Many Floridians speak up about the election
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Todays Tampa Tribune Letters to the Editor pretty much sum up the feelings here in Florida.  Please take notice of the Republican that was going to vote Democratic this time in the "GOP Losing Its Base" letter. 

Obama supporters may not want to waste their time as there aren't many positives about him in the paper down here!

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may/16/na-letters-to-the-editor/?news-opinion-letters

 


Reader Comments
  
Good Post
By Sandi May 16th 2008 at 4:42 pm EDT
A reality check on the Obama People.
Re: Good Post
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 4:44 pm EDT
Very much so. We need Florida to go Blue in November if we win the primary as Clinton supporters do too.
Re: Good Post
By Retired Army May 16th 2008 at 4:54 pm EDT
I am sad to say that if Obama wins the nomination I fear the sate will stay red in November. All signs are leading to that but many are rejoicing in not counting our votes!
Re: Good Post
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 4:58 pm EDT
yes but it is only May we have almost 6 months. I hope you will help RA, for our fellow vets, we need a dem in office
Re: Nonsense post
By JMesserly May 18th 2008 at 1:59 pm EDT
Obama has already won the nomination. You guys are just in denial.

First step, it would probably be a good idea to shut down this scorched earth nonsense message about disenfranchisement.

It is typical republican hypocricy to accuse the democrats of stealing the vote from Floridians.

It is typical of the republicans to make a play for Florida in the Israeli Knesset by making ridiculous accusations that somehow they have not been utterly incompetent at foreign policy.

Florida's republican governor wanted to play games with moving up the primary date, and lectures the democratic party on what its rules should be.

What is amazing is that democrats buy into this republican nonsense.

What we need to do is to point out how a vote for McCain is a vote for the failed policies of the last 8 years that have not resulted in increased security for Israel, but in a strengthening of Iran, and a dramatic escalation in the price of oil that finances extremists in the region.

You know- use rationality, not mindless flag waving themes. Treat Floridians with respect- they can think for themselves. They will respond in kind.
Re: Nonsense post
By LilOopsie May 18th 2008 at 2:43 pm EDT
Indeed he has won the nomination however his win is based in red states that will stay red in November and I am not sure that some blue states will not turn red in the GE... McCain needs a huge blunder to lose this one, but than reps are kinda good at it.
Re: Good Post
By Letitrip May 16th 2008 at 5:06 pm EDT
We're there is ocean or mountain scenery and large amounts of money, there is a republican land.

Florida and Michigan should count the votes to legitimize the voices of democracy.
Re: Good Post
By Pale Rider May 16th 2008 at 6:03 pm EDT
I am NOT rejoicing. I know what I would do, without question, as a Florida resident, when Jeremy Ring comes up for re-election. And I sure as hell wouldn't accept any excuse that he might have to offer, either. I wouldn't even care if the person(s) who ran against him in the Democratic primary had no qualifications. Ring has earned his right to have his political career cut short.
  
I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 4:42 pm EDT
We need to know how we can change minds in Florida. And how we can win in the GE.
I am also calling on Clinton supporters to help keep the party united and support the winner of the primaries, as Hillary herself will be doing
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Reddogs May 16th 2008 at 4:47 pm EDT
The republicans control the election apparatus in FL and can give the election to the candidate they choose. We know that neither Clinton nor Obama is going to be their candidate of choice.

I suggest we find a way to win the general without FL. If we get it then great, if no then it doesn't matter. (I think the same applies to OH as well as the diebold machines there can be rigged to give the election to McCain.)

So tell me, how does Clinton plan on winning the general election with out FL or OH
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 4:51 pm EDT
Lets not give up just yet.
What state are you from Reddog? I'd love to hear the plan for your state.

I think we are very close to turning over red states to Obama, especially in the south and eastern sea board.

What about GA? IN? and AZ even?

Gets me real excited just thinking about it.

BTW... I'll be working my butt off to turn Iowa Blue!
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Reddogs May 16th 2008 at 4:58 pm EDT
I live in WA - solid Obama country. My state goes blue with Obama, but possibly red with Clinton. People in my state hate Clinton - and it's not because we are misogynists - our governor and two senators are women. We don't like Clinton personally and we don't want to elect her. (Our neighbor state OR feels the same.)

Furthermore, in her attempt to say that she is ahead in the popular vote Clinton fails to take into account the WA vote because we used a caucus to allocate our delegates. So, we are even less thrilled about her now.

I don't know if the people in my state will bite off their noses to spite their faces if Clinton is the nominee - but right now it is looking like they will.
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 5:00 pm EDT
Yeah she really made people mad when she said the Iowa Caucuses were "dominated by activists".
It was belittling, but I forgive her.
She is, after all a politician:)
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Reddogs May 16th 2008 at 5:04 pm EDT
What got the people in my state is that WA didn't keep a tally of all the people who attended the caucus. They only tallied the number of delegates allocated. So, when you go to do a "popular vote" count from WA there is none. IA did the same thing. So she doesn't want to count our votes, where our states followed the rules, but she does want to count MI & FL votes where they didn't follow the rules. It's made us here in WA even more angry at her. Plus we think she is a lying, cheating, Republican at heart who wants to turn this country into a theocracy as dictated by her church "The FamilY".
WE?
By Vidya May 16th 2008 at 7:32 pm EDT
You speak for all Obama supporters in your state?

