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BREAKING NEWS: TEA PARTY CANDIDATE TRUMPS GOP CANDIDATE IN RASMUSSEN POLL
Poll confirms widespread support for FLORIDA TEA PARTY.

Tea Party Tops GOP on Three-Way Generic Ballot
Monday, December 07, 2009
  

Running under the Tea Party brand may be better in congressional races than being a Republican.

In a three-way Generic Ballot test, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds Democrats attracting 36% of the vote. The Tea Party candidate picks up 23%, and Republicans finish third at 18%. Another 22% are undecided.

Among voters not affiliated with either major party, the Tea Party comes out on top. Thirty-three percent (33%) prefer the Tea Party candidate, and 30% are undecided. Twenty-five percent (25%) would vote for a Democrat, and just 12% prefer the GOP.

Among Republican voters, 39% say they’d vote for the GOP candidate, but 33% favor the Tea Party option.

For this survey, the respondents were asked to assume that the Tea Party movement organized as a new political party. In practical terms, it is unlikely that a true third-party option would perform as well as the polling data indicates. The rules of the election process—written by Republicans and Democrats--provide substantial advantages for the two established major parties. The more conventional route in the United States is for a potential third-party force to overtake one of the existing parties.

The standard Generic Congressional Ballot shows Republicans holding a modest lead over Democrats. It appears that the policies of the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress are currently enough to unite both those who prefer Republicans and those who prefer the Tea Party route.

Data from the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows that just 55% of conservatives nationwide consider themselves Republicans. Recent polling shows that 73% of Republican voters believe their leaders in Washington are out of touch with the party base.

Republican voters are paying a lot more attention to the Tea Party movement than anyone else. Forty-three percent (43%) of GOP voters are following news about the movement Very Closely. Another 30% are following it Somewhat Closely. Just 12% of Democrats are following stories about the Tea Party movement Very Closely.

Seventy percent (70%) of Republican voters have a favorable opinion of the Tea Party movement while only seven percent (7%) offer an unfavorable view. Interestingly, 49% of Democrats have no opinion one way or the other.

Among unaffiliated voters, 43% have a favorable opinion of the Tea Party efforts while 20% say the opposite.

Forty-one percent (41%) of all voters nationwide say Republicans and Democrats are so much alike that a new party is needed to represent the American people. Republicans are evenly divided on this question, while Democrats overwhelmingly disagree. However, among those not affiliated with either major party, 60% agree that a new party is needed, and only 25% disagree. Men are far more likely than women to believe a new party is needed.

As for the voting preference, the Tea Party bests the GOP among both men and women and in all age groups except those over 65.

The Tea Party candidates are the first choice among political conservatives. Among moderates, the Tea Party candidates are more popular than Republicans. However, nearly half of all moderate voters prefer a Democrat.

Among the Political Class, not a single respondent picked the Tea Party candidate.

However, among those with populist or Mainstream views, 31% prefer the Tea Party, and 26% are undecided. Twenty-three percent (23%) pick a Republican candidate, and 19% are for the Democrat (See more on the Political Class-Mainstream divide).

See survey questions and toplines.

 

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TEA PARTY CALLS FOR GRAND JURY INTO WAFFLEGATE

Palm Beach Post Grand jury sought on DOT ‘Wafflegate’

Tea Partiers have asked Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs to convene a grand jury to investigate state transportation officials’ use of code words in e-mails.

Tea Party Chairman Fred O’Neal filed a request with Meggs yesterday asking for a grand jury to look into "deliberate evasion of Florida’s Public Records law" as well as "as an arrogant disregard" of the state constitution’s Sunshine Law guaranteeing access to public records and meetings.

Tea Party activists dubbed the messages "Wafflegate" after The Palm Beach Post reported that Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos and her deputy Kevin Thibault exchanged three messages last month with the subject lines "pancake," "pancakes" and "french toast."

