Beginning today, each Wednesday we will throw open a thread for comments, questions or simply to be soapbox for our readers. We will try and answer all questions, provided they are appropriate and germane.
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The Florida Squeeze 
My two cents:
Charlie Crist is the choice of true Democrats in the state.
Those who are upset, angry and whining about things support Nan Rich and then in essence support Rick Scott. These are people who have an agenda or are just too hostile and personally prickly to be team players.
Governor Crist’s optimism is something that connects with voters. He sees the unlimited possibilities for greatness our state posses and his upbeat campaign is well on its way to victory in the Fall.
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Hey Geoff.
Charlie’s happy-go-lucky personal style isn’t necessarily my cup of tea, but I agree that it works for Florida and is certainly a welcome contrast to Rick Scott’s robotic persona. I think it’s also genuinely how Charlie approaches life and when you’re campaigning, you use what you have. More power to him.
I agree that Crist has a really good chance of winning and that if he does, progressives will have a significant seat at the table for the first time in more than a decade. Liberals and the Democratic base did a so-so job at best at steering the Obama administration and I think they have to look inward to understand a lot of their disappointments with the President. People like our readers should not the same mistake with Charlie — get involved and make yourselves heard early and often and you’ll be surprised how often he assents to our demands.
Nan Rich, yes, is a distraction at this point. I respect her record and think she’d make an effective governor in some alternate universe, but the way she has embraced strategic support from Republicans and opaque, anonymous front groups illuminate a campaign that is far from ideologically pure and frankly, dishonest. You’re correct in identifying that axe grinding and apolitical personal issues abound in the Rich camp.
Good talking! See you in the comments soon.
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This is so lame. Taking Nan’s claims and putting Charlie’s name on it. It’s like his campaign. Whatever Nan says he repeats after the fact. examples: Medical Marijuana, Minimum wage, marriage equality etc. All issues he flipped Flopped on. He is opportunistic… sorry I mean optimistic, except when crying I’m sorry, i was wrong. As far as your dumb allegation that Nan’s supporters support rick Scott. Ludacris.
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I am sick and tired of everyone claiming Crist is the savior of the party.
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The whole notion of some Democrats that Crist is not beatable is madness.
Here is still hoping that Bill Nelson runs.
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Is Nan Rich even remotely viable? Honestly with all Crist has in the way of baggage I would think she would be performing better. But the willingness if the party to simply ram a party-switcher down people’s throats impacts things.
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Crist and his operatives, and the party bosses have thrown every obstacle possible at Nan and she is still standing.”First they ignored, then they ridiculed, now they are fighting, next Nan Wins.
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Quote from “Florida Squeeze” 2-19-14: “The current Governor (Scott) is a bit of a buffoon and has pursued policies which hurt average Floridians and the future prospects for our state. However, I don’t think he has quite the vision that Jeb Bush to remake a largely progressive and forward looking state into a laboratory for conservative think tanks and right-wing out-of-state interests.
Many of those who are Crist’s strongest backers were also the people that fought Bush the hardest for all eight years of his Governorship. The failure of Crist to very publicly clarify or apologize for his comments on Bush could create a problem down the road. ”
My question:” WHY does Crist continue to talk about Jeb Bush with admiration?” Is Crist hoping to be chosen as Jeb’s VP in a run for president in ’16?
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Right on Crist speaking about Bush.
This is the single biggest impediment to many of us embracing Crist.
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Something I want to get off my chest.
I love how we have claims of a Republican war on women while make candidates are forced down our throats! Republican males!
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Kartik not only bashes our party and will not accept Charlie but he thinks dropping the bomb on Japan was a great thing. If he has a problem with Crist being a democrat maybe he should join Rick Scott’s party. This website and all the Nan Rich supporters and Progressive Choice are all republicans as far as real Florida Democrats are concerned.
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Dems in 14,
Part of the reason we now hold and moderate comments is because of you.
I have approved this comment so I could respond since I cannot respond to your cowardly alias without publishing your comments.
Every single person you claim is helping Rick Scott in our party have been Democrats FAR longer than Governor Crist. Yes we welcome him to the party but don’t stifle dissent and people’s opinions.
Now on Japan read my previous statement carefully and DO NOT mischaracterize it again please.
Truman had two options. Invade Japan with hundreds of thousands of American troops causing probably a million civilian deaths and maybe a 100,000 American deaths. Or drop an Atomic Bomb and hope it forced Japan to surrender. Timing was also critical. Stalin had agreed at Potsdam to enter the war against Japan three months after VE Day which meant the Russians would declare war on Japan either on August 8th or 9th. As August 6th came, I do not know that Truman had a better option. Only a set of bad options. Japan’s willingness to sacrifice her own population on the premise of honor made our choices difficult. I firmly believe Truman’s actions actually saved Japanese lives. An invasion could have killed a million civilians. Also denying the Russians any of the spoils of war in Japan was important. North Korea was bad enough, and that was earned based on 5 days of Russian fighting. Can you imagine how the Cold War would have played out differently if the Russians had occupied part of Japan like they did Korea?
