Florida's Culture Of Corruption: Democrat Stephanie Murphy

SHE TOOK $185,000 

From big banks

And used it to shred Obama's signature 

Dodd-Frank legislation.

here 

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She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. A caucus of United States Congressional Representatives from the Democratic Party who identify as conservative Democrats.

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Central Florida you do have a choice

Check out Justice Democrat Chardo Richardson

here

Progressives Fume at Buesing Betrayal; Cruz Cabal in Full Panic Mode

The Florida Democratic Party is begging for “unity” after its meddling transformed a very flippable Florida Senate race into an utter longshot.
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An email,  sent by Buesing, asks recipients to attend an “Evening of Democratic Unity”  next week at a local Tampa eatery.  The invitation says the event will “feature” Buesing’s replacement and corporatist puppet State Rep. Janet Cruz with Buesing as “special guest.”
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The aggrieved progressives in the party are having none of the blatant rescue attempt. The meddlers, FDC chairman Terrie Rizzo and corporatist Alex Sink, who caused this potential election disaster are in full panic mode realizing they alienated progressives who comprise at least a third of their base and who are reliable voters.
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Those who supported Bob Buesing’s 2018 effort to unseat incumbent Republican Dana Young and provided a volunteer army are rightfully livid. Buessing withdrew his candidacy after pressure and a promise from Rizzo and Sink.
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By Jim Bleyer
more

Florida DINO Patrick Murphy For Governor?

Florida DINO Patrick Murphy would be tied for second if he jumped into Florida’s Democratic primary for governor, according to a new poll that shows he could nudge into first with one unorthodox move: Picking Republican David Jolly as his running mate. here

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Please Note: The survey, was conducted by Murphy’s former pollster and paid for by an unnamed Murphy supporter.

Corporate Democrats Force Progressive Bob Buesing Out Of State Senate Race

Alex Sink, the corporatist Democrat who set a modern record for political futility, was a key figure in marginalizing progressive Florida Senate candidate Bob Buesing, forcing him out of a very winnable race. 

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 Sink, Bank of America’s former president for operations in Florida, favored fellow corporatist Cruz, a late entrant, over Buesing as did Florida Democratic Party chairman Terrie Rizzo, and Hillsborough State Committeewoman Alma Gonzalez, all supremely divisive figures within the Democratic party.

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Buesing was threatened with the denial of crucial endorsements and financial support if he contested late entrant Cruz in a primary.

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 Like Rizzo and Gonzalez, Sink is out of step with modern Democratic thinking.

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Sink. Rizzo. Gonzalez.  Those are the influential leaders with archaic thinking that are torpedoing Democratic hopes in the country’s most populous swing state.

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Progressives are furious at Sink and her cronies, with many promising to withhold their votes from Janet Cruz.

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For Alex Sink, pleasing Republicans takes priority over promoting Democrats as a party of inclusion.  One month ago she proudly served on the honorary host committee for the election of Republican Sheriff Chad Chronister.

By Jim Bleyer

more

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‪#‎AnyBlueWontDo‬

Alan Grayson for Senate

I’m running for Congress because our progressive goals justice, equality and peace need a champion in Congress.

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Help him here

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Flashback: Remember back when we had a Progressive in Mr. Grayson to run against Marco Rubio and the Corporate FDP picked this guy. We all know how that truned out. 
Not much has changed has it?

Gwen Graham And The Men

With a threadbare resumé of public service and a record of voting for big business and against the environment, Gwen Graham has resorted to shouting that “it’s time” Florida elected a female governor. She has reminded audiences at every campaign stop that she is a woman and her three announced primary opponents are male.

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 The Graham staffer that concocted the “Gwen and the Men” slogan should never see another dawn as a paid political operative. 

