It's a two-party system, all right

A few Democratic Party insiders question party boss Karen Thurman moonlighting as a lobbyist for Republican bigwig Al Cardenas'  law firm. Next weekend, those Democrats head to Charlotte for a regional party meeting. Any guesses as to what they'll be discussing around the hotel bar? More here.

Comments

Someone check Bubriski into rehab. Thurman making millions lobbying? Maybe the resignation list needs to be a bit longer at Party Headquarters.

Karen, we love you. Screw the haters. Make your money, girl. You deserve it.

wow democrats really do eat their own. wonder why republicans win even when they suck at governing.

Below is the Dem Party's weak attempt at an explanation. In parenthesis are my comments:

It is common practice for nonpartisan groups to hire lobbyists to work each side of the aisle. (This true)

While on the surface it's certainly interesting that a current (Democratic) Party chair and a former (Republican) Party chair are working together, their work has nothing to do with electoral politics.

The Herald would not have written the story if Karen Thurman and Al Cardenas did charity work (you are not doing chrity work, you are working for profit for a private client) together, but the media tends to obsess over lobbying, regardless of who the lobbying is for.

The Herald took a nefarious look at what, in reality, is simply a bipartisan, working relationship that is helping to improve security at the Port of Miami.
The Herald failed to mention that increased funding for port security is the goal of the partnership between Karen's firm (Karen Thurman, LLC) and Tew Cardenas, LLP. Karen was successful in connecting Miami-Dade County Commissioners with the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Benny Thompson, and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. (This is where it gets interesting. Al Cardenas could not get a meeting with Dem Leader Steny Hoyer because he has made a living bashing Democrats for the past two decades. Thus Cardenas brings in Thurman to pave the way for all of Al's past sins. Cardenas originally garnered the contract when Republicans took over Washington by intimidating Miami Dade County. He told them they better have a Republican lobbyist that was close to Bush if they wanted anything from DC. I don't falt Miami Dade for caving in. Now Cardenas had to find a Democratic lachey who would cover him with the new leaders of Congress and guess who was for sale? Karen Thurman.)

Karen's former legal counsel from her years in Congress, Eric Gould, is a Democratic attorney employed by Tew Cardenas. Eric, who also worked in the Clinton administration, helped bring Karen in to help Miami-Dade County.
Karen's personal firm has subcontracted through Tew Cardenas to do this work. Karen is not an employee of Tew Cardenas, but works with them (she does not work with them that is misleading. Cardenas has the contract for Miami Dade County and he in turn pays Karen Thurman, LLC) to lobby for Miami-Dade. She has other clients as well and is careful not to get involved with lobbying that could create a conflict of interest.

Karen does not agree with Cardenas' politics. They are clearly from opposite ends of the political spectrum. Karen does not lobby nor does she do any work at all for Al Cardenas personally, the Mitt Romney campaign, or any other Republican campaign or group.

Karen is not prohibited from earning money outside of her position as Chair of the Party. In fact, previous Chairs have lobbied and held other positions throughout the years. (Others have done so can I is not only wrong but insulting) It's no secret that Karen has been a registered lobbyist for years. (Yes but what she failed to us was she was being paid by Republican Jeb Bush Chair Al Cardenas)

Karen is fully committed to the Florida Democratic Party. Democrats control the U.S. Congress now, and Karen, as a former member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee could be banking millions as a full-time lobbyist, but she doesn't because she believes in bringing back Florida Democrats. ( You simply can't have it both ways. If you want to be a full fledged or partial lobbyist, then disclose all relationships. Karen did not. If you want to be a Party Chair simply do not work for the Republican attack dog Al Cardenas. It is pretty simple.)

Her lobbying on behalf of Miami-Dade County only pays $3500 a month, and does not affect her job as Chair, which she works at 60-80 hours a week.
She also serves on the Board of the National Kidney Foundation and works with other charitable organizations, in addition to helping raise her grandchildren.

