Democrats file complaint on RGA help

Democrats on Wednesday accused Charlie Crist, the Republican Governors Association and the state GOP of violating state election laws by earmarking $1-million for Crist's campaign for governor. The Leon County Democratic Party filed complaints against all three with the Florida Elections Commission. More here.

Comments

[Old Man of the Mountain]

Children shouldn't play with matches.Should the GOP file a retaliatory complaint about the Davis or Smith Campaigns, the Dems' only hope would be the total ineptitude of the Elections Commission since it will be hard for their key staffers to deny UNDER OATH that earmarking never occured.

Welcome to the Democratic Party!! Circular firing squads, spectacular self-immolations, and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory our specialty!

Jefferson and Jackson weep.

Love that the SP Times rememebered what the Leon County DEC was doing a few months ago, earmarking money for Scott Maddox's campaign. Couldn't they find someone with a little credibility, looks ridiculous.

This complaint is from the party that was running 3-pack ads for Rod Smith in the primary? If they weren't earmarking how in the world could they justify that one???

[ConservaGal]

You have got to be kidding me. Their hypocracy knows no bounds.

Precisely. The FDP and the Leon Democrats have run a scandal-plagued campaign finance scheme for years. They keep inventing new ways to screw up. And they have the chutzpah to question a donation from the REPUBLICAN Governors Association to the RPOF?
When do the grown ups take back the party from these idiots?

Do your homework, 9:35. The DGA and the RGA aren't party committees -- getting that kind of money into the state is nigh on impossible to do within the law. I agree that the Leon DEC might not be the best choice to bring the complaint, but why should we sit back and let $1million come illegally into the state to support Crist?

SO, what's the progress on all the violations at FDP? Didn't they have a couple of illegal committees set up for house and senate campaigns? Didn't they launder a couple million through them? What ever happened there?

[Irony Coalition]

That's pretty funny!

So if the party's Smith ads weren't earmarked from funds that the Smith had raised, then they were endorsing in the primary?

I don't think this is a road the D's should go down.

9:38, do YOUR homework. There is nothing illegal about a group giving as much money as they want to a state party. And if you read the article, you know that the letter accompanying the check said nothing about Crist. Romney's comments don't amount to earmarking in a legal sense. Time for you to Moveon.org.

[gatordem]

All this ranting from the R's sounds like they're pretty nervous about this.

The NEW Leon DEC Chair is one of the bright up and comers in the FDP. Gives us yet another reason to be optimistic about the future of Florida.

And that's where we Dems are looking - towards the future. All you guys talk about is who is the real Jeb clone? Stay the course anyone? Not for me.

[Old Man of the Mountain]

9:38-- What coloring book did you get your election law training from? Probably the same one that led the Geller-Gelber Gang to set up their illegal CCEs, etc...The RGA etc are structured to allow them to transfer into Florida and other states in a legal manner. The Dems had better hope so-- they get tons from DGA etc in those rare years where DGA thinks the nominee stands a snowball's chance.

[Rich]

What a joke of a lawsuit. This will go nowhere. Just democrats whining b/c they are so far behind in money. No need for me to even discuss this further.

The RGA and the DGA are divisions of the National Parties so they can give as much money to the state parties as they see fit. It is the same thing the the Democratic National Senatorial Committee will be doing in a couple of weeks for Bill Nelson, their money will go straight to the state party who will run the ads. TV time is expensive and with an open presidential race on both tickets in '08 you can look for a lot of money to be flowing into this Gov. race from outside people and committees.

Gatordem, you are typical lib, the State is Humming like never before, which is like finger nails on a chalkboard for liberals. Florida is moving in the right direction, which means it will be yet another defeat for the dems. Keep hoping the state fails and you will continue to be a spectator on the sidelines.

Hi there, this is 9:38, the coloring book election law expert, here.

If you go to the IRS disclosure site (http://forms.irs.gov/politicalOrgsSearch
/search/basicSearch.jsp) and search Republican Governors Association, you will find that they are an independent 527 committee.

You see, 10:28, it is absolutely NOT a division of the national party, and neither is the DGA. You'll also note that the RGA does not list a Florida PAC in their most recent amended filing.