Gads....
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Alex May 18th 2008 at 12:26 pm EDT
Caucuses are undemocratic shouting matches, not elections. Any process where one side is allowed to bully the other side into voting their way based on peer pressure simply does not reflect the will of the majority of the state.

This is why, and ONLY why Obama leads in these Caucus states.
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By charctine May 16th 2008 at 4:53 pm EDT
And Obama?
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 5:06 pm EDT
Yes, I will write him an email, right now if it would help ease your mind. I want a democratic president
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Democrat in Fort Pierce, FL May 18th 2008 at 2:36 pm EDT
Well said. Democrat in South Bend. Bullying tactics that have caused a party to become divided and disillusioned. I am a Floridian and I voted for Hillary and will vote for her again. She is a woman with solutions and CHANGE.
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Retired Army May 16th 2008 at 4:55 pm EDT
Clinton is the only one now that can change this state. Good luck without us! So far you haven't needed us and now you want us to unite.

We have, for Clinton and not Obama!
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 5:01 pm EDT
I need you RA, if not for Obama, than for your local races, or maybe even if mine, if you are interested:)
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Reddogs May 16th 2008 at 5:06 pm EDT
We want you, but if the majority of us in the party don't want your candidate are you still with us? Just because some people are saying they won't vote for Obama over McCain now doesn't mean they will still feel that way come fall. Also, those letters could be written by Republicans trying to muddy the waters.

We need every vote, and we respect that many Democrats wanted Clinton. But she lost the election fair and square. So, now what, are you going to take your ball and go home because your team didn't win under the rules of the game you were playing?
Not true
By Vidya May 16th 2008 at 7:34 pm EDT
The real pop vote goes to her.

and to quote a friend
"Every chance she gets ...
Reply

By Woman at Large Yesterday at 11:34 pm EDT
she proves she's nothing but class. You may point out she's losing among her own party, but her loss would be nothing compared to the way the Democratic "winner" will be trouEnced in November. Why do we keep reading that anyone who wins the Dem nomination will be president? That might have been true with a universally acceptable candidate like Hillary, but it won't happen with a candidate who's unappealing to half his own party, as well as the conservative WASPS who make up the Republican party.
With truth comes the good and the not so good.
Reply

By Vidya Today at 12:23 am EDT
It is really hard to resist the temptation to be honest.

Woman at large has made the point, we all fear, which will be our own undoing."

Link
Re: Not true - Aah..Quite So!
By Pale Rider May 16th 2008 at 11:17 pm EDT
As I posted in reply to WatL's post, her arguments are all wet and transparent to a discerning eye. If she doesn't lead in the popular vote, which she does not, then obviously she is not acceptable to MORE than half the party, meaning she is infinitely NOT a universally acceptable candidate. That doesn't mean I wouldn't choose her over McBush, but, not everyone feels the same as I do.
Re: Not true - Aah..Quite So!
By Woman at Large May 18th 2008 at 2:43 pm EDT
Thank you,my friend, for that last sentence, which says it all. Obama supporters have no reason not to support Hillary if it comes to that. Hillary supporters have a plethora of reasons not to support Obama, and those reasons have nothing to do with Hillary.
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Letitrip May 16th 2008 at 5:08 pm EDT
You're entirely right on your first sentence and it's the most important one. Rich Retirees. Money. Greed. It's all there in Florida, they are the REPUKES that control our democracy. They fixed Gore, why change?
Re: I encourage all Obama supporters to check it out
By Democrat in Santa Cruz, CA May 18th 2008 at 4:33 pm EDT
If Hillary herself does not win the Nomination... I am with the camp that waves bye bye.
  
This is in Tampa Bay
By Reddogs May 16th 2008 at 4:51 pm EDT
These letters are from the area around Tampa Bay - a conservative part of the state. So, you would expect this kind of sentiment from that area.

The bigger question is what are democrats saying in Miami?

Also, as I said before FL is a conservative, Repub state. The Repubs control the election apparatus. Do we really believe that the election results from the state are going to be accurate?
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Retired Army May 16th 2008 at 4:58 pm EDT
Exactly! That is why it is apparent that Obama cannot win! They are saying they are fed up with Bush and his cronies and you now want to send them on their way too!

They say they will vote for Clinton but not Obama. Large message but nobody is reading it or even gives a crap except 2 million voters that you want to drop!
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Reddogs May 16th 2008 at 5:00 pm EDT
You're missing my point. What I am saying is that the Republicans in the state can overturn what these people are saying. Even if those 2 million vote democratic the Repubs in the state can rig it so that McCain wins. Therefore, we need to have a strategy to win without FL so the Repubs don't control who the President is by controlling the outcome of FL.
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 5:04 pm EDT
Can we win Texas?
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Reddogs May 16th 2008 at 5:09 pm EDT
Possibly with Obama, but definitely not with Clinton.

