Comment

Comment by J.R. on May 26, 2011 at 12:12am

Mr. Yost, you are a perfect example of the arrogance of the establishment GOP.  Who are you to tell us we have no right to our opinion of a group if we don't choose to belong to to that group? That's ridiculous. It's none of your concern what groups we choose to belong to, or not belong to... and it's not your place to tell us what we do or don't have a right to question.  Our effectiveness does not hinge on whether or not we are members of the GOP. The apology requested was for your un-called-for and arrogant attack on J.L. Gawlik. And, now you're sarcasticly attacking me. Further, my questions were repeated only because you didn't fully answer them the first time or you mischaracterized them.

#2:  In the final analysis, a run-off election becomes the most important election of all, and it is only between two candidates. It defies logic that the GOP woud not be helping the only Republican candidate in a run-off election. If they fail to totally support the last Republican standing in an election, even if it is a run-off election, they're totally useless. It's like a football team walking off the field and quitting after the third quarter and forfeiting the game.  If the GOP chooses not to support those Republicans all the way to victory, then why should we support them? If that's their policy, they need a new policy.

I didn't suggest the GOP run a candidate's opposition research, I suggested they do it on their own and put the facts out there for public consumption. Research is fully documented before being put out. Mike Hogan didn't ask us to do opposition research for him. We did it to try to get the facts and the truth out to inform voters, since Alvin Brown failed to provide full disclosure and information voters had a right to know before they voted.

No one suggested you break any laws. That's another canard. I mentioned a lot of other things that could have been done and NONE of them are against the law.

I did NOT suggest that the GOP or any other political party should run a candidate's campaign and I believe you are letting your anger at the Tea Party and me get in the way of good judgment and decorum. It is unfortunate that you chose not to engage in an honest dialogue, admit your mistakes and apologize. I respectfully request that you stop your blame game on this website and your attacks on any of our members, including me.

Comment by JL Gawlik on May 25, 2011 at 11:19pm

From reading the newer posts, we are screwed... what a mess.

Comment by JL Gawlik on May 25, 2011 at 11:15pm

Perhaps that is the local problem REC? Never heard of it, but i have of the local GOP. Then you have the RFOP? Goodness. Talk about confusion, perhaps the problem is the the whole Republican party, they are splintered on what they represent. You can go to the Democratic party and clearly see the go to for information. This is in my opinion very confusing.

Mike, you have NO idea how many different groups I belong to. Personally i will support the U.S.Constitution, all of the founding fathers documents, their very principles and values. Here is an something i typed out earlier, take for what you will but after reading the preceding posts, i will say Duval county, Florida is in trouble with the division that has been presented here. 

There is clearly a problem in Duval county and Florida for that matter. I blame the management. Not the people.

Earlier response to Mike, oh and thank you J.R. for your support, i now see why we have problems:

 

Mike, Clarifying that you are actually with the Duval Republican Party Executive Committee is very confusing when you go to look up the Jacksonville GOP:

http://www.duvalgop.org/

Sad to see no local Mayoral candidate was supported on the GOP website just March 2011 Marc Rubio appearance at the Hyatt Riverfront Honoring the Centennial of President Ronald Reagan.

*CLiCK* to enter and you get This Site Is Under Construction and Coming Soon...

That is very confusing and disappointing. I am proud to say that my district had over 51% voter turn out, almost 71% voted for Hogan. I did make a very organized effort where i live to get out the vote and to alert others across the county about Mike Hogan. I am proud of the results in my district, very proud. We even got rid of a RINO incumbent who would not know the truth if it bit him in the ass.

Your statement in your last reply in your last sentence, is giving Alvin Brown license to be disingenuous. If you are running for public office, your education, background, experiences, businesses should be a open book to the public, period. Mr. Brown has been very evasive, claiming he is a conservative when you can look up on federal public records and see clearly that monetarily he has supported candidates that are dedicated members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus that is socialist/marxist ideologue started back in the late 90's by avowed Socialist Bernie Sanders to promote socialism/marxism in our country and government. The Congressional members always attend George Soros' convention and are key speakers, like the recent one in Brenton Woods, NH to promote socialism and to change the way the media works.

You should have experienced a lot of up close personal experience with the Progressive Democratic political machine that you encountered during your political campaign for Corrine Brown's district in 2010, it would of been helpful for the local 2011 elections here in Duval county. You even paid Dick Morris to do a youtube promotion for your campaign:

http://youtu.be/Odr7o7dUgnA

Unfortunately Corrine Brown won again with over 63% of the vote.

