What I Like About Sandy Murman
What I like About Sandy Murman
by Johnnie ByrdWith a nickname like ‘the Murmanator’ you’d expect high energy, and that’s what you get with Sandy Murman.
When we served together in the State House, I used to kid Murman that whenever I had an idea for a great bill - she had already filed it. Just take a look at Sandy’s profile page while she served in the Florida House. You can see that no mere mortal could keep up with Sandy Murman for legislative and community service, not to mention endless accolades from every known constituent support group.
I like Murman’s platform. It’s conservative and straightforward; it’s solid and measurable. She wants a performance based budget and 5% less taxes. On the economic development front Sandy knows that most new jobs in any community come from growth of existing small businesses, and she will require that economic development programs are accountable, not millstones around the neck of taxpayers and their children and grandchildren (that would be a first).
But, knowing Sandy as I do, there is something more profound going on with her these days. What do I think? Sandy has finally realized that the silk stocking crowd is out of touch with the people she wants to represent.
Yes, Sandy is more conservative today than ever, and I am proud of her for it. She’s come a long way from being the moderate darling of the Tampa Tribune and the Davis Island crowd. Sometimes it is a wake up call when the Trib dumps you like last years prom date and the in-crowd has move on to a newer, younger, stronger golden boy. It hurts, but it awakens. Now we’ll see the real Sandy Murman.
How do I know that Sandy believes in the fundamental righteousness of conservative, free market philosophy? Because, she was there when I brought in the big name free market economic gurus, like Stephen Moore and Arthur Laffer, to address our Republican caucus meetings. And, for those of you who wonder about her stands on social issues, there’s never been a doubt that Sandy is a social conservative either because she was our ‘go to’ member when a pro-life bill needed to be moved through the Florida House. (I’m sorry Sandy, the silk stocking crowd may not have heard this.)
This time Sandy knows that the ‘folks’ count - Yes, the ‘folks’ that don’t read the Trib and have never been on a host committee for a ritzy downtown fundraiser. But, Sandy knows that the folks have the final say on just who THEY want to lead.
Sandy’s become a ‘believer’ and that’s what I like about Sandy Murman.
