Fla. Republican unity cracks

[Nambe]

MIAMI, Aug. 11 (UPI)

Florida's Republican politics is going to need some healing in the next year going into President Bush's bid for re-election in 2004.

Florida was the most important state in his election in 2000 and that could well happen again. A united party could be essential next year, and right now, that's not the case.

As the state's GOP meets in special session this week over the medical malpractice issue that has already deeply divided the party, a group of Cuban Republicans sent what can only be interpreted as a threatening letter to the president.

The Republicans want a change in the policy that dictates that all Cuban migrants intercepted at sea be returned to Cuba. They also want an indictment of President Fidel Castro for the deaths of three Cuban-American pilots in an incident over the Florida Straits in 1996.

The third demand was for an effort to make sure TV Marti is seen by the Cuban people despite the Cuban government's jamming operations, and the fourth was for more assistance for dissidents in Cuba.

"We feel it is our responsibility as Republican elected officials to inform you that unless substantial progress on the above-mentioned issued occurs rapidly, we fear the historic and intense support from Cuban-American voters for Republican federal candidates, including yourself, will be jeopardized," the letter, which was sent to the president Monday.

Cuban-Americans in Miami have for years made up one of the most dependent blocs of voters for the Republicans, but that may be in doubt now. ---


We are going to change history -- we're going to have a ton of fun doing it.

[donsu]

1. Don't bet on it

nt

[Doctor_J]

2. This is encouraging

and may also be apparent in other places. I have been mildly troubled by the fact that Smirk can screw people so blatantly and still the GOP seems to remain cohesive. But the Veterans are really pissed off (and would, IMO, flock to Kerry or Clark or even Graham), some fiscal conservatives are unhappy, and now this. I see things coming apart at the seams for *. If Clark is our nominee, I could easily see W left with no one but the fundies and the fundie-panderers (like Delay).

[aquart]

3. They know he's on the ropes so they're upping the ante.

They figure this is real good time to put on the pressure, because Bush numbers are falling.

Bush's usual practice is to stomp on the face of anyone who thwarts him, right?

Pass the popcorn.

[Gin]

4. the cuban immigrants should not have better opportunities than any other

group.

[JNelson6563]

6. that's what I was thinking

when I read the article.

Julie

[LoneStarLiberal]

5. Marti in Trouble

Los Cubanos are in a heap of trouble no matter who wins the White House in 2004 or 2008. Since Castro came to power they have exercised an inordinate amount of power over American foreign policy regarding Cuba (and don't forget sugar price supports, too!) and sometime in the next two Presidencies here, Castro is going to pass onto the big daquiri bar in the sky.

Once that happens these thugs are going to be up the creek because no one on Pennsylvania Avenue or on the Hill will need to pander to them. I know not all Martis are thugs, but they allow their leadership to be dominated by narrow politics and thuggish behavior.