News
RPOF Press Release - July 29, 2010
Ron Klein, Alan Grayson and Allen Boyd Round Out the Top 5
From the St. Petersburg Times Buzz Blog:
The Buzz House Race Rankings: The Second Installment
For the first time since May 19, the Buzz is offering a ranking of the six U.S. House seats that are most vulnerable to a party switch this fall.
As always, the rankings are based on interviews with a range of political practitioners and independent observers. We consider the state's other 19 House seats to be safe
1. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach. (Previous ranking: 1) Kosmas underlying vulnerability hasnt changed shes still a freshman representing a modestly GOP-leaning district who first voted against the Democratic health care bill and later for it, irritating both sides in the process.
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3. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton. (Previous ranking: 6) One of the most stunning fundraising numbers anywhere this quarter not just in Florida was the $1.4 million raked in by Allen West, the GOP challenger to Klein, a second-term Democrat who raised only about one-third as much over the same period. The African-American ex-Army colonel raised much of his money from out-of-state donors, thanks to a well-developed network of supporters who have responded to his firebrand conservative style. West now has a warchest of $2.2 million
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On the Campaign Trail - Adam Putnam - July 29, 2010
Law enforcement support continues for Putnams Commissioner of Agriculture campaign
BARTOW, Fla. Fraternal Order of Police, Florida State Lodge (FOP) has officially endorsed Adam Putnam for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. The FOP represents 20,000 professional active and retired law enforcement officers in the state of Florida and over 325,000 officers nationwide.
The Fraternal Order of Police looks forward to Adams successful campaign and tenure as Commissioner of Agriculture. He has gained respect from those in his local community, and his dedication to supporting his fellow Floridians speaks well of his leadership and understanding of what being a representative of his constituents entails. The citizens of Florida will be well served with the outlook and positive approach he will bring to this office, said James W. Preston, Florida State Lodge President.
The FOP is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those they serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement and employee representation.
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RPOF Press Release - July 28, 2010
Meek and Grayson Skip Vote to Provide Support for Our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
TallahasseeRepublican Party of Florida Chairman John Thrasher today commented on Florida Congressmen Kendrick Meek, who is seeking the Democrat nomination for United States Senate, and Alan Grayson, who is seeking re-election for a second term, missing a critical vote to provide supplemental funding that will support our troops and the war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It is appalling that during a time when Kendrick Meek is asking Florida voters for a promotion, he chose to campaign in South Florida rather than voting for critical funding to support our troops and their mission in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Every day soldiers from across the state of Florida fight to defend our freedom and Iraq and Afghanistan. Kendrick Meek and Alan Grayson shouldnt let politics get in the way of providing essential support for these Floridians who are risking their lives on our behalf. The soldiers, sailors and marines this bill will support cant miss missions or pick and choose which operations to complete, so why should their representatives in congress pick and choose what bills to vote for and which votes they can just sit out.
Floridians are counting on our congressional delegation to be our voice in Washington. If Kendrick Meek and Alan Grayson wont speak on our behalf, we need to find replacements who will and who understand the tremendous responsibility with which members of the Unites States Congress are entrusted.
Chairman Thrasher is a former Army officer and decorated Vietnam veteran. He served first in Germany, where he received the Army Commendation Medal, and later in Vietnam, where he was awarded two Bronze Stars for meritorious duty.
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RPOF ICYMI: Sarasota Herald Tribune - July 28, 2010
"I hate to be cynical, but I believe it's all political and he's only doing it because he has been criticized," said Barbara Wall, chairwoman of the Republican Party in Okaloosa County, home to popular vacation spots like Destin and Okaloosa Island.
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Obama must step carefully during his Florida vacation
July 28, 2010
Florida has lured vacationing presidents for more than a century. First families from the Nixons to the Trumans and the Bushes often came south to soak up the sun for weeks at a time.
But President Barack Obama is coming for just two days in August -- barely enough time to get sand in your shoes -- leading some to call the excursion more a guilt trip than a pleasure stop.
The White House announced Obama's Florida trip last week amid criticism that the first lady was encouraging people to vacation along the Gulf Coast while the first family made plans to go elsewhere.
"One of the best ways that fellow Americans can help is to come on down here and spend some money," Michelle Obama said this month in Panama City Beach, where she strolled barefoot in the sand and bought a cup of chocolate ice cream.
The Obamas then embarked on a much-criticized trip to Maine, and it was speculated they would spend the bulk of their summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard, an Obama tradition.
Obama's opponents in Florida seized on the quick change in vacation plans as a political ploy designed to improve his image in the Gulf oil crisis.
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RPOF ICYMI: The American Spectator - July 28, 2010
The American Spectator
No Longer Charlie's Man
By Larry Thornberry
July 26, 2010
TAMPA -- Retiring Florida U.S. Senator George LeMieux probably won a few local Republican hearts and minds Friday, and maybe some useful friends if he decides to run for the Senate on his own in 2012.
