Blasting Crist's voting rights reversal

In a conference call with reporters Wednesday, several black officials denounced Charlie Crist's "180 degree turn" on felons voting, saying he is a political opportunist who will stop at nothing to get elected.

"With two weeks to the election, it is Charlie come late. Not even lately. Just late," said state Rep. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville. She said the suggestion voters could be "bought off by a sudden change of heart is extremely insulting."

"I think we’re seeing (Crist) for what he really is, one who will do whatever it takes to win an election, a real opportunist," said state Rep. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, D-Miami.

Crist said Tuesday that he now supports automatic restoration of voting rights for ex-convicts. He denied it was timed for the election.He previously said he wanted to streamline the process but not grant automatic restoration. Jim Davis, his Democratic opponent, has long supported automatic restoration.

UPDATE: Speaking to reporters at Bravo Supermarket, a Hispanic-owned grocery in Orlando, Crist said he wasn't concerned about criticism from black lawmakers. "This Cabinet has been very progressive in moving toward a more streamlined methodology for restoring civil rights." Referring to automatic restoration, he said:."I think the time is ripe. It's just happens to be where my heart is, and I'm going to express how I feel."

The clemency office Wednesday reported a current backlog of 35,427 cases as of July 1. That includes 29,786 cases where civil rights can be restored administratively without a hearing or full investigation.

Comments

Crist is no opportunist. He's a Democrat.

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. What's next?

If you find out that gay people vote, will you come out of the closet?

[Sandra]

Sure... he'll say just about anything two weeks out from the election follies!

Civil Rights Restoration Center endorses Samm Simpson for U.S. Congress:

"It is truly refreshing to meet a candidate that is willing to fight for those that have no real voice. Samm recognizes the plight of ex-felons and the problems Florida's civil right's restoration process has caused."
Jack Schrold, Esq.
Civil Rights Advocate
Civil Rights Restoration Center

http://www.sammsimpsonforcongress.org/main/endorsements

Gay people vote? I know that they know how to push buttons, but actually vote?

Why does Jim Davis hate Florida, and gay people?

Oh, so that's how it is with Democrats? Disagree with them and you're an evil bastard. Agree with them and you're just an opportunist ... ok, I got it now. Thanks.

I am a conservative and I am for Crist, but this upset me much. Felons in no way deserve the right to vote. When they murder someone, forcibly have intercourse with someone, their rights should be taken away.

I now will hold my nose while i vote for Crist.

How about Foley, should he be allowed to vote?

Why does Jim Davis, and all Democrats hate gays?

sandra-

will you stop using the buzz to try to get people support whats her name thats running against congressman young.

I am a conservative and I am NOT voting for Crist. Pro choice, pro felon, pro civil union, pro big government spending. Enough already. He has finally crossed the line.

2:29

That depends if he is convicted of a felony. If he is, he should not be voting.

Did you know the age of consent in Washington D.C. is 16? Did you know that if he had consentual sex with a 16 year old in FL, it is only a misdimeanor? Did you know that most of his IM's and emails were with kids 18 and older?

Samm Simpson rocks! Young's a dinosaur! I’m surprised he can even remember where his office is! Talk about needing a change!

Oh, then it's ok, huh? I'm thinking the operative word in you post is... "KIDS". Sicko idiot.

Am I the only person here who sees how AMAZINGLY stupid it is that the Davis campaign is STILL so focused on the Black vote? Do they think the average voter wants felons to vote?

WHO IN THE WORLD IS IN CHARGE OF THEIR MESSAGING?

2:43

You idiot. You cant dispute my argument, so you pick out ONE WORD that i misused. So sad. I will rephrase:

Did you know that most of Foley's IM's and emails were with adult men 18 and older?

2:48

I agree. Crist is not doing this for any political gain.

Latest survey about 5 weeks ago showed roughly 84% of Floridians do not want felons to have the right to vote after serving their prison sentence. It was a survey of 1000 adult Florida residents.

--------------------------------
Statement of Coalition of South Florida African Americans Supporting Charlie Crist for
Governor, October 19, 2006, African American Research Library, 2650 NW 6th Street (Sistrunk Blvd), Fort Lauderdale, Florida
_________________________________

We never cease to be amazed at the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party when it comes to issues of concern to African, Caribbean and Hispanic-American voters.

