Blue In Miami

Democracy gets kicked in the face

2010-08-08T20:53:00.004-04:00

I have very little to add to this post as it communicates overwhelmingly my thoughts as to what happened in District 112. I have to say Rep. Luis Garcia has not always been my favorite Democrats but he has nailed this spot on.

Sandra Ruiz (Democrat-Doral) is now facing an uphill battle thanks to Johnny Farias (Douchebag) and Jeanette Nunez (Opportunist Republican). With the information I've received showing that Ruiz was leading the Republican in the race, she manipulated the neophyte that is Farias into joining her in a lawsuit that removed her from the ballot.

If I were...say Ana Rivas Logan, I'd be crapping my pants now.

But that's a separate issue. The issue at hand is that Johnny Farias, who has been running one of the dirtiest, behind the scenes campaigns one could imagine for over a year now, has finally found a way to beat Sandra Ruiz. Not at the ballot box where he'd have his ass handed to him.

I have to say that this win at any cost mentality may be good for Johnny's short term political legacy. It's bad for democracy, it's bad for the voters and I hope this sticks in the minds of local Democrats for a long time yet. When one of your own takes away your best opportunity at picking up a house seat and when they do it through these means...says volumes.

I think this matter is pathetic, and if through the stay, Mrs. Ruiz is allowed to be on the ballot and ultimately wins on appeal. I hope she crushes him. I'm glad that the underhanded tactics aren't working with Rep. Garcia or other high level Democrats. Former State Representative and now PSC commissioner Ron Brise pulled his endorsement from Farias after taking so many calls against Farias. When devoted Democrats like Joe Geller and Annette Taddeo stand up for you, it says plenty to me.

Johnny Farias may win the battle, but he'll lose the war, and inadvertently, he'll cost his wife the chance to win her seat as well.

Farias states:

"That's not a chance I am willing to take. We have to be unselfish. Did we want a democrat in the general election, yes or no? If she had been removed we would have had no democrat in the race. Whats better to have a Democrat or no Democrat?"

So let me ask him, when the David Rivera-esque charges about domestic violence come out against him in the general, is he ready for that? Hey, I'm just being unselfish and asking some questions that will be put to him.

Let me tell ya'll something else; to have a Democrat like that, I'd rather not have a Democrat in the race.

Is supporting Kendrick Meek viable?

2010-06-20T10:36:00.003-04:00

I don't want folks to get me wrong here, I usually support the most progressive candidate in a race and usually in Miami it's our Democratic Party nominee. The reality though is that Kendrick Meek's half assed campaign, now about 18 months old, has failed the Democratic Party of Florida. He hasn't expanded his coalition, his field organizers are rarely seen and heard from. I see very few supporters that are non-establishment types. When Jeff Green, a former Republican with a whole resume that is bad for political purposes is picking up large numbers with his unprecedented and daunting $40 million its pretty telling. The primary is interesting. Check out this story from the Miami Herald. I don't like Green, but he's stronger than Meek for the general.

The latest poll from the Chamber of Commerce (who's polling I don't even remotely trust) is weird. I'm wondering if they're unsure of whom they are supporting so far. It's shows a blowout win for Charlie Crist but like every other poll shows about 15 points for Meek. What's sad here is that the reality is that Kendrick isn't even close to competitive. Crist is winning over Democrats. Every teacher in the state is going for him.

So I think the question I'll pose to my readers is this: Is it time to hedge our bets and support Sun Tan Charlie?

Critics "don't know the facts"

2010-05-27T15:56:00.003-04:00

Just a quick blog post on President Obama's press conference today. As Politico headlines he actually said:

“Those who think that we were either slow in our responses or lacked urgency don’t know the facts. This has been our highest priority since this crisis occurred,” Obama said during a rare news conference in the White House East Room. “We understood from day one the potential enormity of this crisis and acted accordingly.”

I'm a supporter of the President. But his I'm smarter than you act is wearing thin on me. It was his Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel saying that those progressives who don't sit idly and go after Blanche Lincoln type Democrats were "fucking stupid". There are other examples but I'm too lazy to go google things for you, my dear reader.

Yes, the President is privy to information that we don't. That doesn't make him our intellectual superior or the average citizen an idiot. It makes him able to make judgements and come to a conclusion better than we can. But the country, already frustrated with the federal governments' slow response and terrible lack of following through on existing laws, doesn't need to be looked down on by our leader. It needs an efficient and good Commander in Chief who doesn't allow for hundreds of gallons of oil to spill and is to worried about not stepping on the neck of British Petroleum. Who cares about them? The damage they've caused has already altered our environment for decades.

Is anyone surprised by this?

A Gallup Poll released Thursday found that 53 percent of Americans rate Obama’s performance on the oil spill as “poor” or “very poor.” The federal government came out worse at 60 percent. And worse still was BP, at 73 percent “poor” or “very poor.”

As that article goes on to say:

No less a Democratic ally than James Carville, now living in his native Louisiana, bashed Obama Wednesday for what he called the “political stupidity” of his response to the Gulf crisis. “I have no idea of why their attitude was so hands off here,” Mr. Carville said Wednesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

I'd say Carville knows a thing or two and isn't "stupid." What's more, he has nothing to gain by attacking or defending this administration.

Sometimes Mr. President, the public can see the Emperor's robes. We know when a mistake has been made, and this time it's your fault.

Why I support the AZ Law

2010-05-18T08:34:00.010-04:00

Now the title will shock you but follow me here (I've been trying to post this but the formatting has been off):

A) The idiots talking about the Democrats violating the Constitution have gone quiet sharpish. Why? Because despite clearly violating citizens' 4th Amendment rights and steam rolling the Equal Protection Clause of our 14th Amendment those very same idiots who were screaming about the "Obama Gestapo" are now screaming STATES RIGHTS!!!! It's great to see them jump from talking point to talking point.

B) The Florida GOP is shooting itself repeatedly in the foot, leg and arms. Starting with Attorney General Bill McCollum who as the Miami Herald says: "threw his support Thursday behind a tough new immigration law in Arizona that he criticized as ``far out'' just two weeks ago." You're welcome Alex Sink for your first campaign ad. It doesn't even matter that you're whiter than most bridal dresses, just run that in Miami, Broward and Orlando/Tampa on the hispanic TV stations and pick up the votes. Label him a racist flip flopper.

This may work in the Panhandle:

"I support Arizona's law as amended, and if the federal government fails to secure our borders and solve the problem of illegal immigration, I would support a similar law for Florida."

But the AG is now going to get murdered in the South and Central Florida. Puerto Ricans may not jump on because they're US citizens but they may feel empathy for their fellow Hispanics. Maurice Ferre should scream bloody murder in midstate.

That very article then brings up this AG candidate Holly Benson quote : ``Illegal immigration is a serious problem facing our country and it is unfortunate that the Los Angeles City Council came down in support of illegal activity, over the actions of Arizona's attempt to enforce the law.'' In what is the most open race in the state, where no one knows who'll win the primary for AG on either side, all I can say is well done, she just locked up the primary and may have lost the general election.

And speaking of inner party fights here are some people who disagree:

`Hispanics are going to remember in the future whether candidates supported us at this historic moment,'' said Juan Hernandez, a political consultant who directed McCain's Hispanic outreach in his 2008 presidential campaign.

So your presidential nominee's Hispanic outreach chair is sounding, well nasty about it and then you get money quotes like this:

``I am reconsidering my endorsement,'' said state Rep. Juan Zapata, a member of McCollum's leadership team in Miami-Dade who chairs the education fund for the National Association of Latino Elected Officials. ``All this law does is fuel an anti-Hispanic fire. . . . All it does is cause fear and innocent people to be persecuted. If you happen to look Hispanic, they're going to go after you? What about an elderly person who doesn't speak English?'

Bill and Holly, your endorsers are considering leaving you. They see the possibility for discriminatory policies. I've heard the rumors of some Hispanic Republicans angry at this law as well, meaning your activist base down south is unhappy. If I'm Alex Sink, I mobilize university students to go to Bill McCollum events in Miami and protest about this every single time from now until November. And throw in Rick Scott if the polls continue to tighten up.

(By the way Zapata, a Colombian, is actually a pretty common sense Republican most the time and if it weren't for some boneheaded party line votes could pull a Crist and really run as an independent in the future. He's one to watch out for.)

And hell, if Sink decides to not do what her husband did last time and goes all out and throws everything including the kitchen sink at the GOP nominee then she'll use an ad on what the Tampa Tribune thinks about McCollum having "personally chose Rekers, a notorious antigay psychologist, as an "expert'' witness in Florida's legal effort to defend the state's indefensible ban on gay people adopting children." And not to mention we, the taxpayers paid Rekers about 60 thousand dollars for his b.s. homophobia!

How the Miami New Times dug up the dirt, got Rekers on camera at the airport and totally caught this jackass with his pants down is beyond me. Great journalism from them.

Here's a tip: If your career is based on being anti-gay, don't use someone from rentboy.com. Don't take him on an all expenses paid trip to Europe. And don't forget to pay your rentboy.com person so he doesn't tell people you're homosexual. And don't say you're confused about what rentboy.com does when it can easily be made fun of by a satirist, like say Stephen Colbert.

But the coup de grace was Marco "the boy king" Rubio's flip flop. As Politifact points out this was his statement on April 27, 2010 here in Miami:

States certainly have the right to enact policies to protect their citizens, but Arizona's policy shows the difficulty and limitations of states trying to act piecemeal to solve what is a serious federal problem. From what I have read in news reports, I do have concerns about this legislation," Rubio said in the statement.
"While I don't believe Arizona's policy was based on anything other than trying to get a handle on our broken borders, I think aspects of the law, especially that dealing with 'reasonable suspicion,' are going to put our law enforcement officers in an incredibly difficult position. It could also unreasonably single out people who are here legally, including many American citizens," he added. "Throughout American history and throughout this administration we have seen that when government is given an inch it takes a mile."

But as The Miami Herald notes about his flip flopping after 2 amendments were added to the AZ law:

But the changes don't appear to have eliminated the shortcomings Rubio laid out in West Miami.
Not carrying immigration papers -- the provision that Rubio said evoked a ``police state'' -- remains a crime.

Rubio's concern about the police questioning someone based on a ``reasonable suspicion'' of illegal status? Still there. And still no explanation of what an illegal immigrant is supposed to look like.

The law's prominent opponents -- including Rubio's political mentor and one of his most important backers, former Gov. Jeb Bush -- remain prominent opponents.

In contrast, Rubio said one thing to a bilingual group of reporters in West Miami and something different to a Washington website where one regular columnist asked recently, ``What's Wrong With Racial Profiling Anyway?"

Or as the article says a couple paragraphs later:

Rubio's attempt to have it both ways recalls his close ties to Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, a chief proponent of the ``English-only'' movement and an early Rubio supporter who has helped him raise hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Wonder what DeMint would have thought of Rubio's opening remarks to the predominantly Cuban-American crowd in West Miami.

``I have a statement I'd like to make in English,'' Rubio said, ``but if you'll permit me for a moment [I'd like to] to start in Spanish because we have a lot of people here who would understand it just a little bit better and it's important to me.''

Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek must be laughing it up. But the worst part is then left for last, because as bad as the immigration bill being ridiculously stupid, don't forget the horrible legislation mandating that teachers with the wrong accent can't teach English. I think those of us near a Marco Rubio or Bill McCollum rally have the duty to ask if they also support this legislation. This bigotry has yet to be driving furor from people, despite it having zero tangible benefits.

The group that I've most seen pushing the Hispanic law as being threatening though? Univision News. I speak some Spanish, and from what I gather combined with what my friends tell me; they've been reporting on this in a pretty one sided fashion. One friend told me "The English stations are giving a mixed review type thing and some are now trying to ignore the situation, but the 6 and 11 o clock Univision or Telemundo news are attacking and have been on full on interview and grilling mode recently. They're not allowing the Hispanic public to forget who passed it and it's effect. Frankly, this is right in their ally to push because it directly affects their constituency and demographics. They've made this an albatross around the GOP, so when you hear that other states like Georgia, Indiana and Michigan are considering passing this, it really becomes that much worse for the GOP.

But what the hell do I know? Don't forget according to Tom Tancredo, I'm just another citizen of a "third world country" called Miami. Check out that article recalling some of the signals that Hispanics recently have been given by the GOP. Let's not forget that Hispanics support Obama by more than 2 to 1. That only 27% of Hispanics want the GOP to be in control of Congress while more than half want Democrats in control. 73% of them think these type of policies target Hispanics overwhelmingly, according to a AP-Univision poll. So in sum, I support it because it makes the GOP look like a bunch of jackasses.

_____________________________________________________

P.S. The pathetic/shamless spin of the week? State Senator Dan Gelber emailing supporters saying "Mason-Dixon released its first poll of the Attorney General’s race and it shows us leading our primary opponent by three points. This is the second straight poll that has us in the lead. While it's better to be ahead, both polls also show that the great majority of Floridians are still undecided."

This gives the impression the race is like 40 to 37 and tightening. Sen. Gelber, I've met you on a number of occasions and you are a bulldog of a progressive. I genuinely respect and admire you. But to even dare sending out that email with the title "we're in the lead" in it. In the lead? Here are the numbers:

Gelber 15%

Aaronberg 12%

Undecided 73%

Margin of Error: 4%.

So you're within the margin of error, and 73% of people are undecided. Don't try to build a narrative of how you have momentum when right now if I put my name on the ballot, I'd poll at about 10% just from people randomly circling my name because they think it's a nice name, this is embarrassing.

Guess who's back?

2010-05-04T10:25:00.003-04:00

It has been quite a while hasn't it?

It did lead to more comments though...including one saying "whatever it is that took Blue In Miami out should be praised eternally."

I've been absorbing the political environment, you can't spill everything you hear and have to have your ear to the ground. We all knew about Joe Garcia announcing soon, that was the worst kept secret in Dade political history. We all knew Crist would go NPA after his party Lieberman'd his behind.

Today I'm picking on a smaller target. Recently a source of mine indicated that they'd received a flyer attacking Sandra Ruiz who is running in District 112 for State House. It was not sourced and was left at their front gate. Apparently the whole neighborhood received this little doozy claiming Ruiz said she "lived in Doral because other places were lower class."

Let's assume that this random, unsourced quote on an unsourced flyer with no one claiming responsibility for it was true. Why would she be stupid enough to say that out loud or in a room where she couldn't trust everyone? These type of flyers are dirty, have no ethics and frankly are disgusting. This could be the Republicans trying to hurt her and I'd love to accuse them of it. Unfortunately, her primary opponent, Johnny Farias has been so underhanded and dirty during the campaign that it is not out of the question that perhaps he did this.

I think Johnny's an alright person but is being manipulated by the GOP to run a campaign that is utterly negative. My sources see that he goes to many events and has tried to press flesh but that at fundraisers he is inappropriate and that has led to complaints from other candidates. One prominent local figure said that through "sheer harassment" they decided to endorse Farias. Another person told me that they were sent a YouTube video attacking Sandra Ruiz by one of his biggest supporters. Another complaint was that the campaign manager had said "fuck it, we can get nasty, we have plenty of dirt on her."

I noted that one fundraiser was thrown for him in Doral, Sandra's backyard, by an interesting group of non-primary voters...Republicans on the city council. The GOP does know elections and stupid it is not. They sense the opportunity to take a candidate that is clean in Ruiz and drag her name through the mud by opening a divisive and contentious Democratic primary. That way she'll have to spend and compete in a primary, perhaps even go negative herself, something that would raise her unfavorable numbers and weaken her for the general election. Farias' anger as one local heavyweight told me is based on the contention that Ruiz waited until he jumped in the race and then went to his donors and told them why she was a better candidate.

I believe that's called "retail politics" and if Farias takes offense to that he's not fit for office, as that is a minor transgression at best. I've seen him speak and he is neither eloquent nor impressive, consistently failing to tailor the message to the room he is in. Yet he continues to drive a negative narrative towards Ruiz who is ultimately our best chance in November. I have been in a room when he attacked her and she did not respond with fire. I think our candidates in that race should look at the numbers and realize they need to go after the Republicans in the race, not each other. Sandra got the memo, when will Johnny?

And one final thing, a female supporter of his who donated a small but significant sum of money told me: "I was on board with him, I'm his friend and I love his family but I won't donate again to someone hosting an event at Hooters, that's disgusting." The Democratic Party is often ridiculed and called the "mommy party" because women voters are so crucial. He's running against a woman, so already demographics in his district are against him. There is an 8,000 registered voter difference that favors the GOP in the district. The single largest constituency are female Hispanics, so turning them off is stupid politics. According to fundraising reports, he's raised $9,000 and spent $7,000 with election day four months off. That's also stupid politics. Come on Johnny, shape up and if you can't play fair in the big leagues, run for a small council and then make a run for a bigger office. That would be smart politics.

On a brighter note, thank you to Rudy Moise for being the first candidate of the 2010 cycle to add my email to their press list. Minor miracle! And he's raised over half a million so far which is worth applauding in that messy District 17 race where three quarters of the district is running.

My email as always: blueinmiami@gmail.com

It's been a while

2010-03-24T11:57:00.006-04:00

So the bill has passed with many flaws and no public option, because doing what's right is a little harder than we'd like. But at least they've gotten something done through the skin of their teeth. There's nothing I can add to the Health Care debate that hasn't been said already.

But there are these two little nuggets: The Republican candidate for Governor is going to sue the United States and even those on the right think it's stupid.

Andrew Cohen in the Atlantic talks at length about the Doctrine of Interposition a discredited legal theory last really used to try to sustain racist Jim Crow practices in the South. It makes for a great read.

Also from the reasonable right (I just came up with someone's campaign slogan) is David Frum wondering where the GOP goes from now. There are some very good ideas in that piece too that I think Democrats should consider. Ambinder looks at a GOP in dissarray with its November strategy now shot to pieces in what makes for another good read until the final three paragraphs.

Meanwhile, over at Slate (the inside DC types most overrated columns) we see how this could now turn into a huge boost for Democrats in November as the GOP claims (Death PANELS!) are proven false and Americans feel the good elements of this bill.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart retires. [FL-21]

2010-02-11T18:03:00.003-05:00

One of the last big names in Miami politics made a huge splash today. Lincoln Diaz-Balart retired today setting off a huge domino effect in Republican ranks.

Here's the National Journal's take on it:

The district is heavily Hispanic, thanks to Miami's large Cuban population. 73% of district residents call themselves Hispanic, while just 16% are white. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) won a narrow 51%-49% victory in the seat.

The reaction from his brother came fast, saying that he'd run to replace Lincoln. But it is the Washington Post that gives us the first part of a nice little scoop:

Mario Diaz-Balart announced this afternoon that he will run for his brother's now open seat, vacating his 25th district -- a seat where McCain won only 50 percent in 2008 and where Mario Diaz-Balart won only 53 percent against Miami-Dade County Democratic Chairman Joe Garcia.

Garcia is reportedly interested in running again and would give Democrats a genuine pickup opportunity in the 25th if he did decide to make the contest. One complicating factor for Garcia is that he is currently working in an appointed post in the Obama Administration. Another Democrat mentioned is Miami-Dade Commissioner Katy Sorenson who recently announced she would not seek re-election to her current post.

If Mario Diaz-Balart does leave the 25th, Republicans may well look to state Rep. David Rivera whose current state House seat shares significant population with the U.S. House seat.

Mario apparently called it a "natural move" because he had represented the communities in the district before and because there would be redistricting in two years. I used to think it was natural to run for re-election in the district you already represent, especially if you're running unopposed, but I guess that's not true if your poll numbers are slipping and there's something more politically convenient. His brother spoke of honor at representing the 21st district, but apparently the 25th, not so much.

But anyways the Herald continues:

Joe Garcia is in Washington for the Obama administration as Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact at the Department of Energy -- but friends say it may be inticing for him to be up here as a member of Congress.

Giancarlo Sopo, a political analyst at Bendixen & Amandi in Miami and a former advisor to Garcia's 2008 congressional campaign, says he hasn't talked to Garcia -- but says he wouldn't be surprised if Garcia was being recruited to run again for the district now held by Mario Diaz-Balart -- who is likely to move over to the more Republican-leaning congressional district being vacated by his brother.

"Mario's being run out of the district because it's changing," Sopo said.

Garcia gave Mario Diaz-Balart the strongest challenge of his congressional life in 2008, coming within a few points of winning the seat.

Well, it seems to me that if the DCCC ponied up some cash, say 2 Million (or more not less), split it among all three congressional raises, you'd be able to get Garcia (whom I love) or Katy Sorenson to run in the 25th, in the 21st I've heard two or three names but a decent candidate with a good amount of fund-raising would be needed, though not necessarily a Hispanic, and someone (Taddeo or even Shriver?) in the 18th and you could give the local GOP a heart attack and win 1 or 2 of the seats.

Step up DCCC, FDP, and Miami-Dade DEC.

One of my favorite songs

2010-02-02T17:09:00.010-05:00

Goes a little something like this:

Feel I'm goin' back to Massachusetts,
Something's telling me I must go home.
And the lights all went down in Massachusetts
The day I left her standing on her own.

Tried to hitch a ride to San Francisco,
Gotta do the things I wanna do.
And the lights all went down in Massachusetts
They brought me back to see my way with you

There's more obviously, but I am thrilled now by Scott Brown's election. One well placed source on the Hill from a non-Florida politician told me that the House caucus has basically fallen in love with the video of Obama destroying the GOP from last Friday.

But, it's more than that, as some MSNBC pundits have been saying it seems like this is a new Obama. The House senses it too, Pelosi has been working lately to make sure her caucuses stand by her and is emboldened. She's been pushing Reid with Reconciliation. This strikes me as a potential goldmine for progressives. A President who is calling out his critics right back and saying: "I've adopted your ideas!" but you've abandoned me when I agree with you! essentially. He now sounds a little angry and is forcing the GOP to stop swinging and start ducking.

And the Democrats do seem to have regained some pep in their step, even on newer challenges like the Citizens United vs. FEC ruling. Donna Edwards filed a bill on this today and the Senate too is moving on this issue according to Sen. Schumer.

