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Campaign Crawlers
A Pig’s Breakfast
Florida Republicans are finding a way to lose a Senate seat that was theirs for the taking.
TAMPA — With conservative energy running high, Republicans in Florida nearly ran the electoral table in 2010, with all of the party’s candidates running on unambiguous conservative platforms. There was every reason then to believe that center-right Florida was back after being fooled into giving the little hustler from Chicago 50.9 percent of its vote for president in 2008.
Maybe so. Maybe not. Recent polls show the race between President O’Barnum and Mitt Romney to be a dead heat. Floridians have heard “within the margin of error” a lot lately.
There was also reason after the 2010 electoral triumph for Florida conservatives to be optimistic about retiring Bill Nelson, Florida’s two-term, liberal U.S. Senator who must face the voters this November. After all, Nelson has consistently voted for liberal phantasms: Obama’s stimulus slush fund, cap and trade, Obamacare, and just about anything else that costs a lot of money and transfers more power to the central government. If Nelson is even aware of the nation’s life-threatening debt and deficits, he’s given no evidence of it.
Polls have shown the policies Nelson votes for are not popular with a majority of Floridians. His approval ratings have been nothing to brag about. Even his name recognition numbers are low for a guy who has been at one station or another of the public trough since 1972.
But for all this, Nelson (call sign, “Lucky”) seems to be cruising toward re-election, and six more years as Florida’s only Democrat in state-wide elective office. In recent polls Nelson has held double-digit leads over all of his possible Republican opponents.
Nelson will face one of four Republican candidates. Three are problematic. The other is a former member of the U.S. House who is little known outside of his congressional district and who hopped into the race this past weekend. He has less than three months to make himself known before the August 14 primary.
George LeMieux, a South Florida attorney, served 16 months in the U.S. Senate after former Florida Senator Mel Martinez resigned from his seat in the summer of 2009. LeMieux suffers from his connection with former Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who appointed LeMieux to the Senate. LeMieux was Crist’s campaign manager and chief of staff when Crist was Florida’s attorney general, then governor. Crist is Castor Oil to the Republican base in Florida after he drifted left and then abandoned the party altogether to run, unsuccessfully, as an independent against Marco Rubio, now Florida’s conservative, rookie U.S. Senator.
LeMieux is a bright but charisma-challenged fellow who maintained a conservative voting record in his short hitch in the Senate. And as soon as Crist left the Republican Party, LeMieux endorsed Rubio for the Senate. But LeMieux is still haunted by the Ghost of Charlie’s Past. And it hasn’t helped him that Florida’s newspapers last week ran a series of stories suggesting a connection between LeMieux and indicted former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer.
Connie Mack IV, a member of the U.S. House representing the Fort Myers area, has his own Charlie problem. Mack’s conduct as a young man, which included bar fights and road rage incidents, suggests he studied public conduct on a Charlie Sheen scholarship.
Today’s Mack, now in his forties, is a more decorous item. And most polls show him leading comfortably in the Republican race. But his early peccadilloes, along with past financial difficulties and the question of how much of a Florida resident he is (he’s married to Congresswoman Mary Bono of California — yes, widow of Sonny), would present Democrats with a target-rich environment in the general, as they have for LeMieux in the primary.
Mack led Nelson briefly in the polls before his frat boy past became public knowledge, and before many Republican voters finally realized that Mack IV is not Connie Mack III, the retired but still much respected former U.S. Senator from Florida.
The third wheel in the Republican race is Plant City businessman Mike McCalister, who has gotten very little traction and collected very little campaign cash. The newbie in the race is former U.S. Rep. David Weldon, who compiled a conservative voting record while representing the Brevard County area from 1994 to 2008. He has to be considered the longest of long shots, with almost no money to build the name recognition he would need to compete, and no connections with the Republican fund-raising establishment.
Speaking of fund-raising, the other Republican problem is that Nelson’s available campaign cash is a multiple of that of every Republican candidate, with no primary opponent to spend that campaign money on. Nelson will, of course, get favorable coverage from Florida’s left-stream media.
So there it is. The Republican Senate effort, which looked promising just a short while ago, has devolved into a pig’s breakfast. Unless something wildly unexpected happens to his discredit before November, Bill “Lucky” Nelson will likely once again escape responsibility for his liberal record and continue to misrepresent center-right Florida in the U.S. Senate.