Just recently, several Democratic lawmakers who support Jim Davis for Governor blasted Charlie Crist for his investigation into the atrocious murders of civil rights leader Henry Moore and his wife Harriette calling it politically based and criticized the possibility of Crist using their Daughter’s praise and support of the Crist investigation in his campaign. We note that they were not the ones who called for such an investigation and consider their belittling of Mrs. Moore as a cheap political shot. They, of course, fail to mention that the Crist record on Civil Rights is outstanding and that he received the Marvin Davies Civil Rights Award of the Florida State Conference of NAACP Branches in Gainesville in 2004. He received this prestigious honor for his support of the Marvin Davies Florida Civil Rights Act and his consistent willingness to respond to the concerns of the NAACP in Florida. On October 10th, the Miami Herald published article on Charlie Crist and Evangeline Moore was entitled “The Republican nominee for governor has support from the daughter of a slain civil rights activist.” The efforts by Democrats to mislead the black community will not be tolerated.

These are many of the same Democrats who were silent when Jim Davis failed to initially support restitution for two wrongfully accused black men and who now jump on his bandwagon after his belated and suspect apology and selection of Daryl Jones as his running mate to reinvigorate his failing campaign. Now they suggest that the selection of Jones as Lt Governor would make history. This is the height of hypocrisy, pandering and taking advantage of the black vote at its worst.

Where were all of these Democrats back in 2002 when Jones could not even garner enough support from them to defeat Janet Reno and Bill McBride in the Democratic Primary for Governor—he came in third? And, where were they when McBride slapped Jones and black voters in the face by not selecting him as his running mate then? They loyally ran to the polls and gave McBride most of their votes. When they really had a chance to make history by electing Jones as their Standard Bearer, the Democratic Party had no use for Jones then. Davis realized that his elitist vote to disenfranchise two wrongly convicted black men would need to be deflected to lure black voters to the polls to support him. The “we will make history” argument won’t fly.

The Davis campaign and the Democrats recently demonstrated their time held tradition of taking the black vote for granted. Davis failed to tell our Black community that on September 29th, a mere two weeks ago, the powerful Florida Black Owned Media Coalition (FBOMC) had to announce a Boycott against the Jim Davis campaign’s and the Florida Democratic Party’s selected media firm because of its biased, atrocious and continued refusal track record to spend campaign dollars with black owned media . The FBOMC could not allow the Davis campaign to continue to hoodwink the black community without an outcry. We must put a stop to the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party. The time has come to stand up and not have our vote taken for granted any longer by Jim Davis and the Democratic Party.

Another issue where we see the hypocrisy and racist silence of the Democratic Party that demonized Jones in the Florida Gubernatorial race in 2002 is in the area of black on black crime. While the crime rate in Florida is at the lowest rate in history, there is an epidemic of black on black crime. Democrats have historically remained silent while thugs terrify black communities, kill children and keep senior citizens in perpetual fear of leaving their homes. Charlie Crist, as Attorney General, has recognized this as a major problem and has supported legislation to protect all of our children. He was the Host, along with the African American Attorney General of Georgia, of the 2004 National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community in Orlando and, as recently as August, joined with the Urban League of Greater Miami in sponsoring the "Black on Black Crime Initiative Task Force. As a Senator, he had a strong record of fighting to keep criminals behind bars. He was not called “Chain Gang Charlie” for nothing. We need that kind of commitment to safety in the Governor’s Office

Therefore, we urge black and Hispanic voters to support Charlie Crist. Do not listen to the continuing hypocrisy of the Davis camp or the Democratic Party on his behalf on these and so many other issues.

If you want to end politicians “taking you for granted,” their hypocrisy and make real history, you can make a profound statement-- give Charlie Crist your votes on Election Day. That will send shock waves throughout the nation and change the quality of our lives and that of our children in education, safety, health and economic opportunity for years to come.

[terminator]

Tom Gallagher's got to be sitting back snickering: "I don't want to say I told you so but I told you so"!

Black Owned Media Announces Boycott of Davis Ad Agency

Coalition of media owners say political candidates bypass them
The Broward Times
BY ELGIN JONES

September 29, 2006

The powerful Florida Black Owned Media Coalition (FBOMC) has announced a boycott of Andrews Plus, Inc., a firm hired by the Florida Democrat Party and the Jim Davis for Governor campaign to reach Black voters.

Andrews Plus, Inc is an advertising agency owned by Gail Andrews. Coalition members say her record of utilizing "Black-owned" media is abysmal.

"We became disgusted as we watched millions of dollars in political advertising bypass us," said coalition spokesman Charles Cherry. "It has prompted Black-owned media to take action," he said.

