Fundraising Numbers For Florida District 10

According to OpenSecrets.org, Daniel Webster is killing his opponents in fundraising.

Daniel Webster (R)

Raised: $749,091

Spent: $444,010

Shayan Modarres (D)

Raised: $63,716

Spent: $38,532

Bill Ferree (D)

Raised: $34,955

Spent: $31,756

Modarres is an attorney and has worked as a community access. From the bio from the Modarres For Congress website.

Last summer, I co-organized a peaceful rally which gathered over 2,000 demonstrators in downtown Orlando protesting mandatory minimum laws, disproportionate sentencing of minorities, and racial disparity in the Florida criminal justice system. Looking out at the large gathering of people, coming together without regard to race, religion, nationality, gender or sexual orientation, it was evident that the residents of central Florida were determined to stand up and make a real change.

Although fighting against injustice as a practicing attorney is deeply gratifying, the opportunity to draft and support fair laws to affect even greater change is more appealing. That’s why I’m running for congress.

Modarres' stance on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict scares the daylights out of the current Democratic establishment. You can count on Debbie Wasserman-Schultz on not supporting the Modarres campaign.

85,000 Palestinians have been displaced, over 500 have died in the #Gaza conflict.

— Shayan For Congress (@shayan4congress) July 21, 2014

Ferree is a military veteran and a former pilot for Delta Airlines. Ferree is an environmental activist. Ferree is the author of the book "Empty Tank Empty Wallet: For those Who Don't Own an Oil Well." Ferree advocates for a move away from fossil fuel. Ferree is one of the co-founders of WattNext, Inc. From the WattNext website.

The 20th century's incredibly beneficial but ultimately destructive energy source—fossil fuels—will eventually be replaced by clean and abundant energy from the sun. Delivered as electricity, it will serve any need, including transportation. The "smart grid" will enable the collection, storage, distribution and use for the greatest utility and economy.

WattNext is creating the infrastructure that connects solar power, electric vehicles, and the "smart grid". Let us coach you and help design and build your smart investment.

Originally named Sunwise Power Systems, WattNext was incorporated in 2009. It is the first for-profit spinout company from the non-profit environmental technology business incubator, RubeLab, Inc. All WattNext principals are current RubeLab members.

The WattTree is the commercial version of the RubeStation, an electric vehicle charging station prototype, developed and built by RubeLab and donated to the City of Eustis. The RubeStation is located on Fountain Green in downtown Eustis, Florida.

District 10 as two solid progressive candidates. Unfortunately, they are going against an incumbent a longtime member of the Florida Republican establishment.

Florida Members of Congress Voting For Government Shutdown

Via Stogie: here is a list of Republicans who voted for a CR bill that would delay Obamacare. This is a nonstarter in the Senate and President Barack Obama would never sign it into law. This vote is just to appease the tea party base of the GOP.

Rep. Jeff Miller [R-D1]

Rep. Steve Southerland [R-D2]

Rep. Ted Yoho [R-D3]

Rep. Ander Crenshaw [R-D4]

Rep. Ron DeSantis [R-D6]

Rep. John Mica [R-D7]

Rep. Bill Posey [R-D8]

Rep. Daniel Webster [R-D10]

Rep. Richard Nugent [R-D11]

Rep. Gus Bilirakis [R-D12]

Rep. W. Bill Young [R-D13]

Rep. Dennis Ross [R-D15]

Rep. Vern Buchanan [R-D16]

Rep. Thomas Rooney [R-D17]

Rep. Trey Radel [R-D19]

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart [R-D25]

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-D27]

Time to Party With Lobbyists

What do Sandy Adams (Fla.), Quico Canseco (Texas), Rick Crawford (Ark.), Bob Dold (Ill.), Sean Duffy (Wis.), Stephen Fincher (Tenn.), Mike Fitzpatrick (Penn.), Daniel Webster (Fla.), Mike Grimm (N.Y.), Nan Hayworth (N.Y.), Jim Renacci (Ohio) and Cory Gardner (Col) all have in common. They all partied with lobbyists at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida.

Congressmen Canseco and Gardner were seen on camera heading in to host happy hour. To get in, donors had to pay at least $10,000.

During his campaign, Gardner promised average voters would inspire his actions. One ad said, "I will always put Colorado families before the Washington special interests."

Turns out Gardner put his interest in special interests above Colorado families. Families getting their homes foreclosed upon are not important when it's time to party. Nothing says helping Americans more than playing golf and slamming drinks with Spencer Bachus, Pete Sessions, and a group freshman Republicans.

You will be shocked to learn that nine of the congressman at the vacation fundraiser are on the committee with oversight of banks. You also will be shocked to learn that none of the elected Republicans at the fundraiser wanted to be interviewed by CBS News on-camera.

Republicans on the state and federal level have been living lavishly of the campaign contributions of their corporate donors. There are those Republican Party of Florida credit card bills that the state party continues to avoid discussing. Tom Feeney lost his House seat because of his infamous golf trip with Jack Abramoff. These REpublicans talk about hard work and the power of the free market. The truth is they want lavish corporate welfare and a government paycheck.

