September 5th, 2006
It's no secret that I support Jim Davis for Governor of Florida. Lately, I've been teaming up with another local blogger to bring logic and reason to Rod Smith's supporters in Blog Land - all two of them. However, they remain dazed and confused. Still, I try, because after the primary they're going to get with our program to defeat Charlie Crist. One big happy family and all.
I am in a unique position because I actually know the man who will be governor. He's not just some guy I've seen on television or read about in the newspaper. Jim Davis has been in my home. We've had arguments - once, back in '92, he openly disagreed with my decision to get a tattoo - forever endearing himself to my mother. Jim has talked with my parents, husband and children several times throughout the years. (Contrary to popular belief, he has not offered them heartfelt sympathy for "dealing with Katie full time.") I've written before about how Jim and I met back in 1988, how he encouraged me to get involved in politics (yes, blame him) and that Jim brings dignity to a sometimes undignified process.
In other words, I can tell you from personal experience that Jim's a good guy, polished leader and devoted public servant. There's a reason he's never lost an election. Jim also surrounds himself with wonderful people. Take a look at his legislative staff and see that most have been with him since the beginning. Jim's campaign is filled with dedicated Democrats who see his commitment to public education (supporting class-size legislation years before it became popular) and the environment (protecting our coastline amidst great pressure to give in) as evidence that our children's future is not always for sale.
The St. Petersburg Times profiled Jim yesterday and the article is worth a look. I'm proud to say, "I knew him when..." and I'm even prouder to know him now. Get to know him yourself.
posted by kate @ 3:10 AM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Who did the Florida PBA endorse in the Primary? I believe in law, order and justice and I only want to support candidates strong on those issues. Isn't the job of the Florida Police Benevolent Association to choose candidates who believe in law, order and justice?.
Oh, and getting back to the parental responsiblity thing, does JD feel the same way you do? I also support candidates who believe it's the parents responsibility to raise a child, like you do. So that makes me curious about JD and your support of him. Opposition to tattoos isn't enough for me.
"...all two of them."
This got a laugh out of me. I've dealt with more than two of them on Daily Kos and the Pinellas Democrats Yahoo group (hell, I've argued with a blind Davis supporter who encouraged everyone to just lay down and endorse Davis because HE was won over by Jim). I've also dealt with them on the St. Pete Times Buzz blog (http://www.sptimes.com/blogs/buzz ) and they are an enthusiastic group... But unrelenting and a tad annoying in the fact they can't convince people to side with them (they are terrible at making a point that doesn't turn into rah-rah-rah).
In fact, that remains a flaw for both Davis and Smith -- they don't do a great job winning over the undecideds. They've been ambigious in some lights during this election process. I got a chance to argue that with Smith's campaign manager on Daily Kos -- of course the clown never responded. Oh well....
Mr. C - Jim voted to require that convicted felons serve 85% of their sentence in prison. He also fought to increase funding for the COPS program, voted to increase penalties for child sex offenders, and voted for the AMBER alert system. Sounds like a law, order, and justice man to me. Jim believes we need more prevention and that is best achieved through education.
All the bases are covered with a view and record that takes everything into account. You know - the big picture?
No, you wouldn't know...
john f.,
Oh my what a big brain you have......
Your point is, Prof? Besides trying to be snarky and snide in your reply?
john f. -
Well, to begin with, I'm not certain what your point was in your original post because you began by pointing to a reference regarding "Smith bloggers". But you then mention a Davis blogger, the whole while using pronouns where it isn't fully clear as to whether the "them" to whom you are referring is Davis bloggers of Smith bloggers or both.
Regardless, I have to assume when, with such machismo, you state, "I've also 'dealt' with them on the St. Pete Times Buzz blog," that you might be lumping me in that group, although I can't seem to recall the handle "john f."
If that is the case, acccording to you, I am among those that "are a tad annoying in the fact (I) can't convince people to side with (me) ((I am) terrible at making a point that doesn't turn into rah-rah-rah).
That, as well as calling Smith's campaign manager a "clown" merely because he didn't choose to go tit for tat with you, is less snarky and snide, and more catty and bitchy.
Note: "they don't do a great job winning over the undecideds" is just one of those statements that sounds quasi-intellectual, but it's not. All the candidates are spewing out reasons for their primary voters that they are the man. The number of undecideds aren't going to start shoring up until about 2 weeks out because no one knows that a race is taking place, and even those that have expressed a preference, in both the Republican and Democratic primaries can still be easily influenced.
Point being - don't lump me in a group of bloggers in whom you choose to be critical and wish to appear superior over.
Fight nice, kids.
Although I can't recall a time when John mentioned "Adam's Professor" by name. I also never got the superior vibe from him. Of course, I have no inferiority complex to overcome either.
But nobody's perfect.
kate -
That's priceless - defending john f.'s diatribe and claiming you got no "vibe of superiority" in statements such as "of course the clown never responded" when referring to Smith's campaign manager and following, establishing your own superiority by implyinging that my taking exception must denote some inferiority complex on my part; simply priceless.
Welcome back - regardless as to whether I agree, disagree, or really, really disagree with you, you are always a good read.
Awww, shucks.
Great idea -- put together a team of nasty, negative bloggers to try and prevent the only democratic candidate with any hope of beating the republicans in the general from getting the nomination. Way to serve your party!
Rod Smith has been in my home -- whoop de doo -- and I have been in his offices both in his district and at the capitol working with him on various issues because, even though he was no longer senator for my district (after redistricting), he was the single most effective senator in Tallahassee, and I could count on him to reach across the aisle and build coalitions to make thngs happen. He is a leader who commands the respect of his colleagues, be they R or D. That will be critical in the coming years.
Even if you can get Davis elected (and you won't), he will have to work with a republican controlled legislature. There aren't enough dems in the running to take back Tallahassee, plain and simple. Now, do you really think Jim learned how to work with republicans in the partisan political world of Washington? Do you really think a man ranked 419 among legislators in effectiveness is going to have what it takes to lead both parties?
I don't think so.
If you want 4 more years of the same, go ahead, vote for Jim.
I'll be voting for a candidate who offers real change, Rod Smith.
Congrats, Kate - you've attracted the RodSquad. I had a short visit, but I think my cynicism and small traffic quickly proved me not worth the trouble. That and I can't vote in the primaries.
Of course inane posts on the campaign's blog page are going to draw Smith's supporters -- wasn't that your point in linking to this site?
I'm still a little heartbroken. We worked with Jim's campaign very hard. I wouldn't be so heartbroken if the alternative weren't so gruesome but part of me believes that the whole jennings debacle is a smokescreen to cover up the fact that if that went on in every county jim is probably really the governor, TOO. Why didn't he look into this a bit?
Post a Comment
<< Home