Two Florida Democratic congress folks prefer their Republican incumbents to their own party.

[madfloridian]

In case you are wondering why there is always so much weird stuff going on in this state, it could be I was right. I have often said that many Florida Democrats are basically Republicans at heart, and vice versa. It has happened over the years. They switched back and forth so much, they forgot who they were.

Heck, many of of the Florida Democrats, we call them Blue Dogs, supported Jeb Bush for governor

It is like that here. It is sometimes hard to tell the difference.

This is a shocking case in South Florida. It involves two Florida congress people who are actually refusing to support the three Democrats running against their Republican opponents. They use the excuse of being too close to the families and respecting the Republican candidates too much. Even more shocking is who the two Republicans are that they respect so much. They are Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

This is Debbie Wasserman Schultz.



This is Kendrick Meek.



Here is what they said this week.

Democrats torn between party, GOP allegiances

This time around, Wasserman Schultz and Meek say their relationships with the Republican incumbents, Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and his brother Mario, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, leave them little choice but to sit out the three races.

''At the end of the day, we need a member who isn't going to pull any punches, who isn't going to be hesitant,'' Wasserman Schultz said.

The decision comes as Democrats believe they have their best shot in years to defeat at least one of the Cuban-American incumbents with a roster of Democrats that include former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, opposing Lincoln Diaz-Balart; outgoing Miami-Dade Democratic party chair Joe Garcia, opposing Mario Diaz-Balart; and businesswoman Annette Taddeo, opposing Ros-Lehtinen.

But Wasserman Schultz and Meek say their ties to the three Republicans are personal as well as professional: Both served in the state Legislature with Mario Diaz-Balart and say they work in concert with all three on South Florida issues.

The Democrats have a former mayor and former county chair willing to run against powerful opponents, and these two sit on their butts and say no we won't help.

I read today the DCCC will support them. But that misses the important point. The DCCC is NOT going after these two Democrats for standing up for their Republican opponents.

Wasserman Schultz is a co-chair of the DCCC's Red to Blue campaign. This is outrageous behavior on her part.

And Wasserman Schultz, for the second election cycle in a row, co-chairs the campaign committee's Red to Blue program, which raises money for and provides strategic advice to top Democratic House candidates.

The national party, enthusiastic about the three Democratic challengers, has not yet selected Red to Blue participants. But Wasserman Schultz has already told the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee that if any of the three make the cut, another Democrat should be assigned to the race.

''It needs to be somebody who can roll up their sleeves,'' Wasserman Schultz said. ``I'm just not that person; it's just too sensitive for me.''

She can not roll up her sleeves for a fellow Democrat for fear of offending her Republican friends. And the DCCC does nothing about it.

Is anyone surprised at the terrible mess they have made of the primary in Florida? I'm not. This is why they feel no guilt at throwing a monkey wrench into the state primary system. They don't seem to feel any kind of loyalty to their own party.

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. The Meeks are a powerful family that's been

there forever. Don't let rhetoric fool you; these people know their own consituencies.

[defendandprotect]

12. This is Carrie Meeks son --- she served in the USH for quite some time . . .

However, her son recently voted for the bankruptcy bill ---

[marmar]

2. Wasserman Schultz is a useless DINO.....and apparently so is Meek.

[Creideiki]

32. So is it okay to slam DINOs?

Just want to know. Because, well, you know.

Do they caucus with the party on the important progressive votes and issues in Congress or constantly cave?

[DaLittle Kitty]

45. Wasserman Schlitz Endorsed District 5 Republican Incumbent Ginny Brown-Waite In The St. Pete Times

in 2006! Wasserman Schlitz is a supporter for ANY candidate of ANY Party that unquestioningly supports AIPAC/ Israel. Ginny Brown-Waite is easily bought and so is Little Debbie... .. A character and Integrity FREE POS if there ever was one!!! Hopefully John Russell will run and unseat Ginny Brown-Waite in District 5 and will go to Washington and KEEP WASSERMAN=SCHLITZ... IN LINE!!!!

www.johnrussellforcongress.com He will be updating his website soon I think for the election... Will someone file against Debbie... PLEASE!!!

