Gus Bilirakis Won't Vote For Clean CR

Voters should remember that Rep. Gus Bilirakis vowing not to vote for a clean continuing resolution to fund the federal government.

“I am not in favor of shutting the government down," the Palm Harbor lawmaker said in a statement. "However, there are a number of policy issues that deserve to be discussed and negotiated before I would consider a clean CR. These issues include treating Congress like the rest of America under the health care law and getting our runaway spending under control. The President and Senate must sit down with the House to discuss these important issues first.”

The media should ask Bilirakis how does he expect to get President Barack Obama to sign legislation to defund Obamacare. It is not going to happen.

Florida Members of Congress Voting For Government Shutdown

Via Stogie: here is a list of Republicans who voted for a CR bill that would delay Obamacare. This is a nonstarter in the Senate and President Barack Obama would never sign it into law. This vote is just to appease the tea party base of the GOP.

Rep. Jeff Miller [R-D1]

Rep. Steve Southerland [R-D2]

Rep. Ted Yoho [R-D3]

Rep. Ander Crenshaw [R-D4]

Rep. Ron DeSantis [R-D6]

Rep. John Mica [R-D7]

Rep. Bill Posey [R-D8]

Rep. Daniel Webster [R-D10]

Rep. Richard Nugent [R-D11]

Rep. Gus Bilirakis [R-D12]

Rep. W. Bill Young [R-D13]

Rep. Dennis Ross [R-D15]

Rep. Vern Buchanan [R-D16]

Rep. Thomas Rooney [R-D17]

Rep. Trey Radel [R-D19]

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart [R-D25]

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-D27]

Florida Republicans Voting Against the Violence Against Women Act

This should be used as a helpful reminder to voters. I don't want congressional members of the Florida delegation to duck voting against the Violence Against Women Act. Here is a list of Florida elective officials voting nay on VAWA.

House of Representative

Gus Bilirakis, Ron DeSantis, John Mica, Jeff Miller, Bill Posey, Trey Radel, Tom Rooney, Dennis Ross, Steve Southerland, Ted Yoho

Senate

Marco Rubio

Remember this next time you head into the voting booth.

What Media Media: Adam Smith Lets Bilirakis Spread Gitmo B.S.

Gus Bilirakis: The conditions are unbelievable. Too good, as far as I am concerned. Flat screen TVs. They have a choice of seven meals... these terrorists. They play sports. If they are on good behavior they can be outside 20-hours-a-day. It's unbelievable.

It really is unbelievable. It is so unbelievable that I'm laughing. Detainees are outside "20 hours-a-day." If they are sleeping in makeshift tents I can believe that. Florida prisons have been known to house prisoners outdoors because of lack of space. There is no way military guards will just let detainees randomly roam the facility.

I can buy the TVs under Obama. State and federal prisons have televisions. The Hillsborough County Jail only allows prisoners to watch PBS. Occasionally, a guard will break the rules because he wants to watch a football game. The guard will tell the prisoners not to tell a soul. I know this because I have some interesting friends. Amnesty International reported Gitmo prisoners were put in isolation during the Bush years. Detainees then did not have the option of watching television. Conditions were so bad detainees were using a bucket for a toilet.

Detainees are confined for 22 hours a day to individual, enclosed, steel cells where they are almost completely cut off from human contact. The cells have no windows to the outside or access to natural light or fresh air. No activities are provided, and detainees are subjected to 24 hour lighting and constant observation by guards through the narrow windows in the cell doors. They exercise alone in a high-walled yard where little sunlight filters through; detainees are often only offered exercise at night and may not see daylight for days at a time.

What is really sad is Adam Smith actually agreeing with Bilirakis's fantasy assessment. So much for a tough follow up question.

Adam Smith: Maybe they be in worst conditions then a cold federal prision in Illinois.

