Florida Rep. Grayson to enter race for Sen. Rubio's seat

[itsrobert]

Source: Associated Press

A close friend and major Democratic Party donor says U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson is launching a campaign for the seat U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is giving up.
Trial lawyer John Morgan said Wednesday that Grayson told him by email that he is running for Senate. Rubio is not seeking a second term because he's running for president. Grayson will announce his decision on Thursday.

Read more: http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/florida-rep-grayson-enter-race-sen-rubios-seat/nmtgM/

[Kingofalldems]

1. Great news.

I'll be watching for another hit piece in LBN tomorrow.

[RobertEarl]

2. Wonderful news

Grayson and Bernie on the same Florida ballot in 2016 will be a huge factor in turnout! Democrats will wipe the republicans off the stage!

[cascadiance]

6. I think it would also help Bernie in the primaries too...

If many of Grayson's followers around the state come out to vote for him, I think many of them would also be checking on Bernie's box for president as well given that they are on the same page on so many issues.

And Grayson would also be helped by many independents registering as Democrats to vote for Bernie too. A lot of them would probably vote for Grayson for senate nomination as well.

[RobertEarl]

11. Yep. More Liberals mean more Liberals

This election season is ours, I tell ya, ours!

[brooklynite]

49. Presidential and Senate primaries are not at the same time

[arcane1]

3. We'll need another good economic-minded Senator after Sanders becomes president.

[Dont call me Shirley]

4. That would make for some interesting Senate debates!

[Agnosticsherbet]

5. Yes, we need a 1% hedge fund manager in the Senate.

He can violate the ethics rules there.

[RobertEarl]

8. Why is it?

That some of you are willing to call Grayson guilty before there is even a hearing?

I get that Grayson pisses off cons, but this guilty before trial stuff here on DU is weird, man, weird.

[Agnosticsherbet]

18. If he is innocent, he should get it taken cqre of

before he runs for Senate.

[RobertEarl]

22. That's what hearings are for

To declare, as you have, that he is guilty before the hearing is weird.

[Agnosticsherbet]

25. His name is on the Hedgefunds. He should handle the ethics problems before getting a new job.

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/alan-grayson-hedge-fund-ethics-119553.html

[DirkGently]

32. There's no "ethics problem" though.

It's just Patrick Murphy's conservative friends panicking and frantically slinging mud. Anything to avoid talking about the fact Murphy is a recent ex-Republican who supported Mitt Romney and wants to work with his GOP buddies to cut Social Security.

Grayson's already up as much as 40 points in the polls, and he hasn't even announced.

[Agnosticsherbet]

33. If there is no problem then he should get it out in the open

[DirkGently]

35. What's not "in the open?"

Murphy's people are inventing an issue where none exists. It's the same minor local DEC chair that tried to have the entire Progressive Caucus disbanded for supporting Grayson who filed it. She's been trolling the local Dem discussion forums heaving about how Grayson can't win because she doesn't like his personality for months now.

It's a joke, and a pretty tacky one at that. The only point was to create a headline in hopes of smearing Grayson personally, because he's a much stronger candidate than an ex-Republican no one's ever heard of.

[naoya6161]

36. There were two suits filed, not one

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/conservative-group-calls-for-grayson-ethics-probe-119772.html

The first one was filed by a conservative group. Bush isn't the only one who filed it.

[DirkGently]

39. So this Bush person is siding with the Republicans?

... to help a recent ex-Republican, Patrick Murphy, who votes with Republicans more than any other Florida elected official?

This is why it sometimes seems like we've been infiltrated by Republicans. People say they're Democrats, but put up Republcan candidates and then coordinate attacks with Republicans on a nationally significant Democratic leader like Grayson?

Smells like a barrel of fish to me. But I understand why they're so panicked. Hard to sell a right-leaning Mitt Romney supporter to Democrats.

