Tag Archive for michele bachmann

Mica on Airport Delays “If Ronald Reagan were President, we would not be in this mess”

April 26, 2013 florida politics, governor rick scott, john mica, sequestration No comments

At 70 years old John Mica can still throw down on in the House of Representatives.

The long time Winter Park Congressman took to the podium on Capitol Hill today to blast the Obama administration on it’s handling of the Air Traffic Controller furloughs brought on by the sequestration cuts that took effect at the beginning of the year.

Mica and Florida Governor Rick Scott have been very vocal about the furloughs that are causing hundreds of departures and arrivals, in and out of the state of Florida which could hurt tourism here in the Sunshine state.

“If Ronald Reagan were President, we would not be in this mess” Mica said during his floor time on the subject.

You can watch his one minute statement below (For you Michele Bachmann fans, the tea party Congresswoman and former Presidential candidate has a cameo while Mica is being announced.)

This isn’t the first time Mica has identified under staffing during operational delays. He also identified that construction on the new VA Hospital in Orlando was short several hundred workers last year.

Romney Backs Mack IV, Where Does Lemieux Turn Now?

May 16, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

The Senate race has gotten exciting this week with both George Lemieux and Connie Mack IV campaigns breaking out the political Jiu-Jitsu in efforts to turn the tide in their favor.

Right now the momentum is swinging the younger Mack’s way. In the last 48 hours his unexpected retaliation on the former Senator after months of relentless attacks.

Today, Mack IV rolled out his anticipated endorsement from GOP Presidential nominee Mitt Romney while he was out campaigning on the west coast of the state. Mack endorsed Romney months ago and campaigned with the former Massachusetts governor in the days leading up to Florida’s primary.

This is an impressive streak of endorsements the South Florida Congressman has had over the last few weeks. In addition to establishment Republicans like Romney, and Bill McCullom, Mack also has the support of the two biggest names in the Tea Party, Michele Bachmann and Rand Paul. This is the kind of coalescing Mitt Romney wishes he had over the course of his campaign.

The next question is, where does George Lemieux turn now? What kind of role does he play in this primary moving forward?

It is a two man race. Does he hope that research turns up a game changer that could knock Mack out of the race? He’s already tagged him on his rowdy younger days, disputes within the party, and time spent in state but if Mack establishes a firm rebuttal on the residency claim then there is nowhere else for Lemieux to go.

The only real way for Lemieux to catch Mack is to get him on state-wide television and deliver at least 2 decisive debate victories.

Let’s see if anyone will pick it up, it might be the last card Lemieux has to play.

Romney officially endorsed Cain IV today

Dueling Endorsements: Bachmann backs Mack, Cain Chooses Lemieux

May 5, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

Two former Presidential candidates chose sides today, in the GOP Florida Senate Primary.

Former frontrunner and GodFather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain endorsed former Senator George Lemieux last Friday night at Lincoln Day dinner in Hernando County. The nod was caught on video and comes across a tad awkward.

Cain mentioned that Lemieux didn’t know he was going to do that. Still, an endorsement is an endorsement and the lone major candidate still in the race from a year ago can use every push he can get.

His opponent and frontrunner Congressman Connie Mack had another endorsement already in the hopper, to counter with.

Another former frontrunner, Tea party Favorite, and fellow House Representative Michele Bachmann endorsed Mack in announcement made this afternoon.

You can argue which endorsement is bigger.

Herman Cain won Presidency V here in Orlando and has been endorsing candidates all over the state, like Craig Miller in his House District 6 race and he was in town last week campaigning with Todd Long who is running in district 9. His controversial exit from the race amidst allegations of harassment could turn off some.

Michele Bachmann came in last at Presidency V. In fact, she didn’t campaign very hard in the Sunshine State and it costed her dearly. However, after her exit, Bachmann is still held in high regard by the Tea Party movement and on capitol hill.

The eventual winner, be it Connie Mack or George Lemieux faces an uphill climb against sitting Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. Poll numbers are giving him a comfortable lead over both candidates.

Bachmann endorsed her fellow Representative Connie Mack in the Florida GOP Senate Contest

Dueling Endorsements: Bachmann backs Mack, Cain Chooses Lemieux

May 1, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

Two former Presidential candidates chose sides today, in the GOP Florida Senate Primary.

Former frontrunner and GodFather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain endorsed former Senator George Lemieux last Friday night at Lincoln Day dinner in Hernando County. The nod was caught on video and comes across a tad awkward.

Cain mentioned that Lemieux didn’t know he was going to do that. Still, an endorsement is an endorsement and the lone major candidate still in the race from a year ago can use every push he can get.