The organization has placed research data at it website: www.FBOMC.org and contacted state agencies, candidates and the political parties informing them that their members would no longer accept ads placed through Andrews Plus.

Cherry says research shows that candidates working through Andrews Plus have only spent $23,000 with Black-owned media since 2002 in federal races, which he called "crumbs."

"What is she doing and more importantly, what are they [Candidates] doing" Cherry asked out loud?

During this same time, the Democrats spent more than $27 million in Florida elections with less than .002% going to Black-owned magazines, newspapers, radio and television stations.

According to corporate records Andrews Plus was dissolved by the state in 1993, but neither the Davis campaign nor Andrews returned calls for comment. Coalition members have been returning checks and are not accepting ads placed by her firm on behalf of Davis or any other candidates.

Jim Davis the Hypocrite and enemy of civil rights. Jim Davis voted in 1990 to NOT compensate two wrong accused black men. Jim Davis had subsequently ran several state and congressional campaigns subsequent to this vote never apologizing in any of those previous campaigns. Eureka! its an election year and since Jim has clearly for past campaigns been apparently challenged to apologize on his own, Jim just apparently wasn’t able to bring himself to generate that apology. But now Jim has lucked out, Jim has others offering to “Structure a letter for you”. Wow, an offer for others to script an apology for Jim, even include meetings in this election year for Jim, wonder if this went down the way it was reportedly planned to be staged.

Don’t miss Fact 2 below: ..."The Legislature eventually did compensate the men, in a bill co-sponsored by Davis's current political opponent, Republican Charlie Crist."..
-------------------------------
FACT 1:
By Dara Kam

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 07, 2006

TAMPA — The morning after winning the Democratic nomination for governor, Jim Davis got an earful of advice from one of his congressional colleagues

..."As reporters listened in on a telephone call at Davis' campaign headquarters, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar,"..

..."a 1990 vote Davis made as a state lawmaker that denied restitution to two wrongly convicted black men — Freddie Pitts and Wilbert Lee — who spent 12 years in prison before Gov. Reuben Askew pardoned them in 1975.

"Very quickly, I think you should let (U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown) and myself [Alcee Hastings] and some others structure for you a letter that should be sent to Freddie Pitts and Wilbert Lee and it should be sent to them most immediately," Hastings advised.

Next, Davis should call or meet with the two Miami men.

"We have to put this to rest and do so rather hurriedly," Hastings said.

But Pitts, who works as an airport shuttle driver, said Wednesday: "I don't want somebody structuring a letter from Davis.
------------------------
FACT 2:

Tallahassee Democrat
By Aaron Deslatte
Capitol Bureau

September 12, 2006

..."The Legislature eventually did compensate the men, in a bill co-sponsored by Davis's current political opponent, Republican Charlie Crist."..
-------------------------------------

[Gene Smith]

Just for thought you might want to know. This question came up at the Davis / Jones Town Hall meeting in Largo on Sunday. A WHITE man who had been convicted of a felony has been trying for YEARS to get his civil rights restored.

He did the crime, he did the time. In 46 other states, he would be allowed to vote. What's wrong with Florida?

Blacks SHOULD diversify their political alliegeance - to reflect each their individual opinions and values. One result would be that neither party would then be able to take them for granted as both currently do.

That being said, like so many other things about Good Time Charlie his stupid pronouncement is just an attempt to pander to the black community.

No, the felons among them porbably have NO interest in voting. But the Do-Gooders among them use the automatic restoration of the right to vote as a "itmus test" of sorts. It is an isue of importance to some who matter in the back community. THOSE are the blacks Charlie is trying to suck up to.

Obviously, they are smarter than that.

the hypocrisy reaks, WHERE WERE THESE POEPLE DENOUCING JIM DAVIS VOTES TO DISENFRANCHISE THEIR VERY OWN!, they criticize positive postions that benefit their community and IGNORE those that do them harm. Does any one need any more proof what the real problem within the black community is many of their own so called leaders have been co-opted to participate in their own very destuction.

Gene,

Those 46 other states should join Fl and the 3 other states as the leaders in punishing disgusting felons (murderers, rapists, child predators) for life.. most of it in prison, and the rest of their life with more freedom, but still less rights. These heinous individuals do not deserve equal rights.

Yea yea, forgiveness, blah blah. We forgive, but there are still penalties to be assessed according to their crime. Forgiveness is for us to get past what they have done, trust is different, and never comes back for these people.

There should be a dleyed process to earning your voting rights back.

