Kriseman rips Samm Simpson on campaigning at Raytheon

ST. PETERSBURG -- In a letter to Democratic congressional candidate Samm Simpson, state Rep. Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) tells her "you should be ashamed of yourself" for campaigning at community meetings about the toxic plume around defense company Raytheon.

Kriseman writes that he hesitated to send the letter because it might give "unintended significance and validity to your campaign."

His complaint: That at meetings, her campaign was sign-waving, passing out campaign literature, and questioning incumbent U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young's role. He also faults Max Linn, her Democratic opponent, whose campaigning during plume meetings he calls "offensive and reprehensible." He also sent the letter to Linn.

"Do you not understand that for every second you or one of you or one of your supporters is at the microphone politicking, an actual resident of the area is being silenced? Have you no respect for these people?" he wrote.

Simpson, who wants to represent CD 10, responded with a letter of her own. "He was way off base with that," Simpson said in an interview. "I’m just trying to help people. That’s not an easy thing to do in this world. "

Her story:

At the May 30th meeting, she saw sign waving and agreed it was inappropriate. The sign waving stopped.

At the July 9th meeting, her volunteer coordinator Mike Fox handed out no literature but announced he was a volunteer for the campaign and asked two questions of the Department of Environmental Protection -- had the EPA or Young been in touch with your office? She wrote that she would have asked him not to ask the second question.

On July 14, Simpson and Fox attended, but Simpson did not identify herself as a candidate and asked a question about the Environmental Protection Agency. Fox asked where Young was, but Simpson said she felt it was inappropriate.

When asked if she thought the letter should have been directed at Linn, Simpson said she thought so because he "tagged every windshield" at the July 9th meeting and spoke at the July 14th meeting until Sen. Bill Nelson stopped him. He also had two people handing out literature, she said.

Read Kriseman's letter here and Samm Simpson's response here.

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

Comments

Sooo, let me get this straight. Simpson admits sign waving was a bad idea, and admits asking about Bill Young was a bad idea, but she thinks Kriseman was off base? She just backed up his letter.

Rick with some swagger. I like it.

I think Samm is NUTS!

Thank you, Representative Kriseman.

A question: Did K's law firm try to get in there to represent victims before the lawmaker ever spoke as a leader?

Can we get back to directing some of this haughty disdain at the polluters and people who covered this up?

Simpson deserves this. Linn too.

which hat was mike wearing at the meeting? more identities than sybil.

be cautious, samm, be cautious.

Its not Krisemans law firm. Its Joe Saunders.

Remind me not to be on the receiving end of a Rick Kriseman letter.

[AJS]

Well thank you Mr. Kriseman. I believe this shows a lack of leadership and poor decision-making on the part of Ms. Simpson. I genuinely do not believe she is a bad person; however, the same can not be said for Max Linn. I can't wait to see his next egotistical act of incompetence.

My favorite part is Simpson saying "It wasnt just me - Max Linn was worse!". Two little kids

My favorite part is how none of these three, Kriseman, Linn, or Simpson really have done anything to help fix any of the problems we have in this community. More dog parks and walkways won't fix these problems Rick.

9:10pm - I'm not a huge Kriseman fan, but with due respect, he has contributed to our community. Lets not lump him in with these wackos.

Krisman why don't you and your Republican group go play somewhere else.
What did you offer to do to help these people? ANYTHING?

[bmi]

I won't question whether sign waiving a passing out campaign literature was a good idea or not. What I do know is that Samm Simpson is the only candidate that will speak for the people when she takes Young's seat in Congress. The residents of District 10 that are effected by Ratheon's mess need a congressperson who will not tolerate the environmental degradation of Pinellas County. That person is Samm Simpson

Young met with the president of Raytheon in Washington and explained that he felt it was the total responsibility of Raytheon to solve this problem and solve it quickly. He also visited the site where the toxic waste exists and he received the same briefing that was given to the public meeting. He also met with the EPA and asked them to stand by, which they agreed to do in the event that the matter couldn't be handled with Raytheon or the state. He also met with the head of the Florida Dept. of Enviromental Protection to offer any assistance that he could to fix this problem.
Now, how do I know all of this? Because I work for Raytheon.

