Quote of the Day: Dubious Rubio Edition

"You know why I never answer that question? If I tell you that I haven’t, you won’t believe me. And if I tell you that I did, then kids will look up to me and say ‘Well I can smoke marijuana because look how he did. He did alright so I guess I can do it, too.’ And the bottom line is, it is a substance that alters your mind. Now when I was 17 and 18, 16, I made dumb decisions as is. I didn’t need the help of marijuana or alcohol to further that."

Sen. Marco Rubio, dodging questions by the National Journal on if he ever smoked marijuana.

That is the kind of straight talk (or lack of) that makes me love writing about Dubious Rubio.

Update: Miami Herald political reporter Marc Caputo isn't buying Rubio's rambling answer.

Even Republicans Know Dubious Rubio is a Political Coward

An ally of Paul Ryan made this great quote about Sen. Marco Rubio running away from his own immigration reform bill and launching a plan to shutdown the government to defund Obamacare.

"It comes off as inauthentic," the Ryan ally said of Rubio. "I know they don't believe that this is wise, this defund Obamacare and shut down the government. It's crazy town. He doesn't look like a leader. He looks like he's panicked."

Sen. Tom Coburn pointed out the stupidity of the government shutdown plan.

“A good portion of the health-care law is mandatory spending and repealing that would require two-thirds of the House and 67 votes in the Senate. I don’t see happening,” Senator Coburn told the Washington Post.

67 votes would be needed to break Obama's veto. This will never happen.

Rubio is jumping in with his fellow tea party senators because the hits he took on immigration reform terrified him. This is the same Marco Rubio that choked on national television with his State of the Union response.

This is the same Marco Rubio that ran into the rain to avoid Marc Caputo's questions about David Rivera. Go see the video of this at Naked Politics. Rubio folds under pressure

Dubious Rubio Runs From Questions on ENDA

Via Towerroad: why conservatives should worry about Rubio is that he chokes under pressure . Rubio ran into the rain to avoid Marc Caputo's questions about David Rivera's legal problems. Rubio's State of the Union response was an epic choke. Rubio's latest misstep is him running dodging Think Progress reporter Scott Keyes.

KEYES: The Senate this summer is going to be taking up the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which makes it illegal to fire someone for being gay. Do you know if you’ll be supporting that?

RUBIO: I haven’t read the legislation. By and large I think all Americans should be protected but I’m not for any special protections based on orientation.

KEYES: What about on race or gender?

RUBIO: Well that’s established law.

KEYES: But not for sexual orientation?

Walking away from a reporter as he is asking a question is a sign of political cowardness.

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.

Charlie Crist's Gay Marriage Answer

If Charlie Crist wants to be the Democratic nominee for governor in 2014, he is going to have to give a better answer on his position on gay marriage. The media Marc Caputo asked Crist about the Governor signing a petition in 2006 to make gay marriage illegal in the Florida Constitution. Crist gives a nonanswer.

"Would I do it today? No," Crist said. "I think the best way to judge where my heart is is to look at the deeds that I have done, whether as attorney general, governor - restoration of rights, civil rights cases, things of that nature that I think show a compassionate heart and hopefully someone who cares and knows who the boss is -and the boss is the people of Florida."

I never thought of Crist as a bigot. He is a politician and like all politicians will cave to political pressure. If Crist runs from his past he is going to eventually sound like Mitt Romney. Crist needs to address his past and explain why he is in the place he is today. Wishing that people forget that he was a Republican will not work for Crist.

Update the reporters at The Buzz filed the original story. Marc Caputo did not ask Crist about the anti-gay marriage petition.

Bye Bye David Rivera

Marc Caputo reports that it appears to be over for Florida's troubled Congressman David Rivera.

David Rivera is looking pretty doomed, losing to Joe Garcia 54-43% with all early ballots in. Tough to see Election Day catchup

Rivera still has to deal with a federal corruption investigation. His problems might have just begun.