Nice explanation Karen & Co.

How about this:

Hey I am really sorry for not disclosing this relationship earlier. For that I apologize. I will no longer take a paycheck from Al Cardenas, former Republican Chair.

After all I am earning 100k form the party and 70k from my congressional pension and another 25k from the state pension. That 200k and the free healthcare for life from congress should be enough for me not to compromise everything the thousands of Democrats across this state stand and fight for every frickin day.

Did you notice that in the article the party stalwarts were surprised and angered. While the politicians were like "oh it's ironic, nothing more."

Republicans lose power and Al Cardenas can't get a meeting with the new Dem House leadership. What do you do AL?

Well let's call up Karen Thurman she is for sale.

Karen say it ain't so. . .

[Jim Smith]

Now I know how I lost to Charlie. It was not my lackluster personality, my worthless running mate or my superior opponent. It was Thurman...an inside agent.

repigs yelling about ethics...that's a good one!!!

how was she supposed to "disclose" it? personally calling wackos who post on this blog. the herald wrote about her other lobbying before. she didn't keep it a secret, but it's not something you issue a press release about.

i agree. the party should have some disclosure procedure but they don't so it's not thurman's fault. this really is much ado about nothing. let's redirect our anger/energy at the GOP. they're a million times more deserving of it.

repukes are pissed off because they think they own this blog. why aren't more of these under-40 conservative blow-hards over in iraq right now? what a pack of hypocrites!!!

AMEN 12:27!

Senator Bill Nelson's Official Senate Calendar:

June 7

* 11:30 a.m. - meeting with al cardenas

Just to keep this straight. Al Cardenas, Jeb Bush's hand picked RPOF Chair, serves as Katherine Harris's Campaign Chair. He proceeds to attack Nelson over and over until Harris melts down.

Nelson would never grant a meeting to this guy who attacks Democrats and him personally.

Enter Karen Thurman who is Nelson's hand picked FDP Chair and she sells out to Cardenas and vouches for him with Nelson. Nelson does Karen a favor and meets with Cardenas.

OK, yeah there is nothing wrong at all with this. Just check Nelson's official public calendar and this can be confirmed in a minute.

Why didn't Nelson meet with Cardenas before June 7, 2007? Oh yeah, Cardenas was busy trying to un-elect Nelson.

But now that he put Thurman on the payroll it all cool and Al Cardenas can get his meeting.

The Demorats are all pi__y because one of their own laid an egg and the rest of them are having it for lunch. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

This is just as ironic as Randy Nielsen attacking candidates for being gay or Rep Trey Treviesa speaking about family values.

When party takes a step forward, Karen takes it back two. Time for Nelson and Sink to go on record about this. Surprised Gelbar said it was fine with him. Bad choice.

I’ve been saying it for years folks; there’s not a damn bit of difference between them once in office. The whole Red v/s Blue crap is for Monday morning political quarterbacks. It’s all about Green ($). They don’t give a damn where it comes from, and they’ll sell their vote, loyalty, integrity, honor, your life, and maybe even their kids to get it.

American politics at it’s finest… Had Enough Yet

[manaboutit]

She needs to resign! And, NOT from the lobbying job! WE NEED A REAL DEMOCRAT, AND FAST! I got a call from a campaign in IOWA, and they asked ME, "just what the hell is going on down there in Florida?" I replied, "same ole, same ole,". A party person Murphy says she is getting $100,000.00 a year! OMG! On top of all of our tax paying pensions? She did not NEED this money, she WANTED it. There is a difference between needs and wants! I am not buying the "i'm helipng to raise my grandkids"....so is my mom, and she does it on a lot less. If it is necessary...maybe she should not have stepped in to be the party chair? And NELSON?????? He made sure she was the chair...no election just her. An appointment. Now she puts stink on him. It is the repub lites that are eating their own here...and it is going down smoothly. I heard this on TV the other night...RESIGN!

this is a non-issue this is what lobbying is about. Nothing to see here. Move on. The democrats have elections to lose

[watcher]

Lobbyists in Tallahassee are a bunch of sharks who will take money from anybody.

