Dear Friends:
You are invited to participate in the first Annual Charlie Crist Golf Tournament at the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The tournament will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2009, with a Welcome Reception taking place the Friday evening before from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. If you would like to participate in the tournament, please make a $5,000 contribution made payable to the Republican Party of Florida. Should you wish to attend the Welcome Reception and Awards Ceremony Luncheon only, please make a $2,500 contribution. Personal and corporate contributions are welcome. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please contact me or the Finance Department at (850) 222-7920.
Warmest regards,
Jim Greer
RPOF Chairman
Editor
- The Political Consultant
- Panama City, Florida, United States
- Bay County Republican: the truth about what is going on in GOP local politics
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Greer, Crist Try To Bring Moderate Tone To National Party
By WILLIAM MARCH | The Tampa Tribune
Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer and Gov. Charlie Crist have tried to bring a more moderate tone to the Florida Republican Party, and they've encountered some criticism from conservatives along the way.
Now Greer, presumably with backing from Crist, is working for a candidate for national party chairman some believe would do the same at the national level.
In an election for Republican National Committee chairman to be held in Washington on Friday, Greer is behind former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.
Steele, who would be the party's first black chairman, has been criticized by some conservatives in the party for not being conservative enough – just as Crist and Greer have in Florida.
Crist isn't favoring any candidate publicly, but Greer wouldn't make a major political move of this kind if it weren't acceptable to Crist, whose support made Greer state party chairman.
Steele says he's an anti-abortion, pro-gun rights conservative and has rejected the label "moderate."
But he has also been criticized by conservative Republicans for joining the Republican Leadership Council, an organization started by former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman.
Whitman, an environmentalist, is widely perceived in the party as a moderate. Steele says he joined because Whitman helped him politically and quit when he realized the organization was unfriendly to social conservatives.
In Florida, Crist and Greer have made outreach to minorities and civil rights issues a major part of their political philosophy and pushed the party farther on environmental issues than some conservatives want to go.
Steele differs with Crist and Greer on some hot-button conservative issues – for example, he opposes embryonic stem cell research and doesn't put much emphasis on the environment and climate change.
But Greer said Steele "embraces the issues of family and faith but is focused on issues important to all Americans – education and employment opportunities."
He said Steele exemplifies his and Crist's governing philosophy of focusing on results and accomplishment rather than ideology, and trying to make the GOP more diverse.
"He gets it," Greer said. "He's not looking through rose-colored glasses. He looks at building our party the same way I do - every person who has a stake in the issue gets to have a seat at the table."
Since Crist replaced Jeb Bush, a hero to the conservative side of the Republican Party, there have been some indications of a division between the party's conservatives and moderates in Florida.
Conservatives, including state Attorney General Bill McCollum, have criticized Crist policy issues, including the governor's push for quicker restoration of voting rights for felons who complete their sentences.
This week, Crist faces tension and possible conflicts with the state Legislature because he vetoed budget-balancing cuts they just enacted in education, environmental land purchase programs and other areas.
Conservative criticism has been muted so far, largely because Crist's popularity ratings remain high.
Steele is considered an underdog in tomorrow's vote – the leader appears to be incumbent Chairman Mike Duncan.
But Greer said it's virtually impossible to pick a frontrunner in the race because of the way the election is conducted.
The winner will be the first candidate to get an 85-vote majority in a series of votes by RNC members. It appears unlikely any candidate will win on the first ballot, and between ballots, there will be horse-trading and candidates dropping out and endorsing each other.
"The person who comes out strong on the first ballot is not necessarily the leader on the second and third ballot," as RNC members make deals to switch to their second or third choices, he said.
Greer is "whip" for the Steele campaign, a job that includes keeping track of Steele supporters and implementing strategy during the voting.
MSNBC reported this week that it surveyed all but 10 of the RNC members and found 44 committed to incumbent Duncan on the first round and Steel next with 20. But most wouldn't name their second choice.
Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer and Gov. Charlie Crist have tried to bring a more moderate tone to the Florida Republican Party, and they've encountered some criticism from conservatives along the way.
Now Greer, presumably with backing from Crist, is working for a candidate for national party chairman some believe would do the same at the national level.
In an election for Republican National Committee chairman to be held in Washington on Friday, Greer is behind former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.
Steele, who would be the party's first black chairman, has been criticized by some conservatives in the party for not being conservative enough – just as Crist and Greer have in Florida.
Crist isn't favoring any candidate publicly, but Greer wouldn't make a major political move of this kind if it weren't acceptable to Crist, whose support made Greer state party chairman.
Steele says he's an anti-abortion, pro-gun rights conservative and has rejected the label "moderate."
But he has also been criticized by conservative Republicans for joining the Republican Leadership Council, an organization started by former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman.
Whitman, an environmentalist, is widely perceived in the party as a moderate. Steele says he joined because Whitman helped him politically and quit when he realized the organization was unfriendly to social conservatives.
In Florida, Crist and Greer have made outreach to minorities and civil rights issues a major part of their political philosophy and pushed the party farther on environmental issues than some conservatives want to go.
Steele differs with Crist and Greer on some hot-button conservative issues – for example, he opposes embryonic stem cell research and doesn't put much emphasis on the environment and climate change.
But Greer said Steele "embraces the issues of family and faith but is focused on issues important to all Americans – education and employment opportunities."
He said Steele exemplifies his and Crist's governing philosophy of focusing on results and accomplishment rather than ideology, and trying to make the GOP more diverse.
"He gets it," Greer said. "He's not looking through rose-colored glasses. He looks at building our party the same way I do - every person who has a stake in the issue gets to have a seat at the table."
Since Crist replaced Jeb Bush, a hero to the conservative side of the Republican Party, there have been some indications of a division between the party's conservatives and moderates in Florida.
Conservatives, including state Attorney General Bill McCollum, have criticized Crist policy issues, including the governor's push for quicker restoration of voting rights for felons who complete their sentences.
This week, Crist faces tension and possible conflicts with the state Legislature because he vetoed budget-balancing cuts they just enacted in education, environmental land purchase programs and other areas.
Conservative criticism has been muted so far, largely because Crist's popularity ratings remain high.
Steele is considered an underdog in tomorrow's vote – the leader appears to be incumbent Chairman Mike Duncan.
