No local candidate divides the followers and contributors of this site like Raul Martinez. Observant readers will have noticed that Joe Garcia was endorsed by Eye on Miami, but neither Martinez nor Lincoln Diaz-Balart picked up a nod. Likewise, Democracy For America, a liberal advocacy group founded by Howard Dean, endorsed Annette Taddeo and Joe Garcia, but declined to lend support to Martinez.People in a position to know say Martinez accomplished a lot as mayor, but evidently not enough to quell concerns about his record. (To understand the case against Martinez, visit http://raulmartinez08.com, hold your nose, ignore the stupid graphics and smear tactics, and read the collection of articles assembled at the bottom of the site. Then take a shower and read the Herald's endorsement before making up your mind.)
There is also wide spread skepticism about Martinez's commitment to the environment, the subject of our interview with Martinez a few weeks ago. Lincoln Diaz-Balart does not have the same scandal plagued history and has shown some independence from his party on issues like immigration, but he's also earned a reputation as a one issue guy and when it comes to economic policy, he's an orthodox conservative.
So who are you voting for and why? Do you think this web site should have backed one of the two candidates? Put your opinions in the comments section. I'd ask campaign staffers to refrain from posting, but I'd probably be asking the impossible.
8 comments:
There are corrupt pols who do nothing but revel in corruption and there are corrupt pols who, while corrupt, also accomplish things. I have alot of friends in Hialeah who all say that although Martinez has his issues ( understatement) he accomplished alot for Hialeah, tangible things people use, see, feel and touch and they all feel it's an improvement over the Hialeah pre-Martinez. They all voted for him. There is a distaste for Diaz-Balart that seems to have it's roots from Cuba days.
Democracy for America Miami Dade is supporting Raul Martinez. That our national organization chose not to endorse is more a reflection of its desire to help candidates throughout the nation and not only in one area. It was already unsusual to have endorsed two candidates in Greater Miami.
If I were to vote in this district, it would be for Raul, even though he has a dismal envrionmental record. We just have to unseat Lincoln and he is no angel.
I voted for Lincoln. He may not be the greatest, but by far the better of the 2 candidates.
Thank you for posting that site, very informative, and only strengthened my reasons for not voting for Raul.
Did the Herald forget all the articles they published in the 80s and 90s? Do they not have access to their own archives?
I still cannot believe they endorsed Martinez. It's an insult and an embarassment to our community.
I voted for Raul Martinez for Congress because he did an admirable job as Mayor of Hialeah. Lincoln has never accomplished much in Congress for our district. Since Democrats have the majority in the House, Raul Martinez will get plumb committee assignments in congress once he gets elected.
Let's get the job done and elect a congressman who will deliver on health care, who will deliver on fighting for green energy, and who will fight to correct the economy.
Popular Cuban Blogger from the blog: Versailles Beat
Said:
This one's really going to surprise you. I, Pepe Peña, am NOT supporting Lincoln Diaz-Balart.
Go ahead, punch yourself now to make sure you're not dreaming. You're not.
I am supporting Raúl Martínez for two main reasons: Raúl was an effective Mayor, and Lincoln was an ineffective Republican congressman.
He just likes it when Raul hits him...
This was ONLY time in my voting life which I left both boxes blank.
BOTH candidates are horrid . The standards here are deplorable .
Cuban crap vs Cuban crap is Miamis political arena.
Signed
disenchanted Cuban
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