Let's not get ugly here, folks. Let's just get our facts straight.

Maybe I'm confused. I thought there were no limits on how much someone can give to a state party in Florida regardless of who they are - individual, corporation, whatever. There are limits on how that money can be spent if a federal election is involved, but still no limit on the donation being received. Am I wrong?

[gatordem]

10:29

You are typical wingnut, the State is failing like never before, which is like finger nails on a chalkboard for wingnuts. Florida is moving in the wrong direction, which means it will be a spectacular defeat for the R's. You will soon be a spectator on the sidelines, praying that the state fails so you can back in the game.

Not gonna happen.

Gatordem, you better quit blogging and get to your TV - one of your comrades is speaking at the UN ... the president of Iran ... better make sure he's on message for the DNC like your buddy Chavez was.

[Nightmare]

Gatordem,

Waaaa! Waaa! Waaa! Wanna bet this $1,000,000 lawsuit fails like it should? I know you must feel very lonely, sad and angry. How any rational person can look at the state of our State and not be thrilled...well, that's just it...it's not rational. Your baseless positions relegate you to the position of "entertaining joke" that you have become on this blog. Funny thing is, I hope you keep writing. You are the best thing that has happend to Republicans on this thing. Keep us laughing, my amphibious liberal friend!

[tdubb]

Why are we surprised. Bush (Jeb and George) have built alliances among the super rich. Their policies benefit... the super rich. Charlie wants their support which means the same super rich have just one question before throwing their support behind Charlie: How much?

And 11:19, thanks for your insight. Gatordem makes a point about the direction of the state and you link him to Iran and Chavez, both of whom hate this country. Knowing it's not true, why would you do this? To keep from discussing real issues in Florida? Or maybe to the old tried and true demonize those who disagree? Grow up just a little bit.

"...the next governor will make appointments to the Board of Medicine, the Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration. ''These selections are much more important to medicine than the lieutenant governor selection, and we want to make sure that we have a voice in those important appointments,'' the FMA's e-mail said.

Who are the Doctors kidding? Crist = end of tort reform.

tdubb, you're the one that needs to grow up a little. You and your ilk rant and rave about Jeb and Dubya and try to paint such a bleak picture of our state and nation when we are experiencing incredible prosperity, almost non-existent unemployment (or natural unemployment for those of you who have taken economics) and we are blessed with billions of dollars in state revenue to spend on protecting our environment and improving our public schools.

For once, I'd like to hear one of you admit things are pretty damn good and admit that what Jeb has done has led to more kids reading than ever before, more jobs than ever before and that Florida is one heck of a nice place to live. but of course that would undermine your election strategy ...

chill tdubb, the Chavez reference was just a little jab based on yesterday's discussions - btw, kudos to Charlie Rangle for denouncing Chavez so strongly. Good job.

[Fed-up]

1:21, You are most definitely “Kool-Aid” drunk or on crack. Who in the hell to you think you’re fooling with that drivel?

This is where you and you’re Party stumble. Your failure to admit mistakes, you failure to accept responsibility for said mistakes, your failure to boldly go where only Democrats have gone before… THE TRUTH AND REALITY!

Were it not for the million dollar marketing firms that own your party, combined with the knowledge that the average American spends way too much time staring at the TV and have become mind-f#*%ked into believe most everything that the box presents… you all would be run out of town on a rail. Most likely one that was built by your corporate welfare workers (ie: illegal… err… guest workers)

Damn, you people scar me.

[Rich]

FLORIDA STATS

Unemployment Rate 3.3%
Job Growth per month 25,000
HS Graduation Rate past 8 years UP 15%
Home Values past 5 years UP 120%
Wages increase, past year 6.7%

Exactly what is wrong with our economy again? Cant spin facts, liberals. Remember that.

Fed-up, right back at ya. You and your party wouldn't know the truth if crawled out of your crack pipe and bit you on the nose.

Look at your post again - anything at all constructive or insightful there? Nope - just the rantings of a left-behind liberal longing for yesterday when Democrats in Florida ruled the state.

