RattlerGator Blog

Stopped Cold by the Death of Dean Barnett

It isn't simply his death; it's a culmination of personal things crashing in on a week that always promised to be hectic as all get-out (Florida A&M trying to pull of a huge Homecoming week simultaneously as they try and pull off a huge week of Inauguration festivities surrounding the installation of their 10th President). Definitely a form of madness when your worker bee's are already maxed out but there were certainly extenuating circumstances making this weekend the best choice. But the death of Dean Barnett has genuinely stopped me cold. Funeral services are today at 1 p.m. in Massachusetts and The Weekly Standard has many reflections. Wretchard did a nice piece, so did Hugh Hewitt, and I'm sure many others have as well.

I had hoped to pitch an idea to Pajamas Media that would take me to Orange Park on Friday. This is my hometown, a suburb of Jacksonville, and the place that threw a parade for John McCain when he returned home after being a prisoner of war in Vietnam. The Orange Park High Class of 1978 has a 30-Year reunion this weekend (it's Homecoming at Orange Park High, too) and my younger brother was their Class President way back when. I may have mentioned before that I was Senior Class Prez in 1977 and my older brother held the same title in 1974. At a school that was the largest in North Florida and had to be 95% white at the time.

As a family, we love the town and the school. I thought it might be interesting to crash one of their informal get-togethers and see if anyone wanted to discuss McCain and Obama or (as I suspect) people are tired of the whole damn thing and ready for it to be over whatever the outcome. If so, it would still be worthwhile to catch up on old friends from long ago, watch an Orange Park High game for the first time in years, and visit with all kinds of OPHS Raiders as we beat the hell out of those boys from the Beach, Ponte Vedra High.

Of course, Florida-Georgia is also in-town this weekend and it would also have been interesting as hell to get over there on Saturday and talk football or politics (or both!) out around the stadium.

While in this stopped cold period, however, I've been thinking of my past and present while wondering about my future. There are color-coded parallels (stay in Tallahassee, or head over to Jax?) at play that I have to sort through. There may even be a temporary escape to South Florida. Tonight, however, a major production will be held on campus that wifey is responsible for. Until that is completed, the world stands still. I'm not ignoring my eMail or this blog but I am thinking about "First Things" in more ways than one.

God bless you, Dean Barnett.

Robert Wexler in Deep Trouble Down in Florida Congressional District 19

Don't look now but one of the many presumed safe seats among Florida Democrats may not be safe after all. Robert Wexler, he of the I don't need no stinkin' residence in my Florida district infamy, appears to be caught up in a money laundering scandal. Gateway Pundit posted this situation recently and noted that Wexler runs the Barack Obama Florida campaign. Hmmmmm. Apparently, a website has been set up to disseminate the real deal on this situation involving the Congressman.

So, Wexler's clearly in deep trouble, right? You decide for yourself; he's running against Edward Lynch and some other Democrat.

Here, in part, are the current findings:

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The FACTS are as follows:

From July 23rd through July 30th Wexler's Congressional Committee revised 25 Federal Election Commission (FEC) Reports dating back to early 2001. All the reports removed the firm Newbridge Securities as the corporation from which funds were received to one of several other companies including; West Park Capital, Inc., Capital Gains Consultants, Inc., Catamount Capital Management, and Capital Gains Real Estate Consultants, Inc. among others. Several of these companies had been out of business when the reports listed that the stated funds had been paid. On July 25^th, 2008, two days after Wexler’s Congressional Committee began amending FEC reports, Newbridge Securities and it’s Owners were brought up on charges before the Securities and Exchange Commission on an  Order Instituting Public Administrative and Cease-and-Desist Proceedings for a pattern of securities violations over many years.

It is clear that Robert Wexler removed Newbridge Securities from his Federal Election Commission financial reports. It is not clear why he was doing this nor is it clear why he would replace Newbridge Securities with companies that were no longer in business. It is also a fact that he was receiving large sums of dividends and/or capital gains from either Newbridge Securities or these other companies.  

You may ask yourself whether or not there is a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why RWCC decided to remove Newbridge Securities from every single FEC financial report that they were mentioned in. We believe Congressman  Wexler has committed several FEC violations as well as having laundered money through his congressional committee by misleading and diverting the actual source of funds that his committee received, which is the definition of money laundering.