Journalists like Smith is why I laugh when Republicans whine about the so-called liberal media. Conservatives have their own media to cover the Tea Party Convention. Republicans have talk radio and their own cable news network. It is shameful when Smith doesn't do his job as a journalist. Smith is more interested in gaining access to politicians than asking than setting the record straight.

Our Responsibility As Political Bloggers

"A recent poll by Momentum Analysis has Gus Bilirakis in trouble in his re-election bid in FL-9. Gus only hits 45% in the poll. Newcomer Democratic challenger Bill Mitchell currently sits at 22%, but as the campaign moves forward and his name recognition increases, he’s likely to take a large chunk of the 34% undecided vote. Undecided voters tend to break for the challenger, particularly in a Democratic year such as 2008. Additionally, the undecided voters lean Democratic, 46%-37%."

Kenneth Quinnell, President of the Florida Democratic Party PAC, the Florida Netroots Coalition.

Florida: District 9 results

Bilirakis - 197,025 62%
Mitchell - 113,000 36%

I previous wrote that Quinnell's read of the poll was pure spin. Quinnell is a supporter of Bill Mitchell and a noted FDP activist. I'm a lefty wonk blogger. Quinnell's numbers (and lack of link to the poll) didn't back his argument. The only way Bilirakis was going to lose his seat was to a strong candidate.

I have been wrong. I don't expect Quinnell to be right every time. Human error is a part of blogging in a high-paced information age.

I don't want to see progressive blogs become Democratic Party propaganda. InstaPundit has defended torture and Bush's economic policies. No rationale person takes Glenn Reynolds seriously. I have no problem lefty or conservative bloggers backing candidates or causes. Regardless, if I agree or disagree with their views. Freedom to express our values and beliefs is what makes this country great. We aren't entitled to our own set of facts. It hurts discourse and misinforms the public. Blogs are gaining more political influence. We should use our responsibility wisely.

Correction: Netroots Coalition is a constituency caucus of the Florida Democratic Party. It is not a PAC.

Fantasy-Based Blogging From the Left

Kenneth Quinnell is starting to write like a lefty version of Power Line's John Hinderaker. Quinnell titled a post "Bilirakis in Trouble."

A recent poll by Momentum Analysis has Gus Bilirakis in trouble in his re-election bid in FL-9. Gus only hits 45% in the poll. Newcomer Democratic challenger Bill Mitchell currently sits at 22%, but as the campaign moves forward and his name recognition increases, he’s likely to take a large chunk of the 34% undecided vote. Undecided voters tend to break for the challenger, particularly in a Democratic year such as 2008. Additionally, the undecided voters lean Democratic, 46%-37%.

Polling in the District on generic terms gives a 47%-38% Republican advantage with 15% undecided at this point, meaning Mitchell has a legitimate shot at making a move here if he has a strong campaign. Bilirakis is unpopular and polls lower than a generic Republican, meaning once people learn his name, they are less likely to vote for him. On top of that, he has little record to run on and is an inept campaigner. This race could well be in play.

Quinnell provided no link to the Momentum Analysis article. I have no idea if Quinnell was smoking crack or the data is real. Not that the data is convincing.

45 percent is actually a good number for a Congressional candidate. Another factor is this is the most red district in Florida. District 9 was created in 1982. Gus's father Michael won the seat. District 9 has never been held by a Democrat or someone that didn't have the last name Bilirakis. Phyllis Busansky had DCCC backing and name-recognition. Busansky lost over ten percent of the popular vote.

Bill Mitchell has never held public office and is an unknown. Mitchell ran in 2006 and lost in the Democratic primary. Quinnell cites the "47%-38% Republican advantage." That is a horrible disadvantage to an unknown running against an incumbant.

Bilirakis has raised $1,116,377. Mitchell raised a feeble $81,079 and spent $85,279. Michell has received no PAC money. That means the DCCC came to the conclusion the seat is not in play.

