Rick Scott Signs Charlotte’s Web Bill

Gov. Rick Scott really wants to get re-elected. Scott had previously been against medical marijuana. Polls have shown Floridians overwhelmingly supporting medical marijuana. Smart GOP consultants like Rick Wilson saw how the Right was losing this fight. Wilson made these remarks to the Orlando Sentinel.

“Society is changing. Republicans can let some steam out of this and take the issue away from Charlie Crist and John Morgan by proving they have a heart and are responsive to people,” GOP consultant Rick Wilson said.

“This is a no-brainer for people with a political head and compassionate heart.”

Wilson said the wing of the party still resistant to marijuana-legalization issues – evangelicals and “tough on crime” conservatives who have been anti-drug for 25 years – have largely won the fight over abortion (with public opinion shifting in their favor), lost the fight over gay marriage, and are making drug legalization “the hill they die on.”

“I do not think that’s an effective position to be in,” he said.

Wilson sent me this message on Twitter.

Q: Need an on-the-record quote on why you think GOP should drop opposition to medical marijuana. DM me.

Wilson: Because society has moved past reefer madness, witnessed the failure of the war on drugs, and the pro-freedom position is to move on.

Scott is usually politically tone deaf. However, someone must have pointed out to him that attorney John Morgan will use Amendment 2 to help bring out the vote for Charlie Crist. Morgan is a longtime Crist supporter and the main financial backer of United For Care. UFC is the main group responsible for placing Amendment 2 on the November ballot.

Ballot language for Amendment 2.

The official ballot text reads as follows:

"Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana."

In order to take some momentum away from Amendment 2, Scott signed 1030. Low levels of THC medical marijuana will be allowed for patients. The patients must have medical needs that qualify for the compassionate use registry. A related bill Scott signed, SB 1700, would keep the names of the patients on the compassionate use registry confidential. The exceptions would be law enforcement investigations, department regulating and doctors filling out a prescription.

Scott statement on signing SB 1030.

“The approval of Charlotte’s Web will ensure that children in Florida who suffer from seizures and other debilitating illnesses will have the medication needed to improve their quality of life,” Scott said in a news release.

It's all about the kids for Rick Scott. It has nothing to do with the possibility that Amendment 2 might help get out the vote for Crist. Except that back in January, Scott said he would not support a state constitutional amendment to make medical marijuana legal.

"I have a great deal of empathy for people battling difficult diseases and I understand arguments in favor of this initiative," he said in a statement provided to CNN by a spokesman. "But, having seen the terrible affects (sic) of alcohol and drug abuse first-hand, I cannot endorse sending Florida down this path and I would personally vote against it."

It is not the children for Rick Scott. It is about Amendment 2.

Quote of the Day

"I'm going long on 30 round AR-15 mags."

Rick Wilson, Republican political consultant.

You do that, Rick. Wilson likes provoking a reaction on Twitter. Mission accomplished.

Rick Scott Mum on Absentee Voter Fraud Reform

Republican consultant Rick Wilson tweeted about voter fraud on Twitter. I gave Wilson a poke by asking what he wants to do about absentee voter fraud. Voters at polling stations had to provide a Florida ID. Absentee voters do not have to produce an ID in a face-to-face meeting with poll workers. Wilson did not respond to my tweet.

I asked Wilson this question because establishment Republicans have no interest in actual voting fraud reform. If you wanted to illegally vote, an absentee ballot is the easiest way to do it. Mind you, I don't think their is massive absentee voter fraud. I merely wanted to put Republicans on the spot about their sincerity about voter fraud reform.

Fortunately, the media asked Gov. Rick Scott about what he wants to to about absentee voter reform. Like the terrible politician he is, Scott suddenly had marbles in his mouth. According to Naked Politics, Scott became very "vague" about alleged absentee voter fraud. Scott's spokesman (possibly Lane Wright) only allowed a few questions on absentee voter fraud. Scott's spokesman cut the Q & A short and whisked the governor away.

Republicans have no interest in absentee voter fraud reform. The reason being is the majority of absentee voters are registered Republicans. The people disenfranchised by Scott's dubious voting reforms college students, minorities and the poor. Anyone notice to people hardest hit by the changes in the voting laws aren't likely to vote for Rick Scott.

Quote of the Day

"There is no substitute for nuking the ever-loving shit out of the other guy."

Rick Wilson, Republican political consultant, on the $15 million Mitt Romney spent to to run negative ads against Newt Gingrich.

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

Guest Post By Rick Wilson

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.