CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE NAMES REP. MICA "PORKER OF THE MONTH"

CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE NAMES REP. MICA "PORKER OF THE MONTH"




Representative John L. Mica

Rep. John Mica
Washington Office:
Phone: (202) 225-4035
Fax: (202) 226-0821

CAGW Names Rep. Mica Porker of the Month

Washington, D.C. - Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today named Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) its July Porker of the Month for his opposition to an earmark ban and defense of earmarks.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, on July 8, Rep. Mica said, “There’s no way in hell I would support banning earmarks … That’s our job, getting elected and making decisions. Yes, there are bad earmarks, like there are bad members of Congress. And what you do is get rid of them.”

CAGW’s 2008 Congressional Pig Book uncovered 11,610 pork-barrel projects worth $17.2 billion in the 12 fiscal year 2008 appropriations bills. Contrary to what Rep. Mica thinks, all earmarks are bad because they are congressionally targeted expenditures which bypass the normal budget rules and are unaccountable. The 2008 Pig Book included $3,000,000 for The First Tee; $1,950,000 for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service; and $188,000 for the Lobster Institute in Maine.

Earmarking is not Congress’ “job,” as Rep. Mica claims. Before the 1980s, Congress would fund general grant programs and let federal and state agencies select individual recipients through a competitive process or formula. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees named specific projects only when they had been the subject of hearings and approved by authorizing committees. Members of Congress with local concerns would lobby the president and federal agencies for consideration. The normal budget process, which is aimed at preventing abuse and allocating resources on the basis of merit and need, has become a sideshow in the scramble by individual appropriations committee members to pick winners and losers based on seniority.

Earmarking invites corrupt behavior. Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham’s indictment and conviction (R-Calif.) for earmarking in return for bribes is the most notorious example. In June, it was revealed that former Congressman John Sweeney (R-N.Y.) is being investigated by the Justice Department for his role in directing earmarks to a lobbyist. On July 2, The Washington Times ran an opinion piece that documented how a program to combat improvised explosive devices in Iraq was earmarked to an inexperienced contractor who had bribed and donated to members of Congress. That program was a failure that cost not just tax dollars, but American lives.

The concept of an earmark ban has gained traction in the wake of these abuses. In March, a Senate amendment to the 2009 budget resolution to impose a year-long moratorium on congressional earmarks was co-sponsored by Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), among others, but lost 29-71. Forty Representatives and six Senators have made personal pledges not to request any earmarks this year. An earmark ban will allow members to reform the appropriations process, devote more attention to critical national issues, and help keep money in taxpayers’ wallets instead of diverting it to Washington where it can be converted into pork.

For opposing an earmark ban or moratorium and defending the out of control earmarking process, CAGW names Rep. John Mica its July 2008 Porker of the Month.

Citizens Against Government Waste is the nation’s largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government. Porker of the Month is a dubious honor given to lawmakers, government officials, and political candidates who have shown a blatant disregard for the interests of taxpayers.
####
For more information, contact: Alexa Moutevelis
202-467-5318
amoutevelis@cagw.org




Representative John L. Mica





Representative John L. Mica

SANFORD AIRPORT GETS $9.2 MILLION GRANT, REP. MICA TAKES CREDIT, HIS DAUGHTER WAS HIRED IN QUESTIONABLE NO-BID PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTRACT

Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Orlando Sanford gets $9.2M
Orlando Business Journal
U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., has announced that Orlando Sanford International Airport will receive more than $9.2 million in federal grant funding for runway improvement and expansion projects.

About $8.2 million of the grant money will be used to rehabilitate the surface of the airport's main runway, while $1 million will be used for land purchases associated with the expansion of another runway.

The funding will be provided through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program, which is funded by the collection of airplane ticket taxes and user fees.

Orlando Sanford International is the second busiest general aviation airport in the Southeast and eighth busiest in that category in the country.


All contents of this site © American City Business Journals Inc. All rights reserved.

THE ENERGUMEN IN ST. AUGUSTINE FLORIDA -- INCLUDING CITY MGR. WM. B. HARRISS, STATE REP. WM. PROCTOR AND REP. JOHN MICA -- NEED AN EXORCIST SO BAD!!

Still Waiting on the Courtesy of a Written Response from Departments of Environmental Protection and Health to Request for Signs on Sebastian River

It is a sad state of affairs. When sewage contamination goes untested (and when tested, without action by government), there's a word for it.

Corruption.

