Say No to Mario

Farewell

2009-10-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

This blog is being closed and further updates will be featured on Florida Congress Watch. Check us out over there.

From the Blogs

2009-09-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

Re/Creating Tampa: Mario Diaz-Balart Questions the Director of CBO Regarding Cap and Trade

Down With Tyranny: I Don't Think Miami Mobsters The Diaz-Balarts Will Be Using Orbitz To Book Any Flights Soon

Capitol Offense: Where Is Congress on the Public Option

2009-06-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm joining with Democracy for America, Health Care for America Now and Open Left in supporting the Stand With Dr. Dean Campaign. The idea is to put pressure on our members of Congress to find out where they stand on health care reform and whether or not they support Dr. Howard Dean's call for a reform that includes a public option. See Dean's statement here:

Chris Bowers has suggested that we use crowdsourcing techniques to find out where everyone in Congress stands, which also helps pressure them to take the right stand. So here's the plan:

1. Contact your member of Congress via e-mail and ask them the following questions:

1--Do you support a public healthcare option as part of healthcare reform?
2--If so, do you support a public healthcare option that is available on day one?
3--Do you support a public healthcare option that is national, available everywhere, and accountable to Congress?
4--Do you support a public healthcare option that can bargain for rates from providers and big drug companies?

Don't call, do this via e-mail because we want a written response. If they are vague in answering these questions, contact them again and ask for clarification. If they don't answer you, keep contacting them (and have your friends and family contact them) until they do give you the answers.

2. Forward the responses to me at quinnelk@hotmail.com. We're going to publish an official response from as many of our members as possible so we know where everyone is. And we'll keep a track of who isn't responding so we know who to put pressure on. Similarly, once we find out who is on board and who isn't, we know who to put further pressure on down the road.

3. If you have your own blog, post the responses there, too. The more public pressure we can put on Congress, the easier we make it for them to do the right thing.

Here is the public contact info for each of our Florida members of Congress:

Rep Gus Bilirakis R FL-9 http://bilirakis.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=212&Itemid=44

Rep Allen Boyd D FL-2 http://www.house.gov/boyd/zip_authen.html

Rep Corrine Brown D FL-3 http://www.house.gov/corrinebrown/IMA/issue.shtml

Rep Virginia Brown-Waite R FL-5 https://forms.house.gov/brown-waite/IMA/issue_subscribe.htm

Rep Vern Buchanan R FL-13 http://buchanan.house.gov/contact.shtml

Rep Kathy Castor D FL-11 https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

Rep Ander Crenshaw R FL-4 https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

Rep Lincoln Diaz-Balart R FL-21 http://diaz-balart.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact

Rep Mario Diaz-Balart R FL-25 http://www.house.gov/formmariodiaz-balart/ic_zip_auth.htm

Rep Alan Grayson D FL-8 https://forms.house.gov/grayson/contact-form.shtml

Rep Alcee Hastings D FL-23 http://www.alceehastings.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=

Rep Ron Klein D FL-22 klein.ron.web@flsenate.gov

Rep Suzanne Kosmas D FL-24 https://forms.house.gov/kosmas/contact-form.shtml

Rep Connie Mack R FL-14 http://mack.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactConnie.ContactForm

Sen Melquiades Martinez R FL http://martinez.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorMartinez

Rep Kendrick Meek D FL-17 http://kendrickmeek.house.gov/contact1.shtml

Rep John Mica R FL-7 http://www.house.gov/mica/messageform.shtml

Rep Jeff Miller R FL-1 http://jeffmiller.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Sen Bill Nelson D FL http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Rep Bill Posey R FL-15 http://posey.house.gov/Contact/

Rep Adam Putnam R FL-12 http://adamputnam.house.gov/contact.shtml

Rep Tom Rooney R FL-16 https://forms.house.gov/rooney/contact-form.shtml

Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R FL-18 http://www.house.gov/writerep

Rep Clifford Stearns R FL-6 http://www.house.gov/writerep

Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz D FL-20 schultz.debbie.web@flsenate.gov

Rep Robert Wexler D FL-19 http://wexler.house.gov/email.shtml

Rep C. W. Bill Young R FL-10 bill.young@mail.house.gov

We'll also post the results of these at the WatchBlogs dedicated to each Republican member and at the Florida Democratic News blog.

You can also sign the petition on health care here.

I'm Kenneth Quinnell and I approve this message.

