Up early, Davis goes on attack

Jim Davis this morning kicked off a daylong series of campaign stops, trying to capitalize on Charlie Crist's statement earlier in the week that he "probably would" have vetoed the insurance bill passed by the legislature.

"If the attorney general of the state of Florida won't stand up for homeowners, won't stand up for business owners ... He had his chance and he didn't do it," Davis told about 50 people at a waterfront park in Cape Canaveral.

Davis gave his own take on the "empty chair" ad, twisting the point of the spot (that he has the second worst voting attendance in Congress) to a reflection on his visibility on Terri Schiavo and oil drilling.

"You've all seen the ad, right? The moving chair. He says Davis doesn't sit down in his chair. He's right. I don't sit down in my chair. I never sit down. I am standing up. When the U.S. Congress and George Bush tried to play politics with the tragic life of Terri Schiavo, I stood up. I led the fight. Charlie Crist took the day off. He walked away. ..."

Minutes after Davis left the event, the Republican Party of Florida fired off an e-mail, saying Davis embodied "everything Florida left behind when voters elected a Republican  majority: big government schemes, arbitrary tax increases, lower standards in our schools, and stagnated economic development." The statement included newspaper criticism of Davis' plan to create a $20-billion state insurance pool, covering the first $100,000 in damages. "Davis says he wants to 'stand up' for Florida, but if these are the policies that he plans on implementing, voters will tell him to sit back down."

Comments

[Tom Gallagher]

Crist knows little about alot of things. On homeowners insurance, he doesn't pay. veto it, oh no, support some of it, uh, which way did he go, which way did he go.

The state is in trouble. Crist should win bc of money, but he'll be a single term gov. There's no more real estate tax $$$ to rely on, and other revenue streams are gone.

[Jeb]

Tom,

We both know Crist is clueless, but you don't have to tell everyone in the state. Let's just get through the next 10 days, okay? After that, it doesn't matter for four years.

We need a state income tax in Florida and Davis will make sure that it happens.

[Tom Gallagher]

Jeb,

I don't know. I think the people are figuring it out right now. Davis is up in all the polls. You would think $30 million would have put this thing away by now. It looks like Lee and McCollum are going down. I think I'll move to Atlanta. Go luck to your brother and that Iraq thing.

[Jeb]

Tom,

Thanks. Good luck to you and your wife on that gay marriage thing. Hopefully, Crist won't get caught up in it like Foley or McGreevey. But enough about that.

I'm outta here, just two more months. Time to make some real coin.

Jeb

Lee and McCollum are going down big time. The day of the professional politician is over. McCollum will be doing estate legal work and Lee will be pouring cement come 2007.

[zenator]

Message to Davis' Staff:

Thank you. Please "stay the course."

First, you took the bait on tax cuts, which is a Repub issue. Jim "Tax Slasher" Davis is hardly the image that a Dem candidate needs to protray in order to fire up the unmotivated Dem base. Thanks for tageting the wrong market.

Second, following up on Smith's good work, Crist has branded the "not showing up" slogan as referring to Jim Davis. Thus, every time Jim uses the phrase the average voter thinks of Jim and the empty chair. Thanks for helping the Repubs to convince the voters that a guy who doesn't show up for work shouldn't be elected.

Finally, thanks for your word of mouth slander campaign falsely claiming that Crist is gay. Instead of suppressing the Repub base, you are actually peeling off gay, Dem voters from Davis. Brillant.

Although, no one knows for sure, it is estimated that gays may make up as much as 10% of the 5 to 5.5 mm voters ,who will actually vote in the general. Thus, gays likely represent the second largest Dem voting block in Florida next to the AA.

You pissed off the AA base with the way you handled Pitts and Lee. Now, you are pissing off the gays and the liberal media with your gay bashing campaign directed at a straight guy.

[Imadashell]

Imagine an attorney general suing insurance company for profit disclosures..and trying the case himself!A state financial officer that can read balance sheets and a governor,with a nice family,heterosexual, not bought and paid for by real estate companies and state farm who might actually do something to help middle class families...I just woke up!

charlie crist is gay. stop denying that fact. charlie crist loves to have sex with good-looking young men.
you dunderhead republicans keep trying to make that a crime. take your silly party and your evangelical crap, and shove it.

