Deerfield Democrats ban state legislator for endorsing Charlie CristBy Anthony Man
October 14, 2010 09:10 AM
The Deerfield Beach Democratic Club has banned lifelong Democrat Maria Sachs, a member of the state Legislature, from any of its future events because she endorsed Gov. Charlie Crist’s no party affiliation ban for governor.
She currently a state representative and is about to become the new state senator for northern Broward and southwestern Palm Beach County. ..... And she’s supporting Crist instead of the Democratic Senate nominee, Congressman Kendrick Meek, prompting a strong reaction from the Deerfield club.
Bernie Parness, president of the club, wrote “with a heavy heart” to Sachs telling her she’s now unwelcome. The letter was signed by the club’s officers and board members.
“We have vowed to support the Democratic candidates without fail,” Parness wrote. “By supporting Charlie Crist you have spit in the face of every officer and board member."
“Be it resolved from this day forward we, as a club will no longer invite or allow you to speak or attend any function under our banner…. It’s your choice because you have left us none.”
Sachs said she stands by her Crist endorsement despite the problem it’s causing her with an important Democratic constituent group.
She said her goal is to prevent Republican Marco Rubio from getting elected to the U.S. Senate.
“This is paramount. This is our goal. Every Democrat has to find their own ways of standing up for our principles and stopping this surge of right-wing conservatism that’s sweeping our country.
“Every Democrat is trying to do something about it, and this is my motive and this is my goal. And this is the way I’m doing it. And every democrat can do it in the way that they feel is best for our party.”
Parness’ language was strong, but Sachs said she understands why.
“Many of the Democrats whom I represent are passionate about their principles and about their party, it doesn’t shock or surprise me. We all have to do whatever we see fit to stop this wave. So you know he and I may differ on the ways to do it, but we certainly don’t differ on the passion,” Sachs said. “I have a lot of respect for them. They’re just passionate about keeping our state as democratic as possible.”
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This lifelong Democrat and a state legislator is unafraid to make the choice between what is good for the state of Florida versus what is good for the Democratic Party.
She is facing the same type of vehement opposition and punitive actions that many other Democrats have been subjected to regarding this US Senate race, and is moving forward with not only a graceful respect for her party's action taken against her, but also the type of courage that we must find within ourselves to make the very best decision we can for the long term health of our state.
There comes a time when the concern for the future of Florida and the rest of the nation supersedes harsh, unyielding party politics. We, as Floridians, are now facing the decision to guide Florida into the future and away from bitter, destructive partisanship.
We do not want to lose this election to an unabashed right-wing radical, because of bitter narrow-mindedness and self-preservation. If this happens, the Florida Democratic Party will slide further into bickering disarray that will ensure many more years of dark and rudderless existence that will prove inadequate for turning back the ravages of Republican Party control over our state government.
A vote for Marco Rubio, either directly or by default, will set Florida back for years into the future, long past the backbiting and finger pointing that will also go on for years if this radical tea party and Jeb Bush-groomed extremist goes to Washington.
The ultimate goal in this race is comprehending the further ravages and contamination that this dogmatic candidate's advance will bring to national politics, and then voting to bring it to full stop.Thank you, Democratic Legislator Maria Sachs, for your unwavering principles and your courage and grace to carry them out.