Florida Special Election for Congress

The very fact that Alex Sink came this close to winning in a Republican district in a special election should have the Republicans wondering what happened.  Instead yesterday I kept getting email from some Democrat groups all upset they didn't raise/spend enough money.  That wasn't the problem.   Neither was Obamacare.  If you want to point one finger, you look at ground game -- it is hard to flip a seat in a special election but more important then all the ads the Dems wanted to counter was the ground game -- the on one one -- getting people to turn out for a special election.   Personally think the margin being so thin bodes well for Democrats in 2014 but what do I know -- the media has spoken and anyone who has been around campaigns knows nothing as they parrot Republican talking point papers.   Now I am wonder if the media is lazy or stupid and not sure which yet but they are doing the American people a disservice with their shoddy reporting.

This snippet from the article at Politicususa says it all:

The media looked at a Democrat losing by two points in a district where Republicans have a built in 11 point advantage, and concluded that this was a devastating loss for Obamacare. The only way that anyone could reach such a conclusion is if they didn’t bother to look at the numbers, and instead repeated the Republican spin. A majority of voters in the district (50%-48%) said that Jolley’s hard line repeal position caused them to have serious doubts about him. 

David Jolley won even though his position on Obamacare was unpopular with voters.
The message for Democrats is that they need to do a better job with voter outreach in the district. DCCC Chairman Rep. Steve Israel is already encouraging Sink to run against Jolley again in November. Jolley only won the seat for the duration of the late Bill Young’s term. He will have to run for reelection this fall. Democrats suspect that the high profile Charlie Crist/Rick Scott gubernatorial contest will bring their voters out to the polls.
The reason lesson in FL-13 is that Republicans are gambling on the wrong strategy of running against Obamacare. The GOP can still only win elections in places where they have a clear registration advantage. As long as the electorate stays white and old, Republicans can win. If Florida Democrats turn out to vote this November, Rick Scott will be defeated, and Alex Sink will be elected to the House. 

Analysis of the Florida special election has been bungled so badly because many lazy media outlet would prefer to pass off Republican talking points as fact than do their own work. The media are absolutely wrong about why Alex Sink lost, but this is for the course for corporate media that wear their Republican bias on their sleeves. 

Read more at Politicususa

With the Crist/Scott race for Governor turnout is going to be much higher and agree chances of Sink wining are high.  She has already been campaigning in the district and now needs to double down and get a real ground game going.  Democrats need to quit worrying about if they are being outspent and concentrating getting people out to vote.  People get turned off by ads so do a few good ones to counter but don't run ad for ad.  The seat is winnable for the Democrats if they play it right and #1 issue is to quit worrying about is the 2016 election and Hillary Clinton.  Concentrate only on 2014 and any donors looking ahead to 2016 need their heads examined -- plenty of time for that.  Looking at it from the outside, it seems the split that happened in 2008 is still in the Democrat Party in some areas.  Time to set it aside and stop the grandstanding from the Clinton camp.

Gov Rick Scott (R-FL) Email: Promises Made -- Promises Kept

We would like to tell Governor Rick Scott:  "Job Well Done!"   Most politicians make campaign promises during the heat of the campaign and the minute they take office they are put on the back burner.  Not Governor Scott as he hit the ground running and has never stopped.

Floridians can be extremely happy they elected Rick Scott because if they had elected Alex Sink instead of property tax reductions, they would have been looking at higher taxes to balance the budget.  No way would she be cutting state agencies or anything else as her plan was to increase taxes and grow services from the Government.

It shows what can happen when you elect a businessman to be the Governor instead of a career politician.   This gives us hope that Florida is going to return to Red State American in 2012 with no more votes in Central Florida by Mickey, Minnie, and the gang even though we love the characters.

Dear xxxxxx, I promised to get Florida back to work and turn our state around by cutting taxes, holding government accountable, reducing spending and expanding educational opportunities. Today with the help of the Legislature, I am proud to say that we are on our way to creating 700,000 new jobs for Florida. Under my leadership, we closed a more than $3 billion deficit and balanced the budget, while slashing overall spending by over $2 billion. We began reducing government spending by requiring government workers to contribute directly towards their own retirement, saving taxpayers over $1 billion. We will continue to reorganize government functions, reform the regulatory and rule-making processes, and optimize state agencies to focus on job growth and economic development. In addition, we expanded educational opportunities with passage of virtual education legislation and the expansion of charter schools. There will be more school choices for parents than ever before. I also signed the Student Success Act which rewards the best teachers through a merit pay system while eliminating tenure, allowing under-performing teachers to be more easily replaced. Most important, I kept my promise to reduce property taxes. With the Legislature's help, we will reduce the property tax burden on Florida taxpayers by $210 million. And we began phasing out the business income tax. Almost half of Florida's small businesses will no longer be burdened with this tax. It is through these reforms we are holding the government accountable to the most important person in the state, the taxpayer. With your continued support I will fight to make government more efficient and ensure a brighter future for Florida. Be sure to share our accomplishments here in Florida with your friends and family by encouraging them to check out my website or by sharing my page on Facebook. Regards, Governor Rick Scott

