Posted on 01/29/2012 4:20:47 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
Jacksonville, Florida (CNN) - The Tampa Tribune endorsed Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, who the newspaper said is an “innovative problem-solver with rock-hard conservative credentials,” over Mitt Romney, whom it called the “safer choice.”
Sunday’s endorsement from the city’s second-largest newspaper that leans conservative comes two days before Florida’s primary election in which Romney is favored to win.
Despite potential areas of weakness from the former House speaker, the editorial said Gingrich is the best Republican candidate to “take the fight” to President Barack Obama.
“Sure, he can be grandiose. His personal life has been, to put it kindly, complicated. But he has proved his ability to effect change – in a hurry. And this is what the nation needs,” the editorial read.
The editorial page editors said they believe Gingrich has learned from the “painful experience” of facing ethics violations at the end of his two decades in Congress, which are the subject of a Romney television ad released in Florida on Sunday.
While Gingrich and Romney both vow to repeal Obama’s health care law, the Tampa Tribune raised the question of Obama’s plan being based partly on the Massachusetts health care system implemented when Romney was governor.
“There are important differences in the plans, but it takes some explaining. Gingrich would be able to attack the looming entitlement without apology,” the paper said.
(Excerpt) Read more at politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com ...
Ping to your info.
Isn't this part of the corridor?
bttt
I just refuse to believe CNN actually did this.....
http://www2.tbo.com/news/opinion/2012/jan/29/vwopino1-gingrich-in-gop-primary-ar-352238/
Full editorial endorsement
Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security.
Thanks.
Woo Hoo! WAY TO GO! The opposition/counter to the former uber liberal St. Petersburg Times ... NOW ... the uber liberal Tampa Bay Times, partner with Brian Williams/NBC/PSMNBC for the FL debate.
It IS the Tampa area .. I-4 corridor .. my last FL neighborhood.
To save everyone time, here's a link for those willing to help Newt!:
His phone bank:
http://newtsnetwork.com/activism/pb/default.aspx
The phone bank site is overloaded right now, but don't let that deter y'all...
Just stumbled upon this ...
http://www.p2012.org/candidates/romneyorg
Key People-Former Gov. Mitt Romney
EXCERPT
Florida
Headquarters: 142 West Platt Street, Tampa (Romney attended opening on morning of Sept. 2, 2011)
(staff announced Sept. 27, 2011)
State Director Molly Donlin
In 2010 Donlin directed Republicans’ Michigan Victory effort. In the fall 2008 campaign she directed Republicans’ Victory 2008 effort in Arizona; earlier in the cycle she served as field director for Central Florida on the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee. Donlin was a presidential appointee in the Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, where she served as assistant to the director. Deputy director of volunteer development for the RNC from Aug. 2005 to Dec. 2006, and 72-Hour field director for Hamilton County for the Ohio Republican Party. B.S. degree in international affairs from Xavier University in Cincinnati, 2004. twitter
Field Director JC Hernandez
(Sept. 2011) Executive director of the Republican Party of Miami Dade County, 2010-11. Director at Barry University, 2008-10. B.A. in political science from Roosevelt University (Chicago), 2004. [Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie]
Regional Field Directors
Tampa Bay Alex Melendez
Worked for the Florida Department of Corrections. Worked on Rick Scott’s successful 2010 campaign. In 2008 worked on the McCain campaign. [Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota]
North Florida Andrew Messer
Partner at The Vineyard Company. Graduate of Liberty University School of Law.
Central Florida Pablo Pantoja
(Oct. 2011) Previously at the RPOF from Sept. 2010, most recently as coalitions director from Jan. 2011. Florida Division of Emergency Management, 2008-10. Served in the Florida National Guard and is an infantry combat veteran, Kuwait/Iraq, 2003-04. M.S. in political science from Florida State University. B.A. in Spanish from Florida State University. [Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia]
Strategic Advisor Brett Doster
Founder and president of Front Line Strategies; also president of Doster Broker Group, a commercial real estate firm from 2008. Opened up and headed the Florida office of Revolution Agency, a media and communications firm, 2007. Campaign manager for the Tom Gallagher for Governor campaign from 2005-06. Executive director of the Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election campaign in Florida. Associate at Uhlfelder & Associates, P.A. in Tallahassee, starting Feb. 2003. Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, focusing particularly on developing new high technology business in the state, 2001-03. Florida political director for the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign, and in the fall statewide political director for Florida Victory 2000. Special assistant to Jeb Bush in his first gubernatorial campaign in 1993 and worked on his 1997 and 2001 campaigns. Graduated from The Citadel. Fifth generation native of Florida.
