From the Blogs

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

Talk to Me: Tom Feeney: Back in the House

Thanks and Farewell

Good riddance to Tom Feeney, a blight on the state of Florida. We now have one less person to appear on the annual "most corrupt members of Congress" list. I want to thank the contributors to this blog, the readers, and the people who sent us information on Feeney. We're proud to have played a part in spreading the truth about Tom and we're even prouder to no longer have to do it.

See Ya

Suzanne Kosmas, a well-funded Democrat challenger, has ousted incumbent Tom Feeney from Congress in what has shaped up as a blowout win in the 24th District.

Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, represents a central Florida district that was drawn up for him to win while he was the leader of the state House.

Kosmas' campaign said that Feeney just called to concede the race. Feeney has not yet commented.

With 77 percent of precincts reporting, Kosmas has 58 percent of the votes so far compared to Feeney's 41 percent.

The Associated Press has called the race for Kosmas.

--Florida Today
11/4/2008

DCCC Takes on Feeney

Suzanne Kosmas: My Values

Feeney Scrapes Bottom of the Barrel

He attempts to link Suzanne Kosmas to terrorists:



This is nonsensical and shameful. Voters shouldn't fall for this type of hate speech and should vote people like Feeney out of office. Contribute to Kosmas.

Fla. Dems Good on Environment, Reps Not So Much

The League of Conservation Voters released their scorecards for Congress. Can you guess what the pattern is? Of Florida Republicans, only Ileana Ros-Lehtinen does as good as any Democrat and that's only one person. Beyond that, all Democrats do way better than all Republicans. No shocker there.

Alcee Hastings (D), 92%
Ron Klein (D), 92%
Timothy Mahoney (D), 92%
Kendrick Meek (D), 92%
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), 92%
Bill Nelson (D), 91%
F. Allen Boyd (D), 85%
Corrine Brown (D), 85%
Kathy Castor (D), 85%
Robert Wexler (D), 69%
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R), 69%
Vern Buchanan (R), 62%
Gus Bilirakis (R), 38%
Ginny Brown-Waite (R), 38%
Mario Diaz-Balart (R), 38%
C.W. Bill Young (R), 38%
Mel Martinez (R), 36%
Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R), 31%
Ander Crenshaw (R), 15%
Ric Keller (R), 15%
Connie Mack (R), 8%
John Mica (R), 8%
Adam Putnam (R), 8%
Dave Weldon (R), 8%
Tom Feeney (R), 0%
Jeff Miller (R), 0%
Cliff Stearns (R), 0%

Esquire Endorsement

Esquire endorsed Suzanne Kosmas over Fenney:

Tom Feeney was an Abramoff bagman in 2004, he remained one in 2006, and he is still one today.

From the Blogs

Boiling Mad: Congressman Feeney is questionable at best

Seminole County Democrats: Tom Feeney's new ad

Seminole County Democrats: Feeney/Kosmas race on Rachel Maddow show MSNBC

Seminole County Democrats: Feeney ad exploded on Daily Kos

Seminole County Democrats: Tom Feeney's Race Update

Daily Kos: House Race Roundup

madfloridian: Feeney: "Just A Poor Lamb Who Lost His Way"...Trib's Daniel Ruth Column

Ybor City Stogie: Empty Chair Charlie Holds Feeney Fundraiser

Republicans Don't Support Troops As Well As Dems

Check out the latest scorecards from Disabled American Veterans and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America...

DAV:

Bill Nelson, 100
Allen Boyd, 100
Corrine Brown, 100
Kendrick Meek, 100
Robert Wexler, 100
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, 100
Alcee Hastings, 100

Mel Martinez, 60
Jeff Miller, 66
Ander Crenshaw, 66
Ginny Brown-Waite, 66
Cliff Stearns, 66
John Mica, 66
Ric Keller, 50
C.W. Bill Young, 66
Adam Putnam, 66
Connie Mack, 66
David Weldon, 66
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, 66
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, 66
Tom Feeney, 66
Mario Diaz-Balart, 66

Notice a pattern here? All of the Dems have 100%, while none of the Republicans has anything better than a mid-range "D." So much for supporting disabled troops.

IAVA:

Bill Nelson, A+
Allen Boyd, A
Corrine Brown, A
Kathy Castor, A
Timothy Mahoney, A
Kendrick Meek, B
Robert Wexler, A
D. Wasserman Schultz, A+
Ron Klein, A+
Alcee Hastings, A

Mel Martinez, B
Jeff Miller, B
Ander Crenshaw, B
G. Brown-Waite, B
Cliff Stearns, B
John Mica, B
Ric Keller, A
Gus Bilirakis, A
C.W. Bill Young, B
Adam Putnam, C
Vern Buchanan, B
Connie Mack, B
Dave Weldon, C
I. Ros-Lehtinen, A
L. Diaz-Balart, B
Tom Feeney, B
M. Diaz-Balart, B

Republicans do a little better on this one, with Keller, Bilirakis and Ros-Lehtinen all getting an "A." Dems still do better, Meek has the lowest grade on our side of the aisle, and he still has a "B." The only "A+" grades amongst Florida's delegation are Dems and the only grades below "B" are all Republicans. Again, which party actually supports the troops?

Crist and Greer Should Follow Own Advice on Ethics and Honesty, Cancel Feeney Fundraiser‏

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

For Immediate Release: October 7, 2008

Crist and Greer Should Follow Own Advice on Ethics and Honesty, Cancel Feeney Fundraiser

As Governor Charlie Crist and RPOF Chairman Jim Greer host a fundraiser today for the FBI's Representative # 3, aka Congressman Tom Feeney, it appears that their words about ethics and honesty don't match up with their deeds.

While defending his decision to host a Feeney fundraiser, Greer said: "People make mistakes. He said he made a mistake, and I think voters like to have someone who's honest." [Orlando Sentinel, 10/5/08]

We think voters like to have someone who's honest as well, which is why voters in Florida's 24^th District are supporting Suzanne Kosmas, a candidate who shares their priorities and doesn't have to apologize for a record of corruption.

Crist also should answer for this hypocritical fundraiser, given that he promised "the most ethical government possible, the most open and transparent government possible," [Pensacola News Journal, 1/07/07] and yet is helping fill the coffers of one of the Most Corrupt Members of Congress.

Since Feeney was named the 6^th Most Vulnerable Incumbent in the country by Roll Call today, Empty Chair Charlie must have decided he could put that promise on hold.

"If Governor Crist and Jim Greer were taking their own advice when it comes to ethics and honesty, there is no way they would be hosting a fundraiser for Tom Feeney, who is plagued by ethical problems and under FBI investigation," said Eric Jotkoff, spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party.  "Governor Crist should cancel tonight's fundraiser, since Feeney's unethical behavior and record of deception is exactly what's wrong with politics today."

Get all of the facts about Feeney's corruption scandal at: www.feeneysfullofit.com.

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DCCC Slams Feeney for Abramoff Scandal

Kosmas Responds to Feeney's Apology

Feeney Apology Remix

(Sent to me by a friend in South Florida who wishes to remain anonymous...)

Tom Feeney gave a fake apology over his ethical troubles, here are the facts...



If you want Feeney out of Washington, contribute to Suzanne Kosmas

Fox Fact Checks Feeney's Apology Ad -- It's Dishonest, What A Shocker

See the full report