Congratulations to incoming Congressman Joe Garcia.

The David Rivera Saga

Poor David Rivera couldn't get his sometime (nearly foreclosed) housemate Marco Rubio wouldn't take the time to talk about his friend to Miami Herald reporter Marc Caputo. Rivera's fundraising has been lagging behind Democratic Joe Garcia. Rivera could have used a hearty endorsement from Rubio. However, Rubio, chose to walk into the rain to avoid Caputo's prying camera. Rivera has also not been seen at any South Florida campaign rallies with Mitt Romney.

In Rivera's defense, he does have interesting tastes in women. Take self-described conservative bad girl Ana Alliegro. Talking Points Memo has the highlights of her past.

We do now know a bit more about her, though, thanks to The Miami Herald. In a story published Monday night, the newspaper offered more details of Alliegro's past legal run-ins - from driving with a suspended licence, to minor shoplifting, to shooting at her ex-husband - and her role in the campaign of an upstart Democratic congressional primary candidate.

Why would a conservative bad girl like Alliegro work on a Democrat's campaign. Perhaps if that Democratic candidate was set up by Rivera, in an attempt to knock Garcia out of the race.

Rivera gave enelopes stuffed with money to Alliegro. She in turn delivered the money to Rapid Mail. Garcia's primary opponent Lamar Sternad used Rapid Mail to send out mailers attacking Garcia. Sternad did not have the level of fundraising needed to send ouyt the mailers. When questioned on how he could afford the mailers - Sternad said: "Kiss my 'lily white' ass."

Alliegro was suppose to testify to a grand jury. She disappeared. Alliegro's attorney and family are not aware of her whereabouts.

Sternad wisely did not tell the grand jury to kiss his ass.

Justin Lamar Sternad, whose failed campaign became the subject of a federal grand-jury investigation, has told the FBI that Rep. David Rivera was secretly behind his run for office, according to the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald.

The most hysterical thing is that Sternad testified that Alliegro referred him by his nickname Gangster.

Mike McCalister's Fun With Video Cameras

Republican U.S. Senate candidate was chased and filmed simultaneously by Miami Herald reporter Marc Caputo, conservative activist Sarah Rumpf and The Shark Tank's Javier Manjarres. McCalister went into a panic when Caputo asked McCalister about his past statements that during his time he testified before Congress. Turns out that is false. McCalister's political handlers go into a panic. The handler say that McCalister has to find a restroom. If that is the case than why are McCalister and his team heading for the exit. Did the handler realize he could have the impression that McCalister was going to pee outside.

Sarah Rumpf has details about the video she filmed. The Caputo video is Miami Herald material without embedding access. It can be viewed here. The Shark Tank video is below

Daphne Campbell Says 'I'm A Celebrity' After Asked About Medicaid Fraud

Florida House Rep. Daphne Campbell is under investigation for Medicaid fraud. Her husband, Hubert Campbell has been indicted for federal mortgage fraud. He pleaded guilty to using a false Social Security number to obtain a mortgage. He received three years probation.

The Campbell's son, Gregory, has been indicted.

The probe comes weeks after the arrest of the couple’s 28-year-old son, Gregory Campbell, in a separate Medicaid fraud case. He is accused of falsely billing the state for nearly $300,000 and has pleaded not guilty.

Below is a bizarre video of Miami Herald reporter Marc Caputo asking Campbell a series of tough questions. Campbell and her entourage run away from Caputo's camera. Campbell is laughing throughout the video and proclaims, "I am a celebrity." This incident and Campbell's public pen-throwing incident with Rep. Scott Randolph makes me think Campbell has the mentality of a child.

What wasn't caught on camera was Campbell running to Republican Rep Carlos Lopez-Cantera for help. Lopez-Cantera scolded Campbell as if she was a child.

As the camera went on, Lopez-Cantera pointed out to Campbell that she needed to stand on her own and face the press: "You're a state representative."