Get Out The Vote -- Rick Scott Republican Candidate for Florida Governor

Rick's Scott's last TV Ad of the campaign -- Let's Get to Work!





On November 2nd, Floridians can send a message to Red State America -- 'We are Back!'   By electing Rick Scott as the new Florida Governor, Florida will be put on a path to more jobs, less taxes and government which was the path started by Jeb Bush that the pretend Conservative Republican Charlie Crist interrupted.  Time to take back the Governor's Office from now 'No Party' Crist who supports Obama policies which right there says he is no Conservative Republican.   No wonder Florida turned blue for Obama with Crist as the Governor.  Crist wasted no time embracing Obama and his Agenda for Florida which failed.   Now it is time to put Rick Scott who is a 'real' Conservative Republican with a plan in office to clean up the mess left by the Obama supporter Crist and the Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.

Rubio Continues to Hold an 11-point lead in FL; Ohio Going Red; OK Still VERY Red

One reason we chose Ohio and Florida to show the Rasmussen polling results for Governor and US Senate seats is that both went unexpectedly for Obama in 2008. These results are beginning to show the Obama win was an anomoly in both states in 2008 as people bought into 'Hope and Change' and have since discovered that the Obama 'Hope and Change' is not even close to what they wanted.  We also chose to highlight Oklahoma where voters went overwhelmingly against Obama with giving him only 34% of the vote.

Time to return Common Sense Conservatives to control of the Congress and to the Governor's Offices. These six Conservative Republicans have always walked the walk as conservatives and have not changed their conservative core values to get votes on November 2nd like the Dems have been doing.

Perfect example is Obama Supporter and liberal Democrat Jari Askins running for Oklahoma Governor putting up an ad that touts she is a 'conservative.' Give us a break! Oklahoma voters are on to Askins ploy as last Friday's Rasmussen report shows Mary Fallin picking up 60% support, while Askins, the state’s current lieutenant governor, earns 34% of the vote same amount as Obama in 2008. Between now and November 2nd we expect to see more ads now out of Governor's candidates like the one from Askins declaring they are 'really' a conservative.

One race the Democrat is having a hard time getting support is the Oklahoma US Senate seat where we are returning Dr. Tom Coburn to the US Senate seat to continue to fight Obamacare, pork, and earmarks for starters. Results from the Rasmussen Poll on 27 Sep show Coburn picking up 68% of the vote, while Rogers, who has run for the seat twice previously, earns 26% support. Rogers doesn't even get the 34% of the vote Obama got here in the State in 2008. Believe you can put the US Senate seat safely in the GOP category with zero hesitation.

Dems will say anything to win but voters have wised up since 2006 and 2008 when House Democrat candidates won on their mantra that they were really conservative, but the truth came out when they got to Congress as they voted liberal with Pelosi when she cracked her whip and only voted with the GOP when she said it was okay. In 2008, the Pelosi whip was cracked more as some Democrat Representatives who were moderate all of a sudden had liberal voting records. When Obama won along with the Dems picking up so many seats, Pelosi cracked that whip even more ramming bills without reading them through the House giving rewards to Dems for their votes or cutting them off at the knees if they went against her.

Only a few House Democrats didn't care what she said and voted the way their constituents wanted but even then they ALL voted for Pelosi for Speaker.   That is something voters need to remember.

These results from Florida, Ohio, and Oklahoma are good news but we need to keep pushing for wins until the polls close all across America on November 2nd.

Election 2010: Florida Senate

Florida Senate: Rubio (R) Holds Steady Lead Over Crist (I)

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Republican Marco Rubio continues to hold an 11-point lead over independent candidate Charlie Crist in Florida’s race for the U.S. Senate.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Florida finds Rubio with 41% support, while Crist, the state’s current governor, picks up 30% of the vote. Democrat Kendrick Meek comes in third with 21%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided.