National Republicans nurture hopes of gaining a majority in the U.S. Senate this November. It might happen. But as things stand now, they shouldn’t expect any help from the lower right.
About the Author
Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (65) | Leave a comment
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Purp| 5.21.12 @ 7:41AM
Let the best man win - Nelson in 2012.
Von Mises Jr| 5.21.12 @ 8:40AM
Hey Perp. Did you read any Von Mises or Hayek over the weekend? I am still waiting to know what you have read. If you are so smart in economics, certainly you can pass my quiz?
Bob Grant| 5.21.12 @ 9:36AM
Perp Walk's only knowledge of economics is what he's been told about the Keynesian Multiplier Effect, how wonderful it is. How it grows the economy. How 1 dollar given to a worker results in 3 dollars of economic growth.
You know, all of that pseudo-intellectual claptrap rotting our country.
Von Mises Jr| 5.21.12 @ 10:01AM
Exactly Bob. Perp is a Marxist dictation machine. The voice inside his blank tape head regurgitates the speeches when you step on the play pedal.
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 10:29AM
Let the best man win - Nelson in 2012.
How's your simma cum laude son? (your words, not mine). And you think you know Von Mises doctrine. Yeah, right.
Von Mises Jr| 5.21.12 @ 11:48AM
What Von Mises books have your read? Can you answer a question or reference anything other than Media Matters, troll?
Here is Indy's find about liberal logic. The last one is that liberals don't have to answer any questions if they can find a misspelled word http://directorblue.blogspot.c.....ional.html
You can keep talking, but unless you can answer my questions, you let everyone know you don't know what you are talking about. You could be substituted with a dictation machine. You both have the same intellect.
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 1:03PM
I neither desire nor require your approval of anything and you can keep asking whatever you like. I will answer if and when I choose to. Apparently, you have not given me enough incentive to answer your inane questions.
Von Mises Jr| 5.21.12 @ 1:52PM
You are too ignorant to answer the questions and everybody reading this understands this. So keep refusing and I will keep asking.
What Von Mises books have you read, professor?
Bob Grant| 5.21.12 @ 2:46PM
Von,
Empty, ironic, and snarky posts are all he's got in his quiver. He'll go after your insignificant post errors but not the substance of what your message...because he can't...and he knows it.
My advise is to move on and ignore the douche.
Von Mises Jr| 5.21.12 @ 3:05PM
Pick your target, isolate it, freeze it.......
Two sides can play this game?
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 3:11PM
When a substantive argument is presented, I will rebut it... so far all Von M does is blather how much he knows. Proves nothing.
BTW - what's new about ironic, snarky posts on this site anyway? That's about all you guys post anyway.
Mimi Mayes | 5.21.12 @ 3:42PM
Sigh. Every time I come to this website, if Purp is here, I'm gone. I don't need lefty claptrap -- I can get that in the MSM. I wish you intelligent guys would ignore him.
Vern Crisler| 5.21.12 @ 11:43AM
Who cares about these Republican whores in Florida. They've already shown the don't have any conservative principles.
Joellen| 5.21.12 @ 7:46AM
Have Governor Sarah Palin & Congressman Alan West campaign for the most absolute "Consitutional conservative" and you'll have a BIG WIN!
Von Mises Jr| 5.21.12 @ 8:44AM
I met Col. West on the Mall in DC and I urged him to run for Senate. The GOP is trying to re-district him out of his House seat for being too conservative and outspoken. He declined, but I still think he would do the country another great service, if he took up the challenge.
Newsflash to the GOP: Opposing conservatives such as Congressman West is exactly why there is no enthusiasm for the Republican Party. You guys could muck up a wet dream.
Nite| 5.21.12 @ 8:00PM
I had the pleasure of listening to Col. Allen West speak recently. He is WONDERFUL! Now as to Bill Nelson, he recently had a lawyer to send letters to media outlets asking them to block a PAC aid from the Chamber of Commerce, stating the aid was lies. It was NOT. Bill Nelson needs to retire. He does not listen to Republicans in his district, just to Democrats.
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 10:33AM
Yeah, that's right, let Sarah "I can see Russia from my House" Palin and Alan "I AM “THE MODERN-DAY HARRIET TUBMAN”" West team up. Yeah that's a winning combination.
