One of my personal commitments for the November 2014 elections is to do everything I can to support former Governor Charlie Crist defeat Governor Rick Scott in Florida.
In this regard, may I call your attention to Marc Caputo of the Maimi Herald, who reports Democrats’ first ad has old theme: Rick Scott and Medicare fraud.
"Maybe you’ve heard about what was the largest Medicare fraud in history, committed when Rick Scott was a CEO," says the ad. "Or that Scott’s company paid record fraud fines of $1.7 billion."
If you haven't heard, then your memory is bad or you didn't turn on a Florida TV set during the height of the 2010 elections, when Scott's Republican rival and then his Democratic opponent ensured that voters knew about the 1997 fine paid by Columbia/HCA, a hospital company Scott built.
The Democrats' ad buy isn't immediately clear. It's supposed to be "six figures," one Democrat says. It has to be that. At least. A statewide ad buy usually has to be $1 million a week to take effect. Democrats say they'll ramp up to spend more in the coming weeks.
Rick Scott has spent more $13 million on TV ads already, while Crist has not been able to afford to even start yet.
I'll find Charlie Crist's website so those of you who can help can send some money.
Thanks so much.
10:30 AM PT: Charlie Crist for Governor Website
Please send any amount of money you can!
Imagine what a happy feeling it will be if we can send Governor Rick Scott packing.
10:57 AM PT: Steve Rothaus of the Miami Herald write Gay-rights groups endorse Charlie Crist for governor
The largest gay-rights groups in Florida and the nation endorsed Democrat Charlie Crist on Thursday, a turnaround for the former Republican governor who once helped enshrine a same-sex marriage ban in the state's Constitution.
In accepting the support of Equality Florida Action PAC and the Washington-based Human Rights Campaign, Crist pledged to pressure Florida's Republican attorney general, Pam Bondi, to stop fighting a lawsuit seeking to overturn the same-sex marriage ban voters approved in 2008 by 62 percent.
"I think it's important to be able to use the influence of the office of governor in a positive effective way," Crist said, "and encourage the attorney general, No. 1, to get rid of these lawsuits — I think it's a waste of time."
"No. 2," Crist said, "there's a bully pulpit that comes with the office of governor. And I think you can appeal to the people of Florida to maybe call the attorney general and ask her to get rid of these lawsuits and let individuals in the state of Florida live their lives and keep your nose out of their private life."