Doug Guetzloe, chairman of "Ax the Tax," said he plans to file complaints with the ethics commission and Attorney General Bill McCollum’s office and another to Meggs.

"This is a direct violation of public trust," Guetzloe said.

The messages had nothing to do with breakfast but instead contained attachments dealing with a rail bill later approved by lawmakers during the special session that ended last week.

Kopelousos said Thibault tagged the messages with the headers to attract her attention from the hundreds of e-mails she receives daily. She said the search engine her department uses captures words included in the texts of attachments and not just the subject lines as some other search engines do.

The code words prompted Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat running for governor, to ask Kopelousos and Thibault to resign.

The use of the code words could be considered falsification of public records, First Amendment Foundation President Barbara Petersen said.

The messages were the result of a public records request by Sen. Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican who is running for governor against frontrunner McCollum.

Dockery has been an ardent opponent of a controversial deal in which Kopelousos has agreed to pay CSX Inc. at least $432 million for 61 miles of track for SunRail, a commuter rail project in Central Florida.

Guetzloe’s group organized to fight SunRail, a controversial commuter rail project that was the subject of the special session. The state is paying CSX Inc. at least $432 million for 61 miles of track for the commuter line and will share the rails with the freight operator.

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TEA PARTY DEMANDS GRAND JURY BE EMPANELED TO INVESTIGATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION "WAFFLEGATE" SCANDAL

(Orlando) – TEA Party Chairman Fred O’Neal has just released a letter that was sent to Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs demanding that Meggs empanel a Grand Jury to investigate the widening scandal surrounding the Department of Transportation "WAFFLEGATE" scandal.
"I would ask that you review this situation and consider empanelling a grand jury to investigate possible criminal activity in this situation or, at the least, the possibility of drafting a presentment that would serve as a guide for future activities of public officials with regard to their responsibilities under Florida’s Public Records law.

As I am sure you would agree, the people have no rights if no one is willing to defend those rights. Therefore, if Article I, Section 24 of our State’s Constitution is to mean anything, public officials, like yourself, need to defend the rights granted thereunder.," stated O'Neal in his letter to Meggs.

The Florida Tea Party is recognized by the Secretary of State as an official minor party in Florida and may field a TEA PARTY candidate in any partisan general election race in Florida, including United States Senate and United States Congress.

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Doug Guetzloe Speaking to Tallahassee Tea Party

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Grand jury sought on DOT ‘Wafflegate’

by Dara Kam | December 15th, 2009 | Palm Beach Post

Tea Partiers have asked Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs to convene a grand jury to investigate state transportation officials’ use of code words in e-mails.

Tea Party Chairman Fred O’Neal filed a request with Meggs yesterday asking for a grand jury to look into "deliberate evasion of Florida’s Public Records law" as well as "as an arrogant disregard" of the state constitution’s Sunshine Law guaranteeing access to public records and meetings.

Tea Party activists dubbed the messages "Wafflegate" after The Palm Beach Post reported that Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos and her deputy Kevin Thibault exchanged three messages last month with the subject lines "pancake," "pancakes" and "french toast."

Doug Guetzloe, chairman of "Ax the Tax," said he plans to file complaints with the ethics commission and Attorney General Bill McCollum’s office and another to Meggs.

"This is a direct violation of public trust," Guetzloe said.

The messages had nothing to do with breakfast but instead contained attachments dealing with a rail bill later approved by lawmakers during the special session that ended last week.

Kopelousos said Thibault tagged the messages with the headers to attract her attention from the hundreds of e-mails she receives daily. She said the search engine her department uses captures words included in the texts of attachments and not just the subject lines as some other search engines do.

The code words prompted Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat running for governor, to ask Kopelousos and Thibault to resign.

The use of the code words could be considered falsification of public records, First Amendment Foundation President Barbara Petersen said.

The messages were the result of a public records request by Sen. Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican who is running for governor against frontrunner McCollum.

