Today's RPOF looking like yesterday Fla Democratic party

What's going on with the long-mighty Florida GOP? Today's Florida Republican Party looks more and more like yesterday's dysfunctional Florida Democratic Party.

To be sure, Gov. Charlie Crist just raised a stunning $4.3 million for his Senate campaign, which few expect him to lose. Attorney General Bill McCollum leads slightly in most early polls for governor, and Democrats can't even find a candidate to take on Republican Senate President Jeff Atwater for chief financial officer.

It's ludicrous to forecast the demise of Republican dominance in Florida, and the Republicans' overwhelming control of the Legislature certainly looks safe. But the trouble signs are nonetheless striking, and they appear at a time when the Florida Democrats are, for a change, looking disciplined and focused. Organizing for America, Barack Obama's grass roots machine, already is hiring staffers, preparing to open Florida offices and mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to push Obama's agenda.

COLUMN HERE

Comments

[12345678]

The exception is that the RPOF has religious extremist and corrupt hypocrites. And lets not forget they have that jovial oxycodone lover, Limbaugh.

[Totally cynical with very good reasons to be]

Isn't Atwater the Senator who put that amendment on the energy bill that allowed the big electric companies to recover all pre construction costs for the nuke plants? That allows the companies to take the money up front and even if the plant does not get built the company gets to keep the millions it took from the customers? Is he npe running for Alex Sinks position? I think he is the one. Does anyone know? I will check the legislatures web pages and see what I come up with. If he is everyone should know how that was slipped into that bill right before he became the Senate President. I wonder how much money he took from them, or how much money they paid for that little sweetheart deal.

[Reap N. Sow]

It started at the grassroots, when efforts to keep out stealth Libertarians were used to purge longtime activists who weren't in favor with local leaders with unprecented powers to pick and choose who could be involved. That worked, so now they're using the same tactics in major races. But now Republicans have had enough and they're breaking away. The heavy-handed leaders did it to themselves, with their big spending and personal aggrandisement, and petty power plays.

[Concerned Reader]

Yeah the RPOF is in real bad shape. They successfully stumped the democratic wave from washing over Florida. Maybe Obama won but the FDP couldn't even beat a single Republican Incumbent in the state house or senate. They are also in a good position to sweep all of the major races this year and also STAY in the majority in the legislature. This was a hatchet job by a hack reporter.

[how 'bout them repiggies]

The repiggies are too cozy with the racists in their midst.

This situation will continue to eat away at that party nationally, and is starting to do so in Florida.

The young and the older intelligent voters will not put up with that racist crap anymore.

[Just the Facts]

How is is that Obama won in Senate and House districts but the brain trust at the Florida Democratic party couldnt pick up seats?

[difference is Crist is WEAK]

The very same things happend under Jeb and even more direct. The difference is Jeb was a strong leader and Crist is simple a very very WEAK governor. So like with all weak leaders, chaos unsues. One could say its the same as Iraq. Under Sadam, order was maintained as none dare defy him. But once he is gone, you have a civil war state. This is really about Crist lack of leadership strength.

[Jones]

Why would this not be happening? When Republicans are acting like demoncrats, embracing their policies, and going along with all their spending, why not continue with their failed policies and purge the party?

[just wait]

Nan Rich and Ron Saunders have plenty of potential to make sure that Democrats are Democrats.

[Dear "Just the Facts"]

Do some homework son.

[Alice]

Obama said unemployment would max out at 8% with his huge so called stimulus pork filled bill and look at it now. Thank you Mr. Obama and also our other two socialist/liberals in congress Grayson & Kosmas who just voted for the Cap & Trade Tax that is a job killer for sure. I wonder who is paying for all those TV commercials that both Grayson and Kosmas are running together now with the same idiot in the commercials telling us that he was in Iraq and how wonderful both Grayson and Kosmas are. He and they must think we are all idiots too. I guess he likes his representatives to vote for bills they never read and then we should thank them?

[Finally]

Not really. More like: the Media has now figured out how wrong they were, how badly the Communist/Democrats are screwing this country and they're now trying to sell the Republicans to a Public long taught to hate us.

[Agapitos]

The future of the Florida Republicans belongs to young legislators like Anitere Flores in Miami or young activists like John Giotis in Pinellas County. The old timers have to get out of the way and let the younger generation modernize the GOP.

[Joe Cool]

6:57/Agapitos is right. But the GOP has yet to see the writing on the wall that they need people who can communicate a conservative message to immigrants and who can expand the party.

[Alice]

Run Marco run we need you now more than ever

http://marcorubio.com/

[observer]

FDP won't take back the legislature until they actually start fielding candidates in every race.

That's how the Rove Republicans took over Texas.