While they may be polling in a nervous frenzy, you still get the feeling that with some tracking polls, Obama's SOTU speech combined with the Friday Q & A, a speech in the NH-1's district with Carol Shea-Porter being challenged by Frank Guinta , that Democrats are preparing to go on the offensive. I think the DC establishment has had enough of the crazies in the Republican party (check out this insane poll of GOP'ers) and is prepared to combat them. Now, does this mean they'll hold to the middle the closer it gets to election time or will they go to the left for their base?

That's the true question and the DADT stuff is an interesting move by Obama at this time. The Democrats have better money and a bit more trust at this time. Even freshmen Congressional Representatives are faring well in the money stakes for example Nye in VA-02. Gonna be an interesting ride through the end of this year folks but it seems like Mass. was in fact the catalyst that set off this year into campaign mode. And maybe it'll be back in Massachusetts where Democrats will find they have to go home. They have to go to their base and please them as much as independents.

Fillibuster Proof Majority!

2010-01-19T18:26:00.000-05:00

Perhaps the words the NSCC and Majority Leader like to hear the most. I'm not sure what to say after Scott Brown won last week in Massachusetts. (he'll lose, easily in 2012 when he has to run as the same time as the President's race, or he'll lose the backing of the GOP trying to survive in Mass.)

But here's my two part approach to this blog post.

1] The bad news: The DC establishment will now try to move Democrats further to the right, making the competition and legislation a battle of Crazy Right (The GOP) and to the right (Dems). I would read this as, if you'd passed the legislation Obama ran on, had gotten it out of the way and were focused on the economy, you'd never have been in this position. Whenever Democrats try to run as Republican-lite they lose. That's where the Howard Dean's and Paul Wellstone's come in have to take charge and say "No, here's what we believe in." The Democrats don't have anyone like that. The best leader they have is Nancy Pelosi. Obama has continually proven that he will waffle and concede territory on any issue. He has not stamped his foot down on any legislation and has managed to spit in the face of the left, alienate the middle and as usual annoy the right by being a Democrat. He hasn't brought change that the country wanted. Harry Reid is fighting for his political life and won't be that person either. You need a progressive/liberal leader to step up.

And the economy still sucks. Obama now has to focus on this, but of course after giving away stimulus money with no strings attached and his policies as one of my friends says "being run by Goldman Sachs" it doesn't bring too much hope to the forefront.

Health Care Reform is probably dead. The "small, popular pieces" mentioned in this politico article is the best Democrats will do now.

2] The Good News: Democrats have no buffer real or imagined anymore. Maybe this loss will be the kick up their ass they need to get their shit straight. Either the House will vote for this travesty of a bill [unlikely to pass] or their going to have to use reconciliation [likelier]. What comes out of that would probably be more liberal, seeing as how only 50 votes are needed for it to pass [Biden would be 51]. Perhaps this will focus Democrats, take out their arrogance and force them to work on policies. Maybe they'll learn they can't expect their base to be revved up to go if they call them "foolish" or "stupid". Maybe it'll get 'em to pass what they said they'd pass in Republican style "we have what we have and we'll jam it down your throats".

The problem is there's more bad news that is concrete than there is good news. Everything in the good news column is hope. And last time that didn't turn out too well.

Can't wait for the SOTU.

Orlando Sentinel rips Sink a new one

2010-01-15T10:43:00.003-05:00

OUCH.
You know I got this link emailed to me by a friend of mine saying this article was on the mark. Sadly, it is.

I don't know much about Mike Thomas other than that he wrote this article. Remember my last blogpost (back in 2009 I gave her The Katherine Harris Total Failure to Inspire as a candidate award.) In that article I stated:

"No one likes a candidate who's too spineless to make a stand on an issue such as health care reform. No one really wants to support Alex Sink. We just see Bill McCollum on the other side and go...SINK 2010"

Well guess what ladies and gents the article goes on to complain (largely from a journalists point of view) how she has been ducking the media and being irresponsibly non committal about her positions. As Eye In Miami (who's acronym EIM is nowhere near as good as BIM, but are better at everything else) has covered before, she seems to not know what audience she's talking to. I don't know if she's taking SoFla for granted but she's been almost entirely unavailable down here and I've seen very little campaigning by her. Whereas the Gelber/Meek campaign have small resources down here expecting to cruise and State Sen. Aaronberg's campaign is having representatives go to meetings in the area, Alex Sink has rarely come down here, has no discernible staff down here.

What kind of crap campaign is this? And after seeing the New Jersey debacle why are the Florida Dem Party so high on a banker?

While I don't get paid to write this, don't get the media emails for any campaign and am generally left in the dust by campaigns (damn you) I have enough sources and friends in the state to keep me in the loop. They ALL complain she's just not reaching out to the media or for that matter, voters nearly enough.

It's gonna be a long slog.

P.S. Help out Haiti!

Update: The Sink campaign updated the website the day after the article came out knocking them for not updating. Wow.

My Annual Awards

2009-12-26T06:58:00.000-05:00

As I do every year I plan on handing out awards. The more astute observers of this blog will say "I've never seen you give awards before". That would be true. Anyhow, these awards are prestigious, merited a lot of thought from the committee, really drove emotions through the hearts of many (mostly laughter, embarrassment and anger). Enjoy.

The Toby Flenderson- Get The Hell out of my Office Award
To the undesirable Rahm Emmanuel. You made a hard job seem like something that a manipulative ex on the rampage would be great for. You have used your powerful office to blast and ignore political opponents (Howard Dean for one) and you have used your incredible responsibility to destroy the most meaningful legislation in 50 years piece by piece until it fits the mold of your ideology- the DLC so that it helps the health care companies.

You have one of the greatest leaders in the world, a man who just became President and have made him the laughing stock and partial villain of the left and the right in America. You're essentially the George Bush of Chief of Staffs. You listened to Pres. Obama well by uniting the country and bridging the gaps between blue states and red states. Against him.

Your political malpractice took a guy with approval numbers in the 70's and 60s and he's now in the 40's. If all goes well in 3 more years he'll be in the 7's and 6s. Gotta love the Rahmster.

The Ann Coulter I'm just saying shit to sell books Award
To the beautiful, sultry, intellectually deficient, effectively in a vegetative mental state former Governor of Alaska. Sarah, you are my hero. No one else would have thought that in one year alone you would go from the biggest political threat to Democrats to the biggest political threat to Republicans. No one would have thought you'd have quit elected office to take a 2 to 7 million dollar paycheck for writing a book, where you exposed personal grudges, aired laundry publicly...... Shit, has she met Rahm Emmanuel? If she does, goodbye Todd.

But seriously she said to Newsweek[Money quote ahead!]

Being a voracious reader, I read a lot today and have read a lot growing up. And having that journalism degree, all of that, will be a great assistance for me in writing this book, talking about the challenges and the joys, balancing the work and parenting, and, in my case, work means running the state.

Yes, Sarah of 6 years to get a journalism degree at 10 universities is such a voracious reader that as we all remember from THE Katie Couric Interview she couldn't name a single darn newspaper she read. The Miami New Times [who linked to my blog this year- yeah I don't forget Kyle!] explains that while she knows "real America" she doesn't know "Latin America" which for an avid reader is interesting. She in another interview talked about wanting to relate to America without a filter. Because really, who didn't run a state and for VP of the country.

The Hillary Clinton I killed my campaign a year before the election award

This goes to Charlie Crist.
August: 25 point gap.
December: Tied

I'd write more but I'd fear I'd be held liable for the Crist staffers who are committing mass suicide or homicide or both.

The Dumb Ass Award for Democrat who stepped in the most Crap

If the Olympics are seen as the triumph of will, strength and years of hard work and dedication, then BJ Chiszar would win a gold medal and forever be an Olympian. For being a dumbass.

You know whether it was in January or March he set forth on an unmistakably erroneous path. Whether it was not allowing Democratic candidates access to the VAN, pissing off every individual he met, playing favorites with campaigns [see the March post again] or attacking local groups of college Democrats and the Florida Democratic Party and involving everyone he could think of in the dumbest chess move by a political figure in Florida since the Spaniards owned this territory you really have to hand it to him. And by "it" I mean the award for being a dumbass. I will miss him though. Really helped traffic to the site.

The Mumia Abu Jamal Award for journalist most likely to be framed and convicted for speaking truth to power award.
Matt Taibbi is either the smartest man alive or one insane writer. His blog The Smirking Chimp is clever, witty and basically all things good. The antithesis of this one. Check out his articles there on the economic collapse. This Rolling Stone Magazine writer has really ripped into major corporations, the right, the left and anyone else in between by using facts, intelligence, humor and a dose of morality. No wonder he's not in office!

Whether it be his fantastic story on Wall Street insiders or health care reform and how it was being screwed or how Obama's a huge sell out the man is fantastic.

Read the last one about Obama. Then read the first two paragraphs. Yeah, he's THAT damn good.

The Howard Dean- Politician who Says the Truth Award
Alan Grayson over the course of the last year...
1] Told Dick Cheney to Shut the Fuck Up on Hardball
2] Called Sen. Coburn Delusional
3] Called a lobbyist a K-Street Whore than provided the worst apology ever.
4] Revealed the Republican Health Care Plan
Oh and he accused his Republican opponent of being hired from Hooters and that his staff spent all their time flicking pins and watching porn, called Rush Limbaugh a has been and said VP Cheney liked to shoot old men in the face.

And that's just really the last 6 months.

The Blue Dog Democrats Knife in the Back Award
They say in politics you keep your enemy close and your friends closer. But you definitely want to handcuff the Blue Dogs and have a mirror in front of you around them at all times. The same may apply to Chairman Lydecker of the Miami Dade DEC around those that were on the emails calling for his ousting after his appointment by the Florida Democratic Party. 7 minutes after he was appointed. That might be an exaggeration. There were so many individual agendas flying around that they could have started an Office Depot. Just Taking Care of Business.

The Katherine Harris Total Failure to Inspire as a candidate award
I love Alex Sink as much as the next person (ok no one loves her other than her family and friends..and Karen Thurman) but really it's kind of hard to get behind someone with all the enthusiasm of Eeyore. No one likes a candidate who's too spineless to make a stand on an issue such as health care reform. No one really wants to support Alex Sink. We just see Bill McCollum on the other side and go...SINK 2010. If Shriver and others are out there really going to give it a go...maybe now would be a good time to jump in folks. I've talked to DEC members and leaders from across the state, and with the exception of one county, no one is actually happy about her. Activists just kind of roll their eyes. Sounds like a winning ticket.

The George Bush Katrina Level Management Award
This monumental Award goes to Harry Reid for making the Senate Democratic Caucus into a joke of a joke. Whether it be being shaken down by Max Baucus, Kent Conrad, Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu he really has made himself and the party look like incredibly incompetent assholes who can't figure out diddly squat. And that's without talking about Sen. Lieberman (hey you have to spell LIE! to spell his name!) and the hostage situation that occurs whenever Joe-mentum decides to change course or not like a policy. But hey he's still chair of his committee.

I imagine that Sen. Reid's staff all look like this whenever a bill is being discussed.

Thank you all and I hope 2010 is a great year!

An Email From A Loyal Reader

2009-12-19T17:23:00.005-05:00

Every once in a while I get emails from the blog-world telling me off or praising or about general things. I got this one the other day from one of the most loyal BIMians. I asked for permission and will re-post the email in its entirety below with no edits. Enjoy.

For the past week I’ve been struggling to write a post about the Senate heath care bill. I started with taking on Nate Silver and his challenge to progressives, but after reading the excellent rebuttal on FDL Action and after listening to all of the establishment Democrats bash Dr Howard Dean in an effort to discredit him and shut up the “Democratic wing of the Democratic Party”. I then decided to go a different route. Some of you may have read Governor Dean speaks for me, posted by Charles Chamberlain at Daily Kos. I want to take that a step further. Dr. Dean not only speaks for me and the progressive base but he speaks for all of us who are uninsured, or underinsured and looking into the maw of for profit insurance companies as we are about to be swallowed whole. And then I read the interview with Rahm Emanuel that insults and blows off the progressive base.
I’ve been so angry over this that I’ve been unable to think straight let alone write a cogent post. I finally decided that Dr. Dean did indeed say it best (not his exact words, but very close):
I didn’t work my ass off to elect Democrats to vote for crap legislation like this!

The Holiday dead period

2009-12-14T12:34:00.004-05:00

There's not been much to report on recently due to the Holidays coming up. Your loyal correspondent will be taking a break as a result, but if there's a major story I'll be on it.

In the meantime entertain yourself with comments. Happy Hanukkah (days late but still got it in!)

Health Care Reform got flipped

2009-12-09T16:08:00.002-05:00

I feel as though out of nowhere we received a 180 degree turn on health care by the Senate yesterday. Out with the Public Option and in with Medicare being expanded for those over 55. Under 55? You're screwed. There will now be a plan, that's slightly undefined, offered by private companies. Politico broke the story since it's become the paper everyone in DC reads and might be the one paper turning a profit right now.

Here's what Majority "Leader" Reid said:

“This is a consensus that will help insure that the American people win in a couple different ways. One, insurance companies will certainly have more competition. And two, the American people will certainly have more choices," Reid told reporters in the Capitol, but refused to divulge details of the agreement.

That's probably because there are few details. It's already been pushed to the CBO so we'll see what they say. Also from that article:

The “buy-in” period could kick in as early as 2011 – three years ahead of when the larger set of reforms would begin – although the coverage for the interim period would not be subsidized.

That's great but if the insurers, the very people who screw Americans over are running the program, it's not going to be very effective.

Here's what President Obama has to say:

The Senate made critical progress last night with a creative new framework that I believe will help pave the way for final passage and a historic achievement on behalf of the American people," Obama said. "I support this effort, especially since it's aimed at increasing choice and competition and lowering cost."

"I want to thank all of you for sticking with it, for all those late nights," Obama said. "With so much at stake, this is well worth all of our efforts."

I too want to thank the Senate for proving their critics right. The Senate may be the least useful institution in the world right now. The American people voted for change right? Does this sound like Obama's plan at all? Instead they got slapped across the face by them. All those late nights I assume are a reference to all the nights spent getting campaign contributions from the health insurance lobby. I hope Pelosi and the House sticks it to 'em and do what is right in conference.

I hope the Progressive Caucus delivers on its promise and doesn't vote for this abomination. I'm tired of people who say no litmus test for Democrats. You're darn right this should be it.

What are your thoughts? Drop a comment!

A New Era Begins

2009-12-01T17:35:00.002-05:00

BIM was honored recently to sit down with many of the local Democratic Party's activists and one Richard Lydecker, the new DEC Chairman.

BIM can only go off of words and actions. It seems to me, that so far, Mr. Lydecker is saying all the right things. He spoke of unifying around a solitary purpose, electing Democrats. This singular aim which should be the DECs main goal, is crucial because it should default & trump all the idiotic rivalries within the DEC. He spoke of bringing in big names such as CFO Sink and Sen. Nelson down to the DEC meetings to increase turnout. It'll be nice to get Sink in SoFla for once!

Overall, this relative neophyte to the local scene has his finger on what to do; he's either been coached up or naturally has common sense and a good political instinct. Hopefully, those that joined me at the meeting will listen, put aside all our egos and work together. I'm genuinely excited, but the first test, as Mr. Lydecker emphasized, is to elect Democrats to the Governor's Mansion, the Cabinet and for the State House, for which he said polling is being conducted to see where we put our resources into. I feel much better about where we're going in 2010 now than I did before.

Thankgiving

2009-11-26T06:57:00.000-05:00

I thought the President's email was particularly touching this year and while I usually stray from propaganda for candidates I think this one is poignant and important enough to copy and use in full. Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone.

Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, Americans across the country will sit down together, count our blessings, and give thanks for our families and our loved ones.

American families reflect the diversity of this great nation. No two are exactly alike, but there is a common thread they each share.

Our families are bound together through times of joy and times of grief. They shape us, support us, instill the values that guide us as individuals, and make possible all that we achieve.

So tomorrow, I'll be giving thanks for my family -- for all the wisdom, support, and love they have brought into my life.

But tomorrow is also a day to remember those who cannot sit down to break bread with those they love.

The soldier overseas holding down a lonely post and missing his kids. The sailor who left her home to serve a higher calling. The folks who must spend tomorrow apart from their families to work a second job, so they can keep food on the table or send a child to school.

We are grateful beyond words for the service and hard work of so many Americans who make our country great through their sacrifice. And this year, we know that far too many face a daily struggle that puts the comfort and security we all deserve painfully out of reach.

So when we gather tomorrow, let us also use the occasion to renew our commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous future that every American family can enjoy.

It seems like a lifetime ago that a crowd met on a frigid February morning in Springfield, Illinois to set out on an improbable course to change our nation.

In the years since, Michelle and I have been blessed with the support and friendship of the millions of Americans who have come together to form this ongoing movement for change.

You have been there through victories and setbacks. You have given of yourselves beyond measure. You have enabled all that we have accomplished -- and you have had the courage to dream yet bigger dreams for what we can still achieve.

So in this season of thanks giving, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to you, and my anticipation of the brighter future we are creating together.

With warmest wishes for a happy holiday season from my family to yours,

President Barack Obama

The GOP and Foreign Policy

2009-11-21T09:45:00.001-05:00

Now on to bigger and better things.

Naked Politics reported a couple of interesting stories this week. First, our wonderful new Senator's first toe tap into the ocean of foreign policy is turning into a disaster.

Higher ups in the State Department are a little angry that he's ignoring Brazil, the cornerstone of capitalism in South America and perhaps America's strongest ally, for political points. He's blocking the Obama appointed new ambassador to that country.

"This continuing, prolonged vacancy sends an unintended signal that the United States does not consider Brazil an important relationship,'' the nine former assistant secretaries of state wrote in a letter to LeMieux, urging him to lift his opposition to nominee Tom Shannon.

Yikes. What's the real political game?

Shannon had triggered the ire of South Florida Cuban Americans who believed he wasn't tough enough on the Castro regime during his tenure as a former assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs under President George W. Bush.

Shock in a GOP member pandering to the lowest elements of the Cuban exile community.

Here's the Senator himself:

"I feel like I have a role and a responsibility far greater than other senators do in terms of anything that deals with Latin America, and I take that job seriously,'' said LeMieux, who will be a "special guest" at a DC fundraiser Friday for Crist. "This is about the entire hemisphere. This is about Venezuela, El Salvador, Bolivia, Colombia and Brazil and Cuba and the role that Mr. Shannon played . . . and the role he will play. We are burning the midnight oil here to make sure I'm doing the best job I can for 18 million Floridians, and that's my motivation.''
Bloomberg News reports the extended hold could cost Boeing Inc. up to $7.5 billion.

Yes, Mr. Shannon is almost entirely responsible for so much of the Western world seeing the Bush Administration's screw you approach to diplomacy and running to the opposite spectrum. If LeMieux's really burning the midnight oil by doing this, then I'm glad this moron will be gone in a year.

But that's not all. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen who continues to embarrass herself by schilling for herself on Twitter also screwed up in foreign policy. She of the military comes first mentality found one General who didn't back down, pissed him off and then argued with him in Congress.

Apparently she's a disrespectful little shrill when people don't kiss her butt, even to Generals who have done more for our country than she could ever dream of.

Today's House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing was a highly-charged event -- but the real sparks flew when Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen tussled with retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey.
McCaffrey raised the Miami Republican's hackles with his testimony that Cuba represents no risk to national security and the travel ban should be scrapped since it hurts longtime U.S. interests.

Them's fightin' words. He destroyed the one issue she has to run on and wave the bloody flag of the cuban revolution. Cuba's a national security threat to America? How?

But during questioning, he took exception to Ros-Lehtinen, whom he said appeared to question his national security credentials and called him "Mr. McCaffrey,'' rather than "General.''
"To refute the argument that I had offered to the committee, she seemed to be implying my lack of commitment to U.S. national security, which is a silly thing for her to do,'' McCaffrey told reporters after the hearing. "She stated a very carefully chosen way to denigrate my military credentials, which she is not authorized to do.''

You know he's worked for that title, much like a doctor works for theirs. I'm pretty sure most doctors don't like having their title left out in their professional careers. Alas, Ileana will surely hypocritically post how wonderful the military is next time to score political points, while insulting them for political gain at other times.

She said she had written down the questions she wanted to pose to McCaffrey and that "General'' appears in her handwritten notes.

Too bad her brain's apparently too small for her to be able to both write something and then verbalize it. It's clearly done intentionally and I'm glad the General spoke out.

But that's what the GOP offers going forward folks. Enjoy!

Continual Dysfunction

2009-11-17T01:18:00.000-05:00

Apparently the Miami-Dade DEC isn't happy having just had a chair who had verbal diarrhea getting removed. They're not happy having largely being a dysfunctional organization since around the turn of this millennium. Old habits die hard but apparently old rivalries, orchestrated events by party insider's from the Steering Committee, former candidates and DEC club presidents and the like, never die. In a widely circulated letter that I hear has reached the new DEC chair himself, individuals such as former Congressional Candidate Dave Patlak, Democrats of South Dade Club President Bob Goldstein, State Committeeman and former candidate for the Florida Democratic Party Chair Bret Berlin and a host of others are discussing the authority of Karen Thurman to remove and appoint a new DEC Chair.

The original letter comes from Dave Patlak, a longtime activist who ran for Congress in 2006 and Commissioner in 2004 as well as running for DEC Chair in 2008 to replace Joe Garcia. In it he questions whether the FDP can appoint a non-DEC member as Chairman.

He writes: "If there is not a properly appointed Chair, then a vacancy exists to be filled by an election called by the 1st Vice Chair within 45 days of the vacancy, correct?"

Kristin Wipior the current credentials chair responded to him "Richard has been a new member candidate since July." Chairman Lydecker had been sworn in the previous week.

Patlak continues by stating: " If you determine he is not a properly appointed DEC member, then you as 1st Vice Chair, should assume the duties of the Chair and convene an election for a new Chair"

Liz Collins has since continued this line of reasoning and blamed DEC Chaiman Lydecker for being "exclusive" by saying: "I see that this maley of coruption and exculsiveness will continue. It seems that he has choosen those individules that he will acknowledge as leaders of the PARTY."