A woman that can see Russia, and a man that wears a dress.... sure, you betcha.
Paul Kotik| 5.21.12 @ 10:41AM
Here's another example of why we should press for the legalization of dueling.
Be fun to watch Palin take out Purp.
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 10:47AM
Only if she wears her waders ... she would kill me then - I'd die laughing at the stupid beyotch.
Paul Kotik| 5.21.12 @ 11:24AM
Like you'd even show up.
Von Mises Jr| 5.21.12 @ 11:51AM
Perp would lose a duel with Palin if he came to the knife fight with a gun.
Al Adab| 5.21.12 @ 3:55PM
Purp is simply taking up too much space these days.
The real question of this article is, since the GOP is managing to lose a Senate seat can they deliver electoral votes in November? If not, the election is lost and Rubio better stay where he is.
Boar Hunter| 5.21.12 @ 12:31PM
Nice of you to show what a "stupid beyotch" you are by attributing quotes from an actor on Saturday Night Live to the great Sarah Palin.
The comment on West does not even merit a response.
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 12:55PM
Oh, but it's so much fun to ridicule one of the dumbest politicians(if she is even that) walking. She's an idiot AND a quitter.
Oh, and those were West's own words, not mine. Truth really is enlightening isn't it?
James Jones| 5.21.12 @ 10:43AM
But of course you know, as do we all, that Palin did not say what you say she said. Tina Fey did (chortle) :)
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 10:46AM
Yes, and she was hysterical .. what Palin actually said was far more nonsensical and troubling. Do you recall what she actually said about her "foreign policy credentials" ... that wasn't funny, but very, very strange for a VP candidate. She is so dumb.
tonypal| 5.21.12 @ 10:57AM
Is Alaska one of the 57 states Obama visited?
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 11:25AM
Does not change a thing about Palin, now does it? She's still a stupid, lame, quitter that can't hold a conversation beyond her makeup and dress. She's an idiot and history proves it.
Obama misspoke - Palin is just plain stupid.
Boar Hunter| 5.21.12 @ 1:17PM
The only one stupid is you.
You are a form of multi-facited stupid. You are stupid in 3-D.
You are aggressively stupid.
Your metro sexual pal, Obama from Kenya, can't speak to a kindergarten class without his teleprompter and sounds like the beaver in the Disney movie Lady and the Tramp with that lisping whistle he punctuates all his sentences with, even when it's not broken
No wonder your intimidated by self reliant hunters and fisherman. Obama might as well have worn a dress when he rode his girl bike. LOL, Palin kills moose, wolves and bears. Obama kills flies and eats dogs that are killed for him.
When he does not have his feet up on the furniture, Obama's limp wrist is a legendary source of humor in photos. Obama keeps bending over to all the worlds leaders because it is his naturally subservient position. The only source of testosterone in his entire family is that Wookie he married to keep up appearances. Liberals have the gall to bash Palin and her children? I wonder who fathered Obama's kids?
As far as stupid? Google Obama's gaffes.
But after all, I guess it isn't fair for anyone from Kenya who wasn't even eligible to be president to be asked questions about America or American's, that's why Obama gets interview questions like whats your favorite color.
Those bleating sheep like you who voted for this racist, communist, muslim, drug using criminal from Kenya are the stupid ones.
Oh, and did I mention that, like you, Ear-leader is a habitual liar? Yeah, I think I did.
skip| 5.21.12 @ 11:31PM
This political theater is probably all much ado about nothing.
Sun burps, knocks out electricity three months. Coastal and urban liberals living insect colony-like panic and starve. Fly-over and rural conservatives enjoy peace and quiet, gather wood and fruits and vegetables, hunt fish and game, charitably help those as they choose, and shoot looters in self-defense. Restore the electricity. Conservatives govern locally and nationally as originally intended.
Here comes the sun. It's all right.
benny havens| 5.22.12 @ 7:23AM
Does not change a thing about birdbrain Biden and liar Obama. Both of them are stupid. Can’t utter a word without a teleprompter. They are idiots and the last three and a half years proves it. The issue is not free condoms and diaphragms; it’s the economy stupid.
Vern Crisler| 5.21.12 @ 11:46AM
Purp, Sarah didn't say that. Do your homework, as someone keeps reminding us on these boards.