Karen, recruit more candidates!

[TP]

Flores, will you get off he net and give it a rest please?

[Jason Straight]

I sit here is S Florida amazed at the condition of our state and nation manifested by Republican policies..The state govt does not regulate health care it doesnt regulate insurance nor does it help working Floridians.It helps corporations and its Tallahassee friends while we cook in the July sun and wonder where our next meal is coming from..You stink! your entire party and leadership is shameful and should and will be replaced..How far can racism and religion take you idiots before the Dems sweep you away like yesterdays sad trash..I cant stand the same old names and the good thig is I will probably live to see theGOP and the Bush family reduced to a bad sad dream and flushed from our memories

[is greer on a "purge"?]

FL Dems are doing this, "Organizing for America, Barack Obama's grass roots machine, already is hiring staffers, preparing to open Florida offices and mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to push Obama's agenda."

The RPOF, led by Chairman Greer, is having grievance hearings July 24 and 25 against longstanding Republicans who have helped the party stand strong against Organizing for America activists.

As 10:46 am said, "The heavy-handed leaders (read Jim Greer) did it to themselves, with their big spending and personal aggrandisement, and petty power plays."

The RPOF emulates the actions of Chairman Greer, that is, out-of-control spending, petty power plays, and blind following of Governor Crist's campaign for Senate.

[is greer on a "purge"?]

"Greer said the party is strong, the fissures over his leadership are overstated and an aggressive push to reach young and minority voters is bearing fruit. Still, Greer acknowledged the fight between conservatives and moderates cannot continue."

Rome burns while Chairman Greer fiddles.

[is greer on a "purge"?]

From the Miami Herald today, "A handful of major Republican fundraisers for Crist, including Broward lawyer Scott Rothstein and former lobbyist Rodney Barreto from Miami-Dade, are breaking ranks with their party to support Sink. The Florida Democratic Party has more donors and more registered voters than the Republican Party of Florida.

Internal party discontent with Republican State Chairman Jim Greer also hampered fundraising after Obama won in Florida."

RPOF Chairman Greer is now the Al Franken of Florida politics. The Florida Democratic Party wants Greer to remain as the RPOF head.

[menckenjr]

Um, 7:14am? Al Franken *won* and is now a Senator. You might want to read a newspaper once in a while.

[Alice]

YOU CAN FOOL SOME OF THE PEOPLE SOME OF THE TIME BUT NOT ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME.

Obama said unemployment would max out at 8% with his huge so called stimulus pork filled bill and look at it now. Thank you Mr. Obama and also our other two socialist/liberals in congress Grayson & Kosmas who just voted for the Cap & Trade Tax that is a job killer for sure. I wonder who is paying for all those TV commercials that both Grayson and Kosmas are running together now with the same idiot in the commercials telling us that he was in Iraq and how wonderful both Grayson and Kosmas are. He and they must think we are all idiots too. I guess he likes his representatives to vote for bills they never read and then we should thank them?

[Alice]

THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS WITH THE YOUNG REPUBLICANS LIKE MARCO RUBIO.

RUN MARCO RUN

http://marcorubio.com/

[Young Republican]

Marco Rubio is EVERYTHING that the majority of Republicans are against. He makes the sounds of what he thinks people want to hear, but when he was Speaker his actions were horrible and helped to hurt the Republican party. He does not speak for this Young Republican. I do not want legislators dictating morals for the state. I don't want legislators in my personal life and I do not want hem preaching religion from their legislative seats. Rubio is all of those things. No way to Rubio. Young Republicans want Government out of our lives.

[Young Republican @12:41... nope]

Marco Rubio does not represent more government in our lives, on the contrary, Marco believes in limited governrment, including no taxpayer funded killing of the unborn, or research which kills human embryos & doesn't work.

"Morals" are have been written in the laws of this nation for over a hundred years, whether it's stealing, killing, dealing drugs or other crimes, cheating on income taxes etc.

U.S. Senate candidate Rubio favors lower taxes which spur economic growth & create jobs; unlike his primary opponent Gov. Crist who embraced the trillion dollar spending spree by President Obama which will not create jobs or help the economy.

[Alice]

THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS WITH THE YOUNG REPUBLICANS LIKE MARCO RUBIO.

RUN MARCO RUN

http://marcorubio.com/

[Alice]

Crist is nothing but an empty suit with a tan. He won't even comment on where he would stand on Obama's pick for the Supreme Court. He is not running against Marco Rubio but he is sure running away from Rubio. He is afraid to get one on one and debate him or even appear with him anywhere. Crist is history and Marco is the future and he tells it like it is.