[thunder rising]

3. The greatest advantage to having a clear majority ... is that we can take out the trash!

[Supersedeas]

23. time to clean house

[OhioBlue]

4. She's co-chair

of the DCCC and she won't support the Dem? That is ridiculous.

[madfloridian]

10. And Van Hollen is not calling her out on it.

[defendandprotect]

13. Is there any chance that Wasserman-Schultz is Randi Rhodes Congressional member in Florida --- ???

If so, she often speaks highly of her ---
which is confusing . . .

[madfloridian]

14. I think Wexler is Randi's congressman.

May be wrong.

[defendandprotect]

15. Could be . . .but she seems to be referring to a SHE . .

[madfloridian]

16. Well, Wasserman Schultz has been considered a progressive...

but lately she has changed and does not act like one. Could be her.

[defendandprotect]

17. Yeah . . . she and Meek used to do the C-span nighttime stuff . . .

explaining SS and other issues --- and I thought progressive . . .

Then I was shocked to hear that Meek voted for the bankruptcy bill ---

and now this about W-S.... ??

If they are DINOs . . . I'm really disappointed ---

And, the Cubans they are trying to get rid of are VILE ---

[RandiFan1290]

21. No, it's Wexler

Randi's Florida home is about a half mile away from me. We are in Wexler's district.

Wasn't Meek recently involved in a scandal with his mother and a Florida developer? Apparently she received a free Cadillac Escalade and was having her rent paid by a developer that was lobbying Meek for a $4 million dollar deal.

[The Backlash Cometh]

35. Brazen little thing.

[DaLittle Kitty]

55. No. It IS ... FUCKING ... CRIMINAL! Wassley weAsel Must Be KEELHAULED!

[Dr.Phool]

5. Weaselman-Schlitz endorsed her friend Ginny Brown-Waite(RRRRRR-5)

In 2006 against progressive Democrat John Russell in the congressional election.

This DINO needs a major primary opponent. And I'll be the first to donate to them.

I talked to a friend today, who is running for another office. We came to the conclusion that she seems to be angling for Mel Martinez' Senate seat in 2010. She's showing up at all county functions, and is getting major exposure on the networks and other media.

Blow her out of the water before she gets a chance. With DLC trash like her, we don't need repukes.

[marmar]

6. Isn't Brown-Waite the genius who called Puerto Ricans "foreign citizens"?

If that's the kind of company Wasserman-Schultz keeps.....

[Dr.Phool]

9. That's her! There's an anti war demonstration in front of her Brooksville office.

At 11:00 am on Wed, 3-19, and another in front of Bill Nelson's office at 4:00 pm.

I'll be at both!

[Dr.Phool]

27. Edit to my post above. That's Bill Nelson's Tampa office.

[DaLittle Kitty]

46. AGREED DOC! WasslyweaselmnSchlitz is a disgrace to beer drinkers EVERYWHERE and MUST Be Thrown out

w/ the day old pizza... She needs to be exposed!

[orleans]

7. debbie wasserman schultz is an asshole!

apparently so is kendrick meek

[tsuki]

8. With Little Miss Debbie, it is all about HER. Never mind her

constituents, never mind her party. It is all about Little Miss Debbie.



She just doesn't want anyone to eclipse her in south Florida, and Raul Martinez will.

[madfloridian]

11. What Meek said:

"Meek also has told national party leaders that he won't play a role in the races. He and his mother, former Rep. Carrie Meek, are close to Martinez, the former Hialeah mayor. But Meek said the ties between his family and the Diaz-Balarts run deeper.

''I wish Raul the best,'' Meek said. ``As a Democrat, I hope he succeeds. This is the only race I wouldn't get involved in. It's just something I can't do."