Our State and City officials are so corrupt they won't even post signs or take more samples, after high E. coli results were found in the historic Lincolnville community of our Nation's Oldest City.

Sickening.

Our City officials are so arrogant they lie to DEP with impunity (and immunity).

Enough.

NO NINTH TERM -- THIS MAN (JOHN MICA) HAS RAISED $1,000,000 FOR RE-ELECTION AND DOESN'T GIVE A FIG ABOUT YOU

After head-butting an ABC News cameraman, eight-term incumbent United States Congressman JOHN MICA has a lot of explaining to do. He does not answer questions, but with head-butts.

MICA to attend town hall meeting in Deland, Florida at 7:30 AM, MOnday September 22 at Deland City Hall Commission Chambers, 120 S. Florida Avenue

Mica to attend town hall meeting

U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, plans to attend a town hall meeting 7:30 a.m., Sept. 22 at the Deland City Hall Commission Chambers, 120 S. Florida Ave.

The congressman will give a short talk and answer questions. The event is open to the public and includes a continental breakfast. Cost is $5 at the door. Those attending are asked not to park at City Hall, but to park in public lot 3 on the east side of Florida Avenue across from the City Hall lot.

Mica is seeking his ninth, two-year term representing the 7th District, which extends from the Duval County limit to Seminole County, including Daytona Beach, Palm Coast and DeLand.

His opponent is a Democrat making her first run for public office, Faye Armitage of Fruit Cove near Jacksonville. Faye Armitage is a mother of five and an economist. Her stopson is in Iraq. Her son Jason is disabled and would benefit from stem cell research that MICA refuses to support, voting to support two Bush vetoes.



MICA HEAD-BUTTING ABC NEWS CAMERAMAN, REFUSING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS


THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- VOTE FAYE ARMITAGE FOR CONGRESS

CONGRESSMAN MICA CONSORTED WITH TOM DELAY, LOBBYISTS, IN DEBAUCHED ATMOSPHERE -- ST. AUG. RECORD COVERED UP HEAD--BUTT

"Straight to Video,"
Editor's Note column by Anne Schindler,
Folio Weekly (Jacksonville, Florida),
September 16-22, 2008

Before you read this, I invite you to check out the 56-second video clip in question. It's posted on our blog (folioweekly.com/folioblog) and YouTubeJohn Mica"-). (search for "
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBhe7d36BHs

For those of you without an Internet connection, here's a brief description: In the footage, Republican Congressmember John Mica, who represents portions of Northeast Florida, is seen leaving a Minneapolis nightclub after a lavish convention-week party thrown by disgraced former House Leader Tom DeLay. An ABC News cameraman, who was covering Delay's return to the GOP fold, questions Mica about the event.
"Mr. Mica,"- he asks, "with Tom DeLay coming back--was it good to see Tom DeLay?"-
Mica doesn't respond. He quickly turns his back to the camera and asks some thuggish pals to screen him from view. One of them deliberately bumps the cameraman; another approaches with arms folded, shielding Mica. In the background, the lawmaker ducks and dodges, attempting to elude the camera. The ABC reporter persists. "I don't mean to pester you--I'm just curious with a couple questions."- At this point, Mica bends down and head-butts the underside of the video camera.

"Oooh, you hit me in the head,"- Mica says mockingly. "Don't hit me in the head again."-
The cameraman res ponds quickly. "I didn't do that, sir."- "I'll knock that thing out of your hand,"- Mica continues, shoving the lens with his hand.
"Don't touch my camera, sir,"- the reporter says. "Please don't touch my camera. Please don't touch my camera."-
At this point, Mica's thugs begin pushing and manhandling the cameraman, knocking his lens away with force. "Whoa, stop, man--I'm a journalist,"- the reporter stammers. "I'm on public property. Let go of my camera. I'm just a journalist!"-
The footage captures a brief shot of a Mica supporter summoning a police officer and pointing at the camera. "No, I didn't,"- the reporter can be heard saying. "Oh my God. Holy (expletive bleeped)."-

There are a lot of questions raised by this bizarre little video, but first among them has to be: Whatever happened to "No comment?" Though Mica told several news outlets that he felt threatened by the reporter, it's frankly impossible to believe him after watching the video. Mica and his minions are clearly in control. The lawmaker is surrounded by supporters, allies and meatheads unafraid of physical confrontation. The cameraman, meanwhile, is intimidated and bullied, unable to ask a simple question.

