Saunders eyes House minority leader post

As Rep. Franklin Sands of Weston is getting settled in as the leader of the 44-member House Democratic caucus, a colleague is working behind the scenes to secure commitments of support to succeed him in 2010. That's Rep. Ron Saunders of Key West, who's in his second legislative career, having previously served in the House from 1986-1994 when his party was in control.

"Not yet," Saunders said Tuesday when asked if he was formally seeking the minority leader's post. He said that's because he is barred from seeking written pledges from lawmakers until he files with the clerk as a candidate for the post, and he won't do that until he achieves a clear consensus of support for his candidacy (the magic number is 23 votes in the caucus).

"The consensus is closing, but it is not there yet," Saunders said. He also just happened to have in his coat pocket a copy of a 16-year-old Miami Herald news clip in which he was rated the most effective member of the House in the 1992 session. Highlighted from that piece by reporter Tim Nickens was this description of Saunders by Republican Miguel De Grandy: "He's a consensus-builder -- he's not abrasive or arrogant, despite that he's in an influential position." 

Comments

Abrasive and arrogant must be post-Legislature personal growth then.

[get a set]

Saunders should go for it this year. After Sands tried to extort money from ranking committee seats.

Sands should not get a bye on this. He is the Minority leader for God's sake! He was selling ranking member positions! He's no better then Blagojevich! There should be an ethics investigation!

"Your cash contributions are a consideration in the decision." How much more blatant can you get?

The House continues to look worse and worse! What an embarrassment that they are all afraid to confront their corrupt leadership. A bunch of spineless cowards.

Saunders should have filed yesterday!

[annie oakley]

Since when isn't Saunders abrasive or arrogant? Has De Grandy not met him? And why wouldn't the Dems keep the tradition of electing a member of the Black Caucus to the leadership post in alternating years? My money is on Joe Gibbons.

How much money has he raised for the FDP? THAT's what matters to Democrats, not anything else.

Most effective State Legislator 1992! That rocks.

Cold War was formally declared over. Crying Game was a top movie. Rodney King cops acquitted. Bill Clinton elected. Was Dick Hollohan voted most effective lobbyist? Smooth PR work...this Sauders guy most be on top of his game!!

And lets not forget that the internet was invented in '92.

All that matters to me is there were fewer Democrats when Ron Saunders left than when he got there. That is not the kind of record as a Democrat that I want in a party leader.

There are more Democrats in the House now (including Saunders who won a Republican seat)since he came back in 2006. It might be interesting to have a Democratic Leader-designate who actually knows how to win in a Republican district.

Then they should pick Keith Fitzgerald, Luis Garcia, Bill Heller, Janet Long or Debbie Boyd. They all won in Republican-leaning districts in 2006 without the benefit of a well-known name.

He carries and article in his pocket? Narcissistic much?

Five reasons why it is a bad idea:

1. He was Franklin Sands' top deputy during 2008. Everywhere Franklin was, so was Ron Saunders.

2. He was part of the coalition that took the Democrats from the majority to the minority in the 80's and 90's.

3. He lost to Sandy Mortham

4. He lost to Larcenia Bullard.

5. Twice.

[Abe Lincoln]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Congressman Ron Paul
Date: Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 12:03
Subject: Mark Cross for Florida GOP Chair

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In liberty,

Ron Paul

Another reason why to say no to Ron Saunders, Leader Saunders means Caucus Director Derek Newton.

[Gator(R)]

I have an article in my pocket too. No, wait a minute, it says 'Proudly inspected by #45 in ten languages.

Sounds like some scared Republican staffers are on this blog. Don't worry. you will probably get to keep your 6 figure jobs a little while longer.

Saunders would be great at that. He has too much talent, it should be taken advantage of.

Bullard, twice.

House District 120- won 6 times.