Primary endorsements - part 6

If ye socks needed any indication just how anxious we are in this little corner of heaven to be rid of the walking embarassment who "represents us" in Congress, ye need only take a look at just how crowded the GOP primary is to topple him. The candidates are:

Ross Bieling
Dan Fanelli
Kurt Kelly
Todd Long
Bruce O'Donoghue
Patricia Sullivan
Dan Webster

Of Bieling and Fanelli, I know very little. I don't think anyone considers them to be serious contenders, though they could play spoilers in a race where every percent of the vote counts.

Sullivan is closely associated with the TEA Party folks around here, but her base seems to be primarily in Lake County.

Long comes with some serious baggage, left over from his race for this same seat two years ago. His frequent air time on local radio and the early and broad distribution of a book this year have kept him in the race. But, he is clearly not the best candidate.

The top tier, then, are Kelly, O'Donoghue, and Webster.

Frankly, yours truly would not be disappointed with any of these guys.

Webster has been a personal favorite since he endorsed Mike Huckabee back in 2008. He is a well-known quantity in these parts as the former leader of the state senate and, more recently, for investigating the shenanigans over at the Expressway Authority. The only knock on him is that he explicitly bowed-out of the race last year, only to jump back in later. This leaves me questioning whether he really has the fire in his belly to take on the dastardly incumbent . . .

I have had the opportunity to meet O'Donoghue over breakfast, and found him to be a charming (albeit understated) gentleman. He is "one of us," and as such would truly be representative of the district. But, I am concerned that he may be too urbane. How will he stack-up against the overwhelming personality of the general election opponent?

I have also had the opportunity to meet Kelly on a couple of occasions, most recently just this morning. He has already earned the endorsements of many of my friends and relations. After looking him in the eye and hearing his responses to today's questions about the campaign, I have been swayed into his camp. (Check out Kurt's site at http://www.kellyforcongress.com .)

But, again, I can live with any of the last three candidates. All are infinitely better than the goofball who currently disgraces Florida's 8th District.

And, then there were FOUR?!

The political scuttlebutt around this little corner of heaven is that former State Senate Majority Leader Dan Webster will join the already crowded field of candidates in the Republican primary who are seeking to unseat the shame of Central Florida: Alan Grayson.

Nothing's official, yet. Just heard he's going to be making a statement tomorrow. But, I think we can read the tea leaves on this one . . .

Already in the race are Orlando businessman Bruce O'Donoghue; State Rep. Kurt Kelly of Ocala; and local attorney/radio show host Todd Long.

Hold on to your seats, folks! This could be a game changer!

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?!