Source: Rasmussen

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Election 2010: Florida Governor
Florida Governor: Scott (R) Pulls Slightly Ahead of Sink (D)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Republican businessman Rick Scott has moved to a six-point edge over Democrat Alex Sink and has hit the 50% support mark for the first time in Florida’s gubernatorial race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Scott with 50% of the vote, while Sink, the state's chief financial officer, earns 44% support when leaners are included. Six percent (6%) of voters prefer some other candidate in the race.

Source: Rasmussen Report

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Election 2010: Ohio Governor

Ohio Governor: Kasich (R) Keeps Lead Over Strickland (D)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 Email to a Friend ShareThis.Advertisement
Republican John Kasich now holds an eight-point lead over Democratic incumbent Ted Strickland in Ohio’s gubernatorial race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Kasich picking up 50% of the vote, while Strickland draws support from 42% with leaners are included Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided.

Source: Rasmussen Report

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Election 2010: Ohio Senate

Ohio Senate: Portman (R) Pushes Past 50%

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Republican Rob Portman now crosses the 50% mark for the first time in Ohio’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Buckeye State shows Portman with 51% support versus Democratic Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher’s 42% when leaners are included. One percent (1%) prefer some other candidate, and six percent (6%) remain undecided.

Source: Ohio Senate Race

August 24th: Republican Primary Day in Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Vermont, and Oklahoma Run-off

ALASKA:

Senate: Key race to watch where Lisa Murkowski is being challenged by Joe Miller, Tea Party candidate, in the primary. Maybe we have our heads buried but we don't see Lisa Murkowski losing. When it comes to the big votes, she is always standing with Republicans not going off on her own like the New England Republicans. She is an expert when it comes to oil and gas which is the lifeblood of Alaska.

Governor: The Anchorage Daily has endorsed Bill Walker over current Governor Sean Parnell in a close call.

What Alaska needs in the governor's office in the next four years is, above all, a leader who wants to put the state in command of its own future.

Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/08/21/1419448/governors-race-republicans-in.html#ixzz0xRmUXPOT
_________

ARIZONA

Senate: We expect Senator John McCain to win the nomination in a runaway as voters in Arizona have woken up to the fact the Hayworth was voted out of the House for a reason.

Governor: Current Governor Jan Brewer will win hands down.
_________

FLORIDA

Senate: Marco Rubio will become the official Republican candidate with challenges from NO Party Crist and we suspect the Democrat Meeks after Clinton was in Florida campaigning for him.

Governor: One nasty race in Florida with current Governor Bill McCollum against Rick Scott, a businessman. The nastiest has led the Democrat to take an early lead but that will change when Florida finally gets the primary behind and unites behind the Governor's candidate. McCollum wouldn't be in trouble if he had ran a better campaign but his covering for Charlie Crist has hurt plus his extremely negative ads. We will put this one too close to call and state the winner and loser need to get together to defeat the most liberal woman in Florida Alex Sink who is running on the Democrat side.

VERMONT

Senator: Len Britton

Governor: Brian Dubie, current Lt Governor

OKLAHOMA

Tomorrow is run-off day in Oklahoma with the most heated race coming in the 5th District which is the seat Mary Fallin is leaving to run for Governor. We expect Lankford to pull out the win as Kevin Calvey has run one of the nastiest campaigns we have seen but not shocking when you consider who is running his race. Calvey using his National Guard service as a JAG officer like he was active duty 24/7 military turned a lot of people off in this race. Club for Growth made a huge mistake in getting involved in this race and should have stayed neutral. Whoever recommended that they send money to Calvey, didn't know who they supported. Calvey is an opportunist. Unless something changes we expect Lankford to win tomorrow as he won the primary. Next time Mr. Calvey runs, he should think twice about going after someone's religious affiliation. When you misquote the Edmond Sun newspaper like Calvey and then refuse to go on TV because one of the anchors has endorsed his opponent, you have real problems. If we lived in the 5th District, we would be voting for Lankford.

The final fundraising numbers for the weekend are in according to the McCarville Report which are telling:

UPDATE: James Lankford reported $41,800 in new donations through Sunday, bringing his 4-day total to almost $87,000. Kevin Calvey reported $4,800, bringing his total for the period to $20,400.

We would bet the voters of the 5th District are going to give the nod to political newcomer James Lankford.

2nd District: Charles Thompson and Daniel Edmonds -- from various reports we have read, we would expect Daniel Edmonds, another political newcomer, to win this race to face Democrat Dan Boren on November 2nd.

