Blowback From Nan Rich Not Speaking At Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
Miami Herald political reporter Marc Caputo is marveling how how big of a mess the Florida Democratic Party has made out of not allowing Nan Rich to speak at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.
Way to go, Florida Democratic Party, you've allowed the Republican Party of Florida to mock you for appearing to mistreat one of your own, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Rich.
Marc, don't you know by know the Florida Democratic Party always manages to snatch defeat out of victory. The FDP is the Washington Generals of state political parties. We now see that RPOF chairman Lenny Curry sent out an email panning the FDP for allowing Rich to speak.
Because Senator Rich is an experienced spokesperson for Democratic ideology in Florida, it must be disappointing to see your Chairwoman, Allison Tant, put the interests of big-dollar donors ahead of a mere five minutes for Florida's leading champion of liberal causes.
It might be the fact that she is just out of touch with Democrat activists like many of you, and takes her orders from Washington. But it also may be that Tant is working with Charlie Crist to set up a possible gubernatorial candidacy announcement at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner. Who knows.
As I wrote before, this has less to do with the FDP and more to do with the DNC clearing the way for a Charlie Crist or Bill Nelson campaign. Many progressive activists are bothered by Rich not being given 5 minutes to speak. It wouldn't have killed the powers that be to at least pretend the nomination was still in play and give Rich a speaking slot. Realistically, she wouldn't have a chance against Nelson or Crist. It is not like speaking at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner would be a game changer.
Karen Castor Dentel (sister of Rep. Kathy Castor) wins the Florida House seat for district 30. Here is the statement from Florida Democratic Party chairman Rod Smith.
“We congratulate Karen Castor Dentel on her decisive victory tonight. Throughout her career, Karen has been a strong advocate for children and families in central Florida and she will take that same leadership to Tallahassee.
“Karen’s victory tonight is not just a win for middle class families but for those who are tired of the broken politics of the Republicans in Tallahassee. After waging what was one of the most despicable campaigns in American politics - fueled with special interests cash - Will Weatherford and the Republican’s false, disgusting attacks against a mother and schoolteacher will not be forgotten.
Dentel's victory is particularly sweet after The Committee to Protect Florida falsely linked her to convicted rapist Jerry Sandusky. CPF is a PAC run by incoming House Speaker Will Weatherford. It is nice to see Dentel beat this garbage.
Florida Democratic Party Has Horrible Fundraising Quarter
It is no coincidence that the Florida Democratic Party had their lowest fundraising quarter since 2006. The FDP raised only $894k in the third quarter of this year. There are several reasons for this.
Tallahassee Republicans are running their version of the K Street Project. Republicans are telling lobbyists to stay away from Democrats.
Lobbyists and big donors saw the Florida Democratic Party get rocked in the 2010 election. I wrote about this in detail. People aren't going to contribute to a state party they believe cannot win elections. Karen Thurman may be gone but Democrats are cleaning up the wreckage.
The FDP needs to learn how to use new media better to get contributions. If they don't adapt they won't survive.
The good news is Rod Smith is getting Democratic activists to help win elections. Peter Schorsch informed me that the FDP had a huge presence that help Bob Buckhorn win the Tampa Mayoral race. Alvin Brown's victory in Jacksonville was another success story for the FDP.
The Florida Democratic Party has sent out this nifty Rep. David Rivera wanted poster. Rivera hasn't held townhall meeetings. That might have something to do with Rivera not wanting to answer questions about why he is being investigated by the FBI, IRS, Miami-Dade Police Public Corruption Unit, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Rivera has another problem. His campaign is broke. According to OpenSecrets.org, his campaign has raised $110,324 and has $151,581 in debt. Rivera ran the Miami-Dade Republican Party into debt. Rivera spent $250,000 of Miami-Dade Republican Party money for Communication Solutions. Rivera's girlfriend Esther Nuhfer is the only employee of Communication Solutions. Nuhfer's only client is Rivera. Her office is a home in a residential community. I checked Google Maps for a business address for Communication Solutions in Coral Gables. There is none. An online profile of Communication Solutions shows the address to be a PO box.
