By Javier Manjarres
The Broward Republican Executive Committee (BREC) continues to be the gift that keeps on giving- to the Democratic Party. The BREC has recently put out a ‘Call to Action’ to rally support for Congressman Allen West, as West’s congressional seat could be in jeopardy if the boundaries from the newly proposed redistricting maps become finalized.
An email with the subject line “Save Congressman West” was sent out by BREC Vice Chairwoman Colleen Stolberg, and she asked BREC members to man the phones and email the Republican legislators involved in the redistricting process, including Governor Rick Scott, urging them to redraw the maps.
After working so hard to get Congressman West elected, we cannot stand idly by and let the Democrats win in 2012. As this proposed district map stands it’s likely that Broward will not have any Republican Congressional representation in Congress.-Colleen Stolberg
Do you think the 2nd Amendment will be destroyed by the Biden Administration?(2)
This statement is farcical on its face. Why? Well, Stolberg states that “we cannot stand idly by and let the Democrats win in 2012,” but that is exactly what she, BREC Chairman Richard DeNapoli and the rest of the committee did when it came down to submitting redistricting maps to the Florida Legislature.
The Democrat Executive Committee (DEC) submitted seven maps to the redistricting committee for review while the BREC failed to submit a single map. During the last redistricting meeting in Broward County, the DEC was fully represented at the meeting, but the BREC dropped the ball and failed to even send one committeeman to represent the Republican interest. The reason for this is quite simple- the local GOP was too busy that same night promoting the Romney for President campaign kick-off.
To make matters worse, the only Broward County Commission seat that is currently being held by a Republican- Chip LaMarca- has been redrawn with boundaries favoring the Democrats.
Chairman DeNapoli was under the assumption that his ‘following’ would take his ‘Call to Action’ to heart and help out in the mapping process. It’s pretty obvious that his ‘call’ fell on deaf ears- either that or the support of his leadership does not exist. DeNapoli supposedly was waiting for ‘guidance’ in order to proceed with ‘rallying the troops,’ but guidance from whom was he waiting for? One would expect that the head of the Republican Party of Broward County would be the one displaying true leadership and would be on the forefront of “issuing guidance” to his constituents, but it appears that what we’ve got is more of the same ineffectual leadership that DeNapoli is known for.
To add salt on the Broward GOP’s redistricting wound, BREC Treasurer Mark McCarthy pointed the finger at others for this lapse in judgment, saying that it isn’t the committee’s responsibility to act on behalf of any Republican elected official. According to McCarthy, the BREC lacks the talent, skill, and qualifications to submit any redistricting map, yet the Democrat Party of Broward was able to get at least two individuals to draw up the seven maps on their behalf.
What is also disturbing about the BREC’s complete ineptitude in this matter is that it may actually be a designed plan by DeNapoli to subvert the reelection of Commissioner Chip LaMarca. Last election night, DeNapoli himself was overheard stating, “Chip’s gonna get crushed in redistricting and will not get re-elected.” This, coming from the same “leader” who once stated that Allen West could not win in his current congressional district because he was “black” and that Senator Marco Rubio could not win 40% of the Republican primary vote against former Governor Charlie Crist. Let’s also not forget that DeNapoli arrogantly believed that he would win overwhelmingly the Chairman’s election, yet he won by a mere 4 votes on a second ballot.
The Shark Tank was cc’d on the following email that excoriates Stolberg for dismissing other candidates running for Congress in Broward County. Where was the ‘Call to Action’ to try to influence maps in congressional district 20? After all, we all know who represents the Floridians in that district- Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz-
“As this proposed district map stands it’s likely that Broward will not have any Republican Congressional representation in Congress.” Isn’t this defeatist talk like this counterproductive? Doesn’t it minimize the efforts of Karen Harrington, Joe Kaufman, Anna Trujillo, Ozzie DeFaria and all others who put themselves into the public eye as members of the Republican Party and are currently running for the opportunity to become Republican members of the United States Congress?It is important that we maintain the seat of Congressman West but for you to make the statement as you did above shows the lack of faith you have for any of the candidates that are currently running. You owe them all an apology and I believe that with your statement you should step down from your position in BREC. – MA (anonymous emailer)
Here is the original ‘Call to Action’:
SAVE CONGRESSMAN WEST!
A CALL TO ACTION!
