Florida Tea Party

Winter Park Agrees To SunRail, Can Bail Later

August 23, 2010

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- It's now up to Orange County to decide whether to give Winter Park the option of bailing on SunRail. Some city leaders don't like the project's cost or potential impact on local traffic.

Commissioners finally agreed on what they're asking from Orange County. The county has seven years to come up with an answer, but if there's no dedicated funding for SunRail at anytime after that Winter Park could back out and shut down its stop.

People came out Monday for a rally in Winter Park to push for an agreement between the city and Orange County regarding funding for SunRail. The city of Winter Park has voiced concern, because the county hadn't yet decided how to pay for the project.

A large crowd greeted local leaders as they stepped off an Amtrak train in Winter Park on Monday with a message that SunRail's commuter trains will soon share the same tracks.

"I hear the train a'coming and it's coming around the bend," Winter Park Mayor Ken Bradley said Monday.

Winter Park city commissioners want more flexibility to back out if they haven't figured out how to pay for SunRail after the state covers the first seven years of operation. Commissioners also added language to give the city an out if SunRail has any adverse impacts on crime or traffic in Winter Park.

"After seven years, if there's not a fully-dedicated funding source, we can opt out. So the risk is very minimal," Winter Park Chamber of Commerce CEO Patrick Chapin said.

But not everyone in the crowd Monday was on board. Protesters even jockeyed for position behind speakers at the rally.

"It is a scam to the people of Winter Park to say, for the first seven years, you don't have to pay anything and, if there isn't a dedicated funding stream, we'll figure out what to do. Well, that's just code for raising taxes! This is just not paid for," SunRail opponent Peg Dunmire said.

While Winter Park leaders have finally agreed on what they want in the deal, Orange County still has to sign off.

Meanwhile, Orange County mayoral candidate Matthew Falconer announced Monday his plans to file a lawsuit against the proposed high-speed rail linking Orlando and Tampa. Falconer says the plan violates the state constitution and that the state can't afford to pay for the project.

Wilkinson Depo PDF

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Florida Is Battleground for Tea Parties -- Against Themselves

Kenric Ward June 29, 2010

US Rep. Alan Grayson, Democrat; and Peg Dunmire, TEA Party candidate

Calls for candidate Peg Dunmire to quit the 8th Congressional District race have unleashed a new round of tea party infighting that threatens to dilute the movement's political power across Florida.

The Central Florida Tea Party Council, an alliance of Orlando-area tea movement leaders, last week demanded that TEA Party candidate Dunmire withdraw her bid to unseat Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson.

Tea activists Tom Tillison and Jason Hoyt cited "financial connections" between Grayson and the Florida TEA ("Taxed Enough Already") Party, which they branded "a tea party in name only."

Both Dunmire and TEA Party Chairman Frederic O'Neal denied any financial links to Grayson, who has no primary opposition.

Dunmire, a former Republican and self-described conservative, said, "I have no intention of withdrawing. I find it appalling that these supposed patriots think their intimidation tactics will make me withdraw."

O'Neal, whose party has been sued in federal court by 33 "tea" organizations and individuals over use of the name, said the attack on Dunmire is revealing.

"The way they're acting, it seems they're more afraid of Peg being elected than Grayson being elected," O'Neal said.

The Orlando dustup may be unique in the United States. Where tea partiers have energized conservatives in races across the country, the tea-TEA clashes in Florida have badly splintered the right and left voters wondering what the "tea" brand really stands for.

The Orlando Tea Party Council insists that Dunmire and O'Neal's TEA Party are bent on ruining Republican hopes of reclaiming the 8th District.

“This appears to be nothing less than a veiled ploy by Mr. Grayson to create a split in the conservative vote and guarantee himself another two years of destructive liberal politics," said CFTP Council member Barbara Seidenberg.

Tillison, who edits the Orlando Political Press Web site, and Hoyt, co-host of the Tea Party Patriots Live radio program in Central Florida, have worked for one of the seven Republican candidates in the Aug. 24 primary.

"I was on the payroll of Todd Long's campaign. I worked two days a week, primarily doing precinct walks, stuffing letters, etc. This was a necessary secondary source of income," said Tillison, who also sits on the Orange County Republican Executive Committee.

"I am no longer working for the campaign," he stated in an e-mail.

Hoyt, who did not respond to an inquiry from Sunshine State News, reportedly contracted on a one-time basis to assist in developing Long's campaign Web site.

(Long recently was endorsed by Maricopa County (Ariz.) Sheriff Joe Arpaio for taking a strong stand on illegal immigration. Long said, " We will not be fooled any longer by these Republican candidates who are funded by big business, like illegal immigration and want cheap, illegal labor.”)

Mike Caputo, a South Florida-based Republican consultant aligned with the tea movement, said such campaign work is not unusual for political activists -- in or out of tea.

"That's how people in the business of politics make their money," he said.

O'Neal said ongoing political and legal assaults against his group reflect desperation in the GOP ranks.

He charged that Republicans are funding efforts to harass the TEA Party with frivolous lawsuits in court and to run "dark ops" campaigns against it in the field.

"To suggest that these are disinterested people without an agenda is bogus. They know the Republican brand is so damaged that a new party will rise on the right," O'Neal said.

Everett Wilkinson, state director of the South Florida Tea Party, recently raised the stakes in the intramural squabble when he incorporated "Florida Tea Party LLC" and began calling himself "chairman of the Florida Tea Party" -- the exact title used by O'Neal, whom Wilkinson is suing over use of the party name.

When asked who was paying attorney Frank Herrera to pursue the federal lawsuit, Wilkinson responded that the Miami trademark lawyer was working "pro-bono."

But Caputo, currently working on Republican campaigns in New York, told Sunshine State News on Friday that he has been paying Herrera "$20,000 a month." When asked where that money came from, Caputo replied, "Out of my own pocket."

Herrera says it is his policy not to speak to the press.

Caputo doubts that O'Neal's party -- which has fielded 15 legislative candidates and three congressional hopefuls -- will be Florida conservatives' cup of tea.

"They've already lost candidates and they're not going to win any races. After Nov. 2, you'll never hear of them again," Caputo predicted.

TEA candidates in state House District 11 and state Senate District 30 withdrew and failed to qualify, respectively.

Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 801-5341.

Published on Sunshine State News (http://www.sunshinestatenews.com)

Florida Tea Party plans a big July 4th bash

MICHAEL W. FREEMAN | THE REPORTER EDITOR June 29, 2010

Photo by Steve Schwartz
Peg Dunmire, the Florida Tea Party's candidate for the 8th Congressional District, and Fred O'Neal, founder of the new party, say they're getting a good response from voters fed up with the status quo.

ORLANDO -– Although the Florida Tea Party has an office in downtown Orlando, the party's founder, Fred O'Neal, is looking south these days for political support.

Photo by Steve Schwartz
Political consultant Doug Guetzloe says the new Florida Tea Party has the potential to replace the Republican Party in the future.

More specifically, in Polk County.

For a new party that's still recruiting candidates for local, county, state and federal offices, O'Neal said Polk County should be fertile ground for the party's message of cutting federal spending, reigning in taxes and going back to a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

"Most of the officeholders in Polk County are Republicans," O'Neal said. "But if you look at the voter registration numbers there, most of them are Democrats. But they're conservative Democrats, fiscally conservative Democrats, and I think it will be one of our strongest areas of the state."

On June 28, O'Neal got together at the Tea Party's office with political consultant Doug Guetzloe and Peg Dunmire, the party's candidate for the state's 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Orange, Osceola and Lake counties, to discuss the party's efforts to become a force in Florida politics this year. Guetzloe said the new party is starting to have success recruiting candidates for local offices.

"We have candidates who come to us," Guetzloe said. "We had 72 candidates that went through our Web site. We actually had 72 people respond to that, and they wanted to be candidates, and we've focused on the Florida Legislature."

Although both Guetzloe and Dunmire were registered Republicans before getting involved in the Tea Party, they're targeting both Democratic and Republican incumbents -– specifically, any state lawmaker who voted either to raise taxes or in favor of the SunRail commuter rail line, a project they deride as too costly to be worth the money, and a guaranteed loser in the long run.

They scored one big recruitment coup in Polk County, when Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson abandoned his bid to run for the state's 12th Congressional District as a Republican, and instead announced he would run as the candidate of the Florida Tea Party. The district, which covers most of Polk County and small parts of Osceola and Hillsborough counties, is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow.

O'Neal said Wilkinson is exactly the kind of candidate his party hopes to recruit: an officeholder with a history of fighting for low taxes and reduced government spending.

"Randy is our Polk County operation at this point," O'Neal said. "Randy has been catching fire for opposing tax increases in Polk County."

Dunmire, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, in November, said the Tea Party's message is catching on with voters who think the federal government has failed to improve the ailing economy, and who are starting to think government may be more of a hindrance to future growth than anything else.

"The majority of people I know in the Tea Party are people who are self-employed," she said. "They are risk takers. They are business people. I think there is tremendous jealousy out there that the people in our Tea Party are just common people. That's why they get so upset about what's happening in Washington."

Guetzloe said they're creating a new conservative party, one that won't talk a conservative line on the campaign trail, then vote for higher taxes, increased spending, and projects like SunRail once they're in office.

"We are the new Republican party, we truly are," he said. "I think if we live long enough we'll see the Tea Party replace the Republicans."

Dunmire said both parties have failed to improve the economy, which is why voters are looking for alternatives to the status quo.

"Our economy is in trouble," she said. "It's in trouble at lots of levels, and one of the problems is the labor union mentality that is not helpful. I would defy you to tell me that anywhere in the United States now, that working conditions justify union tactics. The reasons for having unions are long gone in most industries."

Dunmire and the Florida Tea Party will most a July Fourth Extravaganza, to celebrate the opening of the Florida Tea Party's new headquarters at 215 E. Central Boulevard next to Lake Eola. It's going to be an old-fashioned Independence Day cookout and rally from 5-10 p.m. The requested donation is $76 per person and $177.60 for a family of four. During this event, there will be hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks and Samuel Adams beer available, plus free parking and a close up view of the fireworks over Lake Eola -– in addition to plenty of retail politics.

Guetzloe said the party is still looking to recruit more candidates -- anyone who is tired of complaining about government and ready to demand change.

"We have candidates across the state," he said. "We have candidates in Key West. We have candidates in Polk County, of course. That's part of our strategy."

Dunmire added, "We Tea Party people are different. My standard speech is that I am happy to have the disaffected with me. We are a party that is actually saying ‘Welcome, and our tent is very broad.' "

What do you think? Contact Michael Freeman about this article at Reportermailbox@gmail.com.

TEA PARTY TO OPEN FLORIDA STATE HEADQUARTERS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY.

TEA Party nominee Peg Dunmire to Host Grand Opening

(Orlando) The TEA Party will open it's new Florida State Headquarters on Sunday, Independence Day with a Grand Opening celebration from 5-9 pm. The TEA Party state headquarters is located on Lake Eola at 215 East Central Blvd in downtown Orlando. The Headquarters and annex comprise the largest party headquarters in Florida with over 50,000 square feet in the two buildings.

The TEA party offices are located on the banks of Lake Eola, an Orlando landmark that has served as the primary tea party rallying point over the past 13 years, when Ax the Tax held the first 'tea party' at Lake Eola to protest the first rail proposal.

TEA Party State Headquarters & Annex
215 East Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801

Lake Eola will serve as the venue for the largest July 4th celebration and fireworks show in Central Florida and will coincide with the grand opening celebration providing the TEA party guests with ringside seats from our offices and grounds.