I still personally question WHY the districts that were LAST to be reported and recorded in the Brown race were where the majority of the votes came from. Looking at all the votes around the city in the city council races, I personally find it the vote to be suspect. It is what it is. 

I stand on our founding fathers' principles and values, NO outsiders should be involved with local political campaigns, it should be local, it should come from WE THE PEOPLE of Duval county. For you to say that, personally bothers me. That is the problem in our local elections, it was hijacked period by outsiders. Everyone who votes should read ALL the founding fathers documents and question WHY have we strayed so far?

 

 

Comment by Tony Bates on May 25, 2011 at 10:29pm

Again a nice read.

As this day comes to an end, it made me think of a person, that most would consider in advanced age, and maybe even in a weakened state, who is surrounded by friends who are there holding him up or letting him lean on them so he can continue to do what ever it is that gives value to them.

Comment by Michael "Mike" Yost on May 25, 2011 at 10:08pm

First, If you consider what I initially wrote as needing an apology, then that is your opinion. Too often there is BLAME for the GOP/REC/RPOF for lack of action, when reality IS, unless YOU PERSONALLY belong, you are out of line in questioning what they do and why they do. ONLY YOU can influence their future actions IF YOU ARE A MEMBER...and that is what is lacking from WAY TOO MANY people...if that requires an apology, then so be it.

 

Now to address AGAIN your repetitive questions:

 

#1: Where can I find the documentation of exactly how much the Republican Party gave Hogan, all total, since you don't know the exact answer.

 

It is posted on the duvalelections.com website. Duval REC gave $50,000, the RPOF another $50,000 (legal limits- they BOTH maxed out) and the RPOF also paid MANY salaries, and other costs of Hogans campaign...that I do not have a figure for.

#2: Why didn't the GOP campaign for and help Matt Schellenberg, Clay Yarborough, Dick Kravitz, and John Rutherford? They were in partisan elections and they're Republicans.

 

Republicans DO NOT take "sides" where there are more than one Republican in ANY race...PERIOD...all of those you mentioned had just that scenario in either the First or Second election.

#3: I did not address my questions to you about the REC. My questions were about what the local and state GOP did for the Republican candidates in the election. That would include the entire election, ie. primaries, election, and run-off election.

 

Again, the Duval GOP (which IS the Republican Executive Committee) DOES NOT support ANY SINGLE candidate where there are more than ONE Republican in a race...they DO NOT pit ONE funded Republican against another Republican....PERIOD. They neither donate to or support one over the other...EVER.

#4: My mistake, I should have used the word "promote." While not permitted to directly advertise, the GOP can certainly do everything possible to get the qualifications for any and all Republican candidates out there and there are many ways to do that, without buying an advertisement.

 

They DO. What are Phone banks, Walks, and information packs being put together???...again, there are certain Prohibitions about what you are wanting to see happen. The DEMS might break the laws....Republicans in this county DON'T. Unless You and Others are NOT participating, you didn't see the efforts...

#5: That's a canard. There's no prohibition that keeps the Republican Party from doing opposition research, fact-checking the information about a candidate's past history, as well as their qualifications and fitness to serve in an elected position---county, state, or federal---and making sure that correct information is made public. The print media is not the only way to publicize information to correct the record or to get questions out there in a highly visible way to make sure they reach the desired audience. Fact of the matter is the GOP is not actively doing everything they are legally allowed to do and that's part of why both Tampa and Jacksonville now have a Democrat Mayor. Along with Miami-Dade, that gives the Democrats the three largest metropolitan areas in Florida going into 2012.

 

Again, you are splitting hairs with things that the Local GOP, or the State GOP are NOT sanctioned to do. There ARE certain campaign activities that IF the local party does, they MUST report as being "donations in kind" for that effort.....ALL EFFORT has it limits and to spend money doing that, takes away from what the Candidates NEED....PEOPLE WORKING on GETTING OUT THE VOTE....opposition research is ALWAYS handled by the Candidate and IF done by someone else, and published, IF later found to be FALSE, you are set up for a REAL blistering from the Candidate AND the opposition.

 

It is NOT the GOP's responsibility to do that kind of thing...and NOT in their Charter to provide that either. What you are asking is ALWAYS left to the Candidate in EVERY SINGLE ELECTION....period. It is part of THEIR PLAN...not the Local Party's plan...and to do otherwise is NOT in the best interest of the Candidate OR electing them. I know PERSONALLY...I WOULD NOT want the Local GOP running MY opposition research as I LOSE CONTROL of that when that happens.....and as a Candidate, the LAST thing you want to happen is something to get out, done, or happen that YOUR CAMPAIGN DID NOT CONTROL...because IF it is proven WRONG, you are going to have a LOT of damage control and that is NOT what you want. It makes you look petty and slinging mud for the sake of slinging. THAT doesn't win elections.

