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!

Marco Rubio

The Florida Democratic Party and Republican Marco Rubio have enjoyed an uneasy alliance in the past few months over a common enemy. Numerous times, Rubio and the Democrats have sent out e-mails within minutes of each other with mirror-image attacks on Republican Gov. Charlie Crist.

But today Democrats are turning their sights on Rubio, whose primary campaign against Crist been gaining momentum. By our count, it’s the first Democratic press release dedicated solely to Rubio since May 5, when Rubio formally announced his candidacy (just a few days before Crist’s own announcement).

The press release today hammers Rubio for receiving a $135,000 equity loan from a politically-connected bank. The loan came after Rubio bought a West Miami home for $550,000 in 2005 and had it valued at $735,000 a month later. The peg for the release is Rubio’s opposition to President Obama’s so-called Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee.

The aim of the White House plan is to recover projected losses from the government’s bank bailout. Rubio called it a “bank tax.”

We’ve got a feeling Rubio’s camp is giddy about the turn of events. From Rubio spokesman Alex Burgos:

“When the time comes to debate Democrats, we will have had plenty of experience highlighting the policy deficiencies they share with Charlie Crist on out-of-control stimulus spending, cap-and-trade, higher taxes and policies that trade individual freedom for more government.”

Charlie Crist & Marco Rubio

Miami, FL – U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio issued the following statement regarding tonight’s Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee straw poll victory (106-54):

“I continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support for our campaign. Tonight, Pinellas County Republicans joined a growing chorus of Floridians voicing their support for our vision built on the timeless conservative principles of limited government, traditional values, free enterprise and individual freedom.

“Like Republicans all over this state who have stepped forward to stand with us, Pinellas Republicans understand that the way to rebuild a united, strong and expanding Republican Party is to stay true to the mainstream values all Republicans and most Americans share.  Tonight’s vote reaffirms what I believe to my core: principled conservatism doesn’t just win elections, it provides a proven and successful path for governing and policy-making.”

BACKGROUND: THOSE THAT KNOW BOTH CANDIDATES TEND TO STAND WITH RUBIO

A Rubio Victory In The Pasco County GOP Straw Poll Revealed “A Sign Of The Governor’s Poor Standing Among Some Of His Historically Strongest Supporters.”  “Marco Rubio got 73 votes to Charlie Crist’s 9 in a straw poll last night conducted by the Republican Party of Pasco — a sign of the governor’s poor standing among some of his historically strongest supporters. … Why should this concern Crist, who holds a commanding lead in statewide polls?  Pasco is just one county removed from his home in Pinellas, for one, and the Pasco REC also endorsed Crist early in his 2006 GOP primary against Tom Gallagher. At the 2005 Ronald Reagan Day Dinner in Pasco, Crist told boisterous supporters that he considered the county his back yard and invoked its crucial role in the 2004 election.  ‘(Pasco) won it for the president,’ Crist told the St. Petersburg Times. ‘It’s hugely significant to me.’”  (“Rubio Crushes Crist In Pasco Straw Poll,” St. Petersburg Times, 6/19/09)

In Lee County, Where Crist Campaigned For Obama’s Stimulus, Rubio’s Straw Poll Victory Indicates He “Is Stirring The Rank And File.”  “Marco Rubio … is stirring the rank and file in Lee County.  At least a weekend straw poll says so. The poll, by the Lee County Republican Executive Committee, gave Rubio a 60-11 victory. … But the former speaker is banking on his message of conservatism — fiscal and social — to resonate with party loyalists who are not as moderate as Crist. … Southwest Florida Republicans are hearing the message anyway, and responding well, said Matt Caldwell, vice chairman of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee. Caldwell voted for Rubio in the straw poll.  ‘The party locally is very excited about having Rubio serve Florida in the U.S. Senate,’ Caldwell said. … For many conservative Republicans, Crist stepped over the line when he campaigned earlier this year in Lee County with Obama for the recovery program, Caldwell said.  ‘I think it would have been much more politically astute for him not to be out in front of the cameras, hand-in-hand with the president,’ Caldwell said.”  (“Lee County GOP Poll Pro-Rubio,” Gannett News Service, 7/15/09)

In A July 2009 Highlands County Straw Poll, Rubio Won 75-1.  “If Republican Executive Committees decided statewide primary elections, Charlie Crist’s Senate campaign would be in big trouble. … Last night, the Highlands GOP held their own vote that produced 75 votes for Rubio and one for Crist.  ‘People were very conservative and they don’t like what’s going on. They’re just upset with the way things are going with Crist. They think he’s abandoned us,’ said state committeeman Chuck Oakes.”  (“Marco Rubio Crushes Charlie Crist In Another Straw Poll,” St. Petersburg Times, 7/31/09)

