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| According to some finger wagging groups, PACs are bad if they support candidates they don't like. Or if they are funded by people they don't like. But do the finger waggers hold their own favorite candidates to this same standard? (Answer: NO) |
Two years ago I was in the thick of the campaign, a really tough one, with two determined opponents.
I worked hard, they worked hard. I was fortunate that I enjoyed a lot of support due to my work on the school board and due to the fact that I went to 8,634 homes door to door. That helped a lot.
I was also fortunate in that a group of businessmen that supported my campaign independently set up and funded a PAC (Political Action Committee) to support my campaign and that PAC did some advertising that really helped me in my election. I was happy that this PAC only did positive, upbeat ads and I saw not one negative ad from the PAC that supported me. And I won my election handily.
But negative campaigning is not illegal, and it is very common.
Look no further than the Governor's race and the Senate Race. One negative ad after another, one by one. In politics, it is part of it.
Which is why it was especially interesting to hear another local candidate, one that spoke forcefully against PACs during my election two years ago, now apparently has a PAC supporting his own campaign. Wow!?! Well, well, well. It's funny how things change-- and I guess back then, PACs = BAD. But now, when polls are not looking so hot, PACs= GOOD?!? (another thing I learned during my election was that these polls done by auto-dialer are actually SPOT-ON when taken over time and averaged-out!) It will be interesting to watch as the next series of polls come out--it will be interesting to watch what they show. I also saw, in my election, that trends, over time, were vitally important to watch (e.g. is a lead widening, significantly in the stretch?)
I ran 6 of these polls during my last race and they were accurate.
I think there will be some sleepless nights for some in the next few weeks, because yes, Gravis polls I did are and were "Spot-On!"
So I wonder if the PNJ will do a story or another cartoon on this interesting turn of events?
Remember, according to the PNJ and Escambia Citizens Watch (who attacked me viciously because there was a PAC that supported me)
PAC's ARE TERRIBLE!!!!! (Unless They Are Supporting Our Guy!)
Probably not going to get another newspaper article. Escambia Citizen's Watch will probably now do a 180 and support PACs. How funny.
Luckily, there was recently a cartoon drawn blasting one local PAC. Now that both candidates in that race officially have PAC's supporting their campaigns--I think it's time for some.........Drumroll.........Marlette Manipulation.
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| This cartoon has been altered to reflect the reality of the situation as it relates to PACs in at least one local race |
As I've done multiple times previously--I take a cartoon drawn for one purpose, and I use it for a different one. It is all in good fun. It's all just a parody :)
16 comments:
Too funny. Hypocrisy, when highlighted, is great. PACs are a part of politics and there are wealthy donors who want their candidates to win. ECW is weak. They have 6k members and only 150 visit the site. Then there are about 8 real angry members who spin the echo chamber. They are too angry. Angry on the ECW. Angry about the County Commission race. Angry about the poll results. Too angry to win. Too angry to serve. I predict that they fade away after the election, because they're too angry.
Wrong again, Chairman Bergosh!
Your District 1 race was the first that I ever saw that brought outside Political Committee money into a local commission race and it was by the same people that are also promoting Mr. McMillan in District 2 through his personal campaign and the Escambia Citizens For Better Government political committee. (They are also supporting Mr. Doidge in District 4)
While I have posted the information in Escambia Citizens Watch about the political committee in support of Underhill as soon as I was told about the "Integrity in Leadership" political committee, and I have publicly stated that I am against the money that comes in from these outside, unlimited sources, you can hardly compare the disgusting and misleading attempt to delve into a candidate's 20 old custody battle during a divorce (where he ultimately was granted full custody) with the recent flyers against McMillan calling him a life long bureaucrat.
Negative, yes, and not my taste but not dirty, scummy, and misleading like the ones funded by Jim Cronley and Lewis Bear. I eschew them all, however. They make me sad that this is what we have come to.
Why were they funded?
I can only guess that people are frustrated that the BCC had $17 million to develop a field in Santa Rosa County so that you could spend millions more to develop OLF8 on Nine Mile Rd, while the County is not honoring a Memorandum of Understanding to build roads in the Sector Plan that was signed before the Sector Plan was passed in 2011. That has been no secret. The County is not keeping its word but you expect other entities signing MOUs to do so.
And then to top it off, you are not upholding the Mid-West Sector Plan but trying to approve sprawl and heavy commercial development along Highway 29, in Conservation neighborhood designated areas by the plan, starting with a former commissioner that approved the Plan (and was your campaign donor!)
People in Beulah are strangling with congestion because the BCC took out the traffic concurrency requirements and you guys are too chicken to impose impact fees so we can pay for the infrastructure that all this burgeoning growth necessitates!
People in District 5 want the roads in *before* the houses.
We don't want the northern part of Highway 29 to look like Nine Mile Rd in your district.
I understand the frustration though I do not condone the negativity and I do not see a lifetime of service to the government as a necessarily negative attribute and have stated such.
You and the commenter (7:57pm) above are trying to write off the voice of the people, whether it be on Escambia Citizens Watch or at public meetings.
