Wasserman Schultz still not doing all she should do for FL Dem candidates.

[madfloridian]

Annette Taddeo is running against Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who votes with Bush 85% of the time. Picture courtesy of Ybor City Stogieand 85% fact courtesy of Huffington Post

Markos yesterday announced that the 2nd of two South Florida Democrats was now part of the Orange to Blue ActBlue page

There are three regions of the country which have particularly surprised me this year. The first two are Alaska and Wyoming, and I've covered (and polled) both those states extensively throughout the year.

The third is another region I've written about extensively -- South Florida. Once the private fiefdom of Cuban American Republicans, the GOP's lone remaining congressional Latinos are under siege by a trio of highly regarded Demcorats -- Raul Martinez in FL-21, Joe Garcia in FL-25, and Annette Taddeo in FL-18 (most famous for South Beach).

We've already added Joe Garcia to our Orange to Blue ActBlue page. Today, we're adding the second of the three candidates -- Annette Taddeo, running in a district represented by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for the last 19 years

From Daily Kos, Annette and her family

He then lights into Debbie Wasserman Schultz, as well he should. She is head of the DCCC Red to Blue campaign, and she has not done her part in Florida.

There was another Kos diary about this odd situation today.

Months later (at the end of June), Debbie finally put some of her money where her mouth wasn't: On the very same day, she gave $2,500 apiece to Martinez and Garcia. But not Taddeo. While this might not seem like a huge amount in the scheme of things, this particular $2,500 matters a lot. DWS is a very high-profile member of Congress, and she's the front-runner - if not heir-apparent - to head the DCCC next cycle. When she helps a candidate, that sends a signal to other members, PACs, labor unions, and wealthy donors: this is a candidate you should get behind.

Which is why it's up to us to stand up for a strong progressive like Annette Taddeo and send that message if Debbie won't. Taking on an incumbent Republican in a red district is always an uphill battle, and this race is no different. But if the progressive movement stands for anything, it's the principle that Democrats must never leave a worthy fellow Democrat behind.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz says, "I can't say enough good things about Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; she has been my friend since I was first elected to office." The netroots say, "Progressives will be lucky to have a friend like Annette Taddeo in Congress.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz Still Sandbagging Taddeo

Actually it is not just Debbie Wasserman Schultz who is remiss in her duties. Her fellow Democratic leader in Florida, Kendrick Meek, is as well. They are far too close to the Republican incumbents.

Two Florida Democratic congress folks prefer their Republican incumbents to their own party.

This time around, Wasserman Schultz and Meek say their relationships with the Republican incumbents, Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and his brother Mario, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, leave them little choice but to sit out the three races.

''At the end of the day, we need a member who isn't going to pull any punches, who isn't going to be hesitant,'' Wasserman Schultz said.

The decision comes as Democrats believe they have their best shot in years to defeat at least one of the Cuban-American incumbents with a roster of Democrats that include former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, opposing Lincoln Diaz-Balart; outgoing Miami-Dade Democratic party chair Joe Garcia, opposing Mario Diaz-Balart; and businesswoman Annette Taddeo, opposing Ros-Lehtinen.

But Wasserman Schultz and Meek say their ties to the three Republicans are personal as well as professional: Both served in the state Legislature with Mario Diaz-Balart and say they work in concert with all three on South Florida issues.

This is alarming. Taddeo is lagging a little behind the other two Democratic candidates, Martinez and Garcia, which is understandable. She is not a big name candidate, and they are well-known.

The possible next chair of the DCCC should most certainly put aside her Republican friendships and loyalties and spare no effort in helping these Democrats.

[Freddie Stubbs]

1. Martinez and Garcia are far more viable candidates than Taddeo

Unlike Martinez and Garcia, she has yet to prove that has significant community support.

[tsuki]

2. Lil Debbie is not going to support anyone who might overshadow

her own ambitions. It's all about Debbie

[KaryninMiami]

3. It's pretty horrendous, frankly. I get more and more angry at Debbie every week.

Just when she says something almost likable, something like this comes out to remind me of just how much she really needs to be replaced. I'm in her district- boy what a disappointment.

I was at an event tonight with Ms. Taddeo and we discussed the piece on Kos (which she had read). She's terrific and has a huge job ahead of her - Ileana has been in office for a very long time and has many fans in both parties. But what a welcome relief it would be to bid goodbye to her and welcome Annette Taddeo into Congress! Joe Garcia too.

Shame on Ms. Wasserman Schultz and you too Mr. Meek- you both need to rethink your priorities-in a big way.

[madfloridian]

4. Why does Ros Lehtinen have so many Democratic fans?

She really is a Bush ideologue.

[KaryninMiami]

5. I have no idea what anyone would see in her.

But for Debbie Wasserman Schultz to not support her own party- especially in something as crucial as winning a majority in Congress is despicable. I don't think they would do the same if the situation was reversed- not a chance in fact.

[madfloridian]

6. I remember seeing Ros Lehtinen on TV during the run up to Iraq.

I learned to hate her smugness, her support for Bush in every way.

[KaryninMiami]

7. Yes- she is smug, rude and nothing more then a Bush (Jeb and W) pawn.

The only thing she once said that surprised me, was that she is in favor of same sex civil civil unions - or something like that and she's against drilling- or was anyway- now I assume she's gone the other way with Christ. Not marriage but equal rights- otherwise, she's just a pawn with a huge attitude issue. She needed to say something for gay rights since she has some Miami Beach constituents - as well as the Grove I assume.

[madfloridian]

8. More on Ros Lehtinen

"2008 is not a good year to be a Republican running for office. Even the Republican leadership is saying that if the "Republican brand were dogfood, it would be taken off the shelf."

Now, one of President Bush's most dependable allies -- Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in South Florida (FL-18) -- is doing everything she can to run from failed policies and failed leadership in Washington.

On Tuesday, The Miami Herald wrote that "out of the blue," Ros-Lehtinen issued two press releases that sought to distance herself from a long, devoted history of supporting Bush. The Herald said she was interested in "debunking any perception that the generally reliably Republican is a 'rubber stamp'' for President Bush."

Rubber stamp. Interesting choice of words, since Ros-Lehtinen votes with Bush 85% of the time. She helped him to authorize the Iraq War Resolution. She cast the deciding vote against granting Medicare the authority to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors. She supported his drive to privatize Social Security. She even voted five times against expanding S-CHIP.

But as Joe Sudbay from AmericaBlog noted, "if you have to say you're not a 'rubber stamp,' it's too late."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/annette-taddeo/republican-ros-lehtinen-v_b_105678.html

[madfloridian]

9. From August 7, write-up about the confusing nature of Wasserman Schultz

at Crooks and Liars

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/08/07/whats-up-with-debbie-wasserman-schultz/