Silver Slipup
Rod Smith got a standing ovation at a Democratic dinner Friday at Tallahassee's Silver Slipper for a speech laced with barbs at Republicans, including how the party handled Terri Schiavo. "One party last year said we ought to intervene in the life of Terri Schiavo after 19 courts had ruled on it," Smith said, voice rising. "But the Florida Senate and my party said, 'No we don't belong in that!' "
Well, sort of. The man who so glowingly introduced Smith at the dinner, state Sen. Al Lawson of Tallahassee, voted with the Republicans on Schiavo.
Well, sort of. The man who so glowingly introduced Smith at the dinner, state Sen. Al Lawson of Tallahassee, voted with the Republicans on Schiavo.
52 Comments:
At 3:44 PM, June 19, 2006, jpublic said…
Oh, come on Adam… he said “My Party”… not “Every Member of My Party”.
I dig the standing ‘O’ though…
GO ROD!
At 3:52 PM, June 19, 2006, buzzlogin said…
I wonder how Michael Schiavo feels about Rod using his wife's name for political gain especially considering that Schiavo has endorsed Jim Davis.
At 3:59 PM, June 19, 2006, Marley6969 said…
Aren't these the guys who have both been yelling about politicizing her death? When you use it in a political stump speech, aren't you also politicizing the issue for your own gain, regardless of the side you took? Ironic...
At 4:03 PM, June 19, 2006, jpublic said…
buzz,
I’m guessing you’re being facetious. You wouldn’t have been so blatant with the whole “Hello pot…” on purpose would you?
At 4:07 PM, June 19, 2006, freeagentvoter said…
It would be very interesting to know what issues are most motivating to voters. Does anyone know a news organization that might be willing to engage in that kind of polling :-)
Pretty clearly, Democrats think the fight over Terri Schiavo is an example of government intrusion that will resonate with voters. My guess is most voters are conflicted enough about that whole situation that it won't make for a good rallying cry, but I've been wrong before.
I would think the issues that poll across party lines are homeowner's insurance, affordable housing, property taxes, and health insurance. Is Schiavo more top of mind than these? Is gay marriage?
At 4:16 PM, June 19, 2006, jpublic said…
Dead-nuts-on free. Good to read another one who feels my pain.
Party framing just to keep you busy at the water cooler with your co-workers, and to keep the politicians from addressing the real issues. Not that the whole Schiavo and gay marriage things aren’t issues… but they certainly do not rise to the level of reality points among the voters.
But… since when did you hear of a politician passing on a chance at opportunistic exploitation. Indeed, Schiavo was a hot topic… but we’re a 15-minute country and it’s old news.
For Rod’s part, I’m guessing it’s just a balance shot to cover Davis’ exploitation earlier this year. No news here!!!
At 4:22 PM, June 19, 2006, gopn1 said…
Oh yes, starving and dehydrating a disabled woman to death who had no advance written directive is something to be proud of.
The case represents one of the most shameful events in US history. Judge Greer got it wrong; the hearsay of Schiavo did not rise to the level of clear and convincing evidence. Rod Smith should know better than that.
Rod would be smart to let Davis rant about that & stay away from it.
Feeding tubes were not even considered "life support" under Florida law until 1999, and she allegedly said this statement in 1984, give me a break.
freeagent voter you are correct.
At 4:31 PM, June 19, 2006, feducator said…
I would guess if you are supporting a politician who supported the intervention - you would want it gone as fast as possible.
I will not be supporting anyone regardless of party who supported government getting involved....
At 4:44 PM, June 19, 2006, bobnbob said…
buzz.... Mr Schiavo is endorsing Jim Davis in the primary. However he has also said that he would endorse the Democratic candidate who wins the primary in the general election. I feel that Rod Smith will be that candidate
Rod Smith is the Democratic candidate that the republican machine fears most in Florida.
btw ...Rod Smith voted "nay" at the state level before it was hijacked by the federal govt. Rod has always fought for govt to stay out of Floridians' lives.
And yeah, Adam, I agree with jpublic ... "My party"
At 4:46 PM, June 19, 2006, bobnbob said…
btw buzzlogin ... Mr. Schiavo attended yearlykos in Vegas earlier this month ... he wrote a great diary on his panel that was well attended and got a lot of attention. Mr. Schiavo's personal fight became a national issue when DC hijacked his wife's issues as their own.
