Thurman: Republican Retribution Against Robaina Wrong

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

For Immediate Release: March 12, 2009

Tallahassee, FL - Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman released the following statement regarding the Republican retribution against Representative Julio Robaina:

"Each of the 120 members of the Florida House of Representatives was elected by their constituents to make decisions about what is right for their district and our state. Floridians should be disgusted that the Republican leadership removed Representative Julio Robaina from his leadership post solely because he decided that on one issue he would think for himself.

"Over the past few weeks, Republican Leader Adam Hasner, Rep. Dean Cannon, Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and their minions at the Republican Party of Florida have been spewing all kinds of doom and gloom, crying wolf about fundamental American rights, yet those same Republicans are the people doing harm to the tenets of our American democracy.

"The fact that they would gang up on one of their own, because he decided to do what he felt is right for Florida instead of the Republican Party, raises serious questions in the mind of Floridians about the Republicans intentions as leaders in our state.

"While the Republican leadership might think of their members as sheep Floridians expect more out of their elected officials.

"Floridians are sick of the Republican culture of back room deal and Republican corruption that that has dominated Tallahassee for too long. Floridians know that Republicans have taken our state down the wrong path, which is why Florida will bring change to Tallahassee by electing Democrats in 2010."