The health care debate begins and Florida has its say

A feisty debate over what's being billed as historic health care legislation has begun and Florida lawmakers are in the fray.

First up was Lincoln Diaz-Balart who warned of a "decisive step in the weakening of the United States.

"We could have avoided the social convulsion and profound pain that prolonged fiscal irresponsibility inevitably brings to nations, but this President and this Congressional Majority went with dogma instead," the Miami Republican said.

Tampa Democrat Kathy Castor was the first Floridian to speak up for the bill: "Yes, we're going to side with American families today."

Outside the Capitol, a large crowd of protestors gathered, shouting "Kill the Bill" and applauding a group of Republican lawmakers who ventured out of the Capitol to rally them on. The crowd shouted approval as several lawmakers unfurled a "Don't Tread on Me" flag. A crowd on Saturday shouted racial taunts at black and gay lawmakers, and GOP lawmakers sought Sunday to distance themselves.

The Florida Democratic party called on Senate candidate Marco Rubio to rebuke the protestors, with spokesman Eric Jotkoff pointing out an MSNBC report that some protestors were wearing Rubio pins.

"Since Miami Lobbyist Marco Rubio refuses to denounced the racist and anti-gay slurs from his extremist Tea Party supporters, Rubio’s silence shows he must condone these despicable actions by the extreme right-wing, including some wearing Speaker Rubio’s campaign pins," Jotkoff said.

On a conference call with reporters, Democrat Ron Klein suggested those not in Washington were missing what he called a "lively atmosphere."

Asked about whether he's worried about facing the voters in November -- with opponents warning of health care warning about defeat -- Klein said he listened to his constituents carefully before endorsing the proposal. "Ultimately I think it's the right thing to do. I'm very comfortable that I'm using my best judgement."

David Rivera, who is running for the House seat being vacated by Mario Diaz-Balart, put out a press release saying that he -- like Mario -- would vote against the bill.

"Democrats would put their time to better use by creating a new bill that creates real health insurance reform, instead of spending time arm twisting and making sweetheart deals that only benefit a few states and districts," Rivera said.

Are Mel Martinez and Lincoln Diaz-Balart backing a "birther"?

The Washington Post blogs that Ben Loyola, a Cuban-American who has been endorsed by Mel Martinez and Lincoln Diaz-Balart, said in an interview posted on the blog Bearing Drift that he is not sure President Obama was born in the United States.

"When asked if Obama was a 'natural born United States citizen,' Loyola responded 'I'm not sure, and that troubles me.'

"Read the full interview. The interview from Va Blogger of Too Conservative was conducted in August 2009, but just posted online today. Loyola is one of several Republicans competing in a congressional district primary in the Hampton Roads area to run against Democrat Rep. Glenn Nye.

Loyola spokesman Joshua Clark told the Post that the answers were accurate -- "and that he answered that way because he doesn't know whether the president was born in the United States or not."

Lincoln Diaz-Balart lavishes praise on the Obama administration

The retiring Miami Republican offered rare words of praise Wednesday for the Obama administration, saying he's been impressed with its response to the earthquake that leveled Haiti.

"We have here a lot of partisan differences and debate," Diaz-Balart said at an earthquake briefing for Florida lawmakers. "But with regard to the response of the Obama administration, all decisions and actions should be commended. I think all Americans should be proud of the way the administration acted from the first minute. All actions and subsequent decisions I commend."

Lincoln Diaz-Balart: The Democrats are incompetent

Lincoln Diaz-Balart told MSNBC he's leaving the House because "I feel it's time. It's been the honor of my life... I've been able to do important things. I never thought I'd be here for life, so I leave with a sense of duty fulfilled."

The Miami Republican says he doesn't buy the buzz that government is broken -- only that Democrats are incompetent.

"What's happening now is incompetence and trying to ram through things that the American people don't want," he told MSNBC's David Schuster who is spending the week interviewing retiring members. "It's not that the government is broken, it's that the majority is acting in an incompetent way."

His one regret: voting for term limits. He says he's leaving "of my own free will, unopposed," and believes "the people should be able to decide how long their member of Congress should serve."

Lincoln Diaz-Balart to give a televised exit interview

The Miami Republican will be among a handful of members of Congress who are not returning in the fall but will appear this week on MSNBC for an exit interview.

According to Fishbowl DC, Host David Shuster will conduct the interviews for departing lawmakers in a series called "So Long Capitol Hill."  It airs 3 to 4 p.m. this week. Interviewees include: Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-North Dakota, Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan., Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn., and Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark. Diaz-Balart's interview airs Wednesday.

Rivera makes it official and jumps from Senate race to Congress

State Rep. David Rivera on Thursday  became the first candidate to jump into the District 25 congressional race in Miami to replace U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who plans to switch to the district being vacated by his brother, Lincoln.

Rivera's entry into the District 25 is expected to be followed by Sen. Alex de la Portilla, a fellow Miami Republican, and the race could become one of the more crowded contests in the state if four others who are considering it get into the match.