PO BOX 143657
CORAL GABLES FL 33114-3657 US
Communication Solutions is what is known as a virtual company. Translation. It exists on the internet but not in the real world. This is usually how people set up bogus companies.
Interesting tidbit is Nuhfer donated to the 2010 campaigns of Rivera, Sandy Adams and Rivera's former roommate Marco Rubio.
Rod Smith Wants Hearing Over Lost Gov. Scott Emails
Florida Democratic Party chairman Rod Smith is asking the Florida legislature to hold hearings on Gov. Rick Scott's transition team losing emails. There is zero chance of Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon of taking their oversight duties seriously. This is why elections matters. If one chamber of the Florida legislature was Democratic hearing could be held.
Florida Democratic Party Letter to the Editor Campaign
The Florida Democratic Party is running a counter letter writing program to Gov. Rick Scott's initiative. FDP Chairman Rod Smith is asking voters to voice their disapproval to their local newspapers. Newspapers usually are wise to these spamming attempts. It is rather humorous that Scott's letter to the editor PR campaign is being lampooned.
Stephen Colbert made fun of Scott's letter to the editor campaign last night.
On April 30th, Judicial Council voted to remove Jon Ausman as Florida Democratic Party’s State Executive Committee. Ausman was found to repeatedlty have broken the Florida Democratic Party's rules of conduct. FDP chairman Rod Smith reviewed the Judicial Council's ruling. Smith decided to suspend and remove Ausman as committeeman. Below is Chairman Smith's letter on his decision.
The Florida Democratic Party is accusing Gov. Rick Scott of not abiding to Florida's Sunshine laws. Eric Jotkoff, of the FDP, requested documents relating to the redistricting. Jotkoff has failed to receive any requested documents. Attorney Mark Herron sent Gov. Scott this letter. Herron informs Scott that if Jotkoff doesn't receive the document by April's Fool Day (I kid you not), the FDP will take the governor to court.
The Honorable Rick Scott
Governor
PL 05, The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
RE: FDP Public Records Request of January 27, 2011
Dear Governor Scott:
On January 27, 2011, Eric Jotkoff, on behalf of the Florida Democratic Party (FDP), made the following request for public records:
Pursuant to Florida Statute 119.01(1), Florida Statutes, as member of the general public I am requesting that the Office of the Governor and any agency or agent acting under the direction of the Office of the Governor, as well as from the Gubernatorial transition, comply with its duty to provide access to public agency records, as afforded by Florida law pertaining to any and all of the following records related to Amendments 5 & 6 (commonly known as the Fair Districts Amendments), from November 3, 2010 to today, including the following:
- All documents including but not limited to all memos, emails, and correspondence relating to Amendments 5 & 6 including but not limited to Governor Scott’s decision to withdraw the application for preclearance from the U.S. Department of Justice.
- All documents including but not limited to all memos, emails, and correspondence regarding the use of taxpayer money on efforts to obstruct, delay or prevent Amendments 5 & 6 from being implemented after nearly 63% of Floridians voted to enshrine these amendments in the Florida Constitution.
- All documents including but not limited to all memos, emails, and correspondence regarding the appointment of Secretary of State Kurt Browning including but not limited to how this appointment would affect the implementation of Amendments 5 & 6.
I request that the information I seek be provided in electronic format via an electronic file, in lieu of hard copies.
On February 15, 2011, this request for public records was also forwarded to the Department of State, in accordance with Mr. Jotkoff’s understanding of the policy of the Governor’s Office that he needed separately to request these documents from the Department of State.
As of this date, the requested public records have not been provided to Mr; Jotkoff as required by Article I, Section 24, Florida Constitution, and Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. This request for public records has been pending in your office for two months and has been pending in the Department of State for six weeks.
