By Javier Manjarres
The Shark Tank continues its vetting process of the Republican senatorial candidate who are vying to replace Senator Bill Nelson with a look back at their record on an issue that rankled conservatives and tea partiers here in Florida- the Obama administration’s High Speed Rail (HSR) initiative, aka ObamaRail.
HSR’s funding was carved from the failed Obama “Stimulus” Act of 2009, and the proposal for Florida was to construct a route between Orlando and Tampa with assurances that the train would relieve traffic along the ‘I-4 corridor’ and save commuters time. Governor Rick Scott rejected the funding of the ‘boondoggle’ as it failed to convince him as well as Senator Marco Rubio that HSR was anything but a long term fiscal loser for taxpayers.
As we opined back in November of 2010-
Expansions of public transportation systems are the types of questions that politicos always cop out on– for them, they’re always “jobs projects” that are “win-win’s” for the economy– pay no attention to the fine print. And truth be told, making the case that bullet trains zipping across Florida is a bad idea isn’t exactly the easiest argument to sell to the public, but this is what Governor-Elect Scott must accomplish. As attractive as the idea of bullet-trains may sound, even the rosiest forecasts show that no appreciable relief from automobile congestion will result here in Florida, and the environmental benefits and energy savings are also minimal at best- check the fine print.
The Tea Party-esque central Florida blog, Florida Political Press, has ‘railed’ against Obamarail and the “advocates” of the project.
Rail advocates are completely disconnected from reality and are pressing an agenda that can bankrupt our state. They will claim these projects create jobs,but the truth is government spending diverts money from the private sector and results in a net loss of jobs.-Florida Political Press
So how did Florida’s U.S. Senate candidates vote on this measure or lend their support the concept?
(No) Congressman Connie Mack voted against President Obama’s Stimulus Bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that passed the House on January 28.
“Has the president no shame in suggesting a new $53 billion, big-government project on the same day he contemplates a $42 billion bailout of states’ unemployment funds? - Congressman Connie Mack on Obamarail, quoted in Sunshine State News
(Yes) Former U.S. Senator George LeMieux, who was not yet in the Senate at the time was a strong supporter of High Speed Rail via Obama’s Stimulus Act.
”Bottom Line, this is the right thing to do with Federal Stimulus dollars, a high speed rail corridor would benefit the entire state and provide relief to travelers who are tired of standing in long airport lines… Looks like we are going to get this money, it’s big news for Florida, this will be a transformative project for Central Florida.. I’m very excited about it, I’ve got my fingers crossed the President is going to award Florida the full $2.5 billion.” Former U.S. Senator George LeMieux (Shark Tank Video below)
(No) Republican candidate Mike McCalister has stated unequivocally that he would not have supported the HSR measure or its Stimulus funding.
(No) Former Congressman Dave Weldon was not in the Congress at the time, but stated that he would have voted against the Act.
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21 Responses to “Vetting the Republican Senate Candidates – Who Supported High Speed Rail in FL?”
As far as I am concerned LeMieux disqualified himself from consideration for the Senate. Doesn’t he know we have huge deficit? Doesn’t he know these boondoggles cost far more than they estimate ? And that all of the guesses of future ridership are always way off? Where has he been? In a closet? Good grief!
What do you expect from a Charlie Crist lover and side boy….Watch the establishment go for this looser. Thank god for the Tea Party…..
Crist?? Please. I havent thought of that name for months. Uggh, now its going to be stuck in my head all week. thanks.
See this is why I’m so annoyed by Republican apologists like the SharkTank. They yammer on about Obama’s trains to nowhere while excusing the Florida legislatures’ arm twisting for SunRail. And yes, that would be the REPUBLICAN controlled legislature. How pathetic that the true story isn’t told about how the GOP is nothing but a bunch of old windbags bellowing about nothing in the hopes that they get to be the ones to grow big government…
Hey Nick, this is why we’re a bit annoyed with nonsensical strawman arguments like yours- there’s a world of difference between the new construction of a multi-billion dollar High speed rail system and the proposed expansion of Sunrail- which we’ve never articulated any kind of support for. If you’re going to call us “Republican apologists”, you’d better bring the goods and show proof, otherwise you’re all hat and no cattle.
Javier you are so full of shit, and horrible information.
Republicans just love to tell each other lies at the expense of the public so they can line their pockets.
Just utter crap this blog is, and I’m happy to remind you of it.
