Four GOP seats: Getting squishy?

The non-partisan Cook Political Report has shifted its ratings of four Republican-held U.S. House seats in Florida, including the seat held by Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor.

The seats held by Bilirakis, who is facing former Plant City Mayor John Dicks, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami were moved from "solid Republican" to "likely Republican."

Cook's House editor, David Wasserman, also moved the seats held by Republican Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Miami and Rep. Ric Keller of Orlando from "likely Republican" to "lean Republican."

"While it's not likely that a majority of the races moved from 'solid' to 'likely' Republican will become competitive by November, the poor national climate for the GOP and the DCCC's unprecedented financial edge makes even very difficult districts for Democrats worth keeping tabs on," the publication noted.

Comments

The GOP dominance of national politics was a long nightmare and an abberation. People will remember their human decency and DEMs will prevail once again.

4:14

You're a tool

You failed to mention, Bill Mitchell, Democratic Candidate for Congressional District 9. What else are you neglecting to mention?

5:52

Um, yeah, they didn't mention Bill Mitchell because, well, as the article says, "it is a poor national climate for the GOP" - and Mitchell is a just Republican masquerading as a Democrat.

Don't believe me? Just check out who ran against Ambler in the 2002 Republican primary for House 47!

That guy is nothing but an opportunist, and a bad one at that.

I don't want my choice in November to be between Republican Gus and Republican Bill.

Republicans have betrayed all the hard working grass roots Republican workers. They left the parties platform behind so they could line theirs and their friends pockets. They destroyed what many many hard working grassroot level Republican workers and supporters built up. The party has now become the party of corruption, liars and hypocrites and far too much governmnet in our lives. They totally ruined what thousands of hard working Republicans struggled to obtain. All for self gain. I am ashamed and I simply don't know what to do. I am not a Democrat. I am certainly not this "new" Republican who has forgotten the Republican philosophy. What a mess

The Republicans deserve what they are going to get! They have worked hard to turn the middle class into the working poor.

They have gutted our schools.

They have wasted time on truck nutzzz, baggy pants, state songs, state reptiles, etc. rather than MEANINGFUL TAX REFORM!!!!!!!

They cut funding to necessary services (child abuse investigators, foster care workers, nursing home inspectors, state agency prosecutors, state prosecutors, Judges, programs for chronically ill children and services to severely mentally and physically handicapped people) all so they could give $$$$$$$ to CSX (wanted to give them $700 million - which in truth was $1.5 billion), $410 million to a private sports team, $110 million to build an airport for St. Joe Paper Company AND NOW $1.75 BILLION to U.S. Sugar!!!!!!!!

The Republican leadership in the Legislature has given us FAKE FIXES!!! My property taxes haven't fallen like a rock. My property insurance as more than doubled. PIP went UP, UP, UP!!! AND, I'M HAVING TO PAY SURCHAGES ON ALL MY INSURANCE POLICIES JUST SO RICH PEOPLE CAN HAVE CHEAPER INSURANCE FOR THEIR BEACH FRONT VACATION HOMES!!!!!

Guys, I and the rest of the former middle class are dying out here and YOU JUST DON'T GIVE A DARN!!!

So, you've abandoned us - we will be doing the same to you this November. Perhaps then, the few remaining Republicans will get the message.

Remember in November!

-7:58 You sound like a fiscal conservative! Please do your homework on your Dem leadership and the bills they have wasted time on! "truck nutzzz, baggy pants, state songs, state reptiles, etc. rather than MEANINGFUL TAX REFORM!!!!!!!" Thank God they died in committee! I believe all should be held accountable! Dems and Reps alike! We need new leadership that is not detached from the constituents and ruled by the lobbyists’.

Both parties s--k. Time for a REAL change.

Cong. Bilirakis is going to lose because his constituents know he was rated as one of the LEAST effective Representatives. He epitomizes a "do nothing" Congressman.

[Cynical Idealist]

10:08.... I'm with you!

9:43 - the Speaker of the House determines what house bills are assigned to committees and ultimately, his staff approves the committee agendas. The same process is followed in the Senate.

So, if we didn't have MEANINGFUL TAX REFORM and instead they WASTED TIME on baggy pants, truck nutzzz, state songs (a republican bill), and state reptile then it is because the REPUBLICAN leadership didn't want that issue addressed.

Instead, UNDER REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP, we have been given FAKE FIXES for property taxes, property insurance, and PIP.

Additionally, it was the REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP, that CUT: child abuse investigators, foster care workers, nursing home inspectors, parole officers, and services for the severely physically and mentally handicapped.

It was REPUBLICAN POLICIES that CUT education and was working hard to give $700 MILLION to CSX.

It was the REPUBLICANS who are going to give U.S. Sugar $1.75 BILLION.

The REPUBLICANS have abandoned the middle class - in fact, they've declared war on the middle class in their quest to turn us into the working poor.

I'll certainly remember this in November.

The R's will lose at the state level also. Not because the people really believe in the D's, its because of the rampant corruption and hypocrisy that the R's have demonstrated. Start with getting rid of the designated R leaders, because they had to sell out their constituents to get that designation. That's Atwater and even Sansom. Their votes are contrary to their constituents and were giveaways to the lobbyist contributions to get what the big corporations needed. At the Fed level Bilirakis was a nice guy, but drank the Kool aid to the contrary of the people he represents. The Balart brothers should have not been there as long as they have. Are the Cuban people blind? At the state level as I mentioned, Atwater, Haridopolis, Fasano, Alexander, Baker, Gaetz, Storms (a real winner), and many others need to be thrown out of the legislature. They are a complete nightmare to the the wellbeing of the people of this state. ANYBODY would be better.

The GOP dominance of national politics was a long nightmare and an abberation. People will remember their human decency and DEMs will prevail once again.

Both parties s--k.

[Povertystrikenstateemployee]

11:03 - you're right, but since we don't have a viable 3rd party we're going to have to kick some behind in the party that is in control (until November). While I'm planning on voting McCain for President (the alternative is too scary), every state and congressional seat will be a big "D" vote from me.

The R's abandoned me and so now I'm going to return the favor!!!!!

4:25 Very well said and reflective of so many people are feeling.

Meant ..."of what so many people are thinking"...

Guess what 5:52

According to a Saint Petersburg Times article published on Nov 4, 1996 "[Tom]Lee said that Dicks also approached [Malcolm] Beard about switching parties. Beard said Sunday that Dicks talked to him before anyone had announced they were running and asked 'What would you think about me running as a Republican?'

Beard said he responded that the GOP would welcome him but told him the decision was his to make.

Dicks, who said he never tried to make Lee's switch an issue, characterized that and other discussions he had with Beard as more general. He said he was trying to sort out his options after being approached by Democrats and Republicans alike about running for a variety of offices including the County Commission and Congress"

Sounds like Dicks is the opportunist.

[Tim]

The seats have become squishy because they are not representing the people. The people are beginning to realize that the only interest a politician has is their own interest. Squishy huh, maybe it is time to change the underwear and/or the politician.

Tim