Bill Clinton flies from Davos to take sides in the Florida senate seat primary race.

[madfloridian]

He flew from Switzerland to endorse Kendrick Meek for the Mel Martinez senate seat. I really don't appreciate it when a Democrat does this, especially the former president. Dan Gelber has also announced to run, and this is going to hurt him.

Looks like there might be a little bit of primary angst still going on, which is a shame though not surprising.

Meek raises 300K for Senate run


Kendrick Meek

Former President Bill Clinton flew to Miami all the way from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland for U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek's first fundraiser for his U.S. Senate campaign. Chris Korge, who hosted the event at his home in Pinecrest, said Clinton helped bring in $300,000.

"He rarely gets involved in (Democratic) primaries,'' said Korge, who has hosted the Clintons many times. "He has really gotten to know Kendrick personally, and he thinks he would be a great senator.''

Korge added that Meek is hoping to post a big fundraising number for the first three months of the year.

"If Kendrick can raise seven figures the first quarter when the economy is in shambles -- that would be a huge feat in this economy,'' Korge said. "Having Bill Clinton willing to do these things for him is going to make it possible for Kendrick to raise significant money outside of Florida."

This also indicates to me that at least one of the big Clinton donors who threatened Chairman Howard Dean monetarily during the primary if he did not seat the state's delegates and over rule the Rules Conmittee is continuing to make decisions for our state.

Korge asked that his money be returned from the DNC.

Christopher Korge, a Florida real estate developer who is another top fund-raiser for Mrs. Clinton, held an event last year in his home that brought in about $140,000 for the national party, which was set aside in a special account for the general election battle in Florida. But he told committee officials this week that if Florida’s delegate conundrum was not settled satisfactorily he would be asking for the money back.

“If we do not resolve this issue,” Mr. Korge said, “I think it’s safe to say there will be a request for a return of $140,000.”

Also running in the primary, at least for now, is Dan Gelber. He was an Obama supporter in the primaries.

State Sen. Dan Gelber to run for U.S. Senate

The fledgling Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Florida could be mistaken for Barack Obama vs. Hillary Clinton, part deux.

State Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, who launched his campaign Tuesday, was an ardent Obama supporter. He has hired Obama's Florida director and landed at least two of his top fundraisers.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami, who started running for Senate two weeks ago, was a leading Clinton ally. He has tapped Clinton's deputy finance director in Florida and will hold his first fundraiser Friday with former President Bill Clinton.

It is my personal opinion that Bill Clinton should stay out of the primaries in our state. I further believe that all Democratic party leaders should adopt the policy of staying out of primaries. In my mind that includes picking the candidate and forcing others out.

[Clintonista2]

1. Thanks for your concern!

N/t

[madfloridian]

2. I don't have a choice in the race.

I just don't like Democratic party leaders pushing a candidate in a primary.

[KittyWampus]

3. I think you could figure out a way to connect ANY news story to Howard Dean

e

[madfloridian]

4. Change of name...

List updating.

[Clintonista2]

5. LOL!

[Pirate Smile]

6. Meeks endorsed Hillary during the Primaries and stuck with her throughout the extended battle.

I'm sure the Clinton's appreciated that support and are giving it back.

[madfloridian]

10. It is their right to do so. It is my right to wish Dem leaders let primaries alone.

But then what does it matter after all.

[anonymous171]

7. This is what politicians do.

Bill Clinton is trying to maintain his power status by rewarding those who have helped him. Certainly nothing unusual about it. I for one am glad he's pulling this shit out now and not during the general.

[msongs]

8. yeah right, bill clinton should give up his freedoms of speech and association for you. ok nt

[madfloridian]

9. Then it's ok for the DCCC and the DSCC to pick our candidates also?

Then why bother to have primaries, and why bother to form progressive groups to run candidates?

[madfloridian]

11. Now that I think about it, probably a good idea. Will save us money.

I really think we foolishly spent our donations thinking we could make a difference in getting progressive candidates to be viable in races.

Actually, that is just a pipe dream, and it will be easier for the candidates to be picked and supported by the party and the committee leaders. That way has been proven to work better than the puny amounts from the grassroots.

So really the big money does get to make the difference. Just a lot wiser now. Guess I should not have written this...let them decide between Gelber and Meek. Cheaper for the average guy that way.

[madrchsod]

13. president obama when running for senator

was`t endorsed by the power brokers in illinois. yet he beat the machines chosen one and well the rest is history. i`m getting the feeling that certain florida democrats are in it for themselves and the hell with the rest of the party.

[Pirate Smile]

21. Ummm - Gelber can still campaign and win the Primary. I remember everyone thinking Hillary Clinton

had the Presidential Nomination all sewn up before the race even started. She had the establishment for her. Guess what? The people do still get to vote.

Clinton's endorsement does not mean Meeks automatically wins and Gelber loses.

Based on this thinking, Obama should have never even tried to run for President against the Clinton machine.

[Clintonista2]

22. ...

:eyes:

[Hippo_Tron]

12. You're basically trying to take "the establishment" out of politics and that isn't possible

People advance in politics largely based on who they know. That's something that has not changed and will never change in the history of politics. Sometimes non-establishment underdogs can defeat the establishment. But there is always going to be an establishment.

[madfloridian]

14. Yep.

You are right. We were foolish to run candidates outside the system.

[Hippo_Tron]

15. Not foolish to run candidates outside the system...

Candidates outside of the system sometimes to end up beating the establishment. But ranting about how the establishment is not making it fair for the anti-establishment candidate is foolish. Politics isn't fair.

[madfloridian]

16. I said I was wrong, and I am not really griping.

Now that the passion of politics is gone for us, hubby and I are saving money and looking back at how silly we were to care so much.

[MasonJar]

17. It seems like many dems took sides in the presidential primary (almost

all.) Was that wrong? Or is it only wrong when Bill Clinton does it? I'd say a dem has the right to fundraise for another dem...now going all out for a GOPer like Lie-man did is different.

[madfloridian]

18. I just posted that I think it is easier for the party leaders to choose

the candidates. It's saves the money of progressives when the candidate often has to leave the race anyway.

:shrug:

I thought about it, and it is fine. It's how it's always worked.

[madfloridian]

19. Why would going all out for Lieberman be different.

Many of our Florida Dems are much like him.

[Divine Discontent]

20. you got that right!

I want the most progressive minded person for the job in the Senate... Martinez is a joke - we need a clean break, also, from the weak-assed conservative-Democrats that are typical in the South. I want a senator like Betty Castor would have been - not what we got in Martinez (had to be fraud there... Mel is a joke).

I want a senator that will stand up for workers, against the corporate & war profiteering mafia, who promotes education, civil rights for all, and an eye for justice.

I'm thinking others have a good chance still.