Tag Archive for mitt romney

Save a Beagle, get Re-elected? How Rufus the Dog can have Political Implications

April 24, 2013 2014 elections, florida politics, governor rick scott, teresa jacobs 2 comments

The biggest Non crime, national, or weather story in Orlando the last 24 hours, has been the story of Rufus, a 1 year old Beagle, who is currently being held by Orange County Animal control and is possibly on “Doggy Deathrow” if State Law holds firm.

It started when Rufus bit his owner’s young child on the 8th of April (you can read the Local 6 story HERE) and there has been confusion over the circumstances regarding the bite and whether Rufus is dangerous or not. Either way, no one wants the dog destroyed but state law requires it.

Social Media has since erupted with calls for the Dog’s life to be spared. Catchphrases like “Free Rufus” or “Save Rufus” have spread through Facebook and Twitter.

The dog’s fate is currently going through an appeals process. If the law holds firm, the dog gets a death sentence, and the City of Orlando is “going to freak”.

Enter Politicians.

Voters have a very special bond with “Man’s Best Friend” and very little tolerance for injustice for those who can’t verbally defend themselves.

Don’t think so? Ask Mitt Romney, who dealt with the thorn of his side all of last year, when it was revealed he tied the family dog’s cage to the roof of his car during a road trip.

It sounds ridiculous, but there is Political Capital in standing up for pets in this town. It shows compassion for the vulnerable, initiative to challenge the status quo, a “Fire in the belly” to stand up for what the people know in their hearts is wrong.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs released this statement regarding Rufus,

“We love our children and we love our animals. There are state laws and county ordinances to protect them both, including a defined judicial appeals process. That process is underway, and it will ensure a full and fair hearing of all the facts. In the meantime, rest assured I have instructed our staff to take excellent care of Rufus.”

Good for her, but if the Dog doesn’t walk (see what I did there?), the pressure will be on.

The issue turns into a political football and a parade that every lawmaker should try to get in front of. I’m talking statements on social media, graphics, television interviews, it’s just too easy.

And Rufus would appreciate it too.

Want to see Florida Governor Rick Scott’s approval numbers jump 10 points? Have him declare clemency for Rufus. That will win votes. I guarantee it.

I’ll even draw up the first graphic for you.

freerufus

Get Your Message Out Banner! Blue

Why Ted Cruz shouldn’t take on Rubio over Immigration Reform

April 22, 2013 2016, florida politics, immigration, marco rubio, Uncategorized No comments
Ted Cruz Immigration

This morning POLITICO published a story that pitted Texas Senator Ted Cruz in a potential fight over Immigration against Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Ted Cruz, he’s got a lot of similarities with Rubio. Family ties to Cuba, Tea Party favorite, dynamic speaking ability, and a bright future.

These ties would make him the obvious favorite to oppose Rubio on his “Gang of 8″ legislation as the article says.

Not so fast.

Cruz has got the ambition. You see it when he speaks. A forceful delivery that means business and demands results.

But he’d better think twice before becoming the face of opposition for this immigration reform plan. I’ll explain why.

He just got there and doesn’t have the Rubio’s national name ID: Rubio has had two books released, been on the cover of Time, been vetted for Vice-President, and spoofed on the Simpsons and Saturday Night Live. He’s already feuding with Jay-Z and Pitbull (kinda) and has Jeb (Bush) singing his praises. He also broke the “Full Ginsberg” record by appearing on 6 Sunday morning talkers on the same day.

Cruz spoke at the RNC and did a terrific job but he’s still a stranger to the average voter. Rubio has more credibility at this point.

Texas is not Florida: Don’t mess with Texas, I know, I know but Texas is red for the foreseeable future. The GOP needs Florida and that means they need Rubio to put up a valiant fight during this immigration battle, to at least convince the I4 corridor that they’re serious about the issues that effect the growing Hispanic population, in one of the country’s biggest swing states.

His efforts would hurt the GOP with the entire demographic.

