Could The Florida Race That No One Is Watching Be The Most Important Of All?

Not mentioned much in Florida's big dollar political slug fests, is Florida State Senator John Thrasher against fellow Republican Charles Perniciaro. What makes this more than just a normal primary, is Thrasher's role as the Republican Party of Florida state chairman.

If Mr. Thrasher were to loose his state senate race, would it not also tarnish his standing as the RPOF chair? Many people think so and are wondering how that race is looking.

Through my network of political activists, it appears the race is trending in Mr. Perniciaro's favor. Volunteers knocking on doors in this Jacksonville-based district are reporting 'high negatives' for Mr. Thrasher. Apparently there is still bad blood flowing from when Thrasher bought his way to victory in a highly contested special election.

The person previously holding that senate seat was Jim King who died unexpectedly prompting the special election. That race had four legitimate contenders splitting the vote. Thrasher narrowly won, but did not receive a majority of the votes cast.

One volunteer I spoke with said, "Most people I talked to were definitely voting against Thrasher. Once in a while a homeowner will say they're for Thrasher, but not many. We are also having success with reaching the undecided's."

Mr. Pernciaro is a medical physician, and has had a lot of financial support lending his campaign more than $300,000 dollars and then raising a million dollars more. Mr. Thrasher has accused the doctor of only recently registering Republican. Pernciaro responded by showing that he has only donated to Republicans.

Keep your eyes out tomorrow for this low profile race with big implications.

Lots More To Florida Governor Race Than Meets The Eye

As campaign mudslinging reaches new heights, Florida's two Republican gubernatorial candidates have something else at stake. Should one of them win the November election, they would have tremendous influence over the Republican Party of Florida.

For proof, one must only look at the first thing newly elected Governor Charlie Crist did in 2006: he muscled in a new chairman for day-to-day operations of RPOF. Jim Greer was a little known party insider. His meteoric rise to power and his subsequent fall are well known.

But the story is far from over. While Greer has been indicted for siphoning off some of the money he raised for RPOF, he will soon have the chance to face his accusers.

And as radio commentator Paul Harvey would say, "And now for the rest of the story..." This is the last thing that RPOF want's to hear blaring from radio (or any other media).

Bill McCollum has held many elected offices. He is considered a long time Florida politico that knows where all the skeletons are buried and he's proven his ability to keep his mouth shut.

Perhaps that's why he and legislative leaders Mike Haridopolos & Dean Cannon led the efforts to try and buy off Greer. Why exactly Greer went from party boss to pariah will no doubt be told in court.

But in the meantime RPOF must be very careful to guard the party secrets. That's why longtime insider and lobbyist John Thrasher was rushed into taking Greer's place as chairman. So far, so good.

And with McCollum looking like an easy win, everything seemed fine.

But Rick Scott is looking like the uninvited guest at a private party. Should he win, it will be awfully hard to hide anything from the most powerful elected Republican in the state.

And that friends, is not going to be easily tolerated by insiders that want a nice dark place to conduct business. Big business. Like raking in millions from special interests looking to buy favors from elected officials.

Money is very important to RPOF. Florida election laws place strict limits on the amounts individuals and corporations can give to candidates. Those same rules allow UNLIMITED amounts of special interest money into races as long as it is funneled through a political party.

This has the perverse result of making the party even stronger. And it also shields politicians from being directly linked to any pay-to-play conflict of interests.

The problem with Rick Scott is that he's an outsider that hasn't been tested. Will he keep his mouth shut, or will he go digging in the graveyard? These are questions that will be answered shortly (or not at all IF he does not win)!

Not surprisingly, all the RPOF brass have come out strongly for McCollum. They know that this house of cards is best kept in tack by protecting it from outsiders.

As expected, money trumped all other considerations. John Thrasher, millionaire registered lobbyist, was elected State Chairman of the Republican Part

As expected, money trumped all other considerations. John Thrasher, millionaire registered lobbyist, was elected State Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.

The election wasn't even close: Thrasher 135, Sharron Day (viewed as the grassroots favorite) 85.

While this was the expected outcome, it is important none the less. We now have yet another indication that the RPOF is just going to be about money.

And we're not talking little $50 or $100 contributions. No sir, this is BIG FAT CORPORATE special interest money. You see, because of campaign finance laws, each candidate state-level candidate can only collect $500 per individual supporter.

The main purpose of RPOF is to act as a repository for the big six and seven figure checks from lobbyists. These million dollar checks go to the party chairman who is able to accept them because of our campaign finance 'reforms'.

Now Mr. 'Money Bags' Thrasher will be able to dole out the cash to his favored RINO Republicans and keep the special interests satisfied with preferential legislation.

Many Republicans had hoped that Sharron Day winning might signal a new, more grassroots oriented party. Today's results speak otherwise.

Now starts the consideration of whether RPOF will EVER become a party of small government and lower taxes.

Why? Because big business (and their well-heeled lobbyists) want a bigger government that doles out bigger taxpayer funded projects!

Mr. and Mrs. Sunshine Republican, I have some bad news for you. Your party has been sold and you are left holding an empty bag.

But not to worry. Mr. Thrasher has reached into his deep pockets and pulled out a couple of coins. Perhaps you can go down to the store and buy that new stuffed elephant you always wanted.

Nick Egoroff
Admin: Restore The Republican Party Of Florida
http://j.mp/RestoreRPOF

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