As you can see I base my opinions about Truman and the Atomic Bomb on geopolitical factors at the time not the emotion of “dropping the bomb” or “killing people.” More people would have died if we were forced to invade Japan. The Russians would have gained a foothold in Manchuria and Northern Japan in addition to North Korea. The war could have lasted into 1946 or maybe even 1947.
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For starters, let me state I am pleased you guys are now moderating comments and holding comments for moderation. This was long overdue for a site as important and serious as this. While the content on this site is outstanding the blog itself was becoming trollworld because of all the nonsensical comments.
Let us be honest about things. The Florida party is a complete joke. The kids working there are total tossers. They might mean well but they have become vicious, petty and vindictive. the lack of professionalism from the staff is alarming. Not that any of this is new. As this site has constantly harped on, things have been broken for sometime in Democratworld.
This session was a disaster. The party did nothing to define the issues or to effectively communicate about these issues to the media. Party staff spends all day and all night on twitter trying to wind people up including the writers at this site. Hey guys, stop talking the bait from trolls, which is what the party staff are.
Intrigue surrounded every move the party made. Instead of targeting Republicans they targeted Democrats in the House and Senate, making idle threats and trying to intimidate. The party itself went after Democratic members while promoting this clown Charlie Crist, referenced in the advertisement posted here.
The baggage Crist carries is far and wide. Poll numbers may favor him currently but once the campaign starts a grilled chicken sandwich will beat Crist. The advertisement you posted yesterday is simply the tip of the iceberg.
Democrats associated with the Crist campaign and Florida Democratic Party like to scream “Rick Scott and Health Care fraud.” Yes this is an issue but it did not stick in 2010 against a much cleaner Democrat, why would it stick now against Crist whose baggage could be lined up all the way from Pensacola to Key West.
The Democratic Party’s unwillingness to push for debates is simply put an abdication of the responsibilities of a political party. To treat someone like Nan Rich with such disrespect is really galling.
I could go on and on but you get the shebang.
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Bravo! The treatment of Nan Rich by the party has been totally disrespectful to Nan and to women in general. ….and we criticize Republicans for lack of respect for women.
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Corry Westbrook debacle. Thoughts?
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Embarrassing. A lot of local Ds were not thrilled with her running anyhow so I suppose that potential mess is averted.
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What are everyone’s thoughts on Health Care being the defining issue this fall? Is Obamacare going to sink us?
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Not speaking for Kartik or anyone else here, but I personally believe the ACA will be a wash as an issue in 2014 or possibly even an asset in some competitive districts as the year wears on.
In any case Dems look to be, at the very least, out of the woods when it comes to Obamacare . I predict it will become a strong plank of the Democratic platform in future cycles, if not this one.
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Its not so much about ObamaCare, as Obama’s approval rating that could hurt us. Obamacare’s numbers are on the rise with Florida having the one of highest numbrs of Obamacare enrollees. His approvals in Florida however, are in the thirties, the question for me is, will a potential Obama visit to Florida to campaign for Charlie Crist do more damage, or will it help CC make amends with the progressive base that questions his integrity and true motivations for running.
Only time will tell.
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Sure, but the ACA will outlive Obama just as the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts outlived LBJ. LBJ and his Southern allies caught hell for it in ’68 but it has been a boon to Democrats ever since. So it shall be in this case.
Bill Clinton will mostly likely be stumping for Charlie so whether Obama does or not is less important than for other vulnerable Dem candidates. Whether or not the President comes to visit, Charlie will pick up many of his donors when this gubernatorial race gains a higher national profile, as it will this summer.
W/r/t motivations it’s impossible to know what’s really in a person’s heart, especially one’s own.
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The ACA is going to be played by the GOP but it seems it may cut differently than they had hoped in some states. North Carolina is an interesting one. Kay Hagan is being saddled with it and yesterday’s primary nominated the most establishment of Republicans. However, I still think Hagan has a shot to hang on.
Here in Florida Health Care is going to be used so Democrats might as well own it.
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For me the biggest take away from the session was the Republicans failure to adequately fund springs protection and the Democrats unwillingness to talk about the issue.
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Look for an upcoming piece on this theme.
We agree that water and the environment more broadly can and must be a winning issue for Dems in Florida.
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Not just this session. Florida Dems are repeatedly and historically afraid of engaging with their Republican counterparts on the issues Floridians care most about. We have to fight for what we believe in, not capitulate and run away when it gets tough.
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Charlie and scandal go hand and hand.
His issues are only going to get worse.
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What is the latest on Progressive Choice?
It is a republican front we know but who funds it???
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It is not a Republican front. You are quite mistaken. They are a national progressive Pac who supports progressive issues. It also thinks Crist is a wolf in sheeps clothing.
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Can you name some entities or parties involved in funding PC, Joe? Recently you’ve said “progressives” and left it at that but if that can stand without any evidence, then it can also stand without evidence to say it’s a Republican front group.
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That is total b/s Joe.
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Please feel free to do your own research. I did mine. While you’re at it do some research on Jim Greer, Scott Rothstein, and Harry Sargeant. Scott’s swift boaters know where all the bodies are buried.