Emily's List Candidate: Val Demings

Val Demings has made Emily's List.

Val regularly appears on “Who’s Who” lists like “Central Florida’s Top Power Players,” and “Orlando’s 50 Most Powerful People.” Today I’m thrilled to announce she’s “On the List” -- as one of the pro-choice Democratic women candidates we’ve singled out for early and enthusiastic support -- as well! Val has been called a “trailblazer” for her successful efforts to target illegal guns and drugs, crack down on domestic violence and step up community policing, all of which resulted in a 10.1% drop in crime -- which the city’s mayor called the “most dramatic… in the history of the city of Orlando.”

Demings was Orlando's Orlando’s first female chief of police. She retired in June. Demings announced her candidacy shortly after her retirement. It is obvious that Demings has been planning on running for quite some time. Mayor Buddy Dyer supported her as police chief. It will be interesting to see if Dyer is involved with Demings campaign.

Demings will run for Congress against District 8 incumbent Daniel Webster. Demings may face Alan Grayson in the primary. Grayson hasn't announced what seat he is running for because of redistricting. Demings will have a hard time fundraising if Grayson runs in the same district.

Will Alan Grayson Run?

The blogger who shall not be named thinks Alan Grayson is running again. Grayson hasn't done anything to make people think otherwise. Garyson was asked by Politico if he was thinking of running again. "Yes," Grayson answered.

Kyle Munzenrieder floats the idea of Grayson running against Sen. Marco Rubio in 2016. That race would give me a year's worth of blogging material. The media would have a collective orgasm if the race came to fruition.

Grayson must be more disciplined if he wishes to run again. Grayson made the bad mistake of calling lobbyist Linda Robertson a "K Street whore." I don't believe that Grayson meant to imply that Robertson was a professional escort. The comment was in poor taste.

I have covered the issue of Grayson's ad against Dan Webster. I find Webster's form of Christianity of frightening. The fact remains that Grayson misquoted Webster in the ad. What wasn't mentioned as much is the infamous "Taliban Dan Ad" and the Grayson ad below was the worst kind of fear-mongering aimed at Muslims. This kind of xenophobic is uncalled for from a progressive Democrat.

 

Daniel Webster's Angry Townhall Meeting

Rep. Daniel Webster was greeted by people angry at the Republican Party plan to abolish Medicare. Tea partiers and Medicare supporters shouted down each other.

Highlight of the video: a voter asked Webster how can Republicans can lower taxes for the rich and say they are trying to lower the deficit.

Voter: Congressman, why did you vote for a budget to privatize Medicare, cut VA benefits, and turn around and turn around and gave away tax cuts (inaudable) to the highest personal rates? You're not caring about the deficit or you wouldn't have gave away all those tax cuts.

A tea partier behind the man shouts, "We can't afford it, you moron." Either this tea partier makes over $250,000-a-year (doubtful) or he believes the bogus supply side economics argument that tax cuts create greater tax revenue.

A woman tells Webster that Medicare can keeps health care costs down with its ability to negotiate prices. Dismantling Medicare would only make health care costs increase without a government program program to be a counter balance to the private health industry.

How Not to Do Media Outreach

Incoming Congressman Daniel Webster has hired Pepper Pennington to be his Chief of Staff. I question the wisdom of that choice. Pennington was Tom Feeney's press secretary. She decided to publicly feud with former Tampa Tribune columnist Daniel Ruth. The result was Ruth hysterically ripping Pennington and Feeney in a column.

Pennington sent this message to Ruth.

"After reading your column, I planned on giving you the same treatment that you extended my boss and call you a vulgar name," a fairly peeved Pepper Pennington puckered. "But I stopped because I feel so sorry for your miserable existence and the shame your family and colleagues must feel for being associated with you."

Ruth's response.

The term that so appalled Pepper Pennington was the suggestion in the column that Feeney, R-Panhandler, was simply a lying, fibbing, prevaricating pinhead.

Feeney has taken to the airwaves in his Oviedo-area district to pout that his glomming on to Abramoff's frequent flier card was nothing more than a "rookie mistake" made by a newbie congressman unfamiliar with the bizarre rituals of Washington.

To which one can only say to Pepper Pennington: Piffle!

By the time Feeney had landed in Washington, he had served in the Florida Legislature since 1990, including a term as House speaker, in addition to serving as Jeb Bush's running mate during his ill-fated 1994 gubernatorial race.

Rookie? This dope was about as much of a political rookie as the Mayflower Madam.

I dealt with the joy that was the outreach that was the Kendrick Meek Senate campaign. Making enemies of the press and bloggers is not going to help your candidates or elected officials. That is my advice to communications people in politics.

Cook Reports Rates Grayson Race As Leans Republican

The Cook Report rates the Alan Grayson/Daniel Webster race as leans Republican.