Patlak's former position of Vice Chair for Outreach is now held by Henry Crespo who has also actively been attempting at undermining the brand new chair.

It seems as though some are already planning to destabilize a possible foundation for the DEC. The Party has received a large sum of money in just days since Chiszar's removal but it seems that the continued allegiances and rivalries have morphed and that many of the same characters move about while the local party continues to be dysfunctional at best. I wonder how much of this jockeying for positions and attempts to clarify the position of Mr.Lydecker are not at all for party interests but instead for the short sighted personal gain of certain individuals. It seems as though if you'd want to attempt to please the party and to help it, you'd try to end the bickering and cooperate with the FDP's lead.

Instead of some calling for this guy's head, they should see that he's already fund-raising and attempting to get some bearing as to where to move from here on out, and give him a chance. A united DEC it seems to me would be of utmost usefulness. Instead, the same old attempts to rise up in the career ladder and to injure one another rather than developing strategies to defeat the GOP seems to still be the mantra within the DEC. I hear Karen Thurman will be in town around the time of the next DEC meeting and I strongly hope she lays out some of the plans the state has so as to show what the state's strategy for this cycle is. Maybe this will calm some of this new found opposition down and allow for a reasonable time period before judgments about Chairman Lydecker are made.

Final Edition

2009-11-12T11:36:00.003-05:00

As Blue in Miami posted earlier today, The FDP has removed Miami Dade DEC Chairman BJ Chiszar. Beth Reinhardt has a couple more details and the letter of removal on her Naked Politics blog and the FDP is not being polite about it!

Thurman's spokesman, Eric Jotkoff, said the timing is incidental and the complaints against Chiszar have been mounting for months. He's been in the post for about one year.
"He has engaged in activities that injured the name and status of the Florida Democratic Party,'' Jotkoff said. "Not only has he not been able to hold a single meeting with a quorum but repeatedly done things like try to sell access to our voter file to state House candidates and repeatedly been rude and overbearing toward the staff and to elected officials...We have huge election coming up in 2010 and we need a successful Democratic party down there."

Again as I reported earlier today. The rest is from Naked Politics:

Thurman is replacing Chiszar with Richard Lydecker, a Miami attorney who is little-known among Democratic activists but apparently has ties to Sen. Bill Nelson, former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.

Here's the letter from Thurman to Chiszar: Download Letters of Removal for Miami-Dade DEC Chair B J Chiszar

UPDATED:Another Blue In Miami Exclusive

2009-11-12T04:05:00.004-05:00

BIM (yes a better acronym should have been a priority but alas) is the first to report breaking news coming out of Tallahassee. I hear the Florida Democratic Party has decided to come down on local DEC Chairman BJ Chiszar, informing him by writing that he's been removed from his position.

Apparently the replacement Chairman has been selected and is a close friend of Former Mayor Manny Diaz. This may signal that Mayor Diaz is considering a run for higher office hopefully for Congress against one of three GOP seats, probably Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

The good news is that the party has finally stepped in to see what's happening at the local level. The bad news is that they delayed themselves by nearly a year in figuring out the former Chairman's actions while numerous complaints were filed about his shenanigans and divided the DEC body.

This blog has long called for that chairman to step up or be removed and now transfers that to the new chairman and hopes he will run a fair, effective DEC that moves the party forward in a positive light and away from the nasty infighting that has long plagued the DEC since the turn of the century.

Update: He was removed via statute 103.161 for interfering with the FDP.
He was removed for
-Attempting to charge organizations and candidates for VAN access while knowing it was free.
-Being rude to FDP officials, groups, allies, elected officials, staff members, DEC allies.
-Failure of the DEC of attaining meeting quorum at all times this year causing the DEC to lose the ability to function as an active county DEC.
-Threatening elected officials

Additionally he received a 4 year ban to any position within the state party and is no longer a member of the DEC.

Miami DEC Chairman attacks everyone in email

2009-11-08T14:53:00.007-05:00

I really am at a loss for words in what the local party's chairman decided to do, by sending an email to a host of local officials and activists (such as Katy Sorenson, Yolly Robertson, Paul Barthole, Cindy Lerner, Carrie Meek, Joe Geller, Nadine Smith) all the while including national figures like former DNC ChairmanTerry McAuliffe on an email ranting about the Florida Democratic Party, the UM College Democrats, Democracy For America and local activists. Here's the full text, enjoy the reading below. Enjoy the ranting but also the false claims he throws out there:

Nov. 6, 2009

Dearest Party Leaders,

My name is Chairman Benjamin John “BJ” Chiszar of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party and it is with great sadness that I write to you all to expose what I consider to be the final straw in my dealing with the leadership at FDP headquarters. I have had nothing but problems and frustration in dealing with our “parent” organization and enough is enough is enough. I am not going anywhere and I will continue to lead the Miami-Dade DEC to victory (we have won 23 out 29 local races this year). We are active on the issues that we as Democrats say we believe in (healthcare, equality, assault weapons ban, right to vote, the environment, etc) and we are growing our DEC rapidly (over 150 new applicants- up 62% in my first year). I do not require the FDP for anything! The MD-DEC would be better served if they would simply leave us alone. Let them coddle up to corrupt big donors (like the crook Mr. Rothstein, whom FDP returned $200,000 to) and then continue to waste the money, without supporting DECs, as section 7 and 9 of the FDP Charter demand!

On yesterday, November 5^th, I received a rude and threatening phone call from the FDP Director of Party Affairs, Milli Smith who claimed that the DNC had contacted the FDP to complain about me. The way Ms. Smith spoke to me as if she was some supreme authority figure over the MD-DEC was inappropriate and I let her know it. I yelled at her in response to her wording and tone, and told her that she was not to call me and threaten me ever again and if there was a problem with DNC, they should put it in writing for my review and then hung up in her face. Unfortunately for Milli, it turns out that she was lying, got caught and then tried to play the victim as if I was mean to her. The DNC told me that they DID NOT contact FDP to complain about me and Southern US Political Director, my friend Nate Jenkins (from Orlando) even went so far as to say that it was “completely inappropriate for Milli Smith to call me and say there was a complaint”. What had occurred was that I, as the youngest Chair of a large county in the US had placed a call and left a message to speak with our National leader Gov. Tim Kaine on Wednesday. I left my name and number and that was it. I didn’t specify the reason for my call, so Nate Jenkins called FDP to see if my call to DC had something with the Judicial Committee issue from this summer (which I will get late in this letter). My call did not have anything to do with FDP. Ms. Smith also claimed that our DEC Treasurer called to complain about me twice yesterday, which I found out to be a lie as well, according to my Treasurer Paul Barthole. He says called because Milli never sent a certificate for the Haitian-American Democratic Club, which is part of her job. Now where does Ms. Smith get off taking liberty with the facts and saying the DNC and DEC Treasurer “complained” about me? Why do Karen Thurman and Scott Arceneaux, who knew exactly what was going on, because I copied them on ALL the emails, allow this non-sense? Because it deals with BJ in Miami-Dade, that’s why! I highly doubt any of you are subjected to this tyranny!

First of all, allow me to give you some background information that will help you understand my frustration with FDP. The Karen Thurman cronies DID NOT win election at our Organizational Meeting. Knowing that I do not like Karen and her team in Tallahassee (based on 2008 personal experience, when I was an employee of DNC and FDP), my victory was greeted with utter panic and disdain. Karen Thurman, FDP staff and their gadfly do nothing friends in Miami-Dade have tried their darnedest to be divisive and disruptive from day one. I have no doubt that their failures to impact our DEC operation boils their blood. In the spring, the FDP and Karen’s MD-DEC cronies tried to undo my free and fair election of December 3^rd, by complaining about past Chair and current State Committeeman Bret Berlin and his conduct before and during the election. After failing to comply with their own bylaws and having to re-schedule the hearing, the FULL Judicial council met and exonerated both Bret Berlin and also Chairman Mitch Caesar (Broward) from any wrongdoing concerning the organizational meetings. They made some recommendations, one of which we had done 2 months before the hearing. Another was to send the ballots from December 3rd which had never been in my possession and the third was to “bring our DEC bylaws into compliance with FDP”. I asked both verbally and in writing at least 10 times for someone to please tell us EXACTLY what is wrong with our bylaws and we will change them. I spoke to Vice Chair Diane Glasser, who told me that was a reasonable request and that FDP should assist. This never happened, yet the FDP wanted to try me later for not following their broad general recommendation. It should be noted that FDP was updating their own bylaws this year and makes zero sense to tell a DEC to fix our bylaws while FDP is fixing their own. These are the folks in charge of this Party!

Another bit of information for background purposes pertain to rude and intimidating calls from FDP staff. The first rude call I received from Milli Smith came on April 1, while I was down at the election department to get confirmation that a candidate was NOT a registered Democrat (Myron Rosner). It just so happens that Ms. Smith was calling about this same candidate. Three of her DEC friends (Thomas Pinder, John Julien, & Carline Paul) had supposedly (according to Milli) called FDP to complain that I was telling them they had support our Democrat, Mayor Ray Marin (who happened to be one of our only Puerto Rican electeds in the entire State) in North Miami Beach. Now I did not invent the loyalty oath or make her friends sign it, they did so on their own, knowing full well what it says and means. Milli Smith ordered me to “let them support whomever they want, because FDP didn’t want them on Haitian-American radio saying bad things about the Party”. So I was told to let them violate the loyalty oath that we all signed by an FDP official. On the same call, Milli claimed that another friend of hers (Elizabeth Judd) had called to say that I was doing “nothing to help DEC member Eddie Lewis in his council bid in Miami Shores”. The only problem is that it is completely false! We (DEC and myself as an individual) had been doing everything you can imagine (door knocking, phone calling, providing walk-lists & call-lists, emails and even did a GOTV mailer) to help him and he is still very appreciative of the DEC’s efforts to this day. So once again, Milli’s friends and Milli Smith take liberty with the facts to suit their own agenda of opposing me. Ms. Judd’s true intentions were later revealed. She wanted the DEC to assist her friend in North Miami in a race featuring 5 Democrats! We offered them all the same assistance as any good DEC would. To add icing on the cake, on the same April 1^st call, she claimed that one of the DFA gadflies, Sam Feldman said “BJ won’t give me VAN access”. This is also false; Sam was one of the first DEC members to get VAN access (3/23/09) for his PRECINCT. He demanded the entire city of Miami Beach and of course I said no way! This is a perfect segue to what FDP tried to do to me this summer.

Mr. Feldman and DFA decided to endorse a Republican over the Florida League of Cities President, and Liberal Democrat Michael Blynn in North Miami. They did so knowingly and in fact didn’t even invite the Democrat to their “candidate screening”. Now DFA can do whatever it wants, but Milli’s friend Sam Feldman violated the loyalty oath and took a paid position with the Republican. Hmmm…I would find out later that the Republican’s daughter had been employed by DFA during 2008 and when the Republican made a run-off, Sam had her switch to Democrat to prevent the DEC from assisting the Real Democrat. DCCA Chair Alison Morano was made aware of this, as was Vice Chair Diane Glasser and Milli Smith. This exposure was an embarrassment for DFA and Sam. This incident was the catalyst for these gadflies filing a fraudulent complaint against me with FDP.

The first complaint was about Union bugs and that the DEC used a designer bug, instead of printer bug. The DEC has been using the same guy for 9 years and I never examined with a magnifying glass what the tiny bug said. Not to mention that nowhere in our State or Local bylaws does it say I have to use any Union bug. I will have you all know that the DEC relationship with organized labor has never been stronger as I am known all over South Florida as “Union guy”. The second complaint was from the UM Democrats who were encouraged by Sam (who signed complaint because none of the others were from DEC) saying that I wouldn’t give them VAN access for free. What they forgot to mention is that these rich little snobs refused to assist our Cuban-American Female Democrat, Commissioner Maria Anderson in Coral Gables (she lost the UM precinct) and said they weren’t interested in local politics or joining the DEC. Once again nowhere in our State or Local bylaws does it say that I have to give inactive and unsupportive Non-DEC members from a College Democrats Chapter VAN access. The third complaint was from perennial gadfly and Karen Thurman crony, Barbara Walters claiming a litany of procedural silliness that she couldn’t back up. This was proven at FDP hearing AND DEC hearing which both found no grounds to remove me. I save the best for last, the fourth complaint was from a Club President in Dade who had no idea about the complaint process, made false accusations that he later withdrew and told me “he was put to this by someone from the FDP staff”. Let me say that again, the FDP staff told one of my Club Presidents to make a false complaint against me in the hopes I would resign. If that does not disturb you, then I question your loyalty to truth and justice.

Now let’s review the despicable August 29^th Judicial Council hearing in Miami Lakes. This Kangaroo Court set up by Karen Thurman, who appointed a SUBCOMMITTEE with one my enemies Millie Herrera, a gadfly who lost to a complete unknown civil rights activist in the election for State Committeewoman and still cries herself to sleep every night about it. This hearing was in violation of FDP bylaws! First of all, section 5.5.2 says the Judicial Council hears APPEALS, an appeal would indicate that it came before the DEC first. That did not happen and everyone at FDP knew it. Section 5.5.2 also clearly says that the appeals must be a result of a FDP bylaws violation. Not a single one of the four complaints met this criterion, unless you consider Ms. Walters non-sensical complaint bylaw related. You as Party leaders should also be aware that Section 5.5.4 of FDP bylaws says that a complainant has 30 days from date of the incident to file a complaint in writing by certified mail. Not a single one of the complaints was filed within that time frame. This was easily noticed by looking at the date they were filed (all within 3 days of each other and signed by the same people) and the dates of the alleged incidents. FDP knew that they were all filed way after the 30 days time limit passed. This was brought up at the beginning of the hearing and Vice Chair Rhett Bullard, while having the deer in headlights look on his face, let the Kangaroo Court proceed. My attorney also pointed out at the beginning of the hearing that Section 5.5.6 of FDP bylaws clearly states that when a DEC or DEC officer is brought up on charges and Karen Thurman appoints a subcommittee instead of the full Judicial Committee, the Chair (Rhett Bullard) SHALL enlarge the subcommittee to include fellow DEC Chairs from within 100 miles of the county where accused is from. This did not happen and after being informed that the hearing was violating these 3 FDP bylaws pertaining specifically to Judicial Council, Vice Chair Bullard proceeded. After wasting all of our time, there decision was to send it back to DEC officers and let them decide. This was as backwards as you can possibly get. So the FDP appointed my fellow officers to be a grievance committee, which I believe to be inappropriate. It didn’t matter because they found the complaints non-sensical and denied them all!

Again. Let’s return to yesterday, I got a call late in the day from the NEW Executive Director, Scott Arceneaux. This was my first time ever speaking with the gentleman and after simple hello-how are you, I asked him why his staff had lied twice in one day about receiving complaints about me, got caught and he allows such a thing to occur. He then told me not to be mean to his staff, when I reminded him who started this business. Mr. Arceneaux then proceeded to rudely insult me and tell me to shut up. As you can imagine, I let him have it and put him in his place real quick. I will not be spoken to by these scumbags like that! I can only assume that you wouldn’t either!

Today I am calling for resignation and/or removal of Karen Thurman and her senior Staff (especially Scott & Millie). Given that many of you are friends with these people, I expect some blind loyalty to the status quo. This is unacceptable behavior from leaders of the most important State in the Union. I believe there is a direct correlation to this pathetic excuse for leadership and our losing big in 2010! You can prevent that from happening! All you need to do is ask some simple questions. If you do that you will find that everything I have laid out for you is true. I wake up every day with the people of Florida and especially our 4 million+ Democrats on my mind and in my heart. Thank you for your time!

BJ Chiszar

2009 Results

2009-11-04T08:16:00.004-05:00

In Maine No on 1 ran a great race but ultimately came up short by about 2%. They ran one of the best issue campaigns I've ever seen, ultimately rural areas were the downfall.

In NJ a lack of enthusiasm for NJ Democrats as well as the NRC's brilliant use of TV ads against Dagget ended up driving votes over to Christie. The base just wasn't excited about Corzine, something obvious as he could never break past 45% in the polls. Minorities refused to come out in the state as well.

In Virginia, well a terrible candidate who ran a bad race from the get go won because of a primary where the two best candidates nuked themselves to death and he survived. He ran an atrocious general election, never defined himself and ultimately it showed in the polls in blowout fashion. I'm not sure there's TOO much to take away here other than Indies going to the right. 40 years the party out of power wins the governorship in Va.

NY-23 provided another surprise, with Democrat Bill Owens winning over Conservative Party, Palin and Pawlenty endorsed, club for growth endorsed Hoffman. Scozzafava somehow still pulled out 6% of the vote. Democrat hadn't represented the district in 100+ years much of it in 140 years. The tea party folk really broke the back of the (R)'s here. Ultimately, the Scozzafava woulda cruised to victory but the purity drive really came back to haunt them, and their guy lost. They promise they will have more such campaigns, including here in Florida vs. Crist. After last night confirming what I thought, I say bring on Rubio!

CA-10 was blowout city by 11% which bodes well for Democrats. Many thought the win would be a 5 pointer or 7 points, which would show movement away from Democrats instead it showed a strong democratic base support.

I wouldn't read too deeply into last night's results, including Charlotte's new openly gay mayor.

GOP candidate endorses [D]

2009-11-01T16:51:00.002-05:00

via The Fix:

NY-23: Scozzafava Endorses Owens

State Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava (R), who dropped from the special election in Upstate New York yesterday, has now thrown her support to Democrat Bill Owens.
"It's not in the cards for me to be your representative, but I strongly believe Bill is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh's lasting legacy in the U.S. Congress," said Scozzafava in a statement released moments ago.

Surely, if Dede wanted to see the Dem win she'd have stayed in the race, continuing to split the (R) vote right? According to the Fix article 60% of her support comes from GOP members, meaning the Democrat is slated to lose support to the right wing nut job endorsed by Sarah Palin. Will this endorsement do anything and will Dede now campaign for Owens?

We'll see.

Sentor Bill Nelson-

2009-09-17T07:35:00.005-04:00

I know I'm a day late and our Senators always a dollar short but get this one from the Tampa Tribune.

Sure, some Democrats will continue to fight for the "public option," but it's likely the beginning of the end for the controversy magnet. Instead, Senate leaders will move toward nonprofit health care cooperatives, a widely unknown and untested concept.
To Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, the shift is a significant breakthrough, one that can secure enough Democratic support of an overall reform bill.
"If I had talked to you one week ago I would have had a whole different attitude. I think a lot's changed. So I'm an optimist now," the Orlando Democrat said Monday in his most extensive comments on the emerging health care proposal.

Alright that's not something ok with me, but this far into the article I was doing great. Heck the article quotes various experts saying how this may not work, etc etc.

"This isn't to say they are a bad idea," Peck added, "but they aren't going to be a short-term solution by any means."

But then this happens:

Nelson said most of the public option advocates "don't have a clue," about what it would take to create such a plan. "The whole thing is so complicated you can't expect them to understand."
"If a co-op serves the same purpose, what's the big deal?" Nelson added.

Hey, Senator Nelson, come on. We don't have a clue? Listen here you diddling pol, here's my clue: we've got 60 democrats, and you're supposed to be one of them. Now's when we can pass a real piece of legislation that will contain costs, unlike your co-ops [see: blue cross] . Now's when we can pass mandates, not to benefit the health care employees that've given you $679,593 according to opensecrets.org or the insurance companies 534,746$ worth of donations.

Don't expect me or any of the base to work for you. You represent the Democrats in this state, you wishy washy coward. The Republicans already have their Senator. Too bad it's not Kendrick in your seat, since he's promised not to vote for a bill without and has advocated strongly for the public option.

See Senator what you forget is that while you're out there scoring political points, my parents and friends are getting older and worse by the day without health insurance and I haven't been able to afford it in 7 years.

Meanwhile you're out there throwing those who voted for you under the bus.

Get a fricking clue Senator.

Joe Wilson is an idiot

2009-09-11T10:45:00.001-04:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Darcy Burner kicks Obama's ass.

2009-09-07T12:10:00.002-04:00

Here's her full post and I'm just gonna take bits and pieces. I just wanted to say that after meeting her at Netroots, she's by far one of the coolest folks I've met in politics and it's good to see her get rewarded with a sweet gig. Anyways:

I keep having the same argument, in which someone says, "The progressives won't really kill healthcare reform, right? Even if they don't get a public option - right?"
And I unfailingly respond, "Actually, they will. And they should."
A no-public-option bill would mandate that every American buy health insurance while ensuring skyrocketing premiums. What sane politician would vote for a bill like that?

Then she sticks it to the blue dogs

imply put, if you want other reforms like elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions, you need a public option because:
* Reforms such as eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions only work if you have an individual mandate.
* If you have an individual mandate, rates will skyrocket unless you have a public option to provide competition (or rate controls, which aren't even on the table).

So what opponents of the public option are proposing is that we pass a bill that will spike the cost of health insurance at the same time we require everyone by law to buy it.
Given that as the alternative, we are in fact better off with no reform.

And then her kill shot, hitting at the heart of the matter, points out the flaws and says President Obama has a choice:

So now everybody has to buy insurance. And without a public option, this guarantees that premiums will skyrocket. Why? Right now, insurance companies are held at least a little in check by the option of people deciding that the insurance is just so expensive they're better off with nothing. However, if everyone has to buy insurance (individual mandate), there is nothing to keep the two or fewer companies in each of the markets in most of America to raise their prices as high as they wanted. After all, everyone would still have to buy in.
The public option is the only thing on the table that would provide a meaningful check on insurance companies. It would guarantee a high-quality low-cost alternative would be available that the insurance companies would have to compete with for the business of the American people.
So yes, progressives should kill a bill without the public option. No sane Member of Congress should vote for it.
No sane Member of Congress should vote for a bill that will spike the cost of health insurance at the same time we require all Americans to buy it.
And as for the arguments this would be catastrophically damaging to President Obama? He has a choice. He can chose to succeed with a robust public option, or he can choose to fail.
DAMN!

