Posted on 08/07/2009 3:58:20 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Jim Smith is Gov. Charlie Crist’s likely pick to replace U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, a key Republican source has told The Palm Beach Post.
Smith, the FSU Board of Trustees chairman, is a former state attorney general and secretary of state. He sided with Crist’s GOP opponent, Tom Gallagher, in 2008, but his son-in-law, Brian Ballard, is a close ally of Crist’s.
Smith Smith and Ballard were not immediately available for comment. Reasons the pick would make sense: Smith would not be likely to run for re-election and has an “elder statesman” profile that could earn Crist points for making a solid pick.
In 2002, Smith was appointed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush to fill the vacancy of Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, who left the position after being elected to the U.S. House. Smith served in the same office from 1987 to 1995. He was also state attorney general from 1979 to 1987.
(Excerpt) Read more at postonpolitics.com ...
Like I predicted, a “caretaker.”
I wonder if California Suntan made him pledge not to seek election in ‘10.
Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Charlie Crist has got to go!
Jim Smith a longtime former state official who lost races for Governor in 1986 and 1994. He will act as a caretaker and not seek a full term if he’s appointed.
He sounds more conservative than Crist.
It is dangerous to set out the place-holders for an office you are seeking yourself, as what is there to prevent the appointee from making his own run?
Now I do not presume to know much of anything about this Jim Smith, but clearly, he has more gravitas than Charlie Crist, who is something of a gadfly. An “elder statesman” persona in the US Senate has all the connotations of what the Senate SHOULD be, now that Senator Stuart Smalley of Minnesota has been seated. It is time a note of sobriety be returned to those hallowed halls.
I am no FSU fan but hopefully this guy votes better than Martinez if he gets in.
He got his start as a conservative Democrat, where he was a law-and-order state AG. He ran for Governor in 1986, but lost the primary to a liberal. He became a Republican in 1988, became Secretary of State, and ran for Governor in 1994, losing to Jeb Bush.
Well no duh, Crist himself his running for the seat, he wouldn’t appoint someone who wanted to run against him for it.
I can’t imagine Charlie Crist appointing himself to the Senate. This seems to be the most likely outcome.
If I remember right, Smith should be a big improvement over Martinez.
Please ping your list, will you? Thanks!
FREEPING OPPORTUNITIES in Florida and all over the USA:
Follow the link below and you will see a chilling list of events planned in an effort to build support for the Obama health care plan. All of your communities have upcoming events. Whether you choose to do something or not, we need to be aware that this is going on. It is being planned with all the care and precision of a textbook political campaign.
Just look at the events: sign wavings, “collecting pledges” and speaking to people about the plan (suspiciously like “meet and greets”).
Please do not overlook this. ACORN and affiliated ‘RAT Party organizations which are funded with our tax dollars are doing these.
Go to this link and click on Find Events on the right hand side of the page. Put in a zip code and distance in miles to find out what is scheduled near you. This locator is good all over the USA.
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This just in from the Orlando area “All Hands Coalition” weekly email:
Here are a few events that we are aware of.
PLEASE JOIN US SATURDAY & SUNDAY AT LAKE EOLA (see below) And stay tuned for an upcoming Townhall with our members of Congress.
Organizing for America will conduct a pledge drive this weekend, August 8 and August 9 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. We will counter their efforts by collecting pledges of our own. As of right now, 48 Obama organizers will be out and about on Saturday, 104 on Sunday. If you haven’t participated in an All Hands event yet, this weekend is crucial.
VERY IMPORTANT: Avoid confrontation at all costs with the pro-Obama crowd. As we witnessed in St. Louis and Tampa, they will agitate in order to intimidate. They are looking for that YouTube moment to label us all as violent/rude. Let them expose themselves as the goons that they are. But we’ll have our cameras. Bring yours too!
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GRAYSON SPEAKING EVENT
Grayson is scheduled to speak at 7:00pm Friday, August 14 for the young democrats at Orlando Brewing Company.
http://www.orangedemocrats.com/events.asp?EventId=264
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TOWNHALLS - WE ARE PLANNING ONE (STAY TUNED) but not for next week.
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TOWNHALLS - CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORLANDO - SENATOR NELSON’S OFFICE
Here is a message from the Catholic diocese of Orlando:
Health Care Reform Forum
The health care debate has reached a critical stage in Congress and debate is focused on passing comprehensive legislation before the August recess. The stories of many individuals in our own community resonate with the national need for health care reform that is accessible, affordable, and inclusive.
On Thursday, August 20 at Good Shepherd Church Family Center , 5900 Oleander Dr , at 7:30PM religious leaders, service providers and those who want to share their call for health care reform with their legislators will gather to pray and present their message to Congress.
Senators and area Representatives have been invited to attend this dialogue and prayer for a just and comprehensive reform to our broken health care system.
Please join us.
The agenda will include prayer and remarks by three different religious leaders, Rabbi, Catholic, Imam, a research report on health care, witness statements of those who are either under insured or uninsured, an appeal to legislators of what people need to be included in health care reform as well as an advocacy piece on what people can do. There will likely be someone from Senator Nelson’s office attending. We have also invited area representatives, but legislators don’t want to make a commitment until the last minute. It might help if they received calls from their constituents inviting them to come out. I will keep you updated as more people confirm.
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FORUMS / RALLIES - VOLUSIA COUNTY
Here is a message from the Volusia Patriots in Deland:
Straight Talk About Healthcare Reform with Dr. Gary Maris [a Democrat] (Health Care Organizing Event)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Deland Area Public Library
130 E. Howry Avenue, Deland
Be Informed, Be Effective, Take Action
Dr. Maris, a comparative health care expert and Stetson University Professor, will present an explanation of issues and options involved in health care reform and a comparison of international health care programs. Citizens need to be informed about this subject that is so important to the economic survival of our country. There will be a question and answer session following Dr. Maris’ presentation.
For more information please contact onenationvolusia@live.com or visit our website: www.onenationvolusia.org
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And then there’s this Rally:
Monday, September 7
11:30am to 2:30pm
Deland City Hall (Deland, FL)
120 S. Florida Ave.
Deland, FL 32720
hosted by Hillary Martin 386.473.2393 and One Nation Volusia
I believe I'm the first to put this coincidence into context.
JIM SMITH = FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT. How’s your power bill, customers
Obama is more conservative than Crist!
A comment at the link:
# 3 Michelle Obama Says:
August 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
This Hispanic Liberal Martinez will be missed by my peoples change of the USA. Mel voted more as a democrat than a Repupican.
Thansk for voting for Sotomayor and her racist biased opinions. We are close to bringing down the ole whitey world.
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