[Alice]

RUN MARCO RUN

http://marcorubio.com/

[is greer on a "purge"?]

menchenjr, 9;31 am, YOU might wish to go to a high school reading and comprehension class. Try reading the following comments for content.

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson called George III a tyrant for having "erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance."

Maybe Chairman Greer is the new George III. The upcoming grievance "hearings" ,nee inquisitions, on July 23 and 25 will be held by George III at the plush Gaylord Palms. How much will that cost RPOF donors?

RPOF Chairman Greer is now the Al Franken of Florida politics. for you, menckenjr, and those that live in Rio Lindo, that means "clown".

What did George III do with his Stamp Act, Townshend Acts or tea tax to compare with what is being done to this generation of Americans by their own government?

[is greer on a "purge"?]

correction: July 24, not 23, and 25 are the official RPOF inquisition dates.

[Alice]

ALL YOU PEOPLE WHO CAN'T WAIT FOR OBAMA GOVERNMENT HEALTHCARE NEED TO WATCH THIS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2jijuj1ysw

[A lice]

The RPOF may be divided, but conservatives are all united in their support of racism, greed, and hatred of the middle class.

[Jason Straight]

If Rubio won Meek will kick his A

[Alice]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House is being forced to acknowledge the wide gap between its once-upbeat predictions about the economy and today's bleak landscape.

The administration's annual midsummer budget update is sure to show higher deficits and unemployment and slower growth than projected in President Barack Obama's budget in February and update in May, and that could complicate his efforts to get his signature health care and global-warming proposals through Congress.

The release of the update - usually scheduled for mid-July - has been put off until the middle of next month, giving rise to speculation the White House is delaying the bad news at least until Congress leaves town on its August 7 summer recess.

[meckenjr]

5:21 - Franken may have made his living as a comedian, but he *did* win in Minnesota over Norm Coleman. Who wound up being the clown there, eh?

[is greer on a "purge"?]

5:21 meckenjr, glad you put "win" in quotes. Most agree that Franken "stole" the election from Coleman by generating votes from remote polling locations just like Lyndon Johnson did in TX. Franken's team came from CA and throughout the US to make sure they had the number of votes required to put Perry Mason into the Senate. If you ever listened to Al Franken on Air America, you had to come to the conclusion that he is a "clown" with an anti-American agenda.

Back to Chairman Greer, he is the Al Franken of Florida, who will stop at nothing to get Charlie Crist elected to US Senate. Republican Floridians need to dump Greer before November, 2009.

[alice]

YOU CAN FOOL SOME OF THE PEOPLE SOME OF THE TIME BUT NOT ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME.

Obama said unemployment would max out at 8% with his huge so called stimulus pork filled bill and look at it now. Thank you Mr. Obama and also our other two socialist/liberals in congress Grayson & Kosmas who just voted for the Cap & Trade Tax that is a job killer for sure. I wonder who is paying for all those TV commercials that both Grayson and Kosmas are running together now with the same idiot in the commercials telling us that he was in Iraq and how wonderful both Grayson and Kosmas are. He and they must think we are all idiots too. I guess he likes his representatives to vote for bills they never read and then we should thank them?

[Alice Norquista's Translator]

Hey Alice Norquista:

Please remember the Conservative Golden Rule:

Government by the Corporation, for the Corporation...GOOOD!
Government by the People, for the People...BAAAAD!

Translation:

"waaaaaaaaaa we've been sucking off the conservative government welfare teat for 30 years and now we're going to have to find a way to pay for all our pollution! If we tell them it's going to cost them jobs maybe we won't have to give up our Hummers and our private jets??? Obama promised he'd try to fix the mess we caused; do you suppose they're ready to believe it's all his fault now? waaaaaaa!"

[Paul D. Harvill]

Cannibalism amongst the Republicans!

Eating their own.

As a Democrat, I really got tired of fighting off others from consuming me.

[menckenjr]

8:09 - If it makes you feel better to pretend that Franken stole an election that was certified by every judge it went in front of (including lots of Republican appointees) then go ahead. It'll make it that much easier to put you guys to bed so the grownups can run things for a while.

[Alice]

That fat head Saturday Night Live idiot Franken did steal the election with losts of help from ACORN too. Obama said unemployment would max out at 8% with his huge so called stimulus pork filled bill and look at it now. Thank you Mr. Obama and also our other two socialist/liberals in congress Grayson & Kosmas who just voted for the Cap & Trade Tax that is a job killer for sure. I wonder who is paying for all those TV commercials that both Grayson and Kosmas are running together now with the same idiot in the commercials telling us that he was in Iraq and how wonderful both Grayson and Kosmas are. He and they must think we are all idiots too. I guess he likes his representatives to vote for bills they never read and then we should thank them?