Insurance Commissioner: John Doak should win by a landslide.

This is a quick look at tomorrow's primaries.

Crist cashing in on flip-flops

We wondered how low Charlie Crist would go since it has become obvious that he has no core values and now we are finding out. No self respecting conservative would ever reach out to trial attorneys. What makes them think if elected, Crist won't turn on them like he has everyone else.

Crist is probably the worst example of a politician that I can remember, and there have been some bad ones but this is the first I have seen a candidate toss out everything they stood for in the last 20 years and do a total 180. It is not like Specter who was a Democrat before he became a Republican and then went back Democrat. Crist had always been a Republican.

Tells us that the Gallagher supporters, I was one, were right about Crist in 2006, but Crist snowed the conservatives and ruthlessly attacked Gallagher so he won the nomination and the Governor's office. We could not get conservative websites to understand that Crist held no core values and was just saying what they wanted to hear. Those same sites have turned on him this time. Too many sites endorse candidates without looking at their background just because candidates say they say they are conservative.

Club for Growth investigates their candidates before giving support which is why their record is so good this time.

Email today from the Rubio campaign:

Sharon,

Just how much is Charlie Crist willing to do and say to get elected? We are continually shocked to see that Charlie will stop at nothing to ensure that Marco Rubio is not the next U.S. Senator from Florida, because for them this is an "Anybody but Rubio" campaign.

Yesterday's headline in the St. Petersburg Times highlights Charlie's desperate attempts to just win: "Trial lawyers, union and Democratic loyalists are helping to fund Crist in U.S. Senate race." "A governor who once courted conservatives by calling himself a ‘Jeb Bush Republican’ is getting help from liberal trial lawyers, union activists and even elected Democrats, who are shunning their party's Senate hopefuls, wealthy Palm Beach businessman Jeff Greene and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami.”

After one fundraiser in Sarasota, the local newspaper wrote:

“Trial attorneys out in force for Crist … If you needed an attorney, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s fundraiser on Siesta Key earlier this week would have been a good place to start. It seemed every attorney in the region that has an ad on a taxi, phonebook or on television was milling around the first big Crist fundraiser in the region since he changed his party registration to run as an independent.”

As Charlie Crist has transparently “shifted to the left on some issues,” he is cashing in with large fundraisers hosted by Democrat special interests. Why are they opening up their wallets and giving big bucks? Because they are desperate to support any candidate who will go to Washington and be a “yes” vote for President Obama’s liberal agenda. These special interests want to keep piling up debt on future generations of Americans, implement a costly cap-and-trade national energy tax and fight reforms that will end frivolous lawsuits.

We must continue to stand together. We need your support, especially now, to ensure that Washington doesn't remain on this same path. The quarter is winding down which means that once again, we are asking for your financial support. This is another important opportunity to show Charlie what this election is really about - the need for true leadership, a return to conservative, American values, and a better future for our children.

Proud to stand,

Team Rubio

Marco Rubio Addresses The Florida VFW, June 17, 2010

Jeb Bush Endorses Marco Rubio at Reagan Day Dinner in Pasco County!

This election on November 2, 2010, is going to be huge for this Nation and our children and grandchildren's futures -- Jeb Bush is absolutely correct. Jeb Bush as Governor is what all residents of states should expect out of their Governor -- he has set the bar high for future Florida Governors and current NO PARTY (NP) Governor X has not come close to Jeb's outstanding performance as Governor. Jeb always put the people of Florida first while NP X puts himself first.

When I put my Marco Rubio bumperstrip on my car this week, I figured I was going to be asked why I had that on my car as I drove around Oklahoma. I pulled into the grocery parking lot this morning and the first person that commented wanted to know where they could get a bumperstrip for Rubio as "Rubio has to beat that lowlife Obama lover Crist" -- that is from an Oklahoman so I cannot fathom what Florida Republicans are saying about their NP Governor. I just laughed and told him where to go on line to get one. Several people commented they loved the Rubio bumperstrip, and he is going to win as they have family in Florida all supporting Rubio.

It hit me talking to these people that the American people are getting scared about what they are seeing from this Administration and Democrat Congress. They want to support candidates like Marco Rubio from Florida because he is a conservative with principles. Our two Senators Inhofe and Coburn need help to fight the waste and runaway spending of the Democrats. Right now we have not heard of anyone running against Sen Coburn so it is not going to be a major player and probably little money from the Democrats in the race. Soros millions couldn't defeat Sen Inhofe in 2008.

