Obama outraised other candidates in Sarasota Fl

[graywarrior]

Obama pops in for Sarasota fundraiser
Democratic candidate's Sarasota speech was for big donors only

By CAROL E. LEE

[email protected]

BIRD KEY -- The Democratic presidential candidate who has raised the most money in Southwest Florida made his first visit to Sarasota on Monday night.

But unless you were among the more than 200 guests who paid at least $1,000 each or committed to raise as much as $10,000 for his campaign, you did not get to shake Sen. Barack Obama's hand or hear him speak.

(snip)
He has fared better financially in Southwest Florida -- from Pasco County to Collier County -- than any of his Democratic counterparts, and has raised more money from residents in the Sarasota area than any other Republican or Democrat.



http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071106/NEWS/711060410/0/BREAKING20

[saltpoint]

1. This is an interesting post. Thanks for putting it up. Sarasota is one of

those places that should be on our radar screens for 08. Cheatin' Vern Buchanon is defending his seat against the Democrat he cheated, and this time I don't think any cheatin's gonna do him any good.

Obama's support along the Gulf coast of Florida makes an interesting variable in that Congressional race. It would be great to have a ballot-long Democratic sweep of most of those city, county, state races.

[graywarrior]

2. Bradenton FL (part of Sarasota, sort of) elected a Green mayor

Pierce wins Bradenton Beach mayor race
Next promoted himsefl as the "green" candidate

By FRANK GLUCK

[email protected]

Michael R. Pierce, a first-term city commissioner in Bradenton Beach won that community’s race for mayor tonight, soundly defeating fellow commissioner William T. Shearon.

Pierce, 62, said he is surprised and “overwhelmed” by the margin of victory.
He has promoted himself as the “green” candidate in this race. As mayor, Pierce said he would encourage area businesses to take part in recycling and work to install more city lights.

“We’re going to try to promote the green and do everything we can to make the city a little better,” Pierce said after the results came in.

Property tax cuts and the closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge are major issues in Bradenton Beach, population 1,482.

Pierce, a former efficiency expert for General Motors, also said he would make government efficiency a top priority.

Incumbent Mayor John Chappie ran unopposed for the Ward 4 seat on the City Council now held by Shearon.

[saltpoint]

4. Terrific news. It's been a little while since I was down that way,

but this is encouraging for the cities-of-the-future voters across the country.

[graywarrior]

3. And regarding voting in Sarasota that could affect the rest of the country

Sarasota city voters approve election reforms
RICHARD DROUIN

SARASOTA -- Sarasota voters today approved several changes that could make the city a model for election reform nationwide.

The sweeping changes are intended to keep big money out of local races, ban hidden last-minute campaign contributions and narrowing the influence of businesses in local elections.

“This will definitely put us in the forefront in the state,” City Clerk Billy Robinson said after learning results of the overwhelming approval.

Supporters of the measures hope the changes take the focus off which candidates can collect the most checks, said Stan Zimmerman, president of Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations.

“So now we don’t have the big bucks running the election,” Zimmerman said about the collective change. Zimmerman pins his hope on a measure limiting campaign contributions for City Commission candidates to individual donations of $200. But he acknowledges that special interest groups will find other ways to funnel money to candidates, including political action committees.

The outcome will be tested in March, 2009, when candidates vie for two open City Commission seats. All the measures take effect next month.

Voters also approved requiring businesses with at least 50 local employees who get $100,000 or more in city funds to pay a minimum wage several dollars higher than the federal minimum.

And voters approved requiring four out of five commission votes for some land use changes.