Another question might be: Why is Mica lying? The lawmaker has continued to insist that the cameraman hit him in the head. Not only did Mica make the allegation on the original film--albeit in a tone that borders on laughter--but he allowed his posse to accuse the newsman of assault, to a nearby cop. The cameraman wasn't arrested, but Mica has continued to claim he was the victim, not the other way around.

So why was Mica so skittish? Perhaps because of where he'd been. Dubbed "Ultra-Conservative Girls Gone Wild"- by a Minneapolis Star Tribune blog, the party at the slick Aqua Bar featured fat cigars, rich lobbyists and a somewhat debauched atmosphere. (According to the blog, Smash Mouth Steve Harwell invited hotties on stage and poured shots of Jägermeister and tequila into their mouths.) Sleazier by far was the presence of DeLay, who accepted tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from convicted super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and who was forced to resign after being indicted on conspiracy and money laundering charges.

An ordinary lawmaker might worry about how that kind of stuff plays at home--partying with an indicted powerbroker, head-butting a reporter. Fortunately for John Mica, he doesn't need to worry about such scrutiny. Orlando Sentinel political columnist Scott Maxwell called the incident funny, and vouched for Mica. "If he says the scene was a misunderstanding and that he didn't hit the camera, I'm prone to believe him."- He added, "I'll be honest: I don't wanna mess with Mica."-

The St. Augustine Record went further, climbing up in Mica's lap with an editorial so fawning and sycophantic, it's embarrassing to read. Titled, "Fine line between responsible and irresponsible journalism,"- the piece actually criticizes ABC as "unprofessional"- and repeats--without refutation--Mica's claim of "gotcha journalism."- All evidence to the contrary, the piece quotes Mica saying, "I love talking to the press."- The editorial added, obsequiously, "We know. He always responds to our calls and interviews."-
Painful as it is to reprint, here's the rest: "Mica believed that the incident was unintentional. But that's not the point. The point is irresponsible journalists give the rest of us a bad name."-

No, what truly gives the rest of us a bad name is the shamelessly uncritical eye of modern media, which has so forsaken the cause of accuracy and honesty that it's been supplanted by "The Daily Show."- The truth about Mica is clear to anyone who cares to open their eyes. But it's one piece of news you'll have to gather for yourself.


MICA HEAD-BUTTING ABC NEWS CAMERAMAN, REFUSING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS


HERE'S MICA WITH PRESIDENT GEORGE MICA


(See St. Augustine Record editorial below, covering up for Mica's bad manners with sophistry worthy of Karl Rove!)

HERE'S THE ST. AUGUSTINE RECORD EDITORIAL PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT, MISCONSTRUING WHAT JOHN MICA DID ON VIDEOTAPE AT RNC

Editorial: Fine line between responsible and irresponsible journalism
Publication Date: 09/10/08


U.S. Rep. John Mica got a taste of the fine line between responsible and irresponsible journalists during last week's Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

Mica, his wife, Pat, and Rusty Roberts, his chief of staff, encountered two journalists Mica said were unprofessional.

As Mica and his party were leaving an event, they were behind a loud group of young adults. They saw a bright white light shining on them. They heard someone yelling but not what the person was asking. "My immediate action was, 'Who was this guy with the bright light?'" he said. "He had no credentials hanging around his neck."

That made Mica skeptical. The U.S. Capitol Police had warned convention attendees to watch for protesters masquerading as reporters. A friend of Mica's had been hit by bleach by protesters during the convention.

Mica did go over to the producer and camera person to find out what they wanted. He leaned in to talk to the producer and the camera hit him. He believes the person holding the camera may have tripped. He didn't believe the incident was intentional.

But ABC investigative correspondent Brian Ross said Mica head-butted the producer. Ross also told The Record last week that the producer and the camera person had identified themselves but it is not on the video. The video is on www.youtube.com and www.abcnews.com. Ross told The Record the reporting team was working on a story about the power of lobbyists at the convention. The producer, he said, was trying to get comments from Mica about Tom DeLay's re-entry into the Republican Party spotlight. He is a former House majority leader who was indicted in 2005 in a campaign finance case in Texas.

"I love talking to the press," Mica told The Record. We know. He always responds to our calls and interviews.

He said he'd been interviewed by TV reporters during the convention week in daylight and they were all credentialed. "If you act professionally, it is not a problem," Mica said. "They [the ones who encountered Mica] were not professional. Maybe it's just 'gotcha' journalism and we have to live with it."

