Okaloosa straw poll goes for Rubio, McCollum, Putnam

Chalk up another straw poll victory for Marco Rubio. He garnered 86 votes to Gov. Charlie Crist's 4 votes during a straw poll today hosted by the Okaloosa Republican Exec Committee.

The straw poll, open to the public with a $20 admission fee, is the latest straw poll to lean heavily in Rubio's favor -- though it won't be clear until election day whether the small voting exercises (typically attended by the more conservative party faction) translate into a win for Rubio in the U.S. Senate Republican primary.

The poll also favored AG Bill McCollum over new opponent Sen. Paula Dockery, and gave Rep. Pat Patterson a win over Senate President and mega fundraiser Jeff Atwater. We hear Patterson attended the straw poll event and spoke to the group.

Here's the full tally:

Crist 4, Rubio 86

McCollum 64, Dockery 5

Kottkamp 31, Benson 15

Patterson 37, Atwater 32

Putnam 64, Baker 6

Comments

[Marco Rubio comes to Pinellas to deliver the most important speech of the campaign, asking PCREC to 'divorce' Crist.]

Marco Rubio comes to Pinellas to deliver the most important speech of the campaign, asking PCREC to 'divorce' Crist.

http://bit.ly/1avmD8

[Marco Rubio comes to Munich to deliver the most important speech of his campaign]

"Leaders of Western democracies in the 2000s underestimated Marco disastrously and misunderstood him almost completely because they thought (quite rightly) that his ideas were ridiculous and beneath comtempt. They failed to realize that Marco believed in those ideas. They greatly overestimated his opportunistic and manipulative side, and underestimated his commitment to fascist ideology."

OK, that was really written about Hitler, but tell me why it doesn't apply to Marco Rubio?

[Peter]

If Christ is elected to the Senate, we deserve the disaster he will be.

[Inside the numbers]

The grassroots folks are clearly behind the conservatives---Rubio, McCollum, Kottkamp and Putnam. The Patterson win was apparently influenced by his attendance at this event. It is not insignificant that the only candidate from the Panhandle (Benson) lost 2-1.

[Obama has his teleprompter, Crist has his fan]

No big surprise - northwest Florida doesn't care much for dandies. Crist shouldn't even waste his time campaigning up there.

[to borrow a phrase]

No way no how NO CRIST!

[to borrow a paraphrase]

Hate you can believe in!

[See ya, prez...]

Also worth noting that Patterson wasn't even on the ballot and still won as a write-in, while the establishment boys were handing out Atwater pamphlets! Atwater better keep raising money - he's going to need every dime. No one knows who the hell he is beyond Palm Beach county!

[Nobama supporter]

If it were'nt for the St.Pete Times, Northwest Florida Daily News would'nt have anything politically to print. They rely on the Times for all of thier bias slant. Where is Bill O'Rielly when you need him?

[?]

oka who?

[tmezonk]

Actual Poll Results Below:

COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION 2010 - NOV 8, 2009: STRAW POLL RESULTS
TOTAL % MAY NOT EQUAL 100% DUE TO ROUNDING

UNITED STATES SENATE - TOTAL VOTES CAST = 95
CHARLIE CRIST-4% MARCO RUBIO-86% ROBERT SMITH-1%
MARION THORPE-2% COGGINS-2%

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE - CD1 - TOTAL VOTES CAST = 90
JOHN KRAUSE-24% JEFF MILLER-74% HENRY KELLY-1%

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE - CD2 - TOTAL VOTES CAST = 79
WILLIAM FISHER-1% EDDIE HENDRY-30% CARL MEECE-34% STEVE SOUTHERLAND-34%

FLORIDA GOVERNOR - TOTAL VOTES CAST = 77
TIM DEVINE-5% ED HEENEY-1% BILL McCOLLUM-83%
PAULA DOCKERY-6% JEB BUSH-1% CAROLINE FITZGERALD-3%

FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL - TOTAL VOTES CAST = 54
HOLLY BENSON-28% JEFF KOTTKAMP-57% JIM LEWIS-13%
CAROLINE FITZGERALD-2%

FLORIDA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER -TOTAL VOTES CAST = 75
JEFF ATWATER-43% JIM LEWIS-8% PAT PATTERSON-49%