But Greer said it's virtually impossible to pick a frontrunner in the race because of the way the election is conducted.
The winner will be the first candidate to get an 85-vote majority in a series of votes by RNC members. It appears unlikely any candidate will win on the first ballot, and between ballots, there will be horse-trading and candidates dropping out and endorsing each other.
"The person who comes out strong on the first ballot is not necessarily the leader on the second and third ballot," as RNC members make deals to switch to their second or third choices, he said.
Greer is "whip" for the Steele campaign, a job that includes keeping track of Steele supporters and implementing strategy during the voting.
MSNBC reported this week that it surveyed all but 10 of the RNC members and found 44 committed to incumbent Duncan on the first round and Steel next with 20. But most wouldn't name their second choice.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Jerry Gerde Hospitalized
By BCREC Chairman John Salak
Our former BCREC Chairman, State Committeeman, and long time friend Jerry Gerde has been hospitalized and is in serious condition at Bay Medical Center. Ted has just returned from visiting him and recommends that visitation may not be advisable at this time due to his current state of attentiveness. Please join Anita, I, and many others in praying for our dear friend as God fulfills his plan for him.
Our former BCREC Chairman, State Committeeman, and long time friend Jerry Gerde has been hospitalized and is in serious condition at Bay Medical Center. Ted has just returned from visiting him and recommends that visitation may not be advisable at this time due to his current state of attentiveness. Please join Anita, I, and many others in praying for our dear friend as God fulfills his plan for him.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Call Allen Boyd to oppose the Stimulus Package
Here is his contact information:
Washington, DC Office
1227 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5235
(202) 225-5615 Fax
Tallahassee Office
1650 Summit Lake Drive
Suite 103
Tallahassee, FL 32317
(850) 561-3979
(850) 681-2902 Fax
Panama City Office
30 W. Government St.
Suite 203
Panama City, FL 32401
(850) 785-0812
(850) 763-3764 Fax
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tips for the Loyal Opposition
By Andy Levy, Big Hollywood
DON’T question the motives - question the policy. When you disagree with Obama’s policies, say so, and make it clear why. But remember that President Obama is doing what he thinks is best for the country, as President Bush did. Both men love America and want what’s best for her. End of story.
DON’T make it personal. We don’t need another Derangement Syndrome. We don’t need people doing things like emphasizing Obama’s middle name in a derogatory fashion. How anyone would think that’s beneficial to their cause, or to the country as a whole, is beyond me. Also, it’s not even clever. Neither are smushwords like BusHitler, or sillywords like Rethuglicans and Dhimmicrats.
DON’T cozy up to and champion foreign dictators and despots. Sean Penn is an ass. No reason to be like him. ‘Nuff said. (Corollary: Don’t cozy up to and champion foreign dictators and despots and then act outraged when people question your patriotism.)
DON’T pretend you’re being brave when you criticize your government. Not while people in other countries actually, y’know, DIE, when they do that.
DON’T use the word “divisive.” At this point, all that word means is “You disagree with me,” and the English language gets mangled enough these days.
DON’T use the phrase “speaking truth to power.” EVER.
DON’T move to Canada.
DON’T say you’re going to move to Canada and then stay here. (I know it’s too late for Stephen Baldwin, but not for the rest of you.)
DON’T apologize to foreigners and say things to them like, “I didn’t vote for Obama,” or “He’s not MY president.”
DON’T say or do everything in your power to drive this country apart and then claim you want unity when it’s your guy in power. This is like the convicted felon who conveniently finds God when he’s up for parole.
DON’T call people un-American one week, and then talk about how “We are not blue states or red states, we are the United States” the next. (This rule may only apply to Tom Hanks, but I put it in just to be safe.)
DON’T automatically think people who disagree with you are stupid or evil. Some of them are, of course. But most of them aren’t, and you might actually learn something if you listen to them.
And finally, DON’T use the fact that many on the left behaved abominably for the past eight years as an excuse to behave the same way. America needs adults. And if it bothered you when they did it, it’s a good sign that you shouldn’t do it.
DON’T question the motives - question the policy. When you disagree with Obama’s policies, say so, and make it clear why. But remember that President Obama is doing what he thinks is best for the country, as President Bush did. Both men love America and want what’s best for her. End of story.
DON’T make it personal. We don’t need another Derangement Syndrome. We don’t need people doing things like emphasizing Obama’s middle name in a derogatory fashion. How anyone would think that’s beneficial to their cause, or to the country as a whole, is beyond me. Also, it’s not even clever. Neither are smushwords like BusHitler, or sillywords like Rethuglicans and Dhimmicrats.
DON’T cozy up to and champion foreign dictators and despots. Sean Penn is an ass. No reason to be like him. ‘Nuff said. (Corollary: Don’t cozy up to and champion foreign dictators and despots and then act outraged when people question your patriotism.)
DON’T pretend you’re being brave when you criticize your government. Not while people in other countries actually, y’know, DIE, when they do that.
DON’T use the word “divisive.” At this point, all that word means is “You disagree with me,” and the English language gets mangled enough these days.
DON’T use the phrase “speaking truth to power.” EVER.
DON’T move to Canada.
DON’T say you’re going to move to Canada and then stay here. (I know it’s too late for Stephen Baldwin, but not for the rest of you.)
DON’T apologize to foreigners and say things to them like, “I didn’t vote for Obama,” or “He’s not MY president.”
DON’T say or do everything in your power to drive this country apart and then claim you want unity when it’s your guy in power. This is like the convicted felon who conveniently finds God when he’s up for parole.
DON’T call people un-American one week, and then talk about how “We are not blue states or red states, we are the United States” the next. (This rule may only apply to Tom Hanks, but I put it in just to be safe.)
DON’T automatically think people who disagree with you are stupid or evil. Some of them are, of course. But most of them aren’t, and you might actually learn something if you listen to them.
And finally, DON’T use the fact that many on the left behaved abominably for the past eight years as an excuse to behave the same way. America needs adults. And if it bothered you when they did it, it’s a good sign that you shouldn’t do it.
Lessons from 2008 trenches in Florida
by Chris Faulkner, The Next Right
This part of The Next Right's series was with Erin VanSickle. She is the communications director for the Republican Party of Florida. She served as the RPOF’s press secretary during the ’06 election cycle and served as press secretary for the Florida Senate Majority Office prior to that.