At some point, politics becomes a finesse game: The smoke throwers always find this out eventually. There is no way to oppose this immigration plan without eventually positioning yourself as a major media antagonist. Cruz would have to accept openly voice his support for a plan that deports 11 million undocumented immigrants. Not only is this not practical but there are no alternatives. Ask Mitt Romney how that worked out.

He’d become the “big bad” in the mainstream media and that eventually crosses over to the moderates. That’s not the reputation you want.

Working with Rubio and conditionally supporting the legislation would pay dividends in the future: What Cruz should do is trim the legislation here and there, then get behind it. Think about it. As compelling as showdown between Cruz and Rubio sounds, imagine a united front between the two. Cruz could pick up the phone, throw some conditions into the debate and get this legislation passed. There is plenty of room for winners in these talks.

There is a lot of negative, and very little positive for the rising star from the lone star state, in fighting this legislation. He would be far better off putting his mark on this historic reform, than trying to destroy it.

Volusia County Lincoln Day Dinner presents a Stacked Speaker Line-up

April 19, 2013 2012 elections, alan grayson, florida politics, governor rick scott, mitt romney, political events, ron desantis, state legislature No comments

It’s good to be a Republican in Volusia County.

Last November, when Conservatives were taking losses in elections on all levels of Government, all over Central Florida, Volusia County held the line.

They manage to carry the county for Mitt Romney. Orange and Osceola can’t say the same.

They turned back tough opposition to keep State Rep. Dorothy Hukill in Tallahassee, this time as a State Senator. Orange lost 4 State Rep. seats and Seminole…Seminole couldn’t protect the future Speaker of the House.

They added two Conservatives to the County Commission. Orange’s Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, and Supervisor of Elections? All Democrats

They did their part to keep the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, by electing former Navy Vet Ron Desantis. Orange/Osceola sent Alan Grayson back to Washington.

So, Volusia County will host a stacked line-up of speakers. The most impressive since Orange County was able to secure Former Governor Sarah Palin, in the middle of her book tour.

Their Lincoln Day Dinner Headliner will be Congressman Desantis, who has been making waves in Washington since getting sworn in at the beginning of the year by proposing tough fiscal policy and even popular Bi-Partisan initiatives, like freezing portions of Congressional pay during the sequester.

The undercard features Florida Governor Rick Scott. Scott is arguably going through the toughest period of his term. He’s been trying to move towards the middle to lift his poor approval numbers and has been “breaking china” in the process by, supporting the expansion of Medicaid (to accommodate the President’s healthcare plan), and the departure of former Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll, who flipped on him on Jacksonville television last week. They were even banging the drum for a GOP primary against Scott in Lake County last week.

Heading into re-election next year, Scott needs a united Volusia county, and if he’s got to speak before a Freshman Congressman, so be it.

Details for the event are on the flyer below. It’s going to be a good time.

Volusia County Lincoln Day Dinner

Rubio Republican Response for SOTU is First Audition for 2016.

February 7, 2013 Uncategorized No comments

Earlier this afternoon, it was announced that Florida Senator Marco Rubio will be giving the Republican response for President Barack Obama‘s State of the Union address on Tuesday night. He’ll be the ambassador for the GOP on a night when President Obama sets the table for his 2nd term political agenda.

For Rubio it will be his first real introduction to a primetime, bi-partisan, national audience, and it allow him the last word, in what will be a comparison challenge between the GOP’s vision for Immigration reform and the Presidents.

We’ve talked about the tough assignment Rubio had selling the Bi-Partisan Senate plan to the most Conservative opinion leaders, now he’ll get to do it to a moderate electorate, where Independents rule and he’ll get the last word of the evening. There he can push for the enforcement triggers on the deal that the President hasn’t committed on, and is considered a deal breaker for the elected officials with Tea Party support.

Last fall at NALEO, Rubio pushed for similar reform that’s in the conversation now, only to have the President come in and take the points from Rubio’s plan and integrate them into his own.

Let’s not forget the implications for 2016. This is the first audition for Rubio as far as his Presidential plans go.