Paul R. Mitchell, of Southern Strategy Group, lobbies for Indy-based insurance agency, International Medical Group, a company denied a Florida license in 2006 and currently a target of a criminal investigation! Robert Reyes and Gary Guzzo, lobbyists for Floridian Partners, lobby for alien unauthorized insurer, Sirius International Insurance, a company which collected millions of dollars in unauthorized surplus lines premiums, charged Florida residents millions in premium taxes but never paid a dime into Florida ...

Ethics and morals? No way ... Obviously lobbyists who collect fees to represent unlawful insurance companies will work for anybody, provided the checks cash OK.

F--ckin' A 9:42.
Now get back to the drive in window, I want to have a Supersize Friday.
Two taquitos, two BOBs and a coke, and make it snappy, I got calls to make and checks to cash.

Cardenas is as smart as a whip. He made a clever offer to help his client when he saw the need.
Thurman has created a storm where none was before. All she had to say was, well, no thanks.
Good work, Chairman Maddox the Sequel.

11:36 --Are you a paid apologist or just simply naive? "Only" $3,500/mo is $42,000/yr. or 42% of Thurman's $100,000 a year salary as chair of the Democratic party. Of course, it is the property tax payers of Miami-Dade who get stuck paying the tab for lobbying not needed.

The biggest problem with the Democratic Party is that there are too many Republicans in it.

See: Thurman, Lieberman, and whole host of others…

New FDP tag line!

“Florida Democrats… The best campaigners, lobbyists, and politicians Republican money can buy!”

or

“Florida Democrats… support your local Republican; we do!”

Anyone who carries a registration card for the Democratic Party in Florida who condones Thurman's actions is just as damn dishonest and unethical as she is.

Karen Thurman is soooo cheap and she croons on and on about how well "she" has done. She violates rules of neutrality too, introducing Jim Davis as the next Governor of Florida along side Bill Clinton at an Orlando Event just before the primary vote. Now she thinks she's going to force Hillary on us!

Makes you wonder what else this long time "pol" has been doing under the table all along. No wonder Democrats can't get any traction when party leaders are naked in bed with the opposition.

The rank and file has known all along that there was rotting fish in the "fishwrap." Just like a rotting fish, the contents begin to ooze out of the paper when its been left out in the sun. The clouds are a clear'n and the stink is much stronger now.

It is time for the toilet to be flushed. The septic tank to be pumped. Floridians deserve better. Karen, working together with the opposition when your FDP compensated role is dedicated with maximizing competitiveness AGAINST the Republican Party is a mortal sin.

Nelson appointed Thurman... Nothing DEMOCRATIC about getting the "CHAIR" position!

Now , Senator Bill, a poor excuse for a Democrat in his own right, and another self serving individual, will you please exercise your surgical skills and excise this cancer from our midst!

Or do you klowns want to be responsible, personally for losing another PRESIDENTIAL election in Florida?

BUT BILL IS IN BED WITH THE MIAMI CUBAN MAFIA!

The poor people that give their pittance in support of Democratic principles are the ones being SCREWED here.

The Democratic party particularly in Florida is loaded with REPUBLICANS. Why should people give $$$ to the Democrats when they have nooo reason to TRUST the folks who control the purse.

Get lost Karen!

As a foot soldier on the ground who does all the thankless work of politics I am hurt and outraged! Lose people like me and the donors who are now outraged too, what is left of our party?

What is it that causes Bill Nelson to think that he needs to meet with Big Al C.? To try and figure out another way to funnel the $cash$ to Karen?

Why isn't Billy hav'n a meeting w/ Karen to ask her for her "Letter"? Was up w/ that?

