Miami, FL  Oct. 14 — Noted economist Farid Khavari, a  Democratic candidate for Florida governor, has gained national attention for his plan to create a state-owned bank in Florida. Khavari’s plan to create one million private-sector jobs inFlorida without subsidies has won enthusiastic praise at each stop on the campaign trail, and in national media.

You might think Khavari would be a featured speaker at Florida’s statewide Democratic Convention, but you would think wrong. Hundreds of delegates to last week’s convention in Orlando were surprised to learn that Khavari and six other candidates were running for governor. “State Chairperson Karen Thurman chose Alex Sink several months ago to be the anointed candidate for governor,” said Khavari. “She did not consult with any of the county party organizations. At the convention, neither I nor any of the other candidates for governor were even acknowledged or introduced.

“I met hundreds of delegates who thought Sink was the only candidate, and who were outraged that the state Party did not even inform them that there were other candidates,” Khavari continued. “It’s the same story when I visit the county party organizations. The members are angry that Karen Thurman is the dictator of the Democratic Party in Florida. They have no say in anything the state party does.

“The Democratic Party in Florida is as democratic as the former Soviet Union or modern-day Iran.  The bosses choose the candidates. That’s not how it’s supposed to work in America,” Khavari said. “Meanwhile, as Chief Financial Officer, Alex Sink allowed the state’s retirement funds to lose $60 Billion in phony deals that made hundreds of millions for Wall Street sharks. How could she ever top that as governor? Another million people unemployed, 300,000 more foreclosures, another $60 Billion lost?

“Sink’s famous plan to cut use of Blackberries by her employees covers the interest on $60 Billion for 34 minutes. What’s her plan to get a million Floridians back to work? What’s her plan to earn back $60 Billion before the taxpayers need to pass the hat and pay over $3,000 for every man, woman and child in Florida for her previous leadership?

“Fortunately, in spite of being crowned by Boss Thurman, it looks like Sink will not win in the primary next August,” Khavari added. “You can’t cover up $60 Billion forever.”

Besides Khavari and Sink, six other Democrats are running for governor: Joe Allen, Peter Allen, Michael Arth, Philip Kennedy, Anthony Knox, Sr, and Mark Shephard.

Candidates for the U.S. Senate were snubbed, too. “Thurman anointed Kendrick Meek as her choice for U.S. Senate, ignoring five others,” Khavari said. Also registered for the U.S. Senate race are Democrats Connie Brown, Tyrone Brown, Sr., Kevin Burns, Chuck Lunch and Lawrence Penpek.

Farid A. Khavari, Ph.D. is an economist and author of nine books, including Environomics. His latest book, Toward a Zero-Cost Economy, is available in stores or for free download at his website, www.khavariforgovernor.com.

Alex Sink

TALLAHASSEE – Just a few years ago, Alex Sink couldn’t have envisioned her position today: Atop the Florida Democratic Party, hoping to lead a resurgence after it has been out of power in state politics for more than a decade.

In an eventful summer, the first-term chief financial officer has toiled behind the scenes to pick up Democratic endorsements and campaign cash — and worked to craft an image that has eluded Democrats in recent years, that of a budget-hawk conservative.

A career banker who had never run for office until the CFO job opened up in 2006, Sink, 61, said her swift rise in Democratic circles was “totally unintentional.”

“I think she represents the new face of the Democratic Party, as to fiscal responsibility,” said House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands, D-Weston. “We’ve been tagged as being bleeding heart liberals, and that’s not really accurate. Now it’s time for us to define ourselves, and she is the definition of the Democratic Party.”

With the 2010 election still 15 months away, Adelaide “Alex” Sink faces significant obstacles. Two polls this week show her trailing her likely Republican rival, Attorney General Bill McCollum. And many voters don’t know who she is.

In an interview, Sink said she plans to weave a personal narrative through her campaign. She grew up on a farm in Mount Airy, N.C., the town that inspired Andy Griffith‘s Mayberry. The future math major was put in charge of the family checkbook as soon as she learned to write in cursive, at 10 years old. She even made her own clothes, she said, becoming “quite the seamstress.”