FLORIDA COMMISSIONER OF AGRI & CONMR SRVS - TOTAL VOTES CAST = 70
CAREY BAKER-9% ADAM PUTNAM-91%

ISSUES

1. DO YOU APPROVE OF OFF-SHORE DRILLING FOR GAS AND OIL?
TOTAL VOTES CAST = 95
YES-74% NO-26% (CAVEAT-AIR FORCE MISSION COMPATIBILITY)

2. IS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSED BY HUMAN ACTIVITY?
TOTAL VOTES CAST = 94
YES-13% NO-82%

3. SHOULD GOVERNMENT CONTROL YOUR HEALTHCARE?
TOTAL VOTES CAST = 99
YES-1% NO-99%

4. IS GOVERNMENT TOO INVOLVED IN YOUR PRIVATE LIFE?
TOTAL VOTES CAST = 99
YES-89% NO-11%

5. IS FEDERAL STIMULUS SPENDING EFFECTIVE?
TOTAL VOTES CAST = 96
YES-1% NO-99%

[Marco Rubio comes to Pinellas to deliver the most important speech of the campaign, asking PCREC to 'divorce' Crist.]

@marcorubio comes to Pinellas to deliver the most important speech of the campaign, asking PCREC to 'divorce' Crist.

http://bit.ly/1avmD8

[Mal Co. Rubio]

8:30 Thanks for the information. Now we can see that the support for Marco comes from the same lunatic fringe that made Limbaugh a wealthy man. If I were Rubio, I'd be more than a little distrubed to find that my agenda appeals only to nutjobs.

[The Mask Is Off]

10:10 = RPOF Staffer (Or Rich Heffley, perhaps.)

[Rules and Procedure]

Maybe everyone should look into the Republican Party Rules, Procedures, and Bylaws, along with their model constitutions, to find out that straw polls are out of order.

Take a look

[Maybe Greer Should Think About That]

Rules and Procedure.

Maybe Greer should consider that putting his name on Crist fundraiser invitations is inappropriate.

Maybe Greer should consider travelling everywhere with Gvernor Crist and attending all his fundraisers is inappropriate.

Maybe Greer should consider that he is the Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and there is more than just Charlie running in the Republican primary.

Maybe for the good of the party Greer should consider stepping down.

[Rules Guru]

Dear 10:12,
We have.
They are not.

Believe it or not, straw polls were NOT the brilliant invention of Marco Rubio or even RECs. They have been around for years and years. In fact, Charlie Crist received a great boost in his primary in 2006 thanks to several key straw poll victories.

[Rules Guru]

To elaborate, no one complained about straw polls until RPOF's hand-picked guy started losing them (and in fact, has not mustered a single win or even so much as a respectable showing) thus far.

Trying to claim that straw polls violate some rule that has been ignored for decades is laughable and reveals the desperation on the part of the Crist people.

[Rules and Procedure]

The RPOF Model Constitution formally adopts “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised” as the authority governing the rules of procedure of the County Executive Committees.

Article X: Parliamentary Authority. The latest revision of “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised” shall be constituted as the authority governing the rules of procedure, except as otherwise limited by the laws of the State of Florida, the Rules of Procedure of the Republican Party of Florida, and the Constitution of The Republican Party of Florida and the constitution and the bylaws duly adopted by this organization. (RPOF Model Constitution, Revision as of April 3, 2009).

Roberts Rules of Order specifically prohibits the use of straw polls.
“A motion to take an informal straw poll… is not in order … [and] is meaningless and dilatory” (Roberts Rules, 10th Edition, Page 415).

These rules have long been in place prior to this Senate Primary.

[Rules and Procedure]

To be even more specific:

The Florida Statues establish that the Republican Executive Committees are to be governed by generally accepted parliamentary practice:
103.121 Powers and duties of executive committees.
(1)(a) Each state and county executive committee of a political party shall have the power and duty:
3. To conduct its meetings according to generally accepted parliamentary practice.

The Republican Party of Florida has its own party rules of procedure which state in Rule 16 that each county may adopt its own constitution, but any constitution adopted may not conflict with the Model Constitution.
Rule 16. A. A constitution may be adopted by each County Executive Committee. In the event that no such constitution is adopted, the model constitution developed by the Republican Party of Florida will prevail. If a County Constitution is adopted which is not in conflict with the Florida Statutes, the Constitution of the Republican State Executive Committee, the Rules of Procedure for the Republican Party of Florida or the Model Constitution is adopted and it shall be filed with the Republican Party of Florida. (RPOF Party Rules)

The Model Constitution formally adopts “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised” as the authority governing the rules of procedure of the County Executive Committees.
Article X: Parliamentary Authority. The latest revision of “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised” shall be constituted as the authority governing the rules of procedure, except as otherwise limited by the laws of the State of Florida, the Rules of Procedure of the Republican Party of Florida, and the Constitution of The Republican Party of Florida and the constitution and the bylaws duly adopted by this organization. (Model Constitution, as of April 3, 2009).