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When Graham appeared with her primary opponents—Andrew Gillum, Chris King, and Phil Levine—at the Hillsborough Democratic Party’s Spring Fling last week, the main thrust of her brief remarks was that she is, indeed, a woman. The other candidates discussed issues, policy, and political philosophy. Voters far prefer candidates that can be counted on to follow through on campaign promises and represent their interests regardless of gender. On this most important criterion, Graham, who is a woman, gets an F minus. 

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Residents in Florida’s Big Bend, for example, feel they were hoodwinked by Graham, a female, during her two-year stint as a backbencher in the U. S. House of Representatives. Her voting record was an abomination to the Democrats that turned out in droves for her in a purple district. Graham, a biped with a vagina, voted with the Republicans and against the Florida Democratic delegation on key issues an amazing 43 percent of the time during the only one terms she served. Ironically, the only other Florida Democrat out of sync with his party’s values, former Congressman Patrick Murphy, is contemplating a late run for the governorship. He failed in bis challenge to the vulnerable Sen. Marco Rubio in 2016 because progressive Democrats refused to vote for essentially another Republican in the general election. 

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My Democratic contacts in Leon County, the portion of the Congressional district that voted heavily for Graham in her lone Congressional race, regret her tenure. No one I spoke with would ever again vote for Graham, a distaff personage. 

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For two decades Florida Democrats have continued to employ the failed strategy of a hard pivot to the right. Democratic candidates in Florida need to represent progressives or they have no chance in the general election. It will take far more than tapping into gender preferences or Phil Levine’s personal fortune to prevail in a statewide race.

By Jim Bleyer

Florida Corporate Dems Win Again

Or should we say lose again?

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Progressive Democrat Bob Buesing announced that he'll withdraw from the state Senate District 18 race against Dana Young.

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Welcome Sen. Dana Young
The grassroots will not lift a finger to help in this race!

here

Florida DINO Bill Nelson backs air strikes in Syria

Democrat Bill Nelson, said he agreed with Trump's decision to order air strikes against Syria. here
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“Propaganda, we have seen this movie before and 
know how it ends.” Fox News host Tucker Carlson

Gwen Graham's Vote On Leaky Keystone Pipeline

 The Keystone crude oil pipeline leak in November in rural South Dakota was nearly double the original estimate, making it one of the largest U.S. inland spills since 2010. here

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All Florida Dems Vote Nay, except 

Gwen Graham & Patrick Murphy

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"Thank former CONGRESSWOMAN GWEN GRAHAM for her votes regarding our environment including her VOTE IN FAVOR of the KEYSTONE PIPELINE when you 
next see her!" Beth Eriksen Shoup

Florida Dems: Silence Of The Lambs Part 2

It has been over a week 

since we posted this

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Still not a word by any Progressive groups or individual on Florida Dem Bill Nelson's vote to continue the genocide in Yemen. here

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All we see are comments.
"If we don't support him 
we get Rick Scott."

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FYI. Scott is beating Nelson in most polls. You got to be pretty bad to be losing to Scott in anything, 
don't you think? 
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I am about to become a Democrat so 
I can vote for Andrew Gillum


And Tamika Lyles
A Democrat who is running against Nelson


It can be done, 
ask those Tea Party guys above.
more
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 "The party beats us up, robs us, violates our trust, lies, cheats and steals, and then it says you’ve got nowhere to go. It’s the Republicans or us.” 
Tim Canova

Step Aside Janet Cruz

No one likes you, well maybe the GOP. 

This is Bob Buesing's battle not yours.

here

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He has an army of fighters ready 
to help him!
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Bob Buesing for Florida Senate!

here
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Please go away and leave us alone!

Gwen Graham Running Third And Plummeting

There were two notable developments this week that strained the trust of even the most gullible reader.
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First, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham, running third and plummeting in the polls, claimed she is the only candidate from her party capable of winning the general election.  This sack of balderdash was dutifully reported by some of the state’s media and 
pay-for-play blogs. here

Florida Corporate Democrat Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson voted to weaken provisions of Frank-Dodd, an election-year decision that bucks his party's progressive wing.

