Tag Archive for sandy adams

Tuesday Morning Political Headlines: Webster calling for IRS Investigation over Tea Party Targeting

May 14, 2013 2014 elections, allen west, barack obama, daniel webster, florida politics, governor rick scott, orlando media, orlando politics, sandy adams, tea party No comments
Dan Webster Headshot

It’s a crazy Tuesday and we begin with the IRS Targeting of Conservative groups nationwide, coming home to Central Florida.

Last night, Congressman Daniel Webster went on the record calling for an investigation of the targeting from the IRS that sent hundreds of letters and bizarre questionnaires to Tea Party groups. On a local level the names involved might be familiar with local politicos.

Webster joins Florida Senator Marco Rubio and dozens of other lawmakers all over the country asking for an investigation that President Obama called “unacceptable” during a presser yesterday.

That and rumors over who will be the next LT. Governor of Florida. Names like Former Congressman Allen West and even former local Congresswoman Sandy Adams have been circulated.

WOFL FOX 35: (VIDEO) Fla. congressman to press IRS for answers over targeting tea party groups

Orlando Sentinel: Rubio wants to criminalize IRS targeting of Conservatives.

CF News 13: Rumors swirl about Florida’s next lieutenant governor

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: (VIDEO) Maitland votes no on proposed billboard

WKMG Local 6: (CNN) Obama: IRS targeting would be ‘outrageous’

WESH 2: GOP governors call for special prosecutor in IRS case

Terri Seefeldt flexing strong support early, in Florida House District 31 Race

April 23, 2013 2014 elections, florida house, florida politics, orange county commission, state legislature One comment

As Candidates slowly start declaring for next year’s elections and early fundraising numbers start registering, one candidate’s host committee has names that are worth taking notice.

Terri Seefeldt, candidate for Florida House District 31 (replacing termed out Bryan Nelson) has names like Apopka Mayor John Land, Winter Garden Commissioner Bobby Olszewski and a couple of important donors on that committee for a fundraiser later this week.

The biggest name on the list is former Congresswoman Sandy Adams, a name still very popular in the Apopka area.

The former Congresswoman served a portion of that area for several years during her time in the Florida Legislature, before running for Congress and winning in 2010. She continued to serve parts of the region until redistricting forced her to run against and lose to longtime fellow Republican John Mica. If not for the realignment of districts, you could argue she’d still be in Washington today.

While it’s still far too early to start declaring frontrunners, a name like Adams can inspire donors and boost the name ID of a candidate.

Meanwhile, Bryan Nelson is running for the District 2 Orange County Commission Seat to replace termed out Fred Brummer.

Seefeldt’s early competition includes Randy Glisson (who’s got solid early fundraising numbers), Margaret Hensinger, and Joseph Stephens.

The winner of this Republican Primary will be strongly favored in the red district, during mid-term elections, which turnout more conservatives.

Seefeldt has big Conservative names aligning behind her

Seefeldt has big Conservative names aligning behind her

Don't Let Banner Red

National Journal Rankings Mica and Posey Most Conservative in Central Florida, Nelson Middle of Dem Pack

February 23, 2013 Uncategorized No comments

Every year the National Journal Releases their most Conservative/Liberal Rankings of all of the members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Most of the time the behaivior you see in the media pretty much syncs with the Journal’s rankings but when you see them scored side by side there are a few surprises. Let’s break it down by member of the 2012 Congress.

Rep. Sandy Adams 88th Most Conservative in the House with a score of 79.5: She never missed during her term before being defeated by fellow Rep. John Mica in their redistricting showdown. 88th is a fine ranking but Mica actually scored slightly higher. This could have been because Adams voted “no” on proposals that weren’t Conservative enough. Higher than? Allen West Ranked 110th Scored 74.7. Wow. In fact all of our local Reps. scored higher than the Tea Party favorite.

Corrine Brown 92nd Most Liberal in the House with a score of 79: The longtime Rep of the third district easily won re-election last year. Nancy Pelosi? 79.2 coming in at 90th. Brown votes with her leader.

John Mica 82nd Most Conservative in the House with a score of 79.8. Tied with Fellow Rep. Bill Posey who also scored 79.8: The Winter Park Republican and fellow local Congressman Bill Posey will have to share the title of the “Most Conservative Congressman” in the Area. Compared with Paul Ryan? The Wisconsin House Rep and former Romney Running mate is 127th with a score of 71.3 but he was on a Presidential ticket.