Florida GOP’s Lessons from the Trenches
CF Tell me about Florida?
EV Due to its sheer size, the State of Florida necessitates more than retail politicking—it requires any statewide campaign to have a methodical and energized ground game that can conquer ten media markets and a message that resonates with an incredibly diverse population—Hispanics from distinct countries of origin, African Americans, Veterans, seniors, the Jewish community, and military families, to name a few. This vast state compels campaigns to master a complex political strategy that incorporates the ever-critical I-4 corridor, “condo commandos,” Hispanic Little Havana, and conservative Northwest Florida. As a political party, the Republican Party of Florida is here to provide support, guidance, infrastructure, and fundraising for campaigns, from the presidential campaign down to the Broward County Sheriff’s race.
CF What does Obama’s victory in Florida over the McCain campaign say about the political ground game in Florida?
EV It shows that this was a perfect Democrat year. The Obama campaign simply had more resources. The Obama camp out-spent McCain 7-1 in Florida, an extreme TV state where TV advertising is critical to success. I would note, however, that because of the Republican team in Florida, McCain came within 21/2 points of winning Florida—which says a lot about the folks who worked tirelessly across Florida on behalf of the Republican ticket. Additionally, while Florida Democrats were awash in cash, political operatives, and newly registered Democrat voters, the Florida Democrat Party utterly failed to take advantage of it, defeating not one single Republican incumbent in the Florida House or Senate. Congressmen Gus Bilirakis and Bill Young both got 60+% in Tampa – an area Obama carried. In Miami – another area Obama carried – Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart both fended off credible, well-funded, DCCC-backed candidates. I think our performance across the board bodes very well for the Florida GOP.
CF How did the Florida GOP stack up against the Democrats as far as mobilizing grassroots supporters and organizing GOTV?
EV Under the leadership of our Executive Director, Political Director, and 72-hour Director, Florida led the nation in the number of volunteer voter contacts six of the last seven weeks of the 2008 Election Cycle. Through our volunteer efforts, we contacted more voters in 2008 than in 2004, touching more than four million voters this year. We made over one million phone calls and knocked on more than 100,000 doors during the 72-Hour Program. The RPOF also created a new Absentee Ballot Request Walk Program and implemented Absentee Chase efforts, which were nationalized by the RNC. Additionally, we installed VOIP phones and used bubble sheets with cell phones to better capture data on targeted voters.
On the grassroots communications front, we launched a text message pilot program of using text messages to contact volunteers and voters. We also upgraded to an enterprise level blast email distribution system that allows for more segmentation in selecting email recipients. Additionally, each Victory staffer was provided with an account and personalized segments for each county to aide in volunteer recruitment and retention and to provide greater communication between field offices and volunteers.
CF Do you think you utilized New Media effectively?
EV I think there is always more we can do. For example, we are going to have a hands-on training session at our Annual Meeting in January to show folks how to use text-messaging. Keep in mind that many of our grassroots activists are older Floridians who haven’t necessarily had much experience with cell phones, the Internet, email, or social networking.
That said, we’ve accomplished a lot this election cycle, especially this year, communicating to both grassroots supporters and the media via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, our Conventional Wisdom blog, and text messaging. The challenge is to integrate them all together. We’ve done some comprehensive prospecting, cleaned up and built our e-mail lists, implemented the new email system I referred to earlier, and synchronized fundraising efforts. We also advertised online on carefully-targeted sites to maximize the effect.
I am especially proud of our Conventional Wisdom blog (http://rpofconventionalwisdom.blogspot.com/), it was an instant hit and picked up by the media. Disclaimer—Mark Halperin’s The Page was our inspiration and I hope he checks our blog every now and then to see how we’re stacking up. We originally launched the blog during the Democrat National Convention (hence the name “Conventional Wisdom”) to provide a running commentary of video messages, articles/updates, and exclusive political cartoons to bracket the Democrats more creatively, but we ultimately kept it going because it was popular.
We also created a Voter Action Center through our website, a one-stop shop allowing users to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, find Early Voting/Election Day voting locations, sign up to volunteer, find their local field office, etc. The VAC utilized Google Maps so it was helpful for voters.
CF How did you leverage earned media?
EV We quickly found that “earned media” is often synonymous with “new media” and we used it to our advantage to communicate with the grassroots and the media. For example, we created a web ad once Tim Mahoney’s multiple affairs were exposed utilizing his own tape-recorded voice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCp9mNtZkQM); the media loved it and it fired up the grassroots the way no email response ever could. We had over 2500 hits the first day alone, which is pretty impressive for a state party web ad.
We also launched several microsites, including a Real World spinoff highlighting a Democrat congressional candidate. Our Democrat fundraiser tracker microsite (http://rpof.org/dem/) garnered national attention; this was back when the Democrat presidential candidates were boycotting Florida because of the early primary. Remember that they could come hold fundraisers in Florida, but the DNC forbade them from holding grassroots events. So we illustrated the hypocrisy and ensured that the negative narrative continued.
Once Obama was the nominee, we rolled out the welcome mat for him for his first trip to the state, reminding people that he had not campaigned in Florida; the music was “Welcome Back Cotter” and it certainly got in your head. That microsite also got us quite a bit of national media.
CF What new fundraising techniques did you use?
EV We tried our hand at low-dollar asks based on news and events. For example, we launched a “67 Days, 67 Counties” 67 days out from the election, with a goal of getting folks to donate a dollar for each of Florida’s 67 counties, based on the fact we only had 67 days left in the campaign. As economic times got tougher though, we returned to more traditional fundraisers instead of asking mainstream Floridians to donate. That said, we will continue to identify news stories, holidays, events, etc. that we can take advantage of for non-traditional fundraising.
CF What should readers/bloggers know about the Florida GOP?
EV We do things a little differently here in Florida. Under Governor Crist and Chairman Greer’s leadership, we’ve focused on putting partisan rhetoric aside and instead running on our record. It’s worked for us, keeping the Governor’s approval at record-breaking highs and allowing us to build the party during these Democrat-friendly times. Florida was a bright spot on a relatively tough election day for the GOP, with zero Republicans defeated in the Florida Legislature and a strong showing among our Congressional candidates. Even in the extraordinarily-Democrat Broward County, the first Republican to win a countywide election in 30 years was elected Sheriff.
