As everyone who reads my posts can attest to, I am not a Charlie Crist supporter. I have a very hard time believing that he has done a complete 180 degree turn on EVERY belief he has ever held in politics. I realize that people evolve. I realize that people CAN and DO change. I just don’t believe that Charlie Crist has. I genuinely believe that Crist wants back into the political game, by any means necessary, and now that means becoming a Democrat and saying all the things he thinks Democrats want to hear in order to get elected.
Most Florida Democrats are so hell bent on removing Rick Scott, that they are either turning a blind eye to the glaring flaws of Charlie Crist, or they simply don’t care, because in their opinion, anything is better than Rick Scott. My vote means more to me than just removing an incumbent. My vote is precious to me. As a Black Woman, I have double the reason to hold my vote close to my heart, and to cast it in a way that truly reflects how I feel. It took a very long time for Black Americans to get the vote, and even longer for women.
Quick history lesson:
1.Black men were granted the right to vote in 1870 with the ratification of the 15th amendment.The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”)
2. Women’s suffrage was granted in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th amendment The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged in the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Given the fact that I am Black AND a woman, my vote means more to me than “going along with the crowd”.
The Democrats are supposed to be the party that accepts differing ideas and positions from its members. Democrats are supposed to be more tolerant than Republicans? Right? Well in this case, the answer is wrong. I have been accused of working for Rick Scott, of being an undercover GOP operative, and a whole slew of other things by those on the left who want me to hand over my vote to someone I don’t believe in.
My response to that is very simple. Call me what you will. Imply what you will. My forefathers and foremothers worked very, very hard in order for me to be able to walk into a polling booth and cast my vote for WHOEVER I decide deserves it. I will NOT be intimidated by anyone. I will not cast my vote for just ANYONE.
Getting tweets such as this one from rabid Charlie Crist supporters does not and will not make me sacrifice my vote for their wishes.
Being united on policies and principles doesn’t mean we are united on Candidates. Being united in a party doesn’t mean that no one can ever have differing ideas. Being united in a party certainly doesn’t mean calling someone a “GOP Plant” because they don’t support the candidate you support, who by the way WAS a GOP operative the majority of his political life.
If Charlie Crist wants to persuade those who will not be supporting him in a general election, why doesn’t he debate Nan Rich? What is he hiding that he is afraid will come out during a debate? Democrats are entitled to vet our options and see them in a side-by-side comparison. For some reason, Charlie Crist refuses to give Florida Democrats that respect.
It is not the Democrats who won’t vote for Crist that are doing wrong. It is Charlie Crist. He needs to prove to voters that he is deserving of our hard earned, fought for, right to vote. He hasn’t done that, and clearly doesn’t think it is necessary. Guess what? It IS necessary.
There are a large amount of Democrat voters in the counties of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade who WILL stay home and not vote in a general match-up that features Charlie Crist and Rick Scott.
Charlie Crist can change that by showing us why we should vote for him. I don’t care how loudly he proclaims that he is now a Democrat. I don’t care how much money he shovels into the coffers of the Florida Democrat party. I don’t care how many of you call me a GOP plant. I don’t care how many of you scream that not voting is essentially a vote for Rick Scott.
What I DO care about is casting my vote for someone that I think deserves it. For that, I, and others who feel the same way, should be commended, not condemned.
Either way, I’m casting, or not casting, my vote in a way that allows me to feel comfortable about it.
For those that don’t like it, all I can tell you is that the choice is not yours, it’s mine.
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Leslie Wimes
Latest posts by Leslie Wimes (see all)
- Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus Says “No Recommendation” To Lisa Montelione, HD 63! - October 29, 2016
- Chain Gang Charlie Is Back, Unfortunately For Black Folks In CD 13! - October 21, 2016
- Pam Keith, Racism Claims, And Debates - July 30, 2016
Florida’s Democrats should hang their heads in shame! Each one of you knows that you are not voting for the principles that you espouse, instead you’re voting for “Who will beat Rick Scott.” Over and over, a woman, Senator Nan Rich, who defines the ideals of the party has been ignored, laughed at and ridiculed by her own party because “she can’t beat Rick Scott.” If the election is about beating Rick Scott, then you need to say that. Stop pretending it’s about being the voice of the elderly, an advocate for the sick or a fighter for better education so that our children can compete in a global world.
