Crowley Political Report

Nelson blamed for ObamaCare in new ad.

Apparently ObamaCare is all  Sen. Bill Nelson's fault. This is the newest ad attacking the Floirda Democrat who appears to be in a position to easily defeat his Republican rival, Congressman Connie Mack when voters go to the polls on Tuesday.

The charge in this ad is not a new one and it remains nonsense. The ad is from ForAmerica which is chaired by L. Brent Bozell III. He is the founder and president of the conservative Media Research Center. He also has a website called ObamaCloneNelson.

 

Why was the Nelson-Mack debate kept off some front pages?

This first appeared in Columbia Journalism Review.

By Brian E. Crowley

One of the shameful things about Florida’s US Senate race is that the two candidates, Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson and Republican challenger, Congressman Connie Mack, agreed to meet in just one debate.

That statewide television debate was Wednesday night. And while it was extensively covered by the media, I was amazed that some of the state’s newspapers did not put their stories on the front page Thursday morning.

My view is that in making that choice, they did a serious disservice to Florida voters. This is an important race not only for Floridians but for the nation, as the contest could help determine which political party will control the US Senate.

It’s true that the content of the hour-long debate left much to be desired (the candidates argued at length about a tax credit for cows on Nelson’s property, and whether Mack was claiming more than one homestead exemption), but as an editor I would have done what most Florida newspapers did—played the debate story prominently on A1.

Editors at The Palm Beach Post, The Miami Herald, and the Tallahassee Democrat took a different route, pushing their stories to the inside pages. The clear signal to readers was that these newspapers did not deem the debate—and by extension, the Senate race—important, and perhaps neither should the readers.

Florida Senate candidate visits Chick-fil-A and worries we are becoming Canada

Former Florida Congressman David Weldon dropped by a Chick-fil-A this week to show his support for the fast-food chain.

"I personally believe that marriage is an institution ordained by God and spoken of in the Bible as being created by him, and being between a man and a woman," says Weldon in a video taped by his campaign.

Weldon is in a tough race against Congressman Connie Mack IV for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. Weldon's campaign has been geared toward outmanuvering Mack with an appeal to hardcore conservative voters.

"I am opposed to gay marriage," say Weldon.

He also concludes that "religious liberties" are being infringed upon and says that "there are certain verses" of the Bible dealing with homosexuality "that are not allowed to be read in Canada...and that is the direction we are going in as a nation."

Oh no! We could become Canada?

Bill Nelson slams Connie Mack in new campaign ad

Not too long along most folks in Florida who pay attention to such thing looked at the weak GOP field in the U.S. Senate race and concluded that this would be a cakewalk for incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.

Not anymore. Most of the GOP established has annointed Congressman Connie Mack IV as their favorite son and Super PACS are pouring big dollars into the race slamming shut the money lead that Nelson once held.

This week Nelson, who has spent most of his adult life in elected office, began airing an ad introducing himself to Florida voters. Now just a couple days later, Nelson has launched his first negative ad against Mack.

Keep in mind, Mack does have a primary opponent - former Florida Congressman David Weldon who seems to be picking up momentum with hardcore conservatives. Nelson's ad could dig into the overwhelming lead that Mack appears to have over Weldon.

Some Democrats have told Crowley Political Report that Nelson has been too slow to react to weeks of negative ads attacking him. Polls suggest they may be right. Apparently Nelson's campaign team has gotten the message.

One thing seems clear - Republicans think they have a shot at winning this seat.

 

 

And here is Nelson's bio ad:

 

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Where is Jim Davis 2006 ad is today's Where is Connie Mack ad.

Well this is a cost-effective way to do a campaign ad. Just use one that was used against Democrat Jim Davis when he was running for Florida governor in 2006. This time the ad, largely using the original version, is being use to ask the question - Where is Connie Mack?

Davis was a congressman at the time and the ad suggested he was spending very little time in Washington. Now the same attack, with nearly the exact same ad, is being used to question how much time Republican Congressman, and U.S. Senate candidate, Mack is spending in the nation's capitol.

Here's the Davis ad (follow the moving chairs):

And here's the Mack ad (follow the moving chairs):

 

Connie Mack and Dave Weldon finally debate

Debate? Who says Connie Mack won't debate. Why we have it right here - a debate between Mack and Dave Weldon. These two Republican, Florida senate candidates really mix it up.

Well sort of.

Actually, it is a somewhat odd and amusing attempt by Weldon to have a faux video debate with Mack who has already declared himself the GOP nominee.