Tea party could be pivotal in three-way contest to replace U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam

Louis Jacobson | Times Staff Writer July 17, 2010

LAKELAND — The race to succeed U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, a five-term Republican running for state agriculture commissioner, has been sleepy so far, without the aggressive fundraising and campaigning of other competitive Florida congressional districts. But the district will likely see plenty of drama as Election Day draws near.

Three front-runners — a Republican, a Democrat and a tea party candidate — are vying to represent the sprawling, heavily agricultural region, which runs from southern Hillsborough County to the outskirts of Orlando.

The contest could hinge on whether Randy Wilkinson, running under the tea party banner, splits the Republican vote with GOP front-runner Dennis Ross, allowing Democratic favorite Lori Edwards or perhaps 2008 Democratic nominee Doug Tudor to pull out a victory.

The seat has been in Republican hands since 1984, when Rep. Andy Ireland switched his affiliation from Democratic to Republican. Ireland was succeeded by two other high-profile Republicans, Rep. Charles Canady, who's now chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, and Putnam, who rose to House Republican Conference chairman, his party's third-highest post.

On the other hand, Barack Obama lost the district by fewer than 4,000 votes to John McCain in the 2008 election, so in a neutral political environment, the contest would likely be a fair fight between the Republican and the Democrat.

The candidates will probably be on their own. Political observers say the national party committees are unlikely to spend much on the race.

The first priority of both parties is to protect incumbents, and the list of vulnerable Democratic incumbents is long. The GOP, for its part, has less cash to spend nationally and may not be able to drop a lot of money on a district that straddles two fairly expensive media markets.

"I think in this environment, it's hard for the Democrats to pull off a victory, but they mention Edwards as a prospect, and in this environment, to be a Democrat and get a mention like that shows she has prospects that most Democrats don't have," said D.C.-based political handicapper Stu Rothenberg.

In the current bullish environment for Republicans, Ross is the nominal favorite. A lawyer and former state representative, Ross has been endorsed by the Associated Industries of Florida and has the most cash on hand of any 12th District contender — $440,315. He is favored over John Lindsey in the GOP primary.

Ross touts a conservative, pro-business approach to job creation — low taxes and restrained spending — for a district that has suffered during the recession due to a precipitous decline in construction and a fall in real estate values. But in a year when outsiders often have a leg up, Ross also emphasizes that he's not afraid to take on his own party.

As a legislator, he joined only one other lawmaker in opposing a hurricane insurance package backed by Gov. Charlie Crist, then a Republican, along with GOP legislative leaders. Ross argued that it overreached and put the state at financial risk.

His rebellion prompted party leaders, led by then-House Speaker Marco Rubio, to strip him of the chairmanship of the House Insurance Committee.

"I will follow my principles even when they are contrary to what my party wants me to do," Ross said in an interview at his office in Lakeland.

Edwards, the Democratic front-runner, is a former state representative who now serves as Polk County's elected supervisor of elections. Her agenda marries a centrist profile — she's endorsed by the Blue Dog caucus of moderate-to conservative congressional Democrats — to some populist policies.

"I can offer a strong voice for middle-class people," Edwards said in an interview in Winter Haven. "I want to protect constituents from the big banks, the big oil companies and the big insurance companies."

Ross will likely attack her over the Democratic health care plan. "We will never, ever have the economy we want unless we make drastic changes to the health care system," she said.

Look for Edwards to target Ross' willingness to consider Social Security privatization.

"The private market has performed better over 80 years than Social Security has in rate of return," he said. A private role "has to be on the table," though only for those under 55 today.

Edwards faces a primary challenge from the left by Doug Tudor, a Navy veteran who held Putnam to 57 percent in 2008, the incumbent's worst performance since winning the seat. Tudor wants to end the tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush, reinstate the estate tax, and introduce a "living wage" and policies to aid collective bargaining and workplace safety. As of April, he had received about $39,000 in contributions.

National Democrats have given Edwards an early boost, but privately sound uneasy with her sluggish fundraising, which totaled $62,185 last quarter, with expenses of $64,774, leaving $103,703 in the bank. Edwards concedes the point.

"I would be happier if I'd raised more to date," she said. "But I still feel confident we'll have enough money to get our message out."

The looming wild card is Wilkinson. He's outgunned financially, taking in just $33,000 in the last quarter. But, unlike many tea party-backed candidates, Wilkinson has a substantial record in politics, and a life story almost custom-tailored for the farm and factory demographics of the region.

He has three master's degrees and has worked as a youth minister, a journalist and in a series of blue-collar jobs including aquatic weed control, phosphate mining and grocery bagging. He's also won seats on the School Board and the County Commission in Polk County, and has built a loyal following, especially in more rural areas of the citrus-and-cattle-heavy district.

That could make him a more potent force than many other congressional tea party contenders. So could his iconoclastic views. Democrats and independents "are getting left aside by the movement," he said. "I think I can bring them in."

Like most in the tea party movement, Wilkinson aggressively supports low taxes and low spending, but he's skeptical about oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

In an interview in Lakeland, he praised some of the policies enacted by Democratic presidents John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and Obama.

Even as a GOP elected official, Wilkinson has sparred with his own party, and with the law — being accused of, but not charged with, domestic violence in 2002 and DUI in 2006.

His decision to quit the GOP this year and sign on with the tea party irked Republicans anew. A rival tea party/9-12 group has endorsed Ross, as has Freedomworks, the national group instrumental in organizing tea party protests nationally.

"The parties are just two wings of the same bird of prey," he said. Comparing congressional combat to professional wrestling, Wilkinson said that the parties "bash the other side's personalities, but they're just playing around. It's fake."

TEA Party Nominee Peg Dunmire sweeps Winter Park Chamber Straw Ballot with 72% over incumbent Democrat Congressman Alan Grayson

The Winter Park (FL) Chamber of Commerce held their annual "Mingle" and Hobnob last night (7/20/10) and the results are in on the race for the 8th Congressional District. TEA Party Nominee Peg Dunmire (TEA-Orlando) swept the straw ballot with 72% of the vote cast.

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest chamber's in the area, with over 900 members, and the first hobnob straw ballot to be held in the 8th Congressional District.

The landslide win by Dunmire, the TEA Party's first congressional nominee, is the third in a series of wins by Dunmire. The most recent poll win was a survey conducted by the local radio show "People Power Hour" (810 AM - 6-8pm weekdays) that produced a landslide victory for Dunmire with over 45% of the 12,660 votes cast over a one-week period. Grayson trailed that poll also with 40% of the vote.

"We're very pleased with the Winter Park Chamber vote and we continue to be very happy with the continued support Peg is generating in her bid to be our nation's first TEA Party member of Congress," stated Fred O'Neal, Chairman of the Florida TEA Party.

Other TEA Party nominees faired well also with Florida Legislative Candidate Heinie Heinzelman receiving 19% of the vote against a liberal GOP incumbent.

The results are attached.

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TEA Party's Peg Dunmire Whips Rep. Alan Grayson in Chamber Vote

Kenric Ward | Sunshine State News 07/21/2010

TEA Party candidate Peg Dunmire swamped U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, 72 percent to 28 percent, in the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce's straw ballot.

Dunmire and Grayson, D-Orlando, were the only two candidates on the congressional straw ballot, and Dunmire was the lone candidate present from the crowded 8th Congressional District field. Seven Republicans are vying in the Aug. 24 primary to face Dunmire and Grayson in the general election.

Some 300 votes were cast at Tuesday night's event, said chamber spokeswoman Erika Spence, who reported that the straw polling was conducted by Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles and his staff.

TEA Party's Peg Dunmire Whips Rep. Alan Grayson in Chamber Vote

Kenric Ward | Sunshine State News 07/21/2010

TEA Party candidate Peg Dunmire swamped U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, 72 percent to 28 percent, in the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce's straw ballot.

UNCOVERED POLITICS: Tea Party’s Randy Wilkinson Polling 20% in Florida U.S. House Race

By Darcy G. Richardson August 3, 2010

Tea Party candidate Randy Wilkinson, Polk County commissioner, is polling 20 percent of the vote in Florida's 12th congressional district, according to an internal poll released yesterday by Democratic candidate Lori Edwards.

The sprawling district, positioned along the state’s I-4 Corridor, stretches across Central Florida, including most of Polk County and parts of Hillsborough and Osceola counties.

The generally conservative district, carried overwhelmingly by George W. Bush in 2004 and narrowly by John McCain in 2008, has been represented by Republican Adam Putnam since January 2001, when the 26-year-old state legislator became one of the youngest members ever elected to Congress. Putnam is giving up his seat in the House this year to run for state Agriculture Commissioner.

Conducted in late July by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a Democratic polling firm founded by Stan Greenberg, a professor in comparative politics at Yale University, the internal poll showed Edwards, the Polk County supervisor of elections, garnering 35 percent among likely voters to 32 percent for Dennis Ross, the presumptive Republican nominee. Her lead was within the poll’s 4.9 percent margin of error.

A former reporter and ex-state representative currently serving in her third term as the county's elections' chief — winning her last two elections without opposition — Edwards hopes to capture the traditionally Republican-held seat in what is quickly shaping up to be a genuine three-way dogfight in November.

Edwards and Ross both face opposition in the August 24 primary. Edwards is facing a challenge from Navy veteran Doug Tudor of Riverview, the party’s nominee in 2008 — garnering 42.5 percent against Putnam — while Ross, a former state lawmaker from Lakeland who was recently endorsed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, faces token opposition from John W. Lindsey, Jr., a little-known conservative activist.

Putnam is actively supporting Ross.

Ross, 50, whose candidacy also enjoys the blessing of former Gov. Jeb Bush, had seriously considered challenging Katherine Harris for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in 2006, but stepped aside at the eleventh hour when a few better-known candidates belatedly entered that contest.

The internal poll, found that Wilkinson, long known for his frugality when it comes to government spending — a solid tea party trademark — pulls about twice as many voters from his likely Republican opponent as from Edwards. Incredibly, 18 percent of the Republican voters surveyed and more than a third of the self-described conservative independents polled indicated that they support the Tea Party candidate.

Conducted among 400 likely voters in November, the Greenberg Quinlan Rosner poll also revealed that Wilkinson — who has won four consecutive countywide races, three as a county commissioner and one for the school board in a county with a population estimated at 580,000 — apparently enjoys higher name recognition in the GOP-leaning district than Ross, who was term limited from the state legislature in 2008.

The poll found Wilkinson with a 12-point name recognition advantage over his Republican rival.

“On top of the national Tea Party momentum, Wilkinson is a candidate with a particular ability to siphon votes away from the Republican candidate and hold them,” stated the polling firm in releasing the results.

“The path to victory is clear,” said an obviously elated Douglas M. Guetzloe, the party’s senior advisor, in an e-mail communication to the party’s executive committee. “Randy is closing the gap dramatically.”

The conservative Tea Party candidate has been badly outpaced, however, when it comes to the mother’s milk of politics, raising a modest $33,402.72 in the first eight weeks after entering the race in late April. That includes a personal loan of $6,000 that he made to his fledgling campaign on April 29, shortly before qualifying for the race.

While that’s not necessarily inconsequential, especially for a late-starting third-party candidate, the GOP's Ross, by comparison, had raised more than $791,000 as of June 30, the last quarterly filing period. Democrat Lori Edwards reported receipts of nearly $308,000 at the close of the same reporting period.

Attorneys File Motion To Withdraw from Tea Party Federal Lawsuit

SOUTH FLORIDA TEA PARTY LAWYERS WANT OUT IN FEDERAL LAWSUIT: ASK COURT TO DROP THEIR REPRESENTATION OF EVERETT WILKINSON AND TEA PARTY ALLIES.

