Gibbons, D, endorses Gus, R
June 5, 2008 at 4:03 pm by Wayne GarciaFormer Tampa U.S. Rep. Sam Gibbons, a Democrat known as a loner and principled lawmaker who once ran the powerful Ways and Means Committee, has crossed the aisle to endorse the son of his friend and former colleague, Mike Bilirakis. From the Gus Bilirakis website:
In an open letter to the constituents of the 9th Congressional District, Gibbons cited Bilirakis’s successful work during his first term in Congress as the reason for this endorsement.
“His good work and his demonstrated abilities make him as one who should be reelected,” said Gibbons. “I feel that my 34 years in Congress representing a good part of Congressman Bilirakis’ current district, qualifies me to make this endorsement. I am pleased to support the reelection of Congressman Bilirakis.”
“Sam served the Tampa Bay area for more than three decades with great honor and distinction,” said Bilirakis. “I accept his endorsement and look forward to working with him during the campaign in an effort to continue improving benefits for our service members and veterans, fighting against higher taxes and wasteful spending, and improving our nation’s economic security.”
I would chide “way to screw over the home team, Sam” but I have too much respect for the former WWII paratrooper. But you hardcore partisans out there, have at it.
June 5th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Something tells me Sam is getting senile. That’s the only reason I can see him endorsing an empty suit like Bilirakis under any circumstances.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:11 am
I’m sure Sam will redeem himself in the eyes Democrat partisans by endorsing the Empty Suit from Chicago:
http://americanthinker.com/images/includes/203.gif
A man with no legislative achievements or executive experience to show for his 46 years. But he talks a good line. And he “listens.”
June 6th, 2008 at 10:47 am
so a guy who now pretty much lives in DC as a lobbyist says bilirakis should be re-elected. that’s enough for me to vote for the other guy….a Mr. John Dicks!
June 6th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
A man serves his country in peace and war and has a rep as a principled legislator, and for crossing the partisan divide in one endorsement, lesser men like those above write him off as senile and mercenary. Here a link to Gibbon’s DC based firm. Tell me which of the accomplishments listed is onerous:
http://gibbonsco.com/histories.html
June 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Rockabilly, shouldn’t you be pointing to *Bilirakis’s* page of “accomplishments”?
June 9th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Dear Mini-Mencken:
The answer is no.
I was writing not about Bilirakis but about Gibbons, a venerable old Democrat. He makes an endorsement across party lines, and the posters above reflexicely impugn his mental faculties and his integrity. I find that deplorable.
As regards Bilirakis, I leave it for the voters in his district to determine whether he should be reelected or not.
I live in Gibbons’ former district now represented by Kathy Castor, who no doubt will be reelected without any serious opposition, the way Obama gained his Senate seat in Illinois.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
that should read reflexively
June 10th, 2008 at 11:03 am
sorry i insulted your hero and made you cry, Rockabilly. Its not so much that he crossed party lines… its really the fact that bilirakis is a douchebag.