Read more on Florida politics at the Florida Progressive Coalition blog (http://flaprogressives.org) and the Florida Progressive Coalition Wiki (http://quinnell.us/sspb/wiki/).

From the Blogs

2009-05-03T09:35:00.001-07:00

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

Blue in Miami: How dumb is Mario Diaz-Balart?

Generation Miami (Giancarlo Sopo): Was Mario talking about his donors?

Generation Miami (Alex Barreras): Say it where it counts, Mario

Generation Miami (Giancarlo Sopo): Mario Diaz-Balart’s History of Eloquence (Updated)

Generation Miami (Giancarlo Sopo): The unedited version is even worse

Generation Miami (Giancarlo Sopo): Cuban-American leaders denounce Mario Diaz-Balart

Generation Miami (Alex Barreras): Conflating Cuba and Castro

Generation Miami (Giancarlo Sopo): Babalu, fiefdoms and patriotism

Generation Miami (Giancarlo Sopo): Diaz-Balart blasts Obama for referring to Cuba as ‘Cuba’

Generation Miami: Mario Diaz-Balart thinks you’re a Nazi

Generation Miami: On “Unilateral Concessions” to the Castro Regime

Miami-Dade Dems: Worrying about the "institutional gravities of Congress"

Down With Tyranny: The Diaz-Balart Family Doesn't Like Fascism? Since When?

Tell the Party of No - "Yes We Can"

2009-04-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

From the Blogs

2009-03-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

Generation Miami: Diaz-Balarts Could Have Stopped AIG Bonuses

Generation Miami: ROLLED!

From the Blogs

2009-03-10T00:13:00.000-07:00

The latest stories from the Florida blogs...

Generation Miami: Diaz-Balart Hypocrisy

Generation Miami: Diaz-Balarts Lie, Again (Pt. III)

Generation Miami: Diaz-Balarts, from Ineffective to Irrelevant

Generation Miami: Menendez Should Let Obama Fulfill Campaign Pledge

Generation Miami: Diaz-Balarts, from Ineffective to Irrelevant

Thank You from DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen

2009-01-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

From the Blogs

2008-11-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

Blue Herald: Mario Diaz Balart is Mini Bush

FLA Politics: FL-25: Mario Diaz-Balart Goes From Smearing Joe to Insulting Veterans

FLA Politics: FL-25: Mario Diaz-Balart - The Last Throes of a Desperate Incumbent

Miami-Dade Dems: Disgusting TV ad from the slime machine of Mario Diaz-Balart

A Post-Election Message from Joe Garcia

2008-11-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

My family and I are deeply humbled by the overwhelming outcry of support we have received from our community.

Almost a year ago, we began a conversation with South Florida about the issues affecting our families. We walked dozens of neighborhoods, knocked on tens of thousands of doors and listened to countless of stories. The one thing that remained consistent all throughout this long journey, and which never ceased to amaze me, was the decency of the people of South Florida.

So many of you opened your homes, welcomed us in and made us a part of your family. I will never forget the people I met along the way who touched my life and inspired me every step of the way. People like Pablo, a single dad from Miami Lakes, who worked hard and played by the rules, but still couldn't afford healthcare for his seven year-old son. Or folks like the man from Kendall who invited us into his home and had a picturesque family, but was on the verge of losing his house.

Your stories became my stories and your struggles converged with mine -- and I will always fight for you and stand up for our families.

We always said this campaign was more than just about winning an election. It was about moving South Florida forward and creating a vehicle for your hopes and dreams Although we may not have won on election night, our campaign accomplished what so many thought was impossible in South Florida: we spoke about the issues that affect all of our lives, free of the demagoguery that had characterized our politics for far too long. We could not have done this without you.

Our work is far from finished. In fact, it has just begun. I will never forget you.

Thank you so much for everything you have done and for changing my life.

Your friend,

Joe Garcia

DCCC Takes on Mario

2008-10-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

New Ad - Mario Diaz-Balart Turned His Back on Veterans

2008-10-29T17:41:00.001-07:00

FL-25: Joe Garcia on offensive against smear machine

2008-10-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

There is a pretty small vocabulary over there in the Diaz-Balart camp. Their favorite words are pathetic and ludicrous. That's when referring to us. This comes from their pretty small emotional range, which seems stuck on contempt. When referring to us. Now they're even using it on a veteran of the Iraq war, who was brave enough to declare alliance with us. And for his pains, he's branded pathetic by the Mario Diaz-Balart camp.