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A File Motion To Withdraw from Tea Party Federal lawsuit against Florida Tea Party

The attornies and law firm representing the South Florida Tea Party and it’s “leader” Everett Wilkinson have moved to withdraw as legal counsel to Wilkinson and others who filed suit in Federal Court against the official TEA Party (TEA) over the use of the name ‘tea party.”

The TEA Party (TEA) is officially authorized by the State of Florida as a registered political party and is fielding twenty (21) tea party patriots as officially nominated TEA Party candidates in this year’s elections.

Wilkinson, the self-described “TeaPartyCzar” according to his recent deposition taken in the case, had filed suit against the TEA Party alleging that only his group and others could use the name TEA Party, even though they have no authorization to use the name.

The deposition and other news reports confirm that Wilkinson and other plaintiffs are not paying for their lawsuit but instead, the lawsuit is being paid for by a shadowy political operative best known for dirty tricks named Michael Caputo. Caputo has confirmed that he is paying $20,000 a month for lawyers to sue the Florida Tea Party but refuses to reveal who is paying him to engage the attorneys.

The motion to withdraw is being opposed by the TEA Party and a hearing will have to be held prior to the motion be granted.

“It’s quite obvious after Wilkinson’s disastrous deposition that the attorney’s are running for the exits, especially after being exposed like that,” stated Doug Guetzloe, one of the defendants in the suit. Guetzloe, a Republican consultant is advising the TEA Party on a pro-bono basis.

“Once we exposed these attorneys for their involvement with the “criminal enterprise” that was the Scott Rothstein law firm, their credibility dropped dramatically among tea party groups and observers,” stated Guetzloe.

“These attorney’s were involved with the most corrupt legal practice in the state according to the FBI and federal prosecutors and that involvement has caused seven (7) of their plaintiffs to drop their participation in the lawsuit. More drops are expected in the coming weeks.”

“This is the beginning of the end for Wilkinson and his gang,” Guetzloe concluded.

Sunshine News Network reported that “Wilkinson… comes off in the 129-page deposition as a somewhat disconnected, even clueless, leader of the legal fight.”

Tea Party Pot Stirred at Surreal Orlando Deposition

In a lengthy and, at times, surreal deposition, Tea Party activist Everett Wilkinson was grilled by rival TEA Party officials this month.

Wilkinson, who sued the Florida TEA Party headed by Frederic O’Neal over misappropriating the “Tea” name, comes off in the 129-page deposition as a somewhat disconnected, even clueless, leader of the legal fight.

Under questioning by O’Neal, an Orlando attorney, Wilkinson said he:

* didn’t know who is funding the lawsuit;
* didn’t recall signing a retainer agreement;
* hadn’t met “his” attorneys until the day before the deposition (nearly a month after the U.S. District Court hearing on the suit);
* didn’t remember any conversation with Michael Caputo about the suit, though he admitted talking via phone with the Republican political operative “every couple of days.”

Caputo told Sunshine State News last month that he was personally funding the legal challenge to the tune of $20,000 a month. But Wilkinson, with attorney Gustavo Sardina sitting alongside, said, “I have no knowledge (of who’s funding it.)”

Wilkinson’s suit alleges that the Tea name was illegally appropriated when O’Neal registered the Florida TEA Party with the state in August, 2009. Wilkinson said he had started using the name in May, 2009. Since then, he has variously referred to himself as the chairman of the Florida Tea Party and state director of the South Florida Tea Party.

In justifying the lawsuit, Wilkinson said his Tea group and O’Neal’s political party, which is fielding 21 candidates this year’s elections, represent “two different things,” though Wilkinson could not describe the TEA Party’s platform.

THE GUETZLOE REPORT IS BACK.

internet-based Phoenix Network will host Guetzloe and other shows. Guetzloe Report will broadcast encore presentations for the next 76 hours straight.

The Guetzloe Report, Central Florida area's longest running political news/talk show has resumed broadcasting on a full-time basis. The show, in it's 14th year, is now broadcasting every weekday from 11-noon on the Phoenix Network, an Internet-based network.

Phoenix Network is owned by the Guetzloe Media Group, Inc and the network has a 24/7 broadcast capability.

"Establishing the network was an expensive endeavor but well worth it to guarantee the exercise of free speech in Central Florida, the state and nation," Guetzloe stated.

The Phoenix Network is negotiating with several individuals and potential shows to join the Internet-based broadcasting operation on a regular basis.

Guetzloe, the founder and chairman of Ax the Tax, is a nationally recognized anti-tax and tea party leader who has helped taxpayers defeat over $32.5 billion in new tax proposals in 14 successful campaigns.

To demonstrate the broadcasting capability, The Guetzloe Report is broadcasting encore presentations of The Guetzloe Report until Monday at 11:00 a.m. when the show will return to live broadcasting.

You can access The Guetzloe Report by going to www.Guetzloe.com or www.AxTheTax.org and click on the "listen live" icon.

DOWN WITH TYRANNY BLOGSPOT POST

It Wasn't Alan Grayson Who Started The Tea Party Foundation-- It Was George LeMieux/Jim Greer Dirty Tricks Operatives

"The mob is tame compared to the Republican Party of Florida"

Tallahassee's corrupt Republican Party Establishment has come under withering fire from Glenn Beck fans whose hatred runneth over in all directions. They may not like Democrats but many of them are not quite willing to follow Sarah Palin's call that fun and games are over now and the time is right to get behind GOP hacks from the Panhandle all the way down to the tip of Monroe County, where Rubio crony and accused woman beater David Rivera is running a shameless campaign against mainstream Republican Marili Cancio and Tea Party stalwart Paul Crespo.

Instead of addressing their own problems, though-- primarily the party's recent swing into out-of-control corruption and the extremism-- the Tallahassee GOP has decided to undermine the legitimate Tea Party movement by starting one of their own. Furious that Tea Party candidates will draw conservative voters away from corrupt Republicans, the Tallahassee Establishment formed a 527 PAC called the Tea Party Foundation. At one time they were trying to say Democrat Alan Grayson was behind the Florida Tea Party. Well... it turns out to be GOP appointed Senator George LeMieux and disgraced/indicted/imprisoned Florida Republican Party Chair Jim Greer who were behind it! The Treasurer is the top position in a PAC, like a chairman or a president. And the phony Tea Party Foundation PAC lists Abby Dupree as the Treasurer, the same position she also holds for LeMieux.

The Florida Secretary of State declared the 527 PAC illegal, and the Tea Party of Florida is filing a criminal complaint against it. Here's the media alert the official Tea Party of Florida sent out: A brand-new 527 Electioneering Committee named the "Tea Party Foundation, Inc." was established this week by Republican Party of Florida operatives and close associates of indicted former RPOF Chairman Jim Greer and Bill McCollum.

The committee was informed yesterday by the Secretary of State that its formation is a clear violation of Florida law and elections statutes.

The new electioneering communication organization, listing Abby Dupree of Tallahassee as its agent, registered with the state Division of Elections last month. Dupree, listed as the group's original registered agent and treasurer, is also treasurer of Republican Sen. George LeMieux's Protect America's Future PAC, which funnels funds to GOP candidates. Dupree also was the contact for the "Jim Greer for Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida" campaign committee which funneled nearly $400,000 to the indicted former chairman and his associates.

The committee has retained Phil Russo, an Orlando-based Republican campaign worker for 8th Congressional district congressional candidate Todd Long in an effort to bring some veneer of association to the tea party movement. Russo, the spokesperson for the bogus 'foundation' immediately stated his and the committee's support for "gay marriage; legalized marijuana and opposition to the Patriot Act," putting that group in direct conflict with established tea party principles. Interestingly, an associate of Mr. Russo's, South Florida Tea party "czar" Everett Wilkinson declared to the Washington Post in a recent article that his own South Florida Tea Party has "hundreds of gays" in this group and therefore he opposes the definition of marriage as between a woman and a man.

Russo, a co-leader of one of the smaller Orlando tea party groups had approached several Florida Tea Party leaders in July about working for the Florida Tea Party and having them 'buy him a car.' The request for the car and for employment was denied.

"This is a typical GOP goon squad front group that doesn't even attempt to mask it's attempt to thwart the laws of Florida. No wonder there are over 3 dozen criminal investigations of RPOF officers and GOP elected officials from both Federal and state authorities. The mob is tame compared to the Republican Party of Florida," stated GOP consultant Doug Guetzloe, an unpaid advisor to the Tea Party. "It's really disgusting that these goons think they can buy their way into political power with millions in special interest funds," Guetzloe concluded.

Attorney Fred O'Neal is in the process of filing a criminal complaint against all individuals named in the bogus group. O'Neal was advised by the Secretary of State's office to file the criminal complaint.

TEA PARTY COMMENTS ON BOGUS REPUBLICAN PARTY LAWSUIT AND DIRTY TRICKS SQUAD ACTIVITIES.

The RPOF under criminal investigation tries to divert attention.

(Orlando) The Florida Tea Party (TEA) is condemning the bogus lawsuit filed today by RPOF operative Don Henseling as "more of the same."

"The Republican Party of Florida is continuing their non-stop attacks on the TEA Party because they know that the TEA Party has become a viable political party that is successfully challenging the GOP for conservative votes in November," stated John Hallman, Executive Director of the TEA Party.

To date the Republican Party has been involved in the following dirty tricks: - Funded the current federal lawsuit against the Tea Party. Main plaintiff Everett Wilkinson has admitted in sworn testimony that he's not paying for the lawsuit and doesn't recall who is. GOP operative Michael Caputo has now admitted he is funding the lawsuit at $20,000 per month but has refused to release who is paying him. Wilkinson's attorney's filed a motion to withdraw from the case last week. - Funding an illegal 527 Electioneering Communications Committee named the "Tea Party Foundation" whose treasurer and organizer is Jamee Dupree who is also Senator John Thrasher's treasurer as well as indicted former RPOF Chairman Jim Greer and other GOP slush funds. - Funding local 'tea party operatives' Jason Hoyt; Tom Tillison and Phil Russo (the latter had already approached two Tea party officials about paying him $5,000 a month and buying him a car - requests that were refused).

"The Florida Tea Party has full and total transparency, unlike these bogus tea party folks who are lining their own pockets with GOP money." The allegations concerning Grayson and others are not true and that can be easily established by reviewing our campaign reports," concluded Hallman, former state director for FreedomWorks, the organization credited with establishing many tea party groups throughout Florida.

"All of the Tea party officers and candidates are from the Tea party movement and the Tea Party itself was founded by tea party patriots and established with tea party principles," stated Doug Guetzloe, an unpaid advisor to the new party.

"Our polling shows that our tea party candidates are running ahead or close to ahead in all the races involved in this bogus lawsuit," Guetzloe concluded.

"Considering that Dean Cannon, John Thasher and the Republican Party itself is under criminal investigation by half a dozen federal, state and local agencies, we find it disingenuous for the Republican party to be spending their contributors money in an effort to mislead voters," stated Guetzloe,

Attorney Fred O'Neal, Chairman of the Tea Party and an expert in election and constitutional law would not comment on the law suit specifically since he had not seen it or received it yet, but did say that if anyone wanted to challenge the qualification of any candidate qualified by the State, then they would need to file suit against the State of Florida, since the Tea Party has complied with all applicable state laws in qualifying Tea Party candidates. O'Neal also commented that Mr. Henserling does not have standing to file a lawsuit in Orange County since he is a resident of Hillsborough County. O'Neal stated that upon receipt of the lawsuit, a motion to dismiss would be filed promptly.

