Wasserman Schultz, Sanders fight heating up

Update: Nancy Smith: "Democratic National Committee Chairwoman DWS tries to block voters' access to Sanders by limiting primary presidential debates; Sanders lends his formula for fundraising success and campaign charisma to Tim Canova, DWS' CD 23 challenger." "For Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Payback's a Witch."

Update 2: "Support for Tim Canova's congressional campaign is coming from the same frothing section of the populace that's pulling for Bernie Sanders. In March, two major unions — the Communication Workers of America and National Nurses United — both endorsed Canova after also throwing their support behind Sanders. (Nurses United has even been driving 'Bernie Buses' around, canvassing on foot for the frozen warlock of a presidential candidate.) Veterans for Bernie Sanders too has thrown its support behind Canova ... Today, Canova picked up yet another big endorsement, this time from the Transportation Workers United 538, which represents the 2,500 Miami International Airport employees." "Miami Airport Workers' Union Endorses Tim Canova."

"If the Bernie Sanders movement is trying to take down the Democratic political establishment, there’s probably no better place to start than Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee."

Even before Wasserman Schultz was accused of trying to rig the primary process for Hillary Clinton, her perch atop the party apparatus and failure to meet some liberal purity tests made her a target of some on the left.

"Now, Wasserman Schultz is facing her first real primary fight since she was elected to Congress from Florida in 2004. Her challenger is Tim Canova, a progressive law professor fueled by the Sanders movement."

"It’s a longshot, but Canova has some key actors from the Sanders coalition behind him."

Wasserman Schultz has found herself on the wrong side the left on a range of fronts, from her alleged softness on the payday lending industry, to her opposition of medical marijuana, to her perceived reluctance to back President Obama’s Iran deal, to her support for so-called fast-track trade authority opposed by critics of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal.

"The Bernie Sanders proxy war in Florida."

"Actress Rosario Dawson spoke out against Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz Tuesday before introducing Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally in San Diego, California." "Rosario Dawson Bashes DNC's Wasserman Schultz at Sanders' Rally."

DWS strikes back, claiming that "that Bernie Sanders’ supporters tactics of getting the attention of superdelegates 'border on harassment and feel like stalking.'" "Wasserman Schultz: Sanders Supporters’ Tactics ‘Border On Harassment’"




"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"

Marc Caputo: "Patrick Murphy’s SEVEN political committees – Tim Tebow for Congress? – Wasserman Schultz and Bernie Bros’ ‘borderline harassment." "Florida Playbook."




Just ask Marco

Democratic Rep. Reggie Fullwood "from Jacksonville has been indicted on charges he used more than $65,000 in campaign contributions on personal expenses like liquor, jewelry, flowers and groceries, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Jacksonville announced Friday." "Florida lawmaker faces fraud charges over campaign cash."

Little Marco skated on similar behavior: "New questions raised about Marco Rubio’s GOP credit card expenses" ("Rubio made the most of the ample leeway and little oversight party leaders gave employees and lawmakers to spend the party’s cash.")




Republicans court Tebow, liken' that homeschoolin'

"Tim Tebow has a likable, wholesome image and hasn’t ruled out running for political office one day. Now Republicans (who have courted him in the past) are hoping to have the home-schooler-turned-Heisman-winner run for Crenshaw’s seat. Don’t be surprised if Tebow doesn’t do it. He’s smart enough to know Congress isn’t a place to accomplish much these days except be a politician, take bad votes, spend most of your time fundraising for your next election or plan to run for another seat. But if he’s bitten by the political bug, watch out." "Tebow for Congress."

More: "Tim Tebow eyed for open Florida House seat, 'a shoo-in'."




Orlando retread wants to go back to Congress

"Former U.S. Rep. Ric Keller announced Thursday that he is seeking a return to Congress after 8 years. Keller, an Orlando attorney, told Fox 35 that he would be running in the 6th District for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Ponte Vedra Beach. DeSantis is running for U.S. Senate. . . . Keller also said he was "for the wall before it was cool" when asked about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's call for a border wall with Mexico." "Former U.S. Rep. Ric Keller announces another run for Congress."




Garcia posts impressive fundraising numbers

"Former Congressman Joe Garcia, challenging Annette Taddeo in the CD 26 Democratic primary, has posted impressive fundraising numbers, bringing his total more than $325,000 in just weeks." "Joe Garcia, Fighting for CD 26, Has His Foot on the Fundraising Gas."




"Murphy Replenishes Daddy’s Cash Stash"

"They are called joint fundraising agreements, and they allow committees and members of Congress to join forces to raise campaign cash. [Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick] Murphy’s campaign committee has agreements with seven different committees, two of which have transferred a total of $57,741 to his campaign, according to campaign finance records."