Dick Nome| 5.21.12 @ 12:22PM
Purp is plain stupid. I think Purp is a girl who is exceptionally envious of a smart woman who is also far more attrative than the majority of Liberal hags.
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 1:00PM
No, not stupid - but I'm not running to be VP of the United States. Not a girl, but a flute player with no brain and no morals (teen pregnant right under her nose) just doesn't do it for me - apparently she does do it for the right wing-nut men.
Boar Hunter| 5.21.12 @ 3:54PM
You play Obama's flute
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 12:58PM
I know full well what she actually said, do you? - and although less funny, it helped to seal her fate as an idiot. It was far more troubling than anything Tina Fey said and that she was even picked for VP considering what a mumble-fumble bum she was on foreign policy. Bush doctrine? What's that? Let's see who Richie Romney comes up with. He doesn't have much to choose from apparently.
Vern Crisler| 5.21.12 @ 2:20PM
Maybe Sarah was reaching on the issue of foreign policy experience, but it's really a stupid question. Which presidential candidate ever had foreign policy experience? Did Obama? Bush? Clinton? No doubt all these guys pointed to some innocuous experience in their backgrounds that qualified them on foreign policy. Yet Sarah is vilified constantly and unfairly by people who aren't worthy to stand behind her and ogle her.
Here's the idiot Couric asking about it:
COURIC: You’ve cited Alaska’s proximity to Russia as part of your foreign-policy experience. What did you mean by that?
PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land — boundary that we have with — Canada. It, it’s funny that a comment like that was — kind of made to cari — I don’t know. You know. Reporters —
COURIC: Mocked?
PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess that’s the word, yeah.
COURIC: Explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.
PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our— our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia—
COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?
PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We— we do— it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where— where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is— from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to— to our state.
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 3:05PM
Thanks for confirming my point - she's an idiot and a fool. Anyone that reads that garbage and thinks she knows anything when she fumbles and mumbles along. And she was the Gov of Alaska? Oh, man did they get snookered.
You are almost right about one thing - not all president's have foreign policy experience. But they sure can speak more intelligently than this dope did. Even Baby Bush had his "strategery" ... she was a joke from the moment she left the stage after her "lipstick on a pig" joke. Well the joke was on her - she just didn't know SHE was the pig with lipstick on.
Vern Crisler| 5.21.12 @ 3:18PM
Nothing confirmed your stupid slanders against Sarah.
And still, we have 57 states. So is it your position that Sarah is as dumb as Obama?
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 1:04PM
No shit, really? Wow, news flash. Do you know what she really said? You should be happier with the SNL skit. It's far funnier and far less troubling.
Boar Hunter| 5.21.12 @ 1:20PM
The only thing troubling to me is that vermin like you live in America.
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 1:22PM
Back at ya, Sunshine! Still doesn't change that Palin's an idiot.
Boar Hunter| 5.21.12 @ 3:55PM
Anyone want to know how to make Purp's eyes glitter?
Hold a flashlight up to his ear.
W| 5.21.12 @ 7:49PM
Purp,
You really are a dimwit.
You do know Palin never said she could see Russia from her house. She said Russia is close to Alaska and can be seen from Alaska. Tina Fey expanded this to what dim bulbls like you repeat.
You do know Tina Fey and Palin are not the same woman?
You prefer Obama's foreign policy experience because he lived in Indonesia as a muslim, and visited Iran as a student, and ignored his poor half brother in Kenya?
Dr. X| 5.21.12 @ 8:53AM
If Nelson gets re-elected, so what? Are there any Republicans out there who are really any different than the Democrats? Look at that stupid "Republican" governor of Florida who caved in to the slanderer Al Sharpton and appointed that fat pig of a special prosecutor to railroad George Zimmerman. Turns out Zimmerman was telling the truth the whole time. Yeah, there's a real "Republican" for ya.
And don't be surprised if the idiot milquetoast Republican morons blow it in a national level, too. Romney has already refused to question Obama's past, so... he's already throwing the campaign.
2Anglico| 5.21.12 @ 11:00AM
Agree with your post, unfortunately. Bill Nelson is a total idiot, ever hear him try to speak? He was a complete failure as Insurance commissioner so, of course, when you fail at the small stuff and have a D(onkey) behind your name, you go on to higher office. However, uninformed voters and the moochers (see purp) are to blame also.