“I think it’s important for Floridians to know a lot more about me on a personal level,” said Sink, who still speaks with a Southern lilt. Indeed, Sink’s first campaign-style video emphasizes her farm-girl roots, “where hard work and self-reliance were a way of life,” an announcer says.

In Tallahassee, Sink has spent two-plus years as CFO forging an image not as a partisan flamethrower, but more of a measured policy wonk.

Sink calls her job a perfect fit for a self-described “math nerd.” When she came into office in 2007, she put jars of beans around her office, a reminder of a 2006 campaign attack dismissing her as a mere “bean counter.”

As CFO, Sink combined 11 consumer hotline call centers into two, saving millions in overhead. And she pulled the plug on Project Aspire, a program to standardize the state’s accounting system that had drained $89 million with little to show for it.

Republicans, though, say her two-plus years in office have been light on accomplishments. “I think Alex Sink, from a public service standpoint, is going to have a hard time promoting specific decisions she’s made that have benefited Floridians,” said Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer.

Even if Sink has focused on money-saving moves that are small in light of Florida’s $65 billion budget, she says they indicate how she’ll govern: with an eye on items that don’t usually grab headlines, like contracting and operational efficiency.

As she told the fiscally conservative Florida TaxWatch last week, “I’m full with enormous ideas about waste. We can run government more efficiently. There are still, I believe, hundreds of millions of dollars out there. Let’s go after that.”

Sink said that’s why she wants to be governor — to apply her business experience to ferret out waste in the dozens of agencies run by the governor. Her campaign also will have a broader theme, one that is so far lacking specifics: creating a new economy for Florida. She notes the state seems stuck in a boom-bust cycle, built on growth and real estate.

“It always bursts. And then we get left behind,” said Sink.

Still, Sink — and her CFO office — remain something of a mystery to most voters. Functioning similar to a state treasurer, the CFO oversees 13 agencies and about 3,000 employees. She is also the state’s fire marshal, reflecting the hodgepodge of duties combined to create the office in 2002.

Another part of Sink’s background is more politically complicated: Her quarter-century as a banker, culminating as Florida chief for Bank of America from 1998-2000, when she retired. In an era of bailouts and bonuses, the public seems fed up with big banks.

Allies, though, say Sink has the kind of story and experience that will appeal to voters. “She’s had a career outside of politics. It’s a background voters are looking for,” said Sink pollster David Beattie.

Sink and her husband, 2002 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride, have two kids. Bert McBride is a senior at Stanford University and an offensive lineman on the football team. Her daughter, Lexi, is entering her junior year at Sink’s alma mater, Wake Forest University.

Sink, a millionaire from her banking career, lives in Thonotosassa, near Tampa.

“I had my own perspective, I have the perspective of a business woman, a farm girl, a working mom, a PTA mom,” said Sink. “I want to bring my business experience in here and look at the way government is run. And it’s not run very efficiently.”

Dan Gelber

State Representatives Darryl Rouson (D-Tampa), Janet Long (D-Seminole), Michael Scionti (D-Tampa), Bill Heller (D-St. Petersburg) and Betty Reed (D-Tampa) today announced their endorsement of Senator Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) as Florida’s next Attorney General.

Rep. Darryl Rouson said, “Floridians need strong leaders who are going to fight for their rights and protect them from unscrupulous practices. I witnessed Dan’s strong leadership skills on the House Floor and as Florida’s next Attorney General, he will continue to be a voice of reason on reforming the status quo and the way business is done in Tallahassee.”

Rep. Janet Long said, “After serving with Dan for two years in the Florida House , I know he will stand up to protect Floridians who have been victims of fraud and dishonest practices. He has the mindset and courtroom experience we need in our next Attorney General. I am proud to endorse Dan in his new journey to serve the people of Florida as their Attorney General.”

Rep. Michael Scionti said, “Having served with Dan, I know he will lead the charge to protect consumers and be a real voice for everyday Floridians. Dan has fought against public corruption and wasteful spending and will put his skill sets to work as Florida’s next Attorney General.”