The Republican response has long been a launching pad for Presidential hopefuls. In 2011, it was Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan who eventually was selected by Mitt Romney to be his running mate last year. In 2012, it was Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, who many hoped would throw his hat into the Presidential race.

Now it will be Rubio, and he’s got a clear objective. Make your argument for Immigration and the other issues bigger and better than the Presidents, and with all of America watching it might be the most important night of his political career.

Rubio will be following with Republican response at the State of Union

Rubio will be following with Republican response at the State of Union

2013 Anuario: Senador Marco Rubio Perfil

January 21, 2013 Uncategorized No comments

Estaban alguien que tenia un 2012 mas grande del el Senador del Florida, Marco Rubio? Yo Creer no. Hoy nosotros miran en en ano pasado y que Rubio necesito hace en 2013.

Transcripcion del video:

Florida Politico con Frank Torres. Esto es tu anuario perfil del Senador Marco Rubio. El puede hace el Politico que tiene es mejor futura politica en este pais. Que un ano grande para Rubio dos libros del su vida, un recurso a el Republicano convencione nacional. Y mas entrevistas que tu puede contar. El se fue a campana con Mitt Romney. El mejor ano para un politico que no tenia el nombre Romney o Ryan.

Que su necesito hacer en 2013?

Bueno, el necesito hacer un lider con imigracion. Tambien el necesito mantanar el reputacion del un principal del los debates para los temas fiscal. El voto contra de el plan para negociar el fiscal abismal.

Que paso mal para Rubio en 2012? Bueno, el no estaba el selecion del Mitt Romney para Vice-President. Tu puede pensar que ellos cuento algo que no gustaba con Rubio. Romney perdido so, eso puedo hace bueno o mal.

Ahora crees que Rubio esta trabajando para 2016 y el primario Republicano para Presidente. Yo creo que Rubio va trabajar mas con todos los Senadores en Washington y que tu va ve el Senador de Florida quedar uno de los mas influencio politicos en Washington.

*EN INGLES*

Florida Anuario Politico 2013 – Florida Abogado General Pam Bondi

January 14, 2013 Uncategorized No comments

El Abogado General de Florida Pam Bondi tenia es mejor ano de todos los politicos quien no tienes la nombre Rubio. La nueva superstar de el party Republicano estaba en moderador de un debate nacional para el GOP. Fue con Mitt Romney para su la campangnar de el. Y tambien tenia un discurso importante en las Republicano nacional convencion. Que vienen ahora para Bondi?

Transcripcion del video:

Florida Politico con Frank Torres. Hoy nosotros hablamos de en perfil de abogado general Pam Bondi. Bondi tenia un ano grande en 2012, ella estaba en moderador de un debate nacional para el GOP. Ella apoyo el ganador del el Republicano primario Mitt Romney y fue a campna con el. Entonces al frente de la nacion. dio un discurso en la Republicano nacional convenciones. No estaba un discurso fuerte pero todavia.

Ella tambien continuar la lucha contra la plan salud de el President (Obamacare). Ella perdido pero eso es un momento importante para ella.

Yo creer que Bondi querer hacer la representante mas conservadoras en nuestro estado. Esto es un decision muy importante para la futura de ella y que vienes despues de esto posicion. Este ano va hacer un ano luchando para los temas mas conservadore. Yo tambien creo que ella va a agravar la democratas. Esto es el perfil para abogado general Pam Bondi. Los vemos despues.

*EN INGLES*

Florida Political Yearbook 2013 – Senator Marco Rubio

January 9, 2013 Uncategorized No comments

Did anyone in Florida Politics have a bigger 2012 than Marco Rubio? Probably not. We take a look at Rubio’s 2012 and what he’s got to get done in 2013.

Video Transcript:

Florida Politics with Frank Torres. This is your political yearbook profile on Florida Senator Marco Rubio, arguably the biggest political rising star in the entire country. What a 2012 for Florida’s junior Senator. Two biographies (one auto), a prime spot at the Republican national convention, he escorted and caught Nancy Reagan in the Reagan library, more national interviews than you can count, on the road with Mitt Romney. The biggest year for someone that was not Paul Ryan or Mitt Romney last year. So, he really came out in the national spotlight, he’s going to become a household name, so he had an epic 2012.