On behalf of Mr. Jotkoff, it is requested that these public records be made available to Mr. Jotkoff by the noon on Friday, April 1, 2011. In the event that your office and the Department of State fail to do, please be advised that the FDP will pursue legal action to obtain these public records as provided by law.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Mark Herron
Update: the documents will be released. The FDP won after threatening legal action.
In November of 2010, Florida voters approved ballot amendments 5 and 6. Florida will be awarded two new Congressional seats in 2012. Amendment 5 and Amendment 6 was designed to change the way Congressional districts are drawn.
Amendment 5
In establishing Legislative district boundaries: (1) No apportionment plan or district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent; and districts shall not be drawn with the intent or result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process or to diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice; and districts shall consist of contiguous territory.
(2) Unless compliance with the standards in this subsection conflicts with the standards in subsection (1) or with federal law, districts shall be as nearly equal in population as is practicable; districts shall be compact; and districts shall, where feasible, utilize existing political and geographical boundaries.
(3) The order in which the standards within sub-sections (1) and (2) of this section are set forth shall not be read to establish any priority of one standard over the other within that subsection.
Amendment 6
In establishing Congressional district boundaries: (1) No apportionment plan or individual district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent; and districts shall not be drawn with the intent or result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process or to diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice; and districts shall consist of contiguous territory.
(2) Unless compliance with the standards in this subsection conflicts with the standards in subsection (1) or with federal law, districts shall be as nearly equal in population as is practicable; districts shall be compact; and districts shall, where feasible, utilize existing political and geographical boundaries.
(3) The order in which the standards within sub-sections
Changing the redistricting process as been a longtime goal for Florida progressives. Newly elected Florida Democratic Party chairman Rod Smith said the he will fight to legally make sure districts are drawn under the voter approved constitutional guidelines. Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos snidely remarked, "I call it the full employment for lawyers' bill." The voter approved amendments were not a "bill." It makes me wonder if the new Florida Senate leader understands the legislative process.
Senate Democrat Gary Siplin has voiced his disapproval of Amendment 5 and Amendment 6. Siplin has been known to vote with Republicans. The only thing Siplin is concerned about his his own Senate district.
Siplin and Rep. Corrine Brown said the new redistricting guidelines will not protect African-American voters. The amendments are written to protect minority voters. What likely concerns Siplin and Brown is that computers will be used to redraw districts. Sen. Haridopolos planned on using computers before the approval of the amendments. The amendments require that the districts be drawn in a reasonable square and contoured manner. Siplin's and Brown's districts bear closer resemblance to Jackson Pollock paintings than anything with right angles. The same can be said for every member of the Florida legislature and the Congressional delegation.
Brown and Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart have filed a lawsuit against the new redistricting law.
BROWN: "I was extremely disappointed in the passage of amendments 5 and 6. Congressman Diaz-Balart and I introduced a lawsuit this morning, and will continue our fight against these misguided, deceptive amendments in the federal courts. I am absolutely convinced that if they are carried out as prescribed, our state will immediately revert to the time period prior to 1992, when Florida was devoid of African American or Hispanic representation."
The ACLU has filed a motion against Brown. The ACLU is a defendant in the case. The ACLU called pre-approved Amendment 5 and Amendment 6 districting process a "rigged and broken system." The Florida Supreme court approved the ballot language of Amendment 5 and Amendment 6. It is doubtful Brown's and Diaz-Balart's lawsuit will go far.
Now that the new districting system is in the Florida constitution what does it mean to Democrats? Unfortunately. The success of Amendment 5 and Amendment 6 becoming law alone will not change the fortunes of Florida Democrats. Republicans have filibuster-proof majorities in the Florida House and Senate. There are only a handful of Democrats that will be working on redrawing districts on a federal and state level. It is hard for Democrats to change the rules of the game when they do not have enough elected officials to field a team.
Haridopolos, Marco Rubio, Ray Sansom, and David Rivera have been involved in various corruption scandals related to they service in the Florida legislature. Hoping for Republicans to draw up districts that will take away their dominance is pure fantasy. The Republican Party of Florida and legislative GOP members will mount a fierce campaign against fair district changes.
