Florida Democrats race to the bottom
They should be riding high. Instead, they’re fighting over who gets to be party chair.
by Mitch Perry
- Kevin Tighe
- HILLSBOROUGH STALWART: Clendenin is making his second bid for state party chair.
Page 3 of 3
Some Democrats say 2014 will be unlike off-year elections in that, regardless of who their gubernatorial nominee is, the party will be energized to defeat Rick Scott. But Susannah Randolph says the Democrats are in no position to be so confident.
“I think the #1 thing that Democrats should understand is that regardless of Rick Scott’s approval ratings right now, he could still win re-election, and that nothing should be taken for granted. I think whomever the chair is, he or she has to not only be able to replicate the kind of power that the OFA organization brought, but to tailor it… [H]ow do we take the animosity towards Rick Scott and use him to make this state blue for a long time?”
Tampa Democratic political consultant and former state party executive director Ana Cruz does not think the infighting is good for the party.
“We have to keep our eye on the prize, and that is to be ready for 2014. All of the shenanigans, and all of the Democratic infighting that is taking place over this, is not getting us any closer to ensuring that our party is whole.”
Related Stories
-
Bayfront Medical Center finds a partner
Officials say a proposed merger will benefit the hospital and the community, but some aren’t so sure.
-
Florida’s abortion obstacle course 4
Forty years after Roe v. Wade, women seeking abortions still face many hurdles.
-
Schnitt’s snit 4
The possible consequences of a lawsuit that’s not merely a laughing matter.
-
Walking on Westshore 1
Can a new master plan shift the focus from drivers to pedestrians?
-
The NRA: Old-fashioned anarchists 9
Hostile to government — except when it comes to putting more guns in schools.
-
Politics 2013: Will Crist ride again?
And other stories we'll be following in the new year.
-
What's going up, what's coming down in 2013
What's ahead for our urban landscape.
Latest in News Feature
-
Sympathy for the deviant
Visiting my friend, the sex offender, in prison.
-
Florida Dems search for a gubernatorial candidate 1
The speculation runs rampant as Democrats ponder who will run against Rick Scott.
-
Hangin' with the Boys of Summer
Minor League baseball games are a bargain — and a blast.
- More »
More by Mitch Perry
-
Jamie Dimon easily survives vote to split his duties at JPMorgan Chase shareholder meeting in Tampa
Dimon came close last year to losing one of his jobs, but this year his supporters were such cheerleaders they might as well have been wearing pom-poms.
-
Mitch Perry Report 5.6.13: LeBron James takes home more hardware
- More »