What does he need to do for 2013?

He needs to be “outfront” on immigration. I’m not saying he needs to be one of the key players on immigration, I’m saying he has to be THE key player on immigration. He also has to keep up his standing as a fiscal hawk. As you’ll recall he voted against the President’s fiscal cliff plan, Paul Ryan voted for the plan, so if you’re keeping score at home, Rubio would be ahead.

Some of the things that didn’t go well in 2012 for Rubio. There isn’t a lot you can say but he was not selected as the running mate. Now, that may or may not be a good thing depending on what you think of Mitt Romney, probably a good thing. But, you wonder if the Romney for American campaign saw something during the vetting process that they didn’t like. Will it come up again in the future.

A stellar 2012 for Marco Rubio and now in a calm political environment and the years leading up to 20i6, I think you’re going to see more of the statesman. I think you’re going to see him working with all lawmakers over the next couple of years. He needs to stick with those goals. He is technically running for 2016, it’s never too early to start. He has to keep that in mind but, it’s going to be a big 2013 and if you’re a supporter you’ve got a lot to look forward to. That is your Florida Political Yearbook profile on Marco Rubio. I’m Frank Torres. I’ll see you next time.

Rubio has to be outfront on immigration to move forward in 2013

Rubio has to be outfront on immigration to move forward in 2013

Florida Political Yearbook 2013 – AG Pam Bondi

January 8, 2013 Uncategorized One comment

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi had the biggest 2012 in Political Florida for any Republican not named Rubio or Jeb. The rising star of the GOP got to moderate a national debate, got to tour across the country with Mitt Romney, and had a prime RNC speaking slot (despite the actual speech) what’s next for Bondi in 2013?

Video transcript:

Florida Politics with Frank Torres. And this is your 2013 Political Yearbook profile for Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Pam Bondi had a huge 2012. She really got out there on the national scene. She got to moderate or help moderate a national GOP debate, she ended up endorsing the winner of the GOP primary Mitt Romney and was able to get out there and hit the road with him. Into the national spotlight, she was able to secure a primetime speaking slot at the Republican National Convention, granted, not a very good speech, one of the rougher speeches I’ve seen but she got out there nonetheless.

She also continued her fight against the President’s healthcare plan or “Obamacare”. Ultimately the Supreme Court ruled against that lawsuit and upheld the President’s health care plan. She did take the lost in that respect but, it did sort of set her up for what I believe what her goal will be for 2013.

I believe Pam Bondi’s goal for 2013 is to be the most conservative lawmaker in the state. I really think that’s where she’s heading. She’s going to be weighing her options, whether it’s another term as Attorney General, I think it will be that or something else and beyond. I think she’s really working hard to establish that conservative cred. Her yearbook classification. What is Pam Bondi most likely to be? I believe Pam Bondi is the lawmaker most likely to get the Democrats upset, the most “riled up”. While she’s on her way to being the most conservative lawmaker in the state, she’ll really ruffle some feathers on the other side. So, that is your Florida Political Yearbook profile on Pam Bondi, I’ll see you next time.

Will she be Florida's most conservative lawmaker?

Will she be Florida’s most conservative lawmaker?

Don't Let Banner Red

Florida Political Yearbook 2013 – Florida Governor Rick Scott

January 8, 2013 Uncategorized No comments

Here is the first entry of your 2013 Political Yearbook and we’re starting at the top with Florida Governor Rick Scott. He’s got a lot of work to do in 2013 and with his future rival Charlie Crist starting to make some noise about going after his old job, he’d better get moving.