Rep. Bill Heller said, “I have met few individuals who share Dan’s passion and drive to bring change to Florida. Working families across our state need Dan in Tallahassee and on the Cabinet working to keep our communities safe. I am proud to stand with him because he is the type of leader we need working on behalf of Floridians. ”

Rep. Betty Reed said, “I am supporting Dan because he is never afraid to take a stand and fight for what is right. He has always been the first to demand accountability and has long been a champion of transparency and an open government.”

“Our state faces enormous challenges and we need leaders in Tallahassee that will stand up to change the status quo,” said Sen. Gelber. “Floridians need a stronger commitment to public safety and consumer protections from our state government. I want to bring about that commitment to keep Floridians safe at home and in their communities.”

Dan Gelber was elected to the State House of Representatives in 2000, serving as the House Democratic Leader from 2006-2008; and elected to the State Senate in 2008. Prior to elected life, Dan spent nearly a decade as a federal prosecutor, working mostly on public corruption, narcotics and civil rights cases, and serving as a top deputy in that office. He was then appointed chief counsel and staff director for the United States Senate’s investigations committee where he focused primarily on terrorism and domestic security. Dan is an AV rated attorney and listed in various peer review publications including Best Lawyers in America and Florida’s Legal Elite. He and his wife Joan Silverstein make their home in Miami Beach with their three children. For more information about Dan Gelber, please visit www.dangelber.com.

Bill McCollum

It seems that this Gubernatorial Election is going to be one to watch. The Florida Democratic Party released something today as Breaking News: Bill McCollum Announces Campaign Theme Song.  However it was just a horrible attempt at humor.  Below is the message:

———————–
Given Attorney General Bill McCollum’s light work schedule (As the Palm Beach Post reported Florida attorney general’s schedule shows part-time workload), we thought he might appreciate a little music to get started this Monday morning…

“10-to-2” (Sung to the Tune of Dolly Parton’s 9-5)

Tumble outta bed
And stumble to the kitchen

Pour myself a cup of ambition
Yawnin’, stretchin’, try to come to life

Jump in the shower
And the blood starts pumpin’

Out on the streets
The rush hour’s endin’

For folks like me on the job from 10 to 2

Chorus:

Workin’ 10 to 2
What a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ through
All my AG’s opinions
It’s just such a grind
And all I’m lookin’ for is credit
It’s enough to drive me
Crazy if I let it!

10 to 2,

So I had another notion
That, well, maybe I
Could just win a fair promotion
Want to move ahead

‘Cause the governor’s office beckons
I swear THAT guy works even LESS, I reckon’!
Mmmmm…

That’s my dream
To move up that ladder

It’s my fourteenth campaign
But what’s that matter?
I’ve got a dream that just won’t go away

On a political track
That just won’t end
Waitin’ for the day
My ship’ll come in
And the tides gonna turn
An it’s all gonna roll my way

2nd chorus:

Workin’ 10 to 2
What a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ through
All my AG’s opinions
It’s just such a grind
And all I’m lookin’ for is credit
It’s enough to drive me
Crazy if I let it!

10 to 2, might knock off at 1 if I can do
After givin’ out

A no-bid contract or two
It’s a politicians’ game
No matter what they call it
And I’ve spent my life
Campaignin’ ‘cause I want it!

3rd chorus:

Workin 10 to 2
What a way to make a livin’
Runnin’ fourteen times
It’s all hand-shakin’
And fund-raisin’

Yeah I’ve lost two times
Okay, so there – I admit it
It’s enough to drive me
Crazy if I let it!

Fade:

10 to 2, might knock off at 1 if I can do
After givin’ out
A no-bid contract or two
It’s a politicians’ game
No matter what they call it
And I’ve spent my life
Campaignin’ ‘cause I want it!
————————————————-
In my numerous attempts to contact McCollum’s campaign for statements regarding issues they have yet to contact Central Florida Politics at all.  So I have stopped trying to obtain an official statement.