At 5:08 PM, June 19, 2006, Omega83 said…
gopn1~
you are so out of touch its ridiculous, and after all of the events of last spring, it amazes me people are left that still insist the "judges were wrong"
I am a rock-throwing Republican, but when I listened to th Florida Legislature debate on whether or not he was a good or bad husband
It scared me to see the party of individual liberty and limited government gorssly intruding in one's personal affairs, not to mention gross disregard for balance of power in government.
It may not be a motivating issue for every voter.
But it is for me, and many others for whom you may not be aware.
At 5:13 PM, June 19, 2006, bobnbob said…
omega ... amen darlin' ... this weekend while gathering petitions for candidates folks wanted to know about Rep Charlie Justice - he's a candidate for FL Senate Dist 16 - he was facing his own personal turmoil at the time with both of his parents. He didn't make the vote in the house as he was beside her mother those last days ... but he did add his vote later with a mention that at her deathbed - there was no room for Florida govt or fedral govt ... only her family and long time friend.
This issue was and will be a deciding factor with many republican straight voters.
At 5:50 PM, June 19, 2006, tonypants said…
Bobnbob,
You mean the post where he said this?
(emphasis mine)
"My decision to support Jim Davis was one I made personally after meeting with both Davis and Senator Rod Smith.
I appreciate Senator Smith and his role and actions in the Senate when Florida politicians tried to interfere in my family decisions.
But I and my PAC are supporting Jim Davis because he took action based on conviction in his heart and a clear sense of right and wrong. Jim Davis knew what Tom Delay, Bill Frist and the President were trying was wrong. Davis understood that at a personal level and felt a moral obligation to act.
I just didn't get the same sense from Senator Smith. Senator Smith and Congressman Davis may have acted similarly but my feelings about why they did it offered a clear contrast."
At 6:52 PM, June 19, 2006, freeagentvoter said…
On the issues thing...
I was just at Rod Smith's website looking for issue papers. Finally, on the right side, I saw a box that had three steps: Get Smart, Get Active, Get (I forget, frankly). So I clicked on the "Get Smart" link, which took me to the page headed "Issues."
And it said, "Coming soon."
That strikes me as not exactly the best way to recruit supporters.
At 7:53 PM, June 19, 2006, 1sourcem said…
The Schiavo controversy didn't move the voters to the Dems two years ago when it was fresh in the mind of the public. It is even less powerful now. The current posturing on Schiavo is intended only for the committed pro-choicers who vote in the party primary.
Since both candidates opposed intervention, how does this really help either in September?
For the record, the tragic circumstances in this case should prompt us all to prepare a living will, to prevent another family tragedy to devolve into an ugly circus of lawyers and press and politicians.
At 7:55 PM, June 19, 2006, Politico said…
You don't see issues on which Rod stands just yet b/c his web guy is trying to find the easiest way to copy Jim Davis's issues just like he always does.
Go Jim!
At 8:32 PM, June 19, 2006, garyesq said…
gopn1 - thanks for saving me the time
At 8:34 PM, June 19, 2006, PinellasPol said…
1sourcem -- ummm...you might want to check your timeline there. The Schiavo episode occurred in March of 2005. Not sure it could have been much of an issue in the 2004 election.
I think there are plenty of Republicans who have looked the other way on their party's stances on social issues who just couldn't stomach this one. They'll stay home or vote the other way.
As to whether or not Rod Smith (and for that matter Michael Schiavo and Jim Davis) are using Terri Schiavo for political gain, it is hardly using her name for political gain to point out that what the other party did was wrong and should not be allowed to happen again. That's running on an issue that matter to folks. And believe me, it matters to people whether Jeb and Bill Frist get to have input into a decision like that.
At 10:09 PM, June 19, 2006, gopn1 said…
omega 83 until you read the 1000's of pages of testimony I have, and KNOW the case, not just read the St. Pete Times or the AP wire, you wouldn't understand.
I don't form my opinion by innuendo, "rule of law", and newspapers; but by facts.
I don't give a rat's rip if I'm "out of touch."
This is about truth and principle--- DUH
I also attended the Schiavo seminar at Stetson Law school where this was discussed by a panel & where numerous N.E. ivey league end of life lawyers who are for death with dignity spoke. And they ALL said they didn't believe Terri Schiavo ever made that statement and it was bad precendent.
Even one of the main Stetson Law prof's, Professor Marks said if he had been a FL Supreme Court Justice after studying the evidence, would have (been a dissenting justice) ruled differently. That the law should have some play at the joints.
Any good lawyer, whether Democrat or Republican, that read the ruling knows that 16 yr old Hearsay testimony does not constitute clear and convincing evidence.
