Schultz: How Florida Democrats Keep GOP in Control of State

Written on by V2A, Filed under
2012 Election, Politics
 23


We see again that the most reliable allies of Florida Republicans are Florida Democrats.

In Tallahassee, the Legislature is redrawing congressional and legislative maps. In large part because of their recent skill at this once-every-10-years event, Republicans have made this a state where Democrats have as much clout as Florida State grads at a University of Florida alumni meeting.

In 1990, Florida’s then-19-member congressional delegation included 10 Republicans and nine Democrats. Democrats held a 23-17 edge in the Florida Senate and a 74-46 margin in the state House. Today, the 25-member congressional delegation includes 19 Republicans and six Democrats. The GOP holds a 28-12 advantage in the state Senate and an 81-39 majority in the House. Statewide, however, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by 500,000.

Several factors, such as ineptitude at the Florida Democratic Party and conservative north Florida Democrats who are Republicans at heart, explain this shift. A big factor, though, has been Republicans’ ability to pit Democrats against each other.

In any state, the majority party tries to help its incumbents and increase its influence by packing opposition voters into a few districts and spreading out its voters. Especially in the state Senate maps, that is what Republicans have done, despite amendments voters passed in 2010 to restrict gerrymandering.

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  • http://www.chick.com Raymond

    Lady explains why she supports Obama. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV8P-vib5n8&fe…

  • Looking4Sanity

    "north Florida Democrats who are Republicans at heart,"

    I have never met a Democrat on this entire planet who could even remotely be categorized as "Republican at heart". What a total load of BS.

    • FlaSouthVoter

      You do not know Florida. Many here were born Democrats. It meant something entirely different than what it means now in the big cities.
      Some families have been Democrat for many generations. One used to need to be a Democrat to vote in a primary here, and often there was no runoff as no Republican even filed, or, all the Republicans lost.

      It is not BS.

      And Forida Cracker is a compliment.
      Governor and Senator Bob Graham was a cracker as was Senator Lawton Chiles.
      The country still has differences when traveling from region to region.

      I have Debbie Wasserman Schultz as my representative. She would never win a seat in North Florida.
      I get to vote against her every two years.

      This is a conservative state that is still loyal to old ideals, no matter that many in the party have left them. They will vote for the conservative.

      • Looking4Sanity

        Not only do I know Florida, I know the Deep South in general. I have lived there. My family's people are all from there. I know all about the situation with Democrats in the South three generations past. Today they use it as an excuse not to do the right thing, but I'm not buying it.And no one is “born” a Democrat…any more than one is born a Christian. It requires a conscious decision. If what you actually mean is that children in the South are fed a steady diet of political bigotry and resentment that goes all the way back to the Civil War, then you may have a point.

  • Bonnie

    Ineptitude of Florida Democratic Party = Debbie Wasswerman- Schultz

  • jerry1944

    wow what power and with there vote for romney they are we get to have obambo for 4 more yrs. Why dont they have conservative there

  • RonIsDeceived

    I am glad to see that there is at least ONE part of the country in which pro-life/pro-family Republicans are more clever than baby-killing, perverted, Muslim-appeasing Democrats.
    Republicans would win more elections if my fellow Christians who have been brainwashed into sitting back and waiting for the Rapture by bogus end-times-prediction charlatans; such as Dave Hunt, Mary Relfe, Jack Van Impe, Creflo Dollar, et al, ad nauseum; would get wise, get off their "left behinds" and vote in every election!

  • Kenny

    With Debbie Wacoman-Schitz serving as the face of the Democratic Party, the Florida Democrats are going to be aimlessly walking around in the political wilderness for many years to come.

  • hedy

    how can you listen to that irate idiot of a women ,
    thatwomen is as nutty as a frutcake,
    she opens her mouth and crap comes out ,
    cumy

    • Scott Todd

      That's an insult to nuts and fruitcakes!! :)

  • PISSED OFF PATRIOT

    this woman is one of the most disgusting low lifes in Washington.

    • azwayne

      Ther could not be better more accurate representaion of brain dead DEMS> she makes it clear.

  • http://firefox Phil

    For anyone who doesn’t think Florida Republicans are conservatives, they haven’t done their homework. The state has been run by us for many years now, after nothing but democrat control. Since we took over, read the laws passed, and the people we have in congress. Rep. Alan West is one of the most conservative members or the Tea Party and he’s just one.

  • Remington 870

    Florida is one of the primary states where there is diverse racial socialization, unlike Iowa or New Humpshire where people who spend the majority of their life freezing to death get media attention for their influence picking the next presidental contender. One prefect reason Florida is important in any national political race. And Florida should be proud of Congressman Alan West who has shown millions of Americans he has the guts to take on Washington. Congressman West would be America's best candidate to take on Obama. And then there is the face of the DNC with Madam Wasserman-Schultz (is this a name from Hogan's Heros?) who fortunately displays how insane people can rise to their highest level of incompetence in the form of a Congress-person. Florida voters need to put this person in a padded cell with former congressman Greyson.

    • Kitty

      Could not agree with you more.

    • guest

      Remington, I have always agreed with you in the past, but based on Rep. Alan West's votes in the House, which include voting to raise the Debt Ceiling last July and voting for NDAA, I do not see him as taking on Washington. He talks the talk but his votes show he has quickly become part of the Washington establishment and for that I am extremely sad and disappointed.

  • HotCap

    Debbie is the the gift that keeps on giving. The more you hear her the more your realize how
    desperate the dems are. People listen to her convoluted reasoning and laugh.
    Even honest demos shake their heads.

  • mudguy

    Debbie is nothing but an other Pelosi with uncombed blond hair.

  • JBinGB

    Nah, not oncombed just kinky like her !

  • azwayne

    They bring a whole NEW definition to "honest"

  • Jim W

    I hope the DNC retains Debbie as chair for many years. She's the gift that keeps on giving.

  • RonIsDeceived

    The Kansas GOP could use a few strategy lessons from the Florida Republicans. Kansas Republicans still allow the Democrats to lead them by the nose!

  • http://www.survivingurbancrisis.com/ Silas Longshot

    Now, if they could export this strategy nationally by November……THAT could be change worth having.

    Click the name, learn to survive!

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