Senior Advisor Bertica Cabrera-Morris
(announced July 22, 2011) Opened Bertica Cabrera Consulting, a public relations and government relations consulting firm, in 1993. I-4 campaign chair and I-4 finance team co-chair on Marco Rubio’s successful campaign for U.S. Senate in 2010. Administrator with Orange County Public Schools. Worked at Sun Bank and AmeriFirst Federal. Born in Havana, Cuba, grew up in Spain, then Southern California. According to her bio for the Valencia College board of trustees, she is the daughter of the president of Massey-Ferguson Company.
County Chairs
(announced Dec. 21, 2011) in all 67 counties.
Social Conservatives Statewide Steering Committee
(announced Nov. 14, 2011)
State Chair Dave Weldon, M.D. (Melbourne)
Physician; former U.S. Congressman; founder of the Space Coast Family Forum; founder of the Israel Allies Caucus.
State Co-Chairs
Rep. Daniel Davis (Jacksonville)
Sen. Anitere Flores (Miami)
Pat Neal (Bradenton)
Nancy Peek McGowan (Jacksonville)
more...
Florida Advisory Council Co-Chair Susie Wiles
(endorsement announced Dec. 12, 2011) Previously national campaign manager for Jon Huntsman for President and campaign manager for Rick Scott for Governor.
Florida Finance Team
(announced Oct. 6, 2011)
Florida Finance Chair (and Member of National Leadership Team) Brian and Kathryn Ballard
(announced July 13, 2011) Brian Ballard is president of Ballard Partners, Inc. Ballard has nearly twenty-five years of experience in Florida politics and government affairs. He earned his stripes serving as chief of staff to Gov. Bob Martinez from 1988-90. In 2008, Ballard served as the McCain for President Co-Chair for Florida/National Finance Co-Chair, as well as the RNC’s McCain Victory Florida Finance Committee Chair and National Finance Co-Chair.
Florida Finance Chair (and Member of National Leadership Team) Jay and Tammy Demetree
(announced July 22, 2011) President and CEO of Demetree Brothers, a Jacksonville-based real estate company. President since 1987; previously served as vice president. Served as finance chairman on Marco Rubio’s successful campaign for U.S. Senate in 2010.
Florida Finance Chair Ambassador John Rood
Chairman of Vestor Companies, property development firm in Jacksonville, which he founded in 1983, and chairman of JDR Construction, founded 2007. Former RPOF finance chairman, appointed by Gov. Crist in 2009. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, appointed by President Bush in Sept. 2004 and served to 2007.
Florida Finance Co-Chairs
Bill and Ann Bain Jr. - G. Nicholas Beckwith - Speaker Allan Bense - Carlos and Janelle Beruff - David and Caroline Cardenas - Gary and Nancy Chartrand - Jim and Kathy Dahl - Remedios Diaz-Oliver - Lew Eisenberg - Mike and Constance Fernandez - Marty Fiorentino - Paul Fireman - Bill Heavener - Mori and Forough Hosseini - Darlene and Jerry Jordan - William Koch - Dr. Gary Kompothecras - Rodger and Hillary Krouse - Brian Kulp - Ned Lautenbach - Marc Leder - Genean McKinnon - Donald and Priscilla Miller - H. Gary and Renee Morse - Rick and Lynn Mullaney - Lee Munder - Thomas Petway III - Ronna Romney - Ambassador John Rood - Ambassador Francis and Kathleen Rooney - Steve Ross - Melanie Sabelhaus - Brent and Debbie Sembler - Ambassador Mel and Betty Sembler - Ambassador Ned and Stephanie Siegel - Jim Stanley - Tony Tamer - State Senator John and Jean Thrasher - Dr. Zachariah Zachariah - Dr. Paul Zimmerman
Statewide Finance Committee
Scott Adams -Marta Batmasian - Richard Corbett - Toni & Andy Crawford - Bruce Deardoff - June & Ferdinand Duda - Charles Githler -Steve Halverson - Robert Hershenhorn - Mike Hightower - Fred Leonhardt, Jr. - Tom Neff - Lee Nutter - Duane & Sue Ottenstroer - Don Phillips - Dr. Peter Wish - Jordan & Denise Zimmerman
Endorsements by Current Elected Officials (+)
U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (14th CD-Fort Myers) - reported by St. Petersburg Times on April 14, 2011
Elected 2004. Previously served in the Florida House of Representatives. Background as a business and marketing consultant.
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (16th CD-Tequesta) - announced June 16, 2011
Elected 2008. Served as an Assistant Attorney General and in private practice in Stuart. Also served as CEO of “The Children’s Place At Home Safe,” a home for abused children. Rooney spent four years in the U.S. Army JAG Corps.
U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (4th CD-Jacksonville) - announced June 16, 2011
Elected in 2000. Previously served in the Florida State Senate and worked in the private sector as a banker.
