Florida Democrats Launch “Not Paid for by Jon Huntsman” Video Highlighting His Support For Ending Medicare As We Know It

As Jon Huntsman returns to Florida, the Florida Democratic Party today launched a web video entitled “Not Paid for by Jon Huntsman” to highlight Huntsman’s support for ending Medicare as Floridians know it. Watch “Not Paid for by Jon Huntsman” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cni_upJKS4

“Since kicking off his campaign, Jon Huntsman has transformed himself from a moderate Governor of Utah and a member of President Obama’s administration into just another in a string of Republican candidates who are pandering to the right-wing of their base. He has switched his positions on health care, cap-and-trade, and the Recovery Act,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith. “But Floridians are most disappointed in Huntsman’s support for Paul Ryan’s plan to balance the budget on the back of seniors by ending Medicare as we know it.”

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Florida Democratic Party Highlights How Jon Huntsman’s Policies Would Hurt Floridians

*** You can listen to a recording of the call here ***

The Florida Democratic Party hosted a press call today to highlight how Jon Huntsman’s support to end Medicare as we know it will adversely affect Floridians. Since declaring for office, Jon Huntsman has voiced his support for the Republican passed budget that included a Medicare plan that would cut taxes for wealthy Americans by passing the burden onto middle class families and senior citizens. It would turn Medicare into a voucher program that would add more than $7,300 in out of pocket costs to Florida’s senior citizens.

Bernadette Ohran of Gulfport and Patricia Kemp of Tampa both expressed their concern for Huntsman’s plans to slash Medicare. Excerpts of the call are below:

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Contact: Eric Jotkoff, (850) 222-3411 PRESS CALL FRIDAY: Florida Democratic Party to Hold Press Conference Call on Jon Huntsman’s Trip to Florida

The Florida Democratic Party will host a press conference call at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 8, 2011 highlighting the stories of Floridians who would be burdened with excessive out-of-pocket expenses under the Republican budget plan Jon Huntsman supports. Huntsman supports the radical Republican plan that would balance the budget on the backs of Florida’s seniors and end Medicare as we know it.

Since declaring his candidacy for president, Jon Huntsman has yet to propose his own plan to create jobs for working Americans. Instead he has supports a budget plan that would extend tax cuts for the wealthy by cutting benefits to senior citizens and cutting investments in educations and the jobs of the future.

What:Press conference call highlighting the stories of Floridians who would be burdened with excessive out-of-pocket expenses under the Huntsman-endorsed budget plan

When: Friday, July 8, 2011 at 1:30 PM

Call in number:RSVP to Eric Jotkoff at ejotkoff@fladems.com

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Contact: Eric Jotkoff, (850) 222-3411

Florida Democratic Party: Whose Side Are Haridopolos, Hasner & LeMieux On? Millionaires or Middle Class Floridians?

Senate Moves to Debate Call for Shared Sacrifice While Haridopolos, Hasner and LeMieux Stay on the Sidelines

A bipartisan group of Senators voted to move forward with a debate on a resolution that would call for millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share of taxes, but Mike Haridopolos, Adam Hasner, and George LeMieux are sitting on the sidelines, leaving Floridians wondering whose side they are on. Florida Democrats are calling for Haridopolos, Hasner, and LeMieux to finally stand up for middle class families in Florida, not just millionaires.

“At virtually every opportunity they’ve had, Republicans have rushed to protect tax breaks for millionaires and their special interest backers,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith. “Republican priorities couldn’t be more misguided and the silence from Mike Haridopolos, Adam Hasner, and George LeMieux is deafening.”

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Florida Democratic Party: Our New Website

Friends –

Over the past several weeks, I have been traveling our state listening to grassroots activists and Democratic leaders on how we can best prepare for 2012.

We are working everyday to hold Rick Scott and the Republicans accountable for their extreme, job-destroying agenda, but it isn’t enough to focus on how the Republicans are continuing to take our state down the wrong path.

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Chairman Smith Calls For Sweeping Ethics Reforms To Give Prosecutors Legal Tools To Crack Down On Corruption

Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith, who previouslyserved as the State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, released the follow statement in light of the developments in the case against disgraced Speaker Ray Sansom:

“The corruption trial against Ray Sansom simply highlights why Florida needs sweeping ethics reforms to crack down on corruption. … Continue Reading

Chairman Smith Statement Reacting To Republican Union Busting And Efforts To Silence Workers

Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith released the following statement reacting to the House passage of HB 1021, the so called “Worker Gag Bill,” which drew bi-partisan opposition:

“Rick Scott and Republican politicians in Tallahassee are more concerned with political payback, union busting and partisan attacks than fixing Florida’s economy. … Continue Reading

Florida Democratic Party Chairman Smith Responds To Rick Scott’s State Of The State Address

Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith released the following statement reacting to Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State address:

“Tonight, Governor Rick Scott’s words trying to defend his job destroying agenda rang hollow to Floridians hurting during the hard economic times.

“Since he took office, Floridians have seen that Rick Scott only cares about imposing his rigid and extreme philosophy on our state, rather than working to implement common sense solutions for Florida.