Ha

[jmt]

If anyone doesn't know, Krisman supports Hackworth, as reported in the Buzz.
Krisman, doing Hackworths dirty work? Hackworth try running a campaign on your knowledge of the issues, which I think you are severly lacking, so you resort to republicrat henchmen?
Hackworth why weren't you there? You should be learning about the people in district 10.
What is wrong with asking if Young was there,he IS the congressman there?
Krisman, who's politing now?

[jmt]

Sorry "politicking"

10:57
Thanks for the info.Re: Young's role in Raytheon talks.
Any chance of going public with this, and identifing yourself, so that it can be confirmed?

[jmt]

And once again, Hackworth making non news items news, but now he has a buddy.

Kriseman isnt supporting Hackworth.

[Joe]

I was at one of those meetings. That was the most serious crowd I ever saw.
When elected officials were introduced
there was silence. They had NO interest in politicing.

[David]

I was at the May 30th meeting and saw several candidates for various offices working the room. In fact, I approached Ms. Simpson, as I am sympathetic to her campaign, and suggested she take advantage of the situation. I thought I was instructing her in the subject of politics as I chatted with her and pointed out how the professional politicians in the room were smiling and shaking as many hands as possible. She responded politely, but disagreed. She told me that she felt awful that someone in her campaign had been waving signs out front. She was genuinely devastated that someone might think she would take advantage of people's pain for the sake of politics.
That night, I disagreed with her and thought she was wrong to tell volunteers to stop. It turns out she is even more wise than I thought.

Yes there are two ways to confirm this without me losing my job. Call Raytheon and ask for Mitch Lee, who is Raytheons manager in Pinellas County or Mr. Bill Swanson, who is the President and CEO or the Secretary of Floridas Dept. of Enviromental Protection or call Mr. Young. I am sure Mr. Young would be more than happy to discuss this with you. I would call his Seminole office and talk to a man named Mr. Glenn. He is aware of all of Mr. Youngs contacts with Raytheon, the EPA and the other agencies. He was with him on his visits and I am sure would be more than happy to connect you, personally or by phone with Congressman Young.

I would appreciate it if when you call Raytheon you don't mention this blog.

David:
Samm is a good person but she needs to be very careful. There is a time and place for everything and when people are scared and lost, the last thing they need is campaign propoganda.

[David]

Yes, she is, she does, and she was sensitive enough to know it wasn't the place for politicking.
I very much hope that JMT is wrong and Kriseman's letter has nothing to do with Mayor Hackworth running.

[E]

Kriseman are u a Democrat? Why are u denigrating other Dems? Oh, I see you are supporting Hackworth, a former Republican. At the last debate the only thing he said was I support what Obama has said. Running on Obama's popularity and coatail! Let's stick to all working together to resolve this problem in our community. Remember you will have to run again as well. You will need the support of fellow Dems.

It doesn't matter, David. Hackworth was elected by Republicans and jumped ship on them. Now no one will trust him. He is out of politics forever now.
He'll go anywhere he can get votes, but he's not going to get them, now or never. The people that trusted him, he let them down hard.

Kriseman is not supporting Hackworth. Ask them.

[Voice of the People]

Let's get this straight. There is a TOXIC PLUME in Pinellas County. That plume was created by Raytheon, a defense contractor. PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY ARE IN JEOPARDY AS A RESULT. Our Congressman, CW Bill Young -- the man who may very well have helped Raytheon get those defense contracts -- is an invisible presence.

Does Dem State Rep Rick Kriseman criticize Young for not standing up for his constituents? NO!

Instead, he criticizes fellow Dem Samm Simpson for voicing the desire of the people to see some action taken on this significnat communicty issue.

Isn't that what we want our elected representatives to do -- STAND UP AND REPRESENT US AGAINST THE CORPORATE POLLUTERS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS?