Look, Floridians voted to maintain overwhelming Republican majorities in the State House and Senate, voted strongly to cut taxes, and voted to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. I think this demonstrates that we’re doing something right to get our message out, and I’m proud of that.
This part of The Next Right's series was with Erin VanSickle. She is the communications director for the Republican Party of Florida. She served as the RPOF’s press secretary during the ’06 election cycle and served as press secretary for the Florida Senate Majority Office prior to that.
Florida GOP’s Lessons from the Trenches
CF Tell me about Florida?
EV Due to its sheer size, the State of Florida necessitates more than retail politicking—it requires any statewide campaign to have a methodical and energized ground game that can conquer ten media markets and a message that resonates with an incredibly diverse population—Hispanics from distinct countries of origin, African Americans, Veterans, seniors, the Jewish community, and military families, to name a few. This vast state compels campaigns to master a complex political strategy that incorporates the ever-critical I-4 corridor, “condo commandos,” Hispanic Little Havana, and conservative Northwest Florida. As a political party, the Republican Party of Florida is here to provide support, guidance, infrastructure, and fundraising for campaigns, from the presidential campaign down to the Broward County Sheriff’s race.
CF What does Obama’s victory in Florida over the McCain campaign say about the political ground game in Florida?
EV It shows that this was a perfect Democrat year. The Obama campaign simply had more resources. The Obama camp out-spent McCain 7-1 in Florida, an extreme TV state where TV advertising is critical to success. I would note, however, that because of the Republican team in Florida, McCain came within 21/2 points of winning Florida—which says a lot about the folks who worked tirelessly across Florida on behalf of the Republican ticket. Additionally, while Florida Democrats were awash in cash, political operatives, and newly registered Democrat voters, the Florida Democrat Party utterly failed to take advantage of it, defeating not one single Republican incumbent in the Florida House or Senate. Congressmen Gus Bilirakis and Bill Young both got 60+% in Tampa – an area Obama carried. In Miami – another area Obama carried – Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart both fended off credible, well-funded, DCCC-backed candidates. I think our performance across the board bodes very well for the Florida GOP.
CF How did the Florida GOP stack up against the Democrats as far as mobilizing grassroots supporters and organizing GOTV?
EV Under the leadership of our Executive Director, Political Director, and 72-hour Director, Florida led the nation in the number of volunteer voter contacts six of the last seven weeks of the 2008 Election Cycle. Through our volunteer efforts, we contacted more voters in 2008 than in 2004, touching more than four million voters this year. We made over one million phone calls and knocked on more than 100,000 doors during the 72-Hour Program. The RPOF also created a new Absentee Ballot Request Walk Program and implemented Absentee Chase efforts, which were nationalized by the RNC. Additionally, we installed VOIP phones and used bubble sheets with cell phones to better capture data on targeted voters.
On the grassroots communications front, we launched a text message pilot program of using text messages to contact volunteers and voters. We also upgraded to an enterprise level blast email distribution system that allows for more segmentation in selecting email recipients. Additionally, each Victory staffer was provided with an account and personalized segments for each county to aide in volunteer recruitment and retention and to provide greater communication between field offices and volunteers.
CF Do you think you utilized New Media effectively?
EV I think there is always more we can do. For example, we are going to have a hands-on training session at our Annual Meeting in January to show folks how to use text-messaging. Keep in mind that many of our grassroots activists are older Floridians who haven’t necessarily had much experience with cell phones, the Internet, email, or social networking.
That said, we’ve accomplished a lot this election cycle, especially this year, communicating to both grassroots supporters and the media via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, our Conventional Wisdom blog, and text messaging. The challenge is to integrate them all together. We’ve done some comprehensive prospecting, cleaned up and built our e-mail lists, implemented the new email system I referred to earlier, and synchronized fundraising efforts. We also advertised online on carefully-targeted sites to maximize the effect.
I am especially proud of our Conventional Wisdom blog (http://rpofconventionalwisdom.blogspot.com/), it was an instant hit and picked up by the media. Disclaimer—Mark Halperin’s The Page was our inspiration and I hope he checks our blog every now and then to see how we’re stacking up. We originally launched the blog during the Democrat National Convention (hence the name “Conventional Wisdom”) to provide a running commentary of video messages, articles/updates, and exclusive political cartoons to bracket the Democrats more creatively, but we ultimately kept it going because it was popular.
We also created a Voter Action Center through our website, a one-stop shop allowing users to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, find Early Voting/Election Day voting locations, sign up to volunteer, find their local field office, etc. The VAC utilized Google Maps so it was helpful for voters.
CF How did you leverage earned media?
EV We quickly found that “earned media” is often synonymous with “new media” and we used it to our advantage to communicate with the grassroots and the media. For example, we created a web ad once Tim Mahoney’s multiple affairs were exposed utilizing his own tape-recorded voice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCp9mNtZkQM); the media loved it and it fired up the grassroots the way no email response ever could. We had over 2500 hits the first day alone, which is pretty impressive for a state party web ad.
We also launched several microsites, including a Real World spinoff highlighting a Democrat congressional candidate. Our Democrat fundraiser tracker microsite (http://rpof.org/dem/) garnered national attention; this was back when the Democrat presidential candidates were boycotting Florida because of the early primary. Remember that they could come hold fundraisers in Florida, but the DNC forbade them from holding grassroots events. So we illustrated the hypocrisy and ensured that the negative narrative continued.
Once Obama was the nominee, we rolled out the welcome mat for him for his first trip to the state, reminding people that he had not campaigned in Florida; the music was “Welcome Back Cotter” and it certainly got in your head. That microsite also got us quite a bit of national media.
CF What new fundraising techniques did you use?
EV We tried our hand at low-dollar asks based on news and events. For example, we launched a “67 Days, 67 Counties” 67 days out from the election, with a goal of getting folks to donate a dollar for each of Florida’s 67 counties, based on the fact we only had 67 days left in the campaign. As economic times got tougher though, we returned to more traditional fundraisers instead of asking mainstream Floridians to donate. That said, we will continue to identify news stories, holidays, events, etc. that we can take advantage of for non-traditional fundraising.
CF What should readers/bloggers know about the Florida GOP?
