Sink vs. Crist battle already started for Governor in 2010 (Florida)

[seafan]

Sink vs. Crist battle already started

By Joe Follick
November 7, 2008



Florida CFO Alex Sink (AP)

So much for a post-election pause. Check out www.draftalex.com to see a spirited blog/manifesto touting Democrat Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink as a 2010 opponent for Gov. Charlie Crist.

“So, why governor?” the site rhetorically asks. “Why should Alex Sink abandon her role as CFO - a job she has performed so well at - to run for governor? Well, for one, Charlie Crist needs to be ousted. The man is not a centrist. He’s a political opportunist, changing his positions constantly so that he remains popular. The problem is this isn’t leadership. He can’t just follow the people; he needs to lead them.

“Charlie Crist is vulnerable in 2010. You’ll be reading more about that here on draftalex.com. Although you may be skeptical, Alex has the make up to steal a lot of Crist voters that Davis lost. The tide of the state is also turning bluer by the election cycle.”

.....

CFO Sink would be a very strong and capable candidate for Governor. She has said that she would wait until after this election before deciding on her political future.... either a run for the Governorship or a challenge to Senator Mel Martinez.


Hoping that this article is the first indication that she is considering a challenge to Crist.
Heaven knows, Florida needs progressive Democratic control of the Governor's office and the Legislature to clean up the decay of Republican rule that still bears the stench of Jeb Bush.


Will be following this closely.

[Sancho]

1. Sink can beat Crist!

It's time to make FL a blue, blue, blue state!


:dem:

[seafan]

2. Florida leaders in denial about budget problem, CFO Sink says

Florida leaders in denial about budget problem, Sink says

By Steve Bousquet, Tallahassee bureau chief
November 8, 2008

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink suggested Friday that the state's Republican leaders are in denial about the dire economy and they should call a special legislative session now to deal with the impact on the state budget.
Sink, speaking to the Council of 100 in Palm Beach, said a possible $1-billion gap in state funding demands attention now, not later.

"I do not see any way we can afford to wait until March to deal with a potential $1-billion-plus shortfall in this budget year," Sink, the state's only elected Democratic executive, said in an interview later. "That's just an impossible situation."
Either the governor or the two leaders of the Legislature call special sessions, and so far Gov. Charlie Crist and new leaders of the House and Senate, all Republicans, are taking a wait-and-see approach. And Sink's criticism comes as Crist is reaching the midpoint of his term.

.....

So far, however, there's no economic rebound in sight. The actual taxes collected in September were $40-million below an estimate that was revised downward in light of a weak economy.
The slowdown in tax revenue has prompted Sink in the past three months to ask Crist to seek legislative approval to make cash transfers within state agencies of up to $1.25-billion to cover the state's expenses.

Sink, a former bank executive whose duties include serving as state treasurer, said Florida should consider eliminating expenses that are not "mission-critical," such as $140-million in school recognition grants to schools that get A or B grades.
She criticized Crist for ordering state agencies to hold back spending 4 percent across the board, saying it would be more appropriate to make strategic or targeted cuts.

Sink speculated that the unwillingness to call a special session is because it would reinforce a negative image of the economy and budget.

"It's going to be ugly. It's not fun," she said. "We did the easy cuts last year."

The upcoming few weeks could make it difficult for state leaders to find time for a special session.
Crist hosts a two-day meeting of Republican governors in Miami next week, and the following week is a brief organizational session of the new Legislature, a largely ceremonial event.
The week after that is Thanksgiving, and two weeks later, on Dec. 12, Crist will marry Carole Rome in St. Petersburg.

Sink is holding Crist's and the Legislature's feet to the fire on this. This calculated paralysis and mean-spirited ineptitude by these Republicans will be exposed for all to see.


This is why it is vitally important that we return Florida's government to the leadership of Democrats in 2010.

[FLAprogressive]

3. She would be a VERY strong candidate

I'd rather have her run then DINO Allen Boyd.