Thank you, Samm, for doing what you do. And adding your powerful and persuasive voice to ours!

We need your power and your passion fighting the TOXIC POLLUTERS on our behalf not just here in Pinellas, but soon in Washington as well!

[Mike Fox]

OK, since my name has been mentioned here, but none of my conversation with Stephanie is, I'll be happy to provide some details.

And let me apologise for the length of this, but much needs to be said about this travesty...

First and foremost, let me say I'm speaking as Mike Fox, private citizen, here. Samm and I agree in principal on the issue of doing all we can to help the residents of the Azalea Homeowners Association and surrounding property owners in their quest for justice. Our visions of the appropriateness of asking whether or not the congressman for these folks (my personal representative) or a member of his staff was in attendance (which they weren't) or whether they had contacted the Florida Department Of Environmental Protection, are not the same.

I believe every citizen of district 10 should be asking that question in solidarity with the property owners within and around the toxic plume. A rep with as much power to wield as Congressman Young can surely do what Senator Nelson did: meet with folks, hear their concerns, and commit to helping make sure justice wins the day. (Aside: I sincerely sung the praises of Rep Kriseman for being there when I spoke.)

But as evidence of Samm's leadership ability, as a volunteer I'll acquiesce to her request that I no longer ask questions about whether or not congressman Young has been advocating for the homeowners while I'm representing the campaign. But I will continue to participate in any public meeting on this subject, especially when I recieve personal invitations from effected homeowners, as was the case at the most recent meeting.

In fact, outside of Samm, the only people involved in this process whose opinion I really care about are the homeowners who are effected. If the Azalea Homeowners Association feels that my behavior has been in poor taste, I'll be the first to apologize. Having not received any such request -- but having received two hugs from their members at the most recent meeting -- I'll just leave it that I'm happy with the results of my actions.

Now, since Mr. Kriseman has seen fit to take what should have been a private matter between him and Samm/Samm's campaign and turned it into a news story that's a poorly disguised Hackworth campaign pitch, let' take them both to task.

Why wouldn't Mr. Hackworth set aside time to come to one of these events and hear the concerns of these potential constituents? If he has met with them in private -- as Samm has with the nuclear workers she references in her letter, or as I have with some of the Azalea folks -- more power to him, and if he hasn't yet I encourage him to do so. After all, this isn't about politics, this is about finding just solutions. And with an issue this substantial, one would expect him to have open ears.

Now, in regards to Mr. Kriseman, I once again am speaking as a private citizen and constituent of his and not a spokesperson for the Samm Simpson campaign when I say "at the risk of giving unintended significance and validity" to your hack piece disguised as concern for the people effected by this toxic disaster/pontificatory diatribe about what is and what is not advocacy in their best interests, I say I only wish I had been more successful at finding someone to run against you for your seat.

You've used the people's postage and the people's stationery to engage in partisan politics, and taken time better spent using your power in Talahassee to provide a solution for these victims to take public stabs at a woman who has spent a goodly amount of the last 3 years trying to help those in need -- be they nuclear workers dying from exposure to toxic substances they were never warned about, veterans fighting the uphill battle for benefits, or the homeless and mentally ill in Pinellas County. And I'm talking hands on, in the street work. From personally shuttling mentally ill folks from center to center, to tutoring kids, to feeding the homeless. Guess Mother Teresa was just a shameless promoter of the Catholic church as she fed the hungry in her travels, too?

And this: "Do you not understand that for every second you or one of you or one of your supporters is at the microphone politicking, an actual resident of the area is being silenced? Have you no respect for these people?"

Balderdash!

First, Samm only stepped to the microphone at the most recent meeting -- she's attended 3 -- and when she did she wasn't even wearing her nametag, didn't announce she was running for congress, and simply asked Senator Nelson to take a strong, leadership role in helping these folks. I'm the guy who stood in line to ask questions at 3 of the 4 events I've attended, and in each case I never said "Vote For Samm" nor did my comments prevent ANYONE from speaking.

