Tuesday E-News Briefs, 5/08/07 - Presidential Primary Date in Flux

In This Issue

• Florida's Democratic Presidential Primary Date in Flux
• Read a Letter about Tim Mahoney from the Beloved Bob Graham
• Anti-Immigration GOP Hosts FL Fundraiser with Woman on Deportation Order
• Calling Progressive Bloggers: Fire Up the Netroots to "Blog Florida Blue" in '08!
• Republicans Fail to Insure Florida's Children, Leave Federal Money on the Table
• Central Florida is Turning Blue, New Democrats to Watch
• Democrats Hold Successful, Spirited Protest of Karl Rove's Visit to Charlotte
• Busy Weekend For Florida Democrats
• Discounted Hotel Rooms Still Available For JJ Weekend

Florida's Democratic Presidential Primary Date in Flux

Last week, Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature moved the state-run presidential primary to January 29, 2008, in violation of the Democratic and Republican National Committees' rules. Because of this, the Florida Democratic Party is working closely with Democratic leaders and the DNC to come to a decision on the Democratic presidential primary process - taking into consideration what is best for Florida Democratic voters and how to best position the state for the 2008 general election. Possibilities include accepting the Jan. 29^th date and the penalties that go along with it or holding a Party-run caucus at a later date. We will keep you posted on developments.

Read a Letter about Tim Mahoney from the Beloved Bob Graham

Former Senator & Governor Bob Graham wrote a letter to Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman recently about the amazing work Congressman Tim Mahoney is doing for Florida's veterans. Read the letter here.

Anti-Immigration GOP Hosts FL Fundraiser with Woman on Deportation Order

Ahhh, the irony: The Miami Herald reported that the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sen. John Ensign of Nevada, was scheduled to host a major fundraiser last night at the Coral Gables home of "a Peruvian woman who pleaded guilty a decade ago to passport fraud and is fighting for the right to stay in the country... The fundraiser... comes at a time when undocumented immigrants across the country live in fear of what they say are stepped-up orders to deport those here illegally." Ironically, Ensign last year criticized a proposal to give undocumented immigrants a chance at citizenship as "amnesty." Even better, the woman was formerly married to the boss of the dreaded Cuban Mafia, "The Corporation." Read the full story here.

Calling Progressive Bloggers: Fire Up the Netroots to "Blog Florida Blue" in '08!

In recognition of the developing relationship between the Party and the Netroots, the Party will host a special lunch at the J-J for Florida's progressive bloggers to discuss ideas to help deliver Florida's 27 electoral votes to the Democratic nominee in 2008. The event is June 9, 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood. Chairwoman Karen Thurman and Party staff will be in attendance. Tickets are $50, which covers the cost of food, materials and room rental, and are available for purchase at www.fladems.com/jj. Read more about "Blog Florida Blue" at the Florida Kossacks Blog and on Daily KOS.

Republicans Fail to Insure Florida's Children, Leave Federal Money on the Table

As hard as Democrats fought for the much-needed funding, the Republican-controlled Legislature failed inexplicably to improve Florida's vital KidCare program. Despite the availability of federal matching funds, Republicans chose to leave tens of thousands of children without health care in the state. The Daytona Beach News-Journal criticized the Legislature, "Sensible provisions that would make it easier for parents to buy health insurance for their children died, entangled with an unneeded overhaul of the child-health program. Lawmakers should pass the eligibility fixes and leave the structure of Florida's program alone." The Florida Times-Union also editorialized: "Too many parents are unaware of the program due to a lack of promotion, which is a classic case of a convoluted system that seems intent on not serving the needy." Democrats hope to bring up the issue again when the Legislature convenes for a special session on property taxes, June 12. Read State Rep. Loranne Ausley's letter today about this issue.

Central Florida is Turning Blue, New Democrats to Watch

Two exciting new Democrats have announced they are running for Congress in Central Florida. Paul Rancatore, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves who serves in the National Security and Space Office at the Pentagon, announced last week that he will be running against Do-Nothing Dave Weldon (FL-15) on Florida's Space Coast. Rancatore, who is also an Airline Captain with American Airlines, has a proven record of leadership and will offer a great alternative to Weldon's do-nothing attitude. Also, in the neighboring Eighth District, Republican Ric Keller, who was already being targeted by his own party, has an exciting Democratic challenger in Mike Smith, an Orlando attorney. Smith, a lifelong Central Florida resident originally from Ocala and a former prosecutor, will provide a change in direction for this very competitive district.

Democrats Hold Successful, Spirited Protest of Karl Rove's Visit to Charlotte

On Saturday, crowds of spirited Democrats turned out to deliver a message to the King of Dirty Politics, Karl Rove, on his visit to the Charlotte County. Alarmingly, the local GOP continues to celebrate the failures of the Bush Administration and lack of any ethical standards by powerful Republicans. They even support Rove despite the fact that he asked federal agencies to withhold funding from Charlotte County so Bush Republicans can try and defeat Democratic Congressman Tim Mahoney in 2008. Don't worry - we won't let him. Read about the fantastic protest in the Charlotte Sun-Herald. For more information about Rove's problems, visit www.fladems.com/rove.

Busy Weekend For Florida Democrats

GLBT Caucus in Sarasota, Black Caucus in Jax, Small Counties in Gainesville

• The Party's GLBT Democratic Caucus will hold its 2007 Convention, "The Sum(mit) of All of Us -- The GLBT Community Reaches Out," at the Lido Beach Resort in Sarasota, May 18-20. For more information, visit the GLBT caucus website. 

• The Party's Democratic Black Caucus will hold its 2007 Convention, "Democrats Attaining Self Empowerment through the Black Caucus Experience," at the Holiday Inn Airport in Jacksonville, May 17-19. For more information, please visit the Black Caucus website.

• Join the Party's Small County Coalition in Gainesville for their convention. Open to all DEC and Democratic Club members, the convention will feature VAN trainings, seminars on how to be a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and other topics. For more information, contact Nassau County's Linda Spencer, Vice Chair of the Coalition, via email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by phone 904-845-4646.

Discounted Hotel Rooms Still Available For JJ Weekend

We are honored to have U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi headlining our annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, to be held June 9 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, FL. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at www.fladems.com/jj or by calling 850-222-3411. If you book online at our special site, hotel rooms are available at 20% off the regular rate.