Jim Davis - What The Media Isn't Talking About

[iamjoy]

And I'm very, very suspicious and concerned.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Rod Smith supporter. I have read so many negative attacks on Smith for his environmental record. To be fair, it isn't so hot for a Democrat. But, I became puzzled because I saw so many attacks against Smith for his voting record, but nothing really against Davis. And I thought, something is up here. Surely Smith isn't a devil while Davis is an angel.

Well, obvioulsy, the Rod Smith campaign has done the opposition research (dirty work?) the media hasn't. In addition to supporting the bankruptcy bill Jim Davis has:

* Voted against the importation of lower cost prescription drugs from Europe and Canada, even when the bill included safeguards that the drugs be FDA-approved medications in their original packaging. After he voted against importation, his campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies more than tripled.

* After initial lobbying failed to convince State Rep. Davis to allow a foreclosure reform bill...SunBank of Tampa Bay called Davis. (St. Petersburg Times, 6/22/92). Within an hour Davis changed his position - and within the year, SunBank became a client of Davis' law firm (source: Martindale-Hubbell law directory, 1992 and 1993). He later accepted thousands of dollars in donations from SunBank's PAC.

* While running for Congress in 1995, Jim Davis supported repeal of the Medicaid 3rd Party Liability Act that enabled the state to sue tobacco. He appears to have ducked the vote - he cast roll call votes immediately preceding and following the vote - then recorded a "yea" after roll call 67 pages later in the journal - burying it so nobody would find it unless they knew to look for it (SB 42, 1995). Since that time, he has received at least $20,000 in contributions from tobacco interests.

* In 1995, Jim Davis co-sponsored legislation guaranteeing the right of lobbyists to meet privately with elected officials (HB 5, 1995).

Curious that we hear so much about Smith and so little about Davis being beholden to special interests. I put that together with the oft repeated claim that many feel Smith would be a tougher candidate than Davis for the Republicans to beat. I have to wonder if the Republicans aren't waiting until the general election to drag this stuff out and slam the Davis campaign with it - you know, the last two weeks of October, just like all these Smith attacks popped up the last few weeks before the primary. And I wonder why during the debate when Davis was attacking Smith's voting record the only thing Smith really attacked Davis for was attendance. I mean, who really gives a crap about attendance? Not that I really enjoy these attacks, I mean, crap, I almost forgot these two were in the same party. It just makes me curious - and suspicious.

[ChiciB1]

1. I Haven't Made Up My Mind Yet... But I Watched The Debate Yesterday...

I have lived in Florida since 1972 and have ALWAYS heard about "Sugar" Industry! That bothers me about Smith, a lot! As one who used to go down to the KEYS every summer during lobster season to dive, I saw a lot of exploitation of the migrant workers by the sugar industry!

Still, I suppose I'll figure it out soon enough even though I'm not sure my vote will EVEN be counted! Maybe they're trying to "scare" us with the machines, but since I live in Sarasota County... Cruella is my representative I don't TRUST anyone anymore!

What Davis DOES have going for him is "the basic Democratic machine" Bob Graham, etc. and with people like him behind him it is less likely that a lot of the Davis stuff is going to stick.

But still, I just DON'T know myself! Primary is only a few days away????

[nosillies]

3. I'm panicking, I have less than a week to make up my mind

[iamjoy]

4. How Sugar Treats Workers

I won't try to fight this out on the environment. If the environment is your #1 issue and you vote your heart not who you think can beat the Republican - vote for Davis.

However, in regards to Labor issues, Smith has won endorsements from many labor orgs. I'll list some (not all) here but they include Police, Fire Fighters, Health Care Workers, Education, etc.

* Communication Workers of America
* Florida Teamsters - Joint Council 75
* International Associaton of Machinists & Aerospace Workers
* International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
* International Union of Police Associations Florida (AFL-CIO)
* United Auto Workers
* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
* Service Employees International Union
* Island Coast FEA
* Service Employees International Union Local 1991
* Teamsters Local 79
* Federation of Physicians and Dentists
* Transport Workers Union of America - Guided Missile Local 525
* John Parker - President, North Florida Building and Construction Trades, Business Manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 435
* James Weldon - IBEW local 728 Business Manager
* Florida Professional Firefighters
* Florida Nurses Association
* Florida Education Association

[retread]

2. The "media" may not be talking about it but that big sugar front group is

flooding the mailboxes and airways with it.

[Orangepeel]

5. is the claim "oft repeated" outside of Smith headquarters?

I know Smith claims that he has a better chance at beating Crist than Davis does, but I just don't see it. The only possible reason that North Florida conservatives, for example, would vote for Smith over Crist would be the gay rumors, and if that's the reason, they'd be just as likely to vote for Davis. And, I think Crist will wipe the floor with Smith in Central Florida, but Davis might be able to hold his own. But that's just me. "Electability" is always subjective and each person must decide for him or herself.

In regard to your larger point, however, I don't see the attacks on Smith as in any way comparable to the attacks on Davis. What are the attacks on Smith? That he's tied to Big Sugar by contributions, staff and voting record? Is that really an attack? It's an accusation, yes, but it is one that has some evidence behind it. In contrast, the attacks against Davis(which are funded by Big Sugar and which are why the accusations against Smith came up in the first place) are personal, vicious and false (the Israel stuff, the "people of color stuff").

Like you, I'm not unbiased. I've been a Davis supporter since before he officially got in the race. I think he'll be an excellent governor, I think he's run a damn good race, considering, and I think he is our best chance to beat Crist, which is going to be tough in any case. I'll support Smith if he wins the primary, but I'll be much happier if Davis takes it (fortunately, he probably will).

[iamjoy]

7. Lou Frey, For One

On WMFE, he and Dick Batchelor were discussing the governor's race (this was several weeks ago) and he mentioned that Smith scared the Republicans more than Davis.

I really think Crist is going to be tough to beat either way. Crist has no voting record to scrutinize. Elected officials who have held Legislative posisitons are vulnerable, because you could spin their record any way you want. Lots of Democrats voted against the minimum wage because it had tax exemptions for billionaires. A good reason to not want it. But after the spin cycle, "So and so voted against the minimum wage"

And, distressed about Smith getting all this support from "Big Sugar" I did some research and found out that many politicians have gotten money from sugar. Lots of Republicans, but Democrats aren't all pure as the refined sugar either. I do wish sugar wasn't sending these ads out, they are backfiring. If sugar considers itself a friend of Rod Smith, then he doesn't need enemies.

[seasat]

8. Crist does have a voting record.

He was in the Florida Senate from 92 to 98. He also has record serving as Education commisioner and as AG. There is plenty to attack Charlie on. Also here's Jim Davis's real voting record to compare with the Smith/Sugar attack ad. (LINK)

Max Cleland has also weighed in on the swift boating of Jim Davis Cleland's post at KOS..

[infogirl]

6. Smith is the man....

Jim is a sellout after his second term...Jim is a patriot act loving...spy monerging.....election fraud ignoramous!