Daniel Webster the Most Liberal Republican in Central Florida? Scores 75: This isn’t knock on Webster’s Conservative Cred. Locals know better. It’s just hard to believe that this Winter Garden Grandpa is the Tea Party Radical that the DCCC and other targeting his seat in 2014, want us to believe. Compared with someone like Michelle Bachmann? She scored an 80 coming at 80.

Your Senators:

Bill Nelson is 28th Most Liberal in Senate with a 75.3: His Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scored an 87.5. and one of the President’s biggest allies Chuck Schumer from NY scored a 79.2. Nelson’s score leans firmly left but he gets just enough leverage to call himself a moderate…barely.

Marco Rubio is 17th Most Conservative in Senate with a Score of 82.8: John McCain? 73.2. Lindsey Graham? 71.5. 28th and 33rd respectively. Rubio is not only emerging as a leader within this group of Republican leaders but can say his record is more conservative than theirs. His recent “Frenemy” and SOTU night fellow speaker? Rand Paul from Kentucky is 6th with a score of 90.8. There is a quick 2016 GOP Primary Snapshot.

These rankings are fascinating and are sometimes badges of honor or marks of embarrassment. We’ll see if these rankings effect any of our officials behavior.

Both Mica and Posey rank high in the latest rankings

Both Mica and Posey rank high in the latest rankings

Orlando Political Anuario 2013: Perfil para Representante John Mica

January 25, 2013 Uncategorized No comments

John Mica tenia un 2012 excelente ganando contra dificil candidatos y trabajando para los votantes en Central Florida cuando el tenia el posicion del el principal de transportacion. Pero, ahora dejo ese posicion, que viene proximo para el Representante de Winter Park?

Transcripcion de Video:

Florida Politics con Frank Torres y hoy nosotros hablamos de Representante John Mica. Mica tenia un ano muy interesante en 2012. El tenia un eleccion primario que todo la nacion estaban mirando contra otro Representante Republicano Sandy Adams. El gano facilmente pero fue despues de un luchar agresivo. El eleccion general estaban mucho mas facil y tambien gano con margen grande.

Y ahora que para Mica?

El no es el principal del el comite de Transportacion no mas. Eso fue un asignacion poderoso. Ahora Sunrail viene pero ya es dinero estas. Tambien es el hospital para los veteranos que es retrasado para casi dos anos. Todo esto y todavia los negocias para el debito problema y muchos mas pasando en Washington ahora. Yo pienso que Mice va hace muy ocupado

*En Ingles*

Orlando Political Yearbook 2013 – Congressman John Mica

January 9, 2013 Uncategorized No comments

John Mica had a terrific 2012, beating tough primary opposition and taking his prime spot as Chairman of the Transportation committee as far as it can go. Now, that he’s left that position, what’s next for the Winter Park Congressman?

Video Transcript:

Florida Politics with Frank Torres. This is Florida Political Yearbook profile on Congressman John Mica. John Mica in 2012 had an interesting year, a tough nationally watched GOP primary against his fellow Representative Sandy Adams. He ultimately went on to win that primary, fairly easy but pretty intense there for a while, making everyone take sides. He had an easy general election contest to get re-elected which brings us to this year.

He’s not the chairman of the Transportation committee anymore, a powerful assignment in Washington, he doesn’t have that anymore. He’s got Sunrail coming is he going to be able to make for that leverage he lost. Most likely he will, it’s obviously getting built. That was one of his biggest goals in office. In addition, there is the VA Hospital, he was outfront with Sandy Adams trying to get the thing built. The whole thing has been delayed for, I guess you could call it years now. As disputes between VA and contractors continue. So, in addition to the debt ceiling, transportation, budget fights, the VA Hospital and all of the other congressional things, John Mica should be pretty busy. That is your 2013 Political yearbook profile for John Mica. I’m Frank Torres, I’ll see you next time.

Sunrail is on the way. Is the region and Mica ready for it?

Sunrail is on the way. Is the region and Mica ready for it?

Mayoria del Congresio Representantes de Centro Florida contra a acuedor para Abismal Fiscal

January 3, 2013 Uncategorized No comments

Anoche, El Camara de Representantes paso El Senando billete para evitar la Abismal Fiscal. Esto es el exparicion de los Bush Era impuesto cortes y secuestro que incluso mas cortes para nacional defensa y otra cortes que poder hace mal para la economia.