Roberts Rules of Order specifically prohibits the use of straw polls.
“A motion to take an informal straw poll to “test the water” is not in order because it neither adopts nor rejects a measure and hence is meaningless and dilatory”. (Roberts Rules, 10th Edition, Page 415).

A motion to conduct a straw poll is simply not in order in a Republican County Executive Committee meeting. This should eliminate any further debate whether a straw poll should be conducted in a Republican Executive Committee meeting.

[Rules Guru]

Rules of Procedure,
Obviously, Chairman Greer does not share your contrived interpretation of RPOF RoPs given that he has appeared with Governor Crist at the Pinellas REC to lobby members on behalf of Crist at that REC's upcoming straw poll.

[Rules and Procedure]

Besides being divisive and a major distraction from our focus on winning other statewide races next year, the straw polls are also prohibited by our party rules and procedure.

We should inform our County Executive Committees that as a point of order, we need to oppose the use of straw polls.

The Republican Party is the party of law and order. We are the party that believes in a strict construction of the Constitution. We are also a party of rules. These rules govern all of us equally, and no one is above them. I write in accordance with these principles and not for the benefit of any campaign. These rules were here long before the Senate primary.

The rule against straw polls in Robert's Rules dates back to the latest edition, which I believe came out in 2001.

Take a look. Call it "contrived," but it's all there in plain English.

If Robert's Rules controls, then that's the end of the story.

[methinks]

Rules and Procedure,
Methinks thou doest protest too much.

[Rules Guru]

Nice Try!

You are confusing two very different "straw polls" (either by design or out of ignorance.)

A straw poll in a "meeting of order" is an informal, non-binding procedure held for two reasons:

a.) To see if there is enough support for an idea to warrant pursuing it. (i.e. should we move the REC meeting location from Western Sizzlin to the Country Club?)
b.) If it is an open poll, to see which way different members are leaning on an idea. (Who thinks we should meet at the Country Club and who is happy with Western Sizzlin'"

This has absolutely nothing to do with a political straw poll, in which participants cast non-binding votes of support for a candidate who is running for office outside of the Committee.

Robert's Rules prohibits the former, not the latter.

[FLORIDA REPUBLICANS FOR MARCO RUBIO!]

THE STRAW POLL GIVES YOU A SNAP SHOT IN WHO PEOPLE ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR! ALLSO THESE PEOPLE WHO VOTE IN THESE STRAW POLLS MAKE PHONE CALLS FOR THEIR CANDIDATE KNOCK DOOR TO DOOR SEND MONEY WAVE SIGNS ECT ECT! ANYWAY... WHAT REPUBLICAN WOULD VOTE FOR LIBERAL CRIST AFTER CRIST HAD THAT MAN HUG WITH OBAMA! OUR VOTE IS WITH MARCO RUBIO! SORRY CRIST STAFF AND SUPPORTERS! :)

[Robert]

Rubio is in a strong position to win this. This is going to get very interesting.

[FLORIDA VOTERS 4 MARCO RUBIO!]

If I was Crist I would just step down!Club for Growth just endorsed Marco Rubio! Game over! Your now looking at the next senator of Florida Marco Rubio!http://boycottnrsc.blogspot.com/2009/11/marco-rubio-picks-up-club-for-growth.html

[Rules and Procedure]

Hey Rules Guru at 10:26, who's being "contrived" now????

Why don't you go read Robert's Rules, and then get back to me. And please check on what the definition of "is" is.

[Rules Guru]

Just stating the facts, my friend. Sorry if you don't like them.

[BREC MAN]

RULES and PROCEDURES = Richard Denapoli of Hollywood - he sent the same e-mail out to several people.

[MARCO RULES]

Rules Guru:

You are right on!! Rules and Procedures is totally wrong- you can site "law" all you want- but why has it been done for decades, and why was it allowed when it was in favor of the candidate (Crist over Gallagher in 2006 in Broward) and why now, when that candidate (Crist) is losing them all, is it now an issue. Grow up folks and face the music- REC members, as a general rule so far, do NOT suuport CharLIE Crist!