The Florida Democratic Party is broken. Democrats are putting their faith in a new chairman who has lost two statewide races and most famous moment is the much mocked helicopter ad.
It is doubtful Smith is going to significantly increase Democrats chances of getting elected to the Florida legislature any time in the foreseeable future. Haridopolos' prediction of lawsuits looks increasingly likely. The redistricting fight will get uglier as Florida again becomes a presidential battleground state.
On January 8, 2011, the Florida Democratic Party will make Rod Smith King officially announce the new party chair. The suspense is killing me. Who is it going to be out of the field of one candidate?
Florida Democratic Party To Elect Party Chair On January 8th Near Orlando Thank Chair Karen Thurman For Her Service To Party
The Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee will meet at the Gaylord Palms Hotel on January 8th to elect a new Party Chairperson to finish the term of Chair Karen Thurman, who recently announced her intentions to retire. Additionally at the meeting, Florida Democrats will thank Chair Thurman for her career of service to the State of Florida and the Democratic Party.
Who: Florida Democratic Party State Executive Committee
What: Meeting to elect next State Party Chair
When: January 8, 2011 Meetings begins at 10:30 AM Election expected around 1:00 PM
Where: Gaylord Palms Hotel 6000 W Osceola Parkway Kissimmee, FL 34746
Andrew Gillum gives his pitch for why he should be the next Florida Democratic Party chair. Gillum offers some interesting ideas to restructure the party.
Fundraising – Restructure our fundraising operation to support both local and statewide candidates. We can’t win statewide unless we win locally. I will strengthen our fundraising base by launching a small donor initiative to recruit every registered Democrat in Florida to make a small donor gift to the Florida Democratic Party, with proceeds split between the state party local DECs.
Staffing Structure – Conduct a complete assessment of the party staffing and strategically restructure our organization to incorporate a robust Communications, Research, and Policy Department and a Constituency & Outreach Department, to include college & youth, caucus and elected official outreach.
Building the Bench – Launch an initiative with local DECs, beginning immediately, to recruit and train local candidates and campaign managers, field organizers, finance directors, communications staff, and volunteer coordinators.
Redistricting Plan – Assemble a talented panel of attorneys and redistricting experts to create a counter redistricting proposal that will ensure an equitable plan that fully incorporates the intentions of Amendments 5 and 6.
Fighting the Radical Right – Create an opposition research team to closely monitor the actions of the Republican Party and its leaders to expose corruption, double standards or efforts to force its ultra-conservative agenda on Floridians.
I like the opposition research team idea. The Florida Democratic Party's current version of opposition communication is Eric Jotkoff copying and pasting news articles and blog posts and then sending these articles in emails. An opposition research team can dig up interesting pieces of information on Republicans. Bloggers and the media will lock onto a story on a Republican if there is dirt.
If the Florida Democratic Party doesn't have a legal team in place by now to fight for redistricting then Karen Thurman has been utterly useless. The Florida legislature will make the districts from guidelines the Commerce Department's census findings. Republicans have super-majorities in the legislature. The Florida Democratic Party has to fight for fair districts. The alternative is Democrats having their districts carved out into oblivion.
Building a bench and fielding good local DECs is something that should have been Thurman's first priority. The Florida Democratic Party let Republicans run unopposed in many legislative races. Why people acted surprised after the Republicans won super-majorites in the Florida House and Senate is what I can't understand. The FDP can't win if they don't show up.
The grassroots organization on the local level sucks. Florida Republicans are much better at getting out the vote.
Gillum would make an interesting choice for chair. He is young and black. Both groups voted in underwhelming numbers in this past election. (So much for Kendrick Meek helping black voter turnout.) Gillum seems to have some idea for what is ailing the Florida Democratic Party. We haven't heard a single interesting idea from Rod Smith on how to turn the Florida Democratic Party around. Smith has lost two statewide elections and was part of Alex Sink's disastrous Panhandle strategy.