EV We do things a little differently here in Florida. Under Governor Crist and Chairman Greer’s leadership, we’ve focused on putting partisan rhetoric aside and instead running on our record. It’s worked for us, keeping the Governor’s approval at record-breaking highs and allowing us to build the party during these Democrat-friendly times. Florida was a bright spot on a relatively tough election day for the GOP, with zero Republicans defeated in the Florida Legislature and a strong showing among our Congressional candidates. Even in the extraordinarily-Democrat Broward County, the first Republican to win a countywide election in 30 years was elected Sheriff.
Look, Floridians voted to maintain overwhelming Republican majorities in the State House and Senate, voted strongly to cut taxes, and voted to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. I think this demonstrates that we’re doing something right to get our message out, and I’m proud of that.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
State of the RNC Chairman's race
from The Hill
Republican National Committee chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan continues to lead in his bid for a second term as chairman, but four other contenders are sneaking up as the final week of the race begins.
Check out our roundup of the race as it stands now.
Half of the 168 voting members have made their stands public. Here's a full list of public endorsements from among the RNC members:
Robert "Mike" Duncan (27):
Jim Burnett (AR)
Reta Hamilton (AR)
Priscilla Rakestraw (DE)
Laird Stabler (DE)
Blake Hall (ID)
Cindy Moyle (ID)
Mike Duncan (KY)
Steve Robertson (KY)
Gail Russell (KY)
Jan Staples (ME)
Mark Ellis (ME)
Rick Bennett (ME)
Ron Kaufman (MA)
Ron Carey (MN)
Evie Axdahl (MN)
Cindy Phillips (MS)
Betti Hill (MT)
Bob Bennett (OH)
Jo Ann Davidson (OH)
Solomon Yue (OR)
Donna Cain (OR)
Carlos Mendez (PR)
Luis Fortuno (PR)
Zori Fondalledas (PR)
Jeff Kent (WA)
Jim Reed (WV)
Donna Lou Gossney (WV)
Katon Dawson (16):
Mike Hubbard (AL)
Demetra DeMonte (IL)
Dee Dee Benkie (IN)
Steve Scheffler (IA)
Kim Lehman (IA)
Henry Barbour (MS)
Brad White (MS)
David Norcross (NJ)
Linda Daves (NC)
Ada Fisher (NC)
Rob Gleason (PA)
Christine Toretti (PA)
Bob Asher (PA)
Katon Dawson (SC)
Glenn McCall (SC)
Cindy Costa (SC)
Saul Anuzis (15):
Chris Healy (CT)
Pat Longo (CT)
Victor Cruz (GU)
Peter Alecxis Ada (GU)
Saul Anuzis (MI)
Keith Butler (MI)
Sue Lowden (NV)
Phyllis Woods (NH)
Tom Wilson (NJ)
Virginia Haines (NJ)
Bo Palacias (NMI)
Carol Mumford (RI)
Gio Cicione (RI)
George Schiavone (VT)
Herb Schoenbohm (VI)
Michael Steele (15):
Sharon Giese (AZ)
Shawn Steel (CA)
John Frey (CT)
Robert Kabel (DC)
Betsy Werronen (DC)
Jim Greer (FL)
Paul Senft (FL)
Norm Semanko (ID)
Pat Brady (IL)
Jim Pelura (MD)
Joyce Terhes (MD)
Holly Hughes (MI)
Laine Johnson (MT)
Reince Priebus (WI)
Ken Blackwell (12):
Debbie Joslin (AK)
Ralph Seekins (AK)
Mark Hillman (CO)
Roger Villere (LA)
Ross Little (LA)
Ruth Ulrich (LA)
Gary Jones (OK)
Tina Benkiser (TX)
Bill Crocker (TX)
Cathie Adams (TX)
Holland Redfield (VI)
Morton Blackwell (VA)
-Reid Wilson
Republican National Committee chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan continues to lead in his bid for a second term as chairman, but four other contenders are sneaking up as the final week of the race begins.
Check out our roundup of the race as it stands now.
Half of the 168 voting members have made their stands public. Here's a full list of public endorsements from among the RNC members:
Robert "Mike" Duncan (27):
Jim Burnett (AR)
Reta Hamilton (AR)
Priscilla Rakestraw (DE)
Laird Stabler (DE)
Blake Hall (ID)
Cindy Moyle (ID)
Mike Duncan (KY)
Steve Robertson (KY)
Gail Russell (KY)
Jan Staples (ME)
Mark Ellis (ME)
Rick Bennett (ME)
Ron Kaufman (MA)
Ron Carey (MN)
Evie Axdahl (MN)
Cindy Phillips (MS)
Betti Hill (MT)
Bob Bennett (OH)
Jo Ann Davidson (OH)
Solomon Yue (OR)
Donna Cain (OR)
Carlos Mendez (PR)
Luis Fortuno (PR)
Zori Fondalledas (PR)
Jeff Kent (WA)
Jim Reed (WV)
Donna Lou Gossney (WV)
Katon Dawson (16):
Mike Hubbard (AL)
Demetra DeMonte (IL)
Dee Dee Benkie (IN)
Steve Scheffler (IA)
Kim Lehman (IA)
Henry Barbour (MS)
Brad White (MS)
David Norcross (NJ)
Linda Daves (NC)
Ada Fisher (NC)
Rob Gleason (PA)
Christine Toretti (PA)
Bob Asher (PA)
Katon Dawson (SC)
Glenn McCall (SC)
Cindy Costa (SC)
Saul Anuzis (15):
Chris Healy (CT)
Pat Longo (CT)
Victor Cruz (GU)
Peter Alecxis Ada (GU)
Saul Anuzis (MI)
Keith Butler (MI)
Sue Lowden (NV)
Phyllis Woods (NH)
Tom Wilson (NJ)
Virginia Haines (NJ)
Bo Palacias (NMI)
Carol Mumford (RI)
Gio Cicione (RI)
George Schiavone (VT)
Herb Schoenbohm (VI)
Michael Steele (15):
Sharon Giese (AZ)
Shawn Steel (CA)
John Frey (CT)
Robert Kabel (DC)
Betsy Werronen (DC)
Jim Greer (FL)
Paul Senft (FL)
Norm Semanko (ID)
Pat Brady (IL)
Jim Pelura (MD)
Joyce Terhes (MD)
Holly Hughes (MI)
Laine Johnson (MT)
Reince Priebus (WI)
Ken Blackwell (12):
Debbie Joslin (AK)
Ralph Seekins (AK)
Mark Hillman (CO)
Roger Villere (LA)
Ross Little (LA)
Ruth Ulrich (LA)
Gary Jones (OK)
Tina Benkiser (TX)
Bill Crocker (TX)
Cathie Adams (TX)
Holland Redfield (VI)
Morton Blackwell (VA)
-Reid Wilson
Friday, January 16, 2009
Teresa Eaton elected President of Bay County Republican Roundtable
from Barry Gibbs
The first 2009 meeting of the Bay County Republican Roundtable was held on January 13th. Elections for officers of the Board were held and Teresa Eaton was selected to lead the Roundtable for the next year. Also elected were: First Vice-president Vicki Doolittle, Second Vice-president Richard Plantec, Secretary Barry Gibbs and, re-elected for a second term was Treasurer Melissa Thompson. The Bay County Republican Roundtable is open to all Conservatives who are interested in maintaining the political dialogue, even in non-election times. Party direction, strategy and tactics, and discussion of local and national issues are all fair game. Come join us next month!