Campbell is a Democrat. Campbell actually thought Lopez-Cantera was going to throw a life line to her. The Republicans are going to let Campbell sink in the weight of her Medicaid scandal. Campbell's anti-abortion votes buys Campbell nothing with the Republican House caucus. Campbell has worked hard to alienate herself from the Democratic caucus and base. Campbell is done as a public servant.

Javier Manjarres of The Shark Tank took the video of Caputo videoing and asking Campbell questions. Campbell is laughing when asked why she was charging rent to homes that were unoccupied.

You can watch the Caputo cam video here.

Brian Burgess: Worst Media Communication Person Ever II

I wrote the post "Brian Burgess: Worst Media Communication Person Ever." I did not exaggerate Burgess' horrible skills with the media. There is also Burgess' occasional profanity-laced tirade. Burgess sent this message in an e-mail to a Kansas reporter.

“I really don’t miss some of you dipshits at all. Have fun in your world of make-believe.”

Burgess' talents for pissing off the media certainly isn't helping Gov. Rick Scott's messaging or approval ratings. Steve Bousquet and Adam C. Smith of the St. Petersburg Times write an article similar to my post. Bousquet and Smith write about Burgess' war with Miami Herald reporter Marc Caputo. Burgess accused Caputo of bogus journalism without citing specifics. The two had this exchange on Twitter.

"You're unprofessional and engage in 'gotcha' journalism w/o fact-checking," Burgess tweeted to Herald reporter Marc Caputo.

"You ducked the question for a 2nd time: Name 1 fact that was wrong," Caputo replied.

Burgess told me on Twitter that no one in the Scott administration used private e-mail accounts to avoid the Florida Sunshine law. That is a lie. Burgess himself uses a private e-mail account to conduct government business.

Burgess said this to Kansas journalist Justin Kendall.

"He called me a 'bottom-feeding journalist.' That sort of endeared him to me," Kendall said.

One thing that Smith and Bousquet report and I didn't know is that Burgess worked for Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. If that doesn't give you an idea of what kind political operative Burgess is then nothing will.

Brian Burgess: Worst Media Communication Person Ever

This is no exaggeration. I have corresponded with Burgess on Twitter. I can't believe a man this immature would be hired to handle traditional and new media communications for Gov. Rick Scott. Miami Herald reporter Marc Caputo inquired about a coffee get together Scott was having with members of the legislator. Burgess sent him back this e-mail.

"Coffee with 10 legislators - purely social," he said by email. "But thanks for ruining a perfectly good Saturday with my family so you could be first to report the non-story."

Burgess told me on Twitter that I was wrong about Scott staffers using using private e-mail accounts to avoid Florida's Sunshine law. Yet that is what Burgess did in forwarding Caputo's inquiry. Burgess also fires off more passive aggressive snark at Caputo.

Burgess wouldn't or couldn't say. He then forwarded the correspondence from his public email account to his private email account and asked this of Scott higher-ups, Hayden Dempsey and Spencer Geissinger: "Do we have the names of the people who will be enjoying a smile and warm cup of coffee with the Governor on Tuesday morning? Mr. Marc Caputo, copied on this email, believes Floridians will be clamoring for this information and hopes to attract dozens of hits to his blog. I would like to accommodate him in the spirit of openness, transparency and friendship."

This is the guy that is suppose to win the media over and get Scott good coverage. Keep attacking the media, Brian. That is bound to help your boss' low approval ratings.

Update: below Burgess worked for Scott he worked for District Attorney Phil Kline. It was Kline's personal quest to prosecute Dr. George Tiller. Burgess said this about the Kansas media in an e-mail.

“I really don’t miss some of you dipshits at all. Have fun in your world of make-believe.”

I say again. This is the man hired to garner Rick Scott positive media coverage.

Update: Burgess is paid $$110,000.04-a-year for his tactful skills with the media. Burgess' title is (I'm laughing as I type this) Director Of Press Relations.