We don't blame Mica for his response. No journalist should get a pass for irresponsible behavior, even when covering a story. Mica believed that the incident was unintentional. But that's not the point. The point is irresponsible journalists give the rest of us a bad name.

Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/091008/opinions_091008_038.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record

This editorial is errant nonsense. These Republicans will say and do anything.
Chain Gang Journalism is alive and living at the St. Augustine Wreckord.
Friends don't let friends vote Republican -- or write editorials thataway.
Repent now, St. Augustine Wreckord -- your credibility is in tatters. You owe your readers an apology.
Ed Slavin

D'ANNE MICA INTRODUCED AS "CONGRESSMAN MICA'S DAUGHTER," WALKS AWAY WITH $20,000 NO-BID SANFORD AIRPORT CONTRACT -- TYPICAL FLORIDA CORRUPTION?

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SANFORD AIRPORT AUTHORITY
TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2004

* * * * *
D’Anne Mica
President Dale introduced D’Anne Mica, Congressman John Mica’s Daughter, Marketing Consultant, and her partners Paul J. McCormick and James H. Gilmore, Jr.


President Dale requested approval to enter into a contract with Mica and McCormack for public relations work in partnership with the City of Sanford and subject to the City of Sanford being on board with the project. The contract would cost $40,000.00 with SAA paying half and the City of Sanford paying half.


Discussion ensued.


Board Member Howell requested resumes be provided to the Board.


Discussion by Board Member Howell regarding the type of marketing and the number of consultants the Board has.


Motion by Board Member Howell, seconded by Board Member Williams, approving entering into a contract for public relations work with Mica and McCormack, subject to the City of Sanford also being on board, at a cost of $20,000.00 to SAA and $20,000.00 to the City of Sanford.

Motion passed.

TERRY BUCKENMYER EXPOSES COMMISSIONER ERROL JONES' RUDE BEHAVIOR AT VETS FOR OBAMA EVENT SUNDAY (see below)

I attended the presentation at the beach as a member of Veterans For Peace wanting specific answers to questions on veterans issues. As with most such events the local politicians, including ERROL JONES, used it as a platform to emphasize their personal importance. I did eventually get to ask one quick question about specific plans for resolving homelessness among veterans and emphasized local government's total failure to adequately deal with the entire issue. At that point Mr. Jones began to loudly agree with my assessment with a lot of animated gestures. After the meeting I approached him about the possibility of working with him to deal with homeless issues. He quite literally blew me off telling me that I needed to talk with Mayor Boles who had a handle on the homeless issue.
Two conclusions:

1. People continue to talk about and act towards veterans and active duty military as if they are a homogenous group that are slightly less intelligent than average, all holding the same political views, somewhere between total self-interest and Hitler, and that the sight of an American flag generates a feeling approaching sexual arousal.

2. We need to stop expecting any solutions from any politicians at any level. Government, especially at the local level, has become nothing more than an arm of the Chamber of Commerce.

There are a number of people in this area who believe that the time has come to take back our city, county and state. We must take the initiative. We are expecting that we may well be forced to call for an economic boycott of the area. A boycott whose timing will coincide with the Chamber of Commerce's bogus "450th Anniversary."

Why support something that will only benefit those who already have? Any jobs created by this event will pay minimum wage and offer no real benefits, dignity or security. It will be used to remove the homeless and anyone else deemed to be undesirable from the city limits. The costs of promoting the event will be borne by the taxpayers. All this at a time when we lack sufficient money for education and basic human services.

As the poet Dylan once said, "The times they are a changin."

Peace through Justice, Justice through Solidarity
Terry Buckenmeyer

VETS ENDORSE OBAMA

Vets endorse Obama



By KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustinerecord.com
Publication Date: 09/15/08


St. Johns County supporters of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama gathered Sunday to hear four speakers with impressive military backgrounds endorse him.

Voters at the St. Augustine Cultural Arts Center applauded as the speakers gave anecdotal reasons why Obama, D-Ill., will improve veterans affairs. The speakers, such as Command Sgt. Maj. Michele Jones, of Jacksonville, toured central and northeastern Florida on Sunday.

Jones was the first female to reach the high ranking in the United States Army Reserve. She retired last year and is now able to openly support a presidential candidate. She said Obama will have "zero tolerance for homeless veterans." The disabled veteran said she has never felt so strongly about a candidate.

"He listens," she said. "He will make sure veterans' affairs are fully funded."

