Gelber tells Crist Florida 'coastline is no political chit'

The Democratic pile-on over the oil drilling debate continues, this time with House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber sending a letter to Gov Charlie Crist urging him to reverse his reversal on oil drilling. Here's the letter:

Governor Crist,

You and I have worked together on many, many issues. While we don't always agree, I have always respected you for your willingness to engage an honest debate and avoid the rank partisanship that has defined our state for too long.

So it is in that spirit that I urge you to reconsider your support of Senator McCain and President Bush's position to lift the moratorium on drilling off the shores of Florida. Although I am confident that we will disagree on who to support for President, we both should be able to agree that Florida's pristine coastline should not become just another chit in presidential politics.

Geller sues DNC alleging Voting Rights violations

Florida's history of discrimination against African Americans should force the Democratic National Party to count all of the state's delegates at its national convention, a federal lawsuit filed Thursday claims.

The suit, filed by Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller and two other Democrats in federal district court in Fort Lauderdale, claims that Section Five of the federal Voting Rights Act prohibits the national party form stripping the state of its convention delegates.

The Civil Rights-era law requires the U.S. Justice Department to approve any significant voting change in Florida to make sure it doesn't disenfranchise minority voters and, Geller argues, that includes the Democratic National Committee's demand that Florida switch "from a state-run primary to party run caucus system.''

"The purpose of this lawsuit is not to support one candidate over another; it’s to enforce one of the most basic tenets of our democracy: Count the votes as they were cast," Geller said in announcing the lawsuit.

Geller, a Cooper City lawyer, said the Democratic National Committee has repeatedly argued that the reason it is stripping Florida of its delegates is because it held its primary before the February date
authorized by the party and then refused to conduct a post-primary caucus to designate delegates.

But, Geller argues, a caucus would have replaced the vote by 1.75 million Floridians with an event that was expected to capture only about 100,000 voters at 120 polling sites.

That not only would also have disenfranchised Florida Democrats serving in U.S. military based outside Florida and would "would hardly provide a representative sample of the millions who voted or the rich diversity of the state," he argued.

Geller also argues that Florida’s attorney general, Republican Bill McCollum, would have had to seek special permission from the U.S. Justice Department called “pre-clearance” to change the method of the election in order to comply with the Voting Rights Act requirements.

"It is doubtful Florida would have received this pre-clearance in a timely fashion," he said. Download geller_lawsuit.pdf

Hillary lobbies Geller, the unattached super-delegate

Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller, who swears he's an unattached super-delegate, dashed to a must-attend meeting this afternoon with Hillary Clinton, apparently to listen to her pitch on why he should commit to him in the delegate count and not frontrunner Barack Obama.

"If Barack had asked for a private meeting, I'd have met with him too,'' Geller said, caught on this way out the door. "She IS Hillary Clinton.''

But wait a minute: What's the point? Florida's delegates have been rendered powerless, remember?

Not for long, Geller says. He's scheduled a press conference in his Fort Lauderdale law office tomorrow to announce a "significant development expected to have national impact.''

Raul Martinez to help make Dems case

Democrats have picked Democratic congressional hopeful and former Hialeah mayor Raul Martinez to help them make their case for relevancy next month in DC.

Democratic National Committee member Jon Ausman, who filed the appeal asking the national party to recognize Florida's Jan. 29 presidential primary, said he's asked Martinez, a Hillary Clinton supporter and Janee Murphy, a Barack Obama supporter from Tampa to help him make his case May 31 before the national party's rules and bylaws committee. Ausman, a onetime Dennis Kucinich supporter, is uncommitted.

The move is sure to boost Martinez's national profile as he challenges Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, for re-election. Ausman noted Martinez "has already raised a large treasury and is a very credible candidate."

More on the appeal here.

"Dollar by dollar we're chipping away at Republicans"

The Florida Democratic Party sent out a press release on Thursday night touting that the party had raised $2.17 million during the first three months of 2008, saying it was the highest total for a quarter during a presidential year on record and five times the amount raised in 2004.

