Stealth group gives GOP largest check of year

[carzen]

Floridians for Truth and Integrity in Government, the stealth group that raised millions of dollars to blow Republican Tom Gallagher out of the gubernatorial primary, has cut state Republicans their biggest check of the year.

Known as an electioneering communications organization, the soft-money group whose biggest contributors included U.S. Sugar Corp., TECO Energy and Cape Coral developer Greg Eagle gave $1.1 million to the state Republican Party on Sept. 22, records show.

The largest single check the state party had previously received was $1 million from the Republican Governors Association on Sept. 6.

"We've gotten donations from thousands of groups across Florida, and we're enthusiastic about the support there has been for the party," GOP spokesman Jeff Sadosky said.



http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?aid=/20061007/capitolnews/610070339&theme=

[flpoljunkie]

1. Republicans: Government of, by and for the special interests, who are

trying to buy the governship in Florida, just like they bought George W. Bush and his brother Jeb.

We must move toward public financing of campaigns so politicians are beholden to the public interest, and not the special interests. The survival of our democracy is at stake.

[seasat]

2. They also changed Campaign finance limits last year.

Wow, just in time for the election. They raised the max for an individual from 8.8 million to 21 million. Since Chameleon Charlie is for sale to the highest bidder (and some in between bidders), and Republicans dominate every level of State government, they knew they could raise tons of cash more than the Democrat. They knew that either of the Democrats running would give the Republican a tough run so they are drowning us with special interest money. Based on the rule, once the candidate reaches the magic number, public financing dollars go to the opponent. By raising the limit, they limited the amount the Democratic opponent could get from public financing.

[iamjoy]

3. Wait A Minute...

Didn't lots of media outlets across Florida bash Rod Smith for getting money from U.S. Sugar? Yeah, I think they did. So I suppose I just have to wait patiently for them to criticize Crist for it, too.




very patiently.

[seasat]

4. It is real hypocrisy.

The Florida media has a double standard where the Repugs are concerned. Heck, the same big sugar group that was funding the smear ads during the primary attacking Davis also spent about $600,000 on ads attacking Gallagher. Big sugar knows Charlie can be bought.