RULE 8 - Endorsements A. The State Executive Committee may endorse, certify or recommend candidates in contested Republican primaries only upon unanimous approval of the Executive Board and the approval of 60% of the State Executive Committee at a meeting called for that purpose and at which a quorum is present. Republican Party of Florida Rules of Procedure

I have two very good reasons to be thankful on this Johnnie Byrd weekend: Rick Scott & Republican Hypocrisy

Thank Goodness for Rick Scott.

The ‘folks’ made a statement this week. We are sick and tired of career politicians and big money interests ‘lording’ over state government and the election process. The folks are tired of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) puppet masters running the show.

I might add that every Republican in the state of Florida actually owes an additional debt of gratitude to Rick Scott. He is the only person right now who actually can deliver on the stated purpose of the Florida Republican Party:

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this State Committee shall be:
A. To develop a strong, effective, and informed Republican Party in Florida.
B. To support the principles, objectives, and platforms of the Republican Party and to
secure the election of all duly nominated Republican candidates.
C. To encourage able and qualified Republicans to seek office at all levels of government.

The wonderful thing is that Rick Scott has a message; he has a plan. Rick Scott’s plan to rejuvenate Florida’s economy excites people. The rank and file Republicans will now support Scott gleefully. They have been unfettered from having to support the guy whose ‘turn is next’. We have been freed from the Bob Dole effect and can get behind someone who exudes confidence in less taxes, less regulation and more personal freedom. We can get behind someone who doesn’t believe government is the answer. People are excited about the chance. I predict a Scott blowout in November and some real change for the better in Florida government and politics.

Thank Goodness for Republican Hypocrisy

The RPOF has just had the proverbial Aqua Velva slap. RPOF Chairman John Thrasher needs to regain his moral authority - and in a hurry. By taking sides in the Republican primary, Chairman Thrasher made a big mistake. It wasn’t a technical violation for him to endorse in a personal capacity, but it gave the wrong impression. At any rate, this hypocrisy revealed can allow the RPOF to redeem itself, and I believe it will.

I still can’t help but ask, “What was Republican Party Chairman John Thrasher thinking?” I don’t really know, but I am sure Thrasher will think twice before he ‘blows off’ the cardinal Republican rule of primary election neutrality again. Like most of us Republicans in the ‘outback’, I believe in power of conservative ‘principles’ not in the power of big money interests who pay the bills, but don’t care about principles unless it gets them their way. I am sure that Thrasher will get behind Scott in a hurry and do a lot of reflection on how to balance those interests in the future. Job number one right now is to pull the RPOF back together.

It’s time to shake off this issue and win in November - the future of our state and country depends on it. Now’s the time for every good conservative to call the RPOF office and ask what you can do. You can’t do everything, but you can do something. Hillsborough County Chairwoman Deborah Cox can use your help. Go to the RPOF website and check it out and then step out to do something for your state and county.
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Tags: Mike Haridopolos, Larry Cretul, Will Weatherford, Dean Cannon, John Thrasher