 

JR, you must remember...the Local party is there NOT to run the campaign, but to provide the ASSISTANCE to candidates in Partisan races. They neither set the message, the delivery, OR the opposition research. Those are NOT their purpose nor their areas to be involved in. It is that way nationwide in MOST ALL REC's in all states.

Comment by J.R. on May 25, 2011 at 9:15pm

Mr. Yost:

Here is how your comment was addressed and to whom it was addressed:

"@JL Gawlik,

I can tell you that the LOCAL Duval GOP was behind Hogan all the way. If you would have come to the Beach Blvd HQ roughly 4 weeks out of the election, you would have seem MANY people there making calls, organizing walks, getting information packets put together and MONEY being raised for Hogan.

You can ONLY blame ONE person IF you were not there. Yourself.

Do you belong to the local Republican Executive Committee??? If not, you didn't get any information from them to show up. Are you working to get OTHER Conservatives elected THROUGH your local GOP in Duval County?? Then you perhaps should look as to WHY you are not a member..."

You did not address your first comment to all of us, Mr Yost. You can be as defensive as you like, but you owe Mrs. J.L. Gawlik an apology... and the rest of the Tea Party members, also.

As to my questions:

#1: Where can I find the documentation of exactly how much the Republican Party gave Hogan, all total, since you don't know the exact answer.

#2: Why didn't the GOP campaign for and help Matt Schellenberg, Clay Yarborough, Dick Kravitz, and John Rutherford? They were in partisan elections and they're Republicans.

#3: I did not address my questions to you about the REC. My questions were about what the local and state GOP did for the Republican candidates in the election. That would include the entire election, ie. primaries, election, and run-off election.

#4: My mistake, I should have used the word "promote." While not permitted to directly advertise, the GOP can certainly do everything possible to get the qualifications for any and all Republican candidates out there and there are many ways to do that, without buying an advertisement.

#5: That's a canard. There's no prohibition that keeps the Republican Party from doing opposition research, fact-checking the information about a candidate's past history, as well as their qualifications and fitness to serve in an elected position---county, state, or federal---and making sure that correct information is made public. The print media is not the only way to publicize information to correct the record or to get questions out there in a highly visible way to make sure they reach the desired audience. Fact of the matter is the GOP is not actively doing everything they are legally allowed to do and that's part of why both Tampa and Jacksonville now have a Democrat Mayor. Along with Miami-Dade, that gives the Democrats the three largest metropolitan areas in Florida going into 2012.

Again, my questions did not reference the REC, nor did I state the REC was responsible for messaging. And there's nothing to prohibit the county or state GOP from getting specific information directly from the candidates and putting it out there for public consumption.

I already knew attorneys had to be licensed in the state they lived in, if they practiced law there. The American Bar Association had no record of him, either. And, maybe I'll just have to check with the Bar Association of every state. My point is, the GOP didn't even know what our researchers knew. Have a look at the list of questions I posted in a blog on this website related to Alvin Brown---questions that the Times Union would not ask Alvin Brown and Alvin Brown would not answer and still has not answered.

http://www.fctpcommunity.org/profiles/blogs/alvin-brown-and-florida...

The Democrat Party does opposition research up one side and down the other... and they are aggressive in using it. If the GOP doesn't do the same and do it better, they're going to get their butts kicked in 2012.

Again, apologies are due from you Mr. Yost. I do hope you will be a stand up guy and provide them. You are entitled to your opinions, just as we are entitled to ours. And I don't need a non-apology apology that infers that my reading of what you actually wrote was flawed. I know what I read and I know that your response to what I wrote did not comport with what I asked you.

Comment by Barry Lee Phillips on May 25, 2011 at 8:12pm

Round 2:

Mark,

Apparently you didn't pay attention to what I wrote.  I never stated or implied that you said anyone was a racist.  I wrote, "If you happen to think . . ."  I don't know you and I don't know what you think.  I  was just covering the bases.  My opinion of Corrine Brown is that she is now and has always been a charlatan.  She epitomizes the type of person who should not hold any political office. 