Quinnell claims Bilirakis is in trouble. Even though the Bilirakis family name has carried the district. Bilirakis has NRCC backing and is the superior fundraiser. Mitchell doesn't have the money for mailing or a campaign staff. Somehow Mitchell is going to triumph. This is bullshit and Quinnell knows it.

There is a difference between cheerleading and propaganda. I am not going to start writing delusional posts. That hurts the credibility of this blog and does nothing for the progressive movement. Writing fantasy-based posts about Bilirakis losing his seat doesn't make it so.

The Greco Endorsement

I have often lamented that there is no difference between Republicans and Democrats in Tampa. Former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco exemplifies my point. Want corrupt Hubris? Greco defended Steve Labrake and his (then mistress) Lynne McCarter.

"These are two human beings," Greco said. "But for the grace of God, it could be one of you. How would you like it if it had been you?"

Labrake was the chief of the Community Development Agency. He and McCarter used their influence to build their dream house. They were convicted bribery, wire-fraud and conspiracy. Remember, "these are two human beings."

Want a pol that will put his personal self-interest over the party? Greco endorsed Jeb and George W. Bush. Rumor is Greco just threw a fundraiser for Gus Bilirakis. Now Tampa's real estate Mayor endorses John McCain.

"I am a registered Democrat, but when it comes to voting I consider the individual," said Greco in a statement. "I have listened to all of the debates, and with the challenges facing our country, I think it is important that we choose someone with the experience and integrity necessary to keep our country safe and fix our broken economy. Senator McCain's credibility, judgment and toughness is the change we need."

Greco was the Chairman of Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company. Executives Donald A. Regar and Allen Z. Wolfson were indicted on 15 counts. Regar and Wolfson used bank loan money in attempt to buy the bank's stock. The bank folded and has become part of Tampa folklore with rumors about shady dealing. Greco used the Ronald Reagan defense and claimed he had no idea what was going on.

Greco appointed Bruce "Buzz" Papalia to the the Real Estate Department. Papalia is the son-in-law of Eddie DeBartolo Jr. Greco went to work for DeBartolo Property Group LLC after his term as Mayor ended.

Democrats complain rightfully complain about Joe Lieberman's disloyalty. Greco one-ups Lieberman with corruption. The fact that Greco is a Tampa Democratic institution is sad. The party establishment never stood up to Greco. Now Republicans control Hillsborough County and Greco is making money with his GOP connections.

Next Time My Post Will Be A 10,000 Word Thesis Paper

Jim Johnson is surprised that I neither commented on or tore into Sam Gibbons endorsing Gus Bilirakis. I don't think the Gibbons endorsement will matter much. Gibbons is too introverted to go into Lieberman-style attacks against Bilirakis's Democratic opponents. Gibbons has been out of politics too long to make much of an impression on voters. That was the problem with Bilirakis's 2006 opponent Phyllis Busansky.

What will decide the race Democrat John Dicks's campaign and alerting voters to Bilirakis's pro-Bush voting record.

An endosement that will matter is if Dicks can get DCCC backing and a photo-op with Barack Obama. That will only happen if the party establishment believes Dicks has a chance of winning. Infoming voters on how Bilirakis's mother micromanages every aspect of his political career is a good way to cast doubt into his leadership abilities.

I'm curious where Dicks stood on the pork project Championship Park. Google searches have provided little. Dicks was Mayor of Plant City when Norman was making a major push for his $40 million little league complex.

Sam Gibbons Endorses Gus Bilirakis

Democratic Sam Gibbons has endorsed Gus Bilirakis.

“His good work and his demonstrated abilities make him as one who should be reelected,” said Gibbons. “I feel that my 34 years in Congress representing a good part of Congressman Bilirakis’ current district, qualifies me to make this endorsement. I am pleased to support the reelection of Congressman Bilirakis.”

Gibbons held 11th Congressional District of Florida. That seat is now held by Kathy Castor. Creative Loafing political editor Wayne Garcia reports that Gibbons friendship with Bilirakis father, former Republican Rep. Michael Bilirakis, played a role in the endorsement.