The biggest transfer to Murphy’s official campaign from a joint fundraising committee has come from Justice 2016, which has given $51,490.

That committee is affiliated with a handful of Democrats, including Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Jason Kader of Missouri, Ted Strickland of Ohio, and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, each of whom is running for Senate, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, both of whom are members of the House running for Senate seats.

Another joint fundraising committee Murphy has with Bennet, called Peaks and Palms Senate Victory, has transferred $6,250 to his campaign. The committee has raised $40,000 from six Illinois donors who work predominantly in the finance industry.

Several other joint fundraising committees tied to Murphy’s campaign have not yet been active, while some have raised money but not transferred it directly to his campaign.

One of those joint fundraising committees, the Murphy Victory Fund, has its own fundraising agreement with the Democratic Executive Committee of Florida, which is the federal arm of the Florida Democratic Party.

The Murphy Victory Fund has raised $76,600 and transferred $56,800 to the Democratic Executive Committee of Florida.

"Joint fundraising committees are a long-standing way for campaigns to pool resources with other groups to ensure progressive candidates across Florida and the country are in the best possible position to win,” said Joshua Karp, Murphy’s communications director.

"Murphy’s Senate bid boosted by network of fundraising agreements."

"Privileged Patrick Murphy Replenishes Daddy’s Cash Stash." See "Patrick Murphy Raises $2 Million in First Quarter."

Amelia Chassé asks: "How does Murphy explain his professed 'disgust' with money in politics with his scramble for outside cash? Apparently by lashing out at reporters, as the Tampa Bay Times’ Adam Smith found out in March."




Rubio fading into irrelevance

"When he suspended his campaign, Marco Rubio said he wasn’t running for president but urged local GOP officials to let him keep his delegates. ... The Florida senator’s strategy is hitting some turbulence, NBC News has learned, because several state parties have determined Rubio does not get to hold onto all his delegates." "Lapsed Rubio Delegates Are Up for Grabs on Convention’s First Ballot."

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.


Wasserman Schultz, Sanders fight heating up

Update: Nancy Smith: "Democratic National Committee Chairwoman DWS tries to block voters' access to Sanders by limiting primary presidential debates; Sanders lends his formula for fundraising success and campaign charisma to Tim Canova, DWS' CD 23 challenger." "For Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Payback's a Witch."

Update 2: "Support for Tim Canova's congressional campaign is coming from the same frothing section of the populace that's pulling for Bernie Sanders. In March, two major unions — the Communication Workers of America and National Nurses United — both endorsed Canova after also throwing their support behind Sanders. (Nurses United has even been driving 'Bernie Buses' around, canvassing on foot for the frozen warlock of a presidential candidate.) Veterans for Bernie Sanders too has thrown its support behind Canova ... Today, Canova picked up yet another big endorsement, this time from the Transportation Workers United 538, which represents the 2,500 Miami International Airport employees." "Miami Airport Workers' Union Endorses Tim Canova."

"If the Bernie Sanders movement is trying to take down the Democratic political establishment, there’s probably no better place to start than Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee."

Even before Wasserman Schultz was accused of trying to rig the primary process for Hillary Clinton, her perch atop the party apparatus and failure to meet some liberal purity tests made her a target of some on the left.

"Now, Wasserman Schultz is facing her first real primary fight since she was elected to Congress from Florida in 2004. Her challenger is Tim Canova, a progressive law professor fueled by the Sanders movement."

"It’s a longshot, but Canova has some key actors from the Sanders coalition behind him."

Wasserman Schultz has found herself on the wrong side the left on a range of fronts, from her alleged softness on the payday lending industry, to her opposition of medical marijuana, to her perceived reluctance to back President Obama’s Iran deal, to her support for so-called fast-track trade authority opposed by critics of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal.

"The Bernie Sanders proxy war in Florida."

"Actress Rosario Dawson spoke out against Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz Tuesday before introducing Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally in San Diego, California." "Rosario Dawson Bashes DNC's Wasserman Schultz at Sanders' Rally."

DWS strikes back, claiming that "that Bernie Sanders’ supporters tactics of getting the attention of superdelegates 'border on harassment and feel like stalking.'" "Wasserman Schultz: Sanders Supporters’ Tactics ‘Border On Harassment’"




"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State" Marc Caputo: "Patrick Murphy’s SEVEN political committees – Tim Tebow for Congress? – Wasserman Schultz and Bernie Bros’ ‘borderline harassment." "Florida Playbook."