Sen Ted Kennedy

2009-08-26T08:18:00.003-04:00

There are many good days and bad days. Today is one of the worst in the history of this country. Senator Edward Kennedy has passed away. The one man who fought hardest for equality, through civil rights, immigration, health care, education, minimum wage, the Americans with Disability Act, etc.

He'll never be replaced really, because a legend like him can't be.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die."

RIP Sen. Kennedy

For when words fail you

2009-08-20T16:21:00.000-04:00

There's always Barney Frank. Remind me never to piss him off.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Barney Frank's Town Hall Snaps

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Healthcare Protests

FL-SEN -Martinez pulls a Palin

2009-08-07T12:22:00.001-04:00

Yep he's resigning, and here's his letter:

Because you’re a friend, I wanted you to know first about the decision I will announce today to step down from public office. Twelve years ago I offered myself as a candidate for public office in Florida out of a deep sense of appreciation for what America and the people of Florida did for me as a young immigrant to this country.
"In 1997, Kitty and I decided it was time to give back and we entered the public arena, first as Mayor of Orange County, then as a Member of the President’s cabinet and now as a United States Senator. Through those experiences I have gained the greatest respect for the people of Florida and have enjoyed serving their interests. When I began my term as Senator, I promised I wouldn’t simply warm a seat; I promised to take on the difficult issues and work to make a difference.

"Keeping that promise has meant pressing for help and assistance for families struggling to keep their homes, their jobs, and their confidence that our country is safe. And on that note, I am especially grateful to the men and women of our military and their families whom I have had the distinct honor of representing in Washington and I thank them for their service to our country.

"As a US Senator, I have also had a platform to speak against the oppression of the Cuban regime and my hope for a better future for the people of Cuba. I will continue that lifelong passion in the next phase of my life. I will always be grateful to the people of Florida for bestowing on me the singular honor of representing them in the United States Senate.

"My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country and at this stage in my life, and after nearly twelve years of public service in Florida and Washington, it’s time I return to Florida and my family.

"So today I am announcing my decision to step down from public office, effective on a successor taking office to fill out the remainder of my term. I have enjoyed my time in the Senate and have the utmost respect for my colleagues and the institution. I especially thank Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for his guidance and insight."

Great Article

2009-08-05T12:31:00.000-04:00

From HuffPo we have a great article on the astroturfing of town halls.

As Democrats fan out across the country to hold town hall meetings on health care, a small group of loud and angry "teabag" protesters have been shouting over speakers, disrupting proceedings, and grabbing the headlines. In response, some Democratic strategists have called for the town hall organizers to open meetings with emotional testimonies from people as a strategy for heading off the teabag protesters.

It is sound advice, but switching gears will not work for Democrats in the town halls for a simple reason: they have already decided that the way to win the health care debate and pass a reform bill is to make sure the debate stays as far from emotional arguments as possible.

Despite the Democratic communications strategy, the media victory of the teabag protesters is the clearest sign so far that the health care reform will not be won by quietly unrolling logical arguments about reducing costs by nudging all consumers to a more regulated market. Victory in the health care debate will go to the side that leverages core American symbols to spark the passions of the people.

The question remains as to whether the Democrats leading these August recess health care town halls would even be capable of suddenly switching gears to a more emotional narrative? The problem is that these same Democratic Party leaders are the people who long-ago decided that passing a health care bill depends 101 percent on making anodyne arguments that persuade people who (1) already have health care, (2) are too self-interested to want reform to help others, and (3) only care about reducing their monthly expenses. That means the organizers of the town halls see these meetings more like open enrollment information sessions than historic battles in the push for reform.

In other words, it is the Senate, Congressional, and White House Democratic Party communication teams that have created the ideal, quiet conditions for a half-dozen fever-pitched teabaggers to shout "tyranny!" and disrupt the hushed sessions.

If, by contrast, the Democrats leading these sessions had gone into them with more passion, the political stage available to the teabag protesters would have been radically diminished, if not eliminated altogether. Beyond just inviting people to kick off the town halls with a story of how their families have suffered as a result of the health insurance industry, Democrats could have followed communications strategy where the overall goal was to control the emotional symbolism of the town halls -- wherein everyone who attended would be so shouting mad and teary-eyed in favor of reform that there would be no silent vacuum that could have been filled by protesters.

Because the Democrats treated the town halls as information sessions rather than symbolic stages, they left the emotional terrain wide open for a few voices to exploit, which is exactly what the teabaggers have done.

Rather than arguing for better financial practice or sound health care policy, the teabag protesters are treating the town halls themselves as opportunities to control the national debate on the meaning of American life. Thus, while a vast majority of Americans, for example, want a new public option to replace their current health insurance, those same Americans do not see or hear that story being passionately argued in the media.

It is astounding that, even with control of the Congress and the Executive branch, Democrats still do not understand the symbolism implicit in these health care town halls, whereas a ragtag bunch of teabag protesters does get it.

So what should the Democrats do?

For starters, they need to splash some cold water on their faces and wake up to the fact that people do not go to town halls to get information. When was the last time you or anyone else you know decided to buy health insurance based on a live one-hour presentation given by an elected official? Numbers and details about health care coverage are better presented in pamphlets, on web sites, and via phone in systems that allow people to pursue answers to the specific questions they have.

Second, Democrats need to see the town halls as symbolic arenas to be dominated, not mere meeting locations to attend. To dominate a symbolic arena, Democrats need to literally fill the proceeding with the most compelling reasons for reform that exist: ending injustice, averting personal bankruptcy, eliminating the paralyzing fear of illness, preventing systemic financial collapse, ending the personal and economic humiliation of living with chronic illness in America. Never before in the history of political debate have there been more passionate arguments to be made and more people willing to step up and make them than for the health care debate.

Third, Democrats need to bridge the gap between the town hall meetings and the media. They cannot stage effective town halls and then sit back and hope that the media finds it interesting enough in the dog days of August to cover them instead of covering power outages or lost kittens. Every elected Democrat in Washington, DC, has an office full of talented staffers with experience mobilizing the media to cover their bosses. These staffers need to be enlisted to put the town halls on the front pages and in the lead position of every broadcast from now until September.

Fourth, Democrats need to enlist and energize the grassroots of their party. After the election, the Obama campaign left one of the greatest legacies in political history: hundreds of thousands of Americans centrally organized via the internet and willing to turn out to push for real change. These people need to be mobilized with the same passionate arguments that got them to turn out to walk door-to-door in cold weather to elect a President. They will not respond with arguments about lowering the general costs of coverage and forcing insurance companies to live up to their responsibilities. By contrast, this grassroots will respond to arguments about a historic moment to end health insurance injustice, to fight health care inequality, and to put the United States on the road to a healthier, stronger future after decades of wandering in the wilderness.

Fifth, a real public option (not some phony baloney "co-op") must be put front and center of the debate by leading Democrats including the President. Without the public option at the center of the debate, the very people who would be the most passionate voices in the health care discussion are hamstrung. They cannot argue passionately for what they believe if the moral core of the debate has been stripped away. This means letting people speak passionately about "single-payer" systems or "medicare plus" or whatever language they feel best describes a real public option.

Lastly, the President needs to cut his vacation down to size so he can climb back on the bully pulpit as only he can. Nothing would speak louder to the urgency and passion of this debate than President Obama telling the country that he is willing to spend less time frolicking on Martha's Vineyard with his family because he believes so strongly in the need for health care reform. This would also mean no more "this isn't about me...I have good health care coverage" comments from the President. He needs to tell everyone -- each and every day -- that this is the fight of his life. That he cannot sleep at night because of the urgent need for health care reform. And he cannot stop saying that until every single media outlet in the world is either echoing his concern or fighting him tooth and n

If the Democrats put aside their anodyne approach and restart the health care debate with a level of passion worthy of the issue, neither the teabaggers nor any other protest group will have much peace and quiet to disrupt.

Health care is a passionate topic. If the Democrats lead the public in an intense debate that matches the emotions of the subject matter, by September they should have the political backing to pass the real reform that 70 percent of the public wants anyhow.

Sarrah Barracuda quits

2009-07-03T21:44:00.003-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she was resigning her office later this month, a stunning decision that could free her to run for president more easily but also raises questions about her political standing at home.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24497.html#ixzz0KFcSaXQq&C

Firstly, this is a bit shocking and completely out of the blue. One wonders if there's not more behind her motives. Secondly, this kills any chance of a 2012 Presidential run right? She used to criticize obama for lacking experience, what's hers?

Either way Happy Fourth of July!

There are few like him.

2009-06-23T08:57:00.002-04:00

If you've been closely following the Iranian situation or completely avoided it because it hits too close to home as you grew up in a war torn country, few will catch you up, give you analysis and really dig into the deeper issues like Trita Parsi. One of NIAC's brightest his new analysis revolves around what Obama must now do concerning the situation.

As I've said, he's one of those you really want to take his account into things.

Following Iran

2009-06-21T12:27:00.002-04:00

From Huffington Post

Where is Rafsanjani? "According to an online reformist news source Rooyeh, Rafsanjani has been in Qom meeting some members of Council of Experts and a representative of Ayatollah Sistani.

According to the source that asked to remain anonymous, during this meeting they recounted memories of the days of the Revolution.
A reasonable purpose of these meetings, according to the source, is that Rafsanjani is looking for a majority to possibly call for Ahmadinejad's resignation.

And from the AP:

One of Iran's most powerful men may be playing a key role behind closed doors in the country's escalating postelection crisis.
Former president and influential cleric Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani has made no public comment since Iran erupted into confrontation between backers of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and reformists who claim he stole re-election through fraud.

But Iranian TV has shown pictures of Rafsanjani's daughter, Faezeh Hashemi, speaking to hundreds of opposition supporters. And Rafsanjani, who has made no secret of his distaste for Ahmadinejad, was conspicuously absent from an address by the country's supreme leader calling for national unity and siding with the president.

more:
Bill Clinton on Iran.

"What's going on in Iran, really?" Clinton asked. "They have some ethnic differences there and some religious differences, but basically, this is about a government trying to deny the modern world.

"And the idea is they just don't think they can keep control, if everybody gets to say what they really believe, and go where they really want, and be who they want to be," Clinton said, adding with a chuckle: "And they're right, right there."

The AP reports on ten deaths yesterday:

State media reported Sunday at least 10 more deaths in post-election unrest and said authorities have arrested the daughter and four other relatives of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of Iran's most powerful men.

The reports brought the official death toll for a week of unrest to at least 19. State television inside Iran said 10 were killed and 100 injured in clashes Saturday between demonstrators contesting the result of the June 12 election and black-clad police wielding truncheons, tear gas and water cannons.

However English-language Press TV, which is broadcast only outside the country, put the toll at 13 and labeled those who died "terrorists." There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy.

Amnesty International cautioned that it was "perilously hard" to verify the casualty tolls.

"The climate of fear has cast a shadow over the whole situation," Amnesty's chief Iran researcher, Drewery Dyke, told The Associated Press. "In the 10 years I've been following this country, I've never felt more at sea than I do now. It's just cut off."

On Sunday, the streets of Tehran were eerily quiet.

BBC's lead reported ordered to leave the country within 24 hours.

finally Fareed Zakaria's analysis on the situation

Mousavi ready for death/Martyrdom

2009-06-20T12:18:00.001-04:00

From Andrew Sullivan:

12.05 pm. Confirmed: European embassies are giving care for injured! They help care for acid burns. Hospitals are traps!

12.02 pm. Mousavi tells he's bathed [ritually] for martyrdom.

NOW / mousavi among people: I am ready for death

Mousavi is giving a speech in jeyhoon street.

"This is street fighting like the first 2 nights. They are chanting death to the dictator now, no slogans about votes anymore"

from a source: A reporter just told me that the riot police officers are more than the demonstrators in a number of streets.

the most intense clash is reported to be happening in AmirAbad street.

11.40 am. Mousavi: I Am Ready For Death.

Clashing Iran

2009-06-20T11:48:00.003-04:00

Via Huffington Post

More reports of killings. Via Voice of American Iran:

-- "Mahsa from Tehran:I was in the rally today and police forces in Azadi square cruelly killed people and all my body is wounded"

-- "From Iran: I am home since 10 minute and Basij forces and police were killing young people like animals"

Reuters reports: "Supporters of Iran's defeated presidential candidate Mirhossein Mousavi on Saturday set on fire a building in southern Tehran used by backers of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a witness said. The witness also said police shot into the air to disperse rival supporters in Tehran's south Karegar street."

AP: Dozens of protesters "seriously beaten." "The witnesses told The Associated Press that between 50 and 60 protesters were seriously beaten by police and pro-government militia and taken to Imam Khomeini hospital in central Tehran. People could be seen dragging away comrades bloodied by baton strikes. Helicopters hovered over central Tehran. Ambulance sirens echoed through the streets and black smoke rose over the city. Tehran University was cordoned off by police and militia while students inside the university chanted 'death to the dictator,' witnesses said."

Via Andrew Sullivan:

The House Passes A Resolution

Only Ron Paul voted against the measure, which said:
Expressing support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law, and for other purposes.

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) expresses its support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law;

(2) condemns the ongoing violence against demonstrators by the Government of Iran and pro-government militias, as well as the ongoing government suppression of independent electronic communication through interference with the Internet and cellphones; and

(3) affirms the universality of individual rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections.

Chemical warfare? It is not boiling water but something else:
Helicopters spraying water with agent in it onto crowds. Skin irritant, will make it feel as though water is scalding.

Domestic stuff!

2009-06-18T13:57:00.003-04:00

Politico is reporting that Alan Grayson from the Orlando area may face a challenge from Florida's Speaker of the House Larry Cretul, among others from within the GOP. Personally, while Congressman Grayson is strongly anti-war in Iraq and Afghanistan, his stance on the public option is as mch a deal breaker for me as it is for him, for exactly the opposite reason.

But while I've mixed feelings on Grayson, Certul is a cretin. Seriously, here's a guy who refuses to add taxes to a state that's facing bigger deficits daily, but he doesn't mind adding "fees" [read taxes] for just about everything. That's not to count his ethical stances on things, such as refusing to want to punish former speaker Sansom. And hey, he's a high ranking GOP state member. I'd be glad to get rid of another one of those idiots who has put our state in a crappy position. Just not so they can put our country in that position. Hopefully if he runs for congress, he'll resign and a normal human being can take over for him.

Following Iran

2009-06-18T10:46:00.003-04:00

New Facebook Message from Mousavi

Like you know, in the past few days, there have been clashes - legally and illegally - that have been violent between protesters of the election and their critics.
A number of you have been injured and several have been martyred.

I would first like to convey my condolences to you.

At the same time, I would like you all to go to mosques and to places of worship in order to remember them and to pray for them.

We will also commemorate them by our peaceful protests.

I would like you to know that I will also be taking part in these protests and commemorations.

Mir Hossein Mousavi

Add that to the BBC's report that Khameini's now engaging more and it seems as if they've been very ineffective!

Following Iran

2009-06-17T07:29:00.004-04:00

From HuffPo

A powerful note from a female medical student in Iran, translated from Farsi by a trusty reader.

Hello,

It's painful to watch what's happening.

I don't want anything to do with what has been said this far, as I neither have the strength nor the resilience to face all these unfathomable events.

I only want to speak about what I have witnessed. I am a medical student. There was chaos last night at the trauma section in one of our main hospitals. Although by decree, all riot-related injuries were supposed to be sent to military hospitals, all other hospitals were filled to the rim. Last night, nine people died at our hospital and another 28 had gunshot wounds. All hospital employees were crying till dawn. They (government) removed the dead bodies on back of trucks, before we were even able to get their names or other information. What can you even say to the people who don't even respect the dead. No one was allowed to speak to the wounded or get any information from them. This morning the faculty and the students protested by gathering at the lobby of the hospital where they were confronted by plain cloths anti-riot militia, who in turn closed off the hospital and imprisoned the staff. The extent of injuries are so grave, that despite being one of the most staffed emergency rooms, they've asked everyone to stay and help--I'm sure it will even be worst tonight.

What can anyone say in face of all these atrocities? What can you say to the family of the 13 year old boy who died from gunshots and whose dead body then disappeared?

This issue is not about cheating(election) anymore. This is not about stealing votes anymore. The issue is about a vast injustice inflected on the people. They've put a baton in the hand of every 13-14 year old to smash the faces of "the bunches who are less than dirt" (government is calling the people who are uprising dried-up torn and weeds) .

This is what sickens me from dealing with these issues. And from those who shut their eyes and close their ears and claim the riots are in opposition of the government and presidency!! No! The people's complaint is against the egregious injustices committed against the people.

Aslan: Rafsanjani calls "emergency" meeting of Assembly of Experts. If true, this is a bombshell. Appearing on CNN last night (video below), Iran expert Reza Aslan reported this:

There are very interesting things that are taking place right now. Some of my sources in Iran have told me that Ayatollah Rafsanjani, who is the head of the Assembly of Experts -- the eighty-six member clerical body that decides who will be the next Supreme Leader, and is, by the way, the only group that is empowered to remove the Supreme Leader from power -- that they have issued an emergency meeting in Qom.

Now, Anderson, I have to tell you, there's only one reason for the Assembly of Experts to meet at this point, and that is to actually talk about what to do about Khamenei. So, this is what I'm saying, is that we're talking about the very legitimacy, the very foundation of the Islamic Republic is up in the air right now. It's hard to say what this is going to go.

Aslan's scoop is also reported by the Farsi-language Rooyeh.

The reader in Iran who tipped me off to this sent a follow-up note:

jesus christ dude,

I'm [in my 30s] and never thought of it, let alone witnessing it as it unfolds.

I'm going nuts.

HOLY SHIT !!!

An informed Iranian-American had a different take. "I think Rafasanjani is not going to ask for Khamenei's removal, but is bluffing to force Khamenei to drop support of Ahmadinejad."

Here's a supplement to that via The Daily Dish's Andrew Sullivan:

Ex-CIA field operative Robert Baer has his eyes on Rafsanjani:

If the protests and demonstrations in Tehran cannot be controlled, we should seriously start to wonder about Khamenei's future. Rafsanjani is rumored to be in the holy city of Qum plotting against Khamenei, seeing if he has enough votes in the 86-member Assembly of Experts to remove Khamenei. A vote recount is unlikely to change the results of the election, but it could lead to more demonstrations, which backed by Rafsanjani and the other mullahs, might just end Khamenei's 20 year run.

For one of the best summaries, check out Trita Parsi in TIME: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1904989,00.html

And this pretty much sums up what most intellectuals think so far about Obama: [again from andrew Sullivan]

Judis urges caution:
[T]he Obama administration has to be very careful about backing, or even placing great hopes on, someone like Iran's Moussavi and even on his impassioned followers. If we are seeing the beginning of another revolution--or structural transformation--in Iran, it is worth remembering that before the dust clears on this events, Kerensky can become Lenin and Bani Sadr can become Khomeini. The U.S. should use its influence--and get European countries to use theirs--but we should be careful and not allow ourselves to get into crusading mode where we think we can protect or defend one side against the other.

Following Iran

2009-06-17T07:19:00.001-04:00

Via the HuffPo
A Grand Ayatollah questions the election, supports peaceful protests. Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, one of the leaders of the 1979 Islamic Revolution who fell out of favor with Khamenei over disagreements on civil and women's rights, has "issued a statement supporting peaceful protests to 'claim rights,' condemned the violence, and called the Iranian presidential election results into question." Translated version here.

Security services move into newspaper offices. From the New York Times' latest:

Tens of thousands of Iranians gathered in the streets here on Tuesday for a second day of mass demonstrations protesting the official results of Friday's presidential election, unsatisfied by a top government panel's agreement to conduct a partial recount.

As the political tumult grew, the Iranian government instituted tough restrictions on foreign journalists, formally shutting down their ability to report on the unrest on the streets. Press credentials of journalists temporarily in the country to cover the election were revoked; journalists stationed in Iran were required to get explicit permission to report beyond the confines of their offices.

Reporters Without Borders said that security services had moved into some newspaper offices to censor content and that four pro-reform newspapers have been closed or prevented from criticizing the official election results.

The result was a dearth of initial photographs and video of Tuesday's enormous opposition protest, which began on Valiasr Street, a major thoroughfare, and headed north. The tens of thousands of marchers -- perhaps more -- gathered without the help of text messaging or cell phone service, relying on word of mout.
Khamenei calls for "unity." From the AP:
State television says Iran's supreme leader has called for national unity during a meeting with representatives of the four candidates in disputed presidential elections.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for Iranians to unite behind the cleric-led ruling system despite rival demonstrations and street clashes between supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his reformist opponent Mir Hossein Mousavi, who says Ahmadinejad stole re-election.

Khamenei was quoted as saying that: "In the elections, voters had different tendencies, but they equally believe in the ruling system and support the Islamic Republic."

Khamenei, Iran's ultimate authority, says that representatives of all four candidates should be present for any limited recount of disputed ballots, which the country's cleric-led Guardian Council said Tuesday that it would be willing to conduct.

Following Iran

2009-06-16T09:41:00.003-04:00

From the Daily Dish:

Karroubi Ally Arrested

The latest on the coup:

Leading Iranian reformist Mohammad Ali Abtahi was arrested on June 16, his office said... Reformist sources said another prominent reformer, Saeed Hajjarian, was arrested on June 15. Hajjarian is an ally of moderate Mir Hossein Musavi... Separately, the semi-official Fars News Agency quoted a senior police official as saying some "anti-revolutionary" people had been arrested with bomb material and weapons.

Rumours from inside Iran via Twitter:

Confirmed info: hezbollah mobilized & lebanese coming in. this is going to get a lot worse before it gets any better pass it down
it's not only police that we're dealing with. there's basij, anti riot guard, elite IRGC
Basij (pro leader militia) is announcing a demonstration at 3 in ValiAsr Sq. , Mousavi's is at 5; same place.

The first one, it is confirmed that Hezbollah has been importing soldiers into the country.
Via Huffington Post's LiveBlog:

11:34 PM ET -- Revolutionary Guards arrested? Could it be? Probably not, I'm told. But fyi. In case you hear of anything similar, let me know.