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He also voted to  to table 
Bernie Sanders' SJres54 bill 
and support the ILLEGAL war and 
Saudi Genocide in Yemen.

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"He can vote as he wants, 
what other choice do we have Rick Scott?"
(Probable response from the Florida Democratic Party)

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No wait there is...

This lady
Tamika Lyles

She is a Democrat

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6 other Republicans

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A Libertarian

Joe Wendt

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And 4 independents

Joe Allen 

Gregory Bowles 

Carlos Garcia 

and Edward Janowski

Source

Nice we do have a choice!

It’s Time The Florida Democratic Party Grew Some Balls

Florida Democratic Party: We Want Black and Progressive Votes but Not Their Candidates

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In 2018 Florida Democrats will have the opportunity to nominate two Afro-Americans to statewide offices: Mayor Andrew Gillum of Tallahassee for governor and State Rep. Sean Shaw for attorney general. Both are exceptional candidates.

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The race for governor is clearcut: Gillum, a compelling orator and bona fide Democrat, stands out in a four-way race that includes former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, and entrepreneur Chris King.

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There are 3.4 million blacks in Florida, nearly 17 percent of the population. They vote overwhelmingly Democratic and closely align with the progressive wing.

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The charismatic Gillum gives the Democratic party its best chance to win the governorship which has been in Republican hands for 20 years.  He would motivate voters who normally shun the polls in off-year elections. It also offers the Florda Democratic party to right past wrongs and truly represent its constituency.

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The fallacious notion, long perpetrated by the party apparatus, that a Democrat needs to be a centrist marginalizes black candidates and white progressives.  That’s been the modus operandi under the last five party chairpersons who are either elitists (Alison Tant and Stephen Bittel), conservative (Rod Smith), or self-serving (Scott Mattox and Karen Thurman).

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All shared one trait: they were 

supremely ineffective.

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Succeeding the disgraced Bittel is Terrie Rizzo who headed the Palm Beach Democrats.  She defeated Stacy Patel who was backed by progressives.

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Rizzo says she will “reach out” to progressives.  Sorry, lady, that’s not enough.  White progressive and black voters will not be voting for Republican Lite candidates in this election cycle or any future one for that matter.

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Then there are hundreds of thousands of progressives registered as No Party Affiliation.  They, too, don’t buy into the failed centrist right philosophy of 

the state party.

By Jim Bleyer more

Howard Dean Sells Out Again

 "I Am Proud to Give Gwen Graham 

My Full Support."

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Now that he is employed by a Health Care Lobby Firm.
here
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He no longer has any credibility in the Progressive community. Don't be fooled. This endorsement means noting. There is only one Progressive running for governor of Florida and that is Mayor Andrew Gillum.
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The founder of this blog started this effort in 2003 in his honor, as you can see in the footer.
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Read Dr. Dean's history on this blog here

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A response to “Is the Florida GOP cheering for Gillum?”

Early today Leslie Wimes, President and Founder of the Democratic African American Woman’s Caucus of Florida posted a blog on Sunshine State News about Establishment Democrat and candidate for Governor of Florida, Gwen Graham.  In this blog she points out that Gwen Graham has more colors than a chameleon.  As a member of the Democratic Establishment, Graham enjoys the luxury of her father’s name and fundraising rolodex, but not his politics.  Where Bob Graham was not afraid to stand up to the powers that be for what is good and true, his daughter in her time as a North Florida Congresswoman has cast many votes contradictory to the very soul of the Democratic Party.  Voting for the Keystone XL Pipeline and against protecting legal marijuana states from federal authorities are but a handful of her poor public policy decisions.  Now it would seem she is flip-flopping on popular issues like gun reform depending on who the audience is.

