The Florida Progressive Caucus and Charlie Crist

Florida Progressive Coalition head Susan Smith has been less than enthusiastic about Charlie Crist winning the Democratic nomination for governor. Smith was Nan Rich's biggest public supporter. The Florida Progressive Caucus is a member of the Florida Democratic Party structure. Which makes Smith's disparaging remarks about Crist stand out.

Smith told William March of the Tampa Tribune that there was a lack of enthusiasm for Crist's candidacy.

But Rich backer Susan Smith, of Tampa, president of the state party’s progressi ve caucus, said her supporters “will vote for Crist, but I’m not sure if the enthusiasm will be there or if people will be working for him. People don’t get excited about voting against something. They get excited about voting for something.”

Smith gave another lukewarm response about Crist to MyNews13.

Despite the effort, some Democrats aren't thrilled about Crist being the nominee.

"People are discouraged about the governor's race," said Susan Smith. Smith is President of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida.

Mitch Perry asked Smith if she would support Crist. Her statement was underwhelming.

“I will no longer speak out and criticize on issues that I care about,” was as far as Susan Smith would go when asked about her support for Crist.

I asked Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant on the Florida Progressive Caucus's lack of public enthusiasm for the party's gubernatorial nominee.

Q: There have been people on social media that have suggested that FDP bylaws allow the Florida Progressive Caucus to speak out against party nominee Charlie Crist. Florida Progressive Caucus head Susan Smith has been rather negative against Charlie Crist publicly since he won the nomination. For the record: is the Florida Progressive Caucus allowed to publicly not back Crist?

Allison Tant: Nan Rich has shown the way to go. She has asked her supporters to support Charlie. I think if the caucus wanted to have an honest conversation with Charlie rather than a contentious one, one where they would honestly listen, they would be happy with his answers. We have too much ground to cover to allow division to occur.

Q: Thank you for your response. On the record question. What happens to the Florida Progressive Caucus's membership if they continue to be outspoken against Crist?

Allison Tant: I am going to have to review with the rules committee. It galls the hell out of me.

We will see what happens next.

Mark Pafford Next Florida House Monority Leader

It is nice to see the Florida Democratic establishment actually do something right. After the disaster that was the brief Darryl Rouson tenure; Florida House Democrats have made Mark Pafford the next Minority Leader.

Pafford was nominated and seconded by two state representatives who had been mentioned as possible leadership candidates: House Democratic Leader Pro Tempore Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, and Rep. Janet Cruz, D-Tampa. Jones lost out to Rouson to be the next Democratic leader back in February by a narrow margin. Rep. Shev Jones, D-West Park, and Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, nominated and seconded Williams.

Pafford in a leadership position will make progressives in Florida happy.

Update: Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant statement on Pafford.

"I congratulate Representative Mark Pafford for winning the support of his colleagues. I look forward to working with Rep. Pafford and all House Democrats in building a unified and and strong Caucus. I am excited for the great work ahead, and I am confident Representative Pafford will have great success."

Charlie Crist Is Officially the Democratic Establishment Candidate Against Rick Scott

Via Peter Schorsch: there was never much doubt that Charlie Crist was the preferred candidate to run against Gov. Rick Scott. Crist will join Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant for a FDP fundraiser at the home of Joe Falk and Mark Scott.

Expect Crist to make many more appearances with Tant and other big name Democrats across Florida. Crist is being rolled out by the party for his run.

Nan Rich Will Not Speak At Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

You know Nan Rich's gubernatorial candidacy is in trouble is when she will not be allowed to speak at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.

"I think it's inappropriate, given the amount of attention the governor's race will draw," said Rich, a Weston resident. "I've been a candidate for a year, I've traveled the state and built a significant infrastructure and grassroots support. And I'm just asking for five minutes."

But it's five minutes too long in the eyes of the Democratic Party's chairwoman, Allison Tant, who decided along with party leaders to keep the June 15 fundraiser at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood limited to three speakers: Congresswoman and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and featured speaker Julian Castro, the mayor of San Antonio.

I'm surprised that someone of Allison Tant's progressive background is blocking Rich from speaking. Florida Democratic Party political director Christian Ulvert explained that the focus of this year's dinner will be Julian Castro, Bill Nelson and DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

I wonder if the DNC told the FDP to not have Rich speak. Charlie Crist stumped for Obama in Florida and was a campaign bundler.