When you commit a felonious crime against the people, you have infringed upon their civil rights, rights you should have to forfeit in retribution for your crime

[Omega83]

Question for all -

Do you feel ex-felons should have as equal ground as you and I in selecting our leaders?

Omega, Yes, I do. Either we have a rehabilitative system or a punitive system. If they’ve paid their debt, then let them vote. If they haven’t paid their debt, then put their assess back in jail.

Can they go to war, drink, buy cigarettes, pay taxes, and chase Congressional pages around their dorm? Reflective Questions; Who are the real criminals?

3:40

Have you heard of probation. Cannot drink, smoke, leave the state, and sometimes cannot even leave the county. Probationary felons should not be voting.

Sorry, I forgot about probation, Peter.

[Gene Smith]

Omerta (and you deserve it for a question like that)

When people have done their time, finished their punishment and their conection to the DOC, yes absolutely they should be treated the same as all of us.

Otherwise, why don't we just stand them up agaist the wal and shoot them?

[Omega83]

Gene -

I am Omega83, not Omerta.

Who says serving time in jail is enough? I, for one, don't wan't to have those who have so blatantly violated the public's trust be so easily allowed to play a part in the leadership decision making I have served and earned as a law abiding citizen.

And for some felons, your last suggestion may not seem so unreasonable.

[Republican Sista]

Hallalujah to the South Florida African Americans Supporting Charlie Crist for Governor.

Finally, another set of voices in the sea of ever growing, louder, educated, affluent and unafraid Black Republicans (or at least Black folks who've grown weary of the Demogogues).

We are at the vanguard of a movement of Black conservatives who will one day seriously defeat the so called "base" that the Dems (especially the Black ones in elected positions) have come to pimp, play and punk, and challenge the white Republican establishment (especially those who fail to realize that we essentially want what they do - freedom, economic opportunity, respect, self-determination and the gov'ment out of our business).

We're not there yet. But it's happening. Keep on speaking truth South Florida African Americans Supporting Charlie Crist for
Governor! Even the white Dems on this blog know what time it is.

3 weeks from an election and Davis is still worried about the black vote- wow.

[terminator]

Sista:
Thanks "Aunt" Tom.

Don't think Charlie is going to lead you to the promised land!

Sure he'll put a few tokens like Willard Fair in prominent positions but he's still bought and paid for by big business (translation=rich white guys).

Terminator: Not suprising that it would take a teacher Union Lobbyist like Terminator to start with the disparaging racial hate speech name calling. You mindset displays exactly what folks are fighting against. And the scariest part is that you are a lobbyist for the democratic teacher unions, is that how you and your democratic teacher union friends refer to black students and black teachers behind closed doors. SICK!

[Republican Sista]

I guess I should feel honored to have been graced with a response from the ever so liberal Terminator. Thanks, Mr. T.

Words like "Aunt Tom," "promised land" and "token" are so passe. Pulleez. And the whole subliminal "bought and paid for" thing is so post 1960's. Why not try "sell out," or better yet, "oreo?" At least you'll be somewhat closer to your more modern bigoted bretheren in the white section of the Democratic Party.

See, the reality is, you cannot stand the fact that your holy grail Black base is shifting right under your feet. You cannot stand the fact that Black folks are growing weary of White Dems such as you who like to try and take away our Black cards the moment we stray off the proverbial plantation and actually think beyond the rant.

And you should be one to talk about being bought. Your candidate didn't even ask for the cash to be left on the table after he was f---ked by the likes of Alcee Hastings and Corrine Brown.

At the end of the day, it's folks like me who will push the agenda. The scary thing for your is that T. Willard Fair is the only one us that you know enough about to mention his name. You don't know who we are, where we are, how much money or influence we have outside of the spotlight to even debate me on this.

Keep your white sheets clean, baby, you're going to need them.

[terminator]

Sista:
Nothing personal. I'm sure you're a very nice person. I'm just saying, do you really think Charlie Crist or Jeb Bush could care less about you and other black folks?

They just want more black votes, it's as simple as that.

The vast majority of black folks will never benefit from the policies of Jeb, Charlie and his cronies.
Wake up and smell the coffee sista, you're being used!

8:09
Like the old saying goes "if the shoe fits". Who are all the kids not getting a high school diploma because of FCAT (90% are black)?

Who's being hurt the most by Jeb's rollback of the intangibles tax? Middle and lower income people.

Ironic the speculation is CC will attempt to bamboozle the legislature into approving a penny sales tax increase to make up for lost local property tax revenue and pay for all of his grand plans.