In the first case -- the event at Ratheon -- I asked if these levels of toxisity would prevent folks from getting health insurance policies, and whether the firm that Ratheon contracted to do the testing has done business with government organizations as well. The second time I asked if Young's office or the federal EPA had been in contact with the Florida EPA. The third time I asked if there was a member of his staff in attendence, and asked you and Senator Justice if you would promote legislation to prevent banks from discriminating against owners/potential buyers of the homes effected if the Florida EPA found that there was no health risk due to contamination found at a given property. Senator Justice clerarly made the committment, but I wasn't sure of your answer. (Not saying you won't, just saying your answer wasn't clear. If you'd be willing to make that committment here, I'd applaude your stand.)

Bottom line, it is you, Mr. Kriseman, who is guilty of inapproptiate politicking, and I hope Mr. Hackworth sees this and removes your name from his list of endorsees.

Let's put an end to the partisan snipping in the media and work together to find a solution that will serve the residents whose properties have been damaged. And yes, I invite Max Linn to do the same. While his stump speech at the last meeting may have been a bit over the top, he's a passionate guy who can be a great ally, I bet, in finding a solution that works for all concerned.

Mike,

Where is Rick Kriseman's name mentioned as an endorser of Hackworths?

There is no such thing.

[Mike Fox]

Thank you, July 18: 12:10., for doing a partial confirm that Congressman Young has been on board with the citizens and exerting pressure on Ratheon to "do the right thing." I will follow up on your suggestion, and if it sounds as though Congressman Young has wielded some leverage that has the people's needs at heart over the needs of Ratheon, I'll be overjoyed to see it, and give props where props are due.

Sincerest thanks.

Aside: Don't mean to be overly nosey, but may I ask why you aren't allowed to identify yourself when you're telling a positive story about the Congressman? Simply that Ratheon has a policy about individual workers making "public" statements?

Balderdash!!

[Mike Fox]

And if Ratheon has listened and are willing to play ball with the citizens in real, property damage related ways, kudos to Ratheon's mgmt as well.

The tough deal here is that Ratheon didn't actually do the polluting. And that's unfortunate for the company as well as the negotiation process.

Anybody here have an idea about what a good solution to the problem would be? I'm a big fan of solutions where both sides can benefit. Maybe Ratheon issues some stock to folks? That way they don't have to look at immediate cash disbursements, necessarily. And the animosity shown by some of the the victims would no doubt

[Mike Fox]

Sorry, pushed a wrong button before I deleted this, but since it's here I'll finish....

"And the animosity shown by some of the victims would no doubt would wane a bit if they felt they "owned a piece of the pie", as it were."

[Mike Fox]

Re: Kriseman endorsement. I googled "Kriseman/Hackworth" and saw a reference to the buzz site. But I cannot provide the link, so if I suggested an official endorsement.

If Rep Kriseman has not officially endorsed, I apologize if I've inadvertently led folks to believe so.

But I will say it certainly plays that way. And the letter never should have been sent to the newspaper if his intentions were purely for the homeowners.

And at least I have the courage to put my name on the record. When I'm right, I'll say it. And when I'm wrong, I will as well.

I'm somewhere in the middle on this gaff.

[jmt]

I read in the Bay Buzz, that Krisman endorses Hackwork....can't provide the link, but if you look back at the many non-news Hackworth stories, you'll find it at the bottom.

Kriseman is a DINO

Hackworth is a DINO

Both are republican “hacks”!

[Toby]

Why is Tricky Rick writing personal letters with “unintended” endorsement implications for Hackworth… on taxpayer’s time and dime? Nothing in his “unintended” endorsement letter of Hackworth helps those people who are losing their homes due to his lack of action as a Legislator – as promised – to deal with out-of-control insurance premiums.

How mush did the insurance industry donate to Rick, and how much did Raytheon donate to Rick?

Kriseman should focus on protecting the interests of his electorate, not his contributors.

[Hackworth Campaign]

No endorsement. Only Karl Nurse and James Bennett.

The hippies are fired up over this one. It stings when even the most liberal legislator doesnt like Samm.