Yet, for all these indiscretions, which Ms. Wimes points out, I see other progressives writing blogs like, “Is the Florida GOP cheering for Gillum?” These serve no purpose but as a hit pieces towards Ms. Wimes.  Her decision to blog on Sunshine State News is her own.  And, many accuse her of being a GOP mouthpiece because she blogs on this popular conservative news site.  This could not be farther from the truth.  Leslie Wimes is a pro-black, anti-establishment Democrat who cares deeply for her community.  In every blog she has written, I see the underlying theme that the Democratic Party’s Establishment has failed the African American community time and time again.

In this, we stand in agreement.  The Democratic Party’s Establishment has failed African Americans, Latinos, and Millennials-especially women.  We see this in public policy put forward or rather never even proposed by the Establishment’s elected officers and candidates.  What we need is a Progressive revolution.

Andrew Gillum, a young black mayor from Tallahassee, whose progressive politics have been evident since he first took office in his twenties stands as Florida’s next best hope for change.  A mayor who took the NRA on in court and never blinked.  One who has never flip-flopped his positions, but rather remained true to his convictions.  This is the future of our Democratic Party and we progressives should remain united behind him.  We cannot let personal squabbles sabotage the candidacy of one of our best and brightest millennial leaders.

You may not like Leslie Wimes personally, but you have to respect her tenaciousness for her community and the progressive movement.  Many might not like that she and fellow DNC member Nikki Barnes were not fans of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and did not support his re-election.  If you took a trip to Mid-Town, you might understand why.  Latinos and African Americans share a common future and a common past.  Until the Democratic Party’s elite address the concerns and issues facing our communities, you will find voices like Leslie, Nikki, and even myself railing against white supremacy and institutional racism within our ranks.  To call any of us GOP mouthpieces is not only asinine and short sighted, but just plain dumb.  Our revolution cannot continue if we allow Establishment Dems the opportunity to salt up the candidacy of our best hope to take back Florida from the Republicans.

By Christopher Cano, Past President of the Hillsborough County Democratic Hispanic Caucus

Christopher Cano, M.P.A

Executive Director

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CFL NORML

www.CFLNORML.org 

813.767.5295

Andrew Gillum Distancing Himself from Passive Primary Opponents

While his Democratic primary opponents Philip Levine and Gwen Graham are relying on piles of money and a legacy name to boost their respective candidacies,  Gillum has issued meaningful, detailed policies and criticized the positions of Rick Scott, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and other high-profile Republicans. here

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Join the Revolution! 

Tampa Bay for Gillum 2018 

Progressive Andrew Gillum For Governor Of Florida

Gwen Graham has the thinnest resume of the three candidates: one term as a Congresswoman representing a battleground Big Bend district.  Her definition of “reaching across the aisle” meant voting often with the Republicans such as favoring the Keystone 
XL Pipeline. 

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Andrew Gillum’s name recognition will increase as he travels the state and articulates the progressive values of the Democratic party.  With the FBI investigation behind him, he can energize Millennials, Latinos, African Americans, progressives of all backgrounds, and mainstream Democrats who are yearning for a charismatic candidate with ideas that don’t clone Republican policies and platform.

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It happened at a December community meeting in Tampa.   Gillum’s remarks were met with enthusiastic applause; the energy didn’t end with the formal meeting as young adults surrounded him outside the meeting room for conversation and photo ops. The positive reaction to Gillum’s appearance by Millennials is key to Democratic aspirations statewide.

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Millennials and Gen Xers made up 50 percent of the voters in 2016, but their turnout was only 59 percent compared to 75 percent for all voters statewide. more
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Take Florida Back - Join The Revolution


Tampa Bay for Gillum 2018 here

Florida Progressive Dems Beware

You have a big gubernatorial election coming up this year. Beware of Corporate Democrats. They are like The Borg, they assimilate you and there is no way back. They always want to work together but always in their collective. It has already started, stand your ground. Remember history is on your side.

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Most Progressives already assimilated are lost, we might or we might not be able to bring them back. Enlarge your Hive, recruit NPA's and Greens to become Democrats to be able to vote in the primaries.

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Join the Resistance

Tampa Bay for Gillum 2018