I did not show up at your town hall last week, but watched the video where many did, wanting to speak (but you were too scared to let your constituents do so.)
It was the D1 residents and you dismissed their desire to speak freely after you promised a Town Hall, not a monologue.
I am not your enemy.
Quit shadow boxing and start listening.
You have a good mind but you have to listen to what the residents want or you have to provide real data as to why your way is better. You do neither.
@7:57 commenter ... Mel, is that you?
You get things done and speak the truth. ECW is a bunch of haters who like the never Trumpers can't believe you beat the beach special interest hand picked candidate. In the 18-months you have been on the board, you have accomplished much. More than most accomplish over many terms. Why? Because it's easy to do nothing and blame staff and keep your job. You are not like that, which is good for citizens. I liked the way you led your town hall. No one person could dominate the meeting and every question was asked and you answered. I've seen these meetings devolve into personal attacks of the politician with no question asked and no information passed. So the ECW cheerleader above who calls you names and constantly criticizes you is a hater. She can never give you a compliment. She always attacks great people like Mr. Bear. She likes her other rich beach interests, but not others. She's a huge angry hypocrite. Keep up your hard work.
HA ha ! Jacqueline sounds like everyone is starting to see the REAL face you reserve for your MEMBERS ONLY HATE GROUP. HA! Hypocrite is the only polite term for you. Life is a funny old dog. You play judge and now you are bring judged. LOL!!! Lest we forget the mud slinging Underhill did to a civilian about his wife. Now his family and specifically his rage issues in a domestic situation are off limits? FACT: the pertinent issue is his tendency to bully those he feels superior towards. This has historic credence due to that case. Ask yourself one question, if Underhill wasn't such a hateful person to those even questioning his views would that story from 20 years ago be relevant at all? No. So it is his current arrogant derision and vitriol that make his past protective order relevant now. I will tell you as I have been told be your hate group, the order speaks for itself, the fact he is "innocent" doesn't matter. Much like a statement you made regarding Pat Gonzalez. You didnt care if he was innocent. He was arrested. He must be guilty. Well Dougie got a protective order, he must have been a physical threat to his wife and child. Your logic works both ways.
Jimmie Staley,
I never said anything about it not mattering if Patrick Gonzalez Jr. was innocent but he was judged guilty for the Billings murder in a trial and to claim that it was because of a vast ESCO conspiracy is just ridiculous yet you spend your life trying to convince people of that.
I live and work in this community and people know who I am.
I am not just a person in another state (KY) hiding behind a keyboard.
To say that it doesn't matter if someone is innocent when they are ultimately exonerated tells me about all we need to know.
You are aware of what it takes to maintain a top secret security clearance, right?
Because Underhill has mainatained one for many years.
To the funny anonymous comments above, I do not live anywhere near the beach and rarely go but value it for the rest of my family who likes to make the trek out there.
Mr. Bear is a "great person" who finances scummy mailers? No one is usually all bad.
I did say that Comm. Bergosh had a good mind. There are issues where I agree with him.
I am not playing into the grudge match story line that is so prevalent here.
But I do feel that he tries to discount feedback when it doesn't fit his agenda.
maybe he has to to 'fulfill his campaign promises.'
I sign my name to my opinions here.
Escambia Citizen Watch is not a group where all members agree with me.
It is a discussion group where we can talk about issues and share information.
We do have to weed out the occasional "Lion fish" that sucks out the life of rational discussions. And you have to be local so that you can stand accountable in the community for what you say.
Pretty easy concept of listening and learning together.
Jacqueline,
As you well know, I am not a name behind a keyboard. I grew up in Escambia County and for a woman with a keyboard, I have impacted the community in ways you never will being on the ground. As for Doug, he makes you relevant. Your glorifying him is all that makes you identifiable or mentioned by anyone with name recognition.
I am going to make this as simple as I can. DOUG is a cancer. You are an enabler. Having a security clearance doesn't change that. People see you and him for what you are. If you want to attach your name to that, you will be history long before I am. Why do put energy into Patrick Gonzalez and the Billings murder? Because innocence means something. Yes there was a conspiracy to cover that murder up and it culminated in innocent people taking the fall for politicians. Funny thing is the people closest to Billings family agree, it didn't happen the way it was displayed and the people responsible are still alive and well in the community. But it is easier to have someone tell you what to think than to develop an independent idea based on facts.
As for your hate group, more people agree with my assessment than yours. Your membership will plummet when Doug loses and thus you will both have run your natural course.
Commissioner Bergosh, has anyone mentioned so far that the ultra-development PAC recently put together for Doug is heavily funded by Fred Hemmer's LLCs etc?
You know, Fred Hemmer, who has openly discussed the substitute plans that he has drawn up for OLF8 development with Jacqueline Rogers, Doug Underhill, Theresa Blackwell, and Dorian Vance (along with other members of the "People Who Want Fred Hemmer and Not Jim Cronley Because We Don't Like Developers" group) for some time now.
Do I have this timeline right?
1. Mr. Hemmer visits you in your office and shares his plans on paper.
2. You request an electronic version.
3. He promises it, but never sends it (and then later complains about your lag-time in responding).
4. Doug releases Hemmer's design plan on Jacqueline's site, a site blocked from the view of many Escambia County citizens.
