Lois Frankel Leading Adam Hasner

From Howie Klein.

#FL22- Progressive Lois Frankel starts off ahead of lunatic fringe wingnut Adam Hasner- 62.2%- 37.8%

Adam Hasner Staying Classy

Republican Senate candidate Adam Hasner first swore to defend America from the nonexistent threat of Sharia law taking over the American legal system. Hasner is now attacking primary opponent George LeMieux's French ancestry. Hasner is sending out this bumper sticker to supporters.



Hasner is running a cynical and disgusting campaign filled with outright bigotry. It says much about the current group of Republicans that elected Hasner the victor of the CPAC Senate straw poll.

Tea Partiers aren't supporting Hasner because they expect competent governing. They want Hasner to beat up on Muslims, gays and anyone the Tea Party deems is not American. Hasner hasn't offered a coherent plan of creating jobs. Tax cuts to the rich is not a jobs plan. In fact, Hasner doesn't even have a page for his policy proposal on his campaign web site. This is how unserious Hasner is.

Hasner's campaign strategy is to be the Republican version of the 1962 George Wallace campaign. Wallace ran on calling Martin Luther King a communist and "segregation forever." Wallace and Hasner were both considered moderates earlier in their political careers. Like Wallace, Hasner realized that there were voters who would respond to being told to be scared of colored people. Hasner has been telling Republican primary voters that immigration is a grave "national security issue" and accused President Obama of not taking illegal immigration seriously. The truth is Obama has deported more illegal immigrants than any president in history. A fearmonger like Hasner will not let facts get in the way of his attacks. All that matters is gaining political power.

Old Adam Hasner Mailer

Conservative blogger Jack Furnari dug up this old mailer of Adam Hasner bragging about his "moderate leanings." There is another mailer of Hasner support raises for school teachers, growth management and solar energy.

I find Hasner inauthentic. The Hasner that once had moderate leanings, and received an F grade from the Christian Coalition of Florida, is now foaming at the mouth about Sharia law. Hasner's only true political principle is getting himself elected to the U.S. Senate.

Quote of Day

"I think (incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen.) Bill Nelson will be very difficult to defeat, and the candidate who defeats him will have to be on the road 24-7."

Mike Haridopolos, former U.S. Senate candidate.

Bonus quote from Haridopolos.

"I can tell you one thing: I will not be supporting Adam Hasner for the Senate."

Ouch.

Hasner's Latest Nutty Mailer

I agree with Peter Schorsch's assessment of Adam Hasner's horrible mailer. Hasner proves himself to be an unserious man by stating that he is being attacked by a "terrorist front group." There are real terrorists and for Hasner to imply that he has been attacked by terrorists is a ccowardly attempt at attention. It is also a slanderous remark towards CAIR. The organization CAIR exists to fight bigotry towards Muslims. The exact bigotry Hasner used in his mailer. This tone Hasner is taking has Rick Wilson's work written all over it.

Hasner attacks George LeMieux for Charlie Crist's cap and trade policy. The hypocrisy is amazing. Hasner himself supported cap and trade. Hasner goes on to attack Crist. Apparently, Hasner hasn't gotten the memo that Crist is not running in the 2012 Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Wilson has probably told Hasner he needs to move away from his previous moderate image. The trouble is Wilson is a hard-right conservative. Bashing Charlie Crist and Muslims may play well in the Republican primary. In the general election Bill Nelson's team will paint Hasner has an unhinged extremist.

Side note: Hasner's attacks on Crist are bound to piss off Schorsch. I can guarantee Schorsch will use his blog and political consultant power to make Hasner pay. Schorsch is the defacto protector of the Crist brand. Schorsch's girlfriend Michelle Todd worked on Crist's campaign. It is safe to say Schorsch will work on Crist's next campaign.

Adam Hasner's Fundraising Letter Attacking George Lemieux

Problems For Haridopolos

It appears Captain Pink Shirt's ship has run aground. Key members of Mike Haridopolos' campaign are leaving.

The biggest setback for the Merritt Island Republican came late Thursday, as word trickled out that his longtime friend and political advisor, Pat Bainter, would no longer work for his campaign. Also departing: his de-facto campaign manager and spokesman, Tim Baker.

Haridopolos suggested in a written statement that the departures were no big deal. Haridopolos said he and Bainter remain "longtime" friends.

