|
Greene now receptive to lifting Cuba embargo
That yacht trip to Cuba just keeps coming back to haunt Democratic Senate hopeful Jeff Greene.
The much-discussed trip didn't come up on This Week in South Florida Sunday morning. But it must have been in the back of viewers' minds when Greene said he has had a change of heart on his support of the Cuban trade embargo.
"I have thought about this a lot, you know, the past few weeks, and I'm really beginning to rethink my own opinion that," Greene told WPLG-ABC 10's Michael Putney. "I'm thinking now we have to take a close look at opening travel to Cuba, and the trade embargo."
Greene went on to call the embargo "a 50-year plan that's failed." "We've hurt the impoverished people of Cuba," he said. "For Florida, we're the biggest losers," he added, arguing that any trade or travel to Cuba would likely include a stop through Florida.
"I'm not saying let's open the doors tomorrow, but I'm saying when I get to the Senate I want to take a close look at considering making a revision to this, what is absolutely a failed policy."
In response, Kendrick Meek chuckled and said, "Well...I haven't had a change in opinion on Cuba in the last two weeks, and I don't know why Mr. Greene would change in the last two weeks. Maybe he can explain to us why." Meek reiterated his support for the embargo, adding: "I am open to looking at other tools that would bring about free democracy in Cuba."
Greene then countered, "As I traveled around Florida the last few weeks, as I talked to Cuban Americans and all Floridians, for the most part, most Floridians now want to open up trade, travel to Cuba. That's how most Floridians feel."
Patricia Mazzei
Most Recent Blog Posts
About the blog
For Florida political news today, the Buzz is your can't-miss-it source. Tampa Bay Times writers offer the latest in Florida politics, the Florida Legislature and the Rick Scott administration. Keep in mind: This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the Tampa Bay Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.
E-mail Times political editor Adam Smith: asmith@tampabay.com
Advertisement
Most Popular Categories
ON TWITTER
SPECIAL REPORTS
- Gov. Rick Scott
- Sen. Marco Rubio
- Inside the Gov. Scott's inner circle
- State government: All checks, no balance
SITES OF INTEREST
POLITICAL LINKS
- Republican Party of Florida
- Florida Democratic Party
- Division of Elections
- State of Florida
- State legislature
- Campaign contributions
- Federal campaign contributions
TIMES COLUMNS
- Tallahassee Bureau Chief Steve Bousquet
- Political Editor Adam C. Smith
- Senior correspondent Lucy Morgan
REAL CLEAR POLITICS BLOG
POLITICS HEADLINES from the AP
Comment Policy
| Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that: |
| Is libelous |
| Is abusive, harassing, or threatening |
| Is obscene, vulgar, or profane |
| Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive |
| Is illegal or encourages criminal acts |
| Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution |
| Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others |
| Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious) |
| Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises |
| Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy. |
Registration FAQ
| Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site. |