At 10:52 PM, June 19, 2006, DerekTNG said…
Guess we've already proved the Schiavo issue is a real issue this fall.
Every poll done on this shows it will work for Democrats this time for two reasons - 1) It shows how crazy the GOP base is and 2) the GOP just can't leave it alone.
We've seen right here that anyone who just mentions Schiavo gets the right-wing nuts all riled up. They don't want to let it go - they want to debate it again and again and again.
The more Republican politicians (Bill Frist, Mel Martinez, etc) try to back away from what they did, the more the nut jobs in their party bring it up.
Just one more note on this issue's play in politics - the most recent poll (ABC News) done this March (2006) showed something like 60% of self-described "evangelical" voters thought what the Republican Congress did was wrong. Among Democrats that number was close to 90%.
Show me another issue that polls like that and the Republican base wants to debate. There isn't one.
At 11:18 PM, June 19, 2006, politicol said…
gopn1,
Actually, it was admissible hearsay, and yes, that can be used to prove a case by clear and convincing evidence, preponderance of the evidence, and even beyond a rasonable doubt in a criminal case. It is evidence, and the fact finder can give it whatever weight he or she wants.
At 11:57 PM, June 19, 2006, gopn1 said…
politicol I have spoken with numerous lawyers and judges (appeals,federal, etc. (rep. & dem) and it is their opinion, this did not rise to that level.
Anyway, my point is, Rod should leave it alone, & stick with the issues.
It is horrible to politicize this case for personal gain.
At 6:01 AM, June 20, 2006, moderate said…
gopno1
"...it is horrible to use this case for political gain"
What?
TG and CC sure played up those hurricanes last year, for last bit of airtime they could get.
I really loved the dualing press releases every day about who to call if you got gouged.
Those two guys where trying to box each outher out like Charles Barkley whenever there was a camera withing a mile of where they where.
Way to utilize other peoples personal loss for political face time.
And Charlie Crist running around Tampa like he was fricken Grissom on CSI, after that little girl was abducted and killed at the car wash.
Both those jackasses use every occaisoin they can get to try and get on camera.
My wife and I came across our wedding video the other day. I would almost swear to God I saw TG and CC in the background trying to get some facetime.
Get off your high horse.
Every candidate has used this unfortunate situation in one way or another.
So Rod said it to a romm full of Democrats.
The other three go searching out cameras.
At 10:02 AM, June 20, 2006, jpublic said…
Amen to that moderate, Amen to that...
... enough said.
At 10:13 AM, June 20, 2006, fsupol said…
Isn't it cute how Rod Smith's staffers (like "moderate" and "jpublic") are so bored they have to create some buzz for their weak candidate on a blog?
Shouldn't you guys be out fundraising?
At 10:22 AM, June 20, 2006, jpublic said…
Looking for weak fsupol? … check your post sport… not a staffer… just know a winner when I see one.
GO ROD!
At 10:23 AM, June 20, 2006, garyesq said…
fsupol - First, to be clear, I am not a Rod staffer. Your post smakcs of someone who knows their candidate is going down in flames, so he tries to say the most outrageous thing to distract everyone else. Face it, Rod has all the mo and is going to win in Sept., while 419 sees it slowly slipping away. Even trotting out the chinos & Lawton's old shoes didn't help.
At 11:18 AM, June 20, 2006, 1sourcem said…
Pinellaspol,
Ummm, I checked my timeline, and the Florida Legislature jumped into the Schiavo mess as far back as December 2003! It was THE hot button issue in the 2004 Session. So the issue was alive and well (pun intended) during the 2004 elections in Florida. In that cycle we saw, ummmm, zero groundswell, zero backlash, zero net affect. This issue excites the base of both parties, but like abortion, the moderates in the middle simply don't want to hear about it. Candidates can use it safely enough at party functions, but its not a winning issue for either side statewide.
S692 GENERAL BILL by Wise; (CO-SPONSORS) Sebesta Incompetency/Nutrition/Hydration; cites act as "Starvation & Dehydration of Persons with Disabilities Prevention Act"; declares that incompetent person is presumed to have directed health care providers to provide necessary nutrition & hydration to sustain life; prohibits court, proxy, or surrogate from withholding or withdrawing nutrition or hydration except under specified circumstances, etc. Amends Ch. 765. EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.
At 12:32 PM, June 20, 2006, Politico said…
Moderate, it is increasingly clear you are a Rod campaign staffer because the ONLY candidate you talk about on here is Rod, and then you bash Jim Davis. Good cover, loser.