The first 2009 meeting of the Bay County Republican Roundtable was held on January 13th. Elections for officers of the Board were held and Teresa Eaton was selected to lead the Roundtable for the next year. Also elected were: First Vice-president Vicki Doolittle, Second Vice-president Richard Plantec, Secretary Barry Gibbs and, re-elected for a second term was Treasurer Melissa Thompson. The Bay County Republican Roundtable is open to all Conservatives who are interested in maintaining the political dialogue, even in non-election times. Party direction, strategy and tactics, and discussion of local and national issues are all fair game. Come join us next month!
CPAC 2009 Feb 26-28, 2009
CPAC 2009
Timeless Principles, New Challenges
The American Conservative Union Foundation is pleased to invite you to participate in the nation's largest annual gathering of conservatives. The 36th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) will be held on February 26-28, 2009, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington,DC .
Invited and Confirmed Speakers Include:
Amb. John Bolton - Gov. Sarah Palin - Gov. Bobby Jindal - Newt Gingrich - David Horowitz - David Keene - Wayne LaPierre - Rep. Ron Paul - Mitt Romney - Phyllis Schlafly - Robert Davi - Rep. Mike Pence - and many more!
CPAC will feature book signings by the nation's leading conservative authors, live broadcasts of national and local radio talk shows, hands-on training sessions from grassroots activism to media strategy, internet row, a bloggers' row, and much, much more!
"A showcase of the heart and soul of American conservatism" - LA Times
"... Unmatched in both the numbers it draws and the quality of speakers who appear"
- The Politico
" The nation's premier gathering of conservatives... a key event for conservative candidates ever since the first gathering was held in 1974."
- NewsMax
Registration Packages Include:
- Diamond Package $750
- 3-Day Conference Package $150
- Presidential Banquet $275
- Reagan Banquet $275
- Student Pass $25
- Saturday-Only Pass $50
Please visit our website to register today.
Hotel Information
Rooms are available for CPAC attendees at the Omni Shoreham Hotel at 2500 Calvert Street, NW , Washington , DC 20008 . To make a reservation, call (800) 843 -6664.
Mention CPAC in order to receive the discounted rate of $229 ($199 for students, ID required) before the February 3, 2009 deadline. For more hotel and travel options.
The 36th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference is a project of the American Conservative Union Foundation in association with Human Events and the Young America 's Foundation.
Copyright 2009, American Conservative Union Foundation
1007 Cameron Street | Alexandria , VA 22314
Phone 703-836-8602 | Fax 703-836-8606
Timeless Principles, New Challenges
The American Conservative Union Foundation is pleased to invite you to participate in the nation's largest annual gathering of conservatives. The 36th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) will be held on February 26-28, 2009, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington,DC .
Invited and Confirmed Speakers Include:
Amb. John Bolton - Gov. Sarah Palin - Gov. Bobby Jindal - Newt Gingrich - David Horowitz - David Keene - Wayne LaPierre - Rep. Ron Paul - Mitt Romney - Phyllis Schlafly - Robert Davi - Rep. Mike Pence - and many more!
CPAC will feature book signings by the nation's leading conservative authors, live broadcasts of national and local radio talk shows, hands-on training sessions from grassroots activism to media strategy, internet row, a bloggers' row, and much, much more!
"A showcase of the heart and soul of American conservatism" - LA Times
"... Unmatched in both the numbers it draws and the quality of speakers who appear"
- The Politico
" The nation's premier gathering of conservatives... a key event for conservative candidates ever since the first gathering was held in 1974."
- NewsMax
Registration Packages Include:
- Diamond Package $750
- 3-Day Conference Package $150
- Presidential Banquet $275
- Reagan Banquet $275
- Student Pass $25
- Saturday-Only Pass $50
Please visit our website to register today.
Hotel Information
Rooms are available for CPAC attendees at the Omni Shoreham Hotel at 2500 Calvert Street, NW , Washington , DC 20008 . To make a reservation, call (800) 843 -6664.
Mention CPAC in order to receive the discounted rate of $229 ($199 for students, ID required) before the February 3, 2009 deadline. For more hotel and travel options.
The 36th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference is a project of the American Conservative Union Foundation in association with Human Events and the Young America 's Foundation.
Copyright 2009, American Conservative Union Foundation
1007 Cameron Street | Alexandria , VA 22314
Phone 703-836-8602 | Fax 703-836-8606
Florida's Economic Future
from the Coalition for Property Rights
2009 will be a defining year for the State of Florida. Citizens will either reclaim Florida as a state of hope, growth and opportunity - or bear witness as the nail is driven into Florida's economic coffin.
For almost two decades, Florida's property and business owners have stood relatively silent while political and social elites have promoted tax and land use policies aimed specifically at discouraging individual industry and stifling growth.
The day the first "visioning" session was held in Florida, our state slide toward socialism began.
Property rights represent the most fundamental economic freedom we hold.
When government controls the use of real property through land use policies which give government agents full authority to determine how and when land is used, it has the ability to control the value and potential economic benefit of this property asset. The primary economic benefit of property ownership lies in its use and the ability to use property for financial benefit. Economically burdensome, land use controls are no different than government controlling the funds in your bank account.