Demonstrating His Growing Appeal In The Panhandle, Rubio Won An August 2009 Bay County Straw Poll, 23-2.  “Mirroring the sentiment established by Republican Executive Committees statewide, the Bay County REC overwhelmingly gave their informal support to Marco Rubio in his bid to replace U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez during a straw poll at their Monday meeting.  Rubio got 23 votes; Gov. Charlie Crist received two votes, and two members voted for none of the above. Despite having the formal endorsement of the Republican Party of Florida, Crist has not faired well in REC straw polls statewide, a possible indication that he has not won over the party faithful. … ‘Charlie Crist may very well win…but he needs to prove why he deserves a U.S. Senate nomination as far as the Republican Party is concerned,’ said Jonathan Hayes, state committeeman for the Bay County REC.”  (“Bay County GOP Wants Rubio, Not Crist,” Panama City News Herald, 8/24/09)

In August 2009, Rubio Won A Jefferson County Straw Poll With 87 Percent Of The Vote.  “My name is Clyde Simpson.  I have been the Chairman of the REC in Jefferson County for five years and earlier this year I was elected Chairman of the CD 2 Caucus. … Last Tuesday was our REC meeting.  We had our 28 committee members and about 17 guests.  Some first time.  I had decided to do a straw vote and the idea was well received.  You won with 87 % of the vote.”  (Email From Jefferson County REC Chairman Clyde Simpson, 8/20/09)

Demonstrating His Appeal Among Younger Voters, Rubio Won An August 2009 Straw Poll Conducted By The Florida Federation Of College Republicans.  “Thanks to everyone that came out to the State Board meeting and the Drive the Discussion event. Straw Poll Results: Rubio 19 Crist 6.”  (Florida Federation of College Republicans Facebook Page, 8/24/09)

In September 2009, Rubio Won A 65-4 Victory In A Straw Poll Conducted By The Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated.  “On September 3, 2009, during their monthly meeting the Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated (RWCDF) held a straw poll for the upcoming primary between Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio for the US Senate seat in 2010. With 70 ballots cast, the resounding winner was Marco Rubio with 65 votes, Charlie Crist received four votes… ‘A straw poll is a great way to hear from the grass roots,’ said Betsy Young, President. ‘We were pleased to see so many enthusiastic voters in this straw poll.’”  (“Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated Holds Straw Poll For U.S. Senate Race,” Press Release, 9/3/09)

Proving His Strength In Rural Florida, Rubio Won The Gilchrist County Straw Poll With 92 Percent Of The Vote.  “Yet another county Republican Party, in Gilchrist County, has held a straw vote in the U.S. Senate GOP primary and sided with Marco Rubio over Gov. Charlie Crist. … Gilchrist, like most of the counties where Republican Party groups have held the votes, is a small, rural county with conservative voters and 4,059 registered Republicans.  Gilchrist party Chairman Tommy Langford said the 12 party executive committee members at his group’s meeting Monday night voted 11-1 for Rubio. He said typical attendance at meetings ranges up to about two dozen people, but that he doesn’t think the vote would have been any different if more members had been present.”  (“Gilchrist REC Votes For Rubio,” Tampa Tribune, 9/15/09)

In A Unanimous 46-0 Vote, Rubio Won A September 2009 Straw Poll In Hernando County.  “Tonight it was in Hernando County, Charlie Crist’s back yard and Bill McCollum’s native county. The tally was 46 for Marco Rubio, zero for Charlie Crist.  ‘I’m surprised but I’m not surprised,’ said party chairman Blaise Ingoglia, stressing the motion for the straw vote came from the floor, not the leadership. ‘They believe in Marco Rubio’s message and his values. The people in Hernando County tend to be a little more conservative.’”  (“Marco Rubio Crushes Charlie Crist In Another REC Straw Poll, St. Petersburg Times, 9/17/09)

In September 2009, Rubio Won His 10th Straw Poll, A 49-3 Victory Among The Northwest Orange Republican Women Federation.  “Republican Marco Rubio has claimed another straw poll win in the brewing activist-class rebellion over Gov. Charlie Crist’s U.S. Senate bid — this time in Orange County.  The Northwest Orange Republican Women Federation voted 49-3 in a straw poll yesterday for Rubio, who has amassed a perfect 10-0 record in these unscientific, yet fascinating, demonstrations of how unpopular Crist has become with the hardcore conservative grassroots. … Crist has not [addressed the group] despite being invited, said Federation President Patty Redlich.  ‘Perhaps that had something to do with it. I don’t know,’ she said. ‘I just believe that (Rubio) is a conservative. I don’t think Charlie Crist is a conservative.  Rubio’s the complete package.’”  (“Rubio Wins Another Straw Poll In Orange County,” Orlando Sentinel, 9/18/09)