Revel with your criminal in chief Scott who lied about the economic impact of this project and how many jobs it would have brought.
Mack rallies for a pipeline to feed your party’s oil addiction despite it not providing any benefit to Florida, while this project would have provided jobs in Florida and cut down our use of oil.
You guys are just soft in the head with little grasp of logic or common sense.
You have now entered, The Twilight Zone….
Sweetie, the topic is “Vetting the Republican Senate Candidates…”. Do try to keep up, though I can understand that a Dem might be unfamiliar with the term “vetting”. I guess when one doesn’t have an argument the next best thing is trolling. You have my deepest sympathies.
After that rant I must ask: Are you for any Oil drilling off the Fl coast MISS Dem ?
And do you drive to Green Rallies?
The money should have never been appropriated and George would have never voted for the Stimulus. However, once the money has been appropriated, George would rather have it spent in Florida than California.
This is exactly why the US is broke.
Javier, please continue this discussion when it is Atwater’s “turn”
If anyone can show me a single example of a public rail system anywhere in the United States that is successfully paying for itself through fare-box receipts, I’d be impressed. Every passenger rail system I have found is subsidized by taxpayers each and every year, and will be on into eternity. Regardless of the promises from politicians and private sector supporters that they will “someday”, these systems will never pay for themselves. That’s my problem with politicians like LeMieux, they see the shiny, but don’t consider the consequences of picking it up. In this case, it will be tens of millions of dollars yearly…and forever.
Mark– how many public road systems pay for themselves? Do you think it is ok for the state to subsidize roads? If so — what is the philosophical differnce that makes it ok for roads to be tax payer subsidized but not rail?
For me, everyone of the county commissioner’s and local mayor’s that support and pushed Sun Rail against the wishes of the electorate should have been removed from office. This also goes for the ones who were in office in Tally at the time.
THEY WORK FOR US – WE PAY THEM AND THEY RESPONSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE!
Now all of these same people want to move on to other elected offices and cause more damage. Are the above mentioned going to ride Sun Rail except for the ribbon cutting and their picture taken.
WINNERS in the boondoggle – everyone who even smells of doing business in any way, shape of form with Transportation or the building of the “little” sustainable towns
LOOSERS – who are tangled with all this debt for the next 100 years!
Those officials need to be charged with dereliction of duty and then class action suits for them to be responsible financially or even go to jail.
For me, everyone of the county commissioner’s and local mayor’s that support and pushed Sun Rail against the wishes of the electorate should have been removed from office. This also goes for the ones who were in office in Tally at the time.
THEY WORK FOR US – WE PAY THEM AND THEY RESPONSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE!
Now all of these same people want to move on to other elected offices and cause more damage. Are the above mentioned going to ride Sun Rail except for the ribbon cutting and their picture taken.
WINNERS in the boondoggle – everyone who even smells of doing business in any way, shape of form with Transportation or the building of the “little” sustainable towns
LOOSERS – who are tangled with all this debt for the next 100 years!
Those officials need to be charged with dereliction of duty and then class action suits for them to be responsible financially or even go to jail.
Anyone who votes to re-elect them or elect them for a new political office needs to really leave the state or maybe go to debtors jail in the taxpayers places.
Anyone ask Marielena Stuart about her policy on “High Speed” Rail?
She is on the Primary Ballot for informed voters tired of the Mack/LeMieux Circus. http://www.Stuart2012.com
GenEarly and Marie… YOU ARE RIGHT! We MUST include Marielena Stuart in the discussion– to counteract the liberal tactics of the the main stream media. The days of the media parroting the establishment line are over, now that Marielena will be on the ballot.
MARIELENA STUART is AGAINST the High Speed Rail. Marielena is a passionate fighter and speaker AGAINST SOCIALISM, AGENDA 21/SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, and the High Speed Rail is a BIG part of the AGENDA 21 Socialist SCAM that MARIELENA is fighting.
Thank goodness Scott won and not that wretched skank, Mrs McBride.
Let’s see…my math makes the McBride clan 0 for 2 thus far.
What a shame.
What about Marielena Stuart? Why is she never even considered? She’s the best candidate of all!
George LeMieux forgot that the internet and all digital outlets can find any speech or statement. This has or will bite him right where it hurts most; the $$$$$$$$$ support. Bill Nelson must be defeated at any cost. He votes along with Obama’s on every vote. Connie Mack will benefit Florida and our country. He will need to mentor Marco Rubio on his stance on immigration.