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 1:24PM
Moocher? Really? On what do you base that stupid opinion? Are you one of those uninformed voters?
Boar Hunter| 5.21.12 @ 3:59PM
Oh! I finally got it!
I forgot your a queer. You hate Palin because she believes in God and the Country and you are a queer!
I would hate her if if I was self obsessed about my rights to be a deviant who people disagreed with lol.
ROFLOL. Purp is a queer. Purp is a queer! Ha ha ha ha.
Alan | 5.21.12 @ 9:33AM
Establishment Republicans sure have a way of snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory
Alan | 5.21.12 @ 9:33AM
Establishment Republicans sure have a way of snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory
Purp| 5.21.12 @ 10:35AM
You mean like Sharron "2nd Amendment Remedies" Angle or Christine "I'm not a Witch" O'Donnell teabags?
Boar Hunter| 5.21.12 @ 4:10PM
Angle was correct and you are an idiot.
You voted for a communist.
You voted for a racist.
You voted for drug user.
You voted for a muslim.
You voted for someone born in Kenya .
You voted for an associate of criminals like Tony Rezko.
You voted for an associate of terrorists like Bill Ayres.
You voted for a liar.
Most importantly, You voted for someone as close to gay as you could find.
Ha Ha Ha Purp loves men. They don't love him, they just get some, Tea Bag him and walk away lol.
TKRC| 5.21.12 @ 9:52AM
never ever question the aim of the establishment RINOs... no matter where they point their weapon, they ALWAYS hit their own foot.
Bill| 5.21.12 @ 10:24AM
It seems to me there is a former governor who has lots of time on his hands...since he will not be VP. Jeb would make it an interesting race with money not being a problem? Just saying a little bird needs to take flight for that shoulder.
JimH| 5.21.12 @ 12:41PM
If Jeb has any future presidential aspirations a stint in the Senate could help improve the family name, show that he is the smart one in the family and demonstrate the third time’s the charm. That said, West is still my choice.
Bill| 5.21.12 @ 10:26AM
It would give Florida a powerful team of Senators with conservative voters
Paul Kotik| 5.21.12 @ 10:39AM
Got to draft Allen West to run against Nelson.
With one hand tied behind his back, just to make it only a little unfair.
Lawrence of Lutz| 5.21.12 @ 12:37PM
Enough of the Mack dynesty; the United States Senate is not like the House of Lords in the mother country. The Senate seat belongs to the people of Florida, NOT the Mack family.
When will the Republicans learn? (answer:never)
Bill| 5.21.12 @ 5:34PM
No, I think Bill Nelson is a LOSER since he voted for Obamacare, and Connie Mack will win 'cause he will repeal Obamacare.
Mastodon| 5.21.12 @ 7:13PM
During the Obamacare 'debate', I sent 11 emails
to Bill Nelson urging him to vote nay. I received
a total of 5 identical replies, each stating how
proud he was to support Obama.
Bill| 5.21.12 @ 7:51PM
That is why he'll be in the "Casualty list" in 2012 election, taking the path of Lincoln of AK, Feingeld of WI, as they all were defeated in the Tea Party tsunami.
The Bruce| 5.22.12 @ 12:23AM
Of course. He went the politically correct route of supporting our "first black President."
He supported style over substance, and it is for that reason he'll lose.
Brian| 5.22.12 @ 7:41PM
Republicans are finished in Florida. Voters gave them absolute control and they stabbed us in the back and spit in our face. Now I know why ppl vote Democrat, not cause they are good but because Repubs are so rotten.
danny| 5.24.12 @ 10:55PM
I went to a Bill Maher show a few weeks ago in Fort Myers. The show was sold out and a crowd was waiting outside to get in if there were any no shows. It was great to see there are a lot of Floridians with common sense and can still think for themselves instead of acting like the Fox News Talking Heads very much like the author of this article. Rubio and Mack are the most immature, self centered, incompetent screwballs I have ever had the misfortune to communicate with. They have no experience, they do not have the best interest of Floridians in mind they are only out to advance their own political careers. You mention Charlie Christ, he was a good governor and a good man, too bad we had to lose him and get the idiot we have now.