[naoya6161]

40. It looks like you've missed the point

The first group that filed the complaint - they have absolutely nothing to do with Murphy at all.
And in any case... The Republicans actually want Grayson to win the nomination (Club for Growth in particular) so that their candidate can win. So this whole issue about Murphy being a former Republican (who has always run for office as a Democrat!) is completely invalid.

[DirkGently]

42. Wait. Murphy & the Republicans make the same bogus claim

... at the same time, and Murphy just happens to be a recent ex-Republican who frequently votes with Republicans and who's working with them to "protect" Social Security.

And that's supposed to show Murphy is NOT on the Republicans' side?

Also, the idea the Republicans would rather Grayson be nominated than their ex-colleague and frequent ally Murphy seems wildly unlikely.

[naoya6161]

44. They do

Back in May the Club for Growth aired a TV ad praising Grayson for his stance on the Ex-Im bank while criticizing Murphy. It's obvious that they want Grayson to win the nomination... So it's true.

[naoya6161]

34. It's real

You know, I recall that one of the two groups that filed that was a Republican leaning group.
Murphy's also come out in support of Social Security as well during the campaign.
Also, if Murphy really is such great friends with the GOP...then why is the Club for Growth actively cheering on Grayson as a candidate?
And the poll you mentioned, Gravis Marketing, doesn't have a good reputation. Last year it was completely off the mark with Texas and Kentucky primaries.
Grayson's hedge funds are relevant to his candidacy, whether you want to believe it or not.

[DirkGently]

37. "Protecting" Social Security?

Republicans' idea of "protecting" Social Security is cutting Social Security. Murphy keeps fudging about how he'll keep "current" beneficiaries benefits in place.

And I've got to say I'm not impressed with Murphy's supporters. There's that grumpy local DEC chair woman who wanted to disband the Progressive Caucus just for supporting Grayson -- I think she's the same one who filed that half-baked "ethics complaint." Cheap tactics, in my opinion.

It's Bush league stuff, and it just makes the party look bad.

I think Grayson is going to wipe the floor with Murphy, but primaries are good for everyone, eh?

[naoya6161]

38. Based on... what regarding SS?

If it's that whole New Democrat Caucus, or whatever it's called, I haven't seen any concrete evidence for that.
Also, one supporter doesn't speak for all. Quite a few Murphy supporters are decent people. And in any case, it's not as though Grayson's remarks have done him much favor with the public now have they? He actually lost an endorsement to Murphy the other day for his ethics problem.

[DirkGently]

41. Coordinating with Republicans, for starters.

Republicans have one attitude toward SS -- cuts. They have no other interest or intentions whatsoever. They still tell that Wall Street lie about it causing a crushing "deficit" that will destroy the world or whatever. It kills them a Socialist program is the most-loved thing our government has ever done.

Murphy made a big deal about how was going for a "bi-partisan" approach to "get our fiscal house in order." (Hint hint)

He promised only current beneficiaries and veterans would get no cuts, clearly leaving out everyone else. Classic weasel wording. He's backpedaled to the rather vague "protecting" SS language now. Republicans of course famously claim cutting SS will "protect it."

Grayson's with Warren -- he wants to expand both Social Security and Medicare. He has some kind of pledge letter on the issue. Don't think Murphy or his Republican collaborators have signed it.

Wonder why?

[naoya6161]

43. That... Doesn't really prove anything

Words should always be taken in context. It seems based on what you're telling me that these are your interpretations of Murphy's statements. I'll believe it when i hear it in the proper context.
And what letter are you talking about?

[GGJohn]

21. Do you say the same thing about Bill Cosby?

Just asking.

[RobertEarl]

23. Yes, I do.

But to compare the two widely different cases is weird.

[GGJohn]

24. Then I salute you, you're one of the few here.

I'm not comparing the two cases, I'm just saying that both are innocent until proven guilty as far as our justice system is concerned.

[yurbud]

51. he pisses off corporatistas that otherwise love them some hedge fund managers

[djean111]

15. He still wouldn't vote with the GOP as much as Patrick Murphy does.

Grayson will have my vote, for sure.

