Politics is a dance. More often than not, it’s infuriating. But it’s the biggest reality show out there, where the winner gets the power. And we’re just in time for the fall season.
I started tonight’s show talking about the Florida Senate race. I’ve stated before that I’m in a quandary. Kendrick Meek is the Democrat, and also happens to be my Congressman! The problem is that I’m not a big fan of his. I don’t dislike him either, but I don’t think he’s been particularly effective. And then there’s the name that doesn’t scream fighter! I also think he dodges the tough questions. We’ll see how he does when he appears on my show next Wed, 9/15, at 11:15am ET. (I move to my new show time of 10am-12 noon beginning next Monday!)
Charlie Crist, the formerly Republican current Governor of Florida, is running as an Independent. He did that when it became apparent that he’d lose in the primary to the former Speaker of the FL House, tea party darling Marco Rubio.
Now, I’m no fan of Charlie Crists’, but I’m more committed to making sure that Marco Rubio is NOT the next US Senator from Florida.
So, I’ve said publicly that I’ll watch the polls. If it’s looking like Crist has a better chance to beat Rubio than does Meek, I may vote for Crist. That doesn’t sit well with some of my listeners who think I’m a traitor. All you have to do is read this exchange from my facebook page!
Al Rogers Charlie crist is a political fraud why would you consider voting for hime. He now claims he would have voted for the healthcare bill when he 18 months ago said healthcare reform was violated our civil liberties?
Nicole Sandler I want to make sure Marco Rubio does NOT get in the Senate. Whether I vote for Meek or Crist, either one will be a vote against Rubio. I’m not a fan of either one. I will vote for which ever one I think has a better chance of beating Rubio….
I’d prefer that to be Meek, but I’ll watch the polls very carefully leading up to Nov. 2.
And I’ll try to get both of them on my show to have them answer tough questions to get my vote…Al Rogers do noit ever claim to be a healthcare advocate nicole. that jackass crist recited republican talking points in regards healthcare reform.
that fraud now claims he would have voted for it.
healthcare bill that has passed has majopr flws but i…f meek is in the senate i am sure he will surprose you.
meek’s campaign has its flaws but if democrats do not buy into crist’s propaganda meek can defeat rubio
you do all florideians a major deservice when you voice that you think a vote for crist is a constructive one.
children and family services in the state of florida is an administrative mess.
you damge your credibilty when you make achoice to back crist’s run for the senate.Nicole Sandler Again Al, my main concern is to make sure that Rubio doesn’t get elected. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your personal attacks out of it.
Al Rogers your statement is sort of like the logic people who voted for ross perot masde in 1992.
you have noi ide how many independant voters who have voted for meek will take your advice
he claims he would caucus with the democrats. He is not some…one who can be trusted.
I take it very personal when some whop claims to be a democrat is trying to influence people to vote for crist.
Apparantly you do not remeber what he said about healthcare reform.
Ahh, the fighting dancing begins continues!
The ads began airing today too… Here’s what Charlie Crist came out of the box with:
And here’s the first TV spot for Democrat Kendrick Meek:
It’s interesting that, at the time I posted these, Crists’ spot had been viewed 301 times on YouTube; Meek’s 304… for whatever that’s worth!
To be continued. Yes, it’s going to a long 8 weeks!
I headed out west to Arizona, via phone, to speak with the Democrat running against John McCain for Senate– Rodney Glassman. I met Rodney in Las Vegas during Netroots Nation, and was happy to have him back on my show tonight. He’s fighting a guy with big name recognition and an even bigger pocketbook (his wife’s), but very low approval ratings. They’re polar opposites on almost every front, including age. At 32, Glassman is the youngest candidate for the Senate. Read about him and, if you have some to spare, kick in a few bucks to his campaign.
I also spoke with Andrew Markoff, a listener to my show who’s very active in local politics. He’s working as the Broward County coordinator for Move To Amend’s speaking tour, which is bringing David Cobb to town! Here’s the info on his Florida appearances:
CORPORATIONS ARE PERSONS??
MONEY IS ‘FREE SPEECH’??
The US Supreme Court decided so on January 21st, 2010 in “Citizens United v. FEC”!
Come to this exciting educational event on corporate personhood & the Constitution, including distinguished guest speakers.
Move to Amend Florida Speaking Tour with David Cobb: Ft. Lauderdale
Monday, September 13, 2010
7pm to 9pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Lauderdale
3970 Northwest 21st Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309Main Speaker:
David Cobb
Attorney, Move to Amend Spokesperson
Principal of POCLAD – Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy
2004 Presidential CandidatePlus additional guest speakers from the local community, including representatives of Fair Districts Florida, the ACLU and Broward Election Reform Coalition.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed that corporations are persons and that their financial influence equals free speech. Essentially the Court says that corporations are entitled to buy elections and run our government. Come to a Move to Amend Florida speaking engagement to learn more about the ramifications of the Court’s decision and what We the People can do about it. For more information, visit www.movetoamend.org.