At 1:31 PM, June 20, 2006, Dixiecrat said…
Politico --
Umm, not to point out the obvious, but doesn't that just indicate that Moderate is a Rod Smith supporter?
I think he's metioned that himself, oh, 9000 or so times.
And it really doesn't halp you credibility to call people names just because they can out-argue you.
Must be really tough, fighting for a guy with no hope of winning -- esp. when his completely uninspiring campaign doesn't give you anything positive to talk about. I feel for you. I really do.
At 2:22 PM, June 20, 2006, moderate said…
uh politico
I have said numerous times who I am supporting in this race.
Rod Smith all the way baby.
loser?
Now we're calling people names and
that's the best you can do?
I'm going to let that one slide, based on your obvious youth and lack of intelectual capacity.
Let's not push our luck now, you never know who you're talking to.
At 2:23 PM, June 20, 2006, Politico said…
Nothing positive to talk about? How about Bob Graham, how about beating Smith is every poll since the beginning, and how about Jim's team out-fundraising Smith every financial quarter? Does that not count?
Creating a false victory is fine and good, but don't bank on it. Until then, leave "uninspiring" to the candidate who is losing in every way possible. Well, unless you count the DFA...which, by the way, no one does.
And Moderate, I don't care who you are. Don't try and scare me, you're a nobody just like every other Rod supporter.
Side note: Alex Sink for CFO!!!
At 2:31 PM, June 20, 2006, Politico said…
Sorry Rod Squad, while we have Graham, I failed to mention your gubernatorial endorsement...Wayne Mixson is it? Who? Huh? Wasn't he governor for 3 days?
Go back to Alachua and get real.
At 3:00 PM, June 20, 2006, Dixiecrat said…
Poor Bob Graham -- I bet he didn't know when he signe don that he was going to be your entire campaign message ... hate to tell you, but nothing offends informed voters more than a candidate trying to piggy-back his way into office.
At 3:14 PM, June 20, 2006, moderate said…
politico
pipe down big man, you don't want to work yourself into a little hissy fit do you?
man, you must be feeling a little froggy today
At 3:53 PM, June 20, 2006, gopn1 said…
moderate said:
"Every candidate has used this unfortunate situation in one way or another."
I guess you don't understand that over 170,000 people (both sides of the aisle) that petioned Gov. Bush did not want a disabled adult who WAS NOT dying starved to death that didn't have an advance written directive.
Not everyone that defended her or took a stand used this case, but she is dead, and this should not be part of the 2006 campaigns.
Was her barbaric death not enough?Candidates should give it a rest-- and campaign on the vision for Florida's future.
I am not "on a high horse" but I believe principle is worth defending and that would include the sanctity of human life.
At 4:09 PM, June 20, 2006, moderate said…
...the sanctity of human life?
what about the quality of human life?
the closest person to this woman claimed he knew her wishes
and don't act like those 170,000 petitioners weren't turning this issue into anti-abortion fight.
sancitity? the conservatives were using this poor woman as a platform for their pro-life fight.
Plain and simple.
she was obviously suffering. But the right wing didn't care about that, all they cared about was their right-to-life crusade
At 4:11 PM, June 20, 2006, jpublic said…
gopn1,
“Bush did not want a disabled adult who WAS NOT dying starved to death…”
You’re correct, she was not dying… she was already dead doc.
Bush could care less about her… he used her as much as the rest of the pathetic R’s did. (…and some D’s, I know)
It isn’t part of the ’06 campaigns because nobody cares. But not for the reasons you may think. Nobody cares because the vast majority would have done the same thing to prevent her suffering.
Bush cared as much for Schiavo as mama Barb did for the Katrina refugees in Texas… just as long as they don’t stay.
And politico… “Sorry Rod Squad, while we have Graham…”… so does the Food Network, and it isn’t doing them much good either.
GO ROD!
At 4:52 PM, June 20, 2006, gopn1 said…
"she was obviously suffering"
Yeah correct, stuck in a hospice for 5 years (13 years w/no rehab) and deprived of even going outside; orders of the loving husband. But she was not dying, it was a feeding tube that's it.
Her family- mother, father, siblings etc. loved her and merely wanted to take her home and care for her. This is not about "right to lifers," that is not true.
both you and politico are stereotyping my opinion. You are wrong, and ever so appropriately your party's mascot is the donkey; which also(fittingly) goes by another name as well.
Have a great day!
At 5:01 PM, June 20, 2006, moderate said…
uh gop1
I'm a registered republican and former employee of the RPOF
my party?
At 5:19 PM, June 20, 2006, jpublic said…
…and you have no knowledge of what party, if any, I belong to.