As The Orlando Sentinel Has Noted, The Straw Poll Victories Have Reflected Rubio’s Strength Among Various Constituencies Within The Republican Party.  “Rubio has cleaned Crist’s clock in counties large and small, from Duval to Gilchrist, among young Republicans, and even inching closer to Crist’s home base of Tampa Bay with straw poll wins in Hernando and Pasco counties.”  (“Rubio Wins Another Straw Poll In Orange County,” Orlando Sentinel, 9/18/09)

In September 2009, Rubio Won The Marion County GOP’s Straw Poll, 40-8.  “So what are we to make of all these GOP straw polls — Marion County’s REC last night had one where Rubio received 40 votes, Crist eight and there were four nonvotes — where the most hard-core Republican activists keep snubbing Charlie Crist and overwhelmingly favoring Marco Rubio?”  (“Are GOP Straw Polls Meaningless Or Real Trouble For Crist?” St. Petersburg Times, 9/22/09)

In October 2009, Rubio Won Palm Beach County’s Straw Poll, 90-17.  “In what has become a familiar ritual at gatherings of Republican activists across Florida, former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio trounced Gov. Charlie Crist in a straw poll of GOP Senate candidates tonight.  The vote of Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee members was 90-17 for Rubio, who trails the more moderate Crist in fund-raising and polls of likely GOP primary voters but is a hero with the party’s conservative activist base.”  (“Palm Beach County GOP Senate Straw Poll: Rubio 90, Crist 17,” Palm Beach Post, 10/14/09”)

In November 2009, Rubio Won The Okaloosa County Straw Poll, 86-4.  “Chalk up another straw poll victory for Marco Rubio. He garnered 86 votes to Gov. Charlie Crist’s 4 votes during a straw poll today hosted by the Okaloosa Republican Exec Committee.  The straw poll, open to the public with a $20 admission fee, is the latest straw poll to lean heavily in Rubio’s favor…”  (“Okaloosa Straw Poll Goes For Rubio, McCollum, Putnam,” St. Petersburg Times, 11/8/09)

In November 2009, Rubio Won The Republican Club of South Sarasota County’s Straw Poll, 70-17 Percent.  “Marco Rubio keeps racking up the wins when it comes to straw polls. Today, November 11th, the Republican Club of South Sarasota County (RCSSC) held a straw poll. … The momentum at the grass roots is for Marco Rubio, without a doubt. Crist losing yet another straw poll does not bode well for his campaign. If this grass roots fire continues spreading with more clubs bucking their local County Party Chairs we may see a real change in politics as usual in Florida.”  (“Rubio Wins Straw Poll Held By 2nd Largest Republican Club in Florida,” RedCounty.com, 11/11/09)

At November’s Orange County Republican Party “Hob Nob,” Rubio Won The Straw Poll, 211-27.  “Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio won Orange County’s Republican Party straw poll overwhelmingly last night — 211 to 27 — to keep up his string of victories over GOP primary foe Gov. Charlie Crist among the party’s more-active conservative base around the state.”  (“Rubio Bags Another Straw Poll Win In Orange,” Orlando Sentinel, 11/13/09)

Charlie Crist

Governor Charlie Crist bluntly tried to shed two big image problems — his hug of President Obama and past support of the $787 billion federal stimulus package — in a unity party-unity plea Saturday that sounded like a preview of his U.S. Senate campaign theme.

Crist told more than 200 members of the state Republican Executive Committee that “this guy in the White House” is doing more to build the GOP than they could do for themselves. But he stressed that “I do not apologize” for welcoming Obama to Fort Myers or his acceptance of Florida’s share of stimulus cash, which he said kept cops and teachers on the job.

Former House Speaker Marco Rubio, the aggressive conservative Miamian who has been building momentum in the Senate race, signaled that he won’t let the Obama-stimulus controversy subside in Republican ranks. However Crist explains it now, Rubio said, the governor “cut the legs out from under” the GOP economic alternative in Congress and happily applauded Obama on the president’s first visit to Florida last February.

“Some people criticize me for going down to Fort Myers, being nice to the president of the United States of America. I do not apologize for it and I never will,” Crist said at the state GOP meeting. The governor, who is known for being effusively polite to everyone he meets, said his parents brought him up that way.