LeMieux laid his conservative bona fides before more than 200 who braved a rainy Friday night -- Tropical Storm Bonnie lurking just to the west of here -- to attend the Hillsborough County Republican Party's Issues and Ideas dinner. He has some fences to mend.
LeMieux, who was Governor Charlie Crist's chief of staff, campaign chairman, confidant, and friend (not to mention a mere pup at age 40), was appointed by Crist to the U.S. Senate in August of 2009 to finish the term of former Senator Mel Martinez, who had resigned. Crist is seeking that Senate seat, and LeMieux promised before his appointment that he would not run for the seat himself in 2010.
So LeMieux started out with a hill to climb to show Floridians that he was more than Crist's seat-warmer and horse-holder. He's gone at this by amassing a conservative voting record and by whooping up issues and taking stands dear to the hearts of the Florida Republican base. And at least as important, when LeMieux's former benefactor left the Republican Party to run as an independent against conservative former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio for the Senate seat, LeMieux did the honorable thing and endorsed Rubio.
This wasn't easy for LeMieux. In his remarks Friday night and in our conversation earlier in the day, he made it clear that he while he thinks Rubio is the solid conservative Florida and the nation need in the Senate this year, LeMieux and Crist are still friends.
"I think Marco will win," LeMieux told me. "This is obviously awkward for me because the governor is my friend and I'm very appreciative of him for the opportunities he's provided me. I just couldn't make the decision he made to leave the party because I believe in the principles of our party, now more than ever."
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RPOF Press Release - July 27, 2010
TallahasseeThe Republican Party of Florida today commented on the trouble Alex Sink's liberal friends in Washington have when it comes to paying their taxes.
Time and time again, Alex Sink has demonstrated her solidarity with Washingtons Democrat elite by contributing to the political campaigns of some of the most ardent tax hikers in the business, said RPOF Executive Director Ronnie Whitaker. Now, John Kerry is avoiding paying $500,000 in taxes on his yacht, Charlie Rangel was forced to step down as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee due to a pending ethics investigation and a plethora of appointees to the Obama Administration face inquiries about their own problems paying their taxes.
Whitaker continued, If Alex Sink wants to represent Floridians who pay their taxes, why does she support Washington Democrats who dont?
Senator John Kerry Is Avoiding Paying $500,000 In Taxes On His Yacht.
Congressman Charlie Rangel Failed To Disclose Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars In Assets Over Many Years.
Obama's First Nominee For HHS Secretary, Tom Daschle, Failed To Pay $128,000 In Taxes.
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner Failed To Pay $34,000 In Taxes.
HHS Secretary Sebelius And Her Husband Had To Pay $7,000 In Back Taxes.
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis' Husband Had A Tax Lien On His Business For 16 Years.
Nancy Killefer, Slated To Be The White House Chief Performance Officer, Had A $900 Lien On Her House For Failing To Pay Unemployment Taxes For Household Help.
Lael Brainard, Obama's Nominee For Undersecretary Of The Treasury For International Affairs, Was Late In Paying Property Taxes.
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RPOF ICYMI: Chicago Tribune - July 27, 2010
Kendrick Meek Has Accepted at Least $5,500 From Charlie Rangels Campaign Committee and Leadership PAC. Will Meek Demand Openness and Accountability, or Will He Stand with Nancy Pelosi and Support a Backroom Deal to Avoid a Public Trial?
ICYMI: Charlie Rangel's War
Chicago Tribune, 7/27/10
Politico reported Monday that House Democratic leaders are pushing U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel of New York to negotiate a deal over broad ethics charges against him so everybody can avoid a public trial. We're wondering, who is served by that?
It serves House Democrats, who would avoid the embarrassment of trying one of their most prominent members as the November election approaches.
It might even serve Rangel if the Democrats are so desperate to bury his problems that they'll cut a deal that saves his job.
It won't serve Rangel's constituents, or the rest of this country. Not at all.
The House ethics committee has been slogging through the Rangel investigation for two years. For much of that time, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi coddled him, resisting demands that he step aside as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Finally that became too great an embarrassment. As Republicans pushed for his ouster, Rangel took a leave of absence earlier this year.
If Rangel and the ethics committee don't reach a deal by Thursday, there will be a full airing of the evidence backing the charges against him. That's exactly what needs to happen.