In fact, from Mack's point of view, Republican voters can just go ahead and skip the GOP primary because Mack is the self-appointed nominee. This clearly annoys Weldon who spent a considerable amount of time making this video.

So pull up a chair, turn up the volume and watch Florida's version of the Great Debate.

 

A Florida Senate political ad that might leave you out of breath

Just watching this video can be exhausting. Folks are running - literally - all over the place. And while the video hammers President Obama, it is not until the final seconds of this 90-second video that you find out who the ad is really about.

David Weldon.

The former Florida congressman is still trying to pull ahead of U.S. Rep. Connie Mack in the race for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate.  This week, Weldon received the endorsement of  the Tampa Bay Times. To say that the Mack campaign did not take kindly to the Weldon endorsement is putting it mildly.

Mack campaign manager, Jeff Cohen, fired off a lengthy nasty-gram to Times editorial page editor Tim Nickens (he also takes on Times political editor Adam Smith). Some excerpts:

 Adam Smith and your newspaper have been waging a tireless campaign against conservatives and Republicans. You always have and apparently you always will. It’s evident in every political story you write.

 . . .

Your attacks on Connie are reminiscent of your brutal attacks on his father when he ran for the U.S. Senate. It’s fair to state that former Senator Connie Mack was perhaps the finest U.S. Senator to have ever served, but your Left Wing venom could not be contained then or now.

. . .

It’s your newspaper and it’s your right to cover or manufacture news however you like.  
 
But what people find offensive and intellectually dishonest is your refusal to admit that Adam Smith’s agenda is Left Wing and Democrat, as is your newspaper. You have and will endorse Bill Nelson and Barack Obama in spite of the fact that their records are dismal and they have failed Floridians at almost every level.

. . .

It’s the Tampa Bay Times’ right to be the National Enquirer of Florida politics. And it’s Adam Smith’s 1st Amendment right to attack Connie, so long as he doesn’t cross the line of slander or libel, of course.
 
But at least Adam Smith and the Tampa Bay Times should have the decency to admit they are Left Wing Democrats whose circulation is declining because their Left Wing agenda is offensive to so many rational conservative voters.
 
Your readers deserve at least that much.

Gosh, we sure hope the Mack campaign feels better. Although we're not sure we would have recommended using such a pugnacious tone. Perhaps Mack should sound a bit more senatorial.

Meanwhile back to Dr. Weldon (he is a physician).  Here's his video. You may need to catch your breath when it is over.

The forgotten candidate goes after Connie Mack

Well here's a surprise, former U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon remains a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate and he even has a new radio ad knocking his Republican rival, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack.

Mack, who drove former interim U.S. Sen. George LeMieux out of the Florida GOP primary by simply ignoring him, is using that same, "I'm the only Republican who matters" strategy with Weldon. So far, Weldon is refusing to go away. 

You should listen to his radio ad. You might find it amusing.

Connie Mack, Allen West and Lois Frankel duck the voters

As folks fire up their grills and stare at the fireworks, they may want to remember that the Founding Fathers engaged in long, deep debates about the issues confronting the nation. In fact, without those debates and the compromises they fostered, we might be a very different country.

In our latest report for Columbia Journalism Review, Crowley Political Report editor Brian E. Crowley examines why Florida congressional Allen West and Lois Frankel, as well as U.S. Senate candidate Connie Mack, appear so reluctant to participate in political debates.

By Brian E. Crowley

FLORIDA — Former Miami Herald humor columnist Dave Barry once wrote: “I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don’t even invite me.”

In Florida, candidates are invited to the party—debates—they just refuse to go. When it comes to debating in the Sunshine State, candidates for federal office are saying, “No.” It is becoming a troubling trend.

Is Rick Scott hurting Mitt Romney in Florida?

Bloomberg's Tallahassee reporter Mike Bender takes a look at Gov. Rick Scott and finds that some Republicans believe Scott is hurting Mitt Romney in Florida.

If they are right, it is bad news for Romney who needs a win in Florida to get the keys to the White House. One amusing comment comes from former Florida chairman Tom Slade who gives Scott "an A for strangeness."

Slade proves once again that he is one of the Sunshine State's most quoteable characters.

An excert from Bender's story:

Florida Governor Rick Scott keeps alienating the people he’s trying to befriend.

The Republican’s effort to win support from Cuban-Americans resulted in threats of a lawsuit. At a lunch to charm black lawmakers, he offended them. He turned a goodwill mission into comedy-show fodder when he greeted Spain’s king by asking about the monarch’s politically sensitive elephant hunt.