From Swing State project...the two they are protecting are very right wing Republicans.

http://swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1552


"In a flame-fanning tirade on Spanish-language radio last week, Díaz-Balart called the tax hike an "attack on the Cuban-American community." He added: "It would hurt an industry specifically in Miami-Dade, in South Florida, an industry that is almost entirely Hispanic: those who make cigars by hand, which is a cultural tradition. That industry will not survive."

More at the link.

[Eric J in MN]

18. It's part of an agreement where the Republican Reps. also don't campaign...

...for challengers.

If Debbie Wasserman Schultz wants to honor such an agreement, fine.

[madfloridian]

39. That sounds like a terrible agreement.

Yuck.

[Eric J in MN]

40. It saves Congresspersons from spending time cancelling each other out.

Hopefully, they will use that time to study legislation.

[madfloridian]

41. The two they are protecting are two who are not good for Florida and the country.

They are extremely right wing, and they do not worry about what is good for the Democratic party.

I see no benefit to protecting people like that.

[Eric J in MN]

42. There is going to be a close Congressional race in my district in MN...

...and I don't care if the Democratic Congresspersons in other districts get involved.

It's the responsibility of us in the district to try to get the Democrat elected.

[madfloridian]

43. My point is that these two are enabling two of the worst GOP officials

in Florida to stay in power because they are old family friends.

That is not helping the state at all.

I am not sure I see your point. I would expect Democrats to realize we can get more done with the Dem congress.

[Eric J in MN]

49. Suppose that FL Democratic Reps campaign for challengers,

...and FL Republican Reps campaign for challengers, and 1 challenger from each party wins.

Then the number of Democratic and Republican Reps from FL would stay the same.

[madfloridian]

50. And we have one big happy party??

Come on.

[Eric J in MN]

51. I'm saying, why do you want FL Republican and Democratic Congresspersons...

...each campaigning for challengers, when they may just cancel each other out?

[madfloridian]

52. Because we have at least two great candidates running??

I guess I don't think that way at all.

[madfloridian]

53. Let me get this straight.

You are for our major Dems sitting out when we have three eager candidates running. Is that what you are saying?

Think of the help they could be. They are angering their constituents, so what value is that?

[Dr.Phool]

56. Some people just don't have properly functioning minds.

Leave the republican there so we don't have conflict.

We need people to represent the people. Find Debbie a good primary challenger, and I'll donate all I can, and even drive cross-state to work for them!

[Strelnikov_]

19. ..

Birds of a feather . . .

[JCMach1]

20. MEcrats... I would expect nothing less than this from the Florida party

[KG]

22. these 'democrats' not only supported jeb for guv, they voted in droves for g. w. bush 2000

see, all you nader-hating morons can go fuck yourselves - your fellow, um, 'democrats' put the chimp in office, not the greens.

[BayjanDem]

24. As a Dade County Resident

I can only say, WTF. Kendrick continues to disappoint me. I loved his mama, but his support for HRC and now this...and don't think for a MINUTE that they would give them a reach around. Diaz Balart and Ross Lehtinen would work hard to unseat both these people. Another banner moment for the Fla Dems

[Patsy Stone]

29. Let's you and I both

run against Ileana in November. We could get 35% without even trying.

[hisownpetard]

25. K&R

[psychmommy]

26. i am so disappointed.

folks expect the voters to suck it up and put the party 1st. well our reps better start sucking it up and put the party first. or they need to be put out of the party like lieberman.

[madfloridian]

38. I am upset with Florida Democrats right now

They don't seem to see the overall picture on any issue.

[Patsy Stone]

28. I had such high hopes for both of them

And look what disappointments they've turned out to be.

[madfloridian]

30. Wasserman-Schultz when questioned about FL early primary...

"WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ: Well, I think when you're talking about fairness, we have to remember that this was started by the Republican- led legislature here that actually set the date of our primary."

(NO, it was not.)

"So the victims here in all of — in the decision by the DNC to strip us of our delegates are Democratic voters in the state of Florida.

