Marco Rubio

This morning I woke up to a Google Alert that I thought was very interesting.  NBC Miami had a story that basically called Marco a pig killer.  The story was regarding a picture that Future Sen. Marco Rubio uploaded to Twitter around Christmas.  It showed a hog that was about to be slaughtered for the families Christmas.

Being from Polk County and growing up in Frostproof I found nothing weird of the picture.  We are humans we eat animals!  I believe these Liberal pundits just want to imagine that their food beef, pork, or chicken comes from some magical place, a place where the animal is treated like a princess.   This is just one example that shows how far out of touch with reality these people are.

Do Liberals hunt?  Most likely not, they oppose guns most of the time.  Do Liberals Eat?  Michael Moore doesn’t look like he has missed a meal to me.  Is it really that big of a deal to butcher an animal for food?  What have we become a nation of sissies? (No offense to anyone named Sissy)

Is it a crime to provide for one self?  To provide for ones family?  I think not!  Even the Liberal Media is in on the hits.  They never once asked Marco anything on the issues at the Florida Press Corp. conference.  Instead they chose to keep trying to ask tricky questions about Ray Sansom.

I think I might go to pig fest in Lakeland after all today.  Maybe I will be labeled a pig killer too.  Hopefully someone will ask me about it… then I can respond that the pig was so damn delicious I couldn’t resist!  Don’t talk with your mouth full Liberals!

Linda Ivell

The past state president of the Florida Republican Women’s Clubs and current Polk REC committeewoman, Linda Ivell of Lakeland, ended her campaign for the Florida House seat from District 64 today.

“Ironically, the difficult business environment that has wreaked havoc on others, now directly impacts my family,” Ivell said in a message to supporters and volunteer staff on why she is dropping out of the race.

She said that her husband, David Ivell, who works for PegasusTSI, which filed for protection during re-organization under Chapter 11 a week ago, will be fully focused on helping his company through the reorganization process and that she and her family will devote their time to giving him support.

“This is a very personal calling for our entire family,” Ivell said.   “The engineering community in Polk County is a small one.   These are not just jobs at stake; these are families that we know personally who are affected.”

Her announcement leaves former Polk County Commissioner Neil Combee, for whom the county administration building is named, as the only Republican candidate and the favorite candidate. Democrat Carol Castagnero is also running for the post.

Linda had lots of factors going against here in this race.  She is a sitting member of the grievance committee which basically kicks Republicans out of the party for not being Republican enough.

The race is to fill the seat of Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who is leaving the post to run for the state Senate seat from District 15 left vacant by Sen. Paula Dockery, another Lakeland Republican, who is running for governor.

Carey Baker

Eustis, FL- Senator Carey Baker (R-20), a candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture, has won the straw poll conducted by the Republican Business Council of North Central Florida. The Republican Business Council of North Central Florida, comprised of leaders in Florida’s business community, supports candidates for office who are dedicated to the principles of “limited government, free market capitalism and fiscal responsibility.” After comparing the records of the candidates in the race for Agriculture Commissioner, Sen. Carey Baker was the overwhelming choice of voters in the organization’s January 27th straw poll, defeating Rep. Adam Putnam by a vote of 93-35.

“When asked to vote on our economic records, Republican Business Council voters preferred my candidacy by a nearly 3 to 1 margin,” said Baker. “Florida’s business leaders are increasingly attracted to my campaign because they understand that I am committed to removing government barriers to job creation. They also understand that my ownership of a small business gives me unique insights into the need for tax and regulatory relief. I am excited that my campaign to become Florida’s next Agriculture Commissioner has received such an overwhelming show of support from the business community.”

Because neither candidate made a presentation to this organization in advance of the vote, the straw poll was impartially conducted. As a result, Baker’s large margin of victory is being given even greater significance by observers. Said Sam McConnell, President of the Republican Business Council of North Central Florida, “It was interesting that Senator Carey Baker outpaced his Republican opponent U. S. Representative Adam Putnam by almost a 3 to 1 margin with a 93 to 35 vote, respectively.”

Senator Carey Baker (SD-20) represents a district that includes portions of Marion, Sumter, Lake, Volusia and Seminole Counties. Baker is a candidate for the position of Commissioner of Agriculture and more information about Senator Baker may be found at his website. www.CareyBaker.com

Polk REC

Last night was the regularly scheduled meeting of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee took place.   Most of these meetings are just business meetings with very little excitement-taking place.  However last nights meeting was fantastic.  One of the items on the agenda was discussing the state party leadership.  Specifically the vacate chairman position created after Jim Greer resigned.

So far two candidates have emerged from the pack Florida State Senator John Thrasher and current RNC secretary Sharon Day.  The problem is RPOF and the state elected leadership is trying to force John Thrasher down everyone’s throat. If you were paying attention when Jim Greer resigned, you received an email about 20 minutes later announcing endorsements for John Thrasher.

