Florida Voting 2010: The Candidates

Who & Why

We have the essential right to keep our votes secret. But we also have the right to political expression and to inform others for who and what we voted for and why. Like seemingly every election, this one has its share of confusion, obfuscation and manipulation around the issues and candidates. What follows are my choices on the candidates and why.

Florida Senator: Charlie Crist

I feel he is the more honest man compared to Marco Rubio (the man who used public campaign money to pay his crest cards- see amendment #1) and I like that he had the guts to break away from a very corrupt Republican Party. We need to see more independents like him emerge. I like what he represents.

He doesn't have to stick to the party line now and is free to vote Democrat, Republican or otherwise without being attacked by his party. This is how it should be. However, on the real issues- Most visibly for education, he's favored teachers and students, when they have been under attack by Republicans and Democrats.

Some say he "flip flops". But I think he's just free now to make up his mind and change it depending on the facts. That's not only reasonable, but healthy. We need politicians who respond to changing situations and public feedback. He's earned my vote.

Florida Governor: Alex Sink

I'm not exactly enthralled by Alex Sink. She could use a little more in the way of outgoing personality. But she seems qualified and nothing so far I've seen stands out like a sore thumb about her.

On the other hand, her opponent, Rick Scott is simply crazy. First, he wants to bring the controversial Arizona law to Florida. Although I do think we need to better deal with immigration in general, this seems like a very bad idea. Also, though I don't buy all those negative ads about him, he does seem to have a very spotty history in his public business dealings.

He also seems to be totally ill-informed about education and wants to implement a system similar to the disastrous merit pay for teachers which Crist vetoed. Alex Sink at leasts "get it" that we need to focus on education locally, not just in Tallahassee.

Attorney General: Dan Gelber

This was a near toss-up for me. One of the primary deciding factors for me is that Pam Bondi is in favor of the ill-conceived Arizona law. I suggest you research these two carefully.

Commissioner of Agriculture: Adam Putnam

This is a more important position that most people imagine. I'm going for Adam Putnam because his education and qualifications seem greater for the position than Scott Maddox, who is simply a Political Science & Public Admin Major.

Chief Financial Officer: Loranne Ausley

I'll probably be voting for Loranne Ausley because it seems her priorities lie with keeping Florida's pensions funded and wisely balanced. Jeff Atwater is against the "Obamacare" Public Healthcare, so that will probably be the deciding factor for many people.

Supreme Court Justice: Yes to All

The governor appoints the Supreme Court Justices and we get to "affirm" them by voting yes or no to them staying. Most of us know little about these people. I looked into all of them, and found no particular reason to vote them out. In particular, there is a movement to vote out Labarga and Perry, because these two apparently have a particularly strong reputation in not being swayed by favoritism or "favors". I'd say that's all the more reason to keep 'em.