I think if Richardson is the running mate we have a shot in Texas.
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 5:18 pm EDT
Obama is at -9%
Clinton is at -10%

Is this dream ticket territory?
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Democrat in Santa Cruz, CA May 18th 2008 at 4:35 pm EDT
Obama is not going to Win TX. Please. If you think that after these months of seeing what we all have been seeing.
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Retired Army May 16th 2008 at 5:22 pm EDT
Let me get this right. Are you saying that the GOPee is going to fix the election here in Florida? As many of your cohorts would say where is the proof?

I do agree that we have had some fiascos here but I think that since changing the ballot system it may be harder to accomplish that. McCain isn't really liked down here!

Clinton trounced McCain if you count the actual votes that occurred. I believe she cold win this state this time around because of the GOPees lack of support right now. Obama don't have that support here.
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Pale Rider May 16th 2008 at 6:22 pm EDT
RE: Clinton v. McCain in FL, you would have to look at the entire Republican turnout for the primary there to get a better sense of how many votes McCain would carry, not just the actual votes cast for him. We have to take into consideration that the Republican contest was still pretty open at the point when FL votes were cast.
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Retired Army May 16th 2008 at 6:56 pm EDT
Yes you are correct and I stand corrected on that point. But local polls (and I don't have them) I have seen in the last month show that Clinton clearly beats McCain handily and Obama don't.
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By LilOopsie May 18th 2008 at 2:46 pm EDT
I believe strongly that Florida will stay red if Obama wins the nomination. McCain is on strong ground there and there are some large religious communities out there and let it to McCain to turn abortion and gay rights into a political issue just as Bush did and we saw all them thumpers flocking to the polls.
Re: This is in Tampa Bay
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 5:02 pm EDT
I dont believe that we should drop them. But it is a very hard situation to be completely fair about. I really wish we could compromise and come together
  
And when you all discover this
By Betty Lou - Independent May 16th 2008 at 4:55 pm EDT
makes absolutely no difference...will you believe then...the system is owned and run by the money houses and all the politicians are in on to a degree, espeically if they were backed by money houses, or wealthy investers.
Re: And when you all discover this
By Bob the Builder May 16th 2008 at 5:03 pm EDT
That is why I believe it is important to enforce term limits and vote full democratic ticket
From the Dog Catcher to the President!
Re: And when you all discover this
By Retired Army May 16th 2008 at 5:24 pm EDT
That is the first thing I have agreed with you on. My sentiments exactly! They all got to go. No pensions either. Just people that want to serve and support their country in lieu of themselves.

Nice wish but we'll never see it!
Re: And when you all discover this
By True Blue May 16th 2008 at 5:46 pm EDT
Pardon me but .....What an Idiot !!

Do you actually hold elected office????


Term limits are unconstitutional.

You want to "limit" someones term ???

Get off your AZZ AND VOTE !

TERM LIMITS are called.......ELECTIONS !!

How stupid! Take a basic government class !
Re: And when you all discover this
By Pale Rider May 16th 2008 at 6:25 pm EDT
Correction, Blue. Term limits are NOT unconstitutional, otherwise they would not be in such widespread use, all the way up to and including POTUS. You do remember that POTUS cannot serve more than two terms, do you not?
Re: And when you all discover this
By True Blue May 16th 2008 at 6:44 pm EDT
I know, but the supreme court has not taken it up.

They shoud be made unconstitutional officially.

The ONLY reason they have manage to make inroads is because its the only way republicans had any chance of competing in a race.

If you recall it was the republicans that imposed the term limit on the Presidency after FDR.

They remain unconstitutional by virtue of the constitution, regardless if the "law" has been allowed to stand because the courts have never heard the case.
  
They need to be counted
By Matt May 16th 2008 at 6:19 pm EDT
No matter who wins the nomination every vote should be counted.
Re: They need to be counted
By Paul Hammond May 16th 2008 at 7:59 pm EDT
I agree. BUT, they should also be counted NOW!
  
What an excellent article.
By charctine May 16th 2008 at 9:02 pm EDT
I agree, punish the officials that moved up the Primary, not the voters. It's not thier fault. They did what they were told to do. Should they not have gone to the polls to vote at all? At leat this way, there is a CHANCE thier voices will be heard. And if the Obama or McCain camps thinks that it is unfair beacuse they basically ignored Florida...Oh well, too bad. Guess he shouldn't have counted his chickens before they hatched. LET THE VOTERS HAVE THIER SAY IT IS THIER CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT!!!
  
Not in Michigan Either..
By Democrat in Livonia, MI May 16th 2008 at 10:00 pm EDT
Take a look at my post "Questions for Obama" - a news article here in the Detroit News today. Michigan wanted answers and Obama had none to give, "sweetie". I voted for Clinton and I am waiting for my vote to be counted.
  
Thanks for the warning...
By Mike in Raleigh May 16th 2008 at 10:28 pm EDT
and I've learned that many posts from certain people are similarly slanted and grossly tainted, leading to conflagrations.
  
Don't give up Florida!
By Alex May 18th 2008 at 12:22 pm EDT
Don't quit or let up Floridians! This is too important and your voices must be heard along with everyone else's! New Yorkers support you and Michigan, every vote must count!