The Robert Wexler for Congress Committee also lent two of the principals from Capital Gains Real Estate Consultants $300,000 through two separate mortgages.  Both of the mortgages were satisfied, one of which was satisfied days after the residency scandal and several months after the house was foreclosed on. This recently satisfied mortgage was held in a secondary position and therefore should not have been satisfied prior to the primary mortgage due to the foreclosure proceedings. The person signing the satisfaction of these mortgages is a congressional staffer and owner of the investment company Capital Gains Consultants listed above.  One of the satisfactions was witnessed by Thomas Plante, Robert Wexler’s campaign consultant from his initial bid for Congress in 1996.  Thomas Plante also lent these two people $140,000 in return for an interest free mortgage on the property. We have been unable to find any mention of these mortgages on any of RWCC's FEC disclosure reports.

In addition, in 1999 and 2000, the Robert Wexler for Congress Committee invested with a company called Joseph Charles & Associates that lost anywhere between $85,000 and $185,000.  The actual amount of the loss is unknown as the year end total listed in Wexler's FEC report for this company differs from the quarterly totals and then further differs from the RWCC's tax return.  What is undeniable is the fact that this company lost a lot of money for the campaign.

The Robert Wexler for Congress Committee also received large sums of money, perhaps in the form of dividends or capital gains from a company called, Cohen and Cramer since 2000.  This company was sold and changed its name and business address in 2005 yet the FEC reports continue to list Cohen and Cramer as a source of funds in recent financial reports.

Why did Robert Wexler remove Newbridge Securities from all of those reports?  Was it because of all of its SEC violations?  Was it because this company was associated with stock deals that were questioned by the SEC and NASD?  Was it because he gave $300,000 in mortgages from his campaign account to relatives of the principals of the company without disclosing the transaction in his financial statements?  Was it for some other reason?  We do not know the answers.  What we do know is that there is something not right with changing all of those reports.  We do know that failing to accurately disclose the source or destination of large sums of money is known as money laundering.  We do know that this is quite a large organized group of companies and individuals. 

We also know that Robert Wexler had previously invested in a company in 2000 and received large contributions from that company that was run by Anthony D’Amato, who is now serving time in a federal prison for stock fraud schemes.  That company was Eagle Technologies.

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They then present a graphic outlining the web of connections looping back to Wexler. Pretty compelling stuff; we'll have to wait and see how the Wexler campaign responds to this and what the ends gonna be but it sure raises some serious questions.

Money laundering, basically concealing the origin of funds obtained illegally and engaging in a process designed to make the funds look legitimate, is a very serious charge.

Press Release on the Big Sugar - State of Florida Agreement

This is from the South Florida Water Management District:

Governor Crist Unveils Momentous Strategy to
Save America’s Everglades, Preserve National Treasure

~Water managers to negotiate buy-out of U.S. Sugar Corporation;
Massive environmental acquisition to provide “missing link” for reconnecting Lake Okeechobee
and the Everglades and reviving fabled River of Grass~

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Governor Charlie Crist today stood at the edge of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, joined by Florida’s top elected leaders, the United States Sugar Corporation and a host of environmental advocates, to unveil a momentous strategy that could bring about one of the largest environmental land acquisitions in the nation’s history and provide “missing link” needed to protect Florida’s coastal estuaries and better revive, restore and preserve one of America’s greatest natural treasures – the Everglades. The announcement kicks off the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate, which begins tomorrow in Miami.

“Sixty years ago, President Harry Truman came to South Florida to dedicate Everglades National Park. Today, we follow in the great footsteps – and in the tradition of the great conservationist President Teddy Roosevelt. We continue their legacy of permanent preservation of the one of the most unique landscapes of our country – and on the planet,” said Governor Crist. “We have an opportunity to provide the critical missing link in our restoration activities. I can envision no better gift to the Everglades, or the people of Florida, or to our country than to place in public ownership this missing link that represents the key to true restoration.”