His opponent and frontrunner Congressman Connie Mack had another endorsement already in the hopper, to counter with.

Another former frontrunner, Tea party Favorite, and fellow House Representative Michele Bachmann endorsed Mack in announcement made this afternoon.

You can argue which endorsement is bigger.

Herman Cain won Presidency V here in Orlando and has been endorsing candidates all over the state, like Craig Miller in his House District 6 race and he was in town last week campaigning with Todd Long who is running in district 9. His controversial exit from the race amidst allegations of harassment could turn off some.

Michele Bachmann came in last at Presidency V. In fact, she didn’t campaign very hard in the Sunshine State and it costed her dearly. However, after her exit, Bachmann is still held in high regard by the Tea Party movement and on capitol hill.

The eventual winner, be it Connie Mack or George Lemieux faces an uphill climb against sitting Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. Poll numbers are giving him a comfortable lead over both candidates.

Bachmann endorsed her fellow Representative Connie Mack in the Florida GOP Senate Contest

Tuesday Knocks Newt Out. Gingrich to Suspend Campaign

April 25, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

Newt Gingrich’s campaign is finally down for good.

After a run that saw his candidacy come back from the dead twice, the former speaker of the house will suspend his campaign next Tuesday, after losing all five primaries to GOP frontrunner and eventual nominee Mitt Romney last night.

First was his campaign meltdown that saw the majority of his staff resign. Citing Gingrich as difficult to work with and facing a substantial deficit in the polls, a mass exodus occurred that had many believing that was the end of his young campaign.

That was last summer

Second was his lack of traction with the voters. Other frontrunners came and went and many were asking why he was still in the race.

That was last fall.

Gingrich would revive his efforts during the televised debates where he gained ground in the polls not by attacking his opponents, but the moderators and mainstream media. One memorable moment was when he slammed CNN’s John King over questions about his marital past.

That would lead to Gingrich’s rise to the polls. He became Mitt Romney’s biggest competitor and won the South Carolina Primary. And along with his anger directed at the media, he touted a positive past with Reagan and working with Bill Clinton during his time as speaker.

Then came Florida and it all came to a grinding halt.

Gingrich wanted a Moon Base in 8 years. His act of aggression during the debates got old and he was slammed by Florida Senator Marco Rubio, for his immigration attacks on Mitt Romney. He lost by double digits and it was mostly down hill from there.

His only other victory would come in his home state of Georgia. He would lose the other Southern Evangelicals to Rick Santorum and the path to victory became hazier.

He laid off a third of this staff and started using language that set the foundation for today’s an exit. Delaware was his last hope and was lost last night, along with the other four states. He was mathematically eliminated long before that.

There’s hardly any reason to worry about Newt.

Despite massive campaign debt, Gingrich will likely go back on the speaking circuit and write another book. His price per appearance will likely go up and he’ll be out of the woods in no time.

If there is one aspect of this announcement that Newt Supporters can find solace in, it’s that he fought as long as he could and demonstrated that biting back at the media from time to time can be effective energizing a conservative base.

Gingrich's campaign came back from the dead twice and he was a frontrunner at one point

Santorum can Leave Race with No Regrets

April 11, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

Rick Santorum suspended his campaign for President today, all but sealing the nomination for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

Dealing with the recent hospitalization of his young daughter, a double digit deficit in his home state of Pennsylvania and a dwindling war chest, it was finally time for the former Senator to stand aside.

He can walk away with his head held high. Let me explain.

Santorum greatly exceeded expectations. There isn’t an honest analyst (including myself) that was taking this guy seriously six months ago.

6 months ago this guy was out in Siberia (the far left podiums) during debates.

He was on the stump in front of dozens, not hundreds of voters.

At Presidency V here in Orlando, he had to crash an after party at the Tilted Kilt on I-Drive because, he didn’t have enough supporters for his own event.

He was polling like a dairy product at %2 last Halloween.

He stuck around.

You can call it a lack of enthusiasm in the field, poor vetting by party leadership, bad campaign management but, the others fair-weather frontrunners fell.

The Cain Train was derailed by allegations of infidelity. Bachmann bailed after a last place finish in Iowa. Rick Perry? Please! And Gingrich could not sustain his campaign through criticizing the media alone.

Santorum stayed the course and barnstormed through every county in Iowa. He couldn’t afford to drive the campaign bus the whole time so traveled by SUV. He shook as many hands as possible and went hunting with the natives.

He would win Iowa…eventually.

He became the real “Romney alternative”. There was plenty of passion for his social conservative views but, it scared away the moderates and he couldn’t win in those mid-western states that might have stopped Romney’s momentum.