State Sen. John Thrasher (District 8-Jacksonville) - reported by Florida Times Union on March 6, 2011, announced June 16, 2011 +
(announced Aug. 18, 2011)
State Sen. JD Alexander (District 17-Lake Wales) +
State Sen. Mike Bennett, President Pro Tempore (District 21-Bradenton) +
State Sen. Anitere Flores (District 38-Miami) +
State Sen. Evelyn Lynn (District 7-Daytona Beach) +
State Sen. Stephen Wise (District 5-Jacksonville) +
State Rep. Daniel Davis (District 13-Jacksonville) +
State Rep. Shawn Harrison (District 60-Tampa) +
State Rep. Ed Hooper (District 50-Clearwater) +
(announced Oct. 5, 2011; had endorsed Pawlenty)
Speaker Designate Will Weatherford (Wesley Chapel)
State Rep. Chris Dorworth (Lake Mary)
State Rep. Richard Corcoran (Trinity)
(announced Oct. 25, 2011)
State Sen. Nancy Detert (District 23)
State Sen. Garrett Richter (District 37)
State Rep. Doug Broxson
State Rep. Steve Crisafulli
State Rep. Marti Coley
State Rep. Fred Costello
State Rep. Jose Diaz
State Rep. Jim Frishe
State Rep. Eduardo “Eddy” Gonzalez
State Rep. Ana Rivas Logan
State Rep. Charles McBurney
State Rep. Larry Metz
State Rep. Peter Nehr
State Rep. Bryan Nelson
State Rep. Jeanette Nunez
State Rep. Jose Oliva
State Rep. Kathleen Passidomo
State Rep. Jimmy Patronis
State Rep. Ray Pilon
State Rep. Stephen Precourt
State Rep. Lake Ray
State Rep. Patrick Rooney
State Rep. John Tobia
State Rep. Mike Weinstein
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam (announced Oct. 18, 2011)
U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller (1st CD-Pensacola/the western Panhandle) (announced Oct. 27, 2011)
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (18th CD) and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (20th CD) as well as former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (announced Nov. 29, 2011)
Attorney General Pam Bondi (announced Jan. 8, 2012)
U.S. Rep. John Mica (7th CD-suburban areas north of Orlando to the Jacksonville city limits) (announced Jan. 16, 2012)
U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams (24th CD-part of four counties – Orange, Seminole, Brevard and Volusia) (announced Jan. 18, 2012)
Miami-Dade County Leaders (announced Jan. 25, 2012)
Anitere Flores, State Senator - Jose Felix Diaz, State Representative - Eddy Gonzalez, State Representative - Ana Rivas Logan, State Representative - Jeanette Nunez, State Representative - Jose Oliva, State Representative - Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Miami-Dade County Commissioner - Jose Bermudez, Mayor of Doral - Pete Cabrera, Doral Councilman - Carlos Hernandez, Mayor of Hialeah - Isis Garcia-Martinez, Hialeah City Councilwoman - Jose Caragol, Hialeah City Councilman - Katharine Cue, Hialeah City Councilwoman - Luis Gonzalez, Hialeah City Councilman - Paul Hernandez, Hialeah City Councilman - Yioset de la Cruz, Mayor of Hialeah Gardens - Michael Pizzi, Mayor of Miami Lakes - Nelson Hernandez, Miami Lakes City Councilman - Tim Daubert, Miami Lakes City Councilman - Zavier Garcia, Mayor of Miami Springs - Dan Espino, Vice-Mayor of Miami Springs
also
Former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (announced Oct. 10, 2011)
Former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack III (announced Nov. 3, 2011)
Former St. Petersbug Mayor Rick Baker (announced Jan. 17, 2012)
Former U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw (announced Jan. 27, 2012)
and
Orlando Sentinel (Jan. 25, 2012)
Pensacola News Journal (Jan. 22, 2012)
Tampa Bay Times (Jan. 16, 2012)
The Tribune took a turn to the left some time back.
They generally support every proposed tax increase and big government proposal that comes by and they love Obama and the local democrats who run the city.
The Tribune is owned by Media General Corp. who also owns the NBC TV station in Tampa and they both usually spout the same party line.
So it is a little surprising to see them come out in support of Newt.
Safer for Obama, that's for sure.
Read it though twice ...only thing that stuck out was the husband and wife BAIN who were head of the finance committee? Are they connected to THE Bain fortune.
Too bad they aren’t supporting an actual conservative like Santorum.
They are supporting a conservative who can actually win.
Too Little, Too Late—The war is over—The Russians are at the gates of Berlin and Newts in the bunker. Its over—get ready for the gnashing of teeth. If I am wrong —and I hope I am—there might be reason to hope.
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