Announcing a new partnership to revive the River of Grass, Governor Crist called on the South Florida Water Management District to begin negotiating an agreement to acquire as much as 187,000 acres of agricultural land owned by the United States Sugar Corporation. The vast tracts of land would then be used to reestablish a part of the historic connection between Lake Okeechobee and the fabled River of Grass through a managed system of storage and treatment and, at the same time, safeguard the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers and estuaries.

“This is a watershed event in national conservation history, and a paradigm shift for the Everglades and the environment in Florida, one that would have been inconceivable in years past. Yet, here we are,” said Robert Buker, president and CEO of United States Sugar Corporation. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the District in the cooperative spirit with which we have begun, in order to make the dream represented by the Statement of Principles that we sign here today a reality for Florida tomorrow.”

The proposed agreement between the South Florida Water Management District and the United States Sugar Corporation involves the public purchase of nearly 300 square miles spanning four counties in South Florida – a land mass as large as New York City. The District will also take ownership of the company’s assets, including 200 miles of railroad, a state-of-the-art sugar mill, sugar refinery and citrus processing plant. Subject to independent appraisals and approval by the District’s Governing Board, water managers will invest $1.75 billion in cash and certificates of participation to finance the acquisition.

“America’s River of Grass sustains life for so much and so many. Today it receives its lifeline,” said Everglades Foundation Vice Chairperson Mary Barley. “A restored and sustained Everglades is no longer a dream. History will record this action as the point that brought it within our reach.”

Acquiring the enormous expanse of real estate offers water managers the opportunity and flexibility to store and clean water on a scale never before contemplated. Water managers expect that dedicating significantly more land in the Everglades Agricultural Area to restoration will build upon and enhance the 30-year state-federal Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the State of Florida’s Northern Everglades program to restore and protect Lake Okeechobee, the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers and their respective estuaries.

Benefits from the land acquisition will allow for the following:

• · Huge increases in the availability of water storage, significantly reducing the potential for harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee to Florida’s coastal rivers and estuaries when lake levels are high.
• · The ability to deliver cleaner water to the Everglades during dry times and greater water storage to protect the natural system during wet years.
• · Preventing thousands of tons of phosphorus from entering the Everglades every year.
• · Forever eliminating the need for “back-pumping” water into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area to augment the water supply needs. The District’s Governing Board this year voted not to back-pump into the lake during the ongoing water shortage to protect water quality.
• · Additional water storage alternatives, relieving some pressures on the Herbert Hoover Dike while the federal government undertakes repairs.
• · Sustainability of agriculture and green energy production.

“The significance of this moment will forever be recorded in Florida’s environmental history,” said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Vice Chair Shannon Estenoz. “Today, we offer the Everglades restoration opportunities once thought impossible; environmental progress once considered unachievable; and protections just a decade ago believed unattainable. History will mark today as a watershed event for restoring our beloved national treasure – the Everglades – and generations will thank the Governor for his leadership in making it happen.”

To mark the occasion, the Governor stood as official witness as South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Vice Chair Shannon Estenoz signed a “Statement of Principles” with United States Sugar Corporation President and CEO Robert H. Buker. The Statement of Principles provides the framework for the potential acquisition of property. Negotiations on the final agreement will take place over the coming months, with a closing on the real estate anticipated before the year’s end. As part of the proposal, United States Sugar Corporation will continue to farm and manage the land consistent with its previous business practices for the next six years. Construction of any new water treatment and storage projects on the agricultural land would likely begin following the six-year transition period.

As the agreement is finalized, the Governor directed the District to work closely with interest groups, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Legislature, United States Congress and federal agencies on the future use of the land and any effects to the planning, design and construction of Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan or Northern Everglades projects. The Governor also called upon the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development and the Agency for Workforce Innovation to work with United States Sugar Corporation, local governments and area businesses on an economic transition plan for the area.

About the Everglades

America’s Everglades once covered almost 11,000 square miles of south Florida. Just a century ago, water flowed down the Kissimmee River into Lake Okeechobee, then south through the Everglades to the Florida Bay – the ultimate destination of the pure sheet flow. Because of efforts to drain the marshland for agriculture, development and flood control, the Everglades is today half the size it was a century ago.