Where was Albert when the shoe was on the other foot? Karen is a moron.

[manaboutit]

dont forget thurmans pention money, paid for by us tax payers....on top of her dem salary and now lobbying....she is up to a quarter million a year! pond scum i say....

[manaboutit]

11:30...you are correct. donors are angry and said "not another dime". foot soldiers are hurt,,,you are correct...they say not another red cent or a new pair of sneakers for walking!

[manaboutit]

ahhhhh,,,big donor just called me from Tampa...she is calling for her resignation....this is just a shame. it was ours to lose...and she is expediting the process...for us to lose. what about the candidates? I am telling the donors who ask...to give directly to the candidates.

11:52 PM
YOU ARE A IDIOT
it was Jim Davis
Go take your bi-polar meds
and call some right wing raido show.
and claim to be Be a VET.
when you are not stable enough to get into the cub scouts.

Yes, Democrats! My plan is working. Implode and eat yourselves up, por favor.
- A. Cardenas

10:25 AM
Are you a Republican or just simply naive?

yea next time we will just but together 2 tin cans and some fishing lines.
And yell in them so you folks in your Trailers down in the gully, will get the info, so you can make you uninformed opinons be heard

Karen is helping Miami, and helping Florida!

Go Karen Go!

Don't let the Crazy R's and Crazy D's detract from your legacy... the Democrats are winning in Florida!

“Don't let the Crazy R's and Crazy D's detract from your legacy...”

That has got to be the most ridiculous and oxymoronic statement I’ve read yet. So, now Karen’s in the middle? What’s Bill Young have to say about that? You know, Bill Young… the Congressman she trashed while lobbying for him at the same time?

Thurman and Dean are both idiots and will cause the “Great Democratic Demise of ‘08”

Resign your post immediately… you carpet-bagging, alcoholic, dysfunctional, hypocritical, Benedict Arnold, nappy-headed ho!

Maybe the wrestler can help her out of this one… Buahahahahahahaaaaa…. Whoooo, Thurman’s toast… hahahahahahaaaaa… let’s see how many “Real” Democrats call for her resignation… Buuahahahahahahaaaaa… kind of hard to find a “Real” Dem in a State full of DINO’s… hahahahahahahaaaaa…

You freaks suck!

SEILER FOR FDP CHAIR!!!!

He would be great!

12:04 Can I have sum ah that good stuff yer smok'n?

Those minions over at Thurmadrunk’s office don’t smoke pot… they’re too pretentious. However, they do put down some serious amounts of the spirited grape, capped of with a bit o’ smack!

Toss in a CD of Joplin, and you got yourself a regular ol’ dykes-on-bikes lesbofest!

[manaboutit]

11:45am-even if this was AL's plan to destroy us...all Karen had to say was no....all she had to do was the right thing. This is Thurman's fault...not ours for being angry. We have a right to be angry, embarassed, whatever.

05:29 Your error is in thinking that Karen would e v e r do the RIGHT thing for anybody but HERSELF!

Senator Nelson... FIRE this crook NOW! Cause she will not do the RIGHT thing.

Her ilk is why Democrats have been run roughshod over for years. This backstabber is working for the other side, and has been for years.

[Marc Killam]

If it looks like Canine scat, & if it smells like canine scat, & especially if it feels like canine scat, I sure as hell don't have to go ahead & Taste it, in order to know that it's canine scat.

In other words, Karen Thurman as Head of the Florida Democratic party & Being on the payroll of the head of Jeb Bush's Florida republicans, definitely looks & stinks like holy hell.NO WONDER Florida's democratic party is so impotent.

[manaboutit]

nelson also knows all about her dirty deeds....he is NO better.

[Paul D. Harvill]

A state party chair should NOT be lobbying for anyone except the state party - otherwise conflicts of interest occur.

And Miami-Dade County is a walking conflict of interest given its diversity and thus interests.