To all the folks out there that don't believe in separation of church and state, and to those who don't care if Charlie is gay,bi or straight.....I am a new southern Catholic and I voted early for Jim and Alex. We need a change in Florida. Like many, I have had enough and do not want to carry on the "Jeb tradition" - it's nearly as bad as his brothers' - one of wrecklessness, incompetence, and no accountability to the average citizen. Had Charlie not aligned himself with Jeb I may have considered him when I appled my finger to the touch ballot. I still don't get why Charlie can't stand up and tell the citizens of this state that it's ok for the state governor to be single and homeless. They are both treatable conditions. Foley has proven that!

To all the folks out there that don't believe in separation of church and state, and to those who don't care if Charlie is gay,bi or straight.....I am a new southern Catholic and I voted early for Jim and Alex. We need a change in Florida. Like many, I have had enough and do not want to carry on the "Jeb tradition" - it's nearly as bad as his brothers' - one of wrecklessness, incompetence, and no accountability to the average citizen. Had Charlie not aligned himself with Jeb I may have considered him when I appled my finger to the touch ballot. I still don't get why Charlie can't stand up and tell the citizens of this state that it's ok for the state governor to be single and homeless. They are both treatable conditions. Foley has proven that!

the republican party only favors the wealthy. look at the mess that normal folks have to deal with in this state as far as runaway property taxes and insane insurance games. the republican party is in a fellatial position to the insurance lobby. they don't give a rat's patootie about the average person.

what a weak comeback for a great, truthful ad.

congressman davis shouldve shown up if he wanted to stand up for floridians.

2:00:
I agree, what a good comeback to Davis' tirade. Let's tell Jim Davis to sit his ass down and get out da' way!

Get off the show up and get to the damn issues..Stop the crap..You cannot win on the issues so you talk about congress.Ok Crist was the worst atty general(3x bar flunker) never made any inroads vs the big drug cos or tobacco. He is not Elliot Spitzer.As an education commissioner the state was 48th and moved to 49th in grad rates.Since all of your kids go to private school I know you dont care because thats for the middle class .On your record Crist isa a loser!

[Gene Smith]

Zenator,

I know I have been accused of doing a lot of spinning, but I think you have outdone me on this one.

To say that cutting taxes is a "Repug issue" is typical Goper arrogance. About as arrogant as Charlie thinking those giant self love posters were good advertising. The problem in Florida is not overtaxation. It is the shifting of the burden of taxation to property tax payers. Jim Davis has a plan to help all property tax payers, including, significantly, samll business and rental properties. In contrast Charlie's plan for property taxes is actually detrimental to small businesses an rental properties.

The not showing up BS didn't work out so well for Rod in the primary. We both know that it is merely a tactic to hold down Democratic participation. I have heard more complaints about that as as a negative attack than I've ever heard on the merits of the ad. Besides, we both know it polls well down the list of hot button issues.

Please thank the Gallagher folks for the gay whispering campaign. There is a small number of GLBT's who are turned off by "outing" in any circumstance. The vast majority, however, are supportive of outing a gay basher. While Charlie tries to portray himself as live and let live, he exposes his true colors with the robo calls in support of the Defense of Marriage deal. We are OK there.

ON African Americans (I thought AA's were Achoholics Anonymous), no public poll to date has had an adequate sample of African American likely voters. Also, I wouldn't discount the impact of Daryl Jones on turnout in the African American community. Unless, you have got private polling that I haven't seen, I can tell you that the jury is NOT out on this one. Davis will really suprise you with his strength in this community.

As for the vaunted Goper GOTV machine, this qupte from today's Hotline might prove illuminating. "A veteran Republican field who's spent time in Iowa and Florida recently e-mails us in horror: "There's no volunteers. None. Zero." ". Volunteers are the fuel of the GOTV machine. Without volunteers, a GOTV machine is a useless hunk of metal.

This is going to be close. Monday's debate is going to be huge. Stay tuned.