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I am really concerned about the Florida Democratic Party and their inability to articulate themselves on issues or to attack the Republicans any logical and strategic way.
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I agree with you Voter. FDP missed a golden opportunity to frame the debate fro the November Midterms during the Florida Legislative Session. With the President’ approval rating hovering in the 30s in the Sunshine State, this will prove to be a costly, costly mistake. Could have spent time motivating the troops behind Medicaid Expansion, Raising the Minimum Wage, Protecting the Environment, and properly funding Public Education. But instead, the FDP press shop has been focused on trolling the RPOF which is proving to be counterproductive.
I just don’t get it.
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I agree.
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The bottom line is this. Despite the backgrounds of both candidates which I agree cannot be disputed democrats are now with Crist and Republicans with Rich. Those wanting to win the governorship and restablish a beachhead in the cabinet back Crist while those fueled by ambition or a need to placate Republicans back Rich.
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The Republicans being with Rich is really funny. She has fought against them her whole life. Ambition is Charlie’s middle name. I think you are a little confused.
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Did Kartik ever post a podcast for the South Florida House races? I can’t seem to find it. Enjoyed the analysis on the Central FL & Tampa Bay area races. I’m wondering how some of the races are shaping up in Broward & Dade. We have several open seats with competitive primaries (i.e. Dists 99 & 100), plus primaries in Dists 107, 108, & 114. Does Pamela Gray have a shot in Dist 120 – formerly Ron Saunders’ district? I would be interested in further news on these races.
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We didn’t Mark. We might get back to it soon or more likely after qualifying.
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I think you guys really need to expose the people behind the rich campaign.
She has said she will take Republican money and there is no doubt that this progressive choice group which is not incorporated in Florida does not report its contributors and has no visible Florida presence other than a single state representative making Robo calls and hiring consultants has anything real on our side. No real progressives know about this organization no real progressives want to be associated with this organization.
Like it or not Charlie Crist is the Democratic Party now in Florida. He was always with us in his heart but now was forced out by the intolerance of the racism of the tea party.
It is imperative we all unite behind Gov. Crist expose the sham campaign behind his primary opponent and MoveOn.
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It is a Republican funded organization, Crist is our candidate like it or not. Get on the team or get out of the party!
Oh and by the way it is not just that state rep who of course the boss at this site is protecting. It is others all of whom have connections to him. He ought to watch it. Soon he too will be exposed.
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Keep telling people that. The better you are at ostracizing those who don’t like the big money coronations without debate in the party, the faster we’ll get to a multiparty system.
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The expose on Progressive Choice is a waste of time.
How about an expose on the FDP’s worst ever 18 months of fundraising, the mess that is House campaigns and the ineptitude of the Senate staff?
I know it’s all been covered here before but needs to be updated and covered again.
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LFS, you are obviously a Crist operative spouting lies under an alias. You guys are so scared you are coming out of the woodwork and bashing Nan and her supporters. Tell Charlie the parties over.
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He was always with us in his heart but now was forced out by the intolerance of the racism of the tea party.
Crist’s instincts tended to be more conservative than liberal throughout most of his career. Saying this requires a significant rewriting of history.
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Is this a reference to MoveOn.org? I think a lot of MoveOn members are with Nan Rich but I do not believe she has gotten the endorsement of the group .
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Also regarding Progressive Choice they have spent a lot of the $$$ they have the last few weeks defending public schools. I hardly think that is a Republican talking point. Still we don’t know who funds it,
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Forced out?
There are reformed republicans I respect. There are republicans who left due to racism, sexism, or extremism of any kind. Those folks quit outside of an election cycle, and switched, for the most part, to NPA. They didn’t quit after a primary stomping to run as NPA. They didn’t switch to Dem after a long, calculated snuggling up with party brass. They didn’t lose elections and elect Marco Rubio. (Because that’s what you do when you support someone else in the primary, right? De Facto elect the third option?)
Charlie’s got plenty of baggage, and while some Republicans have joked about supporting her, they aren’t. They’re going to love Chain Gang Charlie. Black vote? Gone. Those who might have voted for him lost the right because of the harsher penalties for non violent drug offenders. Those same penalties he signed into law. Women vote? Besides the blatant disrespect for the only Dem in the race, not to mention the only female option this cycle, who was it who wanted to go pro life here? The GLBT community? Charlie didn’t want them to get married before he did. Surprise: shortly after becoming a democrat and announcing his campaign.
Trust very little that a politician says before they’ve proven it, and almost nothing they say on the campaign trail, unless they’ve said the same things and voted for them without an election pending.
Greer just released his new book, and if you’re wondering where the republican machine money is going, start there. I know the people behind Nan’s campaign, and they’re some of those who, like myself, ran campaigns in 2012 for Obama. Progressive choice is a bit of an enigma, but then, that’s their right. Blame the game. The same game Charlie is playing.
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What about the House campaigns? No candidates! So many seats we are leaving without serious opposition!!!!
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We have discussed this recently on the site with this article –
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All indications are that we are headed for a loss in a rout this time.
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The national generic polls are worse right now than in 1994 or 2010. But a lot of time remains to change things.
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