That momentum started right here in Florida, where Romney also won by double digits.

He couldn’t risk losing his home state. It not only would have been a major loss in the delegate count column but, if you can’t win your state in your party’s primary, how are you going to take it in the General? It would have been an embarrassing defeat that would add insult to the injuries his campaign has suffered.

Santorum made the right call today. He’ll get the normal “atta boy” pats on the shoulder and a great speaking time slot at the convention but that won’t matter.

He earned the admiration of many who didn’t even know he existed when his campaign started. And when you were suppose to be a non-factor, that’s something to be proud of.

Santorum exceeded everyone's expectations during his run for the nomination.

Santorum can Leave Race with No Regrets

April 10, 2012 Uncategorized 3 comments

Rick Santorum suspended his campaign for President today, all but sealing the nomination for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

Dealing with the recent hospitalization of his young daughter, a double digit deficit in his home state of Pennsylvania and a dwindling war chest, it was finally time for the former Senator to stand aside.

He can walk away with his head held high. Let me explain.

Santorum greatly exceeded expectations. There isn’t an honest analyst (including myself) that was taking this guy seriously six months ago.

6 months ago this guy was out in Siberia (the far left podiums) during debates.

He was on the stump in front of dozens, not hundreds of voters.

At Presidency V here in Orlando, he had to crash an after party at the Tilted Kilt on I-Drive because, he didn’t have enough supporters for his own event.

He was polling like a dairy product at %2 last Halloween.

He stuck around.

You can call it a lack of enthusiasm in the field, poor vetting by party leadership, bad campaign management but, the others fair-weather frontrunners fell.

The Cain Train was derailed by allegations of infidelity. Bachmann bailed after a last place finish in Iowa. Rick Perry? Please! And Gingrich could not sustain his campaign through criticizing the media alone.

Santorum stayed the course and barnstormed through every county in Iowa. He couldn’t afford to drive the campaign bus the whole time so traveled by SUV. He shook as many hands as possible and went hunting with the natives.

He would win Iowa…eventually.

He became the real “Romney alternative”. There was plenty of passion for his social conservative views but, it scared away the moderates and he couldn’t win in those mid-western states that might have stopped Romney’s momentum.

That momentum started right here in Florida, where Romney also won by double digits.

He couldn’t risk losing his home state. It not only would have been a major loss in the delegate count column but, if you can’t win your state in your party’s primary, how are you going to take it in the General? It would have been an embarrassing defeat that would add insult to the injuries his campaign has suffered.

Santorum made the right call today. He’ll get the normal “atta boy” pats on the shoulder and a great speaking time slot at the convention but that won’t matter.

He earned the admiration of many who didn’t even know he existed when his campaign started. And when you were suppose to be a non-factor, that’s something to be proud of.

Santorum exceeded everyone's expectations during his run for the nomination.

Who Won the NBC Facebook Debate on Meet the Press from New Hampshire? 1/8/12

January 8, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

Instant Analysis:

For the second time in 10 hours, candidates for the GOP Presidential nomination debated in NH. Fatigue was present in the eyes of these 6 hopefuls but, they continued their trend of strong debating from last night. Gregory for all of the flack he takes week to week on Meet the Press, did much better than the silly questions moderators of ten hour ago. No one really “stepped in it” this morning but, we’ll try to break down the winners and losers.

Winners:

Rick Santorum: Santorum does much better with less candidates on stage and when he gets the opportunity to elaborate on his positions. He’s got the swagger of a contender now, sparring with Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. Speaking of Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney: Did you see him put Santorum in check during the first ten minutes of the debate? He called out Santorum who was grimacing during his replies and took on all attackers. Once again he the “pinata at the party”. Often, we forget how Romney can assert himself and take control of a conversation. Most importantly, he made it through both debates with out a major flub that could cost him New Hampshire.

Rick Perry: What?! I know what you thinking. Follow me here. Rick Perry wasn’t debating to a New Hampshire crowd in attendance. He was talking to the voters in the state where he’ll make his last stand and that is South Carolina. In a pretty moderate dialouge, Perry went far right and complimented the Tea Party movement and painted himself, in the brightest shade of red possible. He also continued to spin his “oops” meltdown in a lighthearted manner.

Jon Huntsman: I mentioned the moderate dialogue in the last paragraph and in one of the more emotional moments of the debate, Huntsman defended his service as Ambassador to China under Barack Obama and mentioned his two sons currently serving overseas. He flourished when talking about bi-partisanship in Washington but, still showed fiscal restraint, complimenting the Ryan plan. Is he going to get the nomination? Probably not, but this debate was one of the finer moments of his campaign.

