By Javier Manjarres

The firestorm that has erupted over our article on Florida redistricting (Will Weatherford Confirms Redistricting Will Leave Allen West’  Congressional Seat Vulnerable) has generated more than a little misguided speculation by significant number of our friends in the conservative blogosphere, including ‘El Rushbo’ himself, Rush Limbaugh.  Aside from the fact that we entirely stand by the assertions in the post, we believe that Florida Representative Will Weatherford is being dealt a raw deal.

We stated the following:

“After last night’s Republican Presidential debate, the candidates’ respective spinmeisters made their cases to the media as to why their guy won the debate. One of Governor Mitt Romney’s spokesmen was Florida Representative Will Weatherford, and during the course of his remarks in the “Spin Room”, he shed a very dim light on the ongoing redistricting process in the Florida Legislature.”

While the conservative movement’s distrust of Romney is both valid and understandable, it is straining credulity to begin to believe that Mitt Romney or his presidential campaign are in any way attempting to “screw over” Congressman Allen West in the redistricting process here in Florida, and this certainly applies to Representative Weatherford as well.

We are at the apex of the primary silly season here in Florida, and the accusations, paranoia, conspiracy theorists, and the mudslinging are all in full effect, and everyone is pointing fingers at their political opponents, “the establishment” or other nefarious groups when their preferred candidate takes a hit.

In summary, do I believe that the ‘higher'(not Weatherford) authorities in Florida’s Legislature struck a backroom deal that would benefit their future political aspirations and give the stiff-arm to Congressman Allen West?  My answer is a resounding ‘Yes.’