For information about the Ft. Lauderdale speaking engagement, contact:
Ellen Brodsky (954) 263-6032 ehbrod@yahoo.com or Andrew Markoff (954) 934-9018 andrewmarkoff@comcast.netThere are tour stops throughout Florida, including Miami, Boca, and West Palm:
Florida schedule
(additional venues to be announced)MIAMI, SUN, SEPT 12
7-9pm. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami
7701 SW 76 Ave, Miami.
Steve Showen, 305-573-2909, steve@mdgp.org
Sandy Davies 305-336-1934, peacetopower@aol.comFT. LAUDERDALE, MON, SEPT.13
7-9pm. Unitarian Universalist Church
3970 N.W. 21st Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale.
Andrew Markoff, andrewmarkoff@comcast.net, 954-934-9018
Ellen Brodsky, ehbrod@yahoo.com, 954-263-6032WEST PALM, TUE, SEPT 14
7-9pm. First Unitarian Universalists of the Palm Beaches,
635 Prosperity Farms Rd., North Palm Beach.
Milo Vannucci, joyous111@att.net, 561-315-2557BOCA RATON, WED, SEPT 15
7-9pm. St. Andrews Estates S. Auditorium,
6045 S. Verde Trail, Boca Raton.
Nancy Parker, 561-702-4174,
nparker@currentmarketinggroup.comMELBOURNE, THU, SEPT 16
7-9pm. Unitarian Universalist Church,
2185 Meadowlane Avenue, West Melbourne.
Gregory Wilson, 772-486-4029ORMOND BEACH, FRI, SEPT 17
1-3pm Unitarian Universalist Society of the Daytona Beach
Area. 56 N. Halifax Drive,
Carla Christianson 386-677-1176GAINESVILLE, FRI, SEPT 17
7-9pm Event. Friends Quaker Meeting House,
702 N.W. 38th St. Gainesville. Michael Canney,
alachuagreen@gmail.com, 386-418-3791SARASOTA, SAT, SEPT 18
10am-Noon. Unitarian Universalist Church
of Sarasota, 1975 Fruitville Rd. Sarasota.
Kindra Muntz, kindramuntz@verizon.net, 941-266-8278TAMPA, SAT, SEPT 18
3-5pm. John F. Germany Library,
900 N Ashley Dr., Tampa. Anita Stewart,
anitamstewart@yahoo.com, 813-312-2292PINELLAS, SAT, SEPT 18
Reception/Fundraiser. RSVP: Mike Fox,
pinellaspda@yahoo.com, 727-320-4502ORLANDO, SUN, SEPT 19
3-5pm. Orlando Main Library, 101 East Central Blvd.
Scott Tess, 321-230-8691, scotttess@hotmail.com; Atarah
Sterngold, atarahdove8@gmail.com, 407-415-3366FL Tour Info: Mike 727-320-4502, Jayne 954-232-2139
www.movetoamend.org
I’ll be at the Ft. Lauderdale event on Monday evening, and will webcast the entire gathering here at RadioOrNot.com. So, if you can’t make it, be sure to tune in to our Ustream channel.
As we were off yesterday, our weekly Fools on the Hill segment with Nicole Belle of Crooks & Liars, deconstructing the Sun talk shows, was pushed to today. Here’s what Nicole sent me, and what we talked about…
Since it was Labor Day weekend, I think it’s appropriate to start out with Richard Trumka, the president of the AFL-CIO.
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/richard-trumka-reminds-us-what-republican-
Trumka does what I think all Democrats need to keep reinforcing between now and the election day: the economy is coming back around, but it would be in much better shape if we weren’t forced to fight Republican obstructionism day in and day out. And he reminds Candy Crowley who put us in this situation in the first place. As anti-incumbent as the mood of the country is supposedly in, we simply cannot forget that voting out Democrats is going to put the same people in charge that got us all messed up.
Which brings us to one of those who drove us off the cliff: Lindsey Graham. Graham went on Meet the Press to complain that Obama has consistently governed from the left and hasn’t reached out to the Republicans enough.
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/lindsey-graham-wants-obama-come-back-middl
It’s absurd, patently and provably false, but yet we have to expect this meme to be pushed out by Republicans over and over again as we near the election and just like Gregory, the media will do nothing to correct it or put it into context.
Graham also keeps pushing the long-debunked lie that the estate tax will devastate small businesses and family farms
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/graham-repeats-lie-estate-tax-going-devast
And Graham’s BFF John McCain was on the air again, because it’s Sunday (I think this is close to his 20th appearance since he lost the election). McCain had to swing hard right against tea party favorite JD Hayworth and do a 180 on his presidential election stance on immigration reform. He sticks with that on Fox News Sunday
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/mccain-continues-fear-mongering-about-viol
Stunningly, Chris Wallace actually refutes the facts of McCain’s case.
Chris Matthews asks his panel to name the most likely Republican presidential nominee for 2012
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/chris-matthews-show-panel-ponders-palin-or
Sarah Palin sucks all oxygen out of the conversation, with everyone agreeing that if she decides to run, the nomination is hers. But Chris Matthews floats Jeb Bush as a possibility too. Once again, Matthews proves that for him, politics are devoid of context or history. No amount of bad press or stories leaked by former McCain campaign workers of how intellectually incurious, bad tempered, diva-like Sarah Palin was permeates the possibility. And Jeb? Seriously, Bush wasn’t even out of the White House before historians all generally agreed that he was in the top 5 of worst presidencies , and yet we’re supposed to believe that Jeb has a chance?
And finally—and this is the one I really want to talk about most—David Gregory wanted David Plouffe to guarantee that Hillary Clinton wouldn’t primary challenge Obama in 2012.
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/plouffe-wont-rule-out-clinton-running-presid
Hillary has denied it three times, Plouffe treats it as ridiculous and yet this is the question that Gregory goes back to again and again. Why? The underlying meme that Hillary is this grasping, backstabbing bitch just waiting for her chance to get into the White House again is sexist, disgusting and yet very popular with the media. It also infers the weakness of Obama to have a snake in the grass in his cabinet.