Just ask Marco Democratic Rep. Reggie Fullwood "from Jacksonville has been indicted on charges he used more than $65,000 in campaign contributions on personal expenses like liquor, jewelry, flowers and groceries, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Jacksonville announced Friday." "Florida lawmaker faces fraud charges over campaign cash."

Little Marco skated on similar behavior: "New questions raised about Marco Rubio’s GOP credit card expenses" ("Rubio made the most of the ample leeway and little oversight party leaders gave employees and lawmakers to spend the party’s cash.")




Republicans court Tebow, liken' that homeschoolin' "Tim Tebow has a likable, wholesome image and hasn’t ruled out running for political office one day. Now Republicans (who have courted him in the past) are hoping to have the home-schooler-turned-Heisman-winner run for Crenshaw’s seat. Don’t be surprised if Tebow doesn’t do it. He’s smart enough to know Congress isn’t a place to accomplish much these days except be a politician, take bad votes, spend most of your time fundraising for your next election or plan to run for another seat. But if he’s bitten by the political bug, watch out." "Tebow for Congress."

More: "Tim Tebow eyed for open Florida House seat, 'a shoo-in'."




Orlando retread wants to go back to Congress "Former U.S. Rep. Ric Keller announced Thursday that he is seeking a return to Congress after 8 years. Keller, an Orlando attorney, told Fox 35 that he would be running in the 6th District for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Ponte Vedra Beach. DeSantis is running for U.S. Senate. . . . Keller also said he was "for the wall before it was cool" when asked about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's call for a border wall with Mexico." "Former U.S. Rep. Ric Keller announces another run for Congress."




Garcia posts impressive fundraising numbers "Former Congressman Joe Garcia, challenging Annette Taddeo in the CD 26 Democratic primary, has posted impressive fundraising numbers, bringing his total more than $325,000 in just weeks." "Joe Garcia, Fighting for CD 26, Has His Foot on the Fundraising Gas."




"Murphy Replenishes Daddy’s Cash Stash" "They are called joint fundraising agreements, and they allow committees and members of Congress to join forces to raise campaign cash. [Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick] Murphy’s campaign committee has agreements with seven different committees, two of which have transferred a total of $57,741 to his campaign, according to campaign finance records."

The biggest transfer to Murphy’s official campaign from a joint fundraising committee has come from Justice 2016, which has given $51,490.

That committee is affiliated with a handful of Democrats, including Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Jason Kader of Missouri, Ted Strickland of Ohio, and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, each of whom is running for Senate, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, both of whom are members of the House running for Senate seats.

Another joint fundraising committee Murphy has with Bennet, called Peaks and Palms Senate Victory, has transferred $6,250 to his campaign. The committee has raised $40,000 from six Illinois donors who work predominantly in the finance industry.

Several other joint fundraising committees tied to Murphy’s campaign have not yet been active, while some have raised money but not transferred it directly to his campaign.

One of those joint fundraising committees, the Murphy Victory Fund, has its own fundraising agreement with the Democratic Executive Committee of Florida, which is the federal arm of the Florida Democratic Party.

The Murphy Victory Fund has raised $76,600 and transferred $56,800 to the Democratic Executive Committee of Florida.

"Joint fundraising committees are a long-standing way for campaigns to pool resources with other groups to ensure progressive candidates across Florida and the country are in the best possible position to win,” said Joshua Karp, Murphy’s communications director.

"Murphy’s Senate bid boosted by network of fundraising agreements."

"Privileged Patrick Murphy Replenishes Daddy’s Cash Stash." See "Patrick Murphy Raises $2 Million in First Quarter." Amelia Chassé asks: "How does Murphy explain his professed 'disgust' with money in politics with his scramble for outside cash? Apparently by lashing out at reporters, as the Tampa Bay Times’ Adam Smith found out in March."




Rubio fading into irrelevance "When he suspended his campaign, Marco Rubio said he wasn’t running for president but urged local GOP officials to let him keep his delegates. ... The Florida senator’s strategy is hitting some turbulence, NBC News has learned, because several state parties have determined Rubio does not get to hold onto all his delegates." "Lapsed Rubio Delegates Are Up for Grabs on Convention’s First Ballot."

"Listening to a shameless hypocrite"

John Romano: "It's interesting to note that when legislators talk enthusiastically about providing parents with choices, the back-door beneficiaries are often charter and private schools run by businesses. And when legislators deny parents a choice about the [Florida Standards Assessment], the backdoor beneficiary is a testing corporation with a six-year, $220 million contract."

In other words, it might be less about "choice'' and more about commerce.