"The Florida Democratic Party gets stronger every day,'' said party chairman Karen Thurman in a statement. "Dollar by dollar, seat by seat, we're chipping away at the Republican regime. There's no doubt that change is coming to Florida."

(It is worth noting, of course, that in 2004 Scott Maddox was party chairman and that at the time Democratic legislators were steering campaign contributions away from the party and into separate fundraising accounts.)

Those giving big to the Democrats include Florida's pari-mutuel industry, which in kicked at least $170,000. Millionaire Hank Asher, who was once implicated in a drug smuggling ring, gave a check of $28,500. Other donors include WellCare, Humana, Florida Power & Light, as well as insurance companies, the professional association that represents real estate agents and Florida's phosphate industry.

Economy not Miami-Dade congressional races focus of Wasserman Schultz town hall

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz  has come under fire from Democratic activists and the liberal blogosphere in recent days for saying she won't actively campaign against three Republican colleagues, but at a Davie town hall meeting Tuesday night most people had a more immediate worry: the economy.

Wasserman Schultz, a Weston Democrat and Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, have been criticized by party activists for saying they plan to sit out three congressional races where challengers Raul Martinez, Joe Garcia and Annette Taddeo hope to unseat U.S. Reps. Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros- Lehtinen.

But while most of the questions at Thursday night's town hall focused on jobs, health care and the price of gas, Wasserman Schultz did have this to say at the beginning of the meeting:

"I know there are people here that are interested in a political matter, so I will get that out of the way right at the beginning. If you have a concern about my previous comments about my staying out of the races in South Florida where candidates are challenging Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros- Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, I will tell you two things:

First off, I have not endorsed any of the three incumbents in South Florida, nor will I, and I do not support their re-election campaign. I am supportive of the Democratic candidates who are running against them. I have never said otherwise.

Second, I have a national role as one of three co-chairs of Red to Blue Program. All candidates, from Florida to Alaska, have criteria that have to be met to get on this targeted list. Let me guarantee that if they fulfill those criteria, these three Democratic Candidates will be part of our Red to Blue Program…period, end of story. We have three co-chairs in order to be able to spread the workload among us.  It makes much more sense to have someone from outside of one's own region to be able to make the hits necessary.

But at the same time I am a Congressional representative of the 20th district of Florida, and I think it is absolutely my responsibility to work with my Republican colleagues."

For more on the issue: read what DCCC executive director Brian Wolf had to say in The Huffington Post.

 

 

 

Gelber tells warns Dems to "hang together'' or be divided

Buoyed by the addition of one more Democrats to their ranks, House Democratic Chairman Dan Gelber sent out a warning to the 43 Democrats in the 120-member chamber just before they convened session that that their rising numbers make it increasingly important that they resist attempts by Republicans to divide them.
        "They will be coming to you as often as possible,'' he said. "The only reason you're important to them is because you're colleagues are not going to move. Please stay and hang tough. It's not just the numbers. The issue we're fight for are more important than ever. They are going to eviscerate things.''

Republicans swore in two new Republicans -- Reps. Chris Dorworth of Lake Mary and Matt Hudson of Naples  -- and the Democrats swore in two new Democrats, Reps. Oscar Braynon II of Miami Gardens and Tony Sasso of Cocoa Beach.

Thanks for the "vote" of confidence, Jack

Discussing Florida's delegate dilemma - whether the state should do a re-vote, whether the state's Democratic delegates will be allowed to step foot in Colorado, etc., CNN's Jack Cafferty had an solution for the state that gave the world hanging chads in 2000 and in 2008, disenfranchised delegates.

"Let's keep them in the union," Cafferty said of Florida. "But let's not let them vote at elections."

Gelber: House leaders have presided over a complete collapse

House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber wasted little time on Tuesday gloating about the apparent victory of Democrat Tony Sasso over Republican Sean Campbell and used it to urge moderate Republicans to stop following House Republican leaders "over the cliff."

In a piece that is already up on his blog, Gelber states that House GOP leaders "have presided over a total collapse of their party's dominance,'' citing the fact that Democrats have picked up nine seats in the last two years (although the net is only eight since Will Kendrick switched parties after the 2006 elections.)

