Eric Eikenberg: Opposition research meister?
Our erstwhile colleague, Peter Wallsten, writes in the Wall Street Journal today about the Charlie Crist-Marco Rubio battle in the U.S. Senate's Republican match-up.
Note this section: "We will begin to let folks know of the record -- both records," said Eric Eikenberg, who Monday left his job as Mr. Crist's gubernatorial chief of staff to take over operations of the Senate campaign.
One thing to hit Rubio on: Taxes. Rubio supported a sales-tax swap to replace homestead property taxes. Crist folks said it was tantamount to a tax increase. What they might not say: Crist backed a similar proposal last year (amendment 5) before the state Supreme Court threw it off the ballot.
Anyway, so much for ignoring Rubio.
Note this section: "We will begin to let folks know of the record -- both records," said Eric Eikenberg, who Monday left his job as Mr. Crist's gubernatorial chief of staff to take over operations of the Senate campaign.
One thing to hit Rubio on: Taxes. Rubio supported a sales-tax swap to replace homestead property taxes. Crist folks said it was tantamount to a tax increase. What they might not say: Crist backed a similar proposal last year (amendment 5) before the state Supreme Court threw it off the ballot.
Anyway, so much for ignoring Rubio.
A major Crist backer said Eikenberg was supposed to join the campaign after the New Year, but he had to sign up early. "They didn't expect Rubio to rise this quickly," the source said. "They're nervous." Rubio supporters say Eikenberg is no maestro. Look at his involvement in U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw's 2006 and George LeMieux's 1998 runs for office. Both lost.
-- Marc Caputo
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Amendment 5 was not similar except it was about property taxes. It had no sales tax increase or other tax increase in it.
Posted by: Republicans are Crybabies | November 04, 2009 at 02:18 PM
They're worried all right - all the stooges whose livelihiids depend on Charlie Crist staying in office. Why, they are willing to torpedo McCOllum just to stay in control of RPOF - the cash cow.
Posted by: Ken | November 04, 2009 at 03:56 PM
So, the plan which would have eliminated most property taxes is being twisted into a tax increase? Weak, Eric, very weak.
Posted by: Taxes? | November 04, 2009 at 04:10 PM
I was(am) very much in favor of the tax swap. Where does most of the revenue from sales taxes come from? From out of State Americans and most of all people from outside the USA! I'll gladly pay higher sales taxes in exchange for no property taxes!...not only would that take away a reason the government can take your property(non payment of property taxes), but that would also help the real estate market. Nice try Eric, but that one will backfire on you...you'll have homesteaded property owners voting in droves for Rubio!
Posted by: Independent | November 05, 2009 at 08:20 AM
I would love Rubio's plan of ELIMINATING PROPERTY TAXES for a few cents more in sales tax.
Posted by: John | November 05, 2009 at 08:00 PM