Go Gene Go

Jim: Get Peggy into the spotlight, she will definitely help influence the outcome. She is bright articulate and will fill a vacancy long dormant if you get in. Jeb's wife is a shopaholic and has added no benefit to FL during his terms. We need a real 1st lady that truley represents the American woman!

Many think the Florida governor race does not matter. IT DOES! Get out there and vote early. We need Jim...he has influence in Florida and Washington. Charlie needs to go on a solo cruise around the world. When he gets back Florida will be in the right hands. NOT THE RIGHT WING!

Appeal to the Afro-American and Cuban communities: Get out and vote early this is your state too! We are all in this together.

I'm willing to donate $100 to the Davis campaign - with the cavaet that it does not go for signage, but rather to help the people that need it the most - THE MIDDLE CLASS - a group that has been forgotten over the last 6 years.

We need some dialogue around the issues rather than the Bush's fear monging crap....Davis we need you to espouse upon a course of action(not stay the course)concerning illegal immigration invasion - it is happening here and in my birthplace up north in eastern LI. These poor people are respectable human beings enticed into Florida and every state by employers promise of lower wages than what US citizens would be paid.
Besides the Mexicans and other Central and South Americans we are also are allowing evil terrorists to enter. A wall is not the answer. Any proposals?

Maybe Davis is such a No Show in Insurance legislation to help floridians because he dosen't want to upset his special interest Insurance Friends that were the MAJOR donors in his congressional campaign, whats the matter Jim, dont want to upset your special interest friend that got you elected a couple of times in your congressional races.

Jim Davis D-FL 2004

Finance/Insur/RealEst $87,950
third largest special interest contributor
Lawyers & Lobbyists $91,256
largest special interest contributor
-----------------------------------
Jim Davis D-FL 2002

Finance/Insur/RealEst $79,150
largest special interest contributor
Lawyers & Lobbyists $63,100
second largest special interest contributor

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Jim Davis does NOT SHOW UP! for work!! he continues to miss important legislation votes on INSURANCE to help floridians.

Bill Number: HR 5637
Issue: Insurance
Date: 09/27/2006

Representative James 'Jim' Davis D-FL, DID NOT VOTE.

Legislation that aims to improve the regulation of the surplus lines and reinsurance market.

Help Florida’s small businesses gain an advantage in the insurance crisis.

-------------------------------------------
Jim Davis has a RECORD of NOT SHOWING UP!! when needed to support Federal initiatives to assist on HOUSING PROPERTY INSURANCE

Bill Number: HR 2744
Issue: Appropriations
Date: 10/28/2005

Representative James 'Jim' Davis D-FL, DID NOT VOTE.

Specifies the following appropriations:

- $5.31 billion for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account

Influence the outcome! Get out and vote!

WOW! Jim Davis admits he is is a NO SHOW!!. Breaking!
----------------------
Davis gave his own take on the "empty chair" ad,....."You've all seen the ad, right? The moving chair. He says Davis doesn't sit down in his chair. He's right. I don't sit down in my chair.
-------------------------
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WOW! Jim Davis admits he is is a NO SHOW!!. Breaking!
----------------------
Davis gave his own take on the "empty chair" ad,....."You've all seen the ad, right? The moving chair. He says Davis doesn't sit down in his chair. He's right. I don't sit down in my chair.
-------------------------

WOW! Jim Davis admits he is is a NO SHOW!!. Breaking!
----------------------
Davis gave his own take on the "empty chair" ad,....."You've all seen the ad, right? The moving chair. He says Davis doesn't sit down in his chair. He's right. I don't sit down in my chair.
-------------------------

Please! try to keep it simple and real...using specific distorted examples does not beneit either side..does nobody know how to apply common sense?

If Ben Franklin or Thomas Payne were around they would be disgraced by where we are right now.

Jim is educated and understands more succinctly the founding principles of this nation. If you can't understand this don't even waste your time voting.

[Gene Smith]

Here's a question for you:

Charlie Crist is a single, childless 50 year old white male. He has never owned a home, pays no property taxes, pays no propety insurance premiums, and has no children in our public schools.

How can someone like this share our values?

[Zhombre]

An ad hominem attack such as that is a sign of both weakness and desperation.