TEA PARTY DENOUNCES CANDIDATE FORUM FOR CHARGING $1,000 PER PERSON TO AT...

WEST ORLANDO TEA PARTY
AUGUST 12TH 2010 TOWN HALL FORUM

Click here to view PDF

GUETZLOE REPORT BREAKING NEWS!

GOP Operative - Everett Wilkinson - on the payroll of the McCollum campaign; Florida Crystals and the RPOF - showing his true colors.

Does this clown represent the tea party?

Everett is the ringleader for the Hoyt; Tillison; Russo; Rumpf; Bud Hedinger wing of the fake tea party 'movement' groups that are dialing for dollars with the vested special interests.

Hoyt and Tillison have refused to release any financial records on the thousands of dollars they've converted for their private personal use. Their own associate-Russo has disclosed that Hoyt and Tillison have literally stolen thousands of tea party patriot dollars. Disgusting!

The other 'associates' of this cabal are:

- Bill McCollum, flip-flopping career politician funding secret slush funds.
- Michael Caputo - self described 'dirty trickster.' Paying $20k a month for Wilkinson's dirty tricks squad.
- Scott Rothstein - convicted criminal - money man for Wilkinson and his crew.
- Wilkinson's attorney's - former Rothstein attorney's - they've moved to withdraw from representing Wilkinson and crew from the federal lawsuit

- Bud Hedinger, WFLA 540 Radio Host who condoned the violation of the First Amendment last night - agreed to charge $1,000 per person for 'tea party people' to a public forum. Pretends to be a patriot but is clearly a sycophant for the corrupt vested special interests.

- Sarah Rumpf - Consultant to corrupt Democrat state attorney Lawson Lamar, currently under investigation for election law and ethics violations - 'attorney' to the bogus West Orlando Tea Party that banned all tea party supporters from their poorly attended forum last evening.

- RPOF - corrupt party officials funding the bogus lawsuits against the tea party candidates and setting up illegal 527 slush funds - "Tea Party Foundation."

The cabal vs. the Florida Tea Party patriots!

The battle continues and the patriots will win.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CMtQOQTAyU

Judge for yourself.

Wilkinson's deposition is attached. If I had just given a deposition like the one Wilkinson gave, I certainly would not be calling on anyone else to release theirs.

NOTE: Video courtesy of the Sunshine State News Network

Tea party groups choose to stand mute on same-sex marriage ruling

By Sandhya Somashekhar | Washington Post Staff Writer July 13, 2010

While many conservative organizations immediately decried a federal judge's decision last week to invalidate the federal ban on recognizing gay marriages, tea party groups have been conspicuously silent on the issue.

The silence is by design, activists with the loosely affiliated movement said, because it is held together by an exclusive focus on fiscal matters and its avoidance of divisive social issues such as abortion and gay marriage. Privately, though, many said they back the decision because it emphasizes the legal philosophy of states' rights.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro in Boston struck down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which for federal purposes defines a marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Tauro agreed with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley that marriages should be defined by the state, and that the law violated the Constitution's 10th Amendment, which grants to states jurisdiction over matters not explicitly given to the federal government.

"I do think it's a state's right," said Phillip Dennis, Texas state coordinator for the Tea Party Patriots. The group does not take a position on social issues, he said, but personally, "I believe that if the people in Massachusetts want gay people to get married, then they should allow it, just as people in Utah do not support abortion. They should have the right to vote against that."

Everett Wilkinson, state director for the Florida Tea Party Patriots, agreed: "On the issue [of gay marriage] itself, we have no stance, but any time a state's rights or powers are encouraged over the federal government, it is a good thing."

That view is perhaps not surprising, considering the strong libertarian strains within the tea party movement. One of the nation's best-known libertarians, Bob Barr, has opposed the Defense of Marriage Act over his concern that it violated states' rights -- a notable about-face, considering that Barr wrote the DOMA legislation in 1996 when he was a Republican congressman from Georgia.

Tea party activists have also embraced the 10th Amendment as a symbol of their opposition to what they believe is the outsized role taken on by the federal government.

The large tea party-affiliated organizations, including FreedomWorks and the Tea Party Nation, declined to comment on Tauro's ruling because of their groups' fiscal focus. "That's just not something that's on our radar," said Judson Phillips, founder of the Tea Party Nation. He acknowledged, however, that some in his group -- though not a majority -- are opposed to the Defense of Marriage Act.

The situation is perhaps different in South Florida, where Wilkinson said "several hundred" of the group's supporters are gay. "Our stance might be different than someone who's in Oklahoma," he said.

Local candidate runs into tax trouble

By Mike Synan | WDBO Staff July 16, 2010

A candidate who plans to run against Alan Grayson for his District 8 seat has also run into some tax troubles.

Republican Bruce O'Donoghue owes the IRS more than $300,000 after he failed to pay his payroll taxes for last year.

"It's a sad set of circumstances, and of course timing couldn't have been worse," O'Donoghue says.

The candidate told WDBO he's the victim of a former employee that stole from him, but would not name that employee, and did not file charges against anyone.

Control Specialists Company faces a lien of $306,975. The company installs traffic signals in crosswalks.

O'Donoghue says he's trying to negotiate a settlement and promises to pay the taxes and the interest once the penalty's waived.

Another Day, Another Tea Party Courts Tussle in the Making

Kenric Ward | Sunshine State News 08/10/2010

Just two weeks old, the Tea Party Foundation may be dragged into court to defend its name.

The Florida Secretary of State's Office, citing state statute 103.081 and responding to a complaint by the Florida TEA Party, determined that a campaign committee cannot bear the name of a political party.

But Jennifer K. Davis, spokeswoman for the secretary of state, said her office "does not have the authority to make someone change their name," and, so, the matter appears headed to court.

TEA Party Chairman Frederic O'Neal said legal action is forthcoming.

Phil Russo, a spokesman for the foundation, said, "I will fight this with every ounce of my being. I will take it to the Supreme Court."

The TEA Party is already embroiled in a federal court case over its use of the name.

New "Tea Party Foundation" Set up by RPOF/Jim Greer Operatives.

Bogus Tea Party Group Violates Florida Law. Bogus tea party political committee consultant comes out for gay marriage, legalized drug use and denounces Patriot Act.

A brand-new 527 Electioneering Committee named the "Tea Party Foundation, Inc." was established this week by Republican Party of Florida operatives and close associates of indicted former RPOF Chairman Jim Greer and Bill McCollum.

The committee was informed yesterday by the Secretary of State that it's formation is a clear violation of Florida law and elections statutes.

The committee has retained Rhil Russo, an Orlando-based Republican campaign worker for 8th Congressional district congressional candidate Todd Long in an effort to bring some veneer of association to the tea party movement. Russo, the spokesperson for the bogus 'foundation' immediately stated his and the committee's support for "gay marriage; legalized marijuana and opposition to the Patriot Act," putting that group in direct conflict with established tea party principles. Interestingly, an associate of Mr. Russo's, South Florida Tea party "czar" Everett Wilkinson declared to the Washington Post in a recent article that his own South Florida Tea Party has "hundreds of gays" in this group and therefore he opposes the definition of marriage as between a woman and a man.

Everett Wilkinson Exposed as Fraud

Tea Party Pot Stirred at Surreal Orlando Deposition

Kenric Ward's blog July 29, 2010

In a lengthy and, at times, surreal deposition, Tea Party activist Everett Wilkinson was grilled by rival TEA Party officials this month.

Wilkinson, who sued the Florida TEA Party headed by Frederic O'Neal over misappropriating the "Tea" name, comes off in the 129-page deposition as a somewhat disconnected, even clueless, leader of the legal fight.

Under questioning by O'Neal, an Orlando attorney, Wilkinson said he:
* didn't know who is funding the lawsuit;
* didn't recall signing a retainer agreement;
* hadn't met "his" attorneys until the day before the deposition (nearly a month after the U.S. District Court hearing on the suit);
* didn't remember any conversation with Michael Caputo about the suit, though he admitted talking via phone with the Republican political operative "every couple of days."

Wilkinson's suit alleges that the Tea name was illegally appropriated when O'Neal registered the Florida TEA Party with the state in August, 2009. Wilkinson said he had started using the name in May, 2009. Since then, he has variously referred to himself as the chairman of the Florida Tea Party and state director of the South Florida Tea Party.

In justifying the lawsuit, Wilkinson said his Tea group and O'Neal's political party, which is fielding 21 candidates this year's elections, represent "two different things," though Wilkinson could not describe the TEA Party's platform.

A message from Peg Dunmire, the official Tea Party candidate against Alan Grayson....

Dear Fellow Conservative,
America stands at a crossroads. As a nation, we have the opportunity to move forward and reclaim our role as the greatest nation in the history of the world, or we can take the dark road of increased government control, less freedom and increased taxes.
I am Peg Dunmire. I am proud to be the TEA Party candidate for the United States Congress running against Alan Grayson. You know Grayson. He is the one who mocks Americans and Republicans with statements like die now and Dick Cheney is a vampire. When I qualified, Grayson called me one of Governor Palin's un-dead minions. I am proud to accept the moniker! I would rather be one of Governor Palin's un-dead minions than one of the Pelosi stormtroopers!
In my opinion, Grayson represents the very worst element in the United States Congress. Grayson sides with those that would have our country cower in the face of radical Islamic fascism. Grayson represents those that support the unbridled march to socialism. Grayson has become the most outspoken member of Congress to support the corrupt Democrat machine politics.
It is time to retire Alan Grayson. So, as conservatives, how do we do that? It is clearly time for a change and I represent that change. The Republican Party had a one-on-one battle with Grayson last election and they lost. Some people say we should do that again ? a GOP candidate against Grayson ? one-on-one. It was Einstein that said it was insanity to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. If you want to beat Grayson, then join with me in a dramatic effort to defeat him and send a true fiscal and social conservative to Washington.
One of the reasons that my party, the TEA Party, has come under attack across the nation is that TEA party candidates are defeating the GOP bosses and their handpicked candidates across America. The TEA Party represents real change from the corrupt practices of both major parties. The polls here in this area all show me to be the strongest candidate to defeat Grayson in November. Peg Dunmire is: pro-life; pro-gun; pro-defense; anti-tax; and anti-Obama-Care. So the question is: do you want Grayson to go back to Washington or do you want to send a conservative TEA party nominee in his place?
The choice is yours and the choice is clear: Peg Dunmire can win this election and with your help, we will retire Grayson back to New York where he came from!

Sincerely,
Peg Dunmire
TEA Party nominee for the US Congress, District 8
Please consider a donation to the campaign to defeat Grayson.
Also, please visit my website at: www.DunmireForCongress.com

FLORIDA TEA PARTY (TEA) APPOINTS JOHN HALLMAN STATE FIELD DIRECTOR

John Hallman, former State Director for FreedomWorks and taxpayer advocate joins Tea Party effort.

(Orlando) State TEA Party Chairman Fred O'Neal announced today that taxpayer advocate and lifelong Republican activist, John Hallman, has joined the fledgling party as state field director. "John Hallman is an exciting addition to any campaign team and we're thrilled to have him working for the TEA Party full-time," stated Chairman O'Neal.

Hallman has a unique and impressive resume. Hallman currently serves as President of the Florida Taxpayers Union, a non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization representing Florida taxpayers in Tallahassee.

