Category Florida Democrats
We are the ones; Now is the time; Before we blow it maybe we should understand it?
Guest Column by Mario Piscatella National Landscape Before we look at the state of the Florida Democratic Party, we should start with an understanding of the Democratic Party as it stands at the close of 2016. While much of the country, right and left, pundits, campaigners, donors, activists, and candidates point fingers in every […]
Potential FDP Chair candidate surrounded by question marks
With Florida Democrats licking wounds after yet another electoral defeat a move has been afoot led by former DNC Chairwoman and Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to install Southeast Florida-based real estate mogul Stephen Bittel as the new Florida Democratic Party Chair. Bittel has no history of organizing or advocacy but is simply a fundraiser […]
20 years of GOP rule of the Florida Legislature
I’m somewhat surprised we have not gotten more commemorations because this week’s organizational session marked 20 years since the GOP captured complete control of the Florida Legislature. The Republicans captured a House majority on Election Day 1996 ironically as Bill Clinton was becoming the first Democratic Presidential nominee to carry the state in twenty years. […]
Proposal for a Florida Democratic Writers Caucus
By Dan Voglund The primary purpose of the Florida Democratic Writers Caucus is public relations in nature. The idea is to create documents that would promote the philosophy of the Democratic party to the public, creating a more Democratic-friendly community environment. The method of the caucus will allow greater acceptance of our Democratic candidates, therefore […]
Healing the Florida Democratic Party – Step 3: Remain Floridian
The state of Florida is about as complicated and unique as any state in the union. Florida might even be considered the most accurate microcosm of America in some senses, but in others it is the most idiosyncratic locale in the United States. With more major media markets than any other state and diverse regions, […]
Why the establishment grudge against Dwight Bullard?
Progressive activists throughout the state have flocked in the past seven days to the FDP Chair candidacy of Dwight Bullard. Many former Bernie Sanders supporters and other liberals who are aligning with Bullard cite that he was one of the few state legislators to articulately push a strong progressive agenda in the legislature over the […]
Healing the Florida Democratic Party: Step 2 – Eliminate role of corporate lobbyists
The Florida Democratic Party itself has improved in recent years in terms of the role of consultants and outside vendors. Allison Tant’s time as Chair without question eliminated some of the more malign forces that have influenced the party through the years. But with Tant now leaving, some of those consultants are lining up behind […]
Healing the Florida Democratic Party: Step 1 – Leave Tallahassee
Florida Democrats are once again going through the motions of electing a new chair and directing a post-election inquest. This go-round feels somewhat different in the sense that the party has seemingly hit rock bottom and those around the establishment of the FDP are listening with more interest to the feedback coming from those of […]
The cracks that divide us among Florida Democrats must be healed
The FDP Chairs Race has gotten off to a rip-roaring start with progressives and more moderate Democrats aggressively picking sides and trading barbs. This comes just a week after a devastating electoral defeat here in Florida. The realization that years of neglect have left us with an infrastructure incapable of withstanding GOP wave elections become […]
Open thread: What next for the Democrats?
Given last Tuesday’s disastrous election results, what would you like to see the Democrats do next? How do you feel about the Florida Democratic Party and other outside entities that support Democratic candidates? Was Hillary Clinton the best possible nominee for the party? How does the party solve the problem of medium sized counties and […]
The Florida Squeeze 