Dockery has been an ardent opponent of a controversial deal in which Kopelousos has agreed to pay CSX Inc. at least $432 million for 61 miles of track for SunRail, a commuter rail project in Central Florida.

Guetzloe’s group organized to fight SunRail, a controversial commuter rail project that was the subject of the special session. The state is paying CSX Inc. at least $432 million for 61 miles of track for the commuter line and will share the rails with the freight operator.

BREAKING NEWS: TEA PARTY CANDIDATE TRUMPS GOP CANDIDATE IN RASMUSSEN POLL
Poll confirms widespread support for FLORIDA TEA PARTY.
 
Tea Party Tops GOP on Three-Way Generic Ballot
Monday, December 07, 2009
  

Running under the Tea Party brand may be better in congressional races than being a Republican.

In a three-way Generic Ballot test, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds Democrats attracting 36% of the vote. The Tea Party candidate picks up 23%, and Republicans finish third at 18%. Another 22% are undecided.

Among voters not affiliated with either major party, the Tea Party comes out on top. Thirty-three percent (33%) prefer the Tea Party candidate, and 30% are undecided. Twenty-five percent (25%) would vote for a Democrat, and just 12% prefer the GOP.

Among Republican voters, 39% say they’d vote for the GOP candidate, but 33% favor the Tea Party option.

For this survey, the respondents were asked to assume that the Tea Party movement organized as a new political party. In practical terms, it is unlikely that a true third-party option would perform as well as the polling data indicates. The rules of the election process—written by Republicans and Democrats--provide substantial advantages for the two established major parties. The more conventional route in the United States is for a potential third-party force to overtake one of the existing parties.

The standard Generic Congressional Ballot shows Republicans holding a modest lead over Democrats. It appears that the policies of the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress are currently enough to unite both those who prefer Republicans and those who prefer the Tea Party route.

Data from the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows that just 55% of conservatives nationwide consider themselves Republicans. Recent polling shows that 73% of Republican voters believe their leaders in Washington are out of touch with the party base.

Republican voters are paying a lot more attention to the Tea Party movement than anyone else. Forty-three percent (43%) of GOP voters are following news about the movement Very Closely. Another 30% are following it Somewhat Closely. Just 12% of Democrats are following stories about the Tea Party movement Very Closely.

Seventy percent (70%) of Republican voters have a favorable opinion of the Tea Party movement while only seven percent (7%) offer an unfavorable view. Interestingly, 49% of Democrats have no opinion one way or the other.

Among unaffiliated voters, 43% have a favorable opinion of the Tea Party efforts while 20% say the opposite.

Forty-one percent (41%) of all voters nationwide say Republicans and Democrats are so much alike that a new party is needed to represent the American people. Republicans are evenly divided on this question, while Democrats overwhelmingly disagree. However, among those not affiliated with either major party, 60% agree that a new party is needed, and only 25% disagree. Men are far more likely than women to believe a new party is needed.

As for the voting preference, the Tea Party bests the GOP among both men and women and in all age groups except those over 65.

The Tea Party candidates are the first choice among political conservatives. Among moderates, the Tea Party candidates are more popular than Republicans. However, nearly half of all moderate voters prefer a Democrat.

Among the Political Class, not a single respondent picked the Tea Party candidate.

However, among those with populist or Mainstream views, 31% prefer the Tea Party, and 26% are undecided. Twenty-three percent (23%) pick a Republican candidate, and 19% are for the Democrat (See more on the Political Class-Mainstream divide).

See survey questions and toplines.

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Federal stimulus money: Many spending critics back a bill seeking billions for a bullet train

By Michael C. Bender
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009
Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul called lawmakers to the Capitol last week to clear a path for high-speed rail. The move came six years after he cast a ballot to repeal a voter-approved mandate for high-speed rail.
 