Dubbed the River of Grass for the sawgrass that flourished throughout the marsh, the Everglades is a mosaic of freshwater ponds, prairies and forested uplands that supports a rich plant and wildlife community. Known throughout the world for its wading birds and wildlife, the Everglades is home to dozens of federally threatened and endangered species, including the Florida panther, American crocodile, snail kite and wood stork. The mix of salt and freshwater makes it the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side.

About the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate

Governor Crist’s monumental announcement kicks off the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate this week, June 25-26, 2008, at the Intercontinental Miami. Building on the foundation for Florida’s energy future that began at last year’s summit, the 2008 summit will focus on stimulating economic development in clean technologies as well as “greening” Florida’s business community. By encouraging companies to invest in our state’s energy future, Florida will transform its energy marketplace to enhance fuel diversity, lessen dependence on foreign sources of oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on restoration of America’s Everglades, visit www.myflorida.com. For information on the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, visit www.myfloridaclimate.com or www.myflorida.com.

Big Sugar Is Saying Adios to Florida!

This is huge; the Palm Beach Post is reporting that big changes are coming to the Everglades:

Officials from U.S. Sugar Corp. and the South Florida Water Management District are expected to announce a $1.7 billion deal Tuesday that would give ownership of a vast swath of the historic Everglades on sugar cane land south of Lake Okeechobee to the state.

Sources knowledgeable about the deal confirmed today that the state and the South Florida Water Management District would purchase some assets of U.S. Sugar Corp., including more than 185,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades.

Negotiations between the sugar giant, Gov. Charlie Crist's office and water management officials have been going on for about seven months, sources said.

The assumption is that U.S. Sugar will go out of business in Florida in the near future.

The cost to the state and water management district is expected to be about $1.7 billion, although the transaction will probably take place in stages over at least the next five years, sources said.

A press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Stormwater Treatment Area 1-West on County Road 880.

Crist's office declined to confirm the deal when asked today.

"We look forward to making a great announcement in the Everglades tomorrow," Crist's spokesman Erin Isaac said.

The announcement would come one day before Crist hosts his second climate-change summit in Miami. During last year's green gathering, Crist signed executive orders putting Florida on an alternative-energy footing.

In the U.S. Sugar deal, the water management district will be paying for the bulk of the purchase, sources said, using money from property tax collections, but the breakdown of the state and water district's share has not been determined.

I'm sure there will be much more on this tomorrow and in the coming days but this is big, big, big.

Billions Less, and Some Folks Still Don't Get It

In a recent online exchange (and I'll post more about that later) it became clear to me how disconnected some folks can be from the legislative process. The Florida Legislature recently closed, passing a budget of some 66+ billion dollars (House Bill 5001). This follows last years budget of some 71 billion dollars. That's a huge downward swing in available appropriations and it has caused quite a stir in state budgets, including universities. But, appropriations still come and this must act as something of a fooling assurance to some academics. The message clearly has not been received by many of them. Why? All I can figure out is this: here are some of the primary educational appropriations this year:

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[1]
Funds in Specific Appropriation 151 from the General Revenue Fund shall be allocated as follows:

University of Florida....................................... 345,417,044
Florida State University.................................... 280,174,697
Florida A&M University...................................... 104,266,822
University of South Florida................................. 210,244,225
University of South Florida, St. Petersburg................. 26,100,746
University of South Florida, Sarasota/Manatee............... 13,508,540
Florida Atlantic University................................. 159,902,071
University of West Florida.................................. 59,887,054
University of Central Florida............................... 239,860,389
Florida International University............................ 189,482,186
University of North Florida................................. 76,300,158
Florida Gulf Coast University............................... 47,327,939
New College of Florida...................................... 16,349,916

[2]
Funds in Specific Appropriation 151 from the Education and General Student and Other Fees Trust Fund shall be allocated as follows:
University of Florida....................................... 201,901,130
Florida State University.................................... 136,170,108
Florida A&M University...................................... 52,778,244
University of South Florida................................. 111,948,712
University of South Florida, St. Petersburg................. 8,042,988
University of South Florida, Sarasota/Manatee............... 4,451,197
Florida Atlantic University................................. 76,094,024
University of West Florida.................................. 28,504,036
University of Central Florida............................... 143,657,275
Florida International University............................ 127,190,299
University of North Florida................................. 47,247,624
Florida Gulf Coast University............................... 29,356,128
New College of Florida...................................... 4,461,102

[3]
SECTION 24. Pursuant to section 1010.62, Florida Statutes, and section 11(d) and (f), Art. VII of the State Constitution, the following fixed capital outlay projects may be constructed, acquired, and financed by a university or university direct support organization. Financing mechanisms include any form of approved debt or bonds authorized by the Board of Governors.

