By Javier Manjarres
The legislature once heralded as the “most conservative legislature” is now trying its best to re-brand itself as the “bi-partisan” Florida legislature as it has collectively drafted legislation that shields all legislators, staffers and pertinent documentation from being subpoenaed in any potential litigation that may challenge the legislature’s redistricting of legislative and congressional districts.
We have previously reported that there were possible some high-level back room deals between the two political parties that put Congressman Allen West’s district in jeopardy.
About five months ago, a very high ranking member of the Florida legislature gave me a very disturbing prediction regarding redistricting- “Allen West is screwed.” Take note that comment was made five months ago, long before the proposed maps were made public.
So are the poobahs in the Florida legislature really gunning to oust Allen West? Was a backroom deal made with the Democrat members of the legislature to put West’s seat into play in order to protect the other congressional seats that would favor any future runs for Congress by existing members of the Florida Legislature? The deals were struck, and the maps drawn behind closed doors.- Allen West is Screwed
Our followup on the initial story provided confirmation from Redistricting Chairman and future Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Will Weatherford that a deal had been struck among key Republicans to push the proposed maps through.
We felt that the maps we did draw, were the most legally compliant possible. There were winners and losers in that, unfortunately. But, I think that what we wanted to do was take the maps that we could send to the court, and hopefully get through the court, and I think we did that.
I think our plan is to pass it through(Allen West’s map) It complies with the Voting Rights Act, it complies with Amendment 6, which is also something we have to follow. Drawing districts is not as easy as doing what you want, you have to look at cities, you have to look at county boundaries, you have to make population exactly the same in a congressional district, its not easy when you have two new districts that come into the state, that makes eveyone elses district a little bit smaller.
It’s a challenging process, but I think that what Senator Gaetz and I, and the Speaker and the President negotiated is a map that is fair and is legal. We allowed everyone to have a say. Republicans had a say, Democrats had a say. If people wanted to file amendments to make the districts different, they could, but everything we did was based on how to make the maps as legal as we possibly could.-Rep. Will Weatherford (R) Read more here: Redistricting
The controversy gained national attention amongst conservatives, prompting both Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin to cite the Shark Tank’s reportage on the matter, and Limbaugh railed against Weatherford and the Florida legislature for their purported involvement, and the the conservative blogosphere was lit up by our report. Read more here: Rush Limbaugh
As the Legislature was undergoing a negative media blitz, several key political figures in Tallahassee began distancing those who were the perceived as the culprits, and several legislators were forced into damage control mode. Several operatives in the Republican establishment busied themselves trying to dispel the notion that the ‘fix was in’ for West, but they did not serious challenge the Shark Tank’s rock solid reports.
Now things are coming into much clearer focus as a new bill introduced by the Legislation aims to immunize Legislators from all lawsuits including those that arise from the redistricting process.
From the Miami Herald:
Florida legislators have had to fend off lawsuits for years that attempt to subpoena them and their staff to talk about the sausage-making of the legislative process. But this year, with redistricting lawsuits already pending, and the prospect of a protracted fight over whether or not the staff drew maps to protect incumbents, legislators want to pass a law that tells opponents to keep their distance.
A four-page bill, PCB JDC 12-03, before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday would underscore what courts have traditionally upheld: that legislators have immunity from lawsuits. It spells out that in addition to giving legislators, former legislators, and their staffs protections from lawsuit, they will be protected from turning over documents too. The bill was added to the agenda on Wednesday and has only one committee of reference.
It reads in part:
“A member or former member of the legislature has an absolute privilege in any civil action, judicial administrative proceeding or executive branch administrative proceeding against compelled testimony or the compelled production of any document or record in connection with any action taken or function performed in a legislative capacity.”
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20 Responses to “FL Legislature Covers its Rear on Redistricting After ‘Allen West-Gate’ Debacle”
This falls in line with the article I wrote in examiner.
The article was titled “Shinnanigans of the Elite Republicans? You Decide” by Jim Davis.
The following is an exceprt of that article, which; by the way- includes a direct link to the Romney campaign:
“The RNC leadership has reportedly decided they can win this election without the help of working- class Republicans, and more especially those they label “Evangelicals”. They apparently don’t like being tied to a bunch of “flag waivers” and “anti-abortion kooks” who’ve twisted their arms for so long. . .”
may be past the time for that 3rd party uprising
[...] The Shark Tank points out today, the Republican controlled legislature is in the process of passing legislation [...]
This blows me away, sickens me really. I will be sharing this article with some voters, especially those on the fence about Romney. I’m not, I’m going with Santorum. Hope you can stay on this story, hopefully well ahead of the election(s).
Weatherford is your typical RINO trying to appease the libtards instead of working FOR those who gave him the job. Replace him…he’s working FOR the loones on the left. He’s a liability.
I think it’s time to retire some of these career politicians. The one thing they don’t have and can’t legislate is immunity from the electorate.
Elected Repubs in the FL State Legislature are acting just like the National Repubs, ignoring their base, taxing and spending,and paying off their campaign contributors with inside deals.