HUME: Can I stop you there? Just let me stop you there for a second, if I can.

WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ: Sure.

HUME: In the Florida state senate, who introduced the bill to move the primary forward?

WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ: The bill was introduced by a Democratic member, a new Democratic member of the state senate."

(Yes, it was, Debbie. by Jeremy Ring)

"HUME: And in the legislature, senate and house as well, how many Democrats voted against it?

WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ: Well, that's an inappropriate line of questioning, Brit, because that bill ultimately...

HUME: Well, wait a minute. Well, inappropriate or not...

WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ: Excuse me, Brit.

HUME: ... could you just answer the question?

WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ: Can I answer your question?

HUME: Yes. How many?"

(Then she gave the paper trail argument for the 115 to 1 vote.)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,336353,00.html

[psychmommy]

44. that is sad

brit hume has dug deeper than anybody else getting fl to admit the dems voted almost unanimously for the leapfrog. no matter how she tried schulz couldn't clean that up. that is some sad crap. she didn't once mention working with the dnc. she needs to go.

[madfloridian]

54. Odd that it was Brit Hume. No one else has bothered at all.

.

[Creideiki]

31. An Illinois example would be Judy Barr-Topinka

She's a Republican, the state treasurer, and really, really good at her job. Oh, and incredibly progressive. Not only that, but as the only Republican holding a statewide office, she gets to beat through the thick skulls of the RRRW invaders that their politics won't sell in Illinois.

[madfloridian]

33. Not sure what you are saying...

will reread.

[The Backlash Cometh]

34. This is so true about Florida in general.

It's the connections that count. Not the principle.

[flashl]

36. Bill Nelson said he gave FL Dems Thurman. Thurman claims "Crist Is a Dem"

FL Dems and their party's leaders must believe Crist is a Dem because they abandoned their party's candidate, Jim Davis, in the Gov's race. Dems openly announced they abandoned Davis to join bipartisan organizations and raise funds for Crist.

There are no surprises here about party loyalty.

[madfloridian]

37. I saw that video of Thurman saying that.

I swear I think it is hopeless here.

[DaLittle Kitty]

48. Everyone sign up to unseat these assholes... Become a Precinct Captain...

Sign up June 16-21st and then you can pick the state committeemen ... or become one yerself and then pick the state party Dictator... errr chair... NOT THURMAN... AND NOT ALISON MORANO FROM PASCO WHO IS USELESS AS TITS ON A BULL AND IS ANGLING FOR THE 100K PER YEAR JOB... most famously held by Republican Karen Thurman... We need AND MUST ELECT A PROGRESSIVE CHAIR WHO IS HONEST AND FAIR... AND NEITHER OF THSES ASSHOLES MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS... Fight and dump tooth and nail...

[spanone]

47. i heard her on cnn the other day, had i not known, i'd thought she was a thug

[madfloridian]

57. A couple of letters to the editors are not happy with them.

"Disloyal to Dems

Re the March 9 story Democrats torn between party, GOP allegiances: If Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Kendrick Meek cannot remember that they are obligated to further the goals of the Democratic Party by helping to elect to Congress as many Democrats as possible, then they need to resign their election-committee posts.

The Democratic Party has a real chance of unseating three of the most partisan Republicans in Congress who have voted in lockstep with the Bush administration. Do Wasserman Schultz and Meek think that if the shoe were on the other foot, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart would not follow the dictates of the Republican Party and work vigorously to unseat them?

Wasserman Schultz and Meek are doing a grave disservice to the Democratic Party.

MARITZA SILVERIO, Miami

Is this a testament to incredible loyalty to Republican ''friends'' or is this just one more example of the unbelievable shenanigans that take place in South Florida politics? I imagine that there is much more to this than meets the eye, and that simple citizens like me who stand in lines for hours to vote will never really get the inside scoop.

CYNTHIA L. VALDES, Miami"
http://www.miamiherald.com/456/story/459385.html