Davis is a complete phony. It is amazing how such a no name nobody has gotten so far. Adios in November Jimbo.

[Zhombre]

One could argue that Jim Davis is a white affluent lawyer, and in an insulated liberal living in an upper middle class community in south Tampa, who can't possibly share the values or understand the experience of black, Hispanic or working class Floridians, and probably wouldn't have a clue what the inside of a Wal-Mart looks like, but that would not be fair, because a man might still have values that many people share, might still be astute enough to understand the experience of others, and have empathy for other people, regardless of his own personal circumstances.

5:36 you are as arrogant as your candidate.. Shame on you. Your candidate also recently dished on the Repub. Legislature and the Gov. And then takes it back, just as his N. Korean Signage in Tampa and then is taking them down. What is it this man says, does, lives, that he is committed to. Never mind, there is no answer and your team knows it and you are all worried......

WOW! Jim Davis admits he is is a NO SHOW!!. Breaking!
----------------------
Davis gave his own take on the "empty chair" ad,....."You've all seen the ad, right? The moving chair. He says Davis doesn't sit down in his chair. He's right. I don't sit down in my chair.
-------------------------

I see the empty chair rolling by my house. Where is Jim Davis?

Here is a profound thought.If Charlie Crist is elected governor who will the First lady be.I met this guy last week at the Edison hotel in SOBE.. .Soft pink boots for truth

[zenator]

Gene:

Didn't know that you were on Davis'staff, but glad I woke you up. Thought it was time to spark a little controversy...

BTW I do believe that Davis, his consultants and staff have pretty much screwed the pooch.

We are about 10 days out from the general election and Davis has yet to solidify his base. That is a truth about which the polls don't lie.

Davis should first have solidified his base before addressing tax cuts. That is why I suggest that he took the bait.

I smile when I look at all the resources that Jim has had to expend playing defense regarding the AA vote. In the end, my speculation is that he carries 80-85%, but expect turnout to be low.

The gay vote is difficult either to poll for or sample. I expect that you agree with me that no Dem wants to lose that important element of the Dem base.

Here is an answer to your 5:20 PM question.

Last Tuesday, after the debate, one of the off-duty police officers assigned to protect Crist told this story. Right after the debate, Crist got into a crowded elevator. Crist stopped, turned to the officer and and then asked him: "How did I do?" In that moment, the officer became a Charlie Crist supporter. That is how you win an election one vote at a time.

[zenator]

Gene:PS Your candidate's real name is James Davis III.

[Zhombre]

Any Democrat carries 80 percent of the African American vote. That's a given.

[James]

Charlie Crist is more like Barney Frank than Jeb Bush. The only difference is that Barney Frank is honest enough to have come out of the closet, while Crist is still hiding. Don't be fooled by the (R) next to Crist's name on the ballot. Fellow Evangelicals, we much elect a good Christian man, Jim Davis, to be our Governor, not a phoney, liberal Charlatan named Crist. God bless.

Why I’m Asking You to Vote for Charlie Crist

As a member of the African-American Caribbean-American community, I wished to emphasize how important this upcoming election will be for our future. The candidates have a track record; for and against issues directly impacting myself and my community. In some instances candidates did not show up to vote at all and let issues slide.

I support Charlie Crist because of his actions. I met Mr. Crist some time ago and appreciated his humility. I only recently learned that he was the only person to listen to a friend who was incarcerated a little over ten years ago. He not only listened, but worked towards assisting this person.

My friend is now a president of a successful company in South Florida and has paid back his dues to society hiring and empowering the youths for tomorrow. Charlie Crist actions then are consistent with his words and actions now.

On the other hand, Jim Davis is on record is one of not showing up or voting against important legislation that would benefit the black community. Jim Davis disastrous record towards our community include:

Jim Davis Voted NO on Bill Number HR 6143 RYAN White HIV/AIDS modernization act

· Bill is for extending life-saving care programs for those with HIV/AIDS

· Provides care funding for HIV/AIDS with a direct impact on minority community

· The bill authorized funding for research to evaluate and address the disproportionate impact of HIV/Aids on racial and ethnic minorities

Jim Davis Voted against the Head Start program

· It provides state preschool programs to at-risk/low-risk income children

Jim Davis voted NO on compensating two black men convicted wrongly and served 12 years

· At the urging of Alcee Hastings, he sent a letter of apology to the men after his primary win.