You seem to characterize Billie J. Tucker as a Tea Party leader with religious fervor who couches everything she says in evangelistic terms such as good vs. evil.  Sorry Mark, but the vast majority of people and the political views they hold are more complicated than that.  That includes the membership of the Jacksonville Tea Party and I would venture to say the Tea Party membership throughout the United States. 

I firmly believe that Alvin Brown is not the right man for the job and it has nothing to do with either Billie J. Tucker or the Tea Party.  Alvin Brown is a Democrat who makes noises like a conservative but is really a liberal/progressive disguised as a conservative.  Conservatives in the true sense of the word fled the Democrat party long ago.  Are there decent, well-informed Democrats?  Sure, but the problem is they are blinded to the destructive policies of the Democrat socialist left that hold sway in that party.  I am old enough to remember when conservative Democrats existed.  They are no more and Alvin Brown certainly does not fit that mold.

The principles of the founding fathers, individual liberty and responsibility, limited government, and moral leadership are no joking matter to the Tea Party as both Republicans and Democrats will find to their regret in upcoming elections.  You may consider that evangelistic zeal, but I prefer to call it a return to first principles.

Lee Phillips

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Woods, Mark" a href="mailto:mark.woods@jacksonville.com">mark.woods@jacksonville.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 7:13 PM
To: "Lee Phillips" a href="mailto:phalanx@bellsouth.net">phalanx@bellsouth.net>
Subject: RE: Zombies can't vote ?

> Mr. Phillips,
>
> Thanks for the email. I appreciate it.
>
> I don't think I said anyone was a racist. To the contrary, the main point of the column was to say that Alvin Brown managed to do what others had failed -- get votes all over town. And by doing so, he shot a hole in Corrine Brown's lawsuit and argument that a minority candidate cannot win without having a gerrymandered minority district.
>
> As for Ms. Tucker, I don't write the headlines for my column. I probably wouldn't have made it about her. But I do believe she deserves criticism for her comments. I believe there are lemmings on both sides of the aisle. And I believe there are good, well-informed people on both sides of the aisle. Her rhetoric make it sound as if anyone who didn't believe her candidate of choice was the right man for the job clearly wasn't paying attention to the issues. She repeatedly made it seem as if it was a matter of good vs. evil, smart vs. dumb, those who love God against those who don't, etc. Sorry, but I just don't buy that. As I said before, I think there were decent, well-informed people on both sides. But I guess maybe you disagree, also.
>
> As for there being out of town support, that's hardly new. Both sides have had that before and, I'd be willing to bet, both sides will have it again. For better or worse, that's a part of modern politics.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Mark
>
> Mark Woods
> Metro columnist
> The Florida Times-Union
> mark.woods@jacksonville.com
> (904) 359-4212

Comment by Michael "Mike" Yost on May 25, 2011 at 6:10pm

My comments were in no way meant to be critical of ANYONE...but more informative and an encouragement for involvement. If you read it that way, then my apologies.

 

Now let's talk about your questions and the answers:

 

1) How much money did the Florida and local GOP donate to Mike Hogan and the other Republican candidates in this election? I know how much the State Democrat Party contributed to Alvin Brown.

 

I know for a fact that the DuvalGOP  gave $50,000 and the RPOF did the same in addition to the statutory limit for staff, salaries, etc. by the RPOF. The amount was at FULL limits and there was nothing more that could be given. 

2) Which candidates did they endorse and campaign for?

 

Hogan and Lumb. There was NO campaigning by the Duval GOP in a Republican Vs. Republican race- that is not considered something the REC will do. Same in Primary elections.

3) What campaign activities for those candidates did they hold or participate in?

 

The Duval REC worked under the direction of the Hogan campaign staff. Support, phones, and facilities were provided. This is the case in all elections where there are candidates facing partisan elections. The Duval REC does NOT direct the campaign, they only support it. It is the same NATIONWIDE and also the same in ALL political parties. It is NOT the REC's mission to dictate message nor HOW to deliver it.

4) What advertising did they provide on behalf of those candidates?

 

The REC of either Party is PROHIBITED from advertising on behalf of a candidate. Statutory requirements in State and Federal elections.

5) What efforts did they make to get the Times Union to give fair coverage to Republican candidates and ask the questions of the Democrat candidate for Mayor who refused to answer our questions and give a full and truthful account of his education and work background, his corporations, Boards of Directors membership on numerous Boards, his resume and vitae, and his claim that he is an attorney on his FEC Form 6, when the FL Bar Association says he is not? What did the Republican Party do to get this information and publicize it?