Party rules state that for Thrasher to be considered for the Chairman position he has to first be a sitting state committeeman. At this time he was not. It was not until this past week that he was.  If readers will recall this is almost identical to how Jim Greer came into power as well.  He was not a sitting committeeman as well.  They bent the rules and backs were scratched because that’s what the Governor wanted.

The RPOF has a loyalty oath, which all members of the REC must sign to be actual members.  This loyalty oath bars members from donating to candidates other than Republicans, or assisting their campaigns in any way that is harmful to the Republican Party.  Thrasher is guilty of violating this loyalty oath by donating to members of the Democratic Party of Florida on NUMEROUS occasions.

The reason for the background information on the prospective chairmen is simple; it was all brought up last night.  With that said, an aide from John Thrasher’s campaign was in attendance and rebuked some of this.  However the evidence spoke for itself and he was quickly shut down.

State Committeeman Robert Norman said “Sharon Day is one of us.  She is a grassroots leader.  She isn’t an outsider like Greer was. “  Chairman of the Polk REC Gene Roberts was leaning towards voting for John Thrasher.  He said that the Senator had called and talked with him earlier in the week.  However shortly after saying this a voice from the back of the room shouted “But we elected you to represent US.” So a motion for a vote was brought forward to find out whom the REC supported for chairman.

All of those in favor of Sharon Day shouted “AYE” all of those for Senator John Thrasher “….” You could almost hear crickets chirping outside.  Not a single person spoke up to support Lobbyist, Democrat Supporter, and Senator John Thrasher.  It seems that the Republican Party is coming around and holding feet to the fire, and this is EXACTLY what it takes to WIN!

Tonight I had the esteemed pleasure to listen to Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson and John Lindsey Jr. discuss running for Congressional District 12 seat being vacated by Adam Putnam.  Dennis Ross was notably absent from the event.  His assistant provided an excuse stating that he was making the rounds in Osceola County, which has a small sliver of District 12.

The candidates speeches were mediocre Randy Wilkinson did have a prop to help him start off.  He held up a princess tiara and said that he had brought it for Dennis because Dennis feels that he has been coroneted by the Republican Party.  Dennis has been absent from 3 events that both other candidates have been participating in.

Shortly after the speeches the question and answer period began.  John Lindsey really knocked it out of the park on this.   His views resonated with the general consensus of the group.  Both candidates took several questions, however I feel that Randy beat around the bush to get to the answer.  John was very clear and concise in his answers.

Both candidates said they would like to fix the 14^th amendment that allows for the offspring of illegal aliens to be automatic citizens.  This is in contrast to the voting record of the current sitting Congressman Adam Putnam, who has voted in FAVOR of amnesty for illegal aliens.

The primary for the District 12 seat will be one to watch, especially if you’re a liberty-loving individual such as myself.

Adam Putnam

This past Friday 27 Florida House members rejected the Republican Party principles of smaller government, less taxes and endorsed a big government Wilsonian Progressive Republican.  These Florida House of Representatives Members endorsed Adam Putnam for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Representative Tom Anderson; Representative Rachel V. Burgin; Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon; Representative Steve Crisafulli; Representative Marti Coley; Representative Faye Culp; Representative Christopher E. Dorworth; Representative Jim Frishe; Representative Rich Glorioso; Representative Tom Grady; Representative Denise Grimsley; Majority Leader Adam Hasner; Representative Doug Holder; Representative Ed Homan, M.D. ;Representative Mike Horner; Representative Matt Hudson; Representative Paige Kreegel; Representative Debbie Mayfield; Representative Seth McKeel; Representative Ralph Poppell; Representative Bill Proctor; Representative Ron Reagan; Representative Kenneth L. Roberson; Representative Kelli Stargel; Representative Baxter Troutman; Representative Will Weatherford; Representative Trudi Williams

Putnam currently a Congressman for the 12^th District of Florida represents exactly what the Tea Party protests have been against.  Putnam has voted for TARP (Bailout) Illegal Alien Amnesty Bill, Patriot Act,  Real ID, and the FDA  Food Control Bill.

Adam Putnam has and will increase Government Power and Government Spending.  He is a tool of the special interest.  Just a look at his campaign contributions will show you that he is being bought off by Monsato, US Sugar, Florida Phosphate and other huge corporations that get special favors from the State of Florida.

If you ask me I know 27 Members of the Florida House that should not be re-elected.  Putnam is on track to become a career politician.  If elected as Commissioner his plans would call for staying in the office for a term, then moving on to something else most likely the Gubernatorial and then Presidential Election.