That leaves Oklahomans looking at other Senate seats like Rubio in Florida, Toomey in Pennsylvania, Portman in Ohio, Coats in Indiana, and Kirk in Illinois who are all newcomers to the Senate races. One thing we can all do from other states is to donate to these candidates -- $15, $20 or more every month can make a difference if enough of us donate. We can elect the people we need to stop the runaway spending of the Democrats and send reinforcements to the Republican Senators who have been putting up such a good fight.

Having Jeb Bush give this type of endorsement has to be one of the highlights of any campaign. We believe that Marco Rubio will make us all proud as a United States Senator from the Great State of Florida.

May 20, 2010

Dear Sharon,

Recently, I had the opportunity to campaign with Marco Rubio at the Pasco County Reagan Day Dinner. It was great to see a room so full of energy and excitement about the Republican resurgence we’re seeing today. And Marco Rubio’s message embodies that excitement, as he is a man who is so passionate about his foundational beliefs.

For those of you who couldn’t join us in Pasco, watch the event here



I have spent a lifetime in the Republican Party and had the honor of serving as Florida's Governor for eight years. I can tell you one thing that must always come first to succeed as a leader and as a party, and that is we must put our principles first and put our big, bold ideas on the table.

Today, with our country facing a crossroads, we must elect leaders like Marco Rubio. Stand with me today to help elect Marco Rubio.

Washington is broken and Marco Rubio is the only candidate in this race that I trust to help fix it. He is a bright, passionate and principled leader who approaches public service with a servant's heart and a reformer’s detail for policy. Reforming Washington will not be easy and will require leaders who stay true to their principles even when the odds are stacked against them. The last thing the Senate needs is another politician who has to take a poll to make a decision.
With Marco, what you see is what you get. You can trust him to look you in the eye and tell you where he stands. And most of all, you can trust that his principles will not change every time the political winds shift direction.

This White House and this Congress are taking our nation in the wrong direction. I hope all Floridians will ask themselves whether they want their next Senator to be a rubber stamp for the Obama agenda or to stand up to it and offer a clear, conservative alternative. I want to elect people who aren’t just against things but are for changing what is wrong with the current system so that our children and grandchildren have a fighting chance to be able to pursue their dreams as we have.

I urge you to support candidates who are conservative, bold and courageous.

Marco Rubio is that bold, courageous candidate and we need to do all we can to support him. Join me today and do what you can to support Marco’s campaign.

Donate what you can. Forward this email to your friends and ask them to join us or share this with your networks.

Together, we can take our country back by restoring conservative principles and limited government.

Proud to stand,

Jeb Bush

The Crist Implosion -- More Info on Possible Indy Run

Now we are learning that Crist didn't return NRSC Chair Cornyn's call. That takes nerve after Cornyn went out on a limb for Crist at the beginning but we are not surprised because Crist is so arrogant.

If Crist runs as an Indy, you can expect the NRSC will be all over that race for Rubio along with a lot of Republican activists who have had it with the arrogant Crist.

The Crist Implosion
The Wall Street Journal
04-20-10
KIM STRASSEL

An independent run for Charlie Crist looks better on paper than it does in reality.
Would Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in fact be politically smarter simply to drop out of the Senate race?

Mr. Crist yesterday acknowledged to reporters that he has been "certainly listening" to those who argue he should quit the GOP primary against Marco Rubio and run in the fall as an independent. His admission came after the National Republican Senatorial Committee issued a memo saying there's "zero chance" Mr. Crist would remain in the primary. The memo, which urged Mr. Crist to drop out of the race completely, was released publicly after Mr. Crist reportedly didn't return a call to receive the same message privately from Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who heads the NRSC.

Mr. Crist is struggling to navigate what could potentially be a devastating end to his political career. He's 20 points down against Mr. Rubio. Last week he vetoed a popular education bill as a favor to the state teachers union, repudiating a decade-long GOP effort to bring accountability to the state's schools. With senior Republican supporters abandoning him in droves, Mr. Crist is clearly tempted by a Quinnipiac poll showing he might still win a three-way Senate race as an independent.

Excerpt: Read more at online.wsj.com

Marco Rubio to Receive Major Endorsement 04/05 -- Rubio's Speech to CPAC, Feb 17, 2010

Marco Rubio, candidate for Senate from Florida, will be receiving a major endorsement on Monday, 5 April, at 10:30 in the morning at the Renaissance Hotel in Miami.

Today, we posted Rubio's CPAC speech which details his life and that the American Dream is still alive and well. What an uplifting speech to watch on this Easter weekend.