Video Transcript:

Florida Politics with Frank Torres and this is your 2013 Political Yearbook. We start at the top with Florida Governor Rick Scott. Scott had a difficult 2012, as you’ll recall his approval numbers were constantly low, hovering around the low to mid 30′s, I believe they broke %40 percent once during his media sprints or charm offenses. For the most part it was a rough 2012 for Rick Scott. Another aspect was that he really couldn’t come out during an election year. Florida was at the center of the political universe several times in 2012 and Rick Scott had to stay in the background from fear of hurting Republican candidates. At the Republican convention, his speech was very low key. He really couldn’t get out there and support Mitt Romney. I don’t believe Mitt Romney wanted him out there with those low approval numbers. And then on top of that you’ve got Charlie Crist running around, making his switch to the Democratic party official late last year. And it’s only a matter of time before he starts going after his old job. So, Rick Scott has Crist in his rearview mirror.

So what’s on tap for 2013. The good news for Scott is that the economy did get better. There were some jobs created, Scott will have to continue that so he can say “Hey, I created those jobs” in 2014. He might not meet his goal a very lofty goal but then again we all knew those numbers were very unlikely to begin with. But job creation will be his number one goal. He’ll want to stay away from those violently partisan issues if he wants to be competitve in 2014. You’ll recall in 2010 when he beat Alex Sink during the Tea Party wave and he barely beat her then. He’s going to need votes from all sides if he wants to beat Charlie Crist in 2014. So, that is your Political yearbook profile on Rick Scott. I’m Frank Torres, I’ll see you next time.

Job creation, approval numbers, and Charlie Crist are just some of the Governors concerns for 2013

Job creation, approval numbers, and Charlie Crist are just some of the Governors concerns for 2013

Top Political Quotes from Central Florida in 2012

December 28, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

It’s time for the best Political Quotes from Florida Politics over the last year. It’s been a busy year with a lot of zingers. With so much at stake and with Presidential politics spilling over into the smaller races, you get a lot of that influence.

You can just shut up..- Todd Long to Alan Grayson during the Tiger Bay Congressional Debate

“I will destroy you”- John Mica (allegedly) before his primary to fellow Rep. Sandy Adams

“I believe that we’re operating under a case of mistaken identity that the fourth is the first”- Former Senator George Lemieux attacking Connie Mack the IV after he entered the GOP Senate Primary

“I’m not signing any pledge. That’s a gimmick of my opponents but, I plan to serve four years.”- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer during his re-election campaign.

“John Mica is a personification of all that is wrong in Washington“- Congresswoman Sandy Adams referring to her fellow House Rep. during their grueling primary.

“You didn’t build that” – President Barack Obama. Yeah, I know, I know, you can interpret it any way you like but this was Obama’s “47%” moment

“If you use their playbook to get elected, when you get there, your number 1 agenda from day 1 is getting reelected.” Congressman Daniel Webster

“The people of Florida hear you saying one thing to them and then voting with Barack Obama” Connie Mack in his lone debate with Senator Bill Nelson.

“Is that the only line you memorized?“- Bill Nelson, 10 seconds later in that same debate.

“3, 4, 5 years from now, if I do a good job as Vice-President.. I’m sorry.“- Florida Senator Marco Rubio

“I’m your best cheerleader”- Congressman John Mica to President Barack Obama on the house floor. Shown in an attack ad by Sandy Adams.

“Please disregard previous healthcare statement.“- Florida CFO Jeff Atwater after releasing an email congratulating the Supreme Court for striking down the President’s Healthcare plan (Obamacare). They held up the plan in a historic ruling.

“He made money off of Casey Anthony”- Former State Attorney Lawson Lamar during his debate with Prosecutor Jeff Ashton.

“Look, I hope it’s not a deal maker but my playlist starts with AC/DC and ends with Zepplin” From the RNC in Tampa. GOP VP nominee Paul Ryan

“Here’s looking at Christie/Rubio 2016!”- Frank Torres minutes after President Barack Obama won re-election

“Who the heck is Frank Torres?”- Anonymous Political Operative. I ask myself that question every morning and then I work harder.

Till next time!

These two will be producing memorable quotes for years to come

These two will be producing memorable quotes for years to come

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