Lean Republican. Like a bad disease, this race is so toxic thanks to Grayson that both parties wish they could quarantine it. And House Democrats, who point to Grayson’s self-funding capabilities as an excuse not to get involved, basically can. But for now, the preponderance of evidence suggests that Grayson’s scorched earth “Taliban Dan” attacks against GOP state Sen. Dan Webster are backfiring. Editorial boards have excoriated Grayson for taking Webster’s words grossly out of context by rolling footage of Webster saying “she should submit to me,” when Webster had actually warned husbands against that advice. As one Republican noted, painting Webster as anti-woman is a curious line of attack considering Grayson referred to a lobbyist as a “K Street whore” just last year.

Webster has wisely avoided being dragged into a brawl with Grayson, almost avoiding the incumbent like he is a rabid creature, while the NRCC is up with ads calling Grayson a “national embarrassment.” Although Grayson backers say the Democrat’s off-script antics win over angry independents, boring may be better in this case. While Grayson-commissioned polling over the summer showed him in the lead while multiple third party candidates were taking a sizable double digit share of the vote, more recent internal GOP polling shows Grayson’s numbers have tanked. The antagonist Grayson is to Republicans what Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann is to many Democrats. The difference is that Grayson is running for reelection in a district and political environment tilted against his party.

As I said before, the "Taliban Dan" ad is a disaster. Grayson quoted Webster out of context. The ad quoted Webster saying, "Wives submit yourself to your own husband." Another Webster quote was: "Submit to me." Webster made the quotes at the Christian conservative Institute in Basic Life Principles.

Here is what Webster actually said.

"Have verses for (your) wife. I have verses for my wife," Webster said in an unedited excerpt provided by the Institute. "Don't pick the ones that say, 'she should submit to me.' That's in the Bible, but pick the ones you're supposed to do (laughs). So instead (laughs) that you'd love your wife -- even as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it ... and, as opposed to wives submit yourself to your own husband. She can pray that if she wants to, but don't you pray it."

Another part of the ad that hasn't been mentioned is the blatant Islamophobia. The images of Muslims and burning of the American flag is not about to promote greater tolerance. The ad is pure fearmongering. This is coming from someone who doesn't want Dan Webster anywhere near Congress.

Why Alan Grayson Went Too Far

Alan Grayson would have probably had an easy win over Republican Daniel Webster. Alan Grayson then decided to run the distasteful ad "Taliban Dan Webster."



It is one thing to hit your opponent hard. It is another to come off as a nutty Tea Partier. I can't stand Daniel Webster. I have no problem with Grayson attacking Webster's social positions. Comparing him to the Taliban is way over the top. Peter Schorsch has a post how the ad has galvanized Republicans. GOP media strategist Rick Wilson claims the Webster campaign has raised $300,000 from the right-wing push back against Grayson. Wilson makes a statement I absolutely agreee with.

As for the earned media narrative, it went from: “pugnacious, well-funded Alan Grayson” to “barking lunatic and liar Alan Grayson” in just 24 hours. The Factcheck.org takedowns of Grayson’s two spots here and here are unequivocal: Grayson’s ads are false and misleading. Poltifact feels the same way.

Grayson's own internal poll showed him with a commanding lead over Webster. Grayson could have run a positive ad talking about his family and the things he stands for. Instead, he decides to stoop to Karl Rove-level swift boating. Grayson is like a pitbull that doesn't know when not to attack. The one person that seems to think this ad was a great idea is Kenneth Quinnell. This kind of political savvy explains why Quinnell was such a success on the Meek campaign.

Update: The Buzz reports the negative reaction to the "Taliban Dan Webster" ad is benefitting Webster.

A source close to the campaign told the Buzz that Webster has already received $40,000 from people outraged by the ad. The campaign sent an e-mail to potential donors but has also benefited from media coverage -- from MSNBC to Glenn Beck -- in the past two days.

Alan Grayson Internal Poll

I usually stay away when candidates release internal polls. However, this Alan Grayson internal poll needs to be commented on.

Alan Grayson 40%
Daniel Webster 27%
Others 23%
Undecided 11%[1]

This poll tallies out to 101 percent. That makes no sense. Internal polls should be taken with a grain of salt.

Webster is in trouble if independent voters are really swinging towards Grayson.

Other revelations from the poll include the facts that Grayson has a dramatic lead of 41% to 9% among Independent voters, a striking margin of 60% to 13% among voters under 35, and an enormous advantage of 84% to 5% among African-Americans. “Webster is toast,” said Drzymala.

Grayson seves as an example of a progressive winning a traditionally conservative district. Blue Dogs and New Democrats are good at losing elections. That doesn't mean I expect progressives to win big overnight in Texas or Alaska. Voters don't like politicians that constantly flip flop. Can anyone tell me what Ben Nelson or Blanche Lincoln truly care about. (Besides getting elected.) Grayson's victory will refute the Rahm Emanuel argument that progressive candidates can't win and get re-elected to Republican districts in the South.