Republican stranglehold in three key South Florida congressional districts in jeopardy

[Tony_FLADEM]

Source: St. Petersburg Times

MIAMI — Puerto Rican-born chef Julio Alicea, 63, used to be a Republican, voting in solidarity with the cause of Cuban exiles. Not this year.

"We are losing the American Dream. Who cares about Cuba?" he said, after casting an early ballot Tuesday for Raul Martinez, the Democratic challenger of Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

Alicea's rejection of Diaz-Balart, the eight-term incumbent in the 21st District, is a signal that the Republican stranglehold on three key congressional seats is in serious jeopardy. The races in the 18th, 21st and 25th districts are closer than they have been in two decades, and a Democratic win in any one of them would not only change the complexion of South Florida politics but potentially soften U.S. policy toward Cuba.

"We are witnessing a revolution in South Florida politics," said Fernand Amandi, vice president of Bendixen & Associates, a leading Hispanic polling firm in Miami that works with Democratic candidates.


Read more: www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/article881416.ece

[ellenfl]

1. excellent! the diaz-balart brothers and ros-lehtinen need to go! eom

[ACTION BASTARD]

2. A Puerto Rican republican? WTF?

That's like a chicken voting for KFC. Que Pendejo! Well, at least he's voting in his own self interest this time. Cabron.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

4. "like a chicken voting for KFC" - Too funny!

:spray:

[Laelth]

3. k&r for very good news.

Evidently, jingoism (like racism) has become a luxury we can no longer afford.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[KingFlorez]

5. It would be so phenomenal if these three lost

They've been some of Bush's biggest cheerleaders, it's past time they were defeated.

[florida08]

6. now that's

what I'm talking about. Kick those cons to the curb. American solidarity..gotta love it

[FloridaGrl]

7. This is great news

[pinerow]

8. Unfortunately, Puerto Rican Republicans are not that rare...

especially in South Florida...many in the Orlando area...they helped Mal Martinez get into office...remember that many PNP members live in Florida also