Hallman has also served in the following positions:

Florida State Director for Dick Armey's Organization FreedomWorks 2003-2006
Deputy State Director for Newt Gingrich's American Solutions Day Project 2007
South Florida Field Director for Fred Thompson for President 2007
Deputy State Director for Florida Stop Lawsuit Abuse 2007
President for Florida Taxpayers Union
Lobbyist for Cut Property Taxes Now and Florida Taxpayers Union
Florida State Treasurer for National Federation of Republican Assemblies 2004-2006
Florida Field Director for Republican Liberty Caucus- 2005

Within the Republican Party Hallman has served in the following positions:

2000: Palm Beach County Volunteer Coordinator for George W. Bush
2002: Palm Beach County Volunteer Coordinator for Jeb Bush for Governor
2004: Palm Beach County Volunteer Coordinator for President Bush
2002-2003: Precinct Committeeman for Broward County Republican Executive Committee
2003-2006: District Committeeman for Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee
2004-2006: Board of Directors for Boca Raton Republican Club
2004-2006: State Board of Directors for National Federation of Republican Assemblies/Florida
2005-2006: Board of Directors for Palm Beach County Republican Party

Hallman helped establish the Florida division of FreedomWorks, the pro-free market group chaired by Dick Armey and served as Deputy Florida Director for Newt Gingrich's organization American Solutions. John has organized both state and national lobbying efforts, particularly in support of Personal Retirement Accounts and fundamental tax reform; and in 2005 John spearheaded the Florida FreedomWorks "Own Your Future Tour", promoting Social Security Reform throughout the state and debating anti-reform leaders from such groups as Move0n.org and AARP.

Recently, John organized grassroots campaigns in support of property tax reform, private property rights, and government spending limitations in the Florida Legislature. John Hallman is an active, longtime voice in all levels of Florida politics and has taught activists schools and is a frequent guest on radio and TV talk shows. John also serves as an adjunct scholar with the James Madison Institute and has written numerous articles promoting the cause of individual freedom.

Hallman, Co-Chair of the Greater Sumter County Tea Party, will coordinate candidate activities with the twenty-one TEA party candidates as well as serve as the TEA party representative to local tea party and 912 organizations, many of whom are not affiliated with the Florida Tea Party.

Hallman activities and photos.

FreedomWorks's Hallman Attends Florida Property Rights Bill Signing

John Hallman and Gov. Jeb Bush.

Jun 13, 2006
On Wednesday May 31, FreedomWorks state director John Hallman was invited to attend Governor Jeb Bush’s bill signing on important eminent domain legislation protection in recognition of FreedomWorks efforts to help pass this bill. At the signing, Mr. Hallman spoke with the Governor’s policy director about Florida’s no-fault insurance plan. She assured him of the Governor’s plan to veto this and thanked FreedomWorks efforts at helping push this veto forward.

Florida FreedomWorks Meets with Mel Martinez

Oct 28, 2004
Florida State Director John Hallman met with US Senate candidate Mel Martinez. John Hallman discussed the FreedomWorks Candidate Survey and Mel Martinez confirmed his support for the Freedom Agenda. John Hallman commented " I was pleased that Mel Martinez continues to support the FreedomWorks Freedom Agenda and campaigns on the important issues of Tax Reform, Social Security Reform, Tort Reform and School Choice."

Florida State Director John Hallman had the honor of being asked to be on stage with Vice-President Dick Cheney at a Bush Rally in West Palm Beach. John Hallman commented, " It was exciting to be on Stage with Dick Cheney as he spoke about the Bush economic agenda of Tax Reform, Social Security Reform, Tort Reform and School Choice, the Vice-President said the President is committed to these issues and how important they are to real economic growth and creating an Ownership Society."

FreedomWorks John Hallman Presents on Social Security to Crowd of 100

Travels to the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women's state convention in Greensboro.

GREENSBORO, NC - On April 23rd, Florida Director John Hallman gave a PowerPoint presentation on Social Security Reform to the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women's state convention in Greensboro, North Carolina. Over 100 people were in attendance. Allen Page, the North Carolina Director asked John to give his presentation because of John's experience from traveling around Florida over the last year and speaking to 50 different audiences about Social Security Reform. John's PowerPoint is a comprehensive presentation, and has been used for workshop style education for those who support PRA's and want to learn how to be an effective advocate.

John covered all the basics of how Social Security works today, how it has been changed over the years since Social Security's inception. John then presented the four areas where the most objections to PRA's are coming from: 1. Is there really a crisis? 2.What about the Trust Fund? 3. Isn't the stock market risky? 4.We can't afford the transition costs. After the presentation, many in the audience commented that they thought they knew the issue pretty well, but after hearing John's presentation, they felt they had learned much more and would feel more comfortable now talking to others about PRA's. John Hallman commented "there are still many misconceptions about Social Security Reform, and we have to continue to educate people with the facts if we are to have a chance to pass reform."

FLORIDA ON THE LINE: POLITICAL PUNDITS

GUETZLOE ON NPR | Aired: June 10, 2010

www.publicbroadcasting.net/wfsu/.jukebox?action=viewPodcast&podcastId=11844

TEA Party Billboard at I-4 & 441

TEA Party's Peg Dunmire Whips Rep. Alan Grayson in Chamber Vote

by: Kenric Ward | Published: July 21, 2010

TEA Party candidate Peg Dunmire swamped U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, 72 percent to 28 percent, in the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce's straw ballot.

FLORIDA ON THE LINE: POLITICAL PUNDITS

GUETZLOE ON NPR | Aired: June 10, 2010

www.publicbroadcasting.net/wfsu/.jukebox?action=viewPodcast&podcastId=11844

Florida Tea Party Challenges Dems, GOP on Government, Taxes

by: Kevin Derby | Published: June 7, 2010

New third party plans on 12-20 candidates for the Legislature and 3 for U.S. House

A new third party with a familiar name calling for scaling back the size and cost of government has emerged in Florida hoping to take advantage of voter discontent. The Florida Tea Party is fielding three congressional candidates across Florida in the 2010 election cycle and hopes to have as many as 20 candidates running for seats in the Legislature.

Frederic O’Neal, an attorney based in Orlando who was active with Ax the Tax, an anti-tax organization in Central Florida, serves as the chairman of the fledgling third party and said Friday that the state needs a fiscally conservative party.

“At the state level, it’s hard to call the Democrats the ‘tax and spend’ party since the Republicans have been worse,” said O'Neill.

O’Neal said that he had been in discussions with anti-tax activists as early as 2006 and thought about launching a T.E.A. (“taxed enough already”) Party at that time. He said with the emergence of the national tea party phenomenon, the time was ripe to try again.

O’Neal said the Florida Tea Party was different than the myriad of third parties pushing for smaller government and lower taxes.

“We’re focused on just the size and scope of government and taxes,” said O’Neal. “We’re not a conservative party in the sense of social issues.” He added that this makes the Florida Tea Party different than the religious conservative Constitution Party or America’s Independent Party, which was founded by Dr. Alan Keyes.

O’Neal pointed to his party’s principles and said that Florida Tea Party candidates could develop their own positions on social issues and foreign policy as long as they backed the party’s stance on smaller government and lower taxes.

The Florida Tea Party is already running three congressional candidates. Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson is running for the seat that U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam is vacating to run for state agriculture and consumer services commissioner. Peg Dunmire, an IT consultant from Orlando, is running against U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson. Roly Arrojo, a businessman, is running for the seat that U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart is vacating to run for a neighboring congressional seat. Ron Taylor is running on the Tea Party line for Broward County Commission.

O’Neal said that the Florida Tea Party was vetting 40 people who were considering running for the Legislature and that he expected between 12 and 20 candidates running for the Senate or the House.

While third party candidates have not generally done well in Florida’s political history -- with the exception of Sidney Catts being elected governor in 1916 on the Prohibition Party line -- this year has seen prominent politicians, including Gov. Charlie Crist and Bud Chiles, run as independents against the Republicans and Democrats.

Despite this history, O’Neal was confident the party would have an impact. “Right now the mood of the electorate is to throw the bums out and go for the alternative,” he said.

Florida Tea Party: Grayson Poll Shows TEA Party “more popular than GOP” in CD8

Published: June 4th, 2010

Opposition polling shows the TEA Party “more popular than GOP candidates” in the CD8 race. Peg Dunmire is moving into position for a strong race against Grayson.

A new poll conducted last week has Congressman Alan Grayson continuing to hold a commanding lead in the Republican primary in Florida’s 8th Congressional District.

Grayson is, of course, a Democrat. Yet Grayson is far and away the leading choice for Congress among registered Republicans in FL-8. In fact, he has as much support among Republicans as his top three Republican opponents combined.

In the poll, Grayson won the support of 26.5% of registered Republicans, virtually the same figure as three months ago. None of Grayson’s seven Republican opponents scored higher than 11.2%. 41.8% of registered Republicans remain undecided.

Congressman Grayson is working to reach out to all voters in the District – regardless of political party – and, it’s clear our efforts are working. If you want to help us get the word out and support Rep. Grayson’s re-election campaign, sign up to volunteer now!

According to our poll, Republicans are giving Grayson high marks for his Constitution initiative. Almost half of all Republicans said that they were more likely to vote for Grayson because he passed a resolution urging high schools to teach the Constitution, and he had distributed tens of thousands of copies of the Constitution throughout the district.

The poll also showed that the Tea Party is more popular with Republicans than any of the Republican candidates. According to our poll, when asked which party they were most likely to support in this election, 16.3% of registered Republicans chose the Tea Party. Peg Dunmire is the Florida Tea Party candidate for Congress.

Congressman Grayson was pleased with the results, telling the press, “People like a Congressman with guts. And they want results. We increased federal competitive grants in this district by 98% in our first year. That extra $100 million benefits Republicans, Independents and Democrats equally. People of every political persuasion want to see action to help solve their problems, and that’s what they’re seeing from us.”

Keep Alan Grayson working for us in Congress. Volunteer now with our campaign.

Thanks so much for your time.

Susannah Randolph, Campaign Manager
Alan Grayson for Congress

www.independentpoliticalreport.com/

Peg Dunmire on Youtube

Hillsborough transit tax campaigns likely to gear up soon

by: TED JACKOVICS - The Tampa Tribune

Lobbying taxpayers to approve a 1-cent sales tax for a new metro transit authority 40 years ago, then-Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell flew over a clogged expressway in a helicopter and shouted through a bullhorn: "You want to get out of this mess? Vote yes."

"And this being the Bible Belt, they thought God was telling them what to do," Massell said in a Georgia Public Broadcasting interview in 2007 about his successful efforts to transform a bus system into the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

It's still too early to know whether anyone will be as creative as Massell in campaigning for or against a 1-cent sales tax surcharge to help fund light rail in Hillsborough County's Nov. 2 referendum.

Campaign efforts by advocacy and anti-tax groups, public officials and the business community, however, are expected to surge this summer, shaped by plenty of money and well-worn talking points honed in dozens of similar tax referendums nationwide.

Nationwide since 2000, slightly more than 70 percent of tax measures to fund transportation have passed, according to a survey by the private Center for Transportation Excellence, a Washington-based transit advocate. Despite the recession and the onset of a high profile tax resistance movement, eight transit referendums passed and three failed in 2009.

This year, voters in 30 areas from Walla Walla to Wimauma will choose whether to raise their taxes to fund transportation measures.

So far, the outcomes nationwide are three measures passed and three failed to increase taxes for public transit.

St. Louis drew attention in April, when voters by 63 percent to 37 percent approved a half-cent sales tax increase to restore lost bus service and avoid trimming light rail schedules. A similar measure failed in 1997 and 2008.

Hillsborough County, however, likely will provide the nation's biggest transportation story of the year.

In January, the Obama Administration selected the Tampa-Orlando route for the nation's first high speed rail line.