Gelber credits the victory in the seat held formerly by Rep. Bob Allen to Sasso and the Democratic political team but he also states "We couldn’t have done it without my Republican House colleagues who have proven they are simply out of step with Florida’s mainstream. During this election cycle, they circumnavigated the state with Newt Gingrich in tow offering power points celebrating right wing Republican orthodoxy, instead of sensible candidates who speak to the aspirations of their constituents and the real challenges of our state."  More here.

Dems claim lead in Day 1 of early voting

Florida Democrats are claiming one victory in their very quiet presidential primary campaign in Florida. The party says Dems outpaced Republicans on the first day of early voting by 3,000 voters.

When early voting began Monday, 20,000 Democrats arrived to cast their ballots while 17,000 Republicans showed up.

The Democrats also draw encouragement from this: Republicans are only leading in absentee ballots for those who have already voted by 6,000 -- a number that forecasts "healthy turnout,'' says Florida Democratic spokesman Mark Bubriski.

Republican Party of Florida spokeswoman Erin Van Sickle points out that Republicans still lead in the number of absentee ballots requested -- by 50,000. She called the Dems performance in early early voting: “a hollow victory at best.''

Another slight to Florida Dems? Dean gives Maddox key convention post

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has tapped Scott Maddox for a spot on the important credentials committee for the Democratic National Convention.

That's right. It will be Maddox, who was chairman when the party got hit with an IRS lien for failing to pay its taxes, who will sit on the committee that will decide whether or not Florida gets back its 210 delegates that the DNC stripped away after Florida moved up its primary to Jan. 29th. Dean nominated Maddox, the former mayor of Tallahassee and a candidate for governor, for the credentials committee and his selection was ratified by the DNC executive committee over the weekend. It is this committee, which will also have appointments made by the eventual Democratic nominee, that decides whether to seat delegates at the convention.

Maddox was one of the first state chairman to endorse Dean, when the former governor of Vermont who ran for the job of DNC chairman back in 2005.

Maddox said Monday while "I don't know if Howard Dean could have done anything differently'' when it came to Florida's delegates he also said he remains a "Floridian" who wants what best for his home state.

"I'm a Floridian. I'm going to represent my state,'' said Maddox.

Late late night confessions from Democrats

Shortly before the midnight deadline, the Democrats turned in their fundraising numbers for the final quarter of 2007. Like their GOP counterparts, they wound up collecting more in 2007 than the past two non-election years.

The Florida Democratic Party reported raising $1.57 million in cash for the final three months of 2007, bringing the party total for the year to just under $5 million, or $4.99 million to be more precise.

Donors for the past quarter include Florida Power & Light, which gave $60,000, TECO Energy, which donated a total of $57,000, and the political committee of Florida Realtors, which donated a total of $61,000. Several parimutuels donated at least $76,000 to the Democrats as well.

And lastly, how about this: A $10,000 check from Southern Strategy Group, the Tallahassee lobbying firm that is the home of former House Speaker John Thrasher and Jeb Bush ally Paul Bradshaw. Southern Strategy gave a total of $15,000 to Democrats last year, which is more than the firm gave to the Republican Party in 2007, although they have given to plenty of Republican candidates.

Fundraiser for House Democrats agrees to pay hefty fine

A veteran fundraiser for the Florida Democratic Party has agreed to pay more than $200,000 to settle charges that a fundraising organization he once led committed numerous election-law violations.

State House Democrats, led at the time by former Rep. Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale, set up Florida House Victory in 2003 to raise money independently of the state party during a time when legislative leaders were at odds with the party chairman, Scott Maddox.

But the Florida Elections Commission ruled last year that the fundraising committee, which has since been shut down, accepted campaign contributions above legal limits. The commission found enough evidence to charge Florida House Victory with 209 violations of election law.

Instead of challenging the charges, which Democrats say were the result of routine paperwork mistakes, Jeff Ryan, the brother of former State Rep. Tim Ryan, agreed to pay $209,000 in fines. Ryan, the chief fundraiser for House Democrats, was the official chairman of Florida House Victory even though it was set up at the urging of legislators.