According to the Cyrus News Agency, Tuesday morning 16 senior members of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps were arrested. "These commanders have been in contact with members of the Iranian army to join the people's movement," CNA reports. "Three of the commanders are veterans of Iran-Iraq war. They have been moved to an undisclosed location in East Tehran."

This report has not been confirmed by other sources. If true, it shows that the regime is losing the loyalty of some members of its control appartus, which is necessary if the opposition has any chance of achieving fundamental change. Mass rallies can easily be broken up and revolutions crushed, as we saw at Tiananmen Square in 1989. But if members of the armed forces, police and especially Revolutionary Guards decided to switch sides, then one can begin speaking of revolution.

It seems highly unlikely although it's a small number. Perhaps the most important news is that Ahmadinejad is attempting to keep himself above the fray and show he is still the legitimate ruler. It also could be used for a blood bath while he's not there.

Again via Huffington Post:

Apparently he's leaving for Russia after all. (Thanks to reader Nick.)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will arrive in Russia on Tuesday for a regional summit that began on Monday, a source at Iran's embassy in Moscow said.

Earlier the embassy said that Ahmadinejad had postponed his visit to the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, in which he was to attend the two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), bringing together Russia, China and the four ex-Soviet Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan."

Yahoo reporting 7 dead so far according to Iranian Media

Seven people were killed when a military post was attacked near a rally held a day ago in Tehran to protest the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, radio Payam announced.
"Several thugs wanted to attack a military post and vandalise public property in the vicinity of Azadi Square," the radio said referring to the site of the rally held on Monday.

"Unfortunately seven people were killed and several others wounded in the incident."

However, a source told AFP that the emergency services department had information that eight people were killed and several wounded in the incident.

Update: The BBC is reporting a recount offer has been extended.

"Iran's powerful Guardian Council says it is ready to recount disputed votes from Friday's presidential poll."

Huffington Post adds that:

From the AP:
Authorities restricted journalists, including Iranians working for foreign media from reporting on the streets, and said they could only work from their offices, conducting telephone interviews and monitoring official sources such as state television.

The rules prevent media outlets, including The Associated Press, from sending independent photos or video of street protests or rallies.

Also Tuesday, foreign reporters in Iran to cover last week's elections began leaving the country. Iranian officials said they will not extend their visas.

More from CBS: "Iran's hard-line regime, starting to show stress under the mounting pressure of massive opposition rallies, has told foreign media that if they're seen on the streets of Tehran today with a camera, they will be arrested."

Iran 5

2009-06-15T21:55:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to bring these couple into play:

German paper Der Speigel reports that 5k Hezbollah troops have been brought into the country to retain order.

Police going house by house:

reports from Twitter say that "more than 100 students missing from Tehran Uni dorms - reports of several dead from last night"

Goodnight and God bless.

Iran 4

2009-06-15T14:07:00.002-04:00

I understand Karroubi is free too.

Pictures from:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/irans_disputed_election.html

Here we go: [HuffPO]

Rally, national strike planned for tomorrow. The strike has been in the works since early yesterday, but now comes word of another major rally tomorrow. "According to the source, there will be a rally tomorrow for Mousvi tomorrow at 5 pm in Vali Asr Sq. and there will be a national strike by all of Mousavi's supporters."

Obama To Talk About Iran At 5pm

According to Michael Scherer.

Iran 3

2009-06-15T14:00:00.001-04:00

The Atlantic's Twitter stream:

we are hearing that large numbers gathering in Tajreesh sq, north
tehran, now. rumour that there will be another speech

tonight Kamenei will fight hard - he knows he is close to finish.

3 ppl from our group still not returned from march. no mobile
contact. last phone contact 2 hours ago.

we have decided not to go out now and wait to see if situation calm
down.

streets very dangerous now. groups of militia on motorbikes
searching for protesters.

Iran 2

2009-06-15T13:21:00.001-04:00

From the HuffPO Liveblog 1:24 PM ET -- Photo. A photo allegedly of one of people shot at the rally. No confirmation on this.

And a Sky News Video of the Protests today: http://is.gd/12E1P

This what US intellectual's are saying about this situation:

Following Iran

2009-06-15T13:09:00.003-04:00

I'm just going to compile what's going on in Iran right now as best I can. The best sources that I'll continually be checking are Twitter, Huffington Post's Liveblog and The Daily Dish. If I find any other sources that seem good I'll let you know. The NYT has covered this very well, and although I'd say TV could have done a much better job [especially you MSNBC] the best of the bunch has been CNN.

From Andy Sullivan's Dish:
Tehran University's Faculty Resigns En Masse

Translated from Farsi by a reader from this site:
119 members of Tehran University faculty have resigned en-masse as a protest to the attack on Tehran University dorms last night. Among them is Dr Jabbedar-Maralani, who is known as the father of Iranian electronic engineering. They have asked for the resignation of Farhad Rahbari the appointed president of Tehran University, for his incompetence in defending the University's dignity and student lives.

That's a much bigger deal in these countries than one would imagine. 5 dead students being reported from last night.

From HuffPo:

12:47 PM ET -- AP files. "TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- AP photographer sees pro-government militia fire at opposition protesters, killing at least 1."

More from @persiankiwi: people are running in streets outside. There is panic in streets.people going ino houses to hide.

12:59 PM ET -- Reuters witness: "many wounded." "@Reuters: FLASH: Gunman fire on people at pro-Mousavi rally, one killed, many wounded -witness"

FDP says look at our voter reg numbers!

2009-06-04T10:18:00.002-04:00

Well Naked Politics says it so it must be true.

The Florida Democratic Party is trumpeting the latest voter registration figures, which show that nearly 40 percent of the voters who have registered since the 2008 election checked Democrat. Only 26 percent of new voters picked the GOP.

From what I hear of local outfits like ACORN, DFAM and the Democrats of South Dade Club, even older Cubans are registering at higher levels as Democrats. The voter registration events are leading to a pattern of most in the 30's registering as Democrats. The average day brings a 2.5 to 1 voter registration advantage for Democrats. If we can keep that momentum up, it's going to be a bright day in Florida.

Dead zone

2009-05-20T15:30:00.000-04:00

Bit of a quiet time locally. Not too much going on as Charlie Crist jumps into the Senate race, there are people scrambling around for different positions, strong rumors about Dan Gelber jumping to the AG race, going around.

Otherwise I'm not hearing much, what with the legislative session essentially over, it's time to sit back and see what happens.

So what's on your mind? Leave a comment!

Conservatives are Racist Part 12,967

2009-05-01T18:24:00.003-04:00

Media Matters with a partial take [since there's so much crap spewing it's hard to keep track of it all] which they should be applauded for. Among the "best" hits regarding swine flue are:

Wingnut shithead extraordinaire Michael Savage:

[C]ould this be a terrorist attack through Mexico? Could our dear friends in the radical Islamic countries have concocted this virus and planted it in Mexico knowing that you, [Homeland Security Secretary] Janet Napolitano, would do nothing to stop the flow of human traffic from Mexico?"

Savage continued: "[T]hey are a perfect mule -- perfect mules for bringing this virus into America. But you wouldn't think that way, would you? Because you are incapable of protecting America's homeland, Napolitano."

No, Michael, Secretary Napolitano wouldn't think of it that way, not because she's incapable but because she lives in this thing called reality. It must be easy to spew pure hatred that millions will listen to. Maybe it's because Sec. Napolitano doesn't want to panit a picture of all immigrants as evil "mules". But what the hell Michael, it's not immigrants who made this country right? Ah, there IS a difference for you, it wasn't BROWN skinned immigrants who made it, thus you're now correct.

But Neil Bortz feels that's not enough so he throws in this good dig:

So if you want to get that epidemic into this country, get it going real good and hot south of the border. And, you know, then just spread a rumor that there's construction jobs available somewhere, and here it comes.

Yep, all Mexicans are construction workers. And they're so stupid they don't know there's a worldwide recession going on, because Mexico's not in the world anyways! Or atleast the civilized world! Right?

Not one to be left behind; heeeeere's Bill-O!

"You might be right," to a caller on his radio show who claimed that with the numerous diseases "the illegals" purportedly bring to this country, "each one of those people is a biological weapon," and that the impact of illegal immigration "equals and surpasses the impact of 9-11."

First of all, let's just piss and desecrate those that died on 9/11 by comparing their deaths to everything from now on. Then let's call all people from a country "biological weapons". Because that makes so much sense. The next time a white person sneezes near a Colombian, I hope that Colombian calls the CDC, complaining that they are a "biological weapon." Brilliant. Bill O'Reilly, please become an educator. Preferrably at Liberty University so only people who buy in to your crap in the first place keep buying into it.

But even Bill O'Reilly couldn't top Boston's own Jay Severin! The Boston Globe gives us a bit of a taste.

Jay Severin, the fiery right wing talk show host on Boston's WTKK-FM radio station, was suspended yesterday after calling Mexican immigrants "criminaliens," "primitives," "leeches," and exporters of "women with mustaches and VD," among other incendiary comments.
....
In one of his broadcasts this week, Severin said: "So now, in addition to venereal disease and the other leading exports of Mexico - women with mustaches and VD - now we have swine flu."
Later, he described Mexicans as "the world's lowest of primitives."

I can't quite figure out where it is that the GOP started losing hispanics. I think it'd be insulting to Mexicans to even respond to that crap. Although the one thing I want to say is:
What're the odds Michael Savage is a complete retard and wouldn't like to look at that because she's Mexican? Man if that's a biological weapon...

But I just wanted to let the consevative Neanderthals see what the real "Latino" revenge is.

We're gonna be a majority soon. So that map that shows that the House has 0 Northeastern Republicans? Is gonna keep growing in the South and the West. And....

In 2008, however, despite Democratic fears that racial resentments would drive Latino voters away from their nominee, Obama carried the Hispanic vote by 67% to 31%

Thanks for that extra 31% of the vote GOP! Keep up the racism, I love how big you guys are as a national party

I nap, world flips

2009-04-28T13:45:00.002-04:00

From First Read:

The Washington Post's Cillizza first reported and NBC News confirms that Republican Sen. Arlen Specter has switched parties, which would give Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 seats if/once Al Franken is seated.

Here's Specter's statement.

Man this is the 100th day present from Heaven and Hell. Heaven because the Republicans are now out in the cold, Democrats are closer than ever to a new filibuster proof majority, senior senators are turning over facing primaries.

Here's the Hell part: much like the GOP in 2000, if Democrats don't deliver shit on their promises there will be hell to pay among the American people and particularly among those on the left. Shit won't be allowed to slide. The political world has flipped.

Specter was facing a horrible re-election campaign. His poll numbers and approval ratings were trash. The catalyst for this may have been a threatening primary challenge in 2010 from former Club for Growth director Pat Toomey.

Health care is now something that we can foreseeably do and if not, I'm sure Bob Casey can primary him out anyways.

I love this from First Read:

RNC Chairman Michael Steele on Specter: "Some in the Republican Party are happy about this. I am not. Let's be honest-Senator Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record. Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don't do it first."

Well someone's bitter.

And here's the best part from MSNBC's First Read: The inside deal cut for him to switch over.

Capitol Hill sources tell NBC News there had been active discussion between senior Democratic leadership and Arlen Specter for about three weeks.
NO DEM OPPONENT PROMISED: Specter was promised that the Democratic Party would fully support his candidacy as a Democrat and would not back any other Democrat seeking the seat. "In money and message," the party will be behind Specter. Any other Democrat who intends to run will "not have the blessing of the party."

NO CHAIRMANSHIP ON THE TABLE: Sources say Specter will not be given a chairmanship during this Congress, the 111th. For now, "chairmanships were not on the table" as a part of the party switch negotiations.

NOTIFICATION: Specter told McConnell today after signaling to Reid and other leaders in the "last day or so" that he was willing to switch, sources said.

APPROACHED DURING STIMULUS DEBATE: Reid and Sen. Menedez, head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, approached Specter during the stimulus negotiations to suggest a party switch. At that time, sources say Specter indicated he was "willing to think about it." Sources say Specter was disappointed that he had increasingly been at odds with his party. Specter insisted to Reid that he would vote his conscience and would not always be a Dem party-line vote as indicated in Specter's own release.

"THINGS HE STILL WANTS TO GET DONE": Specter told Democratic leadership that there are "things he still wants to get done" in office, according to sources. Collectively, their conversations determined he was unlikely to win in 2010.

How dumb is Mario Diaz-Balart?

2009-04-19T20:09:00.002-04:00

Here's the transcript of what he said to Naples Daily News Opinion Editor Jeff Lytle on the show "One on One':

Lytle: "If some of the people with Cuban heritage with whom I've spoken were right here right now, they would say to you, 'What you're telling us is the old way of thinking. We've heard that many, many times before. It's time to get past that and to move on to a new day.''

Diaz-Balart: "True. That's what people used to say when they wanted to do business with the apartheid regime in South Africa. It's time to just do business with the apartheid regime in South America, and by the way it's going to help the unfortunate blacks. It was the same attitude of those who wanted to do business and did business with Hitler and supported that fascist, murderous regime, and actually supported it even until the truth came out in many, many case. Because, what the heck, let's just do business with them because there's a buck to be made. It's the same attitude that some of our strong allies like the French and others have with other state sponsors of terrorism like Iran."

The transcript per Naked Politics.

Wasn't the United States one of the supporters of the Apartheid South African regime for a long time? I'm going to ignore that particular bombastic statement to try to process the rest.

Firstly, you can't completely shut dialogue off with a state, such as Cuba or Iran, that's the very problem. Second, it's not a "let's make a buck" thing. I'm sufficiently confident that our system in America is better than the Cuban one and that if American companies and products flood Cuba, the system will fall. It's called Cheeseburger Diplomacy ladies and gentlemen.

But the important thing isn't the policies in this situation. It's the vilification of people who disagree with him and likening them to Nazi supporters. Mario Diaz-Balart would love to stifle dissent Castro style regarding this policy. He doesn't want dialogue because frankly, if one analyzes the efficiency of this policy in 2009 after 50 years, it's been a failure. But also if this issue goes away, what would Mario run on? What platform? So he needs to help destruct discourse in the political arena to score cheap political points with his constituents. The Non-nazi types I'd assume.

Joe Garcia Thrashes David Rivera

2009-04-14T20:25:00.000-04:00

Ouch.

NRSC Goes after Meek

2009-04-04T09:17:00.002-04:00

From Naked Politics:

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is out with what seems to be its first rip on Kendrick Meek's Senate bid, saying he "cast aside any charade of 'fiscal responsibility' " by voting in favor of a a $3.45 trillion budget that falls largely in line with President Barack Obama's spending plan.

"Any pretense of ‘fiscal moderation’ from Congressman Meek flew out the door yesterday when he voted with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in favor of doubling the national debt and raising taxes on Florida families and small businesses during an economic crisis,” said spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson. "This will certainly be an issue next November, as voters in Florida deserve a Senator who will stand with them instead of blindly supporting party leaders in Washington.”

Good. As the stock market has actually risen now since Obama has taken office, and the economy seems to be on more solid footing, I agree, it's a huge budget. It's also largely things that are neccessarily going to have to be done since the former president, and then majorities of Republicans took 0 hard decisions. If I'm Meek, this is something I WANT the Republicans to bring into the debate.

Meek stands up for public education

2009-03-29T17:17:00.001-04:00

As Naked Politics Reports, he's written to Democratic and Republican leaders alike that

"Turning back on the class size amendment now is a slippery slope. Already, county administrators have said that they would use the modified amendment as an allowance to raise class sizes in order to 'save' money. But, we cannot go backwards. There is no doubt that Florida faces a heavy lift economically. But years from now we will all be known by today's investments in and commitment to our youngest citizens."

However, isn't it easier for someone who's in another office to say this? Still, it's good position taking and a good statement that's pretty straight forward.

BJ Chiszar, stupidest man in Florida

2009-03-23T23:08:00.004-04:00

Look, I'm fine with a Chairman with opinions. Former DNC chairman Howard Dean had a couple. The thing is Dr. Dean never said, I support X candidate over Y for president because of this, this, and this.

However, the sheer stupidity and moronic ability of the local party chairman sees no end in sight. With the local activists pissed at him, including multiple complaints to the state party by various groups including, Democratic chartered clubs, local elected officials, member of the local party who have held positions, chairs of various organizations, and campaign workers on multiple campaigns putting pressure on him, he decides to dig himself a grave.

While he is likely thinking of going into politics at some point, he's already created more enemies than one could think he might be able to handle. The latest scandal?

Letting everyone in this county, and the press in particular know that not only is he violating his local and state bylaws by supporting one Democrat over another, but he's doing so in a primary for United States House of Representatives. There is no end level to his idiocy as the South Florida Times reports:

Miami-Dade School Board members Wilbert “Tee” Holloway and Marta Perez also voiced their support of Wilson; as did B.J. Chiszar, 29, chairman of the Democratic Party of Miami-Dade.

“I’m here today as an individual and the youngest chairman in the United States…to say that I support Sen. Frederica Wilson,” Chiszar said.

And as it says earlier in the story

Although State Rep. James Bush, former State Rep. Phillip Brutus, Miami Gardens Councilman Andre Williams and Haitian activist Marleine Bastien have announced plans to run, only [Frederica] Wilson and State Rep. Yolly Roberson have officially declared their candidacies. Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson has reportedly also thrown her hat into the ring.

Yeah so go screw yourselves current elected officials around the district that want to run! The Miami Dade Democratic Party is so powerful that they don't need stupid elected officials considering running for a higher office, to have any bridges to the party. Nor should our elections have an equal and balanced playing field.

But the state party has pushed all hearing on him back to April. Another lack of guts from there. Anyone wonder why our state is such a mess on the Democratic side?

Robaina vs. Lopez-Cantera gets nasty

2009-03-13T10:41:00.003-04:00

I've been following a string of insults from Representatives Robaina and Representative Lopez-Cantera.

Among the best hits in this fight:

"Julio Robaina is not a man of his word. He said he would do what we said because he wanted to stay in the position. He's a liar!"

and

Robaina claimed that it was inappropriate that Lopez-Cantera's mother was seated on the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, a comment Lopez-Cantera called "unfortunate."

but just for good measure, I needed to call Lopez Cantera regarding the previous planned attempt to take money out of the Florida PrePaid College program. During which I asked if he would stop sni[ing with Robaina as it's unprofessional on both sides. I was cutoff [in an unprofessional manner] told Robaina was acting out of place, lacked "a certain level of respect" and then went on about how he is "out of touch."

I will remind you that this is Republican vs. Republican stuff. Again, when is Robaina going to switch parties?

Julio Robaina uses common sense, loses position

2009-03-12T11:05:00.004-04:00

I'll let Naked Politics explain it:

Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami, has been stripped of his post as chairman of the Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council after appearing to undercut a legislative priority of Attorney General Bill McCollum.
House Speaker Larry Cretul named Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, as chair and Rep. Sandy Adams, R-Oveido, as vice chair. The official line is that Cretul did not feel Robaina was a good fit.

But the real story is Cretul felt Robaina crossed him yesterday -- and violated an unwritten rule to heed the leadership playbook -- by amending a bill (HB 215) that McCollum is pushing with the speaker's support. It would limit the fees the AG's office pays to outside lawyers.

You know what the real problem is? Julio Robaina has a brain. So the man understands that certain things can't be done in a half assed way and that in order to not half ass things, you sometimes need to pay more to get better lawyers. You also pay for quality. But the state, trying to saev money at all costs, refuses to have a decent debate on this and just strips you of a position.

We've reached desperate straits were our legislators are refusing to raise taxes where it's the only solution, so they're digging a deeper hole until they inevitably do that anyways. They mismanaged the finances and now their begining to mismanage education and even our criminal system.

Robaina says: Audio here. "I think a very bad message was sent today. ... I think it's come to the point where it's more important to not embarrass people than to create good public policy. If that's the situation here, then I honestly don't want to sit here, either, as a chairman if I'm going to be micromanaged. ... But understanding the politics of Tallahassee, it's to be expected."

What he should say is screw you, I'm switching and joining the Democrats.

Fredrica Wilson jumps into the [House] Race

2009-03-09T17:51:00.002-04:00

Well, what is going to be a tangled and messy affair to replace Kendrick Meek as he seeks the Senate seat currently held by Senator Mel Martinez, really begins.

Frederica Wilson, a strong leader in the African American community, who's time in the State Senate has been largely dedicated to education concerns, has thrown her [fancy] hat in into the ring. Wilson has her State Senate constituency in the district and has a dedicated following. Wilson, a former School Board member has been in office for a long, long time.

This isn't to discount others who are in the race and who might announce, including Phillip Brutus, Yolly Roberson and a whole host of others.
One who my sources tell me won't be running: Ronald Brise. It's a shame cause he's got plenty of talent.

Stimulating hypocrisy

2009-02-20T11:12:00.007-05:00

I'm not the biggest fan of this stimulus bill. Something had to be done, but I'm not sure this was the great solution we've been promised.

One thing that kills me are articles like this one from Politico:

Nine GOP House members from Florida, all stimulus no's, joined nine of their Democratic colleagues, all yesses, in asking the feds to grant a waiver giving them access to, you guessed it, hundreds of millions in state stabilization stimulus cash.

“This critical funding is vital to protecting our schools from budget cuts and teacher layoffs. Because Florida has been hit especially hard by a rise in foreclosures, unemployment, and recent natural disasters, we are experiencing a crippling budget crisis. Now more than ever, we must invest in our state’s future,” said the letter.

The Republican co-signers: Adam Putnam, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Tom Rooney, Mario Diaz-Balart, Ginny Brown-Waite, Cliff Stearns, John Mica and Bill Posey.

So I gave a call to Ileana and Lincoln's offices. Ileana just said she didn't support the package and had no comment on the waiver. It's that great type of constituent service that makes her the ideal Congresswoman!

Lincoln's office was actually responsive. They told me that he'd attempted to throw in an amendment to the bill about education, since he's in the minority [and may I add the tone used by the legislative assistant at saying that was both sad and funny.] they didn't let the amendment go through. The gist of the amendment is that there is a requirement for Florida to fund schools, to a certain level, but due to falling revenue for the state it's not gonna happen. If they were able to fund correctly, there'd be more money for students. The Stimulus bill though allows for states to apply for a waiver, which is what they're doing.