What happened to E-Verify to curtail employment of ILLEGAL ALIENS?
Oh, I forgot that was last year’s failure and never to see the light of day again. Never mind that Alabama and Georgia passed Arizona style laws and the exodus of Illegals are coming this way!
Most “conservative” legislature my a$$, what a JOKE ! (on us the sap voters)
You’re starting to get it.
Your “conservative” leaders will sell your ass out in a heartbeat for a campaign contribution/bribe. Get it?
They absolutely don’t care about what you want. They care about keeping their cushy jobs with the “Cadillac” benefit plans that they want to take away from working Americans but keep for THEMSELVES!!
Get it? Understand?
The shifting of Congressional seats has really benefitted the Republicans as we’ll wind up with 3 seats as Hasner, West, and Rooney look like sure shots to get elected. Let’s stop the infighting and get out the vote to get these guys elected as well as out presidential candidate. We can’t afford 4 more years of Democrat rule.
Our website: “Chuck on the Right Side”
Chuck Lehmann
This appears to be an example of Rinos deciding to cull out Allen West. I like Allen West’s courage and what he says may make some people uncomfortable, but that happens with the truth sometimes. I’m supporting Santorum also, and I wish all of these Republican orgs would quit calling me to donate $. I dont give to any of their orgs anymore because of actions like this one. I give only directly to candidates. Granted if you give early to the candidate who doesn’t make it, you may feel like you wasted your money, but that feels better than to give to a Republican org that tries to stay ‘in the middle’ and has disdain for tea party candidates.
West says, but what has he DONE?
Has he, himself, proposed anything in his time in the Congress that will help working Americans other than tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans that we can’t afford and that they don’t really need?
Allen West is part of a group of Republicans who, most of the time since their election, have made the U.S. House of Representatives tick. He speaks out while others cower in silence, he exudes courage which he transmits to some of his fellow legislators.We need more like him!
Don’t look for him to be a “one man show,” that is not how government works.Perhaps the fact that the Conservative Republican House has passed and sent many bills to the Senate escapes you.
In the Senate, the Democrat Party leader, Reid, delays or tables those Republican House bills passed in the House. You must know that is called “deadlock.” That is the reason this government, controlled by Democrats, has not put forward a national budget for more than three years!
It is government at its worse! A real President would have led and worked with the Congress, not help it destroy the system by inaction!
We need to hold the House and gain majority in the Senate. We need to get rid of Obama!
If there were more people like West in Washington, we wouldn’t have the existing problems there now.
I hope that answers your question, “What has he done?”
Here we sit in a country that’s going down the tubes and one of the few trustworthy people in our federal government is being given the screw. Now, even our own state is jumping on the “Let’s get all we can while we can and support his lordship, Obama.” Remember, you can be voted out too. No one in this country inherits his position in the government. You must prove you’re worthy. So far, you all are playing with fire. You better think twice about this move. Be very careful!!!!
I’m growing increasingly disgusted with the cowards we’ve elected. In FL, we do have term limits but they still milk the system for 2 terms
in each chamber if they’re able to, at least nto all can go to Sen. as it has fewer seats. Even then they forget who & why. Who elected them and why did we do it? To see the northeast RINOs bending over is
expected but these FL RINOs are competing for who squats to pee the most. It’s one thing to be spineless but to attack the few who have any balls is beyond the pale. If the RPOF (yes, it’s what it reads like, a ripoff) continues on this track, they’ll keep losing seats to Dems and wind up the minority party. Hopefully by then I’ll be retired in the NC mtns., at least all they do is search litle kids’ lunch boxes.
Let’s talk about Allen West…and ethical behavior. He is a man of his word…rare bird.
If West was a loser in redistricting, how convenient for the RINOS. If what they say is correct, then who was a winner? Sorry guys, but I don’t buy it anymore.
The problem with the Republican party is one of vision; they do not see the energy, money, and opportunities unleashed by someone who stands for the right thing and doesn’t waver, like West. All they are doing is moving game pieces around on a board that’s 30 years out of date.
mike haridopolus was the main person behind the ”allen west screw job” attempt. no shock there.
will reathorford must go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dick
“Old Guard” Republicans, that institution that has protected its positions from all challenges, Republican, Democrat, Independent alike,behave like a secret organization.
Their primary enemy is the truly Conservative Republican, and they will take part in any so-called “legitimate” action to sabotage a Conservative in the Party.
If the voting public wants Conservatives representing it, not back-room wheeler-dealers and snake oil salesmen, it must be alert and on guard against such spineless, self-absorbed, politicians.
If you ever wonder why campaign promises aren’t kept, and there’s hardly any progress achieved, look to those Republicans who are Democrats parading as guardians of the Constitution whose entire abilities are deals made that are discovered long after the fact.
It’s a tedious mission each voter has; you all must do your utmost to gather all the facts before voting. They’re available!
I have been told by a staff member that Rep. Andy Gardiner sits on this committee. Haridopolos and Gardiner are establishment and must be defeated for reelection.