''It's a recognition that those who were accused don't want to fight and those who made the accusations were willing to resolve the issue,'' said Mark Herron, an attorney who represented Ryan and Florida House Victory. More here.

Dems launch new offensive in absentee ballot wars

Absentee ballots have made the difference between Republicans and Democrats for years in Florida and now Democrats say they're going to take a shot at competing.

State Democrats will kick off Wednesday their "Create Change 08'' campaign to recruit Democrats to sign up as "permanent absentee voters'' who can vote online or by mail in every election through 2010.

Republicans "have reached a ceiling as far as how many guaranteed early voters they've got,'' said state Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski. But for Democrats, who have not, "the sky's the limit.''

The party is targeting 150,000 of its most hard-core members and building from there, Bubriski said.

"The old way of doing field campaigns was: bombard your voters until Election Day,'' he said. But by targeting voters who vote early, îîwe're going to be able to focus our efforts."

The approach has worked successfully to elect Democrats to local and legislative seats in Orange and Polk counties, he said. In a special election for House District 49 in Orlando in April, the Democratic candidate won among absentee voters and won the race 52.1 percent to 47.9 percent.

The party push to vote early will replace the absent effort of Democratic presidential candidates in Florida, who have pledged not to campaign here, Bubriski said. He wouldn't comment on how much the Democratic Party will commit to the effort.

"It's expensive but it's effective,'' he said. "We're willing to make this early investment.'' Read full story here.

National party to Florida Democrats: No room at the inn

National Democratic Party made it clear to Florida Tuesday that when it comes to the national convention, there's no room at the inn.

The party released its hotel assignments for the Colorado event and Florida Democrats were not assigned any hotels because the party expects them to have no delegates.

"This made me angry," said Jon Ausman, the Democratic Party committeeman who was among the groups of activists who filed suit Tuesday asking a judge to order the state to move its primary back to Feb. 5. But, he added, his real anger is aimed at the state. "I am angry at the State of Florida for its unconstitutional infringement on my First Amendment rights of free speech and political association,'' he said.

Lawsuit in Leon: Change primary date

A group of mostly Democratic activists today filed suit against the Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning to compel him to change the date of Florida's presidential primary from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5.

“Florida voters want a chance to be heard in picking their parties’ nominees for President,” said Jerry Traynham one of the group's Tallahassee lawyers.

The petition was filed today in Leon County Circuit Court. Download primary_date_lawsuit.pdf

“The constitutionally protected voting rights and association rights of Florida voters are being denied,” because of Florioda's early primary law, said co-counsel Roger J. Bernstein of New York.

The plaintiffs in the case are Democrats Jon Ausman,and Alma Gonzalez, both from Leon County; Jack Alberquerque and Tanya Rivka, both of Palm Beach; and Arnold Perlman of Broward County. The lone Republican is Linda Lloyd of Leon County.

Guns and money

Want to bag a bird with Big Al?

Sen. Al Lawson, the incoming Senate Democratic Leader, is showing how fundraising will be a bit different now that a North Florida Democrat is in charge. The veteran Tallahassee Democrat is inviting donors to the 1st  Annual Quail Hunt on Nov. 20 at the Oldsfield Plantation, which is near the town of Lloyd in Jefferson County.

The hunt begins at 8:30 a.m. and will last until 3:30 p.m.

Let's get this party started

Spotted on the lapels of St. Lucie County activists Sue Clancy and Debbie Brothers as the annual Florida Democratic Party convention got underway in Orlando this evening:

"No Vote No Money."

"Size Does Matter."

"Screw Howard Dean." (Actually the button shows instead of tells, depicting a small metal fastener astride the name of the Democratic National Committee chairman.)

What's the defiance all about? The DNC has declared that Florida delegates will not be seated at the 2008 nominating convention because the state's early primary breaks party rules. Most of the candidates, out of loyalty to the four smaller states authorized to hold early votes, are boycotting Florida.