In November, Hillsborough County residents will decide on the sales tax surcharge that would help fund the area's first light rail system, along with bus and road improvements added to the referendum to broaden its appeal.

If voters approve the sales tax increase to 8 cents on the dollar 6 cents of which by law goes to the state and that decision could lay the groundwork for a half-dozen nearby counties to pursue similar plans to support an integrated regional transit plan.

"Two things make Tampa different from anywhere else," said Alan Wulkan, managing partner of InfraConsult LLC of Scottsdale, Az., who was hired nine months ago by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority for $99,800.

"First, a huge public education effort is needed in Hillsborough County with the high speed rail, TBARTA, HART and county transportation task force initiative. The public is rightfully confused and all of what is happening piecemeal must be clarified.

"Also, Hillsborough's vote will count very heavily on how surrounding counties like Pasco and Pinellas proceed with transportation tax referendums. Frankly, the success of high speed rail is at stake. It's not only the Tampa region, but transportation for the entire Central Florida corridor is at stake."

Public confusion generally begins with people who indicate they do not understand the differences between the Tampa-Orlando high speed rail line and the proposed light rail system whose first phases could link North Tampa, downtown and West Shore.

Complicating matters are myriad transportation planning groups, economic development agencies and advocacy groups, all with their own acronyms.

Among them: HART, which runs the county bus system and would control light rail; TBARTA, the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority whose representatives from seven counties are trying to ensure coordinated regional transportation plans; several MPOs, county-based Metropolitan Planning Organizations that set funding priorities, and FDOT, the state's transportation department with a handful of Tallahassee officials spearheading Florida's high-speed rail initiative.

In addition, two advocacy groups are already weighing in: "Ax the Tax," an Orlando-based group (www.axthetax.org) that opposes rail initiatives nationwide, and "Moving Hillsborough Forward," a Tampa coalition backed by the majority of the area's business and economic development groups, are honing referendum strategies that have begun to surface.

"We have successfully led six anti-rail battles in Florida since 1997," said Doug Guetzloe, Ax the Tax chairman and a native of Tampa. "They use the same playbook each time. It's basically an attempt to fund a mandate of which there is no known end price."

Guetzloe's strategy will be to discuss rail costs while rallying support from local and state tea party groups.

"We support buses and most people do," Guetzloe said. "Fixed rail is a 190-year-old technology with a new millennium pricing."

What about light rail investments and ridership and economic development success that Charlotte, Salt Lake City and Portland have reported, along with other cities even more traditionally tied to the auto including Phoenix, Dallas and Houston?

"P.T. Barnum said a fool is born every minute," Guetzloe responded.

Guetzloe expects to raise between $50,000 and $75,000 for the Ax The Rail Tax initiative and expects pro-rail groups to spend between $750,000 and $1 million. Moving Hillsborough Forward will release a financial report at the end of June.

That group is backed by the Tampa Bay Partnership regional economic development group, the Tampa Bay Builders Association, the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, The Westshore Alliance and the Tampa Downtown Partnership, among others.

Business leaders worry that urban rail transit systems in Charlotte, Denver and elsewhere provide a competitive edge in corporate expansion, relocation and ultimately have an impact on the local area's average wage, which, at $36,094, was about $10,500 behind Dallas and $9,500 behind Atlanta, a Partnership report indicated last year.

"Corporate relocation specialists need to be confidant their employees will have options of how to get to work and to recreation," said David Singer, a Holland & Knight attorney in Tampa who heads Moving Hillsborough Forward.

"Looking at what will happen to this region if the tax doesn't pass is somewhat alarming. We will have no choice if we don't have mobility options but to build more roads."

The campaign in the next few months will reach out across the county to community groups, neighborhood groups and other grassroots contacts to educate individuals and discuss specifics, Singer said. A television campaign won't be launched until later in the summer.

HART commissioned a telephone survey of 600 county residents in July and August 2009 by Ilium Associates Inc. of Bellevue, Wash., which found 33 percent would "definitely" vote for a 1-cent tax increase, and 34 percent would "probably" vote for it. Fifteen percent "definitely" opposed such a measure, and 10 percent would "probably" vote against the measure.

Even advocates like HART consultant Wulkan concede it's going to be a tough vote.

Joe Chillura, a prominent Tampa architect who served on the city council and various county planning organizations, has spoken to many people who say they will not support the transportation tax surcharge.

Chillura proposed the half-cent Community Investment Tax that county voters supported by 53 percent to 47 percent in 1996 to pay for building Raymond James Stadium along with funds for schools, fire and police departments, sidewalks and other infrastructure.

"The question I have is whether the public is ready to embrace any kind of tax in an economic depression," Chillura said. "I've always supported mass transit, but the climate now is one of skepticism.

"But if people know how the money will be spent, it could provide a psychological boost to the light rail issue."

Peg Dunmire on HispanicsSpeakout.tv 2010 Aired Show

peg-hispanicsspeak

http://www.hispanicsspeakout.tv/

Survey: Four in 10 Tea Party members are Democrats or independents

by: Sean J. Miller - TheHill.com/blogs | Published: April 4th, 2010

Four in 10 Tea Party members are either Democrats or Independents, according to a new national survey.

The findings provide one of the most detailed portraits to date of the grassroots movement that started last year.

The national breakdown of the Tea Party composition is 57 percent Republican, 28 percent Independent and 13 percent Democratic, according to three national polls by the Winston Group, a Republican-leaning firm that conducted the surveys on behalf of an education advocacy group. Two-thirds of the group call themselves conservative, 26 are moderate and 8 percent say they are liberal.

The Winston Group conducted three national telephone surveys of 1,000 registered voters between December and February. Of those polled, 17 percent – more than 500 people -- said they were “part of the Tea Party movement.”

“It’s a good sample size,” said David Winston, the polling firm’s director. “It will certainly give us an initial base to follow where these folks are.”

The group is united around two issues – the economy/jobs and reducing the deficit. They believe that cutting spending is the key to job creation and favor tax cuts as the best way to stimulate the economy. That said 61 percent of Tea Party members believe infrastructure spending creates jobs. Moreover, given the choice Tea Party members favor 63-32 reducing unemployment to 5 percent over balancing the budget.

It isn’t a “purely homogeneous” group, said Winston.

The group has a favorable view of Republicans generally but that drops from 71 to 57 percent if they’re asked about Congressional Republicans. Congressional Democrats are viewed very unfavorably by 75 percent of Tea Party members – a uniquely strong antipathy. An overwhelming 95 percent said “Democrats are taxing, spending, and borrowing too much.”

The group also vehemently dislikes President Barack Obama – even more so than those who called themselves Republicans in the survey. Over 80 percent of Tea Party members disapprove of the job he’s doing as president, whereas 77 percent of Republican respondents said they disapprove of Obama. The Tea Party members are also strongly opposed to the Democrats’ healthcare plan, with 82 percent saying they oppose it -- only 48 percent of respondents overall were opposed.

Tea Party members are more likely to be male, slightly older and middle income. Almost half the members of the group reported getting their news about national issues from Fox News, 10 percent of respondents said that talk radio is one of their top two sources, which is seven-points higher than the average voter.

Tea Party Movement Knows No Party Allegiance

by: William J. Watkins, Jr. - Independent.org/ | Published: February 11, 2010

San Francisco Examiner, Herald Times Reporter, Today's News-Herald, Urbana Daily Citizen, Kokomo Tribune, Holland Sentinel, Journal-News, Middletown Journal, Crookston Daily Times

The first National Tea Party Convention was held last weekend in Nashville, Tenn. The Tea Party movement resulted from grassroots rallies energized because of expansions of federal power during the last years of President George W. Bush’s administration and the beginning of Barack Obama’s presidency.

Consistent with the movement’s early concerns, the convention’s speakers pledged adherence to individual liberty, limited government, fiscal discipline and other worthy constitutional principles. And they expressed disappointment that neither the Republican nor Democratic parties share the Tea Party activists’ attachment to these ideas.

The Tea Party organizers claim to seek a 21st-century revival of the spirit that motivated Bostonians to dump British tea into Boston Harbor in December 1773. If we look at history, there are parallels, but also there are differences.

To appreciate the Boston Tea Party, one must understand something about the British Constitution. Because it was unwritten, the British Constitution necessarily relied more on custom or precedent than the modern U.S. Constitution.

When subjects feared that Parliament or the king were inserting a dangerous innovation into the constitutional order, they were compelled to create a “record” with protests. If they failed to do so, a subsequent king or parliament could build on the precedent.

The Boston Tea Party is a prime example of the importance of precedent. Though the Tea Act of 1773 reduced the price of tea, the colonists felt compelled to take action to prevent Parliament from setting a revenue precedent. Under commercial rules, a ship entering a colonial harbor was not permitted to leave without offloading its cargo. If the tea was offloaded, a tax would be paid. If it was not offloaded within 20 days, the cargo would be seized by customs officials who would retain a portion of the merchandise to satisfy the tax.

The Boston Tea Party occurred on the 19th day that the ships bearing tea had been in the harbor. The colonists destroyed the tea so it could not be seized by customs officials and the duty technically “paid” to create a precedent.

With this understanding of precedent, new light is shed on the Boston Tea Party and its modern counterpart. Like Boston patriots, the Tea Party movement is working to halt the creation of dangerous precedents. Tea Party activists comprehend the “ratchet effect”—that is, once government expands its power and new bureaucracies are in place, it’s difficult to undo them.

Nonetheless, a fair criticism is that the Nashville convention attendees are, pardon the pun, late to the party. Long before Bush signed the bailout in 2008, his administration favored one-size-fits-all federal solutions and increased federal power.

The Tea Party was correct to take aim at the bailout legislation, but one wonders where the Tea Party leadership was when Bush created harmful precedents by pushing for a new Medicare prescription drug benefit and the No Child Left Behind Act.

For the American patriots of the 1760s and 1770s, it did not matter whether King George III’s government was headed by a Tory such as George Grenville or a Whig such as William Pitt. The colonists consistently fought efforts by the British central government to expand its power.

The modern Tea Party now appears to understand what Samuel Adams and John Hancock took for granted: Government power often tramples fundamental rights no matter who is in power—Whigs or Tories, Republicans or Democrats.

Accordingly, what we should take from the Tea Party’s recent convention is that principles of individual liberty and limited government must remain inviolable no matter what party is in the White House. Otherwise, dangerous precedents will be set that are difficult to undo.

(Poli-Tea) Florida: Tea Party and Whig Party Challenge Democrat-Republican Rule in the Sunshine State

by: d. eris - PoliteAParty.blogspot.com | Published: April 18th, 2010

Given this week’s tax day tea party protests, it is worth reiterating that any movement intent on fostering constitutional representative government is doomed to failure if it works within the confines established by the Democratic-Republican two-party state and ruling political class. Like untold numbers of anti-war activists during the Bush administration, many in the tea party movement have, unfortunately, been duped by the propagandists of lesser-evilism in the corporate media and the major parties. However, others nonetheless recognize that Democratic-Republican Party government is a threat to representative constitutional government, the principles of republicanism and the imperatives of democracy. As Jack Kenny writes for the New American, the two-party system is a “big government con-game.” Recognition of this simple fact informs the efforts of two new third party opposition movements in the state of Florida.

The Ledger profiles Doug Guetzloe, a consultant and strategist for the new Tea Party of Florida, which has recruited its first candidate, Peg Dunmire, to challenge Democrat Alan Grayson in the state’s 8th Congressional District. From the Ledger:

The Tea Party, which recently opened an office in downtown Orlando, just recruited its first congressional candidate. Peg Dunmire is challening U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, in the state’s 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Orange, Lake and Osceola counties, the theme parks and Lake Buena Vista, and the community of Celebration. Dunmire is running on a platform of scaling back on the reach of the federal government and eliminating the budget deficit – a platform that Guetzloe thinks could send her to Washington.