· Crist had already sponsored the bill to right the wrong and issue the compensations.

Jim Davis did not show up to vote on the important College access and opportunity act of 2005

· Act creates incentives grants and programs for enhancing the quality of preparedness of teachers for engineering higher educational institutions.

· Increases Pell grants $6,000 and extends grant to year round program.

· Reinstates GEAR UP and TRIO program which expands aid to minority institutions.

· Calls for increase in programs that assist students in mathematics, science and Engineering.

· Requires colleges to disclose academic credit policies.

Jim Davis did not show up to vote on $5.31 billion for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account

· Included assistance for Child nutrition, Food Stamps and a Special Supplement Program for women, infants and children

In stark comparison Charlie Crist’s record is one of positive timely empowerment unlike Jim Davis that has to wait 16 years to revisit a Pitts-Lee vote of disenfranchisement during a gubernatorial election, where was Jim Davis re-evaluation on this disenfranchisement in his other previous multiple state and Federal campaigns.

Charlie’s Crist record of timely empowerment includes:

· Voted to compensate descendants of the Rosewood Massacre Survivors.

· Co-sponsored and fought of the passage of the Marvin Davies Civil Rights Act.

· Received the Marvin Davis Civil Rights Award from Florida State Conference of NAACP branches.

· Has spoken up against the disproportionate amount of blacks in custody in the criminal justice system

· Crist reopened a cold case to pursue justice for Evangeline Moore, who’s parents were killed by KKK members

Charlie Crist, a good man THEN and a good man NOW who deserves to be Florida’s next Governor. With Charlie, our votes will not be taken for granted.

Dwyght Spence

To 3:55, who said he has influence...don't you remember the study done in Washington that said that he was the 419th most influential congressman in DC? That's out of 435. Granted, that's better than coming in 434 in attendance, but 419 is hardly influential. Get real, you're grasping at straws

[James]

I just saw Crist's negative ad criticizing Davis' "empty chair" for the 179th time. What about Crist's empty chair in the Attorney General's Office up in Tallahassee? Crist has missed more work the past 18 months than Davis, while both have been on the campaign trail.

[repswin06]

Hey Dems,
did you realize, for the most part, youre just talking to each other here. Why ? cause WE'RE BUSY working on WINNING the election.

oh well, back to my calls listening to how many Floridians are voting for Charlie. Awesome responses today as always. Cant wait for Nov 7th.

[James]

I'm a registered Republican and I can assure you your efforts will be in vain. Miss Crist is toast in northern Florida, where this election will be decided. Sorry, Charlie, sometimes the truth hurts.

[Zhombre]

James, I read your posts here, and I think you are a phony and a genuine POS. If you don't know what POS means, ask somebody to explain it to you.

Crist Denies Trysts
GOP frontrunner: I have never had sex with a man
October 26, 2006

A young rising star in the Republican Party has boasted to witnesses of his sexual relationship with Charlie Crist, the frontrunner in the Florida governor's race who has repeatedly denied that he is gay.

The GOP staffer, 21-year-old Jason Wetherington, told friends at separate social functions in August that he had sex with Crist, according to two credible and independent sources who heard Wetherington make the claim first-hand.

To read the whole article:
http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/Issues/2006-10-26/news/norman.html

[Zhombre]

Lies and baloney. They are losing the election so they launch these ad hominem smear attacks on Crist. Disgusting. Gays have been a primary constituency of the Democrats but in order to win an election they are willing to resort to these odious homophobe tactics. I will be glad when this election is over and these creeps crawl back underneath their rocks.

Zhombre, the article just indicated that Crist is gay. Are you suggesting there is something wrong with being gay? If not, what is so "odious" about it?

Hey 7:31--if you're so preoccupied reading "Dems talking to each other" as you claim, why aren't YOU working on the GOTV effort?

Chop, chop, buddy! The votes for your pathetic Republican candidates aren't going to happen by osmosis!