The return of the empty chair

The Republican Party of Florida has trotted out the symbol of the 2006 governor's race _ the empty chair _ to attack the Democrats on the eve of their convention. Calling the Democrats the party of "empty promises," the GOP continues to poke fun at the fact that the National Democratic Committee has stripped all 210 of Florida's delegates because the state moved its primary to Jan. 29th. The party ad also trumps up again the fact that Democratic presidential candidates have agreed to boycott the state.

The ad can be found here.

The empty chair was the central symbol used in ads to attack U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, who ultimately lost the governor's race to Charlie Crist.

Session may not halt all fundraisers

This week's special session on property tax scuttled one fundraiser planned for more than a dozen House candidates, but will it also kill next week's planned Republican Party fundraiser in Destin? Apparently not.

Rep. Ray Sansom and Rep. Dean Cannon were among the House members expected to raise money for the first annual Sand Dollar Classic Golf Tournament at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort that is being held next Tuesday. The tournament is scheduled to run concurrently with the annual Florida Chamber of Commerce meeting also being held at the resort. (At one point the Chamber also planned to raise money for its CCE at the same time, but the RPOF has sent out a memo telling donors that the tournament is a Republican Party fundraiser only.)

Lawmakers are not allowed to raise money during the regular session or any special session. But one House lawyer, however, told Rep. David Rivera that members could attend the fundraiser as long as House members were taken off the invitations and that the Republican Party collects the money. The House lawyer compared it being a congregation member of a church--You go each week but you don't collect the checks.

Meanwhile, the House Democrats have scrapped their planned fundraiser at the University of Miami-Florida State University football game. Rep. Franklin Sands canceled the fundraiser because of the death of his mother, who passed away in late September.

Democrats take in $1 million for quarter

The Florida Democratic Party reported taking in $1,061,754 the last three months, according to the filing they posted this afternoon with the state. That is about the same amount the party took during the second quarter and a little bit less than they received in the first three months of 2007. But if the party keeps up the pace it will collect more in 2007 than it has in previous off-election years.

Among those who gave to the party the last three months: Florida CUPAC, the political arm of Florida's credit unions, donated $90,000, while TECO Energy gave $33,000 and the Florida Police Benevolent Association donated $25,000. Others who donated to the party include insurance companies, teacher unions, as well as a $20,000 check from Michael Singer, a medical software designer from Alachua who was indicted in late 2005 on fraud charges for allegedly inflating the earnings of a company he founded.

GOP prepared to hammer Dems again over Jan. 29th

The Republican Party of Florida will today put on its website another jab at Democrats over the Jan. 29th primary: A graphic showing how much money Democratic candidates have raised in a state which right now looks to have no official say in selecting the Democratic nominee.

RPOF Chairman Jim Greer, who stands to have Florida's GOP convention delegate cut in half, said he remains "bewildered" at the entire situation, not only that the Democratic National Committee has voted to strip Florida of all of its delegates, but that all the major Democratic candidates have agreed to boycott the state in advance of the Jan. 29th primary.

"It provides a disservice to the voters of that party,'' said Greer. Last week the RPOF sent out mailers to Democratic voters urging them to switch parties because of the dust-up between the DNC and the state party.

NYT op-ed blasts DNC for "dark side" decision in Florida

New York Times columnist Gail Collins asks today "What were they thinking" when the DNC cued the "Democratic Dark Star" with its primary treatment of Florida. Read here.

Thurman says "make it count" on Jan. 29th

In advance of a 3 p.m. press conference today in Broward County, Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman has e-mailed Democrats and told them that party leaders have chosen "overwhelmingly to reaffirm our strong commitment to fully participating in the state-run Democratic presidential primary."

The move comes even though the Democratic National Committee has voted to take away all of the state's 210 delegates to the national convention and the four early states have gotten presidential candidates to agree to forgo campaigning in Florida.

"There will be no other primary. Florida Democrats absolutely must vote on January 29th. We make this election matter. Not the DNC, not the delegates, not the candidates but Florida Democrats like you and me voting together. We make it count.

