Grayson's money bomb makes noise

Borrowing from Ron Paul, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson kicked off a "money bomb" today, and by his telling, it's going really well.

As of 4 p.m., Grayson's Web site shows $433,000 has been collected, exceeding a stated goal of $400,000.

"Today, the 2010 elections are one year away," reads a message on the site. "Show America that when someone speaks out for progressive values, for American values, for YOU, he will have the support he needs to win. This is a message to Republicans, to insiders, and to special interests that the truth is powerful."

The Orlando Democrat continues to attract attention, both good and bad. The New York Times on Sunday had a piece on him that cast him as the "liberals' problem child."

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Winner and loser of the week

Winner of the week: Florida Power & Light. In the midst of a public relations crisis over its huge rate increase request, lavish spending on salaries and corporate jets, cozy socializing with regulators, Florida's largest utility received a giant hug from President Obama. Visiting FP&L's new solar power plant and hailing a $200-million stimulus grant to the company, Obama called it "a company that is doing well by doing good. I think it's a model for what we can do all across the country."

Loser(s) of the week: U.S. Reps. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, and Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville. Grayson's latest attention-grabbing stunt was to call a Federal Reserve adviser and former lobbyist a "K Street Whore." Brown-Waite's was insist Barack Obama seek Congressional approval before accepting the Nobel Peace Prize financial reward he intends to give to charity. Remember guys, Florida voters tend to prefer safe and dull politicians to those positioning themselves on the wingnut fringes.

Is your congressman nuts?

An homage of sorts to Alan Grayson: mycongressmanisnuts.com.

Grayson apologizes for 'whore' remark

Orlando Democrat Alan Grayson has once again issued an apology for some of his remarks. (Last time he apologized for invoking the Holocaust during a health care speech)

“I offer my sincere apology to Linda Robertson, an adviser to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.  I did not intend to use a term that is often, and correctly, seen as disrespectful of women. This characterization of Ms. Robertson, made during a radio interview last month in the context of the debate over whether the Federal Reserve should be independently audited, was inappropriate, and I apologize.” 

Grayson's 'K Street whore' quip draws fire

It's a new week. Time for another wild statement from Rep. Alan Grayson.

Exhibit 107 in the Grayson file is a radio interview in which he refers to a female aide to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke as a "K Street whore." The remark has brought recriminations from Democrats and Republicans. “Is this news to you that this guy’s one fry short of a Happy Meal?” Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., told Politico.

The interview is a month old but, as Grayson is keenly aware, the new media world he has embraced means nothing goes away for good. This morning, Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer issued a statement condemning the Orlando Democrat.

“In such a place as Congress, you’d like to believe that our representatives take their jobs seriously and act with both integrity and honor," Greer said. "There is neither integrity nor honor in Grayson’s remarks or in his actions. I am appalled and embarrassed that he misrepresents his constituents this way, and I can tell you, the people of Florida will not soon forget his words.”

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Obama, Fla Dems face tough climate in 2010

Last time President Barack Obama visited America's biggest battleground state, our unemployment rate was nearly two points lower and his approval rating in Florida nearly 20 points higher. It was February, and he was in Fort Myers touting the $787 billion stimulus package.

Today as he visits a new solar energy plant southeast of Tampa, the political climate is a lot chillier. Unemployment has risen, anxious seniors have spent months fretting about the health care debate and independent voters have increasingly soured on the president.

It could all add up to problems for Democrats in the midterm elections.

"I always worry during the off-year elections. Turnout will be half what it was in the presidential," said Democratic consultant Jim Kitchens, noting that Republicans tend to have a significant turnout advantage in non-presidential years. "I also think you've got the Republican base fired up against the administration. ... Any Democrat in a congressional district where there's a Republican opponent I think is in danger, even a no-name Republican."

(Story here)

Chris Matthews calls Grayson 'Captain Cojones'

Did Alan Grayson go too far this time?

There he was on C-SPAN again, a big poster board at his side. Was U.S. Alan Grayson giving an encore presentation of his "die quickly" health care speech? Alas, no.

But the poster did point to a new Web site, namesofthedead.com, and the Orlando Democrat urged people who have lost loved one due to inadequate health care to visit and leave their names as a remembrance and call for Congressional action.

Republicans cried foul Wednesday because the site has a link to Grayson's campaign Web site, suggesting he broke House ethics rules barring the mix of official business with campaigning.

Will McBride looking at challenging Alan Grayson

Will McBride, a well connected trial lawyer who challenged Katherine Harris for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in 2006, said he's taking a serious look at challenging Alan Grayson for congress after receiving calls of encouragement from Republicans in Florida and nationally. A trial lawyer and a Hispanic, McBride said he's discussed it with Dan Webster and Rich Crotty - both of whom decided against running - and he will fly around the state tomorrow discussiing the prospect with key Republicans and should have a decision by early next week.

McBride sounded undaunted by a 28-year-old Republican talking about running: "I don't know that he has ties to this area. I haven't hheard anyting positive or negative about him, other than he just moved up from South Florida and wants to run."

 

Democrat Alan Grayson turns on his own party

Rep. Alan Grayson spent the past few weeks attacking Republicans over health care and now he's going after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Grayson, through his re-election campaign, has started an online petition "demanding he pass real health care reform now!"

The petition accuses Reid, D-Nevada, of trying to placate Republican Sen. Olympia Snow, the lone Republican to vote for the Finance Committee bill. "Olympia Snowe was not elected President last year. Olympia Snowe has no veto power in the Senate. Olympia Snowe represents a state with one half of one percent of America's population."

On Wednesday, Grayson delivered about 90,000 petitions to Reid's office, a bold move but one that delighted advocates of a public option and liberal bloggers. Best headline was on Daily Kos: Alan Grayson Sticks a Pitchfork In Harry Reid's A--.