In fact the rather charming legislative assistant sent me the letter which i've uploaded for those who want to see it here you'll need a PDF reader though.

However she stressed to me that Lincoln's backing this because it's for education, but he disagrees with the pork in the bill. Isn't this a way for them to obtain pork though? And without the stimulus bill, there wouldn't be a waiver huh?

Apparently the local three are slowly joining the ranks of those GOP members who voted against the stimulus in a bet that it'd fail and are now queuing up to get their cash. This is ridiculous from where I sit. There's an estimated 206,000 jobs either created or saved estimated for Florida.
As the Sun Sentinel Reports:

More than a million Social Security recipients in South Florida will get $250 checks.

Which if I'm not wrong s pretty Keynesian. But there's also some tax cuts in the bill like the largest middle class tax cut in the history of our country:

A payroll tax credit will be the most direct aid to almost 6.9 million Floridians and their families.

Workers making less than $75,000 a year will get a $400 credit for 2009 and 2010. Couples making up to $150,000 will get $800.

and then I know that both sides bashed it for not helping average families. Well...

College students and their families will get help in two ways. First, there's the American Opportunity Tax Credit, a $2,500 partially refundable tax credit for college tuition and related expenses for 2009 and 2010. About 195,000 Florida families will qualify, according to a Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis.

The stimulus plan also includes a boost in the maximum Pell Grant for low-income families by $500, to $5,350.

Hmm... While it doesn't do enough to stimulate the economy and has some huge problems, it's also got some good stuff in it. As the Republicans are starting to discover now. This credit claiming on behalf of Lincoln for this amendment is laughable, considering it was a Democrat pushed idea into the bill. When legislators try to have it both ways....

Meek cornering the market

2009-02-19T14:18:00.002-05:00

According to the Miami Herald, Kendrick Meek now has the endorsement of the United Teachers of Dade. Quite the shot to Gelber and Burns there by the Union. It should be interesting to see what the Union will do for him against two folks who they may have to work with later anyways. It's still pretty early, and while Meek is building an aura of being unstoppable, we all remember what happened to Hillary. Should be interesting to see if Gelber or Burns can nail down an endorsement of their own.

Florida Senate Seat-interesting

2009-02-16T13:00:00.002-05:00

Kevin Burns who has been rumored for months to be running for the Florida Senate seat declared earlier today.

Naked Politics:

North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns, the city's first openly gay mayor, is not ready to end his political career. Burns, who will be forced out by term limits in May, is making a bid for the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Martinez, who will leave next year.

Burns, a Democrat, confirmed that he's running -- but declined to comment further until the official campaign kickoff Tuesday.

and later on Meeks fires back by showing why he's the favorite:

Rep. Kendrick Meek today picked up the endorsement of Florida's SEIU - the Service Employees International Union - a potentially big factor in the Democratic primary.

Union president Monica Russo said the union was "estatic and proud" to endorse Meek's run for the US Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Mel Martinez. She called Meek a "fighter" with "conviction, compassion and guts."

Heck of a job Brownie!

2009-02-13T22:55:00.002-05:00

Sherrod Brown is the Dems- 60th vote, passed the stimulus.
Kennedy could not make it to the vote.

If you're wondering why 60 votes are needed, the Senate needs to pass 3/5's worth of support for spending bills.

Akaka-YES
Alexander-NAY
Barasso-NAY
Baucus-YAY
Bayh-YAY
Begich-YAY
Bennet, M-YAY
Bennet, R-NAY
Bingaman-YAY
Bond-NAY
Boxer-YAY
Brown-YAY
Brownback-NAY
Bunning-NAY
Burr-NAY
Burris-YAY
Byrd-YAY
Cantwell-YAY
Cardin-YAY
Carper-YAY
Casey-YAY
Chambliss-NAY
Coburn-NAY
Cochran-NAY
Collins-YAY
Conrad-NAY
Corker-NAY
Cornyn-NAY
Crapo-NAY
DeMint-NAY
Dodd-YAY
Dorgan-YAY
Durbin-YAY
Ensign-NAY
Enzi-NAY
Feingold-YAY
Feinstein-YAY
Gillibrand-YAY
Graham-NAY
Grassley-NAY
Gregg-NAY
Hagan-YAY
Harkin-YAY
Hatch-NAY
Hutchinson-NAY
Inhofe-NAY
Inouye-YAY
Isakson-NAY
Johanns-NAY
Johnson-YAY
Kaufman-YAY
Kennedy-
Kerry-YAY
Klobuchar-YAY
Kohl-YAY
Kyl-NAY
Landrieu-YAY
Lautenberg-YAY
Leahy-YAY
Levin-YAY
Lieberman-YAY
Lincoln-YAY
Lugar-NAY
Martinez-NAY
McCain-NAY
McCaskill-YAY
McConnell-NAY
Menendez-YAY
Merkley-YAY
Mikulski-YAY
Murkowski-NAY
Murray-YAY
Nelson, Ben-YAY
Nelson, Bill-YAY
Pryor-YAY
Reed-YAY
Reid-YAY
Risch-NAY
Roberts-NAY
Rockefeller-YAY
Sanders-YAY
Schumer-YAY
Sessions- NAY
Shaheen-YAY
Shelby-NAY
Snowe-YAY
Specter-NAY
Stabenow-YAY
Tester-YAY
Thune-NAY
Udall, Mark-YAY
Udall, Tom-YAY
Vitter-NAY
Voinovich-NAY
Warner-YAY
Webb-YAY
Whitehouse-YAY
Wicker-NAY
Wyden-NAY

The Stimulus bill vote happsn later tonight.

2009-02-13T22:40:00.001-05:00

Already some have switched. After the Democratic leader of the state senate announced a primary bid against Blue Dog Dem AllenBoyd, he switched his vote in the House.
Al Lawson should be applauded.

I'll be tallying up the votes.

A Gem.

2009-02-12T23:26:00.004-05:00

It is a true rarity that I am astonished at someone's intellect as it comes to me through writing on a blog. Books, primarily through classics, from Plato to Smith to Mayhew and beyond are commonly bringing me new perspective. And while I am in no way meaning to attack and pounce on your intellect by claiming he's in the same universe as them, I think this post is pretty damn good, I've copied it verbatim, but you should go visit it nonetheless. What's in bold pretty much sums up what I believe, and is my emphasis.

I shouldn't be surprised by now. But I still was when I read the article this morning in the Washington Post explaining that the cap on executive pay has been removed from the stimulus bill. I knew what Congress was doing yesterday by bringing the Wall Street executives in and scolding them in public was a dog and pony show. But I had not realized how profoundly full of shit these politicians are.

They make a big display of yelling at the CEOs and then the very next day they quietly remove any cap on their compensation. These people are not on our side. This is why so many Americans are so damn frustrated. Everyone in power appears to be bought and paid for. There is a circle of people in DC and NY that keep passing the money around to one another and then come and collect it from us.
I want to know - no, I demand to know - who killed this provision? Who argued for taking this cap on executive pay out of the stimulus bill? Do we have a free and strong press in this country? Or are they in on it, too? If not, then find out who did this to us?

The constant non-sensical argument is that if we cap their pay they won't want to participate in this system. Ooh, don't scare us now. So, we won't get the most incompetent and corrupt losers in America to participate in their own rescue? I'm shivering thinking about the possibility of losing out on the help of these geniuses.

We're wasting our time here. Just nationalize the damn banks already. Almost all of the top economists are now in agreement that we should take this step. The people who put the money in are the people who own the company - that's how capitalism works. I'm a die-hard capitalist. I don't want the federal government owning banks for an extended period of time. But what's worse is to continue letting these bankers rob us of our money day in and day out while we sit around like fools.

We buy it, we own it. Kick the clowns out. Run it for a limited amount of time while we stabilize the credit markets. And then sell them off in the free market. Instead of begging the bankers to loosen up credit, we take the banks and do it ourselves.

At the very least, it is unconscionable to get rid of these pay caps. On what grounds do these people think they deserve millions of dollars for bankrupting their companies? How is that capitalism? That's not capitalism, that's cronyism. They pay the politicians, the politicians pay them. They have perverted the whole system.

No way. No way. No way. We have to stop this. If we don't, I guarantee you that we will look back and realize that the bankers actually did the most amount of damage and ripped off the system for billions more after the TARP program started and we let them walk away with all the money after the companies were bankrupt.

As Joseph Stiglitz says, they are bleeding the banks right now. It's a zero sum game, every dollar they take out is a dollar we have to put in. Why are we paying them for their incompetence?

My favorite joke is when people say if we don't continue to pay these clowns millions of dollars they will take their talent elsewhere. I literally laughed out loud after writing that. Please, have at it hoss. Take your talent wherever the fuck you would like.

Is it possible that the Obama administration is behind this move? Absolutely. First, Tim Geithner is a complete Wall Street guy. He believes in protecting the Wall Street bubble. That's why they were ecstatic when he was selected. And Obama himself is a guy who is instinct is almost always to be conciliatory. If Wall Street says this is necessary, he's going to want to reach out and appease them to get things moving. But not this time. This is a conciliatory move we cannot abide.

I voted for Obama, but I did not loan out my intellect to him. I can still make up my own mind on whether he is right or wrong. And if he is participating in this, he is 100% wrong.

One last thing, the banks say that part of the stimulus cap on pay might be retroactive and that's not fair because that's changing the rules (I love how they're complaining about fairness now). They say that the banks might pull out of these deals if we change this rule on them now.

First, great, pull out. Where are you going to get the money elsewhere? Nowhere. It's the world's worst bluff. And even if they do, they run out of money. We are forced to nationalize them and we arrive at a better result anyway. Please make our day and don't take the money.

Second, on the retroactive issue. As one of our listeners pointed out, if a bank makes an error and deposits some money into your account that isn't yours and you spend it, you know what happens to you? You get arrested! We have covered numerous stories like this on the show. The bank accidentally puts in an extra $100,000 in someone's account. They spend it and they go to jail.

Here we have accidentally put too much into the bankers' accounts. I know it's too much because they took $18 billion of it home in bonuses instead of spending it on the problem at hand. If they spend it after we notify them of the error, they get arrested. They have to give the money back. It's what they do to their customers all the time.

Now, that's my solution. But that's not even in the bill. We should get that $18 billion back. But instead all we're asking for is that they not pay their executives more than $400,000 a year for being the worst businessmen in the country. Here's what I know as a fact - that is not too much to ask for.

And if our politicians claim that is too much to ask for, then they are either the most pathetic weaklings around or they are in on the heist. Either way, if they don't put this back in the bill, they gotta go. Democrat or Republican, I don't care. If they don't understand the urgency of this, then they are not for us.

Every day we wait is another day they "bleed the banks." If there isn't a popular uprising to stop these guys from stealing our money, then we deserve what we get. The old saying goes, a fool and his money are soon parted. Are you going to be that fool?

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Wrong MSNBC host to run for Senate?

2009-02-09T17:13:00.004-05:00

I know this is something not necessarily true of everyone but I love Chris Matthews. Seriously, he's charming, funny, center left, worked for Tip O'Neil, and loves politics. I think he'd be a great Senator. Alas, earlier this year he said he wasn't going to run for Senator from Pennsylvania.

So now comes news from the great white north of Sarasota, that Joe Scarborough is thinking of running for Senator.

"I haven't closed it off," said Scarborough, a Republican who is scheduled to address the Manatee County Republican Party at its annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Feb. 20. "I've been getting some calls from some fundraisers in Florida."

You know if it wasn't for Mika and the fact that I HATE CNN's morning team [no i can't explain why, I just do.] I'd have smashed my TV in. Between him and Buchanon in the morning's I generally feel like running head first into a wall. Ya gotta love it as Zbigniew Brzezinski schooled Scarborough and called him "stunningly superficial". That may be the main reason I watch that show, because it's always good to see what this kissing the romanticizes notion of Ronald Reagan type says. It's usually thrown back in his face by Mike Barnicle, who is not the biggest intellectual in the world.

In 2006, Scarborough met with Senate leaders who tried to persuade him to run against former U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris for the U.S. Senate. Scarborough backed off then, saying it was not the right time.

I do want to thank him for leaving that idiot to run for Senate though. I know he was in Congress from 96-2001. Let's leave it at that as your total record Joe. Please.

You're so sneaky and clever

2009-02-08T13:05:00.002-05:00

Anytime a 22 year old runs for State House he should be applauded. Particularly when he blogs and avoids answering a question that he himself presents. So Juan Carlos Robaina's run for District 117 gets off to a great start.

Why am I running, you ask? Well, that'll be answered all day every day from now until November 2010. Honestly though, that answer will for the most part be given on different platforms on and offline.

He's trying to get elected because Julio Robaina [no relation] is running for the State Senate seat. So he's running for Julio's old seat, believing [correctly] that he'll get a ton of votes based off the fact that people are used to voting for Robaina. And both the first names start with J. However, our young friend has a history of sticking his foot in his mouth from what I hear. In one public debate at FIU that was broadcast on FIU's Radio, he showed his libertarian self and was embarassed by the College Democrats President and by the DFA group on campus. Whenever he was asked how he felt about going to a public university that he didn't believe should get state funding, he avoided answering that.

He's being a political opportunist. I'm not sure who could run for this seat on our side of the aisle, perhaps Cindy Lerner, a former state representative who you know would be dying to get back at the Republicans who cut her old district out. She has many enemies within the Democratic Party but she's as partisan a bulldog as exists.

Good luck to Mr. Robaina but the truth is he's likely to get primaried by folks with longer records and more connections.

Mighty Encouraging

2009-02-02T08:35:00.002-05:00

Naked Politics says the DCCC is tired of getting pissed on and i'll quote most the article since it lays it down succinctly:

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is going after 28 Republicans with radio ads bashing them for opposing the economic stimulus package.
Among those targeted: Miami Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart, St. Pete's Bill Young and newly-elected Tom Rooney. All four represent districts where Dems believe they could have a shot in 2010.

The DCCC says the ads "focus on the Republicans out of step priorities by putting bank bail outs and building schools in Iraq before the needs of the Americans in the struggling economy." They begin airing during drive time Tuesday and run for a week.

One thing I'd like to say about the following which I don't like:

The DCCC says it will also launch a grassroots initiative -- e-mails to 3 million voters and nearly 100,000 phone calls.

Um, sending emails from a list serv isn't a grassroots initiative, neither is a direct mailing. If they told people to write in to these congressional folks, organized protests outside, etc. then it'd be grassroots. Regardless I'll applaud the DCCC, the Diaz Balart's haven't had a thought of their own since 1955 if it's not becaue they know their political survival is threatened [SCHIP]. I'm glad to see the DCCC doing campaigns all the time.

North Florida Congressional seat opens

2009-02-01T16:04:00.003-05:00

FL-12 seat opens up according to WFTV as the current Representative Putnam, is registering to run for Agriculture Commissioner after being a high ranking Republican in Congress. Something tells me he gave up on Congress and is now looking at building name rec for a run at the Governor's spot.

Putnam tells The Associated Press he will file paperwork to officially enter the race on Monday. He was the third most powerful Republican in the House until the last election, when he decided not to seek another term as chair of the House Republican Conference.

Not sure why you'd give up that seniority unless you thought your party in Congress is screwed and you'd have to wait forever or your looking at running for a spotlight office, and Agriculture commissioner, ain't one.

Update: yeah Politico tells it like it is:

Most Floridians view the commissioner’s job as a stepping stone to the governor's office.

and

But his announcement marks the departure of a rising star in the party who has decided to pursue a state office rather than remain in Washington, where Republicans face deeper minorities in the House and Senate.

Apparently it's because the party leadership once Hastert left didn't like him, and cause he was an ardent supporter of TARP. And apparently as noted by another Politico article [and I will take quotes extensively since Polk County might as well as be in Haiti considering my knowledge of the area:

Putnam is the ~~fourth~~ fifth House Republican to announce he’s not running for re-election, and the first to vacate a potentially competitive Congressional district.

....

Putnam’s Polk County-based district, by contrast, favors Republicans, but isn't out of reach for a credible Democratic candidate. There are more registered Democrats than Republicans within the district lines. And Obama ran competitively here, winning about 48 percent of the vote against John McCain.

On the Republican side, state Rep. Baxter Thompson, state Attorney Jerry Hill and former state Rep. Dennis Ross are potential candidates.

For the Democrats, former state senator Rick Dantzler and retired Naval officer Doug Tudor (who won 42 percent of the vote against Putnam last year) are expected to consider the race.

Sounds like there's an outside chance here, and with the Dems being in power, more people will want someone who can bring pork to the district. In other words, we'll see just how good Karen Thurman is in her own area considering this like one county away and isn't far from where her son ran for the state legislature.

That was quick

2009-01-31T17:53:00.002-05:00

So when you first announce you running for office, and you have name rec, the first quarter is always important to establish how credible you are. As such we see Naked Politics report on President 42 fundraising for Meek:

Former President Bill Clinton flew to Miami all the way from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland for U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek's first fundraiser for his U.S. Senate campaign. Chris Korge, who hosted the event at his home in Pinecrest, said Clinton helped bring in $300,000.

"He rarely gets involved in (Democratic) primaries,'' said Korge, who has hosted the Clintons many times. "He has really gotten to know Kendrick personally, and he thinks he would be a great senator.'

and a pretty honest and truthful quote:

If Kendrick can raise seven figures the first quarter when the economy is in shambles -- that would be a huge feat in this economy,'' Korge said. "Having Bill Clinton willing to do these things for him is going to make it possible for Kendrick to raise significant money outside of Florida

Yep, and he'll likely brake the million dollar line this quarter. If he fails, that quote should set them up for questioning, particularly when in one night he brought in 300k. Meek has established himself so far as the front runner. Can Gelber hit the 500,000$ mark? He doesn't haev the DC connections, so he's got to prove he's viable now. Lot's of pressure for this guy. He got a great article in the Herald today via Beth Reinhard. He needs to boost up his name ID, his positives and raise a crap load of money. That one article getstwo of those outta the way.

Keep an eye on Jeb? HA!

2009-01-30T12:02:00.003-05:00

The buzz warns us all to

Keep an eye on Jeb

Charlie Cooke on the 2012 GOP presidential field:

Despite the November poll numbers, which probably reflect considerable Bush fatigue, keep an eye on Jeb. His decision not to run for the open Senate seat in Florida next year preserves his options for 2012, if the fatigue wears off. With Florida as his base, Brother Bush could be more of a contender than this early poll standing suggested. And he is someone who could help the Republican Party restore its image of competence.

I don't see people buying into this. They got burned by voting for a last name for President, and won't vote for that VERY SAME last name. I've heard from people he's met with Modesto Maidique to replace him at FIU since Modesto has to step down soon at FIU. Also, he can make tons and I mean bucket loads of money in the private field. And his last name won't let him win for President.

Al From meets an inverse universe.

2009-01-30T10:10:00.003-05:00

Politico today, has a piece in their Arena section,which is usually interesting. But the first person in the piece is DLC leader Al From. Here's what he says:

Rather than leave our fate to Republican failure, a number of leading Democrats formed the Democratic Leadership Council with the express purpose of restoring our party's sense of national purpose. Our formula was straightforward. We believed that if we held firmly to the first principles of the Democratic Party - opportunity, responsibility, national strength, and reform - but furthered those principles with fresh ideas and modern means; if we built a modern, centrist, progressive Democratic Party that tackled America's most difficult challenges with bold and innovative ideas, the American people would once again turn to us for national leadership.

The road for our party was not always smooth. We fought over ideas and strategies. There were times that the party was terribly divided. But in the end we forged a modern progressive centrist agenda that helped Bill Clinton to win the White House in 1992 and govern successfully in the 1990s, bringing America eight years of peace and prosperity. And now President Obama has built on that foundation to become only the third Democrat other than Franklin Roosevelt to win the White House with a majority of the popular vote. With a successful Obama presidency, Democrats - in the political wilderness a quarter century ago - can secure an enduring political and governing majority.

Let's go over this credit claiming slowly.

"but furthered those principles with fresh ideas and modern means; if we built a modern, centrist, progressive Democratic Party that tackled America's most difficult challenges with bold and innovative ideas,"

If by fresh ideas and modern means you mean we were bribed by major companies, I agree. If by modern centrist, progressive you can figure out what the hell that means, that'd be great. You were centrist and that was about it. The only thing progressive about the DLC is that they use the word now. How can a CENTRIST party have bold and innovative ideas, when it's a compromising one?

But in the end we forged a modern progressive centrist agenda that helped Bill Clinton to win the White House in 1992 and govern successfully in the 1990s, bringing America eight years of peace and prosperity.

Erm, except your whatever the hell modern progressive centrist means agenda, also made Democrats get killed in 1994, and as such you didn' really govern. The Republicans as I remember beat the crap out of you on a number of issues and twisted your arms on a number of issues.

And now President Obama has built on that foundation

That's shocking. Really? Obama's the DLC candidate? I thought it was Hillary! I thought that was why Carville and Begala were crapping themselves and chewing at Obama during the Primary? It's why the majority of your members backed her. And why Begala in an interview called Obama the Howard Dean candidate of 2008. A flash in the pan type. While the DLC may have it's guy in Tim Kaine, Dean's 50 state strategy is why we won. The DLC [led by Rahm] HATES Dean. Look how he didn't get a Cabinet post! So let's not start taking credit for things you had nothing to do with, Al.

oh and also from the article I enjoyed this

James Carafano, Heritage Foundation, Defense and Homeland Security:

Why not just to stick to things like "common sense" and "principles."

Because what the Heritage foundation believes in is what most Americans think is lacking in common sense and does not represent their principles?

Just when you began to miss the 90's, Dick shows up.

2009-01-28T20:17:00.003-05:00

I honestly have little insight to add to this; regardless on where you stand on bailouts, on whether they'll work because it's too much or too little, this was pretty damn unbelievable.