So the next time you hear a lawmaker say parents know best, you might consider the possibility that you're listening to a shameless hypocrite.

"The state has become a slave to a testing company with no local oversight or accountability."

It has allowed the education system to be swallowed by a single assessment. It has ignored parents and forsaken flexibility.

The problem isn't that Florida children are failing tests.

It's that Florida is failing children by obsessing over a test.

"Florida scores high on hypocrisy and low on integrity in school tests."




Nelson remaining above the Senate primary fray

"The race between Alan Grayson and Patrick Murphy for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination got even more heated this week, but their would-be colleague Bill Nelson is remaining above the fray." "Nelson remains neutral in U.S. Senate race."




Florida, merely "a low-tax, low-wage state"

The Tallahassee Democrat editors: "Shelling out millions in public money to private corporations was never a novel, responsible or sustainable strategy for creating jobs in the Sunshine State. That's why the Florida Legislature's decision not to spend any money over the next year on a job incentive program has forced a healthy and overdue debate. This is an opportunity for Florida to assess its strengths and weaknesses, better target quality jobs and industries and draw a clear line between promoting economic growth and corporate welfare."

The loss of walking around money should force the governor to recast Florida as more than a low-tax, low-wage state. It is easy enough to sell the state for its year-round good weather, competitive wages and relaxed regulatory environment. Major employers, though, especially those in emerging technology industries, are looking for talent, proximity to industrial hubs and quality transportation, schools and other amenities. In his letter to the Enterprise Florida board, the governor still doesn't seem to get it, calling for new ways to promote Florida on the cheap.

"Rethinking Florida's job recruitment efforts."




"DCF Backs Off Protecting LGBT Children"

"The Florida Department of Children and Families is under fire for backing off of part a proposal that would protect LGBT kids who live in group homes from discrimination — including so-called 'conversion therapy' aimed at changing their sexual orientation." "Bowing to Baptist and Catholic Pressure, DCF Backs Off Protecting LGBT Children from Discrimination."




"Unfair — and, frankly, cold-hearted"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "This month, about 300,000 Floridians who qualify for food stamps began facing the consequences of new rules requiring that they go to work. It’s a reasonable policy change, on paper. But for many who can’t find or hold a job, it means facing emptier pantries."

Gov. Rick Scott’s administration justifies the action by saying the economy is improving and jobs are easier to find. And yes, Florida’s jobless rate has fallen to an eight-year low of 4.9 percent. More than 1 million jobs have been added to the state since January 2011, low-paying though many may be.

But the jobs aren’t distributed evenly across this very diverse state. . . .

The Scott administration needs to look at more than raw economic numbers when making decisions that can so intimately affect the lives of thousands of Florida’s most vulnerable citizens. At the least, it should allow for regional variances in the economic rebound, and ask the federal government to drop the mandate for the 21 lagging counties.

We agree that food stamps should be issued in a way that discourages a culture of dependency. But where jobs are in short supply, it is unfair — and, frankly, cold-hearted — to impose a regulation that will make people go hungry.

"Work rules on food stamps will hit Florida’s poorest hard."




She didn't run alone

"Firefighters run 5K with daughter of fallen fireman."




"Florida cannot afford to get this wrong again"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "It took more than a decade,"

but Florida finally has reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit aimed at improving access to medical and dental care for children on Medicaid. The agreement should make health care more accessible to poor children who struggled to find doctors willing to treat them under the state's dismal Medicaid reimbursement rates. The state should work hard to meet and exceed the goals agreed upon in the settlement. Florida cannot afford to get this wrong again.

"Medicaid settlement should help kids."




Empty suits on the sidelines

"President Barack Obama’s historic trip to Cuba last month marked the culmination of a foreign policy he laid out eight years ago as a candidate, when he broke with his predecessors and pledged to sit down with unfriendly dictators because punishing them with silence seemed 'ridiculous.'"

Left out of the conversation: anyone who disagreed, including the eight Cuban Americans — Republican and Democrat — in Congress 57 years after the Cuban revolution. Half of them — one senator and three representatives — hail from Miami, the new city exiles made in Havana’s old image.

For eight years, they’ve had zero input on the issue on which some of them built their political careers. And now they face the prospect of four or eight more years of the same, with a new White House tenant come January. Castro has promised to retire in 2018.

"Miami’s Cuban-American political guard risks losing any influence it has left at a time when Cuba could undergo its most sweeping changes."

“I’m not hurt at all — it frees up my day,” Miami Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said of not talking to Obama. “He’s of no consequence to us.”

"Once mighty, Miami’s political guard left out of conversation on Cuba."