Congressman Bill Young(FL-13) has NOT passed away.

[windjammer]

RIP

[minionofmidas]

Also, we all speculated that Young retired because he was old and didn't want to fight a tough race, but from the reports it seems Young has been close to death for nearly two weeks.

Bet you feel like terrible human beings now, right?

That article about the retirement did state serious (the point got across, at least to me) health issues related to an operation IIRC... but it didn't make out like he literally lay dying. What can we do? We can only work with the information we have.

Rest in Peace to a tough old crocodile and one of the better Republicans left in the House.

EDIT: Uh, tough old alligator, I mean.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

RIP

[Pessimistic Antineutrino]

RIP.

[RedSLC]

RIP.

[adma]

Can someone change the title of this thread?

[Donerail]

the pleaseure young would have to watch us elect a true freedom fighting, patriotic constitutional conservative to this seat,

That will not happen and Young would not be pleased if it did.

[Landslide Lyndon]

So, there will be a special election now I guess.

[CnstutnlCnsrvatv]

the pleaseure young would have to watch us elect a true freedom fighting, patriotic constitutional conservative to this seat,

That will not happen and Young would not be pleased if it did.

Evidence?!!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!

[Anti Democrat Democrat Club]

the pleaseure young would have to watch us elect a true freedom fighting, patriotic constitutional conservative to this seat,

That will not happen and Young would not be pleased if it did.

Evidence?!!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!

I can back SJoyce up. I had a seance with him. He also said you're a troll and your congressman told him he had no idea who you are.

[Brittain33]

Can someone change the title of this thread?

[Donerail]

the pleaseure young would have to watch us elect a true freedom fighting, patriotic constitutional conservative to this seat,

That will not happen and Young would not be pleased if it did.

Evidence?!!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!

Rep. Young was a statesman. National Journal ranked him as the 215th most conservative member of the House, and for good reason - Rep. Young was a conservative Republican, and I disagreed with him on many issues, but he, like so many area Republicans (Latvala, Fasano, Dockery), was actually interested in governing the country. When other Republicans were giving 20-hour speeches about Dr. Seuss, Rep. Young was working to pass legislation to benefit the people of this district. To replace him with a 'constitutional conservative' like Mr. Yoho a couple districts north would be an unmitigated disaster.

Anyways, a Democrat will win the special. Turnout drop will be mitigated by this being the preeminent open seat in the country, and the best Democratic pickup region this side of Denver, which means big investment in the district for the special. The top tier of Republican candidates have already declined - Brandes is out, Latvala is out, and Baker, though not out, has previously said he doesn't want to run for anything until his kids are out of the house (his youngest daughter is a junior in high school). Meanwhile, the Dems have a strong bench with the likes of Charlie Justice (my personal favorite) and maybe Alex Sink. And in the general they'll have the benefit of the most favorite of this city's favorite sons on the ballot running against the worst governor in the country.

[smoltchanov]

RIP. One of the better congressmen, IMHO

[publicunofficial]

Charlie Justice is not running

[Miles]

No Justice in Florida.

Imagine that...

[Fuzzy Bear]

Young was a GOP grown-up.  They seem to be an endangered species.

[RogueBeaver]

Beverly Young is deciding.

[Donerail]

Word is that the NRCC is trying to recruit Weatherford (FL House Speaker - doesn't live in the district either) or Gualtieri (Sheriff) and that both turned them down. With Baker not likely to run, most probable candidate is a Young - Billy, Beverly, Tom, or their attorney/staffer David Jolly. Also possible are Frank Hibbard (Clearwater mayor - not a St. Pete resident) and Neil Brickfield (ex-County Commish - remember when Pinellas got rid of fluoride? Neil did that).

For the Dems: only notable ones that haven't declared are Manuel Sykes (President, St. Pete NAACP) and Alex Sink.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Word is that the NRCC is trying to recruit Weatherford (FL House Speaker - doesn't live in the district either) or Gualtieri (Sheriff) and that both turned them down. With Baker not likely to run, most probable candidate is a Young - Billy, Beverly, Tom, or their attorney/staffer David Jolly. Also possible are Frank Hibbard (Clearwater mayor - not a St. Pete resident) and Neil Brickfield (ex-County Commish - remember when Pinellas got rid of fluoride? Neil did that).

For the Dems: only notable ones that haven't declared are Manuel Sykes (President, St. Pete NAACP) and Alex Sink.

Has Rick Baker closed the door on running?

[ajc0918]

Good news for Democrats, Alex Sink is in.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/alex-sink-announcement/2149702

[Zioneer]

Good news for Democrats, Alex Sink is in.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/alex-sink-announcement/2149702

She'll be a bit old for a first-time Congressperson, and won't be able to hold the seat for very long, but I suppose that she's the best candidate. Here's hoping she can build up the party in the district. My guess is that she'll be something of a true centrist.

[IceSpear]

I'm guessing she'll be using it as a stepping stone to run for Senate in 2016 (or 2018 if Nelson retires)?

[publicunofficial]

I'm guessing she'll be using it as a stepping stone to run for Senate in 2016 (or 2018 if Nelson retires)?

A single term in Congress is hardly a stepping stone, especially after she's already known statewide.


I'd also prefer someone younger run for Senate in 2016/2018. Someone like Patrick Murphy, Alvin Brown, or Gwen Graham (If she defeats Southerland)

[IceSpear]

I'm guessing she'll be using it as a stepping stone to run for Senate in 2016 (or 2018 if Nelson retires)?

A single term in Congress is hardly a stepping stone, especially after she's already known statewide.


I'd also prefer someone younger run for Senate in 2016/2018. Someone like Patrick Murphy, Alvin Brown, or Gwen Graham (If she defeats Southerland)

Just seems odd someone who came 1% away from being governor would be comfortable taking such a huge step down without aspirations for a higher office.

[publicunofficial]

I'm guessing she'll be using it as a stepping stone to run for Senate in 2016 (or 2018 if Nelson retires)?

A single term in Congress is hardly a stepping stone, especially after she's already known statewide.


I'd also prefer someone younger run for Senate in 2016/2018. Someone like Patrick Murphy, Alvin Brown, or Gwen Graham (If she defeats Southerland)

Just seems odd someone who came 1% away from being governor would be comfortable taking such a huge step down without aspirations for a higher office.

In a state like Florida, you take what you can get.