Losing a top political adviser and campaign manager is no big deal if you are Newt Gingrich. If you are trying to unseat Sen. Bill Nelson with President Barack Obama on top of the ticket in 2012 then this is a very big deal. Haridopolos has been with without a spokesman. It is a very big deal when a politician doesn't have a person to deliver his message to the media.

More bad news: Haridopolos finished fourth in the Space Coast Tea Party straw poll.

Who would you MOST like to be Florida’s U.S. Senator in 2012?

Adam Hasner – 36 votes

Mike McCalister – 24 votes

George LeMieux – 12 votes

Mike Haridopolos – 5 votes

Undecided – 13 votes

Who would you LEAST like to be U.S. Senator in 2012?

Mike Haridopolos – 62 votes

George LeMieux – 7 votes

Adam Hasner – 1 vote

Mike McCalister – 1 vote

Undecided – 1 votes Bill Nelson – 1 vote

If the tea party activists propel Adam Hasner to the Republican nomination then Bill Nelson will likely win another term. Hasner is a former moderate now running to the hard-right. Hasner has less authenticity than Mitt Romney. Haridopolos is despised by the tea party because of his penchant for pink shirts and a voice only slightly lower than Mickey Mouse. Haridopolos would be the more formidable general election candidate. The question is can he get the nomination.

Hasner & Wilson In Spinning Mode

Adam Hasner's campaign adviser, Rick Wilson, is attempting to put the best spin on his candidate's poor fundraising quarter.

To date, more than 98% of the money Hasner raised is dedicated toward the primary. More than 90% of Hasner’s contributors have the ability to donate repeatedly in future quarters. And the overwhelming majority – more than 85% – donated less than $1,000. #

“Obviously, we’re not going to out-raise our opponents right out of the gate,” said advisor Rick Wilson. “One of them is running the Charlie Crist special-interest, establishment campaign plan. And the other one wrote it. Our approach is fundamentally different: we’re going to win this race, not by making deals with Tallahassee insiders or compromising our principles with the Washington establishment, but holding firm on principle and keeping the faith with conservative grassroots donors. We’re also building a campaign that can go toe-to-toe with Bill Nelson next fall.” #

The campaign is still finalizing the quarterly report due on July 15th, but will show over $560,000 raised with a low burn rate and approximately $470,000 cash on hand.

Hasner did his own spinning.

“We always expected the two establishment opponents to start off raising more money than us, because that’s what the establishment does,” stated Hasner. “But we’ll ultimately win this race because of our positive conservative principles and a growing grassroots movement that’s looking for leaders who’ll stand up to Democrats and Republicans who act like them. Thanks to a growing and energized grassroots base, today is a great start for our campaign and a promising foundation for the long haul.”

It is laughable for Hasner to paint himself as an outsider. He is the former Florida House Majority Leader. One doesn't get that position by being a maverick. Hasner's problem is his fake tea party conservatism isn't catching on with voters. Corporate donors see Hasner painting himself as too extremist to win against Sen. Bill Nelson.

Mike Haridopolos raised $900,000. George LeMieux is tapping into Beltway donors. Courting the base is smart. Proclaiming that Sharia law is overtaking the United States makes Hasner look clownish.

Adam Hasner's Bizarre E-mail

Adam Hasner has received an F grade from the Christian Coalition. Hasner once supported stem cell research and cap and trade legislation.

"Responsibly addressing global climate change and anticipated national cap-and-trade legislation, while continuing to focus on energy diversity, reliability and affordability, the bill will place Florida's energy sector and economy in
a position to best protect the interests of Florida's citizens," the release read.

Hasner would later bash the Crist cap and trade policies he supported.

Hasner is not the kind of candidate the tea party is looking for. That is why Hasner started talking about the imaginary threat of Sharia law overtaking the United States. Hasner is now comparing the debt crisis to Hitler taking over Europe.

Our country was founded upon the idea that our rights and freedoms don’t come from kings or worldly powers, but rather that our freedom comes from God. For more than two centuries, that idea has been at the heart of the struggle toward a more perfect union, and that struggle has resulted in incredible gifts for our people, and the world.

Today, our nation is being driven deliberately toward a future unworthy of our past. The American people remain as exceptional as ever, but our government seems determined to prevent us from living up to our promise. The very freedom we celebrate this weekend is threatened like few times in our nation’s history.