[naoya6161]

7. So it's finally happened huh?

This should be fun to watch.

[Hulk]

9. God, I hope he wins!

Wish we had someone not so controversial. I love what Grayson has brought out regarding the hypocrisy of the repuKKKes...but I'm just thinking he has a LOT of enemies...and it's going to take a lot, even to beat a worthless light weight like rubio. I just hate to see us lose a seat we should win.

[ananda]

10. I hope he wins!

Go Grayson!

[ibewlu606]

12. Rec'd

The corporate Dems are already sharpening the long knives to go after Grayson. Alan has ALWAYS been a friend to our local and has even gone so far as to introduce legislation on our behalf. I will wait to see how the charges play out, but from what I know of the man he seems like a straight shooter.

[geek tragedy]

13. we have our Trump. nt

[DonCoquixote]

14. watch Debbie Wasserman Schultz

try to kneecap Grayson and in the process lose a Senate seat.

[Mojorabbit]

26. He is my congressperson and I like him but I am afraid you may be

right in your assessment.

[nashville_brook]

29. actually DWS and alan grayson are buds

i know, it doesnt make sense to me either.

[fredamae]

16. ((((GRIN))))

I like his Fire!
Go Alan!

[bigwillq]

17. Good luck to him.

I would never vote for him but may the best man or woman win.

[redstateblues]

30. Just curious. Why not?

[bigwillq]

45. I think he's a scumbag.

Most politicians are, but that doesn't mean I have to vote for them.

Go count your money in the Cayman, Alan.

[valerief]

19. Great!!! nt

[Reter]

20. Winning will be very tough

Florida isn't exactly blue. And Grayson is deep blue. Being controversial doesn't help either. Wish him the best, though.

[Historic NY]

27. Graysons carrying lots of unexplained baggage thats going to be a distraction...

but by all means he should proceed it going to be a primary.

[Warpy]

28. Good, let's hope Rubio's lack of interest in showing up for work

becomes an issue of that campaign.

Even right wingers don't like being robbed by some guy collecting a fat salary for nothing.

[naoya6161]

31. Rubio isn't running for his seat again

[Warpy]

50. He wanted to be the next Obama, I guess

and use one term in the Senate as a stepping stone to the presidency.

The little weenie just didn't realize that he also had to do the hard work Obama did. He thought just the title would do it for him.

[Cal33]

46. In the Senate, Grayson will surely be making things easier for Elizabeth Warren to get her projects

through.

[Omaha Steve]

47. DU now has it's own fund raiser for Alan at Act Blue

New link. We are the ONLY fund raiser on Alan's page for now!


It is simple but will get upgraded as time allows.

DU gets no funds from this. All the donated $ to Alan goes to Alan except for the actual charge card fee by law: http://support.actblue.com/faq#q15

Fees all vendors pay to use your credit card from a vendors perspective: http://paysimple.com/credit_card_rates_explained.html

IF you give an optional tip it goes to Act Blue, the most successful Democratic $ raising PAC for their in house expenses like rent, payroll, IT, etc.

NYT: How ActBlue Became a Powerful Force in Fund-Raising: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/09/upshot/how-actblue-became-a-powerful-force-in-fund-raising.html?abt=0002&abg=1


Donate here:https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/duforgrayson


See who is raising $ or compare how we are doing here: https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/40324

[Corey_Baker08]

48. Any Other Democratic Candidates Running For Rubio's Senate Seat?

While I very much respect Congressmen Grayson & I wholeheartedly support his Liberal policies I am very concerned that the events that have been the subject of endless "news anchors" concerning his personal life & his marriage problems.

Also Congressmen Grayson has an ongoing ethics investigation for his role in managing a hedge fund.

Okay so I have voiced my concerns. Please feel free to rebut them, because I truly like Congressmen Grayson, I honestly do.

However even with his hundreds of millions of dollars, at the end of the day can he beat his Republican Opponent?

I HONESTLY HOPE HE CAN & WILL!!!