Floridians would never tolerate government agents or committees of citizens restricting the use of our cash earnings and telling us where and when our money could be spent or invested - and yet many have stood by silently while government has slowly seized almost complete control of our largest financial assets - our land and buildings.
Floridians have only to look at the economic result of states such as California and New Hampshire where social and political elites have been successful in convincing policymakers to enact draconian land use policies and have driven the cost of land and construction beyond affordability. The State of California has teetered on the brink of bankruptcy for most of the past decade, because state and local lawmakers remain convinced regulation is the solution.
Floridians have only to look to these states, to history and to Florida's neighbor - the nation-state of Cuba - to see the economic result of centralized planning and government control over private property. Many of California's largest cities are becoming crime-ridden ghettos, because the poor have lost all hope of individual economic achievement. Most of the buildings in Cuba are barely standing, its transportation infrastructure in shambles and basic medical supplies such as aspirin and children's vitamins are luxury items.
Unless Florida citizens and policymakers act to reform Florida's land use and taxation policies, our state economy will not recover anytime soon.
It is an economic truth that both labor and capital flow toward the greatest prospect for reward. It is simply common sense.
If individuals and companies cannot derive profit from working, saving, and investing in Florida, they will not engage in these activities here. Florida's lack of an income tax and temperate climate will not sustain economic growth when we have other regulatory and tax policies actively discouraging private investment in our state.
Nationally, there are other attractive states for property investment. Internationally, there are now a number of countries which have adopted national flat taxes to stimulate their economies.
Florida can no longer compete. Our regulatory environment discourages investment and industry. Florida's six-month to six-year land use permitting process is fraught with risk for investors and carries six and seven-figure regulatory costs, which are heavy burdens attached to land use in our state. When individuals and businesses cannot easily and affordably use land, they have no incentive to build or expand businesses here.
We must also be mindful that Florida's land use policies and the promotion of centralized planning are part of a larger ideological war. Government's growth and control are most often promoted by individuals with an aetheist viewpoint and who view the control of political and social elites as a perfectly acceptable substitute for our God-given, natural right of economic self-determination.
Throughout history, utopian visioning and land controls have always resulted in shifting power to certain elites and have generally been disasterous for the common man.
Citizens who are not free to choose the use of their private property and to build basic wealth through the use of property are not a free people - their individual economic potential is constrained.
In addition to the regulatory burden impacting Florida's economy, three additional threats loom large in 2009:
* The Hometown Democracy Amendment is poised to appear on the 2010 General Election ballot and would represent a constitutional substitute of a land owners right to self-determine the use of his/her land. If passed, this measure would discourage future capital investment in our state. If Florida property and business owners do not use the opportunity in 2009 to educate the mass electorate on the economic consequences of the Hometown Democracy Amendment, the first nine months of 2010 may not provide sufficient time to do so.
* Looming LEED Mandates. While this new form of environmental regulations is currently being promoted as a "voluntary certification" , Florida property owners and businesses should not be fooled. Cities and counties across Florida are now training employees to enforce LEED mandates. If citizens do not act today and demand LEED remain voluntary, costly mandatory LEED regulations will be adopted across Florida. Once government regulation crosses into the interiors of private residences and commercial buildings - when government agents control what fixtures, furniture and interior systems private citizens can install in their homes and business, these regulations and costs will never be removed. The adoption of LEED mandates will trigger create inflation in the cost of living and cost of operating a business in Florida and further discourage private investment in our state.
* America's environmental movement is reaching its zenith. It is likely our new national chief executive and a Democratically- controlled Congress will fail to recognize property rights and the health of our national economy are inextricably linked. These leaders will be aggressively lobbied by a well-financed international political machine to adopt a new "Green Wave" of land use regulations whose economic impact may be unprecedented in world history. Americans may also see mammoth areas of private land taken off the public tax rolls, which creates an increased tax burden for all private land holders.
With these extraordinary set of challenges facing property owners in Florida and across America, citizens certainly have good reason to be pessimistic about our economic future.
Our nation's full slide toward socialism seems almost certain. With government now exerting so much control over private property assets it is no longer inconceivable the next generation of American's may be effectually "Born in the U.S.S.A."
However, there is also reason for extraordinary optimism.
America remains a democracy. As Americans, we have the government we demand.
It is time for Florida property and business owners, and those across the country, to make time in their schedules for political activism and to stand up individually and collectively in a united call to action.
Citizens who believe in economic liberty must end their silent watch, must get off the sidelines and into the game. Land owners who lobby their officials actively and aggressively can affect policy change.
For too many years, too many hard-working Americans have allowed the intelligencia and environmental activists out lobby us.
The stakes are simply too high for inaction. We must each personally enlist in the fight to save our nation from implosion.
Policy makers must be asked to review the massive weight of regulation sapping our state and national economic potential and evoke a simple test for all current and future land use regulation: Does this public policy promote individual freedom and incentivize individual industry?
In 2009, the Coalition for Property Rights is going to be working even more aggressively to call property owners to action. Our state's sleeping political giant must be shaken and awakened to the reality that political inactivity carries a very steep price.
The thought of a losing our national heritage of individual economic opportunity in our generation should create a slow-burning pit of anger in the heart of every American citizen.
Living on American soil will be absolutely meaningless if government controls our ability to use our land and limits our individual economic potential.
2009 will be a defining year for the State of Florida. Citizens will either reclaim Florida as a state of hope, growth and opportunity - or bear witness as the nail is driven into Florida's economic coffin.
For almost two decades, Florida's property and business owners have stood relatively silent while political and social elites have promoted tax and land use policies aimed specifically at discouraging individual industry and stifling growth.
The day the first "visioning" session was held in Florida, our state slide toward socialism began.
Property rights represent the most fundamental economic freedom we hold.
When government controls the use of real property through land use policies which give government agents full authority to determine how and when land is used, it has the ability to control the value and potential economic benefit of this property asset. The primary economic benefit of property ownership lies in its use and the ability to use property for financial benefit. Economically burdensome, land use controls are no different than government controlling the funds in your bank account.
Floridians would never tolerate government agents or committees of citizens restricting the use of our cash earnings and telling us where and when our money could be spent or invested - and yet many have stood by silently while government has slowly seized almost complete control of our largest financial assets - our land and buildings.
