Friday, October 5, 2012

Vern Buchanan launches new attack on Keith Fitzgerald (UPDATED)

Updated, 5:45 p.m. -- For Keith Fitzgerald's response to the ad, see below.

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Following up on the rapid departure of Keith Fitzgerald's spokeswoman after some of her earlier writings came to light, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is keeping the pressure on his challenger with a new that can be summed up like this: What does his hiring of Ana Maria Rosato say about Fitzgerald's character.

Watch the ad here:


Here is the news release on the ad from the Buchanan campaign:
SARASOTA -- U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan today released a new ad calling on congressional candidate Keith Fitzgerald to denounce the hate-filled remarks by the Democrat's top spokesperson. Fitzgerald's deafening silence has outraged Republicans AND Democrats alike in Southwest Florida.

On Monday, Fitzgerald was forced to fire his newly-hired communications director for publicly blogging that all "Republicans hate women, immigrants, African Americans, firefighters, police officers, teachers, citizens who vote for Democrats, the poor, the middle class, anyone but each other. Republicans simply hate...hate...hate." But when asked by the press on multiple occasions if he agreed with his spokesperson's comments, Fitzgerald "refused" to comment.

Democrat Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton said Tuesday that Fitzgerald should "immediately denounce" the hate-filled rant, saying "it has no place in politics."

Manatee County Republican Chairwoman Kathleen King also scolded Fitzgerald for his refusal to address the issue: "As a Republican woman, Catholic, and longtime resident of this community, I am outraged and appalled at the hate-filled rants by Fitzgerald's spokeswoman about our citizens," said King.

"Fitzgerald's spokeswoman has insulted half the voters in Florida's 16th District with her offensive tirade. The obvious question is why Fitzgerald hired her in the first place and whether he agrees with her statements."

Roll Call and National Journal both downgraded Fitzgerald's chances of winning less than 48 hours after the latest implosion to the Democrat's campaign.

Ad placement and buy to be determined....
Here is Fitzgerald's response:
"The people of the Suncoast deserve better than what they are getting from Vern Buchanan. Today, Congressman Buchanan sunk to a new low in negative politics. Afraid to debate on the real issues facing the district, like protecting Medicare, creating jobs, and reducing the deficit, Congressman Buchanan is resorting to the sleaziest tactics this community has ever seen. Congressman Buchanan ought to be ashamed and embarrassed to call himself a member of Congress."

In response, Max Goodman, a spokesman for Buchanan, said:
"Stop deflecting and start explaining, Mr. Fitzgerald. ... Do you agree with your spokesperson's vile and offensive comments or not? The people of this District deserve to know where you stand."

12 comments:

  1. It's actually a really good question. Fitzgerald is running for Congress to represent all of us... and he doesn't denounce this hate-rhetoric??

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  2. I'm an independent and Fitzgerald just lost my vote. I can't support somebody who doesn't have the guts to reject these absurd statements

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  3. What is Fitzgerald waiting for?! He should immediately denounce those hateful offensive comments. I would never want to be represented by a man that won't speak up and fight against such prejudice behavior.

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  4. Very true. Here we see a fellow Democrat coming out to denounce the comments while Fitzgerald refuses to say anything. Anyone can see that the generalizations made against Republicans were false and meant only to be venomous. That said why won't Fitzgerald take the two seconds to say those words were wrong and deplorable? Much can be inferred from his inability to speak out. Is he teaching this partisan hate to his students? The implications are grave.

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  5. What an embarrassment! Fitzgerald might as well drop out of this race right now, unless he decides to immediately condemn such hatred towards millions of Americans.

    I am beyond disgusted that he would have chosen to be represented by such a prejudiced individual.

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  6. Fitzgerald’s lack of action is nothing but hypocritical! Doesn't he pride himself on being an advocate for respecting women’s rights?

    I hope that Fitzgerald decides to put his words into actions and denounce those awful remarks.

    His apathy towards this discriminatory behavior is unacceptable!

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  7. I am Democrat and we are suppose to be a party that is compassionate about people. This is a disgrace to our party and what we stand for. And anyone who supports this should not represent us. No vote for you Keith.

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  8. She spoke the truth,and thats the way it is

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  9. Hmmm notice what was missing from professor Keith's response LOL

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  10. If Buchanan wants a character battle with Keith Fitzgerald he will lose. Let’s see about Buchanan compared to Keith.

    Keith--spokesperson (MISTAKE) AND ADMITS IT

    Understand Buchanan admitts nothing: he is a innocernt victim and only guility by association.

    Buchanan----multi illegal campaign contribution reimbursements--claims knows nothing: though they are his friends (Mobley and Hohl) and his business partners.

    Buchanan: lawsuits by former employee--admitts nothing--claims never happened-yet internal records and documents shows they were and are telling the truth.

    Buchanan: lawsuits by former partners like Kazran and lawsuits like the ones from Bill Brooks.

    Buchanan: Howell claims in Tampa

    Buchanan: Habitat for Humanity: taking advantage of a charity to cover his loses of 1 million dollars.

    Buchanan: Using a family member to go after a political challenger; (Huber a republican from Kentucky with a strong southern bell strong hold)

    Plus IRS investigations, ethics violations, federal investigations and more.

    I believe Buchanan loses the character battle unless the voters of Florida believe his claims because they are deaf and blind.

    Non we have a new claims from the wife of a former associate and partner Council.

    Understand the real Buchanan at autofraudexpert.com.

    Duane overholt
    If Buchanan wants a character battle with Keith Fitzgerald he will lose. Let’s see about Buchanan compared to Keith.

    Keith--spokesperson (MISTAKE) AND ADMITS IT

    Buchanan----multi illegal campaign contribution reimbursements--claims knows nothing: though they are his friends (Mobley and Hohl) and his business partners.

    Buchanan: lawsuits by former employee--admitts nothing--claims never happened-yet internal records and documents shows they were and are telling the truth.

    Buchanan: lawsuits by former partners like Kazran and lawsuits like the ones from Bill Brooks.

    Buchanan: Howell claims in Tampa

    Buchanan: Habitat for Humanity: taking advantage of a charity to cover his loses of 1 million dollars.

    Buchanan: Using a family member to go after a political challenger; (Huber a republican from Kentucky with a strong southern bell strong hold)

    Plus IRS investigations, ethics violations, federal investigations and more.

    I believe Buchanan loses the character battle unless the voters of Florida believe his claims because they are deaf and blind.

    Non we have a new claims from the wife of a former associate and partner Council.

    Understand the real Buchanan at autofraudexpert.com.

    Duane overholt

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  11. Sorry to say but Fitzgerald's spokesperson was just following the lead of the DNC and Obama's campaign people and it's timew to send them a real message and defeat all of their candidates until they wake up and realize that they are wrong.

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  12. I'm a registered republican and Fitzgerald has my vote. Buchanan doesn't respect or represent the middle class. He's the 7th wealthiest member of congress. He hides funds in his offshore businesses to avoid paying all of the taxes that he should. The last thing we need is greedy CEO's in elected office, they are horrible leaders who look down upon the middle class as if we were their under paid employees. BTW, did Vern Buchanan condemn Mitt Romney for his 47% comments?

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