From the campaign trail, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist condemns federal spending. In radio ads for his U.S. Senate race, he tells President Obama, "Enough is enough."
But in Tallahassee, Crist is the leading supporter of the special session bill aimed at securing $2.5 billion in stimulus money for the state to build a bullet train. That money would be in addition to the $5.2 billion in stimulus funds propping up the state budget Crist approved in May.
 
"Anybody who wants to help us, we're more than eager to accept it and to make sure that we put people before politics," Crist said.
 
For Florida Republicans, who have controlled the state House, Senate and governor's office since 1999, the federal stimulus plan has proven to be a thorny issue in a high-stakes political year that includes open races for U.S. Senate, governor and all three Cabinet jobs. Doubly so when it's for the creation of public transportation, a campaign promise of Democratic President Obama's and not a typical Republican issue.
 
"It's hypocrisy," designated House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders of Key West said. "They're campaigning one way and governing another."
 
Republicans defend the special session and interest in more stimulus cash with a host of reasons.
 
Many say ignoring the federal money available for a bullet train will cost Florida a competitive edge, and the cash will go to other states. Others insist they have an obligation to recoup as many dollars as possible that Florida taxpayers send to Washington.
 
But the most-often repeated motivation is a desperation to slow the state's 11.2 percent unemployment rate, seventh-highest in the country.
 
"Government spending in and of itself is not stimulus," said Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Orlando, who is expected to be House Speaker in 2011. "But where we can draw down more federal dollars and put Floridians to work building something ... I think folks are probably more comfortable with that."
 
The bill under consideration could create or save 14,000 jobs in coming years, Crist said. An Orlando-to-Tampa high-speed rail line could eventually lead to up to 42,000 jobs, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
 
"People need hope," Crist said. "Voting against this, I think, would be absolutely catastrophic. Indefensible."
 
But none of those reasons seems to satisfy the growing political restlessness that has buoyed the insurgent candidacy of Republican Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate campaign and spawned the "Tea Party" movement that claims 25,000 members statewide.
"We should be wary of all the promises floating around Tallahassee about how this latest round of government spending will create lasting jobs and prosperity," said Rubio, who voted against repealing a constitutional mandate for high-speed rail as a lawmaker in 2003.
 
Fred O'Neal, an Orlando lawyer who registered the Tea Party as a state political party, said he'll "target every Republican who votes for this boondoggle."
"We'll be trolling each of their districts for candidates," he said.
 
Sen. Carey Baker, a Eustis Republican running for state agriculture commissioner, supported an unsuccessful SunRail bill in the spring. But the focus on securing stimulus money for a high-speed rail has turned him into an opponent of the special session bill.
 
"I thought I was coming up here to vote on a rail bill, a Little Red Riding Hood bill. And it's turned into the Big Bad Wolf," Baker said during a Senate workshop.
But even conservative activists are split on the special session.
 
"It's a sticky issue," said South Florida Tea Party Chairman Everett Wilkinson, who said new rail lines could help ease congested highways.
"How much can we widen I-95 or Military Trail for future growth?" Wilkinson asked. "This might be a good thing."
 
Meanwhile, many of the Republicans who voted in 2003 to repeal a constitutional mandate for high-speed rail are now paving the way to bring a bullet train to the state.
In addition to Cretul, they include Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, who led a special session workshop on Thursday; Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola, chairman of the House committee that unanimously approved the special session bill; and House budget chairman David Rivera, R-Miami.
 
In '04, voters agreed to repeal the mandate, which Dockery's husband, C.C. Dockery, helped push into the constitution in 2000.
 
"This is a different project," said Cannon. "There is more consensus across federal, state and local government. A lot more forethought has gone into it.
 
"And when you add in the potential of federal dollars for the high-speed rail, I think that's a worthwhile and a smart policy."
 