 

Again, it is NOT the responsibility of the REC to message on behalf of the Candidate(s). You end up with many messengers and OFTEN there is differing messages. ALL CANDIDATES from BOTH PARTIES are responsible for their efforts at messaging and WHO will be the spokesperson. The REC's stay out of that area and rightfully so. They are NOT responsible for developing it either.

 

ALSO, you must remember. An attorney can be admitted to the Bar in any state. That does not mean they will be listed in Florida as an attorney, but be admitted to practice law in say ...New York, or D.C....that does NOT mean they are not an attorney, only not one licensed to practice in Florida.

Comment by Barry Lee Phillips on May 25, 2011 at 5:52pm

Email sent to Mark Woods:

Dear Mr. Woods,

 

Yes Mark, zombies do vote! 

 

They are glassy-eyed, mind-numbed Obama supporters who came out of stasis long enough to vote for Alvin Brown.  They are RINO Republicans who should have changed their party affiliation to Democrat long go.  They are people who follow hope and change like lemmings over a cliff.  Yes Mark, zombies do vote.  And when they do, nothing good can come from it for Jacksonville.  Oh by the way, if you happen to think I am a racist because I take a dim view of Alvin Brown, then explain why I voted for Nat Glover when he ran for sheriff?

 

The zombie masters in this election were the paid Democrat operatives.  Not to mention the financial support that came from out of town from questionable sources.  The Times-Union ignored this fact until after the election, as apparently did you.

 

So when you denigrated Billie J. Tucker and the Tea Party in your puerile column, did you really expect the rest of us would not respond?  The Tea Party is here to stay and you had better get used to it.

Comment by J.R. on May 25, 2011 at 5:46pm

Mr. Yost, I liked your earlier comment today, but find this one to be offensive and intolerant.  This was J.L Gawlik's comment that you so vociferously attacked:

"Has anyone engaged the local GOP or the state GOP and asked what they really support? WHY didn't they show a presence in Jacksonville, weeks ago? How about Crenshaw and Rubio in support of Hogan or any of the state GOP conservatives? Where were they?"

Mrs. Gawlik was not the only one asking those questions and, furthermore, she had every right to ask them. I've been an active member of the First Coast Tea Party for quite a while and have never seen anyone from the Republican Executive Committee show up at any of our meetings, make any outreach to us regarding membership, invite us to their meetings, ask us how they can be of help to us, comment on their behalf on our blogs, conduct an event and invite us to attend, attend our Speed Rating and Town Hall for candidates for City Council, Mayor, Tax Assessor, and Sheriff.  So who are you to lecture us about what we don't do? I didn't see you at any of those events, either. I did see you and speak briefly with you at our Tax Day Rally at The Landing, where you were working the crowd, for I was seating invited officials, but I've seen no prior outreach from you to our membership or invitation from you for us to join the Republican Executive Committee. And, what's wrong with the Republican party members that they don't all support and join the Tea Party? 

Frankly, I didn't see much, if any, publicity on behalf of the State or local Republican Party in this election or information as to what they were doing for candidates in this election.  Here are some questions I would like to have answered:

1) How much money did the Florida and local GOP donate to Mike Hogan and the other Republican candidates in this election? I know how much the State Democrat Party contributed to Alvin Brown.

2) Which candidates did they endorse and campaign for?

3) What campaign activities for those candidates did they hold or participate in?

4) What advertising did they provide on behalf of those candidates?

5) What efforts did they make to get the Times Union to give fair coverage to Republican candidates and ask the questions of the Democrat candidate for Mayor who refused to answer our questions and give a full and truthful account of his education and work background, his corporations, Boards of Directors membership on numerous Boards, his resume and vitae, and his claim that he is an attorney on his FEC Form 6, when the FL Bar Association says he is not? What did the Republican Party do to get this information and publicize it?

I volunteered and worked the phones at Republican Party Headquarters and that huge room with its many phones had only one person on duty working and three people including me making calls. Where were all those members of the Executive Committee? And they didn't call me to help them, I called them to ask if I could be of help.

I was a delegate to the FL Victory 2000 convention from the Executive Committee but, frankly I didn't find the Executive Committee, on the whole, to be a very inclusive, motivating or welcoming group.

Further, I find your distasteful tirade to be insulting, not only to Mrs. Gawlik, but also to the rest of us in the FCTP who, like her, worked very hard in this election. And, please be informed, also, that Mrs. Gawlik and her husband have also volunteered and worked for the Republican Party in the past.

So, if you're on the Republican Party's recruiting committee, you're didn't do them any favors by writing your last comment. And, you owe J.L. Gawlik an apology.   

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