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State House Democrat won’t support Kendrick Meek

by Michael C. Bender | May 17th, 2010

State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Wellington, says he’ll support Charlie Crist’s independent bid for U.S. Senate if Kendrick Meek wins the Democratic nomination.

Abruzzo

Abruzzo

“My vote will not be going for Kendrick Meek at any point in time in this election,” Abruzzo said. “If the Democrats do not have a viable candidate and it’s between Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist, I will be supporting Charlie Crist.”

Abruzzo said Meek’s campaign has not reached out to him. But there seemed to be a personal reason behind the hostility, which was just the latest sign of trouble for Meek’s campaign among south county Democrats.

Consider:

*Eric Johnson, a key cog in Robert Wexler’s political machine, is being recruited to help run Crist’s campaign.

*Andre Fladell, an influential activist in the Democratic-rich condos since founding the South County Political Cooperative in 1982, has reached out to Crist about making a commitment.

*Palm Beach County Commissioner Burt Aaronson is still considering three primary candidates, including Meek, former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre and Palm Beach County billionaire Jeff Greene. But…

*Former Republican state Sen. Ken Pruitt, the new senior advisor at Weiss & Handler, a Democratic south county law firm, introduced Crist in Miami at the first fundraiser of his independent campaign.

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18 Responses to “State House Democrat won’t support Kendrick Meek”

  1. RiverCountryDems Says:

    Abruzzo is apparently not a very good Democrat! Same for a few other South Florida politicians. If Meek were ahead in the polls they would be supporting him. They people move whichever way the wind in blowing — same as Crist.

  2. Carl Says:

    Ah, let the black community see how quickly the democrats turn on a black man.

    Why do you think the billionaire jewish man has entered the race? Why do you think that County Commissioner Burt Aaronson is not endorsing Meek?

    Abruzzo slaps the black man down. That’s a democrat for ya. Wonder what Barack would say?

  3. RiverCountryDems Says:

    No, that’s what Republicans do Carl.

  4. ImaDem Says:

    I was at a meeting this evening and Abruzzo announced he was supporting Maurice Ferre’ a DEMOCRAT. Just because he isn’t support the party’s anointed one doesn’t mean he isn’t supporting a Democrat.

    What Abruzzo said was if it comes down to that nut bag Rubio or Crist, he’d vote for Crist and if it does come down to that, so will I.

    Look at Meek’s polling – 18%! He can’t win with those kind of numbers.

  5. Mandy Says:

    Abruzzo is a Republican and selfish.
    He left the Dems without a candidate a few years ago by cutting a deal.
    Supported vouchers, gambling and Crist

    He is a little boy with lots of money that is another puppet for Wexler, Aaronson, Weiss and Handler.

    We are tired of this crap…we are not going independent…we are voting you out

    Wellington and horses…
    I say NAHH NAHH little boy

  6. NancyfromWellington Says:

    Kendrick Meek has been working around the state for over a year. If Rep Abruzzo has not taken the time to meet and talk to Mr. Meek, it does not surprise me. I have seen Palm Beach County operate for 15 years and the only time that the Democratic leadership support a black man is if it is in a predominantly black city or a major endorsement is received (ie Congressman Wexler endorsed Arthur Anderson). Barack Obama was the first black supported county-wide and many of the old timers voted for him reluctantly. You would think that Democrats greatly embrace blacks and Hispanics however they do not which is why they do not receive these groups support during their campaigns. These groups are not blind to what happens at the party leadership level although in general, they do keep quiet.

  7. Carol Says:

    Abruzzo the Republicans need a replacement so we told them to take you…you are sad and dumb. Go back to Chicago on your little horse you rode in on.

  8. Candy Leibowitz Says:

    How can a (so called) pro-choice Democrat consider supporting someone who is not only anti-choice, does Abruzzo even remember what he had for lunch today…let alone Crist’s record!?! Crist is not even saying he’s going to Veto HB1143. WTF!!!

  9. Stanley Says:

    How many times do you think a person in office (Abruzzo) should be allowed to have sex with hookers in a public place before he gets caught? Don’t you think if Abruzzo was smart he would take the hookers back to his place?

  10. FeelingBlue Says:

    This is really disturbing, but frankly not so surprising. The most disturbing part of this article was looking at the “consider” section–seeing how much power this small group of kingmakers have over Democrats in our county and how well the puppets fall in line…

  11. Candy Leibowitz Says:

    @Stanley: I find it hard to believe that.

    I just think it is premature for the Man to make a suggestion that he would defeat Meek (or any Democrat) before his potential viability is expired.

  12. NotBelieving Says:

    @Nancy: It isn’t up to Abruzzo to reach out to candidate Meek, it is up the the candidate to reach out to the elected. Shame on Kendrick. If you want support, you have to ask for it earlier than a year and a half after you start campaigning.

    @Stanley: Hookers? Really? Back it up with pictures please. I look forward to seeing them!

  13. True Blue Says:

    Meek’s toast !!!Many,many Democrats throughout the state are supporting Crist.

    charliecrats@gmail.com

  14. Oscar Says:

    Not Believing,

    No Democrat should reach out to Aburzzo since he is not even a Democrat. He is a smart ass little kid with big money. Who in the hell does this little schmuck thinks he is. Money may buy him a lot but that’s it. I am sure this kids would be with hookers. He would have to pay someone off to get him off.

  15. Lloyd Says:

    Former Miami Mayor, Maurice Ferre is by-far the most qualified candidate. Read more about his campaign and his solutions for Florida at http://ferre2010.com

  16. NotBelieving Says:

    Oscar:

    Abruzzo is a great rep and I am thankful I live in his district. If you checked his voting record, which you haven’t, you would learn he voted just as a Dem should.

    I would hardly call a 30 year old man a “smart ass little kid”. The only “smart ass little kid” here is you.

    You haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.

  17. Delray Democrat Says:

    The Democratic Party needs to censure Andre Fladell and Eric Johnson.

  18. Bocacondo Says:

    Either support the Democrat or change your party affilation – Eric Johnson and Andre Fladell need to make the choice. No more fence straddling. Who do you think Crist is going to caucus with when he gets elected, it sure won’t be the democrats..

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