The governor’s gaffes, along with an approval rating that hasn’t gone above 41 percent in Quinnipiac University polls, may hurt his party’s presidential contender, Mitt Romney. Florida is one of the most competitive electoral battlegrounds, with the past three presidential races decided by 5 percentage points or less. Romney hasn’t campaigned with Scott.

“Rick Scott doesn’t seem to have any political skills at all,” said Tom Slade, the former co-chairman of Scott’s campaign and ex-chairman of theRepublican Party of Florida. “I’d give him a B for governing. I’d give him an A for strangeness.”

Read the rest of Bender's story here.

George LeMieux quits senate race

George LeMieux is ending his campaign for the U.S. Senate today. He is acknowledging that he just cannot defeat Connie Mack.

Here is a video of his announcement.

 

Weldon's first video for Senate race

Dave Weldon's clearly been planning his run for the Florida U.S. Senate seat for bit a now. Here's his first video:

 

Weldon enters Florida Senate race

Florida's Republican primary for U.S. Senate just got a tad more interesting. Former Orlando area Congressman Dave Weldon is entering the race.

We're sure Connie Mack and George LeMieux are thrilled.

What is the good doctor thinking?

Well here's what he says on his new campaign website:

Dear Friends,

Thank you for visiting my Dave Weldon for Senate campaign website. I hope you'll be encouraged by the statements and positions you see here for the coming battle in November. If you've been looking for a strong conservative candidate you can support, someone who can win the November election and represent Florida in the U. S. Senate, I am that man.

Chuck Todd, George LeMieux and Charlie Crist

Former interim U.S. Sen. George LeMieux's campaign sent out a video of his appearance on MSNBC's  Daily Rundown yesterday with Chuck Todd.

Did LeMieux do well?

Todd aggressively asked about LeMieux's relationship with former Gov. Charlie Crist which has been shadowing the LeMieux campaign since he first announced. 

LeMieux repeated his assertion that his relationship with Crist (which he now describes as just cordial) is not hurting his campaign. 

Todd also repeatedly questioned LeMieux about the personal nature of his campaign against Congressman Connie Mack. LeMieux has compared Mack to Charlie Sheen and insists that few people in Mack's district every see him because he really lives in California with his wife, Congresswoman Mary Bono.

"He's trying to run a campaign where people will mistake him for his father," said LeMieux referring to former U. S. Sen. Connie Mack III.

Interestingly, LeMieux repeatedly calls his Republican primary opponent, "Mack the fourth."

Was it wise for LeMieux to send this video to his supporters? Maybe not.

 

LeMieux takes one in the gut is his campaign doomed?

Mitt Romney stuck himself smack in the middle of Florida's U.S. senate primary today with his endorsement of Connie Mack. Is it a risk? Maybe.

But for George LeMieux, Romney's endorsement of Mack is truly bad news. Most GOP voters may not care but the fine folks who write checks are likely to care deeply.

There is no question that Mack is a flawed candidate. His campaign seems to bank more on the family name than the achievements of Mack the younger.  Still, no matter how hard LeMieux tries he struggles to get ahead of Mack.

Florida's GOP senate primary has been a mess with candidates dropping in and out - remember Mike Hariodopolos and Adam Hasner?  Most recently, Jeff Atwater flirted with getting into the race and now former Congressman Dave Weldon is taking a look.

Clearly Romney is paying Mack back for his endorsement of Romney during the Florida primary. And his nod to Mack might discourage Weldon from getting in the race. As for LeMieux, he is not doomed but his odds of winning took a hit today.

Here is what Romney said about Mack:

“Connie Mack is a friend, a strong conservative and the type of principled leader we need in Washington to restore fiscal responsibility. By electing Connie Mack, the people of Florida will be sending a clear message to Senator (Bill) Nelson and President Obama that their failed policies have not worked to change the borrow-and-spend ways of Washington.”

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Art by Patrick Crowley

Mack calls LeMieux the L word

Florida Republican Connie Mack is copying his dad's 1988 campaign for U.S. Senate by tossing around the word "liberal."

Mack the elder ran for the U.S. Senate  in 1988 against Democrat Buddy MacKay with a campaign slogan - "Hey Buddy, you're a liberal." Mack and MacKay served in Congress together and on many issues they had much in common. In fact, few would have described MacKay as a "liberal."

Today, Mack the son unveiled a new "ready for TV" ad, (whatever that means), calling fellow Republican George LeMieux a liberal. 

The video features shots of President Obama and former Gov. Charlie Crist.

Will the tactic work as well as it did 24 years ago? You decide.