The DINO's are fired up over this one. It's sad when even the most ineffective legislator pretends he matters.

Bottom line folks, this woman Simpson was wrong. She admitted as much.

Mike Fox is clearly an imbecile along with his partner in crime, Samm Simpson. This was not the time nor place for such activity. If she has that much compassion for the people then she should have known better. She saw it as an opportuinty to address a crowd that she otherwise would not have access to and made one of the dumbest political moves I have ever seen. She was campaigning on people's fears and emotions. Samm and Mike give up, it's clearly over for both of you.
No matter how much you try to distance yourselves from the situation by using Mayor Hackworth's name it is not going to work. You, Samm, and Max screwed up and were rightfully reprimanded.

8:35
Liberal legislator, who are you talking about, Krisman? Hardly! He SUPPORTS Hackworth, not endorse.....what ever the difference is.
I am disturbed that Mr.Krisman's statement didn't include what he was planning on doing to remendy this seroius problem. Maybe he has a plan, but he thought it more important to focus on what he discribes as a distaction in the room, instead of the plume of poison, in his district.
Part of the job is to focus, on the subject.
Do tax payers really want to pay you for the time it took to write a letter scolding people, and then an extra step to contact the news with another non-news article. I don't want to pay for this!
I would like to think that you would ask the hard questions of anyone involed in this, I don't care if it is Mr. Young, or the Wizard of Oz. That is your job. Stay on target, and let Mr. Hackworth pay someone to do his campaigning.

[NoleGuyFL]

I think we'd have to reach farther back then Rep. Young's tenure re: who to blame for allowing the "degradation" of Pinellas. I've long felt that over the years many elected officials, at all levels of govt., pimped our beautiful state away to developers. There should have been stricter zoning rules implemented 30-plus yrs ago. There's likely toxic waste under/around many of these large plants all around Pinellas, e.g., Raytheon, Jabil, etc. What good are EPA Regs when they apparently have no teeth?

[Independent]

So, let me get this straight. It is WRONG to ask if the Representive of this district has been contacted, and what they are doing to resolve it?
Aren't they hired to do that very thing, represent the people in their district?
Thank you for asking that question, Mr. Fox.
All taxpayers are intitled to know if their representive is doing their job.
Good to hear that Mr. Young has been contacted,via an unknown blog on the Bay Buzz.
Mr. Krisman, the impression I got from your letter is that, you question, asking if Mr. Young or one of his reps was notified,was not appropriate? Do you think our representatives, are untouchable? Are you?

[Neighborhood President!]

Rep. Kriseman has been with homeowners on this issue since the beginning. We are thankful, although it is not in his district. Charlie Justice too. Kriseman, in particular, has been wonderful in keeping the DEP on task.

[NPA]

It all boils down to these questions for Kriseman;

Why send the letter in the first place?

What was its “intended” purpose?

What result do you expect?

What have YOU done about this problem?

What has Hackworth done about it?

What has Bill Young done about it?

When did you become a campaign consultant?

What campaign gaffs has Hackworth made… in your opinion?

[Steve Verzwyvelt, Campaign Manager for Bob Hackworth]

Whomever posted as the Hackworth Campaign is not with the campaign. We have a policy of issuing press releases with our name on them, not to respond to blogs. The person that posted is and has never been part of this campaign.

Did Kriseman endorse Hackworth, Steve?

[None of the Above]

It all depends on what your definition of "did", does...

I’m not sure an endorsement from a do-nothing hack Legislator is “all-that!”.

Unless of course you approve of a Legislature that focused on trucknutz and baggy pants while Floridians were losing their jobs and homes.

btw, how's that $240 working out for y'all?

Hahahahahahahaaaaa...

Steve Verzwyvelt, "You never post on blogs" well you just did. and it is tacky. be embarrassed be very embarrassedd that you work for a traitor. start looking for a new job. they are hard to find.

I think Samm is hot!