If the citizens of Florida are true to the calls I have heard at Tea Parties calling for Smaller Government, Less Spending, More Individual Freedom & LIBERTY then dump Putnam.   Putnam will not serve the People of Florida.  He will serve himself and the special interests.

Charlie Crist

A high-ranking Broward sheriff’s official under scrutiny for his association with alleged master conman Scott Rothstein has a friend and patron in high places: Gov. Charlie Crist.

Tom Wheeler, second in command at Broward Sheriff’s office, was a fraternity brother with Crist at Florida State University in the late 1970s. Crist has helped him land at least two state jobs since 2001. During that time, Wheeler’s yearly salary climbed from $47,239 to $166,000 now.

Wheeler, currently the Broward undersheriff, was one of the top local law enforcement officials wooed by Rothstein, a disbarred Fort Lauderdale lawyer accused by federal officials of running a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme. Wheeler took at least two private jet flights with Rothstein, and has declined to answer the Sun Sentinel’s questions about the trips and his relationship with Rothstein, who is now in federal detention.

Wheeler’s boss, Sheriff Al Lamberti, said earlier this month that he’d investigate, but appears to be backing off that statement. In a recent interview, Lamberti bristled at the suggestion he might be going easy on his subordinate because of Wheeler’s connections to Florida’s governor.

“Nobody is bigger than the agency, not even me,” Lamberti said. “You step over the line, I’m not going to tolerate it.”

Yet the sheriff has been slow to investigate Wheeler, who flew with Rothstein to attend Miami Dolphins and University of Florida football games in 2008.

It was only after the Sun Sentinel showed the sheriff a photograph of Wheeler in a plane with Rothstein that Lamberti said he would look into it.

“Things have been brought to my attention that have required me to initiate a BSO internal affairs investigation, and that investigation is under way,” Lamberti said Jan. 4.

In his interview last week , though, Lamberti acknowledged no investigation has begun, and said he’s not sure there is a need for one.

At issue is whether Wheeler accepted free travel from Rothstein or a Rothstein associate and failed to report it. According to the Florida Commission on Ethics, the Sheriff’s Office lists Wheeler as an employee required to disclose his finances, so he must also report any gifts he has received that are worth more than $100. Wheeler has not reported receiving any gifts.

Lamberti, though, now says the Sheriff’s office may have gone overboard in including Wheeler on the list of employees required to make financial disclosures, and that the gift-reporting requirement may not apply to him.

“Right now, it’s not clear,” the sheriff said, adding that “I think people are being unfair to Tom Wheeler.”

Wheeler, 51, did not respond to a request from the SunSentinel for comment.

The sheriff said he’s known Wheeler himself for some 30 years, and that Crist did not influence his decision to hire him in December 2007. Wheeler listed the governor first among his references, and was hired as the Sheriff’s Office executive director of professional standards at a salary of $158,000 a year.

Before coming to Broward County, Wheeler made $100,000 as an administrator at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, a job he got in December 2006 after working with FDLE on security issues during Crist’s successful gubernatorial campaign and as a security consultant on his inaugural committee.

As he was climbing the ladder in Tallahassee, Crist found jobs for his fellow Pi Kappa Alpha member on at least two occasions.

After January 2001, when Crist was sworn in as Florida’s commissioner of education, Wheeler got a job as educational policy director in South Florida, for the Department of Education. Wheeler, who has a criminology degree from Florida State, lists no experience in education policy on his resume. He started at a salary of $75,000, a significant increase over his previous $47,000-a-year job as an investigator for the Department of Environmental Protection.

Two years later, when Crist was sworn in as Florida’s attorney general, he brought Wheeler along, and gave him the title of “director of law enforcement relations” at the Attorney General’s office and reclassified the position to senior management.

Lamberti, who was appointed Broward sheriff by Crist in September 2007, said he’s had no communication with the governor or his office about Wheeler and his ties to Rothstein.

At the moment, Lamberti said, he has no evidence that Wheeler’s relationship with Rothstein goes beyond the two jet trips or that Rothstein got anything in return, such as legal work from BSO.

If that changes, “then I will commence an investigation” and consider asking an outside agency to conduct it, Lamberti said. “Right now I have full confidence that he can perform his job.”

Though there have been allegations that Wheeler took a golf trip to Ireland last fall that was paid for by Rothstein, Lamberti said he’s confident Wheeler is telling the truth when he says he went on the trip but that Rothstein didn’t pay for it.

A Crist spokesman did not respond to questions about Wheeler.

Lamberti’s right-hand man at BSO, executive officer David Benjamin, also was associated with Rothstein. Lamberti acted swiftly in that case, transferring Lt. Benjamin to a different job and opening an Internal Affairs investigation into his business dealings with Rothstein.

“He clearly stepped over the boundary about what’s permitted by a BSO deputy,” Lamberti said.