Gillum can engage young and minority voters who feel alienated by the GOP. The base of the party needs a spokesman that can get people motivated. That is why Howard Dean's election to the DNC provided the successes of 2006 and 2008. Have you heard anyone used the words "Tim Kaine" and "motivated" in the same sentence? Smith becoming chair will produce the same lack of enthusiasm.
Rod Smith sounds like a man who is going to become the Florida Democratic Party's next chair. Smith is talking to Post On Politics as if he knows he has the job.
“I want to be a unifier. I don’t want to create division,” said Smith, a “This isn’t like a lot of campaigns. This is about trying to make sure that you first do no harm. Right now I’m focusing on trying to convince people that this is the right thing to do for me and for the party but I also remain open to listening to people’s concerns.”
Post On Politics reports that Smith will make the announcement about becoming the new chair on Monday. I'm amazed at how little debate there has been about whether or not Smith is the right choice. This is happening very fast without a lot of vetting of Smith.
“I would like to personally thank Chairwoman Karen Thurman for her steady leadership at the Florida Democratic Party. Over the past six years as Chairwoman, Karen has successfully built the infrastructure and modernized the operations of the Florida Democratic Party. Her focused efforts to empower our party’s grassroots activists will continue to benefit Democrats across Florida. I would like to thank Karen as she retires for her commitment to public service, for the reforms she has made at the party and her career spent fighting to improve the lives of Floridians,” said Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine.
So much for talk that Thurman couldn't be forced out because her term was not over.
Peter Schorsch and Joy-Ann Reid report the black caucus is less than thrilled about the possibility of Rod Smith becoming the new chair.
The black lawmaker, who spoke to TRR on background, didn’t express support or opposition to Smith, but did point out that Alex Sink’s running mate failed to deliver north Florida for the ticket. “He ran for governor and lost, he lost to Jim Davis in the primary” the lawmaker said. “And then he lost as lieutenant governor to Alex Sink. In my mind, three strikes and you should be out. We need change in the Democratic Party. We need new blood. We don’t want to see the same good old boy system. There are too many smart, diverse people, too many cultures and too much history for all of that to be lost, and to deal with that good old boy syndrome that Rod Smith represents.”
The Panhandle strategy was a massive failure. It appears the Florida Democratic Party needs to lose a few more election cycles before they get serious about running 21 century campaigns.
Finding Jimmy Hoffa would be easier than knowing Karen Thurman's whereabouts right now. The media has not been able to get a hold of Thurman. Peter Schorsch just might take down a Florida Democratic Party chair. My advise to Ms. Thurman is life goes on and take a long vacation. This isn't the end of the world.
Thurman is on her way out. If Thurman wasn't she would have dug in her heels and told the media she isn't going anywhere. The Miami Herald reports Rod Smith is in the running to replace Thurman. Don't get to excited. Smith was a team member of Alex Sink's disastrous Panhandle strategy. Sink's goal was to get votes from the ultra-conservative Panhandle. The strategy was a massive failure.
Smith, seemingly a no-show on the campaign trail this year in high-profile events, was the spearhead of the failed strategy to appeal to white, rural voters and conservative Democrats, who appeared to vote in droves for Republican Rick Scott's ticket. Meantime, South Florida Democrats -- and especially black Democrats -- felt a little left out. So many stayed home.
Meet the potential new boss - same as the old boss.
I wrote that the problems extend beyond Thurman. Smith has lost two statewide races. I like Smith politically, but he doesn't seem to know what it takes to win in Florida. If the Florida Democratic establishment are going to use to same strategy of no message poor campaign organization then it really doesn't matter who is in charge.
Florida Democrats need to go after young voters and recruit candidate that will appeal to the base. Alex Sink tried the Panhandle and Kendrick Meek did his Florida nursing home tour. The result was older and rural voters going for Republican candidates in the general election. People will say that young voters sit out midterm elections. I say there was no effort from the state party to get young voters active. If the FDP wants to keep ignoring young voters then they do so at their own peril.