FAMU Bragg Stadium Renovation
USF Athletic District - Sun Dome
USF Athletic District
FAU Innovation Village Stadium
UF East Campus Office Building
FIU Department of Health/FIU Public Health Building

[4]
Funds are provided in Specific Appropriation 15A for the following State University System Capital Improvement Fee Projects:

UF Southwest Recreational Center Expansion................ 16,284,523
UF Reitz Union Rio Ballroom and 2nd Floor Restroom Ren.... 1,480,000
UF Campus Security System Enhancement..................... 500,000
UF Flavet Field Bandshell renovation...................... 450,000
UF Stephen C. O’Connell Weight Room renovation............ 68,000
FSU Barron Building Remodeling - Panama City............... 207,000
FSU Allan Bense Atrium Remodeling - Panama City............ 25,000
FSU Phase II Rec SportsPlex - Main......................... 3,000,000
FSU Student Success Building - Main........................ 13,000,000
FSU Repay Housing Aux Loan for Rec SportsPlex Ph1 Main..... 4,000,000
FAMU Recreation Building Phase II - Sports Fields........... 5,100,000
USF Student Wellness and Nutrition Center - Tampa.......... 14,876,702
USF Student Center - Lakeland............................... 393,264
USF Student Courtyard Enhancements - Sarasota............... 544,691
USF Rec Facilities & Program Expan Maint & Repair-St Pete... 798,198
USF Multi-Purpose Center - St. Pete......................... 580,359
FAU Campus Rec & Wellness - Phase I Advance - Boca Raton.... 4,000,000
FAU Campus Recreation & Wellness - Phase II - Boca Raton.... 4,433,359
FAU Student Union and Wellness Center Improvements - Davie.. 350,000
FAU Student Union Renovation - Jupiter...................... 75,000
FAU Renovation to Student Life Building - Treasure Coast.... 1,038,817
UWF Student Health, Counseling & Wellness Center............ 4,600,000
UWF Building 54, Athletic & Sports Booster Room............. 160,000
UWF Building 54 Renovation, Women’s Sports Area............. 400,000
UCF Recreation and Wellness Center Expansion (Indoor)....... 10,150,000
UCF Recreation and Wellness Center
(Outdoor including Lake Claire).............................. 4,000,000
UCF Health Services - Dental Clinic......................... 550,000
UCF Student Union Boardwalk Replacement..................... 500,000
UCF Foundation Statue Project............................... 50,000
UCF Career Services & Experimental Learning Center.......... 6,800,000
UCF SGA and OSI Expansion................................... 600,000
UCF Student Union Master Planning & Minor Projects.......... 347,156
FIU Exp & Ren of East Wing/Lobby, Reception, Rstrms-PharmEd. 5,000,000
FIU Biscayne Bay Impr./ Wolfe Univ. Ctr, play flds, courts. 1,500,000
FIU Graham Center Expansion................................. 703,456
FIU Stadium/Student Meeting Rooms........................... 5,500,000
UNF Student Union........................................... 500,000
UNF Campus Recr./Sports Perf. Ctr (New Const.).............. 4,500,000
FGCU Student Union Addition................................. 3,734,475
FGCU Soccer Field Improvements.............................. 400,000
FGCU South Housing recreation fields........................ 300,000
NC Hamilton Ctr (roofing, infras, st. off., cap. equip.).... 500,000
*****************************************************************

If you don't pay attention, and all you see are the numbers, I guess that may explain it. Dollars are flowing, no doubt about that. But you would expect academics to be far more capable of reasoning beyond a base level.