"Don't let anybody call this vote a 'beauty contest,' or 'straw poll.' On January 29th, 2008, there will be a fair and open election in Florida, which will provide for maximum voter participation. The nation will be paying attention, and Florida Democrats will have a major impact in determining who the next President of the United States of America will be,'' continued Thurman, who noted that voters will also be voting on the property tax constitutional amendment.

Thurman also said the party has set up a website that will answer questions about the primary. There will even be bumper stickers available for Dems to remind other Democrats to "Make it Count."

Democrats look ready to give in on Jan. 29th primary

Democratic National Committee member Jon Ausman started a firestorm on Friday night when he said that the state party was ready to jettison the Jan. 29th primary in favor of a new vote by mail proposal. While state party officials asserted it wasn't true, it is clear that top Democratic Party stalwarts recognize that something needs to be done by Sept. 29 in order to save Florida's delegates to the national convention. Sept. 29th is the deadline given to Florida by the DNC to change its delegate selection plan in order to meet national party rules. Read more here.

Gelber to Dean: retire circular firing squad

House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber pulls no punches as he joins the chorus of voices to the Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today with a sharply-worded letter that urges him to "retire the circular firing squad."

"The worse and most self-destructive scenario is one where we purposefully give Florida Republicans a competitive advantage in the 2008 election cycle,'' he writes.

He says "toe-tapping Republicans" are "imploding on the national stage'' but warns that Democrats are hurting themselves with the infighting. "Leave it to Democrats to create a distraction born out of a nuanced disagreement over some arcane party rule.''

Read the letter here: gelber_letter_to_dean.doc

Pay to play with Democrats

While none of them match last weekend's lavish fundraiser in Miami Beach, House Democrats have their own slate of fundraisers coming in the next few months that will allow donors to play golf, watch football, and go fishing with Democratic legislators. In late September, Democrats are holding a fundraiser in Jacksonville in conjunction with the FSU-Alabama game and on Dec. 2 they are holding a fundraiser at a Miami Dolphins-N.Y. Jets game

But the top fundraiser on the list could be the "Life's A Beach" golf tournament being held on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24th at The Diplomat Country Club & Spa in Hallandale, which is "a beautiful South Florida retreat'' that extends "world class comfort from arrival through departure. The intimate Italian villa-styled clubhouse features 60 richly appointed guest rooms and suites with polished wood floors, traditional patterns, fine furniture and private balconies. Its 18-hole, par-72 course has been redesigned by a famed golf course architect."

Democrats are asking for $1,000 for an individual player and $3,000 for a foursome and if the donor wants to play with a House member they need to call the House Victory Office ahead of time.

Property Insurance Wars: Part One

Declaring that "the property insurance wars have commenced,'' House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber today asked the governor to add property insurance to the call of the September special session on budget cuts.

He used the letter to renew his call for a Cabinet-level review authority for changes in insurance market conditions and recommended that lawmakers do the following:

• Authorize the Cat Fund to sell reinsurance at the remote areas of risk the companies are now insuring at a price range that is between actuarial cost and market.
• Prohibit insurance companies from buying this type of additional reinsurance from their parent company.
• Allow companies to buy this additional reinsurance from the private market, but prohibit passing on to consumers any more than the price the Cat Fund charges.

Read Gelber's letter here: Download property_insurance_to_special_session_c_letter_to_gov.pdf  Here is the Democratic plan for a Rate Reduction Authority: Download Democratic_caucus_hurricane_insurance_reform_package.pdf

Battle lines get clearer: Gelber and Thurman defend Crist on energy

In response to an op-ed written by House Speaker Marco Rubio in today's Herald, House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber pulls no punches in blasting the House speaker for criticizing the governor's energy initiatives -- even suggesting that Rubio, known for his 100 Innovative Ideas, is shying away from innovation.

Gelber's comments come a day after Florida Democratic Party Leader Karen Thurman defended Crist from criticism by former Congressional Republican Leader Dick Armey and urged Democrats to write the GOP to pledge their support.

Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday that he read the op-ed piece. "I was encouraged by it,'' he said. "I'm glad he recognizes that this is a big bold initiative we need to be focused on."