You and your party try to act like the shambles our education system was in is somehow the Republicans fault, and you ignore the progress being made in 8 short years.

[Rich]

1:41

No need to argue with them. Moveon.org and dailykos liberals have been flooding this blog with their lies and spin.

I outed 3 of them on this blog, so others would know who was spitting the hate rhetoric, and now they have flooded many more here.

HYPER PARTISANSHIP

http://www.billoreilly.com/currentarticle

Everyone should read this article. Hyperpartisans need to chill out, on both sides.

Thanks Rich - but sometimes it's fun to show them a few facts - it's like sunlight to a vampire ;-)

1:54 - amen bro

[Fed-up]

1:41, Take another sip or hit, as it were. There’s nothing “constructive or insightful” about corporate butt-kissing R’s paid to cruise the blogs and spread the bull like brain-dead zombies who take their daily “W” pill.

As usual, when you can’t take the truth, you R’s boys and gals go into insult and illusion mode. It’s getting old there Mr. Silly Putty.

The R party has destroyed our education system. It borders treason. The intentional destruction and debasing of your own government department, for the purpose of outsourcing to the private sector as a corporate campaign payoff. It’s disgraceful and you should be put on trial for treason.

Rich,

Sell you bull and bogus numbers to the ones who buy your Amway… And get your hand out of your pants; you don’t know where those pants have been… you Kool-Aid drinking nutjob!

Ok, so we see that Fed-up is totally rational, thoughtful, compassionate person yearning for an honest debate of ideas and public policy. You're my hero, Fed-up.
1:41

[Fed-up]

Throw it out there 1:41, if you dare… I stand by ready to expose you and you’re fellow pill droppers.

BTW, I dig the hypocrisy approach to your attacks. Real camouflage work on that Einstein.

ok, but first did you maybe mean "sarcastic" approach to my attacks? that would make a little more sense, but i digress.

Let's start with education since that's an issue i think we would all agree is important. I say Jeb has made that a focus of his administration and while it certainly takes a long time to see real results in this area we are seeing huge increases in the number of kids reading on grade level - particularly minorities. By grading schools, he has been able to reward the good ones and help the bad ones improve. Now, the reforms are moving to later grades and we will see continued improvement. In fact, Florida is a model for other states.

Now, you are free to fire back about how all Jeb wants to do is privatize the schools and destroy our public school system by allowing children stuck in failing schools to attend a school that will actually teach them how to read and write, and how we really should leave those kids where they are so we don't hurt the teachers' feelings.

1:41

[Fed-up]

A typical “R” talking point response. You can hear this any day on any number of the republican owned “public” radio stations. Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah,… it’s going to take a while to see the results… Blah, Blah, Blah.

Let’s stick to the facts and save the BS, shall we… Jeb has not made any significant strides in education; we’re near dead last in the rankings. In fact we’ve gone down since he took office. FCAT has taught our kids to take a test, that’s it. When it comes to failures, you want to blame the system and the teachers… when it comes to successes, you want to praise Jeb. Expected response, unoriginal and unimaginative. Try again. Don’t just spew rhetoric and toss out “paid for” consultant poll numbers. We all know what they’re worth.

“we are seeing huge increases in the number of kids reading on grade level - particularly minorities.”

Perfect example of the aforementioned. Oh, and BTW, thanks for thinking of us coloreds… now I know the R’s really care about me. Lame.

And now, you can respond with the standard “We can’t reason with you people” (aka: They’re not buying it Carl, what now?)

2:19 uh dear - FL education has been following in Texas' education footsteps. We didn't create this mess, we're copying the mess that has been created in Texas. and of couse, Neil Bush, you remember that Bush brother, right, has the contracts for both states. The Bush family's main goal in life - make money off the taxpayers of any and all states. E V I L

[Rich]

Well, Fed-up, the reason we cant reason with you is that you are, as Oreilly puts it, a...

Hyper-partisan

Get over your bias, and look at facts, not rhetoric from the dailykos.

