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Spin patrolBy KATHRYN WEXLER, MICHAEL SANDLER and DAVID KARP © St. Petersburg Times, published October 27, 2000 Two Democrats' backing of Bush has others fumingThe Republican-friendly crowds whooped when Mayor Dick Greco and Tampa police Chief Bennie Holder took the stage at a rally Wednesday night in Tampa for George W. Bush. "I'm a Democrat but I'm voting for Bush," Holder told thousands of screaming supporters. "On to Washington, Bush and Cheney!" Now, it's fellow Democrats who are screaming. "I had a hundred calls to my office today," said an angry Mike Scionti, Hillsborough Democratic Party chairman. "African-Americans. Italians. People who are Democrats. People who are independents. They were upset the mayor was up there and the chief of police was up there with him," said Scionti, warming up. "You know what a chief of police should be doing? The chief of police should spend more time being the chief of police rather than being political. . . . That's what I pay him for. "There is no doubt in my mind, if Bennie Holder was representing his community, he would not be up there. But the fact is he works for the mayor and the mayor is up there, and it's important to get the vote from the African-American community. That's a sell-out." There was no explanation Thursday from Holder. Police officials said he was on vacation and not available for comment. It's not the first time Scionti and Greco, a Democrat who had pledged to support Bush months ago, have found themselves at odds. Though Scionti allowed, "I think he's been a good mayor," he is a vocal critic of eliminating term limits to allow Greco to run again in 2003, a question that will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot. Scionti saved some of his sharpest words for Greco. The chief, he said, is "an appointed official and if the mayor thinks it's okay (for the chief) to leave his job and (campaign), I'm not happy. And I can tell you that I don't forget," Scionti said. "I'm like an elephant." WHAT'S SPECIAL AND WHAT ISN'T: During a debate this month, Eddy Calcines was quick to criticize his opponent for accepting money from special-interest groups. What Calcines failed to mention during the Town 'N Country Community Alliance debate was that he had already accepted two $500 checks from the National Rifle Association. Asked later about the donation, Calcines said the special-interest money does not present a conflict because he "strongly supports the Second Amendment." The 44-year-old hair stylist emigrated from Cuba at age 14. He said the political upheaval that led to communism in his native land was assisted by a minimizing of rights. "The first thing that (Fidel) Castro did is he took arms and lawyers out of society," said Calcines. "You are not going to create a militia with toothpicks. When the NRA gives me money, it is because I support them." Calcines' opponent, state Rep. Bob Henriquez, D-West Tampa, has accepted donations from tobacco companies like R.J. Reynolds and Brown & Williamson. "My thought was, they know that I will work against them on a number of issues," said Henriquez. "If they are willing to fund me, more power to them." TOUGH CROWD: The Florida Consumer Action Network says it won't endorse just any old candidate. It will only back someone "with a proven track record on the issues we advocate," it says. You would think Monte Belote, who was FCAN's executive director for 14 years, would fit that description. Wrong. FCAN did not endorse Belote in his bid to unseat state Rep. Rob Wallace, R-Tampa. The board decided not to make an endorsement in the race. "It is difficult to get endorsements," explained Ro Walsh, FCAN chairwoman. Two-third of FCAN's local advisory board, which contains more than 30 members, must recommend a candidate to the state board, she said. The non-profit consumer group managed to pick a candidate in 21 races for the House, though. It also took sides in eight state Senate races and 10 congressional contests. Walsh, who supports Belote, said some members were still unhappy with Belote, who left FCAN in May 1998. Belote became head of the Hillsborough Democratic Party but then resigned after most of his party's top officers quit rather than work for him. Board members also wondered whether Belote could win the race, Walsh said. Belote said FCAN's decision didn't faze him. "It's water under the bridge," he said. - Times staff writers Kathryn Wexler, Michael Sandler and David Karp were on Spin Patrol.
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