"I'm so damn glad you can never be my wife because I surely wouldn't have to listen to that prattle from you every day."
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, FORMER MAJORITY LEADER DICK ARMEY!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

When Matthews ends up apologizing for a guest at the end ["Dick Armey, I like the guy but I think he went way overboard going after Joan."] it says enough.

Republicans all scared to run for Senate seat

2009-01-28T17:56:00.003-05:00

You know the one being held by the aforementioned buffoon extraordinaire, Mel Martinez

Tampa's The Buzz says neither AG Bill McCollum dared to throw his hat in the race, nor did Congressman Allen Boyd a Democrat who often THINKS he's a Republican. In the article he calls himself a plodder. I'd call him more of a convenient? then-i'm-a-democrat-sort.

One thing I don't understand from the article is this:

Boyd's announcement means Democrats could have a field free of anyone living north of Boca, and will likely increase the pressure on Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio to jump in.

So?
North Florida is a huge hindrance to the Democratic Party of Florida. The Party Chairwoman is a largely fortuitous [look at the political climate she came in to, the fact Dean's 50 state strategy kicked in, etc] and useless [how many seats did Democrats take during her tenure from Republicans in the legislature despite mounds of Republican mismanagement?]

North Florida gives us people like Bill Nelson, centrists who cannot seem to find a backbone irregardless of how their constituency feels. They are too far to the right and as a result end up hurting the Democratic Party. Elections in this state are won in three areas, South Florida, the I-4 Corridor and Tallahasee. Democrats have tried using northerners as a way to steal votes from north Florida for ages and it's failed. Naturally, we keep trying that. I'm fine with the Tampa mayor, but the truth is, folks from places like Alachua and Pensacola, are like Republicans from Tennessee more than like their possible consituents from Monroe.

When is Mel retiring?? Can it start today?

2009-01-28T12:41:00.005-05:00

Seriously, apparently [naked politics] he wants to restore one of Dubya's greatest hits, and something Obama got rid of nearly his first day in office.

Mel Martinez is taking to the Senate floor to push an amendment that would reinstate the "Mexico City Policy" -- which bans federal funds for international groups that perform abortions or provide information on them.

President Barack Obama signed an executive order last week lifting the ban. It's been reinstated and then reversed by Republican and Democratic presidents since Ronald Reagan established it in 1984. Bill Clinton scrapped it in 1993, George W. Bush re-instituted it in 2001 as one of his first acts in office.

Martinez is proposing an amendment to a bill that looks to expand health care to poor children. "It is necessary if we want to continue fostering a culture of life," he said on the Senate floor.

Here's someone who's voted continually for the war, who voted down SCHIP last time around, and is now trying to attach this idiotic amendment to preventing children from dying of health, but you know, he wants to foster a culture of life.

People in glass houses and all that. He wouldn't dare make a bill out of this, because it'd die in committee and be laughed at by others in the Senate. Why Amnesty International providing information for abortion after a woman' s been raped in Congo, or another aid organization provides an abortion for a teenage mother in Bolivia who's life is at risk is Mel Martinez' top priority is beyond me. Why he won't just shut up, stop lying to us about his medical expertise (remember Terri Schiavo?) and just count down the days is beyond me. What a joke. Regardless of who takes over this seat, it's bound to be an improvement.

Just some thoughts

2009-01-24T14:28:00.000-05:00

I don't know if it's this wonderfully refreshing weather, which seems to be peeling the skin off of morons, or if it's just that CHANGE has arrived. Irregardless, I'm going to give out three prizes today for being an effin idiot.

The first belongs to everyone's favorite wingnutty blog in Miami, Versailles Beat. If you don't know what this blog is, consider yourself and your brain cells, fortunate. It's like stepping into a cave, think of the one from Aladdin, but instead of gold, it's My Pet Goat hanging upside down from the ceiling, with copies of the PATRIOT Act lining the floor. They are supposedly a right wing blog that speaks on behalf of the iconic restaraunt in Little Havana. Why they don't just stick to cooking over garlicked food is beyond me. Alas, they have chosen to put for all their knowledge of worldly politics.

Their latest bone to pick is the South Miami Commission Seat which was won by progressive Valerie Newman. Versilles Blog backed and spread pretty nasty stuff about Curbelo whom they didn't want to win the Republican Chair for Miami. Their guy [David Rivera] won (by one vote) that oh so covetted chairmanship and he screwed up, backing a crappy candidate in a race that he had no chance to win.

But I'll quote them for you so you see the asshattery that comes out of their blog:

"We at the Versailles Beat supported Rivera for chairman of the Miami-Dade GOP against the liberal, arab-looking Carlos Curbelo who donates money to Democrats, a decision we still do not regret."

Yeah see if you're ARAB looking, it's a total negative. Here's a good example of what the Miami-Dade Republican thinks like folks. Racism is alive and well!

So points to Versailles Beat for endorsing an innefective, rash and moronic party chairman in David Rivera! With a vision like that, you'd be running our country to hell, much like Bush and Castro would!

Speaking of Rivera, he's the winner of my second You're-an-effin-Moron award. He has to concede one thing to Versailles: As a party chair, you don't endorse when multiple GOP'ers are in a race. And don't endorse the guy who gets 4% of the vote, you embarassing idiot. He got 54 votes. FIFTY-FOUR VOTES in an area with over 7,000 registered voters. Hats off to the chairman and candidate it takes some sort of political ability to fail that miserably. Oh and it was Rivera's first endorsement since taking over the position. Talk about scoring political points.

And my final you're an effin-moron award goes to the always brash, never remotely diplomatic, constant pain in the side that is the Democratic Party Chairman B.J. Chiszar. I'm not going to list the litany of mistakes this arrogant little man makes. I'd be here much too long. But the latest one goes straight to the heart of the problem. The man doesn't know how to communicate with people in any way, shape or form let alone in a good way. The heart of his "power" (other than losing race after race as a pol operative since he arrived in SoFla) is that he controls access to the Voter Activation Network [VAN] which serves to give activists and campaign workers access to the information of anyone in a certain region of Miami. BJ controls it and instead of giving it out to Democratic Candidates, gives it out to his allies. Nevermind that he won what I hear was a tight election, that may be overturned by the Florida Democratic Party. The people he beat shouldn't challenge his victory, he'll be gone by the end of the year, because no one will be able to put up with him. But in this very South Miami election race, there were multiple Democratic candidates who asked him to give access. He refused based on the fact that he did not want to. Multiple activists for multiple campaigns have confirmed this to me. The fact that Valerie Newman, a great candidate won, should be a tribute to her own campaign, and the groups and volunteers that backed her, and not to that of a Chairman that did nothing. He did not allow activists during the last election cycle in 2008 to have access to the VAN, either.

Eventually, he will have to get off his high horse and actually do something other than talk a good game. So Mr. Democratic Party Chairman prove me wrong, and be a people person, stop being a manipulative jerk to all and sundry, and try to actually BACK YOUR CANDIDATES. Whether their names be Garcia, Taddeo or Newman, you really should be fair in your new position.

Sorry for the delay

2009-01-22T12:34:00.006-05:00

I was in DC for the 44th President of the United States inauguration. Apparently this guy is black? AND A DEMOCRAT? How'd he not blow it?

Seriously, cold, but wonderful the atmosphere was amazing, I've never seen anything like it, from the booing of Newt Gingrich to Ted Kennedy being lauded with chants of Teddy! Teddy! Also chants for Ali, clapping for former Presidents and celebrities in the area that were educated. The jeering of Wheelchair Dick and the waving and singing of nana na na, hey hey hey, goodbye to the Boy King.

The actual swearing in (which has since had to be done again) was so quick few of us in the mall realized what happened, despite the obviousness on TV. The excitement of the crowds, the walking, aiding and joking of people was wonderful. It was a celebration unlike any other perhaps in our countries history. Multiracial, with every creed represented, 2 million people packed the national mall and celebrated as a new leader and perhaps a restoration of America begins. His speech drew belated due to time delay] cheers. Those in my area thought it was good, but it's not until the second reading that you truly appreciate it. The speech was cautious, rebuking but positive, with smacks thrown at the last Administration. The crowd ate it up.

Despite the total cold that there was outside, the warmth exuding from the crowd was unforgettable, and all those on the Mall will say, I was there and remember moments for a lifetime. One thing that sticks in my head is watching the helicopter take bush out and people waving goodbye. The chants of Obama before and after the speech and the joy of so many in the crowd that were brought to tears.

What a wonderful opportunity. Any stories of where you were at, what you did, or thoughts?

This is what we're gonna be rid of soon.

2009-01-17T20:09:00.000-05:00

Alex Sink Out of Senate Race--UPDATED

2009-01-16T11:34:00.003-05:00

Well then, the person seen as a frontrunner for the Senate seat among Democrats is out:

Florida's CFO Alex Sink is making calls, telling people that she has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate, a seat that will be open in 2010. That probably assures that state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach will get in, and likely makes the race more attractive to U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd of Monticello.

Check out her statement: “Over the past several weeks, I have given serious and careful thought to my own future and, more importantly, to the future of our state. And I am extremely grateful for the support and advice so many friends and fellow Floridians have shared. I believe my skills and abilities are of greatest use here in Florida, where I am honored to serve as Chief Financial Officer. And I will run for re-election as Chief Financial Officer to continue being a fiscal watchdog on behalf of the people of Florida."

She wants to be Governor I take it. This should be a very interesting race now, and Dan Gelber who has been waiting to see what happens is now lined up to be the next one to throw his name into the race.

UPDATE:
And Naked Politics says:

And here's what state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach had to say: "I was prepared to fully support Alex had she chosen the US Senate seat as her next step in public life, and it is now my hope to share the ballot with her in 2010 as we work together as Floridians to bring real change to our state and restore the dream of a time past, when the state that we love was a beacon of a better life for anyone who seeks it.Given this morning's news, I expect to officially enter the race in the coming weeks."

When Morons attack

2009-01-14T18:13:00.004-05:00

Yep, Naked Politics on today's SCHIP vote:

Miami Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart just voted for a bill to expand health care to 4 million more children.
The measure passed by the House includes a provision sought by Lincoln Diaz-Balart to expand coverage to children of legal immigrants as well as pregnant immigrants. Under current law, legal immigrants must wait 5 years for coverage. "The law should not discriminate against legal immigrants; health care is too important an issue," he said.

Somewhere out there, Joe Garcia, Annette Taddeo, and of course, Raul Martinez are laughing cynically. Despite losing, they have forced the Trident of Idiocy to change their vote on something they railed against for a variety of reasons.

Let me focus my attention on the biggest ass of the troika- Mario Diaz-Balart. Here's what he said to the Miami Herald last year:

Boxes of cigars labeled Partagás, Cohiba and Padrón rise from floor to ceiling. A table for dominoes invites smokers with time to spare. Buy a humidor, bottle of wine or guayabera to complete the look of old Havana.

''Take a picture,'' quipped U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, one of three Miami Republicans who oppose legislation expanding a popular children's health-insurance program, partly because it relies on higher cigar taxes. ``They're not going to be around much longer.''

OH NO! Children's health care is going to take away cigars! But here's the kicker folks

In a flame-fanning tirade on Spanish-language radio last week, Díaz-Balart called the tax hike an ''attack on the Cuban-American community.'' He added: ``It would hurt an industry specifically in Miami-Dade, in South Florida, an industry that is almost entirely Hispanic: those who make cigars by hand, which is a cultural tradition. That industry will not survive.''

Ladies and Gentlemen, today Mario Diaz-Balart and his brother attacked the whole Cuban-American community. Yeah, talking outta your ass I've found, always bites you there.

Slack candidates fail.

2009-01-14T09:35:00.002-05:00

The ever vigilant Naked Politics says that

Broward Property Appraiser Lori Parrish said she is thinking about running for the seat being vacated by Mel Martinez in the U.S. Senate.

"It's just one of those things I am thinking about,'' Parrish said. "Am I running around to possum festivals all over the state? No, but I think I could work one.''

Parrish is one of the longest serving Democrats in Broward. She started her political career on the school board in 1984 and later became a county commissioner. She was elected property appraiser in 2004.

and

Parrish said one of her hestitations would be that she doesn't want to spend much of her time away from her Davie home. And she wants to know how much money she'd have to raise.

"I talked to somebody and they said it requires raising $50 million,'' Parrish said. "I said 'what? Does it?' I wouldn't think it was that much.''

This absolutely kills me. So in summary someone who has never run outside of Broward and has no name rec among the state [hell, in Miami] wants to run for the U.S. Senate. That's fine, I'm all for underdog stories. But don't tell me that you're considering one, haven't been briefed on how much it costs AND that you don't want to be far from home. You'd work in Washington DC!!!!!! And more than that, to campaign, you may have to go to nearly the other side of the world, like Tallahassee. So if you're not willing to go to "possum festivals", not willing to "travel around the state you want to represent" and not willing to be "informed or briefed on how much it costs to run a statewide campaign in one of the most expensive states in the nation" what exactly are you trying to convey. I really don't understand this. Good luck to Lori Parrish.

Meek for U.S. Senate and the fallout

2009-01-13T15:05:00.003-05:00

Only press was invited to the announcement on the lawn of the Meek household today. Here's the full statement he gave.

Meanwhile Alex Sink says "I'll be ready to make a decision very soon."

She continues on Naked Politics:

"We've got an open U.S. Senate seat. They don't come up very often and there's going to be a lot of interest in the race on both sides," Sink said."I'm very seriously considering getting in the race, but right now, this week, I've been really focused on my job here."

Asked about U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami, who began his Senate campaign today, she said: "I'm not focused on the other candidates. I'm focused right now on really how I can best serve the country and the state," she said.

Interestingly Steve Hildebrande of Obama Campaign fame is the one who will be a key strategist for Meeks. That's a huge boost to him, Hildebrande possibly delivered Florida into the column and ran a great campaign. While not a great media or even public speaker, he's a GREAT organizer and a very polite and educated man. He knows the numbers in this state inside and out. He was the third key guy in the whole campaign below Obama and Plouffe. His former employee according to that Steve Schale who actually ran the Florida campaign though, is the one who might run Dan Gelber's campaign. Gelber is apparently waiting on Sink's announcement to see if he jumps in the race or not.

-----------------------------------------------

One other interesting group of information is who is lined up to run for the District 17 House seat. It may well be the most open seat in America, that only one party can win. It's as safely Democratic as humanly possible.

Naked Politics (kudos to them for really being on the ball) lines up their listing:

Former state Rep. Phillip Brutus of Miami is holding a press release tomorrow in North Miami Beach to launch his bid for Meek's seat.

"My six years in a Republican-dominated Legislature have enabled me to sharpen my legislative skills, as Democrats could not get any bills passed without working across the aisle,'' he said in a press release. "After two years of reflection and introspection, I am ready for the challenge and will work hard to represent all citizens of Congressional District 17, with honor, prestige and dignity.''

Other potential contenders for Congress are state Sen. Frederica Wilson, State Rep. Ronald Brise and MIami Gardens Commissioner Andre Williams.

"I've always wanted to go to Congress,'' said Wilson, who succeeded Meek in the House and the Senate. She has to leave Tallahassee in 2012 due to term limits. "I've gotten calls from Washington people who are ecstatic."

I think Brutus who has had several defeats and victories is pretty much stuck where he is. Frederica Wilson is a powerhouse name in her community and I'd say is the early favorite. Ronald Brise is a highly educated young man who is in the Florida House and really has a presence in front of a crowd. The kid is very intelligent, effective and is garnering a lot of praise in his district and in Tallahassee. I like him a lot. Andre Williams has been an ok commissioner but doesn't have the name recognition or machine behind him yet. Former teacher James Bush III who was in the House of Representatives for 8 years and came back to the Florida House this year has machinery and experience behind him. He could nullify a lot of Wilson's support. However, having just wrapped up one campaign, is he looking forward to jumping into another one?

Representative Meek turns to Senator Meek

2009-01-12T17:23:00.004-05:00

From The Buzz:
"U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, is expected tomorrow to become the first major candidate to jump into the race for Mel Martinez's Senate seat. Meek has called a news conference for tomorrow morning in Miami Gardens.

The 42-year-old former legislator and son of former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek, should be a significant force in the campaign. He has a national and statewide profile and network, built leading the class size amendment, the sit-in at Jeb Bush's office, and leading John Kerry's Florida campaign in 2004."

Like this one a lot to be honest, I don't know if he can win. He's not really known statewide and his mother probably held a better chance at winning. I've called his office and have been told they are not disclosing the address to where he's announcing from. It's likely a reflection of his somewhat paranoic self, and doesn't want protestors. Fair enough, but not having an audience of supporters as well is kind of dumb.

As of right now it's Meek vs. Rubio which I'd bet is good for the Democrats.

Edit:
An in case you missed it Senator Roland Burris is the newest Senator and puts Democrats at 59. Blago got his way I suppose.

Edit 2:
Thanks to Kendrick's local office for the information
Who: Congressman Kendrick B. Meek on the open U.S. Senate seat from Florida in 2010
When: Tuesday, January 13th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: 14441 NW 13th Court.Miami, FL 33167

Marco Rubio and the (R) Senate Seat

2009-01-10T10:24:00.004-05:00

So the former speaker of the Florida Legislature's House is deciding whether he will run for Senate. He's set up a website, with a form on what we as Floridians think. That's exactly what I should do.

Here's a man who cut millions (yes, plural) from every state institution of higher learning, then was hired by his Republican friend Modesto Maidique and is making $70,000 yearly teaching part time with Dario Moreno at FIU. Here's a guy who helped cut our state economy. He says to Naked Politics about the Senate seat "I'm exploring it very seriously." I'd love to take him on, because I'd hang a lot of the current educational and financial woes right around his little neck.

Looking at the suggested Republican's running according to the Herald, I'm not terribly afraid of any of these guys:

Attorney General Bill McCollum, former House Speaker Marco Rubio, and U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Connie Mack. Rubio appears to be the most likely candidate in the bunch, and a fundraiser for former U.S. Rep. Ric Keller waited patiently to introduce herself.

McCollum is a weak candidate, Rubio, see above, Buchanon is probably the best of the bunch, someone who is legitimately nice and looks for the interest of his constituents (it's a very conservative area). Connie Mack is someone who's not attractive to most Floridians and I think would be seen as weak on a variety of issues in this state (first one- the environment). And to be fully honest, I have no clue who Ric Keller is.

Not saying the Democrats are much better, but it's not an impressive list for either side.

Edit: Ok, let me clarify on Vern Buchanon, he's a nice guy, who has a history of being cut throat in business and politics. He's in a very conservative, homoegenous district, and tends to walk the party line. I'm not saying I like him as a Congressman or that I'd like him in the Senate. Perhaps, I've not done enough of my homework [as a comment below argues].

Today was supposed to be a calm Illinios day

2008-12-09T11:56:00.002-05:00

The President-Elect was expected to meet with former VP Al Gore for a photo opp. meeting. Instead, the governor was arrested, no one knows if he'll resign or step down, the FBI is all over this and the press is having a field day.

We have a tendency to elect the worse human beings on earth to office. Which reminds me, Larry Craig's appeal to withdraw a guilty plea from court was rejected today, putting him in the news again.

Oh happy day.

O'Reilly's Radio show over

2008-12-05T13:13:00.007-05:00

CNBC has the news to make us all happy.

In a statement, O'Reilly said the workload has become too much, adding, "I can no longer give both TV and radio the time they deserve."

Make your own joke somewhere in there.

So in the first quarter of 2009 we get rid of President Bush AND O'Reilly's off the radio.
How will you celebrate this happy occasion?

Oh and Huffington Post has the news on a potential new Kennedy in the Senate. I'll give you a hint :

Thoughts anybody? Should she take it? Could it be? Leave a comment!

My Predictions and the outcome

2008-11-19T23:42:00.005-05:00

57 Democratic Senate seats
41 Republican Senate seats
265 Democratic House seats
170 Republican House seats
353 Obama Electoral Votes
185 McCain Electoral Votes
52.3 Obama Popular Vote Percentage
46.7 McCain Popular Vote Percentage

The total as of now?
In the Senate 56-40 with Minnesota still to count. I thought GA would be Democrat and Franken would be win.

In the house I overshot by 7 seats. Not bad. since it'll be about 258 or 257.

Electoral votes is at 365-173. I missed Indiana and the Nebraska electoral vote.
In the popular vote the vote is still coming in but as of now:
52.7-45.9. Which means I counted almost a whoel percent higher for McCain and undercut obama by .4% at least.

Still for pretty blind predicting, I feel like I did ok. The Senate and Presidential which is where I looked at the most, i did really well in and feel ok with my selections!

How'd you guys do?

One more Republican goes down.

2008-11-19T13:34:00.003-05:00

Another Repub bites the dust! Senator Ted Stevens gets edged out by Democracy for America (DFA)-endorsed candidate Mark Begich -- how sweet! Read the WaPO account here.

He WAS the longest serving Senator in the GOP.

And the Minnesota race for Senate is starting now in recount mode.

Another new appointment:
Tom Daschle will serve not just as Secretary of Health and Human Services, but will also be the administration's point person on the push for a universal health care plan.

Note to Florida Democrats

2008-11-18T14:08:00.005-05:00

Don't you dare trot out Senator Bill "Spineless" Nelson again while someone is running on a change platform. Hell don't trot him out in this county or Broward. Why am I on an anti-Bill Nelson rage moment?

Because Naked Politics let's us know that:

Senate Democrats today decided not to oust Joe Lieberman from the caucus or his committee chairmanship despite campaigning against president-elect Barack Obama. Among those helping Lieberman retain his status: Florida Sen. Bill Nelson.

The Dems emerged from a closed door session to announce they voted against expelling the Connecticut Democrat: "He's part of this caucus,'' Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.

Lieberman thanked Reid and singled out what he called "four great friends who led this effort to draft this resolution ...my senior senator from Connecticut, Chris Dodd, Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and Senator Tom Carper of Delaware."

