.

Jim Davis, Tampa's Democratic congressman, filed an amendment to spending legislation that would let Cuban- Americans visit island families yearly without applying for a specific license.

And in Florida's Senate race, Tampa Democrat Betty Castor appears eager to use the issue against Orlando Republican Mel Martinez, a Cuban refugee who sides with Bush. A Castor spokesman and an Hispanic ally both excoriated Martinez for his stance Tuesday.

The flurry of activity coincides with recent damage to Cuba from hurricanes Charley and Ivan. Davis pointed out that his amendment would let Cuban-Americans seek licenses for emergency trips beyond annual visits.

``This isn't about politics,'' the congressman said. ``This is about the fundamental right of family to visit each other. The hurricane is the most recent example of how important it is for families to be able to help families.''

The Castor campaign made no such effort to sidestep the political, acknowledging the issue's potential potency at a time when hurricane recovery looms large for many across Florida as well.

"We hear a lot from Mr. Martinez about family values. What better family value can there be than to give assistance to people who are suffering?'' said Charles Intriago, a founder of Hispanos con Betty, a group supporting the non-Hispanic Senate candidate.

``I think we're [seeing] horribly sad evidence of the senseless, uncaring and antifamily nature of that policy, which Martinez vigorously embraces,'' Intriago said, using the same loaded word - antifamily - that Martinez employed in a different context against Bill McCollum, his rival in the party primary.

Driving the argument closer to the bone, campaign consultant Dan McLaughlin said Martinez's support for the restrictions ``really runs counter to his family story of coming here for the American dream; it demonstrates an unwillingness to share that with people back home.''

Martinez Responds

Martinez rejected such talk.

``It's antifamily to have a system of government that takes children at age 12 and makes them work in labor camps,'' he said. ``Castro is antifamily A to Z.''

Davis is off base, too, Martinez said. Offering humanitarian aid to Cubans is fine, but it should done through Catholic churches and other charities.

``Congressman Davis is trying to pander to certain groups that are not in favor of the restrictions that were implemented a few months ago,'' he said. ``To change them now because of the hurricane is not going to accomplish providing assistance or to see if the policy that was implemented is going to be successful.

``This is an excuse to try to make a political change.''

Older Cuban-Americans generally vote Republican. Many experienced Castro's cruelty firsthand, so they support embargoes and other means of punishing him.

Younger Cuban-Americans are less predictable. Some think the U.S. government should try new approaches.

Tom Shea, Florida campaign chief for presidential challenger John Kerry, said in July that Bush's move ``handed us an incredible opportunity'' to win Cuban-American votes.

That's wrong, said Reed Dickens, a Bush campaign spokesman.

"Just because someone might be frustrated with one aspect of legislation doesn't mean they'll vote John Kerry,'' he said.

Polls Show Bush Support

In a recent briefing with Florida reporters, White House political chief Karl Rove said polling data does not support Democratic talk of a backlash against Bush.

That's correct, said Dario Moreno, a Florida International University political scientist. He cited a survey showing 82 percent of Cuban-Americans approve of Bush's policies toward Cuba.

"[Davis] is making a dreadful mistake,'' Moreno said. ``He's [got] bad information that the Cuban community is opposed to Bush's restrictions. If Davis has any ambition to be governor, this is going to hurt him in Dade County.''

Opposition to Bush's policy is growing, maintained Joe Garcia, a Cuban-American political authority who is senior adviser to a group called the New Democrat Network.

"A strong percentage of Cuban-Americans thinks this policy is ridiculous,'' Garcia said. "The hurricane and events in Cuba every day make it clearer and clearer that his policy is ludicrous.''

Reporter William March contributed to this report. Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7562.