Steve,
How do you know it wasn't someone in your campaign, they didn't leave a name?
Did/Does Krisman endorse/support Hackworth?
Answering these questions may shed some light on why this letter was written in the first place.
If this is not Krisman's district, then why did he have more of a right to voice his opinion, than any candidate that may possibly be representing this district?
From what I read, the Samm Simpson campaign was also invited.
Mr. Krisman,writing a letter on state letter head, scolding a fellow dem? I'm assuming that you also contacted the press,on this as well? A simple email, or a phone call to your fellow Democrat couldn't have cleared this up?
This impression leaves real dems questioning your association with former Republican, Hackworth. If that is the case, great, but I think it is really "tacky" of you to attack a fellow Dem. and then turn it over to the press to promote your choice of candidates, unfortunatly, I don't have any offical letter head to send you a letter stating that.
This whole story smells of "campaign stunt" It makes no sence for a dem. to scold a dem. and make it public, unless you have an agenda.
That should unite a party?
Come on dems, wake -up!

[Mike Fox]

Steve V:

I personally appreciate your clarification, Steve, and am not a big fan of the snippy comments that have been tossed in your direction.

Folks posting anonymously on blogs sure seem to lack civility, sometimes...

But given that you say the "Hackworth Campaign" id was incorrect in the reference to the Kriseman endorsement, how do you know the person is not, nor never has been part of the Hackworth campaign?

Not trying to be a jerk, just wondering how you know this for sure? Do you have an id of the person who originally posted under the "Hackworth Campaign" monicker?

That being said, has Kriseman endorsed your candidate?

Folks, Samm Simpson supported Ron Paul. Kriseman supported Obama. Nuff said. Hows that for unity?

Obviously you feel Simpson is more of a threat than Linn to Hackworth?
If he was tagging windshield, and announced that he was running for Congress,which in my opinion is really "tacky."
The letter should have been directed to him, and maybe, a copy to the Simpson camp.

I posted as "Hackworth Campaign" and apologize. I meant to write "re: Hackworth Campaign". Sorry. geez. Anyway, Kriseman hasnt endorsed.

[Voice of the People]

We've got a TOXIC PLUME affecting homeowners in the Azalea area, and Rep Ric Kriseman wants to focus on POLITENESS & PROPRIETRY? That's why the "special interests" control the puppet-strings in this country. And Rep Kriseman is one of their prime enablers.

It's time we took our cue from the cinematic genius of Paddy Chayevsky and start standing up & shouting: "I'm Mad As Hell And I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore!"

Unless we the people do, we're the ones who are going to be taken!

GO SAMM !!!! Don't let those nattering nabobs of negativism like Rick Kriseman stop you from speaking our on behalf of We, The People!

Thanks once again Samm, for being a voice for the people and standing up!
I don't envy you having to, play with a bunch stinky politicians!

OOooohhhh ricks got a swagger

Jesssuuuussththth

[Kriseman Campaign!]

I agree with the poster at 12:19! This was nothing more than an underhanded endorsement of Hackworth by Kriseman, and a sleezy political stunt by Kriseman as well. But we’ve come to expect this from the pompous a-s. Someone needs to knock Kriseman off his high horse. But I suspect he’ll just land in a soft pile of republican money… as usual.

12:27
The topic of this is "Krisman rips Samm," Where did you come up with "re:Hackworth Campaign? Nice clean-up job! The campaign doesn't have to operate openly, you have Krisman to do it.
Nobody has answered the question still, if Krisman SUPPORTS Hackworth?
Answer carefully.

2:10
Sleezy is right! Hackworth won his last election by pulling a last minute piece on his opponent. He lacks any original solutions to the issues ( answers everything "Obama") He needs to either learn the issues inside and out, or get out of the race. We have all had enough of sleezy politics to last a lifetime.
In 2006 when Samm ran against Mr. Young I noticed there was no "mud slinging" just issues that the people (Employers) were concerned with. This time around enters; Two Republicrats, and everything, but the issues are being played.
The people (Employers)want someone to represent them, not represent the next political party jumpers.