Check the mirror for the stereotype-ist, peanut… that of course was a reference to you Party’s mascot.
Also, check the Hospice visitor records to find out how much her siblings loved her.
Let her rest in peace… that is until Jeb and the boys want to exploit her again.
And please… you try to have a better day, in the real world that is.
It’s fun, you should try it.
At 5:28 PM, June 20, 2006, Dixiecrat said…
Please let's let this woman rest in peace, and allow her family the dignity of grieving without the interference of outsiders. No point in dragging this through the press again.
At 6:29 PM, June 20, 2006, gopn1 said…
moderate:
See it wasn't even evident you were a Republican, and I have read your post for months, lol!
I'm sorry.
jpublic I'm sorry you are so grumpy today.
I had a great day; in the world where people are valued more than sea turtles, seals, bald eagles and manatees.
At 7:47 PM, June 20, 2006, nole1 said…
Dixiecrat said...
Poor Bob Graham -- I bet he didn't know when he signe don that he was going to be your entire campaign message ... hate to tell you, but nothing offends informed voters more than a candidate trying to piggy-back his way into office.
Tell that to Mel Martinez. I have never seen someone piggy back off of anyone as hard as he did off of W. Every time I heard a radio spot I had to really think if I was listening to an ad for W or Martinez. Informed voters or not, it sure worked for him.
At 7:52 PM, June 20, 2006, moderate said…
In all honesty, both of our U.S, Senators seem like "empty suits" to me.
At 7:56 PM, June 20, 2006, nole1 said…
Moderate,
I find it hard to believe that you are a Republican and worked for the RPOF yet are supporting Smith. Crist and Gallagher are not moderate enough for you? It isn't like we are running Pat Buchanan on the ticket. Just a shot in the dark but I suspect you are a lobbyist and have some kind of tie to Smith that would benefit you if he were to win but will switch sides at the very end if it looks like Crist is going to pull it out. Am I close?
At 9:02 PM, June 20, 2006, moderate said…
nole1
nope
not currently a lobbyist
I've just know TG for alot of years and can honestly say, "I've never met a bigger jerkoff in my life"
and as you should know by being around this business, there are alot of a**holes. There are a few good ones, but not enough. (and by good ones, I mean the Marco Rubios, Dan Gelbers, Allen Benses, and yes Rod Smiths of the world, I'll even toss the skipper in there on his good days)
But TG is primo a**hole of them all.
I think Charlie Crist is a descent(sp?) guy and if it's Davis Vs. Crist, I will most certainly vote for Crist. Haven't decided on the rest of my statewide ticket yet, but Lopez-Cantera is my Rep. and I feel like I'm well represented. Heck I may even put a yard sign out for him.
I must say, that I have become more moderate on social issues as I gotten older. and the student body right play that the current legislature has done has allienated me.
As for Smith, I think when you take into consideration all aspects of these candidates, Smith is intellectually superior than the rest, morally superior than at least TG, creates a better balance than the total R rule that we would get with CC, and I don't think Jim Davis could create enough leverage against the legislature to bring this ship back towards the center.
In sumation:
TG = a**hole
CC = OK but all show no substance
JD = No show and No substance
RS = Bring more to the table in the way of shaking thing up a little bit.
How's that
At 9:28 PM, June 20, 2006, Paul D. Harvill said…
At times Senator Lawson listens to a different drummer.
At 9:30 PM, June 20, 2006, Paul D. Harvill said…
Buzz Login:
"I wonder how Michael Schiavo feels about Rod using his wife's name for political gain especially considering that Schiavo has endorsed Jim Davis."
.......
They have all politized Terri Schiavo.
At 9:32 PM, June 20, 2006, Paul D. Harvill said…
Moderate:
What is your specific "beef" with Tom Gallagher?
Paul
At 10:02 PM, June 20, 2006, nole1 said…
OK Moderate. Well stated and I agree with you in at least one aspect. TG is an ahole. Crist is a bit wiser than he is given credit but he would be well served to get some smart people around him when he is elected. Sometimes that isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as those people are well chosen and aren't aholes themselves. As far as Democrats go Smith and Campbell are pretty good guys. I am definitely more to the right than you in my politics but I won't hold that against you.
At 5:55 AM, June 21, 2006, moderate said…
paul
arrogant
pompus
condecending
aloof
treats people badly (especially women)
as was refered to earlier in this post, obviously treats animals badly
he's a phony
he's a bully
self serving
He is a charicature of what everybody believes is wrong with politicians.
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