Peter Schorsch has started the website Fire Karen Thurman. Site has a petition which I am sure Schorsch will be more than happy to the Florida Democratic Party. Schorsch is not loved by some in the Florida Democratic establishment. I wonder if Schorsch is going to do the GOP equivalent of how Chris Ingram damaged his career by bashing the corruption of the Florida Republican establishment. Considering how Thurman's stock not so high, I say not so much
Rick Wilson is a political consultant and runs the company Intrepid Media. Wilson produces ads for Republicans campaigns. I don't normally do this. I asked for Wilson's thoughts on the Florida Democratic Party and the Kendrick Meek campaign. Wilson is familiar with Florida elections and I thought it would be interesting getting his perspective.
I have quibbles about Kendrick "moderate progressive" Meek being too liberal. I am not a Rubio fan, but Wilson is. Wilson does get a lot of other things right.
Ya'll had a pretty tough night.
Even if the FDP was a finely-tuned campaign machine, Meek would have lost. The simple reality is, Kendrick was never going to beat Marco in a year like 2010, Crist or not. He's to the left of Obama, and that's not anywhere near the flavor in this political season. (Beyond the savage electoral beat-down your side just took, see the recent FL polling on the stimulus, the health care bill, Obama approval etc.) I'm sure your readers would dispute this, but that's the difference between us: I see the political climate as it is, not how I wish it would be.
Marco is a bold, smart, conservative with a crystal-clear message...and he ran a great campaign. It wasn't just a national wave: Marco's message resonated with Florida voters who are (with a few exceptions in a handful of counties) largely conservative. Florida is not a progressive state. It can be volatile in Presidential elections...but take a look at statewide elections in FL over the last 20 years. See many flaming #pfla-type liberal firebrands there?
Once a cadre of Democrats (Wexler, call your office) decided Crist was a better play to defeat Marco, they injured the Florida Democratic Party's bond of trust with African American voters and progressives. It was low-rent realpolitik: too clever by half, and thus doomed and stupid. Democrats from FL and the White House playing footsie with Charlie Crist left Meek vulnerable to rumors for months, undermining his fundraising and his stature. Think about this: a big chunk of your party decided to betray an affable, decent African American Democrat with a good resume for Charlie Crist. (Combined with what's going to happen to African American representation under your beloved redistricting plan, well, all I can say is "thanks!")
Of course, the FDP also failed to execute basic campaign operations, including candidate recruitment, turnout operations, farm team building, etc. How's that OFA/Union Permanent Campaign working out for ya? Because the GOP has never had the logistical backstop of unions, when we win, it's by hard work, better candidates, a message that works and building good infrastructure. This isn't a secret. The Florida Democratic Party has been very well-funded in the last year, but it's unbelievably poor decision-making with its donors' money pales in comparison to Jim Greer's Amex excesses. They might as well stack up the cash and have a bonfire.
Florida Democratic Party chair Karen Thurman sent this email out to supporters. The last few paragraphs, that I highlighted in bold, leave me shaking my head.
Florida Democrats
Friend,
While we came up short in this election, the issues and ideas that our Democratic leaders continue fighting for -- bringing jobs to Florida, solving the foreclosure crisis, and improving our public schools for Florida's children -- are critically important to the future of the Sunshine State.
Today, we are more determined than ever to hold Republican politicians accountable.
I would like to personally thank everyone who volunteered at our Campaign for Accountability offices across Florida, the grassroots activists and elected leaders who work so hard to make the Sunshine State a better place to live, and all of the Floridians who contributed to the Florida Democratic Party over this last several years.
We energized millions of voters in this state. Because of the amazing operation we built, those Floridians got engaged in this campaign, they learned about the issues facing the state we love, and they stood up for Democratic leaders we can believe in.
That accomplishment alone takes Florida -- and our country -- forward. That is a feat worth celebrating.
Thank you so much for everything you've done -- and for believing in a brighter future for Florida.
Karen Thurman Florida Democratic Party Chair
The Florida Democratic Party's GOTV effort is worth celebrating. I don't know what to say. I have been talking to people and no one can figure out what was the FDP's GOTV drive.