On July 4, 1941, as Hitler’s Reich spread its influence across Europe, President Roosevelt used a radio address to proclaim the Fourth of July holiday as an example to the world in its fight for freedom. President Roosevelt said, “several new practices of tyranny have been making such headway that the fundamentals of 1776 are being struck down abroad, and definitely, they are threatened here.”

Nearly five months to the day later, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Despite the challenges, a generation of Americans would answer the call to save America, and the world, from a dark future under the control of brutal empires and savage dictators.

Today, the biggest threat to our liberty is not a foreign government, but our own. The worst practice of tyranny is not from a dictator, but from our debt – a debt which threatens to enslave future generations of Americans to a diminished future, a lower standard of living, and a reduction of our freedoms. We face more restrictions on our liberties from stifling bureaucrats than from threats abroad.

Today, we should reclaim the Fourth of July as a beacon in the fight for our own freedoms here in America. We should thank God for continuing to watch over our nation. We should celebrate the blessings of liberty we enjoy as Americans. We should be reminded of the immeasurable sacrifices that so many brave Americans have made to keep us safe, prosperous and free.

Most of all, we should pledge to do whatever we can to ensure that freedom’s light is not extinguished on our watch. That the sacrifices made by those who gave all to keep us free have not been made in vain. And that we’ll have the courage to entrust the future of our country only to those willing to do whatever it takes to save it.

May God bless you and your family on this Fourth of July, and may God continue to bless America.

This incoherent e-mail to Hasner's followers is bad. I will make an attempt to make sense out of nonsense.

I wonder why if Hasner believes that "our government seems determined to prevent us from living up to our promise" does Hasner keep running for government. The answer is Hasner doesn't really believe his own e-mail. If Hasner loves freedom then why would he want to serve on a government he compares with brutal savage dictators.

Mentioning Hitler in political dialogue, video or protest sign is a bad idea. Hasner is asked by The Buzz if he is comparing President Barack Obama to Hitler. Hasner threw is hissy fit on Adam C. Smith.

"You are now personally offending me...I'm not comparing obama or anybody else personally'' said Hasner, dismissing a question about why he would bring up Hitler in a July 4 message. "

"I didn't bring up Hitler on July 4 first - FDR did,'' said Hasner, who once demanded Alan Grayson apologize for describing the deaths of uninsured Americans as "a holocaust." "It's outrageous for you to make the obama comparison."

Is Hasner blaming a dead president for his e-mail? That is laughable. Technically, Hasner never mentioned Obama in his e-mail. Hasner fails to understand that the media and bloggers get a hold of fundraising e-mails candidates send out to their supporters. Hitler references never play well. It is Politics 101 to avoid references to Hitler.

Hasner thinks his supporters are stupid. There are tea partiers who will support Hasner because he will say what they want to hear. That kind of candidate is the worst person to send to Washington. Hasner's metamorphoses from right-of-center into lunatic fringe conservative lacks conviction.

Adam Hasner's Anti-Global Warming Position

Adam Hasner spoke at a Pinellas Park tea party furom. Hasner received applauses when he said global warming was a myth.

"I don't believe in man-made global warming. I don't buy into the alarmist mentality out there that the world is coming to an end," said candidate Adam Hasner, a former Florida House majority leader from Boca Raton.

He chalked up climate change to an "agenda" by some to control the economy and make the country fit in with global wishes.

Hasner floats a conspirary theory about global warming because the best way to gain tea party support is to be anti-science. The anti-science Hasner has yet to explain why he was a cosponsored of cap and trade legislation.

He cosponsored the legislation calling for the creation of a cap-and-trade regime in Florida. And when it passed the Florida House, his office issued a press release on behalf of the bill's sponsor praising the initiative

"Responsibly addressing global climate change and anticipated national cap-and-trade legislation, while continuing to focus on energy diversity, reliability and affordability, the bill will place Florida's energy sector and economy in
a position to best protect the interests of Florida's citizens," the release read.

Hypocrisy from Republican candidates is not surprising. Voters must ask themselves does Hasner refuse to believe scientific evidence or is he a political opportunist?

Adam Hasner: Moderate Man (Not Really)

The Buzz is having fun running some past headlines of the days when Adam Hasner portrayed himself as a moderate. This was five years before the tea party and the wheel were starting to fall off the George W. Bush brand of conservatism.

Hasner described himself as a moderate Republican who opposed expanding the state's private-school voucher program until greater accountability measures are added,'' the Sun-Sentinel wrote in November, 2004.

