Florida Legislator Shows Reason for Contesting Every Race

Florida State Representative Ralph Arza, of course a Republican, is in hot water for leaving a racially-charged phone message on a colleague's system.

Arza has admitted leaving the message on the voice mail of Republican Rep. Gus Barreiro earlier this month but said he was drunk and felt "deeply ashamed."

Barreiro had earlier filed a complaint alleging that Arza used a racial epithet when referring to Miami-Dade County school superintendent Rudy Crew, who is black; an allegation Arza denies. Arza used the same epithet in his phone message to Barreiro, who is Hispanic.

Rules committee chairman Dudley Goodlette, who is conducting the House investigation, wrote in a report Monday that he has not decided whether to recommend expulsion and that he wishes Arza would act first.

Arza said that the rules committee shouldn't act in haste.  After all, why besmirch his career as a high school teacher and football coach with something as tawdry as this?  He was, after all, drunk.

Once again, a Republican refuses to accept repsonsibility for their actions when under the influence.  Jeb's kids, Rush, Foley and now Arza, Florida Republicans just head off to rehab and it makes everything OK.

Unfortunately, Arza won't pay any price because he's running unopposed.  But Floridians should hold other Republicans' feet to the fire for this.