Reply #117: Here's one and info on how in 2006 FDC gave NO MONEY to progressives running for Congress

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Read the whole article to see how FDC screwed their progressive Democratic candidates - no support because they didn't have enough money.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00219.htm

"Prominent Florida Democrat Endorsed Republican Incumbent in Russell’s Race
Before the campaign in Florida’s 5th Congressional district ever got underway, one of Florida’s most prominent politicians seemed to endorse the Republican incumbent.

“The bottom line is that the voters, whether they’re in the most liberal or conservative or moderate districts, they like their elected officials to have the backbone of steel that Ginny Brown-Waite has,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a liberal Democrat from Broward County who has worked with, and against, her since their days in the Florida Legislature.

“When constituents know they are represented by someone who is willing to vote her conscience and do the right thing and is independent and not a rubber-stamp, that’s going to be tough to beat.” St. Petersburg Times 27 May 2006

Russell said, “It is extremely tough to beat an incumbent representative when the people who should be working to elect Democratic candidate are instead working to insure Republican Ginny Brown-Waite’s re-election.”

Russell had worked hard for the party in 2004 delivering the 5th for Betty Castor in a tough election. His campaign issues were all within the mainstream of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. In addition, he took thoughtful positions on election integrity issues that were more than justified by Florida’s election experiences since 2000.

With less than a month until Election Day 2006, another story appeared in the St. Petersburg Times 15 October 2006 in which Rep. Wasserman-Schultz again commented on Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite: "She's pretty independent-minded, she stands up for what she believes in, and if she changes her view, it's because she's carefully evaluated" the issue.

This inspired Russell’s question, “So why would an elected official from my party be actively working for my Republican opponent?” "

There's more. Ask MadFloridian who is the expert on this.

And how about this:

"Karen Thurman is the current Chairman of the Florida Democratic Party. Al Cardenas is the former Chairman of the Florida Republican Party and a major player in Republican politics in Florida. Al pays Karen $3,500 a month to lobby Democrats in Washington in behalf of Miami-Dade County.

Ms. Thurman gets $100,000 a year for the full time position of party chair. Apparently she’s giving 242% since the Cardenas contract and another extracurricular endeavor earn her an extra $142,000 beyond the cool $100,000 she gets from the Democrats.

The St. Petersburg Times quoted Rep. Dan Gelber, (D-Miami Beach) as saying: "Everybody in political life navigates the ironies of relationships and friendships. It's ironic, but it's not improper." This was typical of the tolerance shown by others in the Florida Democratic establishment to this apparent conflict.

It could have been more ironic. The other firm representing Miami-Dade in Washington is Greenberg Taurig of Miami where convicted felon and former Republican operative Jack Abramoff served as a partner. "

Interview with Thurman.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00271.htm

"Karen Thurman: John you know what. You and I are just gonna disagree… This why I am doing these kind of event so that I can have the money. OK. The fact of the matter is how much money did Glen raise? How much money did you raise?

John Russell: And how much money did your son receive from the Florida Democratic Party?

KT:, I told you this… my son raised $60,000 dollars, he received little or nothing… there was not one mailing. You know what… you and I are…

JR: Yes he did. I have his finance report right here. The finance report is right here… He received $11,000 from the in in-kind

KT: Oh my God!

JR: and $4,000 in a check. (See appendix for financial records)"

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After this, Russell was barred physically from the FDC convention despite being the candidate for Congress, getting 40% of the votes, and spending $40 thousand or more of his own money, AS EVERY SINGLE OTHER PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT HAD TO DO IN FLORIDA IN 2006 because the FDC gave them NO MONEY.