El acuedor alcanzado dice los impuestos vas a subir para ellos que ganar mas que $400,000 por año, poner un 2 mes retresar a los cortes para defensa, y seguir con los conditiones que ayudar el plan reconocido como Obamacare y energia.

La mayoria de Congresio Representantes dijo no para el plan.

Representantes Sandy Adams, Daniel Webster, Bill Posey, John Mica, y Rich Nugent de Tampa, todo voto “no” para el plan negociado con Vice-Presidente Joe Biden Y Senador Mitch McConnel.

Corrine Brown, la sola Democratica voto “Si”.

Esto resultados deber hacer no sorpresa. Mica, Webster, Nugent, y Posey votan con los Republicanos casi todos los tiempos. Adams es un “lame duck” y no vas regresar a Washington. Ella perdio sus eleciones el Novembre pasado.

Muy interesante es el voto de Represante Paul Ryan de quien fue el “running mate” de Mitt Romney. Es un favorito de Daniel Webster y voto “Si” para el plan.

Lunes noche Senadores Bill Nelso voto “Si” y Senadores Marco Rubio voto “no” para esto acuedor. Rubio es solamente uno de ocho quien dijo no. Muchos creer el ya esta pensando de 2016 cuando va hacer un candidato por presidente.

Presidente Obama es Hawaii ahora y vas a firma este plan a la ley cuando regresar.

“EN INGLES”

Majority of Central Florida Congressional Delegation Vote “No” on Fiscal Cliff Deal

January 2, 2013 Uncategorized 4 comments

Last night, The House of Representatives passed the Senate Bill to avoid the “Fiscal Cliff”. The Cliff, as you might have heard by now, were the expiration of the Bush era tax cuts, massive defense cuts through sequestration, and several other cuts and tax hikes that would have had potentially devastating effects on the economy.

The deal reached allowed the tax cuts to expire on those making less than $400,000 to $450,000 (depending on classification), put a 2 month delay on sequestration, and held up other supports dealing with Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare), and green energy initiatives.

The majority of Central Florida Congressional delegation voted “No” on the deal.

Representatives Sandy Adams, John Mica, Bill Posey, Daniel Webster, and Rich Nugent out in Tampa turned down the compromise brokered by Vice-President Joe Biden and Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnel.

Corrine Brown, the lone Democrat House Rep in Central Florida voted “Yes”.

These results should be no surprise to most politicos in the region. Mica, Webster, and Nugent vote with House GOP most of the time. Adams, the Freshman House Rep, who is a lame duck after losing her intense primary to Mica, ended her term in Washington in line with the party. Many believe she would be the frontrunner, should Mica retire.

In an interesting twist, Rep. Paul Ryan, who was the GOP VP nominee last year, voted “Yes” on the measure. Ryan is a favorite of Daniel Webster’s and his nod in favor of the plan was largely unexpected.

Voting “Yes” on the deal, which the White House considers a victory, might have spawned Tea Party primary opposition for these lawmakers. This was on the minds of many GOP members of Congress as they voted.

On Monday night, Senator Bill Nelson voted “Yes”, while Senator Marco Rubio voted “No”, and was just one of 8 Senators (3 Dems also turned down the deal) that rejected the plan. In doing so, he might have scored some early points in the 2016 GOP Presidential primary, which he is an early favorite in. More on this here.

The bill now goes to President Obama for signature in a couple of days. He resumed his vacation in Hawaii after addressing the nation last night after the deal passed the house.

The majority of House Reps in the region voted no on the Fiscal Cliff deal

The majority of House Reps in the region voted no on the Fiscal Cliff deal

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

2012 Lawmakers we’ll see run again in Central Florida

December 19, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

In every election there is a winner and a loser. The loser often re-evaluates their goals and decides whether or not they should run again. If they “give it another go” they’ll start planning for their next opportunity. The winner immediately starts planning for re-election with fundraising and sprinkles in a little public service, here and there.

These are lawmakers from 2012 that either lost (or in one case, sat out) their elections but still have the opportunity to win a race in the future.