Rivera announced his candidacy at press conferencese in Miami and Naples Thursday, the two largest cities in the sprawling congressional district originally created for Mario Diaz-Balart.

But in a sign of what is likely to be a hotly-contested rmatch-up, both candidates touted dueling polls. A poll released Wednesday by the Texas polling firm Hill Research Consulting matched up the names of the likely contenders in the Senate and showed that 67 percent of the 300 people surveyed recognized Diaz de la Portilla, while only 41 percent recognized Rivera.

In a poll released Thursday by Dario Moreno Inc. and conducted of 600 likely Republican voters Feb. 15-16, Rivera had a slightly higher name identification, especially among older Cubans. According to the poll, 44 percent recognized Rivera and 41 percent recognized Diaz de la Portilla.

Rivera said he was focused on his campaign and welcomed all opponents. "You're never going to hear me talking about other candidates," he said. "I'm going to run on the issue of concern, especially job creation and the economy, education and national security."

But, according to the Hill poll, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Joe Martinez was known by 68 percent of those surveyed, one point higher than Diaz de la Portilla. The poll also tested the name ID of other candidates, who have also expressed interest in running for the seat: Carlos Curbelo, U.S. Sen. George LeMieux's state director, who was known by 32 percent, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez, known by 29 percent, and Miami Lakes Mayor Mike Pizzi, identified by 22 percent respectively.

 The Moreno poll also asked about state Sen. Alex Villalobos, who was recognized by 31 percent of those surveyed, and Curbello, recognized by 11 percent.

Diaz de la Portilla said that he will likely make his decision by the end of March and chided Rivera for switching to the federal election "on the eve of the legislative session."

"It would be unfair to Floridians for me to take my focus off finding real solutions to the problems we are facing and instead turn my attention to my next campaign or career opportunity," he said in a statement.

 

The 'natural move' by the Diaz-Balarts

Somewhere in Hialeah, former Mayor Raul Martinez is smiling.

Thursday's announcement by archenemy Lincoln Diaz-Balart that he's retiring from Congress has got to be the most delicious news Martinez has heard since they named city hall after him. Those who know the brash Democrat wouldn't put it past him to claim that he ran the Republican congressman out of his seat, even though Diaz-Balart crushed him by 16 percentage points.

Keep reading column here.

Does Lincoln Diaz-Balart's departure signal Republicans are losing the big mo?

The Washington Post writes that three recent House retirements -- including Lincoln Diaz-Balart's -- "have sparked a debate between the leaders of the two major parties over whether the GOP is losing momentum in its quest to score major gains at the ballot box this fall."

The story says "GOP strategists are brushing aside the retirement gap, saying that many of their House members see an improving political environment and are jumping ship to run for statewide office, and that other retirements are occuring in mostly conservative terrain that will be easy to defend. Democrats counter that the GOP retirements are a sign that most rank-and-file Republicans do not believe they will recapture the majority anytime soon."

A send-off only Charlie Crist could give with a straight face

Ask any politician, lobbyist or reporter who has crossed Gov. Charlie Crist: He'll still kill you with kindness, at least in public.

So although his public statement on U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart's retirement didn't arrive until eight hours and 33 minutes after the press conference, Crist finally mustered some kind words for the congressman who withdrew an endorsement of his struggling U.S. Senate campaign last month.

It is hard to imagine the Florida delegation without the passion, thoughtfulness, and strength of Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Florida has been represented well for twenty-four years by this legislative champion.  He earned a reputation as a defender of freedom and democracy, particularly on behalf of his beloved Cuba. On behalf of Florida, we thank Congressman Diaz-Balart for his service in Washington, D.C. and welcome him home to the Sunshine State.

David Rivera plays hard to get

State Rep. David Rivera of Miami, who was running full steam for the state Senate, is now expected to make an abrupt turn toward the newly opened congressional seat represented by Mario Diaz-Balart. Here's his statement:

Today's announcement by Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart is a bitter-sweet one for me.  As someone who I consider a brother and a mentor, I wish him and his family only the best in his future endeavors.  At the same time, our community has lost a statesmen in Washington, D.C.  who has served us with honor and distinction for decades.  His record of public service will be sorely missed by our state and our nation, but I look forward to continue working closely with him in his future service as a private citizen.In the coming weeks I will be consulting with family and supporters regarding opportunities to continue my public service either in the Florida Senate or the U.S. Congress.  My decision will be based on where I can best serve the interests of our community.  That is the standard and example which Congressman Diaz-Balart has always demonstrated throughout his career of public service.  It is the same standard I will strive for in my decision-making in the days ahead.

And here's what Rivera's close ally, former House Speaker Marco Rubio, had to say about Diaz-Balart's retirement:

U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio today issued the following statement following U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balarts announcement that he will not seek re-election this year:For two decades, Lincoln Diaz-Balart has served his district and our community well.  He has also been a passionate voice for millions throughout the world who live under tyranny in places like Cuba and Venezuela.  I congratulate him on a distinguished career and am proud to have been a part of his first 1992 campaign.  As he looks ahead towards the next phase of his life, I wish him and his family all the best.