Details from the Swamp that we call Florida Politics....FL 16...Lutrin speaks out.

[madfloridian]

I have posted here before about several campaigns here in Florida in which Democrats who were already running, were building great creds, just needed some party support and financing....but were either asked to drop out or in effect forced out by funds being dried up. David Lutrin is one of those I wrote about in Florida 16.

Lutrin is blogging at Firedoglake today with an introduction by Howie Klein of DownwithTyranny. It is apparently his first time blogging.

This verifies that one person chose the candidate here, and that he was a Republican. The DCCC handpicked a Republican millionaire in this district. The post so far (you have to keep refreshing comments) does not mention that our state chairwoman was with Rahm on this, but she was paying a visit/visits there to see Mahoney as well.

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/01/06/blue-america-from-the-swamps-of-florida-politics-please-welcome-a-true-believer-david-lutrin/

Blue America: From the Swamps Of Florida Politics, Please Welcome a True Believer, David Lutrin

First a little background on the district and race. FL-16 wasn't exactly a district anyone was really targeting for a Democratic take over. It's a pretty Republican, rural district cutting right across the state from coast to coast, and it was represented by a fairly popular, well-entrenched incumbent, albeit a Bush rubber stamp. When school teacher and union member Dave Lutrin decided to run, it was because of his dismay with the occupation of Iraq and his dismay about how Bush had been running our country into the ground. He wanted something better for his young daughter and, as an idealistic and progressive Democrat, he decided Foley didn't merit a free ride to re-election. Not what you'd call a political insider, and severely un-financed, Dave vowed to give incumbent Mark Foley a grassroots race based on the day's burning issues, the kind of race that swept similar Democratic outsiders like Jerry McNerney, Carol Shea-Porter, John Yarmuth, Nancy Boyda, Chris Murphy, John Hall, Jason Altmire, Chris Carney, Patrick Murphy, Bruce Braley and Paul Hodes into office in November.

Early on in the process– in mid-2005– Dave contacted Democratic Party organizations throughout the district, as well as the state party and the DCCC in Washington. Everyone was enthusiastic and encouraging. Glen Rushing, the DCCC point person for the region, told Dave he was "just the type of candidate we're looking for." He offered to introduce him to Alabama Congressman Artur Davis, the DCCC-appointed mentor for Democratic candidates in the region, who following their first phone conversation offered to help him with his race. Rushing then promised to get him in touch with Florida DCCC chief, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Emanuel's lieutenant for the Southeast.

Then something happened, something very dark and secretive, something people are just uncovering now.

I am glad he is speaking out. I think it was good to wait until after the election, but it is a good thing for our Democracy to have a voice in the primaries. If the committees and state chairs can do all the picking, then we lose our voice.

It is my understanding he is planning on running again.

[IndyOp]

1. Important post. With only 9 of 35 of Rahm's hand-picked candidates winning

in 2006 - I hope we've seen the last of Rahm.

:(

[madfloridian]

5. I noticed that comment. Interesting.

I had not seen it analyzed that way before.

I noticed that Dean in that video mentioned that TV ads were needed of course, but that connecting other ways was important.

They did a lot of ads on conservative radio, did some creative things.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/661

[madfloridian]

2. This post by Lutrin stunned me. He says more coming in book...

if he ever gets it written. I just sort of took this pretty casually until I found this in the comments...which you have to keep refreshng.

Andrew C. White @ 81

"I guess I do have time for one more question.

Dave… I’m curious about this comment by Howie:

And Mahoney offered him an intricate bribe to drop out of the race and run against Republican Bill Young in FL-10 instead.

Can you expand on this without getting into things that are better left unsaid on a public blog?"

Lutrin responds to Andrew:

Lutrin: "The details will be in my book (if I ever get to writing it) but, the very first time that I met Tim, he was very well prepared (by the DCCC) and offered me a deal with considerable value to vacate the race in District 16, so that he wouldn’t have to spend any money on a primary against me, and I should run in District 10 against Bill Young, who was unopposed, at that time.

Someone pointed out in a later comment that this was probably not illegal to offer something since they were private citizens. Not very good, though.

[Tuesday_Morning]

3. K & R!

important discussion!

[madfloridian]

4. From the comments...stances Mahoney is taking now. Not happy about this.

"In the newspapers in District 16 during the past 6 months, Mahoney has endorsed Bush’s capital gains and dividends tax cuts, Bush’s “guest worker” program, and is anti-abortion."

And a comment from Klein about talking to Hoyer about FL 13, because Jan was effectively diminished. I have said often that Jan is a friend, and that race hit home.

"Howie Klein says:

January 6th, 2007 at 1:36 pm *

Ronzoni Rigatoni @ 159

I was a li’l surprised that Jennings beat Jan Schneider in the Dem primary down here in still undecided FL-13. From Jennings’ background (former RepugniKKKan), I now suspect Emmanuel had a hand in here as well. Gotta get ridda this guy.
Howie:
"I wish Jan would let me talk freely about what went on in that district. Emanuel was as vicious to her as he was to anyone whose campaign he tried to derail. But she asked me not to publish the specifics. (I confronted Hoyer on the phone with his role in this and it was the only time during our conversation where he kind of lost it. He was key, along with Rahm, in a series of dirty tricks employed against Jan on behalf of Jennings.)"

I am shaking my head in wonder.

[TSIAS]

6. Mahoney used to be a Republican

I certainly supported him over Negron, but his Democratic credentials were a bit shaky. In the debates, he refused to say that he'd support Pelosi (or any Democrat) for Speaker of the House.

Mahoney was handpicked by Emmanuel to run in this district. In fairness, even with the Foley scandal, he only defeated the replacement Republican by 1 %. Hopefully our 30 seat majority will allow us to lose his vote and still win the battles.

Mahoney will be a top-tier Republican target come 2008.

[madfloridian]

7. I am pretty sure Mahoney and Jennings and one who lost, Penberthy..

in Florida were told not to talk about Iraq. That is why this bothers me so much. I feel that taking a non-stance on Iraq was crucial to getting financial support.

For a committee chair to go out of his way to get someone to run from another party....well, it bothered me.

They have told candidates not to talk about leaving Iraq.

"EDGMONT, Pa., Oct. 12 — When Joe Sestak announced he was running for Congress, national Democrats and media consultants told him not to talk about pulling troops out of Iraq, arguing it would only encourage the image of Democrats as weak on national security.

Nine months later, having ignored their advice, Mr. Sestak has put a 20-year Republican incumbent on the run for the first time, turning a bid by a political novice into a real race. Polls show that Mr. Sestak is running even or better with his opponent, Representative Curt Weldon, and that the war more than any other issue is propelling voters toward him. "

[tsuki]

8. Thanks, madfloridian. As always, very informative. K&R.