The Garcia camp is properly aroused and asks us all to pull out all stops to spread the word among District 25 voters. Read more about it on Daily Kos. And please take action. My email network is starting to hum.

FL-21, FL-25: Miami New Times writes off the Diaz-Balart brothers

2008-10-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a long and good read about victory around the corner for Joe Garcia and Raul Martinez, and oblivion for the Diaz-Balart slime machine and the two brothers who dishonor their elected office in the U.S. House of Representatives.

See the post just before this for one of the examples of dirty politics the brothers practice -- a TV ad intended to boost the fortunes of Mario Diaz-Balart. But Mario, how are you going to explain this at the Pearly Gates? What about the Commandment to Bear No False Witness? His elder brother Lincoln Diaz-Balart has been almost as bad in his noir TV ads against Raul Martinez.

Thanks goodness that the Miami New Times has seen its way through all that crap to write that this year is the "end of the dynasty" for the Diaz-Balarts. Would that the Miami Herald had been equally perceptive.

Anyway, please make a cup of coffee and sit down for a lengthy read through the thinking that will put at least two more Democrats in the U.S. House from South Florida.

Disgusting TV ad from the slime machine of Mario Diaz-Balart

2008-10-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

This could be the worst ever. Ripping headlines from nowhere and trying to make a case against Joe Garcia.

Joe's campaign rightly calls for help to combat this travesty of politics. Join up at joegarcia08.com or at ActBlue.

Mario's "Howard Dean Scream" Moment

2008-10-20T11:19:00.001-07:00

If you haven't seen wild-eyed crazy Mario yet, you should:

And this guy represents Florida in Congress? Shame on South Florida if they don't replace this guy with Joe Garcia.

FL-25: A Diaz-Balart raver catches TV attention

2008-10-20T06:52:00.001-07:00

Hey, Mario, you forgot to take your pills.

Fla. Dems Good on Environment, Reps Not So Much

2008-10-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

The League of Conservation Voters released their scorecards for Congress. Can you guess what the pattern is? Of Florida Republicans, only Ileana Ros-Lehtinen does as good as any Democrat and that's only one person. Beyond that, all Democrats do way better than all Republicans. No shocker there.

Alcee Hastings (D), 92%
Ron Klein (D), 92%
Timothy Mahoney (D), 92%
Kendrick Meek (D), 92%
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), 92%
Bill Nelson (D), 91%
F. Allen Boyd (D), 85%
Corrine Brown (D), 85%
Kathy Castor (D), 85%
Robert Wexler (D), 69%
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R), 69%
Vern Buchanan (R), 62%
Gus Bilirakis (R), 38%
Ginny Brown-Waite (R), 38%
Mario Diaz-Balart (R), 38%
C.W. Bill Young (R), 38%
Mel Martinez (R), 36%
Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R), 31%
Ander Crenshaw (R), 15%
Ric Keller (R), 15%
Connie Mack (R), 8%
John Mica (R), 8%
Adam Putnam (R), 8%
Dave Weldon (R), 8%
Tom Feeney (R), 0%
Jeff Miller (R), 0%
Cliff Stearns (R), 0%

Esquire Endorsement

2008-10-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

Esquire endorsed Joe Garcia over Mario:

Lincoln Diaz-Balart's younger brother Mario suffers the same fate. It's well past time for south Florida politics to move beyond Fidel.

DCCC Takes on the Diaz-Balarts

2008-10-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Joe Garcia debates the rubber-stamp 10 a.m. Sunday on Univision

2008-10-18T12:12:00.001-07:00

Message from the Joe Garcia campaign:

I want you to tune in tomorrow morning to the final debate between Joe Garcia and Mario Diaz-Balart and encourage your friends and family to watch as well.

Here are the details:
Sunday, October 19 at 10 AM
Univision 'Al Punto' with Jorge Ramos
(A version with English subtitles will be available online shortly after)

The differences in this election are clear:
Joe Garcia will fight for economic relief for families and small businesses -- Mario Diaz-Balart will give billions in tax give-aways to the big oil companies that fund his campaign.
Joe Garcia has a plan to make healthcare more affordable and accessible -- Mario Diaz-Balart wants to deregulate insurance companies and do to healthcare what he and George W. Bush have done to Wall Street.
Joe Garcia will bring a safe and responsible end to the Iraq War -- Mario Diaz-Balart will vote to prolong it.

The truth will win. Gotta listen to know the truth.