5. Fred comes onto the string with the first comment, and pretends he wasn't waiting in the wings.
6. Doug responds with a little transparency jig, and they pat each other on the back while people throw up hearts
7. Fred Hemmer contributes heavily to Doug Underhill's PAC in the lead-up to the primary.
[hmm....]
8. Jacqueline discovers Doug and Quint Studer have a PAC and has to figure out how to thread the needle on her multiple assertions that PAC money indicates corruption.
I'm calling all that from memory, so I'm not sure I have it all straight. Please correct anything I've gotten wrong.
Also, to the person above who asked if an anonymous comment was written by me: no, I don't publish anything anonymously.
Best wishes,
Melissa Pino
I doubt Doug has a Top Secret Clearance. Another Doug fact? TOP nahh..
No, Mel, you don't have the facts or the timeline right
Comm. Underhill shared the concept on Escambia Citizens Watch once it was emailed to all the Commissioners and became public record.
Do you think it should have been withhehld and only the commissioners should see the back up?
Comm. Bergosh knows that is true but he enjoys the chaos here.
Why all the paranoia? I am not your enemy either. Just don't subscribe to your methods at all.
People get blocked for being disruptive by trying to take over conversations and profanity (your issues), just like they would in any Public Forum. And for using fake profiles.
Not really unreasonable.
Twice in this thread J’Aimee Rogers proclaims she is not your enemy. I’ll translate as your psychologist what this means. She is your enemy in the most harsh meaning of that word. Her heart is black. Her logic is whack. Underhill employs her daughter, so J’Aimee carries his water. She believes Doug and Wendy to be finer, but like them she is only a whiner. J’Aimee has a face book page supposedly dedicated to community affairs. Unfortunately, when the news covers the Parkland child survivors coming to town to address Commissioner Underhill calling them monsters and miscreants, she ignores this most newsworthy event. She makes no mention of the news her champion Underhill is 13 points behind underdog McMillian in the polls. ( can you say Sleepless in Seattle, I mean Perdido). Again, newsworthy for commenting, yet she ignores this. Her heart is black. Be careful with her.
Oh, my! The intrigue.
My daughter applied for a summer internship when it was announced by the county.
After that she worked for the City of Pensacola.
She works at neither now but she was well liked at all places, included by Comm. Bergosh's aide who made a comment to me as such.
I really hope you guys don't lay awake at night with these conspiracies.
If so, **who has interns now** and who are they favoring politically?
It is all just so ridiculous.
You notice that Comm. Bergosh is silent and never corrects the misinformation but it is all public record.
Thank you for your reply, Jacqueline.
I of course know that Mr. Hemmer stated in his first comment on Doug's string that he had shared his document with the BOCC. There are many people other than me who were paying close attention to that exchange.
And I have no doubt that Doug was sitting there waiting for it to hit his box so he could dump it onto your site. Just as Mr. Hemmer was sitting there waiting for Doug to drop the doc so he could get in with the first comment.
A lot of us in the community were pretty amused watching that ham-fisted orchestration go down.
While watching you guys think you're far more clever than you are can be abundantly entertaining, the transparency issue is not amusing. That is an issue about which I have also written the BOCC, Alison Rogers, and Jack Brown: the Sunshine issue of Doug discussing County business on your site, which has many Escambia County citizens blocked from even viewing.
It does not matter what you think are appropriate reasons for removing users, and quite frankly, from the point at which you disabused me of the notion that you were an ethical or objective person, I no longer concerned myself your site's parameters. Most users, past and present, well note that you do not follow "the same rules for everyone all the time" mantra that your mentor fails so frequently to follow himself, but it's your site to do with what you please--that is, it's not a public site.
What does matter is that Commissioner Underhill is breaking all rules of transparency by continually discussing County business on a site that all citizens of Escambia County can't see. Pure and simple.
Here's something about Lionfish: Try to weed them out by whatever means you will, they are here to stay. You will have just about as much success stemming "invasive" free speech in our community as Doug will have keeping "riff raff" off the beach.
Good luck speaking to the Land Use question tomorrow night. I look forward to that conversation, and, as I always have, thank you for your important work on that question.
Sincerely,
Melissa Pino
The comments are always fun. I try to be Switzerland, but since I see daily attacks on D1 Commissioner everywhere, and D2 treated like he's God's gift to our world most especially on ECW by no less than the D2 Commissioner. It makes me "angry". Although I did deny my "anger" when addressed, I guess upon further evaluation, I am angry. As a D1 resident and voter, I don't always agree with Bergosh, but he is very effective and does work hard to address our issues. I have NEVER questioned either of these men's integrity. I believe both of them to be "good people". It just frustrates the heck out of me that one feels he has to denigrate the other. In the words of Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" Most especially when you have to get along for the good of those that you represent. I am off my soap box now. You all have a great day!
Just an observation but Underhill looked like he was eating peanuts at the Bocc meeting last night.
Ha ha ha... Underhill is part of the peanut gallery.
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