And furthermore, to clarify something, what kind of spineless, weak and pathetic democrats allow this man to stay? Ah Green Mountain Daily of the great state of Vermont tells us:

This just in... reports are that the Dem caucus has voted to allow Lieberman to keep his Chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee.
The vote was 42-13 to allow Lieberman to keep the chair.
With 55 votes, the new members were obviously all in attendance.
Apparently our two Senators, Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, spoke out against rewarding Lieberman with a committee chairmanship.
More to follow...
UPDATE: Among the senators, speaking in support of rewarding Senator Lieberman with a Committee Chairmanship bestowed by the Democratic caucus, include: Kerry, Durbin, Ben Cardin, and Tom Udall.

The 42 pathetic and spineless cowards should come out and say what position they took.

One more update:

Sen. Reid, Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and John Kerry, D-Mass., were among those speaking in his favor, according to a Democratic aide requiring anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

Don't let up

2008-11-14T16:24:00.000-05:00

Progressives have an incredibly opportunity as of 2009 for the 2010 electoral cycle. We have the chance to truly become the leading reformers in our county. We can insert term limits for commissioners, work on national issues as well as local ones. And we can put pressure on local congressional representatives to begin REPRESENTING their districts.

We must uphold the accountability of the next Congress. The Republicans are in utter disarray and may well have been crushed in a congressional manner. If (and yes they are big ifs) Begich, and Franken win their Senate bids and Senator Shameless, I’m sorry Chambliss go down we are looking at an unobstructed path towards achieving progressive goals at the national level.

People however must continue to work and work HARD for new legislation to become a reality and not just a possibility. We must look at the historical context before us and use this election as the Republicans used the 1980 election and pass legislation so that we may continue to hold power. We need also, to kick out some blue dog dems and put in their place some real progressive leaders. How long can we tolerate Republican-lite folks like Joe Lieberman and Billl Nelson.

Until December 2^nd we have to work hard to produce a transfer of power in the Senate seat in Georgia. We need to pressure our Democratic Senators into kicking out joe Lieberman from the Committee Chairmanship where he’s let the city of New Orleans drown and run no oversight hearings on the Department of Homeland Security.

Here in Miami, this next year we must try to get the Clerk (Democrat Harvey Rubin) to accept petition signatures so that we can term limit the Commissioners position. Let’s face it, while there are both good and and bad commissioners there is a certain level of backroom dealings in the commission which are stunning. I’ll name one, Javier Soto, as being intellectually dishonest with his constituency.

We desperately in this county need to build a bench of leaders so they begin to prepare themselves to run for office. Our current best wave, Anette Taddeo, Joe Garcia and Raul Martinez was knocked out. Now think, who is there to replace them. Who do you want in 2010? Scratching your head yet? Yeah there’s very few options and even less credible ones emerge from this pattern. This is why, even with the victory of a great candidate, soon to be great President we need to examine where it is that we went wrong locally. And we need to hold our own accountable. If we don’t we are as bad as the republicans that have destroyed so many of the basic threads and foundations that make our country so powerful.

As Ted Kennedy said:

The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on.

We must keep living to what that greate statesman has always pushed for and we must make it a reality. Victory does not mean you stop working, it merely proves you have worked and been successful at it. But if we want to see our country accomplish what we all know is right, we cannot afford to sit on our laurels at home and do nothing. We must continue to fight.

Says MoveOn

2008-10-23T07:50:00.001-04:00

TOP 5 REASONS OBAMA SUPPORTERS SHOULDN'T REST EASY

1. The polls may be wrong. This is an unprecedented election. No one knows how racism may affect what voters tell pollsters—or what they do in the voting booth. And the polls are narrowing anyway. In the last few days, John McCain has gained ground in most national polls, as his campaign has gone even more negative.

2. Dirty tricks. Republicans are already illegally purging voters from the rolls in some states. They're whipping up hysteria over ACORN to justify more challenges to new voters. Misleading flyers about the voting process have started appearing in black neighborhoods. And of course, many counties still use unsecure voting machines.

3. October surprise. In politics, 15 days is a long time. The next McCain smear could dominate the news for a week. There could be a crisis with Iran, or Bin Laden could release another tape, or worse.

4. Those who forget history... In 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote after trailing by seven points in the final days of the race. In 1980, Reagan was eight points down in the polls in late October and came back to win. Races can shift—fast!

5. Landslide. Even with Barack Obama in the White House, passing universal health care and a new clean-energy policy is going to be hard. Insurance, drug and oil companies will fight us every step of the way. We need the kind of landslide that will give Barack a huge mandate.

If you agree that we shouldn't rest easy, please sign up to volunteer at your local Obama office by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/office.html?source=blog&id=14534-5740928-qhJH.Tx&t=1

Screw Wayne Huizenga

2008-10-20T07:46:00.002-04:00

From a DailyKos post

Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga has announced his plans to pack up his toys and go home if Obama wins the election, saying that he'll sell the team because of Obama's tax policies. After 15 years of plodding mediocrity under Huizenga (no Super Bowl wins, AFC Championships, or even AFC Championship Game appearances, compared to 2 Super Bowl wins, 5 AFC Championships, and 7 AFC Championship Game appearances in the 27 years prior to Huizenga), Dolphin fans are probably ready to thank Obama for ridding them of their pathetic owner. And baseball fans will remember Huizenga as the guy who dismantled two separate Florida Marlin World Series championship teams to pad his wallet. Bottom line? If an Obama presidency can get Wayne Huizenga out of the sports biz, that's change Miami sports fans can believe in.

You know Miami fans have always hated this jerkwad, and I defended him. He's been in the trash company so long he's slowly turning into something they can put in one of his company trucks. 1-15 last year.

Obama shows fire at last.

2008-10-19T18:48:00.001-04:00

and it doesn't hurt when Colin Powell is on your side.

If you read this Herald article...

As McCain supporters slowly made their way through the
lines, about a dozen Obama supporters held camp at a
specially designated area on the outskirts of the arena. As
cars passed by shouting "communists,'' the 20 some-things
held up signs saying "Barack the Vote.'' and "FIU Bleeds Blue"

Florida Newspapers Endorse candidates

2008-10-19T11:32:00.001-04:00

You know, it's the spanish language Herald [El Nuevo Herald] which carries more weight in Miami I'd say, as most English speakers read both and they also read national papers. Meanwhile those that speak Spanish get their news primarily from El Nuevo Herald.

But in the I-4 Corridor, it's the St. Petersburg times that matters most, along with the Orlando Sun Sentinel.

Still, the good news is that The Miami Herald has come out and endorsed Barack Obama.

When he began his campaign in February of 2007, Sen. Obama was viewed as an upstart. He built his candidacy one victory at a time, aided by an excellent campaign staff and fueled by an impressive ability to raise funds on the Internet. He displayed inspiring eloquence and a sure grasp of detail on issues. Voters of all races and ages were drawn to his promise to discard the culture wars and seek pragmatic solutions for problems instead of relying on ideology and worn-out slogans.

And apparently they are as tired of the last 8 years as the rest of us.

Much has been made of Sen. Obama's relative inexperience, particularly in foreign policy. His résumé is thin, but he surrounds himself with experienced advisors -- as evidenced in his choice of Sen. Joe Biden to be vice president -- and with people who offer differing points of view. His style is to build consensus and seek workable, pragmatic solutions -- a refreshing change from the last eight years.

Because of the current administration's incompetence, arrogance -- or both -- American prestige abroad has never been as low. The effusive response from audiences during Sen. Obama's recent tour of Europe suggests he could help restore our lost influence. Clearly, traditional U.S. allies are more than ready to work with an American president who replaces unilateral policies and preemptive wars with vigorous diplomacy on behalf of common interests.

The end of the endorsement:

Indeed, the way the two candidates responded to the economic meltdown offers a lesson in contrasting styles of leadership. Both have put forth a series of worthwhile policy options, but where Sen. Obama was calm, Sen. McCain was frantic. He first put his campaign ''on hold'' and suggested he would cancel the first debate, and then suddenly decided to take part even as the first bailout deal cratered. He said the fundamentals of the economy were strong, then a few days later vowed to ''name the names'' of those responsible for the financial crisis.

In other elections, voters have complained of having to make a choice between two bad candidates. That is not the case this time. The nation is fortunate to have good candidates and a clear choice. Sen. Obama represents the best chance for America to make a clean break with the culture wars and failed policies of the past, and begin to restore the hope and promise of America as the world's greatest democracy.

Feel free to read the full endorsement from the Miami Herald.

The Orlando Sentinel meanwhile, decides to go the dramatic but powerful way in their endorsement.

The United States is fighting two wars. The financial system is in crisis. The terrorists behind the worst-ever attack on U.S. soil are regaining strength. The cost of propping up the economy will propel the federal budget deficit from the stratosphere into deep space.

Americans badly need a leader who can navigate the nation through these perils.

As the primary season began, the candidate who seemed best qualified to be that leader was Republican John McCain. But Mr. McCain then was a different candidate from the one before us now. He has abandoned positions we admired. He has reacted inconsistently, even haphazardly, to events. In making the most important decision of his campaign, he showed shockingly poor judgment.

In contrast to Mr. McCain, Democrat Barack Obama has exceeded our expectations during this campaign. He has demonstrated sound judgment and grace under pressure. Because we are now more confident in his ability to steer America through the rough waters ahead, the Orlando Sentinel is endorsing Barack Obama for president.

They continue to go on, as to how the campaign has changed McCain (whom they endorsed in the primary) and Obama.

We favored Hillary Clinton over Mr. Obama in Florida's Democratic primary. We saw him as untested in his three years representing Illinois in the U.S. Senate, and lacking the accomplishments and policy expertise of the former first lady.

Under months of unrelenting scrutiny and withering political attacks since then, the Democratic nominee has proved to be an unflappable and thoughtful leader. He has displayed a remarkable command of issues, both domestic and foreign. It's hard to imagine a quicker study.

Mr. Obama has wisely compensated for his relative inexperience by reaching out to experts, from billionaire investor Warren Buffett and former treasury secretaries for advice on economic policy to ex-national security advisers on foreign policy. He chose as his running mate Joe Biden, the veteran U.S. senator from Delaware and Foreign Relations Committee chairman. The contrast with Mr. McCain's choice for vice president could not be more striking.

But with all the good comes some bad.

There is reason to be wary of any Democrat in the White House when the party looks likely to pad its majorities in both chambers in Congress. If Mr. Obama wants to fulfill his promise as a leader who rises above a partisan agenda, he will need to strike a moderate course. He can signal a move toward the center by giving up on his bad idea of trying to renegotiate trade agreements that have benefited the economy. He can withdraw his support for a proposal to do away with secret-ballot elections to form unions -- that's unfair to workers and businesses alike. He can tie his plan for withdrawing troops from Iraq more closely to conditions there instead of a rigid timetable.

But any reservations we have about Mr. Obama are outweighed by our doubts about Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin.

However the Tampa Tribune continues the battle for the I-4 Corridor and in typical fashion splits the I-4's newspaper recs.

The direction of the nation is at stake in this election.

Hard economic times, a disappointing Republican administration and the seductive promises of a master orator are pushing America toward a European-style social democracy.

If you don't want that to happen, vote for Republican Sen. John McCain.

And they go on to buy into every GOP talking point known to man.

Profitable small businesses would be hardest hit. Obama even has the audacity to promise a tax break for businesses that create jobs, while simultaneously increasing taxes that would force some businesses to cut payrolls.

Last year, Obama had the most liberal voting record in the Senate. If elected, he would appoint activist judges capable of finding liberal surprises in the Constitution. He would push for a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. He would agree to new barriers to trade, which would raise consumer prices.

They conclude by using a terrible metaphor that settles for mediocrity over hope.

Obama's vision of hope shines like a rainbow, appealing but just out of reach. McCain's call to freedom and responsibility is less exciting, but you know it works.

The Tribune encourages voters to vote what they believe, not what they wish were true. The nation needs a stable leader in these unpredictable times.

For president, the Tribune endorses Sen. John McCain.

I haven't found anything by the St. Petersburg times (also an I-4 corridor paper).

The New McCarthyism

2008-10-18T14:01:00.000-04:00

106 year old nun to vote for Obama

2008-10-12T16:43:00.001-04:00

Last time she voted She liked Ike.

Check out this rather incredible story.

I'm encouraged by Senator Obama," she says.
"I've never met him, but he seems to be a good man with a good private life. That's the first thing. Then he must be able to govern," she adds.

24 Days out: State of the Race

2008-10-11T13:03:00.002-04:00

Three debates, one economic free fall and a couple of Saturday Night Live sketches and we are in a whole new ball game. I warned the economic turn would help Obama and also that this was a fluid race. It is still a fluid race. Whereas, the last map seemed to be similar to the worst case scenario for Barack Obama, this seems to be the opposite. The trend lines are really, really optimistic for Obama, about a 2.5% bounce in most states for him.

States that I'd previously thought would go red are definitely jotting towards being blue. First, I want to congratulate DFA and other Vermonters on this list for the new numbers coming out of your state. Rasumussen says 65-32 but I call it a dismantling. Not that the state was ever in doubt mind you. I usually go swing state by swing state but there are so many now because of an absolute tearing apart of the old map. The absolute proof that this is not a 2000 or 2004? North Carolina is going to vote Democratic for the first time since Jimmy Carter in 1976. The polling numbers from the Civitas Institute are rather astounding, Obama 48%, McCain 43% Barr 2%. It's the first time Obama has led this poll (MoE 4.2%) and in February he trailed 46-36. Other polls collaborate on that.

But if you absolutely want to use the 2000 and 2004 maps, well Republican pollster Strategic Vision has numbers that should make Republicans weep. Florida 52-44% lead for Obama where Obama leads McCain by 20 points on the Economy. In Ohio Strategic Vision shows a 48-46 Obama lead but again on the economy a 22 point blowout for Obama. Rasmussen shows a tighter 50-47 lead for Obama in Florida, and 59% say the economy is most important. ARG shows a 3 point lead for Obama in Ohio. Florida shows a definite trend towards the Democrats, Ohio a bit less so.

We've seen five swing states go off the map, Michigan where polls show Obama leading big now, including Rasmussen showing a 16% gap [56-40] For Obama. Virginia has an 8 point gap now for Obama according to Democratic polling outfit PPP and a 10% lead according to SUSA. It's a blue state now. I'm hearing from a couple of people that are either phone banking or canvassing areas that should be red and enemy territory instead feels like friendly. Colorado isn't a swing state anymore, with a 7% lead from Insider Advantage (R)'s of 52-45 and a near similar 51-45 lead according to Research 2000 for liberal site Dailykos. Don't forget that in every edition I'd predicted that New Hampshire would be red and really believed McCain's image there would carry him over the goal line.Well, we all make mistakes and ARG points mine out with a 53-43 lead. CNN backs it up [53-45 for Obama while SUSA ends any doubt with a 53-40 blowout. Finally, Iowa is off the map as well, with a 13% Obama lead according SUSA 54-41. Also, we see an even bigger 55-39 by Research 2000. McCain has doubled his campaign operation here and is there this weekend trying to get Obama to buy in.

Alaska has gone from a 7 point gap to a 15 point gap for McCain. Sarah Palin has helped but now we're starting to find out the results of the Troopergate investigation, where they say she abused power. It won't be enough to turn the polling on it's head, but it will narrow the race a little bit.

And introducing a new swing state, one in which Obama shouldn't be competitive. (Appalachians wouldn't vote for a black man! Right, CNN/Fox/MSNBC?) It's called West Virginia and it may be voting Democrat. Now the sampling for this state I think is a bit overreaching for Democrats, as ARG predicts a 55% Democratic turnout in the state and only a 35% one for Republicans. Even worse they predict only 10% of independents. Still last poll done here by ARG showed a 49-45 McCain lead. So this 50-42% lead for Obama is impressive. Rasmussen showed that lead but for McCain. I still think it's a lean red state but the economic woes are hitting here hard, and it's the same thing that made Michigan change so drastically.

Indiana per Rasmussen shows a 50-43 lead for McCain But Research 2000 for Daily Kos shows a 46-46 tie after showing a 46-45 McCain lead. A CNN/Time poll shows a 51-46 gap. I've heard really negative stories from the field out here and don't think it'll happen for Obama. While the west has the ad market from Illinois, the east and south are not coming around fast enough. I think it's also a slight lead for McCain here until we can see something different.

As for Missouri, the leader for the St. Louis area Democratic Party says that it looks very good. The most recent poll shows an Obama 3% lead (50-47 from Rasmussen/Fox News) is good, but other polls show a slight McCain lead ARG McCain 49-46 I think this is the only state in the United States where it is a total tossup. It's interesting because one of Obama's best surrogates is Senator Claire McCaskill. The Pollster.com average shows Obama winning Nevada 47-49.The thing that stands out for me is an Insider Advantage (R) poll that shows Obama winning exactly by that margin. Research 2000 shows a 7 point lead for Obama of 50-43. Rasmussen shows a 4% McCain deficit but an improvement over their previous one for him. I give this state to Obama based on the economic factors and also that Nevada seems to be getting saturated with volunteers from Western California.

So after predicting a 300-238 lead for Obama and then a 269 tie for both sides, the map has changed. Incredibly the 2.75 trillion dollars we lost this last week in stocks helped McCain because it kept the ethics story for Palin off the news as much, as well as the horrible things going on at his rally. It's something else when you have to defend your own opponent and get booed for it at your own rally. Things are looking bad for McCain and the electoral map shows him defending and holding the Kerry states, while making DEEP inroads in other states. Georgie is about a 4-5% difference according to a bunch polls too.

The state of the race 24 days before the election shows one clear factor: Obama is gaining big. It's gonna take a disastrous third debate or a huge external event to change this race. And even that may not get much play if banks and companies continue folding.

The State of the Race is a whopping 353-185 shift in the Electoral College for Barack Obama.

Busy day!

2008-10-10T21:58:00.004-04:00

Saw Senator Bob Menendez at FIU, he's from NJ and a Cuban American. they guy's VERY intelligent and a damn good speaker. I was fairly impressed with him.

Later on heard that Govenor Sarah Palin's Troopergate investigation has finished, ten Republicans and four Democrats. SHE'S GUILTY OF ABUSING POWER. Yep.

Meanwhile over at MSNBC we have the video on Countdown with Keith Olbermann. But we have this one guy saying that he's fearful to bring his child up there. Then we have the lady who called him an arab get cut off by John McCain, and when he defends Obama, he gets booed. By his own supporters.

Incredible.

"We want to fight, and I want to fight, but we will be respectful," McCain said to boos at first. "I want everyone to be respectful," he then said and people began to clap.

In response to a later question he added, "You can be respectful and point out facts," as he called on his supporters to point out facts to their neighbors but be respectful.

and then

He is a decent person and a person who you do not have to be scared as president of the United States."
After that, McCain said of himself that he just thinks he'd be a better President of the the United States." Some in the crowd booed his statement and shouted, "No!"

This is an amazing disaster for this campaign. But I applaud McCain.

OBAMA IS A PIRATE

2008-10-10T09:49:00.002-04:00

Obama yesterday of Nickelodeon spoke of his previous days when he was a pirate and even provided a picture.

He does informarcials? UPDATED

2008-10-09T21:09:00.003-04:00

MAYBE OBAMA WILL TRY TO SELL TERRORIST KNIVES.
Obama has bought 30 minutes commercials for October 29th, 2008 on NBC and CBS he's also working out a deal with Fox.

So basically on a Wednesday night, when no one goes out, millions who have no cable or will find shows they like bumped, will have fewer options than ever to watch anything else. He's going to literally OWN the airwaves during primetime less than a week before the elections.

This man just made a GREAT buy. Sure it's a national one, but I can't fathom how much money he raised this month if that's the case.

Sounds like a winner to me. As long as he's not as annoying as this guy.

Update: From MSNBC's First Read:

*** UPDATE 2 *** The campaign now says it has bought 30 minutes of ad time in primetime Oct. 29 on CBS and NBC and Fox -- if there's no World Series game. They are still negotiating others.

*** UPDATE 3 *** At least NBC's timeslot is 8 p.m. ET.

The Great Schlep

2008-10-09T12:45:00.003-04:00

This sounds like a really good idea to me, considering Obama needs to make inroads within the Jewish community here in Florida to win the state. It'd definitely help, much as it helped Bush both times and Clinton previously. It is a great coalition to have on your side, because they vote in large numbers.

The Great Schlep aims to have Jewish grandchildren visit their grandparents in Florida, educate them about Obama, and therefore swing the crucial Florida vote in his favor. Don’t have grandparents in Florida? Not Jewish? No problem! You can still become a schlepper and make change happen in 2008, simply by talking to your relatives about Obama.

So other than being a funny word (I'm a Roman Catholic....) schlepping across the country to change America sounds like a brilliant idea. If you can afford it do it. Visit the family so you don't have to hear a ton of crap from your family about it? Check. Get away from colder areas of the country to head to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami? Check.

If you're a Jew, (or another religion) check out this LA Times article that will probably preview what visiting your grandparents or other relatives might be like. Hey it sounds worse than it was for that person, something I think applies in general to must of us.

So 50 state strategy critics...

2008-10-09T09:28:00.002-04:00

-How would ye like to defend the fact that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's race is up for grabs? That's a bit stunning isn't it? KENTUCKY is turning blue.

-As part of that, the youth voter mobilization being done by the Obama campaign is incredible. Every campus in Florida, and presumably all state universities have an Obama GOTV director for each school. That's incredible. Anyways, now Obama's going to buy advertising on Spike, MTV, Vh1 and Comedy Central. I hope they bought Daily Show/Colbert Report time slots, as that's crucial since many 18-24 year old voters get their info from those shows.

Not quite part of that but still important (this is from The NJ's Hotline from the Omaha World Herald) ...IOWA is taking the word "idiots" out of the Constitution as to who can vote. Thank God Dubya will be voting in TX!

And Voter Suppression and mistakes are one of the feature stories on the NYT site today. This is a pretty well known phenomena. Anyone notice on teh NYT map how amny of the challenges are occuring in Swing states? With Obama having whipped up a ridiculous amount of total new voter registrations, guess who is likely to be harmed. Thank you Help America Vote act of 2002. Thankfully groups like ACORN are suing on behalf of voters in various sttes (including Floriduh).