"Hasner cited votes in support of stem cell research and judicial bypass language in a parental notification bill and votes against a bill to expand the voucher program to families of active and retired military officers as proof he is a moderate Republican.... He also would support a review of the state's tax exemptions by the nonpartisan group, Florida Tax Watch," the Sun-Sentinel reported in October, 2004.

Hasner "has become a moderate voice in the Florida House and fit in well with his more conservative Republican colleagues," that paper's editorial board said the next day in endorsing Hasner.

"A rising star with moderate leanings and leadership hopes," was the paper's description in May 2004.

The truth is Hasner is a politician that will go where the current political climate is. Progressives have found out that Obama is not one of them. Obama had to run to the left of Hillary in order to win the primaries. Hasner will run like a tea party candidate and govern in a way that will get him re-elected for a second Senate term. The crop crop of Republicans in the United States Senate do not govern like moderates. Expect Hasner to follow their lead.

Quote of the Day

“While others stick their fingers in the wind to see what the election results from last night mean for their support of the Ryan Plan, I remain steadfast in my support. In fact, my only complaint with the Path to Prosperity Plan is that it does not go far enough, fast enough, to address Washington’s unsustainable spending."

Adam Hasner, on the Paul Ryan plan.

I hope the DSCC remembers this quote. As Digby pointed out, Ryan's plan to make Medicare a voucher program is extremely unpopular with seniors. The Congression Budget Office letter to Ryan gives good reason for people not to support the plan.

To summarize, a typical beneficiary would spend more for health care under the proposal than under CBO’s long-term scenarios for several reasons. First, private plans would cost more than traditional Medicare because of the net effect of differences in payment rates for providers, administrative costs, and utilization of health care services, as described above. Second, the government’s contribution would grow more slowly than health care costs, leaving more for beneficiaries to pay.

If you are a senior or have a pre-existing condition, good luck trying to get private health insurance without insurance companies being required to cover you. Which is what the CBO tells Ryan.

Read more »

Adam Hasner Soon to be In Senate Race

I have heard rumblings that Adam Hasner would run for the U.S. Senate. It appears that is correct.

Republican Hasner has opened a Senate exploratory committee with an assist from GOP superlawyer Cleta Mitchell, who has helped an array of conservative and tea party favorites including Rubio, U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R.-S.C., and failed 2010 U.S.Senate candidates Sharron Angle and Christine O'Donnell.

Hasner also got a glowing write-up in The National Review last week, although not the cover treatment the conservative mag gave then-underdog Rubio in 2009.

Hasner, who is Jewish, spoke to a small Christian Coalition gathering Thursday night in suburban Lantana. While concentrating mainly on federal spending, he highlighted his opposition to abortion and said, "American prosperity, strong national security and our foundational Judeo-Christian values are interwoven and inseparable." He also invoked American exceptionalism and Ronald Reagan.

Kathryn Jean Lopez gave Hasner a postive write-up on The Corner blog. Hasner told Lopez that America is "inseparable" from its "Judeo-Christian roots." The comment either is pandering to the Christian Right or contempt for America's history of the separation between church and state. Hasner also supports reforms in entitlement spending. Translation: cuts in Medicare and Social Security.

Hasner entering the Republican senate primary should knock George LeMieux. There is no way LeMieux can win the primary with his history with Charlie Crist. This is a Hasner and Mike Haridopolos race. The latter has been mocked by both RedState.com and Gail Collins of the New York Times. Hasner is the frontrunner. The question remains if Connie Mack will get in the race or keep his safe Senate seat.

In the Money

Republican Adam Hasner is the incumbant of Florida House district 87. Hasner is the House Majority leader. According to Follow the Money, Hasner has raised more coin than any other House candidate. His total is $317,702.

Lawyers & Lobbyists - $32,616
Party Committees - $31,917
Health Professionals - $13,050

Hasner received $500 donations from Appliance Direct, Appliance Direct I, Appliance Direct V, Appliance Direct VI, Appliance Direct VII, Appliance Direct X, Appliance Direct XI, Appliance Direct XII, Appliance Direct XIII, and Appliance Direct XIV. All these businesses are at the address 397 N Babcock St, Melbourne, FL. Contributors create several dummy companies to get around campaign finance laws. My feeling is such laws as McCain-Feingold have created a bigger mess. Money is not going to stay out of politics. What is needed is transparency.

Fun fact: Hasner wants to be called "Leader Hasner." I'm not making that up.