In a statement to the media, Gelber says:

“Now is not the time to shy away from sorely needed innovative ideas. We are long past denying the reality of global warming, and Florida lags behind nearly every state in addressing the serious challenges posed by climate change. Our response can’t be to simply provide more hand-outs and corporate subsidies as a substitute to hard greenhouse gas limits.  Lasting economic benefits to our state will be achieved by adopting the long-term strategies set forth by the Governor.

"Governor Crist has moved Florida closer to the mainstream, and it is now up to the legislature and its leaders to embrace, rather than reflexively reject, these common sense initiatives. Employing scare tactics to avoid taking actions that are clearly necessary does no one any good. We should be well past ignoring the hard science of global warming that too many have already closed their eyes to. I urge Speaker Rubio to support Governor Crist’s innovative ideas. ”

Beer helps further Democrat objectives

Along with the quarterly reports, both parties are required to turn in notices that acknowledge that they have received in-kind donations of services and goods. Among those notices: A thank you letter from Jeff Ryan, House Victory finance director, to lobbyist Ron LaFace Jr., whose client the Beer Industry of Florida provided an in-kind contribution worth $161.24 on April 13. (which was during the 2007 session).

So what did the Beer Industry of Florida provide? Well, you got it. They provided $161.24 worth of beer.

"This in-kind contribution....to the Florida Democratic Party will help further the objectives of the Party as it moves toward the 2008 elections and beyond,'' wrote Ryan in a letter to LaFace.

So who got the beer? House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber said he doesn't know. "It wasn't me,'' said Gelber, who for once was tongue-tied and did not have a quip about it.

Florida GOP raised twice as much as Democrats

New contribution reports show that the Republican Party of Florida raised $2.21 million in the second quarter of 2007, compared to $1.06 million for the Florida Democratic Party. The largest single contributor to the GOP appears to be Paul Singer, who gave $200,000 to the party. Singer is a New York based investment banker who runs a hedge fund and is regional finance chairman for the presidential campaign of Rudy Giuliani, according to Bloomberg News.

Other initial offerings of note: The GOP report says that the party spent $2.8 million in the last quarter, although that amount included allocations to a federal account. But on the surface it appears that the party has spent more than it has collected for six straight quarters. By contrast, the Democrats spent nearly $897,000 the past three months, which is less than the party reported taking in.

Gelber says Hasner does a "disservice" to his party

Well, this wasn't too hard to predict.

House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber took little time at firing back at the salvo of House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, saying that Hasner has done a "disservice" to his party by attacking Democrats. Hasner ripped Democrats today, saying they tried to derail property tax reforms. Hasner's criticism came after Gelber praised Gov. Charlie Crist for signing the property tax rollback bill, but still faulting lawmakers for the constitutional amendment on property taxes that will go before voters on Jan. 29th.

In his response Gelber urged Hasner to follow the lead of Crist, who has reached out to Democrats since becoming governor.

"Adam, you really do a disservice to your party and to Floridians with your constant political sniping. Instead of advancing an agenda of a party, let us work together to advance the people's agenda. I urge you to put an end to your smash-mouth partisan politics and take the Governor's cue and seek a higher ground where the interests of Floridians is more important than the interest of a political party or the ambitions of any individual,'' wrote Gelber in an e-mail he sent to Hasner.

On a totally unrelated aside, Smash Mouth is the name of the band that former President Bill Clinton says he wanted to win the campaign song contest sponsored by the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Partisan sniping erupts over property tax cuts

Not too long after Gov. Charlie Crist signed a tax rollback package into law, House Democrats and Republicans start sniping against one another.

House Minority Leader Dan Gelber started it first. He sent out a statement praising the rollback legislation that was passed by a nearly unanimous vote of both Democrats and Republicans, but Gelber also took shots at the Jan. 29th proposed constitutional amendment that most Democrats opposed. The Miami Beach Demcorat said he does not trust the GOP-controlled Legislature to replace the money that school districts would lose if voters pass the amendment.

"Relying on a 'trust us' from the Florida Legislature is simply not an option upon which Floridians can depend,'' said Gelber.