Losers:

Ron Paul: Paul must learn to stay away from Santroum during these things. Every time the spotlight shines on Paul’s foreign policy views, it gets awkward. He was also read some unflattering numbers by the moderator concerning his effectiveness in passing legislation.

Newt Gingrich: While it’s entertaining having negative Newt back. He’s making the same mistake of going after the moderators too often, even when there is nothing there. He lagged on face time and didn’t leave an impression that will lead to gains in the polls.

Well, the candidates need to learn from these debates and find some time for rest before the final sprint towards the primary on Tuesday. For one or two of them, it might be the last contest they make it to.

Who Won the ABC Yahoo GOP Debate from New Hampshire? 1/7/12

January 8, 2012 Uncategorized 2 comments

Wow, the candidates were on top of their game. Unfortunately, with no audible reminders of timing, they could go on as long as they wanted. Everyone sounded good at one time or another but this debate isn’t going to shake up the polls. And, yes there is another debate in less than half a day.

Winners:

Mitt Romney: Mitt did what Mitt does best and what has allowed him to stay on top for so long. He stood at his podium with his hands in his pockets, grinning, and letting the other candidates slam each other up and down the venue. Then about an hour an half in, he gave a heck of an inspiring rant that will probably show up in one of his ads soon.

Rick Santorum: Look at Santorum, wearing big brother’s clothes! The former Pennsylvania Senator did well in his first debate at the middle podiums. He answered clearly, stayed on message and effectively attacked when he had to.

Ron Paul: Calm down, calm down, ..Ron Paul spoke Ron Paul policies well. He also got slugged by Gingrich over integrity at the halfway point. Reading economic textbooks on a Saturday night? I’m compelled to throw him in the loser column over that alone.

Losers:

Newt Gingrich: While negative Newt did make his return tonight, it wasn’t quite enough to change momentum. Not instantly anyways. His lack of face time was a problem.

Rick Perry: When the Texas Governor needed a daring and game-changing debate to save his campaign, he disappeared. He didn’t speak until the 13 minute mark. He should just go to South Carolina right now.

Jon Huntsman:Oh, those moderate policies. I’m not dissing them, I’m a moderate. But, in a room full of conservatives during a primary against an unpopular President, it got a little quite during some of his replies.

George Stepanopolus: With the most ridiculous question of all of the debates so far. “Do states have the right to outlaw, contraception”. He was mocked and teased about it by the candidates and he stretched it out to a painful extent. In the current political landscape there far are more pressing matters at hand.

No time for rest guys! We’ve got another debate tomorrow morning. See you then!

CF News 13: Republican Candidates eye Florida primary.

January 5, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

A big thanks to Adam Longo and Jackie Fell from CF News 13 for talking Florida and Presidential politics! Here is the write-up.
————————————————————————————-

ORLANDO –

With Iowa in the rear view mirror, the Republican candidates for president are firmly focused on three places for the next four weeks:

New Hampshire
South Carolina
Florida

The battle for Florida will surely unfold along I-4.

The most recent political poll taken among likely Florida Republican voters was done between Dec.15 and 19.

Clearly a lot has happened since then; the rise of Rick Santorum and the decline of Newt Gingrich.

But that poll shows Florida in a dead heat between Mitt Romney at 27 percent and Newt Gingrich at 26 percent.

MORE — FLORIDA DECIDES: Political ads to return to Florida

Political insiders feel Florida could be the biggest test yet for Mitt Romney.

He won the most votes in Iowa.

“It means a lot. It’s a first step to that road to victory. He’s fortified in New Hampshire and he’s also got the endorsement of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley,” said political analyst Frank Torres.

With Michelle Bachmann out and Rick Perry clinging to his political life, that leaves their supporters, 15 percent, in search of another candidate.

Who will those supporters go with, and will Florida once again set the stage for the GOP candidate to claim the party’s nomination?

“Florida becomes a major player in the Republican primary. Voters here in Central Florida will play a major part and it will continue into the general election. They’ll be among the most important voters in the country,” said Torres.

One other interesting thing has to do with the way the Florida primary works.

Tuesday was the last day to change your party affiliation on your voter registration form.

Only registered Republicans will be able to vote in the primary.

Mitt Romney appears to be doing the best in the Florida endorsement category right now.

He’s picked up the support of a few key South Florida congressmen.

Romney is the only one to be endorsed by anyone in Tallahassee; CFO Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam both pledged their support to Romney.

Article by Adam Longo/Jackie Fell CF News 13

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