“I don’t agree with the guy on hardly anything he does but that’s OK,” he said of Obama. “That’s also part of our great democracy. I mean, what they are doing with health care right now is unbelievable — raising your taxes for it, raising rates for it, taking half a trillion dollars out of Medicare, and the part that bothers me most is, the whole thing has become a covert operation.”

Crist appeared with Obama in Fort Myers last February and thanked him for the stimulus plan, saying it was important for Congress to pass it. When Obama visited Jacksonville late last year, after Crist’s poll numbers had fallen and Rubio’s had risen, the governor did not join the president and said he didn’t even know Obama was in the state.

Marco Rubio

Miami, FL – U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio today announced that he has earned the endorsement of Congressman Paul Ryan (WI-01).

Making today’s announcement, Congressman Ryan said, “In the coming years, America faces critical decisions on government spending, taxes and entitlements that will require idea-driven leaders.  Marco Rubio has proven he is exactly the type of consistent, principled conservative the Republican Party needs to ensure the relationship between the federal government and the individual is one that maximizes freedom and prosperity.

“Marco’s record of conservative leadership offers convincing evidence that he will hold Washington accountable, prevent government from wasting our tax dollars and lead a new generation of Republicans offering bold, innovative solutions to the challenges our nation faces in the years ahead.”

Welcoming Ryan’s endorsement, Rubio commented, “Paul Ryan has become one of the Republican Party’s brightest stars because of his willingness to tackle today’s policy challenges with innovative and compelling conservative ideas.  Paul Ryan’s willingness to stand up for his principles and offer real solutions to our nation’s challenges has made him one of the GOP’s intellectual giants and a leader taxpayers can depend on to look after them and their hard-earned dollars. I look forward to working with Paul in Washington to promote freedom, protect taxpayers and show why Republicans are the party of ideas.”

About Congressman Paul Ryan: Born and raised in the community of Janesville, Paul Ryan is a fifth-generation Wisconsin native. Currently serving his sixth term as a Member of Congress, he is the Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, where he works to bring fiscal discipline and accountability to the federal government. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, Social Security, health care and trade laws.  He has focused his recent legislative efforts on addressing our long-term fiscal crisis: the explosion of entitlement spending.  Ryan earned a degree in economics and political science from Miami University in Ohio. He and his wife Janna live in Janesville with their children, daughter Liza and sons Charlie and Sam.

Jim Greer

U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, a Marco Rubio backer, joins a growing chorus of Republican activists in Florida wanting Jim Greer out: “Jim Greer has shown on numerous occasions that he is incapable of running the Republican party of Florida (RPOF) and refuses to remain neutral in contested primaries.   Mr. Greer has failed at managing the financial, political, and public relations aspects of the state party.

“The latest scandal involving a RPOF operative and the use of a fake Twitter account to disparage a duly elected county Chairman is just another in a long
list of management failures. Further, Greer has shown a bias in the primary of the United States Senate Seat in publically supporting Governor Crist and has repeatedly ignored calls from county party organizations for neutrality. This behavior is inexcusable and Florida Republicans deserve better.

At a time when Republicans across the country are energizing and unifying to defeat the Democrats in 2010, Greer is dividing and deflating Republicans in Florida.I call on Mr. Greer to resign as Chairman of the RPOF.

Marco Rubio

Today FRC Action PAC, the political action committee connected to Family Research Council Action, is endorsing Marco Rubio for the U.S. Senate representing Florida. Tony Perkins, President of FRC Action, made the following statement:

“Marco Rubio has been a true friend of the family and the culture of life as a state legislator in Florida. Senators who will fight to defend the family against the radical leadership in the Senate are crucial to the future of our country.

“Rep. Rubio has fought to protect mothers and their unborn children. He supported pro-life legislation that would require doctors to complete ultrasounds before performing abortions thus giving the mother an opportunity to assess the consequences of her actions. Rep. Rubio also understands the importance of adult stem cell research in treating patients. He also endorsed legislation to ensure that taxpayers aren’t forced to fund embryonic stem cell research.

“Rep. Rubio knows how taxes and out-of-control government spending burden our families. We believe he will stand up to the White House and Senate leadership as they attempt to saddle our children and grandchildren with an overwhelming mountain of debt.

“Rep. Rubio’s many years of advocacy on behalf of pro-family causes will serve him well in the Senate. FRC Action PAC believes that Marco Rubio will be a true advocate for the issues that best uphold and strengthen families. We are proud to support his candidacy,” concluded Perkins.

FRC Action PAC is the political action committee connected to FRC Action, a 501(c)(4) membership organization. FRC Action is the legislative advocacy arm of the Family Research Council, a 501(c)(3) organization.