Brickfield backs Rubio over Crist
Pinellas County Commissioner Neil Brickfield has followed ally Tony DiMatteo to support Marco Rubio over his Pinellas neighbor, Charlie Crist, for U.S. Senate.
Brickfield said he actually decided a few months ago, but confirmed the decision this week. Attention has focused on Pinellas Republicans' choice for the Senate nomination because of a straw poll due in January. He downplayed the idea he was shunning Crist.
"I don’t look at it that way. I think that Marco Rubio has a great story to tell," Brickfield said, adding that Rubio's support is growing.
But Brickfield's allegiance isn't too surprising. A former vice chairman of the Pinellas GOP, Brickfield benefited from DiMatteo's support in 2008, when Brickfield was elected to the commission. DiMatteo helps lead Rubio's efforts in Pinellas.
David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer
*
From the writers of the St. Petersburg Times, Bay Buzz offers the latest news on Tampa Bay politics. This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the St. Petersburg Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.
Tony and Neil are both from NY and are good friends. The Tony/Neil team were 6 for 6 in last years elections-Tony raised the money and Neil told him were to spend it. I know it because I worked in the office during the last campaign cycle.
Neil is a very gifted political consultant and this is just another hole in Crists ship(The Titanic).
Posted by: REC Member | November 11, 2009 at 05:33 PM
he just lost my vote the next time he runs! If Tony said to jump off the skyway Neil would you?
Posted by: dems and dozs | November 11, 2009 at 06:17 PM
Why does the Republican Party want to eat it's own. We have a candidate who can win an election and we try to tear him down. This is horrible. Crist hugging Obama was stupid but the Republican Party should not destroy itself over it. Tony has done a disservice to our cause.
Posted by: Jeff | November 11, 2009 at 06:20 PM
Charlie Crist is no Republican!
Posted by: GOP VOTER | November 11, 2009 at 06:45 PM
Chip, Chip, Chip, the dam is breaking and the Crist people have no patches that will keep back the rising tide-that is Rubio Rising
Posted by: Hear the cracks | November 11, 2009 at 06:47 PM
Where's Nancy Bostock in all of this. She touts that she is a conservitive, so why didn't come out with Brickfield?
I voted for her ever since the first time that she ran for school board and she and Brickfield are doing a great job.
It's time that other elected people step up if they say that they are conservitive and prove it!
Posted by: Disappointed | November 11, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Charlie Crist is a Republican, a good Governor and will be an excellent Senator. The crazy wingnuts will implode as one big joke and they will take Rubio down with them.
Posted by: Brickfield can't even talk now he will be a one termer | November 11, 2009 at 09:45 PM
...Rubio vs. crist ? ...this is easy, one is a consevervative republican and one is whatever you want him to be (as long as he gets your vote)...crist had his opportunity as governor and he failed...Rubio is starting to look like the next Ronald Reagan...
Posted by: awhitewolf | November 11, 2009 at 10:46 PM
'nuf said.
Posted by: Peter the crook | November 12, 2009 at 06:11 AM
'nuf said
Posted by: Peter the crook | November 12, 2009 at 06:11 AM
'nuf said
Posted by: Peter the crook | November 12, 2009 at 06:11 AM
'nuf said
Posted by: Peter the crook | November 12, 2009 at 06:12 AM
'nuf said
Posted by: Peter the crook | November 12, 2009 at 06:12 AM
'nuf said
Posted by: Peter the crook | November 12, 2009 at 06:13 AM
'nuf said
Posted by: Peter the crook | November 12, 2009 at 06:13 AM
'nuf said
Posted by: Peter the crook | November 12, 2009 at 06:14 AM
plus a liar,drunk,and general lowlife.
Posted by: Peter the crook | November 12, 2009 at 06:15 AM
Video: Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up!
http://bit.ly/2SiMh7
Posted by: Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up! | November 12, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up!
http://bit.ly/2SiMh7
Posted by: Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up! | November 12, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up!
http://bit.ly/2SiMh7
Posted by: Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up! | November 12, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up!
http://bit.ly/2SiMh7
Posted by: Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up! | November 12, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up!
http://bit.ly/2SiMh7
Posted by: Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up! | November 12, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up!
http://bit.ly/2SiMh7
Posted by: Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up! | November 12, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up!
http://bit.ly/2SiMh7
Posted by: Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up! | November 12, 2009 at 06:49 AM
Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up!
http://bit.ly/2SiMh7
Posted by: Bill Young lies about, err, misremembers Barack Obama telling his opponents to "Shut up! | November 12, 2009 at 06:49 AM