The speakers were about 30 minutes late for the event, but the crowd of about 50 enthusiastic Obama supporters didn't seem to mind, including St. Augustine resident Derek Hankerson.

Hankerson said he's a Republican, but he came to the event because he believes there are "St. Johns County residents who are in the closet voting Obama. But I'm much more vocal."

"I have never voted for a Democrat, but this year I will be," Hankerson said. "I will never change my party affiliation, and this may be a kiss of death, but you know what, I've had enough."

Hankerson is so certain there are other Republicans who feel the same that he's starting a group called Republicans for Obama.

Jones said people can relate to Obama.

"Sen. Obama is not a politician," she said. "He's an American citizen who has decided to run for president to represent us."

She gave the example of how four years ago one of her "babies," what she calls her soldiers, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He was from Illinois, so Jones contacted Obama, whom she did not know at the time. She told the senator that even though the soldier was not able to fulfill his tour of duty he should still be considered a veteran and receive health benefits. Obama agreed, Jones said.

"He contacted his family and talked about him in front of Congress," Jones said. "I said, 'I will never forget (Obama).'"

The three other speakers included Gen. Claudia Kennedy, the first female to reach the rank of three-star general in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps 15th Sgt. Maj. John Estrada, the first and only Latino to serve in the position, and Staff Sgt. Michael Wilson, who served as a medic in the Air Force and went to Iraq.

Wilson, who is from Melbourne, had his own story of not receiving health benefits as a veteran. He was in a car accident and his medical costs totalled $175,000; his salary is $36,000. He won a dinner with Obama in a drawing and told him the story.

"He became visibly upset. (Obama) said, 'This is not right,'" Wilson said. "He stayed in contact with me. He is very sincere."

St. Augustine City Commissioner Errol Jones introduced the speakers and said he met Obama about a month ago when he was in Jacksonville campaigning.

"I'm looking forward to being a part of history," Jones said, referring to Obama being the first African-American presidential candidate. "I am ready for a change."


Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/091508/news_091508_061.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record

TRANSPORTATION POLICY LEADER JOHN MICA's GOT A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO ABOUT WHY THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND IS BROKE

See below. We need an economist in Congress, not an energumen, an arachnid or an apparathik. What do you reckon?

Owner-Operators (OOIDA) Association: Highway Trust Fund Is Broke

September 5, 2008
SPECIAL REPORT: DOT says Highway Trust Fund is broke Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 – The Highway Trust Fund is going broke much faster than anticipated, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced Friday, Sept. 5.

Officials anticipated the fund would bottom out sometime in 2009, but Peters told reporters by teleconference that there will be zero cash on hand by the end of September.

The reason for the shortfall, she said, is because Americans are driving fewer miles and that means less funding generated by the federal motor fuels tax.

Peters urged federal lawmakers to pass legislation as soon as possible to move $8 billion into the Highway Trust Fund. Peters said President Bush now supports a short-term fix passed by the House in July, which the president originally threatened to veto.

Peters said the short-term solution is not the most desirable, but is necessary. It involves moving funds from mass transit to highways.

“Taking money from other pressing national priorities to plug a hole caused by poor fiscal discipline sets a dangerous and disturbing precedent,” Peters said.

She placed blame on members of Congress for not acting soon enough to fix the problem.

“When it came time to address the rapidly growing Trust Fund solvency issue, Congress chose to do nothing,” she said. “Instead, members continued to earmark, continued to divert transportation dollars to lighthouses and museums, and continued to spend like there was no tomorrow.”

Members of Congress fired back within hours, blaming the White House for blocking previous measures involving the Trust Fund.

“It’s about time this administration accepted the magnitude of the looming crisis facing the Highway Trust Fund and stopped being a roadblock to a solution,” said Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar, D-MN, issued a statement urging senators to quickly pass the Senate version of HR6532. That bill passed the House with a vote of 387-37, despite the White House veto threat.

U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-FL, ranking Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, also urged senators to pass the bill.

“We anticipated solvency problems with the Trust Fund, but those problems have materialized much sooner than expected,” Mica responded in a statement.

Peters said that in addition to the short-term fix, lawmakers must come up with a long-term solution for highway funding as they prepare to write the next highway funding reauthorization bill due in September 2009.

Peters dismissed the federal fuel tax as a viable means to fund highways as people drive more fuel-efficient vehicles and cut consumption.

Highway users, including truckers, reacted to Peters’ downplaying of the preferred method – one that has funded highways and bridges for over 50 years – by calling it hasty.