Florida Democrats: Busted, In Their Own Words

The continuing confusion in the Democrat Party over what to do about the Michigan and Florida delegations at their national convention remains unresolved. Posted below is an official release from the Republican Party of Florida as it related to the Great Sunshine State:

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Tallahassee - Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer today released the following statement to regarding Florida Democrats’ misleading rhetoric on the Florida primary:

“FDP Chairman Karen Thurman has recently been seen in the national media deceiving Floridians and the nation.  It’s time to set the record straight since the Democrats obviously wish to rewrite history and distort the facts.  Here are the facts:  Florida Democrats co-sponsored the bill moving the primary forward.  They voted for it unanimously.  Later, when they realized that they were disenfranchising 1.7 million Democrats by ignoring the official state primary held on January 29, they scrambled for a political strategy and couldn’t find one.

“Governor Charlie Crist demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that every vote cast by Floridians counted, by offering to allow the state to verify the signatures in order to ensure the integrity of a mail in revote, but the Democrats turned him down.  Furthermore, I as Chairman of the State Republican Party, did not oppose at any time efforts to ensure that a revote counted.

“Though it is unfortunate that Karen Thurman would say that the Governor did nothing to help, it is certainly not surprising—she and Howard Dean want Florida voters to forget that Florida Democrat leaders supported the early primary and deflect focus off of their failure to provide leadership in resolving this issue.

“It’s obvious that Karen Thurman continues to be frustrated about the facts getting in her way.  The facts are this: the Florida and National Democrat Parties have ignored voters in Florida and if they continue down this path they will disenfranchise Florida voters from the process of choosing the next President of the United States.”

Below, Democrats in their own words support the early primary regardless of the DNC's penalties:

Dan Gelber, House Democratic Leader

“Lawmakers supporting the move -- including House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, and House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach -- downplay the risk of being punished.” (Orlando Sentinel, 01/26/07)

“Rep. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, the House Democratic leader, said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean called him to say the move could have consequences…Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman also sent the House committee members a letter warning them not to push the primary any earlier than Feb. 5. ‘I don't have any constituents in the DNC,’ Gelber said. ‘I only have constituents in my district. They would like to be more relevant.’” (Sun-Sentinel, 02/09/07)

"This part of the problem is echoed by House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, who is backing Mr. Rivera's bill [to move up the Florida Primary to January 29] in part because he represents ‘a lot people who would like to be in the primary journey as more than just potential contributors.’” (Tallahassee Democrat, 02/12/07)

“‘We'd have a national cat fund right now if we had an early primary,’ state House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber said. (Tampa Tribune, 03/07/07)

House Democrats

“Supporters say the change would give Florida a stronger and earlier voice in the primary system while forcing candidates to take stands on issues that matter to Floridians, like a national catastrophe fund to help cover costs of hurricanes and other natural disasters. ‘We have a duty to the rest of the country to be in this process from the beginning,’ said Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, a Sarasota Democrat and political science professor. ‘I think our voters don't want to be left out.’” (St. Petersburg Times, 02/09/07)

“But those concerns were largely drowned out by their enthusiasm for making Florida an even bigger player on the national political stage. ‘There will be very little opposition in the entire state, I think,’ said Rep. Elaine Schwartz, D-Hollywood.” (Orlando Sentinel, 02/09/07)

Jeremy Ring, Democratic State Senator and Co-Sponsor

“‘If (DNC chairman) Howard Dean thinks the candidates are not going to campaign in Florida, he's got to be insane - not with all the Florida money at stake,’ said state Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, sponsor of the early primary bill.” (St. Petersburg Times, 04/28/07)

Mark Bubriski, Florida Democratic Party Spokesman

“Florida Democrats are all for [moving the primary up],’ Mark Bubriski, spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party, said at the time.” (The St. Petersburg Times, 10/07/07)

Karen Thurman, Florida Democratic Party Chair

“State Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman agreed. ‘I don't see any downside to it,’ she said.” (Tampa Tribune, 11/30/2006)

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Sorry, gang, but it looks as though y'all are going to have to own this situation.

I Voted For Mitt . . .

Well, John McCain has won my state primary. I voted for Mitt, and I think he's a much better Republican nominee, but I have no hatred or bad feelings about John McCain -- other than the fact that he's too old for my preferences. I still hope Mitt can pull it out but the tide seems to be flowing in McCain's direction.