Staff writer Dara Kam contributed to this story.
Find this article at:

 

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Tea Party to SunRail backers: Be afraid, be very afraid

posted by Orlando Sentinel on Dec 10, 2009 9:40:58 AM

Fred O'Neal, who's chairman of the newly recognized Tea Party when he's not consultant Doug Guetzloe's lawyer, says his embryonic group will target legislators who voted for the rail package this week that included authorization for the $1.2-billion SunRail commuter train in Central Florida. "We are currently evaluating each individual race to determine the feasibility of running TEA PARTY candidates in races with a Republican incumbent who voted for the rail boondoggle and jeopardized the taxpayers of Florida," O'Neal stated in a press release, adding that his group has screened "over a dozen candidates just in the last several weeks." O'Neal said a recently released Rasmussen poll indicates that Tea Party candidates who make it onto the ballot would have "strong viability." He said the poll showed that "in a generic partisan race, the TEA PARTY candidate polls 33% to 12% for the Republican nominee."

How much of an influence Tea Party backers -- generally, fiscal conservatives virulently opposed to federal stimulus spending in general and President Barack Obama in particular -- will have on the 2010 elections remains a very open question. NEWS AT TEAPARTY.US

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TEA PARTY TO TARGET GOP RAIL BACKERS

By MICHAEL PELTIER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDAbr>THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, Dec. 10, 2009.

…When lawmakers successfully passed legislation earlier this week that could bring more commuter and high speed rail to the state, 80 Republicans climbed aboard.

Two days later, conservatives "Tea Party" activists who think the rail legislation amounts to a government-sponsored boondoggle say come election time, some of those GOP lawmakers may pay the price.

In a letter to members of the newly registered Tea Party, chairman Fred O’Neal said the group will target 61 House and 19 Senate Republicans who voted in favor of rail in the recently concluded special legislative session. The measure clears the way for commuter rail projects, including SunRail in the Orlando area and sends state money to help bail out struggling Tri-Rail in South Florida. 

"We are currently evaluating each individual race to determine the feasibility of running Tea Party candidates in races with a Republican incumbent who voted for the rail boondoggle and jeopardized the taxpayers of Florida," O’Neal said. 

Republican supporters of the rail package reached Thursday by the News Service of Florida said they were confident they can satisfactorily explain their votes to even the most conservative of party members.

O’Neal didn’t identify any candidates the fledgling party has recruited so far, but said he was talking to potential challengers for those who voted yes. 

Meanwhile the deal's most prominent GOP supporter, Gov. Charlie Crist, said he's also not worried about conservative backlash for his vocal support for rail as he fights off a challenge from former House Speaker Marco Rubio to become the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate. 

"I'm not concerned about it," Crist said. "I'm concerned about jobs for the people of Florida. We all need to be focused on that. All of us serve the people and that's my focus and that's the reason why I think it was important to pass it. It's not a Republican or Democrat or liberal or conservative issue, it's a jobs issue."

One Republican who voted for the measure said he was comfortable with the final product. 

"My priority was to make sure that a $2 rental surcharge was not in the bill and a group of us in the Senate was successful in doing that," said Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart. "The proposal does not in any way raise fees or taxes. It gives local governments the chance to decide on commuter rail."

O’Neal disagreed, saying eventually taxpayers will likely be on the hook, citing the troubles Tri-Rail has had in sustaining itself. 

Negron said he’s already been sending information to concerned constituents to outline his vote give them more background on the bill’s effects. 

"There has been a lot of misinformation out there on the Internet," Negron said. .

Likewise, Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, said he’s confidant he can weather any Tea Party storm. The bill as written will spur economic development and set the groundwork for efficient public transportation, both laudable goals, Richter said. 
"My record on conservative priorities speaks for itself," Richter said. 

While a few in the GOP have dismissed grass roots conservative activists who have expressed anger at moderates in the party, many party insiders say the Tea Party faction can’t be ignored. 

Charlotte County Republican Chairman Bob Starr acknowledged that Tea Party activists could turn into a potent force that might fracture the conservative strength of the Florida GOP.

"We have to figure out how we can bring these people into the fold and harness their energy toward working for Republican causes," Starr told a quarterly meeting of the state party Thursday in Tallahassee.

