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The Buzz: Florida politics

Gallagher camp paints rosy scene

By Times staff writers
Published January 1, 2006

In the Republican campaign for governor, Attorney General Charlie Crist has been leading Tom Gallagher in money-raising and most polls. But in a pointed year-end memo to key Gallagher fundraisers David Browning and Mark Guzzetta, Gallagher's campaign manager, Brett Doster, paints a rosy picture about the state of the race, while ripping Crist as a candidate controlled by lobbyists and fundraisers like " Donald Trump and personal injury lawyers."

"We have met or exceeded all of our political and strategic goals," Doster reported. "Our candidate is in extremely good spirits, and support for our effort continues to grow daily. ... We cannot rest on our laurels, but I believe that we are beginning to see some panic from our primary opponents."

Doster on Crist: "Our opponent continues to run an issueless campaign, devoid of substance. His early efforts to claim the role of heir apparent and front-runner have come up short as the public polls have tightened."

THE DONALD AND THE CHARLIE: While Gallagher's campaign is blasting Crist for taking contributions fro m developer and gambling entrepreneur Trump, Crist is busy - you guessed it - inviting GOP donors to another Trump fundraiser. (Trump hosted a Crist event in June at his Trump Tower in New York City that drew a crowd of about 200.)

The event will be Feb. 3 at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach mansion. Donors are encouraged to bundle their campaign contributions and get a private reception and photo-op with Trump. Says a pre-invitation: "Raise minimum $5,000 in $500 checks."

MIKE'S MUSINGS: Heading into his 24th and final year in Congress, Mike Bilirakis last week confessed that he never expected he'd spend so long in office and that sometimes he wished he'd retired sooner. He still likes the concept of term limits, but seniority increases influence and that, of course, helps constituents.

"I have to admit there are times when there are regrets," the Palm Harbor Republican said in a taped interview that airs today on Political Connections on Bay News 9. "You never intend to stay that long, but you get caught up in it."

Biggest source of pride? Contributing to the fall of the Soviet Union by supporting a strong military. Biggest piece of unfinished business? "I'm not happy with the way I'm finishing up on health care. I'm really concerned with the number of uninsured we have in this country."

Unlike many of his colleagues, the 75-year-old former engineer, restaurateur and county judge has no plans to stay in Washington after he finishes his term, though he will retire to Pinellas with little interest in golfing or fishing.

In the interview, Bilirakis said that he's glad President Bush has backed off plans to overhaul Social Security; that he still thinks invading Iraq was wise ("I would have liked to have seen us go about it a little differently."); and that Congress did the right thing intervening in an attempt to keep Terri Schiavo alive.

The interview airs at 11 a.m. Starting Monday, it can be seen on Channel 340 (Tampa Bay on Demand).

BOTCHED REPORTS: Bungled financial reporting at the Florida Democratic Party was hardly limited to the tenure of former Democratic chairman Scott Maddox, whose gubernatorial ambitions fizzled amid questions about his fiscal management. Consider what the Federal Election Commission found in the party's 2001 and 2002 campaign reports (when Bob Poe led the party): in 2001 nearly $600,000 in unreported expenditures and nearly $370,000 in underreported donations; in 2002 nearly $380,000 in understated expenditures and a $53,000 inflation of the party's year-end cash on hand.

The FEC last week released a settlement agreement with the Florida Democrats. Avoiding any fines, the party acknowledged inadvertent mistakes and agreed to hire a compliance specialist and send a representative to an FEC seminar.

THE SAUSAGE STATE?: Republican Sens. Mel Martinez of Florida and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania are betting on the Orange Bowl game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Penn State Nittany Lions. The stakes? Martinez is wagering Bradley's country smoked sausage from Tallahassee, and Santorum has anted up Penn State Creamery ice cream.

Martinez: "It will be a great match of two of the most legendary coaches in college football. However, I would not bet against Bobby Bowden when he's the underdog. I look forward to a great game but also a humbling result for Penn State."

Santorum: "It's going to be a great game to watch, and it's an added bonus to see a matchup between two of the winningest coaches in college football. Unfortunately for Sen. Martinez, he will have to wait for another opportunity to try Penn State Creamery ice cream."

BOB, MEL AND ROD: Oops. Democratic state Sen. Rod Smith's gubernatorial campaign was quick to jump on a Buzz item last week about former Gov. Bob Martinez pegging Smith as the toughest Democrat to beat in the general election. Campaign manager Paul Neaville fired off a fundraising e-mail:

Over the weekend, former Republican Governor Mel Martinez gave his handicap on the 2006 Gubernatorial General Election: "Rod Smith would be harder to beat than Jim Davis," said Martinez.

Note to Neaville: Mel Martinez is Florida's junior senator. Bob Martinez is the former governor.

Adam C. Smith and Steve Bousquet contributed to this week's Buzz. For more political news check out www.sptimes.com/blogs/buzz

[Last modified January 1, 2006, 00:28:15]