 

Former Florida Congressman may enter GOP primary for Senate

Politico is reporting that former Congressman Dave Weldon may enter the Florida GOP primary for U.S. Senate.

Whether or not Weldon actually enters the raise - he tells Politico that he will make a decision next week - it is another sign of the uneasiness some Republicans are feeling with the existing candidates.

“I have had a lot of people in Florida ask me to get in, including elected officials and special interest groups,” Weldon tell Politico. “They think I’d have a better shot at winning in November, beating Sen. Bill Nelson.”

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater recently toyed with the idea of enter the race which has already seen one candidate - Adam Hasner - drop out. Hasner decided his campaign was going nowhere and is now for a Palm Beach/Broward congressional seat.

Ex U.S. Senator George LeMieux, who was appointed to the job by former Gov. Charlie Crist, continues to have difficulty shedding his long relationship with Crist who is loathed by many of the Republicans who will be voting in the primary.

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack entered the race somewhat late but some thought he would quickly outpace LeMieux. That has not happened. LeMieux may be struggling but there is clearly discomfort with Mack who is the son of former Florida U.S. Sen. Connie Mack.

Mack has faced questions abouth is lifestyle, how much time he spends in Florida, and whether he is political acumen to be in the Senate.

More from Politico: "Weldon, who represented the east central coast of Florida from 1995 to 2008, was in Washington this week to make the rounds with conservative groups and put out feelers to GOP leaders. He has already retained political consultant John Brabender, the top adviser to Rick Santorum during his presidential bid."

Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson just sits back and watches the chaos in the GOP senate race.

Go here for the must-read Politico story.

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Art by Patrick Crowley

U.S. Chamber begins ads opposing Nelson, Frankel and Grayson.

Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson may not yet know who will be his Republican rival in the general election - either Congressman Connie Mack or former interim U.S. Sen. George LeMieux - but the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is making it clear they do not want Nelson to return Washington.

The Chamber folks feel the same way about Democrats Lois Frankel and Alan Grayson, both in congressional races,  who get their own ads. It's all part of a Chamber television ad campaign that begins today in Florida and a handful of other states.

Nelson is portrayed as the "deciding vote" for Obamacare which will "be a nightmare for Florida seniors."

Former Orlando Congressman Grayson is described as "reckless" and his "die quickly, Republicans want you to die quickly" quote is used in the ad. 

Frankel, who is taking her second shot at a congressional seat, is accused in her ad of pushing for a more extreme version of Obamacare. She supposedly wants government bureaucrats instead of your doctor taking care of your health needs.

Judge the ads for yourself.

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New LeMieux video asks where Connie Mack really lives

Questions about Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack's place of residence have become a staple of his opponents. His second wife, U.S. Rep. Mary Bono, lives in California. He lives in Florida. They both spend considerable time in Washington.

Mack insists he spends most of his spare time in Florida. In fact, Mack told BizPacReview.com that he was in California last year "maybe 11 days."

His rival for the GOP senate nomination, George LeMieux, has a new video that suggests that Mack is lying. LeMieux, who is in a fierce struggle to win the nomination, has so far been largely ignored by Mack.

Will Mack respond to this video? Not likely. But the issue is certain not to go away.

  

 

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Why Jeb Bush should run for the U.S. Senate

We are approaching Jeb Bush’s tenth anniversary.  When the ballots are completed this summer, Bush’s name will not be on them. The last time Bush was on the ballot was 2002, when he won his second term as governor.

Ten years.

While some folks still believe there is a Bush Florida political machine -they are mistaken.  A political machine requires candidates and campaigns to thrive. Bush's folks have long moved on to other candidates and campaigns. 

Florida's former governor certainly has not disappeared. He travels the country preaching his gospel of education reform which can be reduced to - public education does not work, let's give private enterprise (charter schools) a crack at it.

Bush also campaigns for other candidates and offers his endorsement - sometimes belatedly such as giving Mitt Romney the nod after the nomination was all but wrapped up. Candidates like adding his name to their list but the value of his endorsement is diminishing.

That's what happens when you have stayed off the ballot for 10 years.

And there was this hint - a wistful moment perhaps - when Bush said he might just take a call from Romney if he was offered the Veep job. Bush quickly pulled back - but it left some folks wondering if he is not as content traveling the country for speaking fees as he would be if his name were back on the ballot.

Bush has never been interested in running for president. He will not run for president in the future. No one who knows him well has ever believed he wants the job. 

No one has ever believed he would be interested in the U.S. Senate. He should be.