Sandy Adams: Just because her colleague and longtime Congressman John Mica easily beat her in their nationally watched GOP primary, doesn’t mean she’s done with public service. The termed out former State Representative and lame duck freshman is still viewed favorably by the GOP. She’s only 56 and touts a perfect voting attendance record in Washington during her term.

When and for what?: When Mica retires, Adams will get phone calls from the party and in the red 7th district, would be in terrific shape to return to Washington.

Phil Diamond: It’s important to point out that Diamond was a strong candidate to take on Buddy Dyer, in the Orlando Mayor’s race. The former Orlando Commissioner scored a lot of points being able to match, and in some cases best the Mayor’s knowledge of city issues. The Dyer fundraising juggernaut didn’t give Diamond any daylight to be competitive, and with popular big city projects recently completed or under construction, the voters didn’t believe a change was necessary.

He was a popular name for Tax Collector after Earl K. Wood passed but wasn’t selected.

When and for what?: Diamond is the kind of candidate you can plug into any race and compete in. There is a movement to make county races partisan. Could Diamond be drafted by Orange Democrats for a municipal race in the future?

Eric Eisnaugle: In what was considered one of the most selfless acts in local politics, Eisnaugle decided not to run for re-election against his colleague and friend Rep. Stephen Precourt, after redistricting matched them against each other. Eisnaugle was popular while in office, and had a reputation as being one of the more thoughtful lawmakers with advocates from both sides. He instead, dedicated the election cycle to support grassroots efforts for the Mitt Romney campaign in Orange County.

When and for what?: Florida State House 44 in 2014 with the support of Precourt and almost everyone from the local and state GOP.

There were other names you could have added to this list, but political geography creates challenges for them. It’s true that mid-term elections could give Republicans a fighting chance against some Democratic incumbents, but it’s far from a sure thing to speculate that they’ll run.

We’ve got plenty of time to see who else will throw their hats into the ring.

Eisnaugle sat out 2012 to help the team. They'll rally behind him in 2014.

Eisnaugle sat out 2012 to help the team. They’ll rally behind him in 2014.

Orlando’s Top Ten Political Rivalries 2012: #2 Sandy Adams vs. John Mica

December 13, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

The number 2 rivalry in our rundown of the Top Ten Political Rivalries in Central Florida is the primary that split the Republican Party. Two popular fellow Representatives who were forced to face each other after redistricting. It was the Freshman Tea Party Favorite Sandy Adams vs. the long time establishment favorite John Mica.

Transcript:

Florida Politics with Frank Torres and we are down to #2. The number 2 political rivalry here in Central Florida this year. The biggest political primary here in the region. I’m of course talking about the race between Representatives Sandy Adams and John Mica. There was a lot of sizing each other up before the campaigned kicked off, did one want to run in another district. There was an argument over who should really be running in the district. Redistricting threw everyone off, so the campaign started over “Who’s district was it really?” with both campaigns throwing there talking points out there.

Another aspect was the division in culture. You had the Tea Party favorite, Adams a former law enforcement officer, against the establishment and longtime favorite Mica. And those two cultures clashed at different points throughout the campaign with other various lawmakers and candidates lining up behind Mica or Adams.

A very violent campaign. Sandy Adams started going negative, very early on, over John Mica saying he was too moderate with the culture in Washington. The results to those negative attacks did work in Adams’ favorite but it did produce one of the best ads of the year. It’s an anti-mica ad and we’re gonna run it right now.

(Mica Best Cheerleader Ad)

Perhaps, the ad of the year. It’s definitely up there. A well done ad, a funny ad from the reserved Congresswoman but it didn’t work. Which brings us to Who Won? That would be John Mica. This would be the toughest part of Mica’s re-election campaign but it really wasn’t even that close. It demonstrated that she could compete on some levels but she never got as close as she needed to. They debated once that was it. She turned down the other requests and she wanted to see if her Tea Party support could overwhelm Mica, like the race up north with long time Congressman Cliff Stearns losing to the Tea Party Favorite, Ted Yoho but it didn’t work. Mica won the race and this matchup and this very intense race is number 2 on your list. Only one left. Who could it be? It definitely took the city by storm but for now #2 Sandy Adams vs. John Mica. I’m Frank Torres, I’ll see you next time.

One of the biggest GOP primaries in the country takes the no. 2 spot

One of the biggest GOP primaries in the country takes the no. 2 spot

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