[Rules Guru]

DeNapoli (aka "Rules of Procedure") is just trying to be a loyal Crist-man. I'm sure Crist appreciates the blind loyalty. It's a shame, however, to see a young lawyer trip on such a large stage and spill the water he was carrying for Crist and Greer.

Hang in there Robert, your loyalty may be rewarded by Chairman Greer, and one day, you too may be called upon for an important, top-secret mission. Maybe you will be asked to create an anonymous website smearing a prominent Republican candidate. Perhaps your mission will be to steal the identity of an REC Chairman and slander him by falsely attributing libelous statements about Crist's orientation to him. Or perhaps you can create racist youtube videos.

Hang in there. One day, Chairman Greer will call you and you will be ready.

[HAHAHA]

It's Richard, not Robert and if I were an REC Chair and had already conducted a straw poll - I would go tell Denipples to go pound sand. His opinion does NOT matter, maybe inBroward where anyone canbe influcenced for the right price. What he is essentially saying is that they don't know how to run their own county party. I would be horrifically offended! Who does he think he is? Oh yeah - the greatest smartest lawyer/Crist supporter there ever was! where was he when BREC did the same for Gallagher- didn't hear any objection from Mr. D then!!!

[Rules and Procedure]

TO: BREC MAN, MARCO RULES, RULES GURU, and HAHAHA

I'm not Mr. D. He's not a blogger. But I did receive his email and thought it was perfectly on point and so decided to post it here. I'm a member of the BREC and am disappointed in the infighting that has gone on over this primary. Support whomever you want, but this has gone too far. I'm sure it's either Patrick Castronovo or Javier Manjarres writing above. Javier, everyone thinks you are a total jerk, and that includes most of the Marco Rubio supporters.

Funny how you attack Mr. D. but provide no authority contrary to what he wrote. Typical of you, Javier! He's just pointing out the rules. Bye the way, there was no "straw poll" in 2006 in Broward...go do some research and you can find out the truth. That vote was done according to procedures, and Mr. D did not participate in the vote.

Sharon Day did the right thing by invoking the rules to prevent an RPOF endoresement of Crist, and Mr. D is doing the right thing by invoking the rules to stop this wholesale circumvention of our party procedure for the benefit of one candidate's campaign.

How about some unity?

Oh, I forgot, Javier and Patrick are only concerned with making a scene and laughing about it afterwards. They just want attention. Javier is not even an REC member and Patrick is a recent one. They just latch on to whatever candidate they think is the most right-leaning until the actual candidate (West anyone?) gets sick of them and tosses them.

[Rules Guru]

Rules of Procedure,
You say that BREC did not hold a straw poll in 2006? Perhaps you should let the Miami Herald, Richard DeNapoli and BREC Chairman LaMarca know that. http://www.miamiherald.com/486/story/1200946.html

As for unity, there is nothing divisive about a straw poll! Straw polls have been held by both parties on local, state and national levels for decades! It is no more divisive than having debates! Both candidates are invited, their supporters all have the opportunity to cast votes, NOT A BIG DEAL!

What IS divisive?
-RPOF Chairman using obscure rules to force a Republican candidate out a race.
-RPOF consultants creating "anonymous" websites to attack a Republican candidate
-RPOF field directors creating fake twitter accounts in the identity of a county Republican Chairman and using it to smear him.

If you're worried about divisiveness, you need to focus on RPOF, not a bunch of grassroots phone-bankers and precinct-walkers who want to hear from the candidates and build some excitement about the race.

[Rules and Procedure]

Miami Herald was mistaken on that one. Go look back further to 2006 articles. It was not a "straw poll" in 2006 in Broward. If you actually read the party rules which you can find online, you will see what was done. There was a vote in January 2006 which was not done properly, and then Sharon Day said that it was done wrongly, and then another vote was held according to the proper procedure in April 2006. Wasn't a straw poll, my friend. That's what Mr. D was trying to point out. There is a proper procedure for these votes, and conducting them outside that procedure is prohibited by the party rules. You are correct in that both candidates should be invited, but we all know that that hasn't been done so far in most of these straw polls. They simply haven't been done properly.

[PATRICK CASTRONOVO]

DEAR RULES OF PROCEDURE...Zzzzzzzzzzzz.