Yep, Fed-up, you refuse to see the facts. In 1999 roughly 22 percent of African-American 4th graders were reading on grade level. Today it's around 57 percent. Thats'real improvement, and most importantly it means THOUSANDS of kids who would have been ignored by the old system and passed along until they quit are actually reading and learning. But you can't admit to any success, you just keep acting like things were great under Democrats and Jeb has ruined it all - whatever - and 2:19, thanks for making my point. later.
1:41

[Fed-up]

When you and Rich are done high-five’n for what you perceive as a real gotcha, re-read my post.

Lay off the rhetoric and paid-for number. Try some substance. When you get off work tonight, after you stop by Taco Bell for your nightly three-taco meal deal… take a trip down to your local slum. Here, we call it midtown. Get out of your ’02 Honda Civic, with its low profile tires and a muffler that’s designed to make its four-cylinder sound like an eight – if you dare that is – and take a little walk. Try talking to some of the people for a change. Ask what they think about your boy and his work.

Then, get back into you “bought with your school loan” wannabe ride, head home to you “bought with your school loan” apartment and change your shorts – they’ll need changing. Then, tomorrow… give up you cubicle and get to work on something worthwhile.

Oh, and Rich… your dailykos rant is getting as old as the crust in your shorts and W’s speeches. You could use a change too.

[Rich]

Fed-up,

Ouch, personal attacks when you know nothing about us. That really hurts, not quite. I paid off my BRAND NEW car in 10 months. I OWN a home.

I talk to many MANY people, and the only problem ANYONE has is that their homeowners insurance is rising. They ALL are fine with everything else.

And the only issue people have the home insurance is that one company dropped them, so they had to find another. EVERY one i talked to that lost their policy got another one for only about 5% to 10% more. Wow, that will really kill people.

My policy even went up 12%, but i dont care. I understand business, 8 hurricanes in 2 years causing $40 billion in damage will cause rates to go up.

Fed-up, you're refusal to do anything but throw cute little barbs tires me. You obviously have no idea who you're talking with - otherwise you would lay off trying to characterize me as some kind of right-out-of-college, lily-white campaign staffer.

You've become monotonous, repetitive and redundant. But hey, check back in a little later, maybe you'll be more creative after your 4:20 meeting.
1:41

[Fed-up]

Typical “no substance” weak responses, fellows. I don’t do the whole 4:20 thing, but you may want to. Might help with your creativity and originality. Usual and telegraphed baloney rhetoric topped off with a cut-n-run… sweet son, real sweet.

Rich, so what you’re saying is that… you and all your other rich, white republican male friends are all good. Just blame it on nature, screw the poor… “That’s the ticket, yeah…” … How’s Morgan, you wife.

Thanks for making my point, bozo’s. All hail the power of the rich, white, republican brainwashing machine! It works for a while, but never fails to breakdown at some point.

[Rich]

Yea, rich, sure. Try fiscally RESPONSIBLE. I live in a middle class subdivision in the suburbs, you idiot.

The only people really suffering from the home insurance crisis are the people living 15 feet above sea level or below. They have a higher risk, and thus SHOULD be paying $2K to 5K in insurance. Those, my liberal wacko, are the richer people, on the COAST.

weak

Rich, You seem to have a real fixation with Mother Nature. We're you raped as a young boy by a Hurricane, or was it a Seminole? It could have been Gator, he’s weird.

[BoilerGOP]

4:39

Are you 10 years old? You are certainly acting like it. That was the stupidest thing I have ever heard. But then again, what should i expect from a wackjob liberal.

btw, to the original point in this post - I sure hope we see some kind of media coverage of their hypocrisy after having run 3-pack ads for Rod Smith in a primary ... that's EVIDENCE of earmarking for sure!

[Paul D. Harvill]

Given the press conference evidence and context, this looks like a legitimate Florida Elections Commission complaint.

[Rich]

I forgot to add Harvill to the list of liberals. My bad.

THis is legit thru loopholes, and everyone uses them. There is a limit to how much the RGA can give to a candidate. There is no limit to how much the RGA can give to the RPOF. There is also no limit to how much the RPOF can give to a candidate....

People do this all the time all over the country.

[Fed up too late]

Go to bed, I said!