Tell Floridians that the Democratic Party wants to beat Rick Scott at all costs, period. And, you’ll do it by any means necessary, with whomever you have to, including an opponent from his own party.
Either way, you’ll have a Republican in the Governor’s office come November. Are you sure you know how to play this game?
Crist may be a closet Republican, and its wrong too assume all Republicans agree with the racialized divisive policies being espoused. The party has been hijacked by a few immoral draconians, and that is sad! But I would rather have a moderate Republican that supports medicaid expansion, and other issues I advocate than this immoral draconian we presently have. Its a shame that Democrats have not supported Senator Nan Rich, but the problem is name recognition, I just learned who just was recently. I want Rick Scott out by “any means necessary” short of violence. He has to go! Florida can not endure 4 more years under Scott.
I totally support your right to voice your opinion, and as a Black woman, I am proud of your choice to not ‘go along to get along”. I am a Registered Republican, however, I do not support the racialized policies that come from the Governor’s office, but I choose to stay within the party to be a voice of reason and consciousness. I do not blindly trust the “take-your-black-vote-for-granted” Democrats too, especially here in Jacksonville, Florida. I honestly wish that Nan Rich could win, but the reality is her chances are slim, particularly, if North Florida is a determining factor.II admit that my fear and outrage against Rick Scott is determining my vote for Charlie Crist. As a nurse, I can not stand to see more Floridians without access to healthcare, so I choose “ChainGang” Charlie with my head held low!
You see, I will never cast a vote that requires me to hang my head low. Thanks for your support!
Great Article!
I think your article is a good one. You’re right. I have never understood women and/or African Americans who do not vote after so many people fought long and hard for the right to cast a vote for any candidate of their choice. The problem *I* have with this article is your use of the “Democrat” party. Using that term is deragatory and it is used by Republicans and Tea Party people as a slur agains democrats. snip end snip.
So, when you refer to the Democratic Party as the “Democrat Party” I take it as a slur and cannot take your article very seriously except for the fact that your right to vote was culminated by hard won events times two. Your right to vote for who you choose is all well and good. I’m just saying that maybe you should use a more politically correct term for the DemocratIC party if you want to be taken more seriously. Thank you for your articles.
If that is the reason you can’t take me seriously, then that is something you have to deal with. If that is what stands out to you in this article, then your actual problem is much larger than grammar.
Democrat Party (phrase) – encyclopedia article – Citizendium
Democrat Party is a designation sometimes used in the U.S.A. by Republicans to refer to the Democratic Party. The general issue is the use of the proper noun “Democrat” as an adjective, in place of the established adjective for the party, “Democratic.”
en.citizendium.org/wiki/Democrat_Party_(phrase)
My snips were removed 🙁
So because I used it that way, does it make me a Republican? The Florida DemocratIC party is about to go through a civil war not unlike the Republicans and the tea party and THAT is what you focus on? God help us!
I would Like to talk to you and I have been a Woman on the move for years and years. Please contact me asap possible. thanks Harler5@aol.com
Joann Locascio – Do you understand that Republicans made up the idea of using “Democrat” as a derogatory term? And people like you not only buy into their strategy, they regurgitate it in comment sections like this. Democrats are Democrats. Your post, which you cut and pasted, was written by a Republican to advance the notion of “Democrat” vs. “Democrats.” Scour the internet and see who suggested it first. William Safire? A libertarian conservative!
Leslie used the term correctly. In fact, Democrats and the Democrat Party needs to take back their legacy and stop letting the other side dictate its self worth. I can’t even believe that you would buy into a strategy because you read it on the internet. The Democrat or Democratic party (used interchangeably – because I don’t stop using the word of a party that is the oldest in our history just because someone says so) has always stood for Democracy. Frankly, if you want to get rid of something, get rid of the donkey symbol, because you and your party are far more in touch with that symbol these days than any other I’ve seen.
DemocraTS have a problem thinking for themselves. The fact that any one in Florida says Nan Rich won’t win simply because of the “name recognition” doesn’t understand the value of money and the media. Not too mention, that’s another tired argument you’re mimicking. I think the Democrat Party’s symbol should be a parrot with big ears and broken wings. By the way, I don’t belong to any party. I stand with Nan.
Kathy