At the time of this drafting, McCain had 636,548 statewide votes and Romney has 549,949. Interestingly, Hispanics/immigrants clearly made the difference along with folks linked to the North who flocked to McCain and away from a tanking Rudy Giuliani. However, all you need to do is look at the wild 50,000 vote differential McCain earned in Miami-Dade County to see the Hispanic component to this victory. McCain lost Jacksonville, Orlando was a tie, and he won the Bay Area, Palm Beach and Broward counties.

Maybe McCain does have the best chance of winning the general election. We shall see.

I still like Mitt, and still prefer him. But I will gladly vote for John McCain if he earns the nomination.

Florida Prologue to the 2008 National Elections

The partisanship is starting to kick into gear and the various machines are starting to get into their groove. Here in Florida, the Republican Party of Florida sent out this press release recently:

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The Republican Party of Florida launched a new feature on its website today, the Democrat Fundraiser tracker. The feature, which can be viewed at www.rpof.org/dem/ highlights the recent announcement by the Democrat presidential candidates that they will obey Democrat National Committee rules and boycott the state of Florida unless they are coming here to collect a campaign check.

“We think it’s important for voters across the state to know what Florida Democrats are saying about the issue," noted RPOF Chairman Jim Greer, "including Democrat Senate Leader Steven Geller’s quote, ‘When you're coming for our money, not our votes, I resent that, and I think the voters resent that … If you're too good to campaign in Florida, you're not going to use us as an ATM.’” (News-Press.com, 9/5/07; Tampa Tribune, 9/3/07).

The website illustrates the growing divide between Democrats inside the D.C. beltway and those in Florida, highlighting the intra-party fighting that continues to threaten Florida Democrats and will ultimately disenfranchise Democrat voters in the state.  It also underscores the fact that the Democrat presidential candidates have held only 44 grassroots events in Florida but have raised over $7,257,335 from Floridians.  The interactive website allows visitors to click on each candidate and learn how many grassroots events they have attended—a figure that will no longer increase given the candidates’ boycott of Florida—and contrasts those figures with the enormous amounts of money each candidate has gleaned from Floridians.  Finally, it allows visitors to see how many Florida cities held fundraising events, versus how many cities held grassroots events.  Not surprisingly, the fundraising events far outnumber the grassroots events.

“The Democrat candidates have said they won’t campaign in Florida anymore—no campaign events, no getting to know the voters in Florida and no discussing the issues that are important to our families and businesses,” concluded Chairman Greer.  “This website will educate the voters for them.”

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And check out this graphic that accompanies the fundraising tracker:

Someone did a mighty fine job putting that image together. Karen Thurman and Howard Dean . . . wow.

Yeah, the battle is going to be long and it is going to be hard. Jim Greer, state party chair, has also effectively refuted a recent hit job of a piece by Scott Maxwell in the Orlando Sentinel chastising the Republican Party for supposedly abandoning efforts to make outreach to minorities.

Here's a sample of Greer's very effective rebuttal:

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Perhaps Maxwell is unaware that Gov. Charlie Crist recently made history by attending the NAACP Annual Convention dinner -- the first time in the state conference's 64 years that a sitting governor addressed the group's convention dinner.

In a recent article in the St. Petersburg Times, "Crist Reaches Out to State NAACP," Steve Bousquet notes, "Crist's presence . . . was all the more visible because of the dearth of big-name Democrats there."

The article continues, "Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer was there with John Davis, the party's African-American outreach coordinator."

That's right: The Republican Party of Florida has created a new department solely committed to minority outreach. We are actively using it as a vehicle to get our message out, register voters and build a presence in Florida's minority communities, including African-American and Hispanic communities.

According to exit polls, Crist received 18 percent of the African-American vote in 2006. We know that if we can continue to expand our performance in the African-American community, and continue to register and turn out Hispanic voters, there is no way a Democrat carries Florida. It is just that simple.

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Roger that. We have no intention of allowing the Democrats to win back this state. Get a percentage of the African American voters in this state to free their minds and the Democrats are in deep, deep trouble. Replicate that advance around the country, and they will get the spanking they deserve.

Blog Posts from Around Florida

Stories from around Florida via the Sayfie Review Blog Ticker . This is something of a test and similar to my Africa Roundups.