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RPOF ICYMI - July 26, 2010
Medicare Cuts Lead to Higher Costs, Fewer Services
Rhetoric: As a Republican, Charlie Crists Website Touted His Support for Repealing ObamaCare
"Charlie Crist strongly opposes the government run health care plan that was recently signed into law by President Obama and supports its repeal. . . . These health care opportunities are not found in Democrat legislation crafted behind closed doors by President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid that increases rates, increases taxes, and cuts Medicare." (Charlie Crist's Campaign Website,
http://www.marcorubio.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Charlie-Crist-on-Healthcare.png)
Reality: But Now, Charlie Crist Says He Wont Support Repealing ObamaCare, Despite the Impact the Government Takeover of Our Health Care System Will Have on Floridas Seniors
Mr. Crist has made other policy shifts. Despite pledging as a Republican to help repeal President Obama's health-care overhaul, Mr. Crist now says he does not support such a move. ("Crist Uses His Old Party as a New Foil," Wall Street Journal, 7/20/10)
Rhetoric: President Obama Promised to Strengthen Medicare and Extend the Life of That Program We agree on reforms that will finally reduce the costs of health care. Families will save on their premiums; businesses that will see their costs rise if we do nothing will save money now and in the future. This plan will strengthen Medicare and extend the life of that program. And because it gets rid of the waste and inefficiencies in our health care system, this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade. Now, I just want to repeat this because there's so much misinformation about the cost issue here. You talk to every health care economist out there and they will tell you that whatever ideas are -- whatever ideas exist in terms of bending the cost curve and starting to reduce costs for families, businesses, and government, those elements are in this bill. (Office of the Press Secretary, Remarks by the President After Meeting with Senate Democrats, whitehouse.gov, 12/15/2009)
Reality: Seniors Forced To Pay For Government Healthcare Takeover In More Ways Than One
Mark Baumann, a 44-year-old uninsured diabetic, sees in the Obama administration's health-care law a future with stable coverage to pay for his insulin shots and blood tests. That's likely to come indirectly at the expense of his mother's generous health-care plan. Humana Inc., Mary Baumann's insurer, intends to pare her Medicare Advantage plan to make up for the smaller government payments it will soon receive as a result of the new law, leaving her with higher costs or fewer services. On the table are beefed-up co-payments and premiums, as well as the loss of perks such as her free membership at a health clubThe health overhaul diverges by tapping a program for the elderly to help provide insurance to 32 million Americans of younger generations. Nearly half the funding for the law is supposed to come from paying lower fees to hospitals, insurers and other health-care providers that participate in Medicare, the federal insurance program for Americans age 65 and older, as well as younger disabled people. (Janet Adamy, Health Law Augurs Transfer of Funds From Old to Young, Wall Street Journal, 7/25/2010)
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Rubio for Senate Press Release - July 23, 2010
Miami, FL Highlighting his record of supporting the states businesses and workers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will announce its endorsement of Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate at a rally at the Plaza Theatre in Orlando tomorrow.
We will endorse Marco Rubio because he has a record of standing up for the people of Florida during challenging economic times, said Bill Miller, the U.S. Chambers senior vice president and political director who will attend the event with Rubio. He is an invaluable leader who has a common sense approach to job creation and getting America back on the road to recovery.
On issues ranging from competition in the health care industry, to lowering taxes, to reducing energy costs, Floridas businesses and workers will have a tireless advocate in Marco Rubio, Miller said.
In total, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Associated Builders & Contractors, the Associated Industries of Florida and the Club for Growth have all endorsed Rubio as the only candidate who will be a check-and-balance against the anti-jobs policies coming out of Washington and offer a clear alternative.
"I'm honored to have the support of the U.S. Chamber. At a time when the policies coming out of Washington are creating too much uncertainty for businesses to grow and create jobs, ours is the only campaign offering to go to Washington and act as a check and balance on this agenda and offer an alternative.
"Politicians don't create jobs. Jobs are created by everyday people who start a new business or expand an existing one. Governments job is to make critical decisions on tax, regulatory and other economic issues that encourage entrepreneurs to invest in their ideas. I will continue to be a voice for preserving the free enterprise system and for job creators small and large who deserve a jobs-friendly climate."
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NRSC Press Release - July 23, 2010
House Panel Finds Charlie Rangel Violated Numerous Ethical Rules, So Why Hasnt Kendrick Meek Returned His Tainted Campaign Cash?
WASHINGTON As the bipartisan House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct announced that U.S. Representative Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has been officially charged with a range of ethics violations following a lengthy investigation, U.S. Representative Kendrick Meek (D-FL) continues to loyally stand by his Democrat colleague.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) called on Meek to return Rangels tainted campaign cash in March 2010 after a number of his Democrat colleagues returned his contributions amid a number of very serious allegations including income tax violations. However, Meek has refused to return at least $5,500 in donations from Rangels campaign committee and leadership PAC during the course of the investigation surrounding the embattled former Ways and Means Committee Chairman.
The New York Times reports today that the Committee of Rangels congressional peers has spent nearly two years investigating claims that he improperly rented four rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem at a price well below market value, despite rules forbidding House members from accepting gifts worth more than $50. It also had been investigating allegations that he improperly used his office to provide legislative favors for an oil-drilling company that pledged a $1 million donation for an academic center named for Mr. Rangel and improperly failed to report taxable income received from a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic.
Why does Kendrick Meek continue to stand by Charlie Rangel after a bipartisan committee of his peers determined that he likely violated key ethics rules? asked NRSC spokeswoman Amber Marchand. Actions speak louder than words, and Kendrick Meeks actions continue to demonstrate that hes inexplicably willing to condone Charlie Rangels numerous violations and ignore the House Ethics Committee, which has admonished the embattled Congressman.
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