A few hours later Newly installed House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, a Delray Beach Republican, blasted Gelber in response. Despite the Democrats vote on the rollback legislation, Hasner said that Democrats had fought property tax relief and he called it "amazing" to see them stand next to Crist as he signed the rollback bills into law.

"It was amazing because these Democrats fought Republicans every step of the way as we delivered property tax relief for Florida,'' said Hasner in a statement. "Despite claims to the contrary, Democrats did everything in their power to derail property tax reform."

"Democrats can't have it both ways," he went on. "They cannot attack the tax cuts and taxpayer protections contained in the constitutional amendment one day, and then turnaround the next day to stand next to, and have their picture taken with, the governor who campaigned for these tax cuts and constitutional protections last fall."

Senate Democratic leader fires back at DNC head

Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller today sent a letter Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean urging him to reconsider "Draconian" measures that will be imposed on Florida Democrats in the wake of the state's presidential primary being moved from March to Jan. 29th. Florida could lose delegates in the 2008 convention and Democrats also threatening to withhold delegates from any candidates who win early primary states.

Geller reminded Dean that Democrats are in the minority party and that the Dems offered up amendments to push back the date of Florida's primary but that they were defeated.

"While you may not like the outcome, as a former governor surely you must respect the system,'' wrote Geller. "By threatening to punish Florida Democrats because of actions taken by Florida Republicans, it is the party as a whole which will bear the brunt of your retaliation."

Geller also said it was wrong to threaten to sanction Democratic candidates who campaign in Florida in advance of the primary. "Every Floridian no matter their party affiliation should have the right to hear first hand Democrats' plans to change our country and its direction. Denying that right, Governor, or punishing Florida Democrats could easily cost Democrats this needed swing state."

Parrot hoists flag, Dean rallies Dems

It wasn't the winged wonders show that drew about 150 people to Parrot Jungle Island Tuesday, though they did get to see a rainbow-colored bird raise the flag. They came for a Democratic pep rally led by the party's national cheerleader, Howard Dean.

"The American people hired us to get out of Iraq," Dean said, noting it was the fourth anniversary of President Bush's "mission accomplished'' declaration. "The president needs to listen to the voice of the American people."

Dean praised Florida Democrats for taking back two seats in Congress and eight seats in the Legislature. And he also had some kind words for the Republican governor, Charlie Crist, who recently spearheaded a plan to make it easier for ex-felons to get their voting rights back.

"This is going to be an unusual thing coming from the party chairman and probably get this guy in some trouble, but I am delighted that Gov. Charlie Crist has said we're going to put an end to saying that felons can't vote anymore," he said. "I applaud Gov. Crist for making that decision....That is not a partisan issue. That's what's good for America."

It was the Miami-Dade Democratic Party's first major event since Joe Garcia, the former executive director of the Cuban-American National Foundation, became chairman three months ago.

Dean noted that 2006 was Florida's first election in decades in which a majority of Hispanics voted Democratic.

"I have spent a lot of time in the Cuban-American community, and I think there's going to be a big change this generation," Dean said. "It's time for Cuban-Americans to come home to the Democratic party."

Obama Effect hits Florida's legislators, young

Outside a Tallahassee fundraiser for Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama, dozens of college students came to greet their political rockstar.

They chanted his name, carried camera phones, and a few toted copies of his most recent book.

The outdoor rally even had a college-centric conception: It was organized by Facebook, a social networking website originally aimed at college students.

Inside, lobbyists and even Republicans paid hundreds to get up close.

Obama emerged briefly from the fundraiser to greet his younger fans. In a two-minute speech, he said: "This is an example of the energy that young people are bringing to this campaign.''

"Whether it's been slavery, or women not having the right to vote or unions not having the right to organize, the civil rights movement, or movement against Vietnam, at each juncture it's been young people," Obama said before he was ushered back to his VIP guests.

Just about an hour earlier, Obama had told Florida's Democratic caucus, his campaign goal was to spend more time with the people, and less at fundraisers.

When asked why he was spending such a short time at the rally, he said, before walking back inside: "I didn't spend that much time up there either - and this is just the first time that I've been here."

-- Yudy Pineiro and Breanne Gilpatrick