8:33
Are you not really with the Hackworth campaign? Did you also mean to say RE: Hackworth campaign.
If you are, you better get off the blog now. Hacks only puts out press releases.

[MBFLA]

I find it very interesting that Rep Kriseman has never made an effort to meet Samm Simpson nor has he ever picked up a telephone to call her. Why send this to the St Pete Times rather than reach out person to person?Obviously this is all political and way below the belt. The hostility is astounding!

Mr Hackworth has a history of this kind of thing right before an election so no surprise here. Just be aware what you are getting if you vote for him. He's a lifelong Republican who talks about Obama's platform but has little depth of knowledge of what it is. He is so blank when debating that one feels sorry for him. Is this who you want representing you?

Samm Simpson is a genuine and passionate person who is not a career politician. She will make mistakes and I guarantee she is NOT slick. She is always honest and I'll take that anyday! She knows the issues and will speak for us. She is not in this to make money or connections either. The career politicians fear her. They should. She will speak truth to power!

I am not seeing how you are tieing Bob Hackworth's campaign to a concerned representative sending a letter to two people that clearly put their own self-interest over that of the people they are running to represent. These two candidates did a very tacky thing by campaigning at a town hall meeting where water contamination was being discussed. I am repulsed by both of them. Stop trying to turn their mistake onto someone that had nothing to do with it. Claim responsibility for your actions and apologize.

Since when is making stupid and thoughtless mistakes okay? Oh I'm sorry I voted to bomb your country or I'm sorry I missed that vote to lower taxes. I'm not a career politician so you should forgive my stupidity. Give me a break. She has been a career politician ever since she ran the first time and had ber butt kicked.

[James]

rick - you are a hypocritical piece of work, be glad I'm not in your district...

Wow, I finally got to the end of this blog. One question : Why, Rep. Kriseman, did you send your letter of criticism against Samm and Max to St Pete Times?

5.55

Why you ask

Because the "Barbarians at the Gate" nemely, Nelson, Thurman, Kriesman, Welch, Justice, and all of the other in-office Republicrats and powers that be just can't stomach the thought that someone other than who they decide, be it a lifelong dem or the new and imporved Just turned dems that seem to be cropping up all over the place, just might win in an Obama Landslide.

You have to remember that there are a number of candidates running for offices at the moment that the DemoRpublicans have not supported at all and, heaven forbid, one or two of them just might win and then what could these same people do.

If the apple cart gets upset, these charlatans have real problems running things behind the scenes when some of the votes they need they don't own in some fashion.

Speaking of offensive, has anyone seen this latest trick?

www.mustchangecongress.org

7:53 has it exactly right.

Kriesman sat on the St Pete City Council accomplishing some good...

BUT with the tools of the trade at his disposal such as the consent agenda which kept the hoi polloi at bay.

4:02
You don't see the connection?
a Fellow dem does something one thinks is "questionable", not illegal, maybe "tacky", instead of calling them, or emailing them, they write a letter, on State leterhead, send one to Ms. Simpson, one to Mr. Linn, and one to the St. Pete Times, but instead of addressing Mr. Linn, who was doing something far more"tacky" it is directed at Ms. Simpson and starts the letter saying her candidacy is a "joke".
Obviously he has something out for her, more of a threat than Linn? Who do they both threaten? Mr. Hackworth, the man he suppports.
This is disgraceful!!
Mr. Kriseman, and Mr. Hackworth, should have an article scolding them for using taxpayers time and money, for this kind of "tacky" campaigning!

[thebrotherman]

I wonder if it is important to point out that at this point in the campaign season Kriseman's biggest campaign contributors are Communications related contributors. And this clown's lack of discretion in publicly airing disagreements is exactly what is ailing the Democratic Party.
Shame on you jerk.

For Christ's sake everyone, it's only Rick Kreisman, who cares what he thinks.

This is Hacks style! He wins elections by pulling stunts. Race for Mayor he previously posted that one of his opponents was a Scientoligist. Can't think for himself. He only wins by slamming others, as if he's the only choice. I'd rather keep Bill Young.