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Tea Party to Target GOP Rail Backers Next Year


Jacksonville Observer | News Service of Florida - Dec 11th, 2009

When lawmakers successfully passed legislation earlier this week that could bring more commuter and high speed rail to the state, 80 Republicans climbed aboard. Two days later, conservatives "Tea Party" activists who think the rail legislation amounts to a government-sponsored boondoggle say come election time, some of those GOP lawmakers may pay the price. In a letter to members of the newly registered Tea Party, chairman Fred O’Neal said the group will target 61 House and 19 Senate Republicans who voted in favor of rail in the recently concluded special legislative session. The measure clears the way for commuter rail projects, including SunRail in the Orlando area and sends state money to help bail out struggling Tri-Rail in South Florida. "We are currently evaluating each individual race to determine the feasibility of running Tea Party candidates in races with a Republican incumbent who voted for the rail boondoggle and jeopardized the taxpayers of Florida," O’Neal said. Republican supporters of the rail package reached Thursday by the News Service of Florida said they were confident they can satisfactorily explain their votes to even the most conservative of party members. O’Neal didn’t identify any candidates the fledgling party has recruited so far, but said he was talking to potential challengers for those who voted yes. Meanwhile the deal’s most prominent GOP supporter, Gov. Charlie Crist, said he’s also not worried about conservative backlash for his vocal support for rail as he fights off a challenge from former House Speaker Marco Rubio to become the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate. "I’m not concerned about it," Crist said. "I’m concerned about jobs for the people of Florida. We all need to be focused on that. All of us serve the people and that’s my focus and that’s the reason why I think it was important to pass it. It’s not a Republican or Democrat or liberal or conservative issue, it’s a jobs issue." One Republican who voted for the measure said he was comfortable with the final product. "My priority was to make sure that a $2 rental surcharge was not in the bill and a group of us in the Senate was successful in doing that," said Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart. "The proposal does not in any way raise fees or taxes. It gives local governments the chance to decide on commuter rail." O’Neal disagreed, saying eventually taxpayers will likely be on the hook, citing the troubles Tri-Rail has had in sustaining itself. Negron said he’s already been sending information to concerned constituents to outline his vote give them more background on the bill’s effects. "There has been a lot of misinformation out there on the Internet," Negron said. . Likewise, Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, said he’s confidant he can weather any Tea Party storm. The bill as written will spur economic development and set the groundwork for efficient public transportation, both laudable goals, Richter said. "My record on conservative priorities speaks for itself," Richter said. While a few in the GOP have dismissed grass roots conservative activists who have expressed anger at moderates in the party, many party insiders say the Tea Party faction can’t be ignored. Charlotte County Republican Chairman Bob Starr acknowledged that Tea Party activists could turn into a potent force that might fracture the conservative strength of the Florida GOP.

"We have to figure out how we can bring these people into the fold and harness their energy toward working for Republican causes," Starr told a quarterly meeting of the state party Thursday in Tallahassee.Post at teaparty.us NEWS

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Tea Party folk target CSX-SunRail backers

Friday, December 11, 2009

Conservative "Tea Party" activists are targeting Republican lawmakers who supported the state's purchase of about 61 miles of rail in Central Florida for $432 million, according to News Service of Florida. Eight Republicans legislators — 61 representatives and 18 senators — lent their support to the deal that will allow SunRail to provide commuter service in the Orlando area. Tea Party chairman Fred O'Neal said his group is considering running Tea Party candidates against Republicans "who voted for the rail boondoggle and jeopardized the taxpayers of Florida." The deal still have to be approved by Gov. Charlie Crist. Republican supporters said the commuter rail system won't raise residents' fees or taxes, but O'Neal said taxpayer will eventually bear the financial brunt since the system has had troubles sustaining itself in the past. No word on how Tea Party activists feel about this other Orlando method of moving people. Home page - just like the "alerts" icon you have at my websites.

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