   

(updated every 5 minutes)

Listing of Entries

   

       

      

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        Herald-Tribune Blog: Ranking the VP hopefuls
              

   

       

      

        Post Blog: Sledgehammer time for Hastings?
              

   

       

      

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        Times Blog: Crist signs designated driver bill
              

   

       

      

        Herald Blog: The check isn't in the mail. And other tax answers.
              

   

       

      

        Herald Blog: Businesses: Tax cut too meager
              

   

       

      

        Post Blog: Sledgehammer time for Hastings?
              

   

       

      

        Herald Blog: Tax fight pits self vs. social interests
              

   

       

      

        Herald Blog: Slavery, felons and clemency
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: A tough cut for budget ax
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: The beast called Save Our Homes
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: A tough cut for budget ax
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: The beast called Save Our Homes
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: John Edwards' Florida challenge
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: Local gov't unsure how cap works
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: John Edwards' Florida challenge
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: Local gov't unsure how cap works
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: Confused now? It will get worse
              

   

       

      

        Herald Blog: Giuliani: Be afraid
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: Confused now? It will get worse
              

   

       

      

        Herald Blog: Giuliani: Be afraid
              

   

       

      

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        Herald Blog: Crist lets another gambling bill become law
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: Garnet-and-gold gloom
              

   

       

      

        Times Blog: Let the countdown begin
              

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Proposed FAMU Approriations for FY 2007-08

In the Florida House of Representatives, here is the primary FAMU provision from their Money Bill:

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Funds in Specific Appropriation 156 include a reduction of 317 FTE and a corresponding reduction of $2,026,000 from the Florida A&M University funded enrollment plan pursuant to section 1011.90(5), Florida Statutes. The amount of $2,026,000 is restored as non-recurring support for the development of an academic advising and student tracking system; the development and implementation of programs to increase the retention and graduation rates of students; and the enhancement of the university’s recruitment plan. Florida A&M University shall submit a plan, including estimated expenditures, to improve student recruitment and retention and graduation rates to the University Board of Trustees for approval. The approved plan shall be submitted to the Board of Governors no later than July 15, 2007, for approval. The university shall submit a progress report and an accounting of expenditures for the plan to the Board of Governors prior to February 1, 2008.

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This means that the Legislature may be giving FAMU a "targeted gift" of $2,026,000 above and beyond the funding formula. These funds will be specifically appropriated to develop an adequate academic advising and student tracking system for the one student body in the State University System most open and amenable to high-risk students. The money may also be used by incoming President James Ammons toward his all-important recruiting plan.

Obviously, my preference is that FAMU simply copy (in toto) what has been implemented at U.F. There is a universal tracking system that is a core component of their impressive academic advising effort.

As for the Florida Senate, here are the FAMU provisions of interest from their Money Bill:

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[a]

FAMU University Commons Renovation (E)
...................... 1,212,500

FAMU Developmental Research School (C,E)
...................... 2,500,000

FAMU Multi-Purpose Center Teaching Gymnasium (C,E)
...................... 8,500,000

FAMU Campus Elec Upgrades/Technology/Infrastructure (P,C,E)
...................... 5,000,000

FAMU Tucker Hall Remodeling (P,C,E)
..................... 14,474,914

FAMU Gore Education Complex Remodeling (P,C)
...................... 8,301,606

FAMU Pharmacy Building Phase II (C,E)
...................... 7,500,000

[b]

SECTION 9. Pursuant to Section 1010.62, Florida Statutes, and Section 11(d) and (f), Art. VII of the State Constitution, the following fixed capital outlay projects may be constructed, acquired, and financed by a university or university direct support organization. Financing mechanisms include any form of approved debt or bonds authorized by the Board of Governors.

FAMU Bragg Stadium Renovation

FAMU Foundation Building

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As has been the case since the Republicans took over the Florida Legislature in November 1994, FAMU has fared fairly well with its appropriations. I have great faith in the incoming President, James Ammons. At long last, after a disastrously mismanaged post-Frederick Humphries era, perhaps it will be as Dr. Ammons said during his interview for the presidency of Rattler Nation -- we Floridians can turn off the porch light, our favored son has come back home.

And not a minute too soon.