“If you look at the district, it’s 41 percent registered Democrats and 38 percent registered Republicans,” Guetzloe said. “You’ve got a significant amount of non-party voters.” . . .

Between the Democrats being on the defensive about the soaring budget deficit and high jobless rate, and the GOP still trying to explain why spending rose so quickly under their own watch, Guetzloe says a third party has a better chance today than at any time since 1860 . . .

The Florida Whig Party hopes to capitalize on this situation as well, which is running six candidates for congressional and county offices. Craig Porter, who is running for Congress in Florida’s 25th CD recently became the first Whig to qualify for federal office in over 150 years. From the party’s press release:

Craig Porter filed on Monday as the first Whig to qualify for federal office since the 1850s. Mr. Porter, 49, is a contractor, lifetime resident of Miami, is married and the father of three children. With over 25 years of business management and ownership experience, community involvement, and a man who has the core values of “We the People” where principles come before a political party, the Florida Whig Party Executive Board welcomes the leadership and fortitude that Craig Porter brings to the Florida Whig Party, the State of Florida, and the 25th Congressional District.

There is no lack of third party and independent alternatives to the stooges of the Democratic and Republican Parties in the Sunshine State this year. Politics1 lists over 40 third party and independent candidates for governor, Senate and Congress in Florida this year, including Libertarians, Greens, Socialists and numerous independents.

Rothstein/McCollum/South Florida Tea Party Connection Exposed in Defamation Lawsuit against GOP Consultants.

Guetzloe Lawsuit Establishes Link between Indicted GOP Moneyman for McCollum and Greer and their attacks on Florida Tea Party and Paula Dockery.

(Orlando) Consultant and radio talk show host Doug Guetzloe has filed a lawsuit that alleges a direct connection between indicted GOP money man and alleged Ponzi-scheme guru SCOTT ROTHSTEIN and GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Bill McCollum and several GOP campaign consultants that have been engaging in a relentless campaign of character assassination and defamation against Guetzloe and State Senator Paula Dockery.

The suit was filed today in Orange/Osceola District Court (Case No. 2010-CA-010855-O) against GOP consultants Michael Caputo (NY & Miami); Tim McClellan (Palm Beach); Everett Wilkinson (Ft. Lauderdale) and Cheryl Matchett (Orlando).

The lawsuit also shows the connections between the South Florida Tea Party; its officers and Rothstein as well as the connections between Caputo and Roger Stone – both are self-described as "dirty tricksters" in national media. Wilkinson of the South Florida Tea Party is involved in a bogus Federal lawsuit against Guetzloe; his attorney Fred O’Neal and Nick Egoroff over the tea party name. Interestingly the two lead attorney’s for the bogus Federal lawsuit are former Rothstein law partners, Frank Herrera and Gus Sardina, who to date have refused to reveal who exactly is paying for the federal lawsuit filed by Caputo; Wilkinson; McClellan and Matchett.

The Rothstein associates have also been involved in ongoing attacks on Senator Paula Dockery, incorrectly describing Dockery as a "liberal; a RINO (Republican in Name Only: a socialist; pro-abortion; dishonest" as well as many other descriptions.

"Rothstein was one of McCollum’s biggest financial supporters and the defendants who have all disparaged Senator Dockery in numerous news releases and blogs and their attorney’s are all Rothstein associates… there is no ‘coincidence’ in politics," stated Guetzloe.

The lawsuit also includes an email from a former RPOF employee who exposed the involvement of GOP party employees; McCollum; Rothstein and Wilkinson as early as December of 2009.

"Florida has very broad discovery rules and we intend to depose all the defendants as well as McCollum and his campaign to discover the financial source of these potentially illegal attacks," Guetzloe concluded. 50318119

Guetzloe, 54, has a long history of political involvement going back 40 years including serving as founder and chairman of a highly successful statewide grassroots political committee named Ax the Tax (www.AxTheTax.org); host of a popular Orlando-based radio show for 13 years called The Guetzloe Report (www.Guetzloe.com) and a very successful marketing and public relations company that offers political consulting for the past 26 years – Advantage Consultants (www.AdvantageConsultants.org). Guetzloe has also served as an unpaid consultant to the newly registered TEA PARTY political party (www.FloridaTeaParty.US). The TEA PARTY has qualified three nominees for the United States Congress in Florida’s 8th; 12th and 25th Congressional Districts.

Tea Party Matches NRA in Number of Americans Who Support Their Views

By: www.olearyreport.com

Just one of many reasons why the TEA PARTY political party has been so successful to date.

It's official. The Tea Party movement is a substantial player on the political scene. According to a recent poll commissioned by The O'Leary Report and conducted by Zogby International, 34 percent of voters (45 million Americans) say the Tea Party endorsement is important to their vote this year, and 31 percent (41 million voters) say the same about the National Rifle Association. The Poll was conducted March 2-30 of 10,128 likely voters and has a margin-of-error of one percent.

Breaking down these numbers further, 16 percent of voters are fully committed to the Tea Party message and 18 percent support the message, but with some reservation.

Again, these numbers are strikingly similar to those of the NRA, whose membership has been extremely effective in exacting results at election time. Nearly 13 percent of all voters are completely committed to the NRA message, and 18 percent say they are committed most of the time.

It's important to stress that these 45 million Tea Party supporters are strictly registered voters, and that the movement can add even more to its power and influence by registering like-minded voters between now and November.

With power and influence of this magnitude come tough decisions. The decision confronting the Tea Party is whether to become a third party, a la Ross Perot, or become a powerful political force, much like the NRA, which has been able to wield significant influence on both sides of the aisle.

Though the Tea Party movement doesn't have NRA's sophisticated infrastructure, it can certainly borrow from NRA's techniques. For example, the Tea Party could conduct massive voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, and possibly create an issues questionnaire for all political candidates to answer prior to Election Day.

To be sure, the Tea Party can be just as effective in Democratic circles as in Republican, as the Zogby poll shows it isn't just red-meat conservatives who gravitate toward the Tea Party movement. Among the nearly 38 million self-described Independent voters in America, 32 percent will be listening for the voice of the Tea Party before they cast their vote this year. Nearly 64 percent of the 31 million Republican voters will follow the Tea Party, and 11 percent of the roughly 52 million Democratic voters will do the same.

Moreover, in congressional districts deemed competitive by the Cook Political Report, which consists of roughly 34 million voters, 35 percent of them will be listening for the Tea Party endorsement this year. (Districts listed below.)

The Tea Party's influence holds up well in key geographic regions as well.

Fully one-third (33 percent) of voters in the Pacific region (20 million voters in CA, AK, HI, OR, NV, WA) will be influenced by Tea Party endorsements. In the pivotal Midwest region (27 million voters in OH, MI, MN, WI, IN, IL) 31 percent of voters plan to listen to the Tea Party.

In the Southwest region (9 million voters in AZ, CO, NM, OK, UT) 32 percent of voters consider the Tea Party endorsement important to them, as do 34 percent of voters in the Mid-Atlantic region (27 million voters in DE, MD, VA, WV, NJ, NY, PA, and D.C.). In the South region (34 million voters in GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, AL, AR, LA, MS, FL, and TX) 36 percent of voters will look to the Tea Party this year, as will 35 percent of voters in the Central and North Plains region (8 million voters in ID, MT, WY, SD, IA, KS, MO, NE, ND).

On the issues, the Tea Partiers are very definitive and unwavering in the positions they take. For example, 90 percent of the Tea Party movement strongly disapproves of cap-and-trade global warming legislation, and 84 percent strongly disapprove.

On taxes, 61 percent of Tea Party activists support state legislation to stop retroactive tax bills from being passed.

Nearly 75 percent agree that there should be an appeals process for individuals who have been placed on the federal no-fly list, in light of legislation making its way through congress that would prohibit persons on the list from purchasing a firearm. A 64 percent majority of Tea Partiers thing that only the FBI should be able to add names to the no-fly list, given the number of instances where people have been wrongly placed on the list.

Only 8 percent of Tea Party members think that the jobs bill being promoted by the Obama administration will help small businesses, and just 19 percent think the bill will help big and state businesses. However, 82 percent think the White House's jobs bill will help federal employees.

Roughly 89 percent of Tea Partiers believe that the Second Amendment applies to all levels of government – federal, state and local.

And what should be of utmost concern to incumbent congressmen up for re-election this year: 94 percent of the Tea Party movement agree that "the federal government has become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens" – and 82 percent strongly agree.

Democrats in Congress are afraid of the Tea Parties, alright. Though it's not for reasons of public safety, as their paranoid ramblings would have us all believe. It's because they know that these poll numbers are correct. Their diatribes about civil unrest are calculated tactics designed to delegitimize a movement that has significant ability to give legitimacy to its chosen candidates this November.

TheLedger.com - Randy Wilkinson

By: DAVID GORNOSKI

Published: Thursday, May 13, 2010

It's been interesting to watch the fallout of County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson's announcement that he is running for Congress, District 12, under the Florida Tea Party. The pro-bailout, country club establishment Republicans who anointed big-insurance lawyer Dennis Ross are in a tizzy - and rightfully so. They are scared that District 12 voters will actually get a fair chance to decide whether they want a handpicked party pawn or a principled outsider. There are really only two choices. Both the establishment Republican and Democrat represent the tired, old status quo: special interests, group think and arrogance in Washington. But America has made it clear that the pro-bailout, two-party machine will lose big time in 2010.

The Republican Party and Democratic Party are really just two wings of the same bird of prey. And they're seeking to devour middle class Americans through bailouts, unnecessary wars, and deficit spending.

Randy Wilkinson is a solid alternative. While others were waiting for fat-cat "Republican" leaders to anoint them for their turn in Congress, Randy was fighting for tea party values - before they were cool. He took on the local Republican establishment in fighting for lower property taxes, spending cuts, and ethics reform. (Curiously, Ross has received the endorsement of every commissioner who voted for the property-tax hike.) Randy refuses to be a pawn in their political machine, and they hate him for it.

The nation will be watching this race. It's about insiders vs. the outsider. Status quo vs. change. Randy has a solid record and a proven election winning streak, four times over in Polk County. District 12 can make history by rejecting the corrupt two-party machine and electing the first tea party congressman in America: Randy Wilkinson.

TheLedger.com - Randy Wilkinson

By: DAVID GORNOSKI

Published: Thursday, May 13, 2010

Fighting the system with TEA

By: TOM STAIK - Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, May 12, 2010

"The establishment has never liked me."

Strong words – especially from a three-term county commissioner and current congressional hopeful.

But Randy Wilkinson says he stands by his words – and by his new political friends at the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party.

"I was just fed up," Wilkinson said of his new allegiance to the upstart TEA Party, a group the politico joined earlier this month as he abandoned his ties to the GOP.

"I saw the Democrat and Republican parties as two wings of the same bird of prey," he added. "They both get their funding from Wall Street and the AIGs of the world ...The house always wins: It’s rigged."

Wilkinson’s jump into the political sack with the growing TEA party contingent earned a swift kick out the door by local Republican leaders who tossed the candidate from the Polk County Republican Executive Committee. Wilkinson’s registration as a TEA Party candidate in his bid to replace retiring U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam (leaving to run for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture job) was an apparent violation of his written "loyalty oath" to the Republican Executive Committee. The oaths, not required for members of the more generalized "Republican" party in Polk County, are written, signed documents where members pledge allegiance to the party. Local Democrats have a similar pledge system.

