Primary endorsements - part 3

OK, let's throw a non-partisan race into the mix.

In this little corner of heaven, we will soon have our first ELECTED school board chair.

The candidates are former state legislature Bill Sublette, former county commissioner Homer Hartage, and schoolteacher Leona Rachman.

Despite the non-partisan label on this race, Hartage is a well-known Democrat. I couldn't find anything on Rachman.

Sublette, on the other hand, is a Republican. He nearly beat Ric Keller in the party primary to succeed Bill McCollum in Congress back in the 1990s.

No use crying over all the spilled milk in District 8, though. Congress's loss is the school board's gain if you join me in voting for Bill.

To find out more about his campaign, check out this site: http://www.sublette4chair.com

Primary Election Results

Well, I can't say it was a particularly exciting Primary Day in this little corner of heaven. I think the talking heads said we had a whopping 17% turn-out. But, for ye socks who follow such things . . .

My not-so-favorite incumbant U.S. Congressman Ric Keller was visibly shaken last night when virtual unknown Todd Long came within a few thousand votes of winning the Republican nomination. The good news for him: there WAS an upset on the Democratic side. Gadfly Alan Grayson trounced the perceived favorite and local scion Charlie Stuart by a whopping 20%. This heavily-Republican district might have been able to stomach a conservative Democrat like Stuart this year, but Grayson is kryptonite in this case.

The Orange County Sheriff's race is shaping up to be the most lively in years with the retirement of the bloated turncoat windbag Kevin Bearry. Republicans overwhelmingly voted to nominate former Undersheriff John Tegg, while Democrats just as overwhelmingly chose local embarassment Jerry Demmings. But, Tegg has his work cut out for him. Democrats turned-out in significantly larger numbers (42,859 vs 39,896). If they turn-out in the same proportion come November, especially if the junior senator from Illinois grows any coattails, we could be doomed to four years of unprecedented lawlessness . . . wait a minute, we've already done that, haven't we?!?

In less high-profile contests:

* My breakfast buddy Eric Eisnaugle won an overwhelming victory (68% to 32%) in the Republican primary to succeed Andy Gardiner in the state legislature.
* Earl K. Wood, whose name is synonymous with tax collection in this little corner of heaven, won the Democratic nomination to what I believe is his 92nd term. Or, maybe, he's just 92 years old. I don't remember. The number 92 figured into the story somewhere . . .
* I met one of my new neighbors David Rose in the parking lot outside the polling place. He was on the ballot for precinct committeeman. So, of course, I voted for him. I mean, it showed real initiative to sit out there in the heat and humidity all day. Good news: He won 55% of the vote in a crowded field of five.
* County Judge Debbie Ansbro coasted to re-election despite negative information published about her by local defense attorneys.

Raising flags

Well, the congressional race in this little corner of heaven is turning more than a bit nasty, thanks to the huge campaign war chest of our incumbent Ric "Lawn Boy" Keller.

Over the weekend, he mailed out a lovely little brochure trashing his primary opponent Todd Long.

What ever happened to the old maxim about Republicans not speaking ill of other Republicans?!

Well, Rep. Keller isn't your typical Republican. We've known that for a while now, haven't we?

While he's busy trying to raise red flags about Long's past problems with alcohol, I will always remember his efforts last year to raise the white flag of surrender. He was one of the turncoat, cut-and-run defeatists who joined the Pelosi Posse in their efforts to end the liberation of Iraq.

Fortunately, he and they were thwarted in that effort, despite Keller's idiotic attempt at rationalizing his behavior with a disjointed analogy about the unfairness of having to mow your neighbor's lawn.

While Long consulted with his pastor about his past transgressions and claims he hasn't touched a drop of alcohol in over a year, Keller is completely unrepentant and won't admit he was wrong to join the Democrats or that the surge is working in Iraq.

Lump that in with his broken promise not to run for a fifth term, his own peronal ethics questions, his ineffectiveness as a legislator, along with his latest slimeball tactics and I believe ye socks will understand why he's lost the vote of yours truly.

How does that old cliche' go about diapers and politicians needing to be changed frequently for the same reason?!

Isn't it still 2007?!

I don't know why so many people are already talking about the 2008 elections, but it seems to be infectious.

How much longer must the City of Orlando endure Mayor Buddy's focus on entertainment venues at the expense of fighting crime?

Will a credible Republican emerge to oppose Ric Keller in the primary? How 'bout Orange County Chairman Rich Crotty?

What's Jeb Bush up to? He's been keeping a low profile since he left office in January, but surely he's not completely done with politics . . .

Is our new governor Charlie Crist really aspiring to become Vice President?!

And, of course, who to support for President?

Each party has its stars. But, in my opinion, none of them shine very brightly when it comes to the practical aspects of the job.

Sure, their faces might look good on the cover of newspapers. And, some of them are even good at dazzling broadcasters with their simplistic one-liners about complicated issues.

But, is that what we should really be looking for in a president?

Not in my opinion.

That's why I'm leaning toward Mike Huckabee, the former Governor of Arkansas.

I know. Who'd a thought I'd support a former Arkansas governor for President?!

So far, he's my favorite. But, in retrospect, we're not very far along in this process at all, are we?!?

Opinion subject to change.