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Chairman Smith Renews Demand That Gov. Scott Must Immediately Resubmit Preclearance Application On Fair Districts Now That Lacks Census Data Excuse

Reacting to the Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times reporting that Florida has started to receive the U.S. Census data, taking away Governor Rick Scott’s number one excuse for why he secretly withdrew the preclearance application on Fair Districts, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith today demanded that the Governor finally resubmit the necessary paperwork: … Continue Reading

Florida Democrats: Will Republican Senate Whitewash Haridopolos’ Breaking Florida Ethics Laws

After kicking off his U.S. Senate Campaign by pleading guilty to breaking Florida’s ethics laws, on Thursday the Florida Senate’s Rules committee will take up the issue when they hear the Ethics Commission report. Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux said: … Continue Reading

Florida Democratic Party: Rick Scott Has Become A One Man Wrecking Crew For Florida’s Economy

Reacting to Governor Rick Scott’s rejection of funds for high-speed rail, Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff released the following statement:

“Over the past month Governor Rick Scott has become a one man wrecking crew for Florida’s economy, putting at risk over 100,000 jobs as he tries to impose his extreme philosophy on the Sunshine State. … Continue Reading

Florida Democratic Party Reacts To Ruling In Lawsuit Regarding The Affordable Care Act

Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux released the following statement regarding the court ruling on the lawsuit regarding the Affordable Care Act:

“Today’s decision is not only wrong for Florida’s seniors, children and small business owners who are already benefiting from the Affordable Care Act, but this latest example of conservative judicial activism wrongly interprets the Constitution.   … Continue Reading

Florida Democrats: Chairman Smith Announces Select Committee Charged With Drafting 2012 Delegate Selection Plan

Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith is pleased to announce today the appointment of the Select Committee on Delegate Selection.

“Today, as we begin working on the 2012 delegate selection process, I am pleased to announce the appointment of our Select Committee on Delegate Selection. Led by Florida Democratic Party Secretary Rick Boylan, this committee is charged with drafting the plan for selecting Florida’s delegation to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.” … Continue Reading

Chairman Smith Expresses Disappointment at Republican Vote to Repeal the Affordable Care Act

Today, Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Following that vote, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith released the following statement:

“Today, House Republicans took a vote that can be viewed at best as a partisan gesture to the extreme right wing of their party and at worst can be considered an affront to millions of middle class Americans. The repeal of the Affordable Care Act, as approved by House Republicans, would have two primary consequences: Americans would be stripped of patient protections and health insurance would become more unaffordable for families and for America as a whole.

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Rod Smith Elected Chairman Of The Florida Democratic Party

Rod Smith of Alachua was selected Saturday to lead the Florida Democratic Party as state Chairman during an enthusiastic gathering in Orlando of party leaders, Democratic elected officials and activists from throughout Florida.

Smith, a former state senator and North Florida prosecutor, as well as the 2010 running mate of Democratic gubernatorial contender Alex Sink, succeeds Karen Thurman of Dunnellon as Party Chairman. Thurman retired after nearly six years at the party.

After accepting nominations to lead the party, Smith pledged to focus on building the grassroots of the party and to step up efforts to raise funds and recruit Democratic candidates for public offices.

“I promise you that I’m going to do my dead-level best to ensure that two years from now we are celebrating the turnaround of the Democratic Party,” Smith said at meeting of state Democratic Executive Committee members and others, which was held near Orlando.

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Florida Democratic Party: Congressmen-elect Rivera and Southerland Living Large on the Dime of Special Interests and Lobbyists While Florida Families Struggle

Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff today released the following statement concerning reports that Congressmen-elect David Rivera and Steve Southerland will be two of a dozen freshmen Republican lawmakers to benefit from a lavish fundraiser attended by lobbyists and special interests at an exclusive Washington hotel tonight.

“Congressmen-elect Rivera and Southerland did not even wait to be sworn in before showing Floridians that they have gone Washington. While Florida families struggle to make ends meet, Rivera and Southerland will be living large on the dime of special interests and lobbyists at a lavish Washington fundraiser costing $50,000 to attend. If there was ever any doubt before, it should be abundantly clear now that they will be working in Congress to defend the Washington special interests and lobbyists, not the people of the Sunshine State.”

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Florida Democratic Party Commends the President, Democratic Congress for Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Florida Democratic Party Chair spokesperson Eric Jotkoff released the below statement today after President Barack Obama signed critical legislation that would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  The legislation would allow Americans to serve in the military regardless of their sexual orientation.

“With the President’s signature today, he has enacted a reform overwhelmingly supported by the American people and has fulfilled another campaign promise that takes a critical step to ensure equal rights for all Americans. … Continue Reading

Florida Democratic Party Reacts To Announcement Florida Will Gain Two Congressional Seats

Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux released the following statement regarding the U.S. Census Bureau’s announcement today:

“Today, Floridians are celebrating the U.S. Census Bureau’s announcement that our state will be gaining two new seats in Congress as part of the decennial reapportionment process. … Continue Reading

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman Applauds Senate Vote to Move Forward with Bill Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman released the below statement today, following a vote in the U.S. Senate to move forward on critical legislation that would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The legislation would allow Americans to serve in the military regardless of their sexual orientation.

“The Senate did the right thing today for our country and our military by voting to move forward with legislation that would repeal the outdated and discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.

“President Obama pledged to overturn this legislation when he campaigned for office, and the U.S. Senate today cast a critical vote to move this goal forward.
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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson Praises Thurman’s Service As Florida Democratic Party Chair

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson released the following praising Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman as she announces her retirement:

“Over the past six years, as chair the Florida Democratic Party, Karen Thurman worked to ensure our state would have a vibrant political system in which all voters could have a choice,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.  “I’d like to commend her for this effort, and also for her previous public service in Congress.  She has always put Floridians first.”