Mario Hates Ethics, Again

2008-10-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

The Miami Herald and the New York Times today reported that Republican fundraiser Harry Sargeant cost taxpayers $180 million by inflating profits on contracts to provide fuel to the U.S. military in Iraq. Sargeant, who is the finance chairman of the Florida Republican Party, has given Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart $18,400. [Miami Herald, 10/17/08; New York Times, 10/16/08].

“Mario Diaz-Balart needs to return the thousands he got from Harry Sargeant immediately,” said Andy Diaz, spokesman for Joe Garcia. “Then Diaz-Balart needs to explain to the people of the 25th District the extent of his relationship with Harry Sargeant, who scammed American taxpayers out of $180 million.”

In August, the McCain campaign returned $50,000 in donations from Harry Sargeant after it was discovered that Sargeant was funneling money from Mideast Oil interests into American campaigns. Mario Diaz-Balart has refused to return any of Sargeant’s contributions. [Miami Herald, 10/17/08]

From the Blogs

2008-10-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

Ybor City Stogie: Joe Garcia, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, And Al Jazeera

Daily Kos: FL-18, FL-25: Bushraiser III

Daily Kos: FL-18, FL-25: Bushraiser II

Daily Kos: FL-18, FL-25: Bushraiser

Ybor City Stogie: Mario Diaz-Balart Blames The Iraq War On Bill And Hillary Clinton

Miami-Dade Dems: DailyKos takes up donation drive for Joe Garcia and Annette Taddeo

Ybor City Stogie: The Three Amigos vs. The Dynamic Duo

Eye on Miami (SunshineUnderground): Congressional Race: The terrorism smear you can only find in Miami!

Down With Tyranny: South Florida: 6 Candidates Debate And 1 Gets Caught Up In A Major Bribery Scandal

Daily Kos: House Race Roundup

Ybor City Stogie: Mario Diaz-Balart: Typical Washington Politician

Ybor City Stogie: CBS 4 Joins in the Mario Debunking Fun

Republicans Don't Support Troops As Well As Dems

2008-10-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest scorecards from Disabled American Veterans and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America...

DAV:

Bill Nelson, 100
Allen Boyd, 100
Corrine Brown, 100
Kendrick Meek, 100
Robert Wexler, 100
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, 100
Alcee Hastings, 100

Mel Martinez, 60
Jeff Miller, 66
Ander Crenshaw, 66
Ginny Brown-Waite, 66
Cliff Stearns, 66
John Mica, 66
Ric Keller, 50
C.W. Bill Young, 66
Adam Putnam, 66
Connie Mack, 66
David Weldon, 66
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, 66
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, 66
Tom Feeney, 66
Mario Diaz-Balart, 66

Notice a pattern here? All of the Dems have 100%, while none of the Republicans has anything better than a mid-range "D." So much for supporting disabled troops.

IAVA:

Bill Nelson, A+
Allen Boyd, A
Corrine Brown, A
Kathy Castor, A
Timothy Mahoney, A
Kendrick Meek, B
Robert Wexler, A
D. Wasserman Schultz, A+
Ron Klein, A+
Alcee Hastings, A

Mel Martinez, B
Jeff Miller, B
Ander Crenshaw, B
G. Brown-Waite, B
Cliff Stearns, B
John Mica, B
Ric Keller, A
Gus Bilirakis, A
C.W. Bill Young, B
Adam Putnam, C
Vern Buchanan, B
Connie Mack, B
Dave Weldon, C
I. Ros-Lehtinen, A
L. Diaz-Balart, B
Tom Feeney, B
M. Diaz-Balart, B

Republicans do a little better on this one, with Keller, Bilirakis and Ros-Lehtinen all getting an "A." Dems still do better, Meek has the lowest grade on our side of the aisle, and he still has a "B." The only "A+" grades amongst Florida's delegation are Dems and the only grades below "B" are all Republicans. Again, which party actually supports the troops?

Hilarious

2008-10-09T18:50:00.000-07:00

I guess Mario learned the "blame everything on the Clintons" doctrine real well:

In an event sponsored by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Mario Diaz-Balart today blamed the Iraq War on Bill and Hillary Clinton.

“Mario Diaz-Balart is so out of touch with the truth and reality that he thinks the Iraq War was started by Bill and Hillary Clinton,” said Andy Diaz, spokesman for Joe Garcia. “Does he also think the current economic crisis was caused by the Clintons, and not the failed Bush economic policies, which he unconditionally supported?”