Ready, aim, fire: Smith v. Gelber v. Aronberg?

Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Rod Smith, tells the Buzz he's still seriously looking at running for attorney general, despite the newly announced candidacy of Dave Aronberg and likely candidacy of Dan Gelber.

"I believed it was in the best interest that we worked this out and avoid a primary. We certainly hadn't been able to to do it thus far ... I like Dave Aronberg. He's a friend. But we may be candidates against one another. That's just politics."

Likewise Gelber was disappointed a primary appears likely: "We seem to have an irresistible impulse for self-immolation ... We all had been talking and all had agreed to wait a little but to give everybody a chance to come to a thoughtful judgment, but unfortunately we're not going to be able to do that."

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Comments

[Government of, by, and for the appointed!]

Democracy and options!... we don’t need no stinking Democracy and options! Just cut the backroom deal; it’s my turn to screw the taxpayers!

Floriduuh!

“Last in Education; First in Corruption!”

… go figure

[moderate]

What a problem to have for the Democrats, Too many good candidates. That doesn't happen often.

All 3 would do a great job, but Rod is head and shoulders better than the other two.

[Florida]

go get 'em Dan. Game on.

[GO DAN]

Rod needs Head and Shoulders. His resume doesn't compare to Dan's.

State Attorney vs. Federal Prosecutor.

Do you even need a law degree to be an SA?

[Teacher]

Aronberg voted for school vouchers.

He's lost my vote.

[Teacher Too]

Arronberg voted for vouchers so he's got my vote and my family's votes.

[Floriduh]

There are a lot of people wishing they had thought twice and voted for Rod for Governor.

Instead, they went with the cute queer that screwed us big time.

[Fan-O-Dan]

I wanted Dan Gelber to stay in the U. S. Senate race -- I don't think Crist is unbeatable.

It is great to have great candidates in the AG race, but it's too bad one of them doesn't run for, say, Sec. of State or Congress or something.

Dan's got the strongest credentials and he is the smartest of the bunch. Plus the best shot statewide. My money is on him.

[Dothemath]

GO DAN -

There are 3 US Attorneys in Florida. Each US Attorney's office hires approximately 350 appointed assistant US Attorneys (Federal Prosecutors).

Meanwhile there are 20 elected State Attorneys in Florida.

Which one do you think you can get fresh out of law school?

[Bob from south walton]

Run Rod Run
You got my vote.

[blue]

Gelber is in a bad spot. Rod won't get in until Gelber does. Rod wins easy in a 3 way primary.

[Gelber for AG]

Has a better resume, is a better speaker and has a better statewide profile and organization.

[Seriously]

Better than who?

[terminator]

two of the three should consider running for other cabinet spots.
The R's have no strong candidates for AG, CFO and Ag Commish.
Kottkamp, Atwater and Putzman are all VERY beatable by a decent Dem.
With the Obama campaign team in place in Florida and huge D statewide edge in registered voters, in all probability, the three of them could get elected.
not to mention Sink will beat McCollum who is just a recycled right wing nut.

[RE: Dothemath]

They hire the best and the brightest...recalculate, moron

[Ann]

Heaven forbid the voters should be allowed to decide who they want to run.

Let's return to the days of smoke filled rooms where the candidates are decided for us.

[The moron who knows math]

RE: Dothemath

Returning to your original premise - which is the more difficult job to secure, to be appointed as one of close to 1,000 federal prosecutors in Florida or to be successfully elected twice to be one of the 20 State Attorneys in the state?

You were the one that commenced with the comparison in your post at 4:50PM.

[RE: Dothemath]

Are you arguing for Aronberg here or Smith?

[rufus]

rod's getting his helirod ready.

[GoMagic]

Everyone knows Aronberg has been eyeing AG for years. Gelber realizes he can't compete with Meek, gives some lame excuse about party unity and thinks he's entitled to a free run at AG. Aronberg is qualified, committed and will out work anyone.

[Word of advice]

RE: Dothemath:

I'm merely defending State Attorneys and their assistants; they work hard and deserve respect. Got nothing against federal prosecutors for that matter. But you decided that 20 elected State Attorneys were somehow inferior to the appointed assistant US Attorneys.

Be proud of Daniel's record, but don't expect the State Attorneys to warm up to him when/if he inevitably asks for their valuable support if his camp coninues to question whether they need a law degree to hold their position.

Really brilliant first steps for a statewide campaign.

[Pandemocrat]

You know, this "party unity" thing doesn't seem to jive with Gelber's disappointment. He's jumping out of one race against a Democrat (Meek) and into another race against another Democrat (Aronberg). It doesn't sound like he's doing what's best for Florida Democrats, it sounds like he's desperately lunging for a seat he thinks he has a better chance of winning. Nothing wrong with that, except that he looks pretty disingenuous. If he was really Aronberg's friend, he would know Aronberg has been working toward this race for a couple of years now. Rod Smith? He's still around? Private practice must not be working out so well.

[Gelber for AG!]

My support goes to Gelber.

Run Danny Run!

[drop out]

Gelber's heroic and selfless profile in courage:droppng outta race after another dem gets way more $ and endrsmnts & star GOP gov gets in9:31 AM Jun 1st from web http://twitter.com/adamsmithtimes

[drop out]

Gelber's heroic and selfless profile in courage:droppng outta race after another dem gets way more $ and endrsmnts & star GOP gov gets in9:31 AM Jun 1st from web http://twitter.com/adamsmithtimes

[Dave's best chance]

Make this a competition about the most friends on Facebook.

[KellyK]

DAN'S THE MAN. FL's best prosecutor, brilliant lawyer, great guy who volunteers in the community all the time. He's got my vote!