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May 2009 Archives

Draft Annette Taddeo for CFO

By friedgator on May 28, 2009 11:42 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
No I'm not dead, just busy. Busy working with Kenneth Quinnell and other Florida bloggers doing things things like this:

http://drafttaddeo.blogspot.com

Here is a bit from the site:

Last week, Annette Taddeo announced she was considering running for CFO of Florida. From those throughout Florida who watched her quality campaign for Congress against a strong incumbent, those of us who have dealt with her as a successful businesswoman know she would be an amazing CFO.

We need new leadership in Tallahassee -- and Annette Taddeo can bring it. Instead of electing a CFO that will bring the same financial management from the legislature and years of Republican mismanagement -- we need another businesswoman as CFO to continue the hard work that Alex Sink has done to protect taxpayer dollars and attempt to push back the tide of Republican mismanagement and corruption.

And some from Kenneth Quinnell's post today:

Upon hearing that she might consider running to replace Alex Sink as Florida's chief financial officer, several bloggers, Fried Gator and myself included, decided that this was something we really wanted to see happen. So, we've launched a new blog Draft Annette Taddeo for CFO and a petition to convince that this is the best way that Annette can serve the state and this is her best career option right now. Since she has expressed openness to running for CFO, we want her to know that she has the support of the people. Maybe that will convince her to take the plunge and join the race.

And this is the year to do it. It looks like the Republicans will offer up a slate of old white guys for Florida's state-wide offices. And not just any old white guys, the same old white guys that got us in the mess we are in now. Democrats, on the other hand, are looking to field a diverse group of candidates for office -- women, African-Americans, Jewish candidates. Wouldn't it be great to add another woman -- a Colombian woman -- to that field? And wouldn't it be great to see a cabinet with a gender make-up that reflected our actual population.

Annette will be great for Demcorats and great for Florida, so join us and sign the petition, write about it on your blog, share it on facebook.


Cornyn: I am not stopping a Republican party bloodbath between Crist and Rubio in Florida

By friedgator on May 6, 2009 2:30 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
cornyn.jpgAccording to Politico's Scorecard the National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn confirmed:

All the signals I've been getting is that he probably will [get into the race], but I don't want to make any announcements for him because he's the one who will ultimately decide

But the more important point that Cornyn said:

I don't think it's the proper role of the NRSC or folks in Washington to try to tell Floridians who their nominee should be, so I think that will have to work its way out.

So the national party isn't going to learn from the Democrats fro the last few cycle and prevent primary campaigns from damaging their ability to win the Senate. This is good news for our chances in Florida. 

But don;t look for fireworks just yet. Charlie seem determined to stake a "post-partisan high ground" as Swing State Project described it, by saying to Post on Politics: 

The great thing about our country is that everybody has the right to run. And I certainly respect anybody who puts themselves forward in the political process.

But the truth is that Rubio isn't going to stop attacking Crist, Rubio will have the money to attack him, and Crist will eventually be forced to explain why his brand of Republicanism.

The important point for us: Kendrick Meek and Dan Gelber seem to be touting themselves and barely knocking each other with only a single national blogger going on the negative -- meaning we will likely have a primary showing two good candidates that would both be great Senators. Whereas Crist vs. Rubio is already looking like a primary fight that will cost a lot of money and batter the general election candidate with not a whole lot of time to raise the money and recover in just two months.

Let the Games Begin: Marco Rubio announces for Senate again and again

By friedgator on May 5, 2009 9:37 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
In case you didn't realize that Florida is going to be ground zero for the soul of the Republican Party, Marco Rubio keeps announcing for US Senate, and people pretend to be surprised when he does it again. 

Last night he "announced" via Univision, Then again via twitter with a link to his weird attempt at his lame copy of hulu.com for a website. After sifting through the various announcements we realize this video is the one they want us to see: 




The intense attention to detail from his well coiffed hair to the watermark logos on the shelves to the left and right of him are impressive. But, what is most interesting quick review of the bookshelf reveals these books, here's just a sampling:

So there is your insight into conservative's great hope to defeat Christ and the forces of moderation -- a religious book by a bigot, religous book by a progressive, his own book, one of Barack Obama's favorite books, and a bible book for kids. 

Oh and in case you missed it from the video ... if its another day on the Rubio campaign, it's time for another logo (and a new set of colors):
logo_red_black.gif


Speaker Cretul: Screwing Democrats more important than stopping the screwing of cats

By friedgator on May 3, 2009 3:50 PM | 1 Comment | No TrackBacks
128858538869963710.jpgFor the past couple years Nan Rich has tried to make it a third-degree felony for having sex and abusing an animal. The bill passed unanimously through the Senate, but won't reach the Governor because Speaker Larry Cretul was a bit to busy to worry about it. 

It is very funny that we can't seem to pass this bill -- but it also shows what is really going on up there in Tallahassee. They can barely pass a budget and get anything done. Forget the contentious issues like CSX or gambling compact. 

It is even more shocking when they can't get something done we all agree on: "people shouldn't have sex with animals and if they do it should be a felony." We can joke about the issue, but studies show it is linked to sex crimes against women. If we can arrest people and get them before they attack our sisters and daughters -- then we should. 

But Speaker Cretul seemed to think it was more important to deny the Democratic rising star Nan Rich from passing the legislation and getting the victory than trying to do the right thing. 

So why is Cretul leading a do nothing legislature at the time we need them most -- their philosophy doesn't address the problems we face now. Cutting taxes and starving government doesn't work when you need government to help survive. So all they have left is to attack Democrats. It's just a preview of the 2010 play book they will use to try and stay in power, so just watch out.

St. Pete Times Does My Job for Me and Blasts the Legislature

By friedgator on May 1, 2009 10:50 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
With the crazy attempts to get bills passed before Sine Die and budget negotiations happening on the back of napkins based on blog posts from the Buzz -- it is hard to be a blogger. So much to write and so little time. 


The 2009 Legislature has little to be proud of and much to be ashamed of. In a time of crisis, it has allowed partisanship and rhetoric to substitute for leadership and solutions. For the most part, Florida is no better off 60 days after the Legislature convened -- and in some ways it's worse off.

It gets better. You should read all of it. Everyone in Tallahassee should read all of it. 

fishlis (1).jpg
They are so proud of themselves for not raising taxes -- while raising fees like crazy on everything we do from driving to fishing. That is not an accomplishment -- balancing the budget by raising "fees" and avoiding the real problem like the St. Pete Times blasts them for.

There is no question that we are not better off thanks to the likes of Sansom, Cretul, and Atwater. The session can't end soon enough -- and the 2010 elections can't either.
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