University of Florida political science Professor Daniel Smith sent me two tweets on the FDP's GOTV effort.
Word is FL Dem's coord campaign was GOTV disaster, but (Alex) Sink & Steve Schale worked independ & performed better
I asked Smith is he aware of anything that the FDP did to increase voter turnout. His response wasn't reassuring.
Got me.
I got into a food fight with the Meek campaign. I don't feel like going through the same thing with Thurman and the FDP. I do wonder what Thurman is thinking when she describes her GOTV drive as an "amazing operation we built." I am more amazed the FDP thought this email was a good idea.
Intensity increasing by the moment to see FL Dem Chair Karen Thurman resign immediately. Doubt she makes it through the week.
I don't know who Schorsch's sources are. I find Schorsch's tweet amusing since Benjamin Kirby said I would be the first person to call for Thurman's resignation.
The 2010 election was a disaster for Florida Democratic Party. Democrats lost all the cabinet races. Republicans have super-majorities in the Florida House and Senate. Changing the deck chairs won't change anything if Florida Democrats don't have coherent policy proposals. The message needs to be more than Republicans are bad. Democrats need to offer solutions for voters.
Rick Scott is going to be an unpopular governor. Scott's negatives are already high. Democrats need to stand up for smart growth, the environment, education and closing corporate tax loopholes (Stadium luxury suites aren't taxed.) Florida Democrats can use these stances on issues to paint Scott as to far from the mainstream. It is also the right thing to do. Scott's policy proposals if implemented will be horrible for Florida.
The FDP has to stop the practice of not fielding candidates in Republican-leaning districts. Jim Norman is a Florida Senator because the FDP didn't field a Democrat for the general election. The Florida Democratic Party cannot continue the practice of letting Republicans run uncontested and then wonder why they can't win back the legislature.
The Florida Democratic Party's GOTV effort is broken. Democrats have had a huge voter advantage in 2008 and 2010. The FDP was not able to win legislature seats the year Barack Obama won Florida. Democrats couldn't win in Florida with Obama on top of the ballot. The car crash that was the Democrats GOTV effort should be no surprise in a Republican-leaning year.
I am not a Karen Thurman fan. She is responsible for the disastrous idea of moving up the Democratic presidential primary. However, the problem extends beyond Thurman.
Correction: Democrat Adam Fetterman picked up an open Republican seat.
"Meanwhile, as a friend of mine in mediaworld said to me tonight, how could Florida Democrats could so screw things up, when the state party is flush from victory in 2008, has raised tons of the money, which erased the Republican advantage, and when the state party they’re facing are almost all under investigation by the FBI and IRS … including Marco Rubio??? You begin to wonder if Democrats can even play this game… "
Peter Schorsch and I both have touched on this. Let me use a sports term. Florida Republicans can ball and the Democrats can't. Republicans will tell voters what they stand for. No one has any doubt that Marco Rubio will cut corporate taxes and is against abortion. Democrats literally run from what they are suppose to stand for. There is the infamous moment of Alex Sink walking away from a question about the health care public option.
Voters want to see candidates stand for something. Rubio has horrible policy positions. Rubio sells being anti-choice and anti-gay as being principled. Florida Democrats let Rubio get away with his unprincipled social positions because they avoid bringing up the subject. Kendrick Meek didn't make gay rights a campaign issue until Charlie Crist supported gay adoption.
The Florida Democratic Party sends out rapid response emails everyday about what is wrong with the Republican Party of Florida. Politically, attacking the opposition is fair game within the bounds of reason. What we aren't hearing from the Florida Democratic establishment is new ideas. Rubio's "100 Ideas" was nothing more than a political gimmick The (false) message voters were receiving is Republicans have proposals. What is the Florida Democratic Party's message besides Republicans are bad. I and other progressive bloggers buy the message. The voters of Florida aren't the Florida Progressive Coalition. The voters need a reason to vote for Democratic candidates.