Wilkinson, who organized a TEA Party rally in downtown Bartow last year, says he has had a growing fascination with the anti-taxation message of his new party.

"Well that was quite an experience for me in that for the first time I realized the power of a movement. Grassroots. From the ground up. People’s movement," he said.

Wilkinson says he was introduced to the party through a friend from the Eagle Lake community who was heavily involved in Polk’s 9-12 tea group. "I didn’t even know what a 9-12 group was," he recalled. (9-12 groups were formed after 9-11.)

"They are just hardworking people," Wilkinson said. "A couple weeks passed and we were having our regular meeting. It was my third, and they were getting ready for a TEA Party in Lakeland. This guy that was leading this 9-12 group in his private home, he suggested having a TEA Party after work so people who work could attend. That was on Good Friday, and four days later we had the TEA Party in Bartow."

"There were 400 people there," Wilkinson said, "and I knew something’s up."

"That’s how I got up. It is a very positive thing. I thought about getting involved, and I thought about running with no party like Charlie Crist did, but I hate to be a copycat," he recalled.

Wilkinson’s decision to take a leap into the tea cup came as he was finalizing paperwork for the congressional race.

He was reading his son’s Bible, 1. Cor. 13 to be exact, when he got a call from a 9-12 member asking "Why don’t you run for us?"

"I work more by inspiration," Wilkinson said. "It was a split second. It was inspiration ... I didn’t have my arm twisted."

Wilkinson’s decision to switch parties made national news.

"I didn’t know but I am the first elected official running for office as a TEA Party candidate," Wilkinson said. "It made some news."

The candidate says he hopes to keep his focus on helping people and lowering taxes through his work with the new party.

"It’s a people-oriented movement that wants fewer taxes," he said. "I have a platform and I will be putting that forward ... It’s not the same ‘same old’."

Response to his decision to turn TEA has been "very good," said Wilkinson who also has seen some criticism for the move seen by some as an attempt to dodge the primary – criticism with which the candidate doesn’t seem to entirely disagree.

"I do significantly better in the general election," Wilkinson said. "I won by about 400 votes about four years ago."

Wilkinson says his history of poor showings in election primaries has been hampered by his own party.

"They usually put someone up against me. I don’t usually do so well in the primary, but I do well in the general," he said. "I get a lot of Democrat votes, and I expect to do even better now," he added.

"I want people to suspend their disbelief and when the pollsters call tell them who they really want to win. Vote your conscience and vote your heart ... Listen to all the arguments. Elections are not a horse race. It’s about debates and about substance. It annoys me about other politicians campaigning just for money. They should be campaigning for what they stand for."

With no public platform as yet, Wilkinson has given some clues to potential hot-button issues – outside taxation – including the economy and immigration reform.

"Our country needs to be more like the Magic Kingdom," he said. "Our borders need to be more like the secured gates of Disney World. We are having our freedom threatened. We shouldn’t be asked where are our papers. At Disney they don’t."

Randy Headlines Tea Party Rally

Bill Rufty

Published: May 14th, 2010 06:20pm

Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson, who after his change of party for the 12th Congressional District race is the only elected official registered as a Florida Tea Party member, is one of the main speakers at tonight’s Tea Party Town Hall Social at a Perkins Restaurant in Orlando.

As the new party’s only elected official — although he was elected at the polls as a Republican — Wilkinson has become the darling of the party and in demand, not only within the congressional district in which he is running, but everywhere he can drum up support and votes for the Florida Tea Party.

The gathering was purposefully scheduled for the Perkins Restaurant at 8965 Conroy Windermere Road, Orlando. That was where Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson confronted Tea Party members over what he said were falsehoods smearing his record.

The Florida Tea Party, already being sued by members of the tea party movement for incorporating and in their words "high jacking" the name, has three congressional candidates on the ballot in Florida including Wilkinson, who is running in the 12th Congressional District, which comprises about two-thirds of Polk County.

The Florida Tea Party is the first in the nation to obtain political party status. Fred O’Neal, chairman of the Florida Tea Party, claims there are 15 other states where tea parties are in the process of establishing themselves as political parties.

Nothing could scare the Republican Party leaders more. They have warned that siphoning off conservative voters from the Republican Party to tea party movements that become actual political parties could mean victory for the Democratic Party in closely contested races.

To date, the Florida Tea Party has collected nearly $120,000 in donations to help its candidates, O’Neal claims.

Wilkinson jumps to Tea Party for U.S. Congress bid

Charles Gonzalez - News Chief staff

Published: Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 4:01 a.m.

Longtime GOP member says he's 'fed up the Republicans and Democrats'

Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson announces during a July 2, 2009, news conference at Fort Blount Park in Bartow that he will run for Congress Thursday, July 2, 2009

BARTOW - Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson announced Friday that he has cut his political ties with the Republican Party and has aligned himself with the new Florida Tea Party in his run for U.S. Congress.

Wilkinson has served on the Polk County School Board and the County Commission as a Republican, and when he originally announced his candidacy for Congress in 2009, he did it under the banner of the GOP.

But he said that changed Thursday when he switched party affiliation.

"I'm fed up with the Republicans and the Democrats because we have a casino government in which the house always wins," Wilkinson said. "And the economy is always the one that gets pillaged."

Wilkinson said he's tired of the "games being played by both parties." He described all the politicians representing those parties are being "posers."

The Florida Tea Party's slogan is "Restoring American to its Founding Principles." According to its website, www.FloridaTeaParty.us, the party was established to:

"Support candidates who provide integrity, courage and honesty to the political process."

"Promote a lower tax burden on the citizens of the Republic."

"Promote smaller and more efficient government at all levels."

Wilkinson said he intends to capture the U.S. House seat that District 12 Congressman Adam Putnam is giving up and "clean house" along with other new members of Congress.

"(Former President Ronald) Reagan won me over as a Republican, but I haven't been happy since then," Wilkinson said. "Now it's everyone for themselves and the middle class is getting squeezed."

In addition to Wilkinson, candidates for the District 12 seat in Congress are Republicans John Lindsey Jr. and Dennis Ross and Democrats Lori Edwards and Doug Tudor.

Randy Wilkinson Becomes First Elected Tea Party Official, Will Run For Congress As Third Party Candidate

Huffington Post

Published: May 5, 2010

The Tea Party movement can now boast its first elected official.

Randy Wilkinson, the Polk County Commissioner running for Florida's 12th Congressional District, decided to switch parties last week after the official Florida Tea Party gave him its blessing. Wilkinson plans to run in November as a third party Tea Party candidate.

As the Daily Caller points out:

"There are other self-identified Tea Party candidates across the country running as Republicans or independents, but Wilkinson appears to be the first elected official running on a Tea Party ticket affiliation." Wilkinson faces powerful major-party challengers, however, and having raised only about $27,000 as of the end of March, according to The Hill, he certainly faces an uphill battle.

Under the Tea Party mantle, Wilkinson said he plans to run to the right of both candidates. Wilkinson spoke with The Hill about his opponents:

"I'd say both of those candidates are pretty well moderate," Wilkinson told The Hill. "Dennis is to the left of Putnam. Putnam was a little to the left of (former Rep. Charles) Canady (R-Fla.). We keep moving towards a mushy middle."

According to Fred O'Neal, founder of the Florida Tea Party who spoke with the Daily Caller, this newly formed official third party is also dispatching conservative candidates to challenge Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson in Florida's 8th Congressional District and in 25th congressional district in Miami.

But O'Neal clarified to the Daily Caller that the party would limit their challenges to seats without incumbent Republicans, and instead try to mount independently conservative campaigns on open seats.

"We're not trying to knock off conservative, Republicans," O'Neal told the Caller. "That's not our agenda."

Quick Links

Candidate Dunmire Speech Videos

Did TEA Endorsement Tip the Race for Scott at the End?

Tea Party Candidate Dunmire Wins Liberty Summit Straw Poll

Winter Park Agrees To SunRail, Can Bail Later

Wilkinson Depo PDF

Please read PDF

Florida Is Battleground for Tea Parties -- Against Themselves

Florida Tea Party plans a big July 4th bash

TEA PARTY TO OPEN FLORIDA STATE HEADQUARTERS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY.

Tea party could be pivotal in three-way contest to replace U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam

TEA Party Nominee Peg Dunmire sweeps Winter Park Chamber Straw Ballot with 72% over incumbent Democrat Congressman Alan Grayson

The results are attached.

TEA Party's Peg Dunmire Whips Rep. Alan Grayson in Chamber Vote

TEA Party's Peg Dunmire Whips Rep. Alan Grayson in Chamber Vote

UNCOVERED POLITICS: Tea Party’s Randy Wilkinson Polling 20% in Florida U.S. House Race

Attorneys File Motion To Withdraw from Tea Party Federal Lawsuit

THE GUETZLOE REPORT IS BACK.

DOWN WITH TYRANNY BLOGSPOT POST

TEA PARTY COMMENTS ON BOGUS REPUBLICAN PARTY LAWSUIT AND DIRTY TRICKS SQUAD ACTIVITIES.

TEA PARTY DENOUNCES CANDIDATE FORUM FOR CHARGING $1,000 PER PERSON TO AT...

WEST ORLANDO TEA PARTY AUGUST 12TH 2010 TOWN HALL FORUM

GUETZLOE REPORT BREAKING NEWS!

Tea party groups choose to stand mute on same-sex marriage ruling

Local candidate runs into tax trouble

Another Day, Another Tea Party Courts Tussle in the Making

New "Tea Party Foundation" Set up by RPOF/Jim Greer Operatives.

Everett Wilkinson Exposed as Fraud

A message from Peg Dunmire, the official Tea Party candidate against Alan Grayson....

FLORIDA TEA PARTY (TEA) APPOINTS JOHN HALLMAN STATE FIELD DIRECTOR

Hallman has also served in the following positions:

Within the Republican Party Hallman has served in the following positions:

Hallman activities and photos.

Florida FreedomWorks Meets with Mel Martinez

FreedomWorks John Hallman Presents on Social Security to Crowd of 100

FLORIDA ON THE LINE: POLITICAL PUNDITS

TEA Party Billboard at I-4 & 441

TEA Party's Peg Dunmire Whips Rep. Alan Grayson in Chamber Vote

FLORIDA ON THE LINE: POLITICAL PUNDITS

Florida Tea Party Challenges Dems, GOP on Government, Taxes

Florida Tea Party: Grayson Poll Shows TEA Party “more popular than GOP” in CD8

Peg Dunmire on Youtube

Hillsborough transit tax campaigns likely to gear up soon

Peg Dunmire on HispanicsSpeakout.tv 2010 Aired Show

Survey: Four in 10 Tea Party members are Democrats or independents

Tea Party Movement Knows No Party Allegiance

(Poli-Tea) Florida: Tea Party and Whig Party Challenge Democrat-Republican Rule in the Sunshine State

Rothstein/McCollum/South Florida Tea Party Connection Exposed in Defamation Lawsuit against GOP Consultants.

Tea Party Matches NRA in Number of Americans Who Support Their Views

TheLedger.com - Randy Wilkinson

TheLedger.com - Randy Wilkinson

Fighting the system with TEA

Randy Headlines Tea Party Rally

Wilkinson jumps to Tea Party for U.S. Congress bid

Randy Wilkinson Becomes First Elected Tea Party Official, Will Run For Congress As Third Party Candidate

WEST ORLANDO TEA PARTY
AUGUST 12TH 2010 TOWN HALL FORUM