Floridians have only to look at the economic result of states such as California and New Hampshire where social and political elites have been successful in convincing policymakers to enact draconian land use policies and have driven the cost of land and construction beyond affordability. The State of California has teetered on the brink of bankruptcy for most of the past decade, because state and local lawmakers remain convinced regulation is the solution.
Floridians have only to look to these states, to history and to Florida's neighbor - the nation-state of Cuba - to see the economic result of centralized planning and government control over private property. Many of California's largest cities are becoming crime-ridden ghettos, because the poor have lost all hope of individual economic achievement. Most of the buildings in Cuba are barely standing, its transportation infrastructure in shambles and basic medical supplies such as aspirin and children's vitamins are luxury items.
Unless Florida citizens and policymakers act to reform Florida's land use and taxation policies, our state economy will not recover anytime soon.
It is an economic truth that both labor and capital flow toward the greatest prospect for reward. It is simply common sense.
If individuals and companies cannot derive profit from working, saving, and investing in Florida, they will not engage in these activities here. Florida's lack of an income tax and temperate climate will not sustain economic growth when we have other regulatory and tax policies actively discouraging private investment in our state.
Nationally, there are other attractive states for property investment. Internationally, there are now a number of countries which have adopted national flat taxes to stimulate their economies.
Florida can no longer compete. Our regulatory environment discourages investment and industry. Florida's six-month to six-year land use permitting process is fraught with risk for investors and carries six and seven-figure regulatory costs, which are heavy burdens attached to land use in our state. When individuals and businesses cannot easily and affordably use land, they have no incentive to build or expand businesses here.
We must also be mindful that Florida's land use policies and the promotion of centralized planning are part of a larger ideological war. Government's growth and control are most often promoted by individuals with an aetheist viewpoint and who view the control of political and social elites as a perfectly acceptable substitute for our God-given, natural right of economic self-determination.
Throughout history, utopian visioning and land controls have always resulted in shifting power to certain elites and have generally been disasterous for the common man.
Citizens who are not free to choose the use of their private property and to build basic wealth through the use of property are not a free people - their individual economic potential is constrained.
In addition to the regulatory burden impacting Florida's economy, three additional threats loom large in 2009:
* The Hometown Democracy Amendment is poised to appear on the 2010 General Election ballot and would represent a constitutional substitute of a land owners right to self-determine the use of his/her land. If passed, this measure would discourage future capital investment in our state. If Florida property and business owners do not use the opportunity in 2009 to educate the mass electorate on the economic consequences of the Hometown Democracy Amendment, the first nine months of 2010 may not provide sufficient time to do so.
* Looming LEED Mandates. While this new form of environmental regulations is currently being promoted as a "voluntary certification" , Florida property owners and businesses should not be fooled. Cities and counties across Florida are now training employees to enforce LEED mandates. If citizens do not act today and demand LEED remain voluntary, costly mandatory LEED regulations will be adopted across Florida. Once government regulation crosses into the interiors of private residences and commercial buildings - when government agents control what fixtures, furniture and interior systems private citizens can install in their homes and business, these regulations and costs will never be removed. The adoption of LEED mandates will trigger create inflation in the cost of living and cost of operating a business in Florida and further discourage private investment in our state.
* America's environmental movement is reaching its zenith. It is likely our new national chief executive and a Democratically- controlled Congress will fail to recognize property rights and the health of our national economy are inextricably linked. These leaders will be aggressively lobbied by a well-financed international political machine to adopt a new "Green Wave" of land use regulations whose economic impact may be unprecedented in world history. Americans may also see mammoth areas of private land taken off the public tax rolls, which creates an increased tax burden for all private land holders.
With these extraordinary set of challenges facing property owners in Florida and across America, citizens certainly have good reason to be pessimistic about our economic future.
Our nation's full slide toward socialism seems almost certain. With government now exerting so much control over private property assets it is no longer inconceivable the next generation of American's may be effectually "Born in the U.S.S.A."
However, there is also reason for extraordinary optimism.
America remains a democracy. As Americans, we have the government we demand.
It is time for Florida property and business owners, and those across the country, to make time in their schedules for political activism and to stand up individually and collectively in a united call to action.
Citizens who believe in economic liberty must end their silent watch, must get off the sidelines and into the game. Land owners who lobby their officials actively and aggressively can affect policy change.
For too many years, too many hard-working Americans have allowed the intelligencia and environmental activists out lobby us.
The stakes are simply too high for inaction. We must each personally enlist in the fight to save our nation from implosion.
Policy makers must be asked to review the massive weight of regulation sapping our state and national economic potential and evoke a simple test for all current and future land use regulation: Does this public policy promote individual freedom and incentivize individual industry?
In 2009, the Coalition for Property Rights is going to be working even more aggressively to call property owners to action. Our state's sleeping political giant must be shaken and awakened to the reality that political inactivity carries a very steep price.
The thought of a losing our national heritage of individual economic opportunity in our generation should create a slow-burning pit of anger in the heart of every American citizen.
Living on American soil will be absolutely meaningless if government controls our ability to use our land and limits our individual economic potential.
Allen Boyd close to decision on 2010 US Senate run
By Billy House, TBO.com
U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd of Monticello says the news today from state Chief Financial Office Alex Sink’s that she will not run for the U.S. Senate won’t impact his own decision.
Boyd said he is close to announcing whether he will seek the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat that Republican Mel Martinez will be leaving in 2010.
“I love serving the people of North Florida in the House of Representatives, but I’m considering a Senate run because of the very serious challenges facing my fellow Floridians,” said Boyd, in a statement.
Boyd added: “I’m not going to drag this out. I’ve very close to a decision and will make my decision public.”
Sink would have been considered a top candidate had she run. Though she will not run, Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami earlier this week announced that he is a candidate.
Boyd also said Sink would have be “a tremendous candidate,” although “Florida is fortunate that she’ll be staying on as CFO.”
“I’ve always said that the decision to run for the U.S. Senate is a personal one for me and does not hinge on what anyone else decides to do,” Boyd said.
Said Meek of Sink’s decision: “My hope was for the strongest slate of Democrats to appear on the 2010 ballot for statewide office, and with today’s announcement by CFO Sink, Democrats will have an extremely strong ticket up and down the ballot in 2010.”
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