“The fuel tax is not dead,” OOIDA Director of Legislative Affairs Mike Joyce told Land Line.

“It’s the most cost-effective and easiest type of user fee to administer. I think that reforming the way highway funding is utilized should be part of the solution. We need to be taking stock of what we have and how we’re using it.”

Joyce said Peters has little room for laying the blame at the doorstep of lawmakers.

“The DOT has essentially been starving the Highway Trust Fund to death,” he said.

“They’ve had one vision and that’s for selling our existing highways and letting the private sector run everything. That proclaimed solution is not the be all, end all solution for transportation.”

– By David Tanner, staff writer
david_tanner@landlinemag.com

ALL IN THE FAMILY -- DOUR REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MICA'S WORRIED -- HIS HEAD-BUTTING INCIDENT SUGGESTS THAT THE BULLY AND HIS THUGS ARE LOSING THEIR MINDS

JOHN McCAIN, the nominee of JOHN MICA's imploding political party is against earmarking and promises to veto laws with earmarks and tell the names of those who sponsored them, making them famous.

JOHN MICA's in the habit of putting earmarks for his campaign contributors in federal laws, as revealed by St. Augustine Record reporter Peter Guinta.

JOHN MICA's brothers (DAVID MICA, DAN MICA), daughter (D'ANNE MICA) and son (J. CLARK MICA) have worked in public relations and lobbying for Big Oil, credit unions, the U.S. Department of HUD, Governor Crist, PBS&J and other powerful interests).

Lobbying and public relations is the family business, to the point where Sanford Airport Commissioners actually introduced D'ANNE MICA as "CONGRESSMAN MICA's daughter" before voting her a no-bid contract.

Lobbyists have a bad name this year.

Color MICA worried. MICA was so worried at the RNC that he head-butted a TV news cameraman. MICA looked like he was losing his mind.

What's MICA going to do in a debate?

Pound his shoe on the table?

Talk about his "influence" with earmarks?

Pout?

Change the subject?

If so to what?

Any subject you pick, MICA's losing votes -- from the economy, Iraq, conflict of interest, Big Oil, the environment, veterans, the middle class, lobbyist influence, corruption, Tom DeLay, Jack Abramoff, Bob Ney, comparing welfare recipients to "alligators," calling President Clinton "a little boogger," voting against raising the minimum wage (though 72% of Florida voters supported our Constitutional amendment in 2004), gasoline prices, energy insecurity, airline monopoly, unsafe bridges, government contract abuses, earmarks, corruption.

MICA is the fixer who helps empower the likes of City of St. Augustine CITY MANAGER WILLIAM B. HARRISS, while opposing every decent idea ever proposed and presiding over a dysfunctional family where his two brothers and two kids make money as lobbyists and PR spinmeisters.

GOVERNOR CRIST FLIP=FLOPS ON OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING AT THE BEHEST OF DAVID MICA, CONGRESSMAN MICA'S BROTHER BIG OIL'S FLORIDA LOBBYIST IN TALLAHASSEE!

Huffington Post
Florida Governor Crist Flips Stance On Offshore Drilling

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Charlie Crist has dropped his long-standing support for the federal government's ban on offshore oil drilling and endorsed Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain's proposal to let states decide.

The governor said he reversed his position because of rising fuel prices and states' rights. Crist is considered a possible running mate for the Arizona senator.

"I mean, let's face it, the price of gas has gone through the roof, and Florida families are suffering," Crist said Tuesday. "And my heart bleeds for them."

Also backing offshore drilling is President Bush, who urged Congress on Wednesday to lift the drilling moratorium that has been in effect since 1981 in more than 80 percent of the country's Outer Continental Shelf.

Democrats immediately pounced on McCain's proposal, saying countries that allow offshore drilling have even higher prices and that oil companies don't need more offshore drilling areas because they have failed to fully exploit their current leases.

Last year, Crist had urged federal lawmakers to reject legislation, which they did, that would have allowed drilling as close as 45 miles off Florida's beaches. He also supported the ban during his 2006 campaign for governor.

Most Florida politicians have opposed drilling because they fear it would harm beaches vital to the state's tourism economy and interfere with weapons testing and training in and over the Gulf of Mexico by Florida military bases.

Democrats also argued additional offshore drilling would not affect prices set on the world market.

"It would only increase oil companies' record-breaking profits," said Florida Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski.
He compared Crist's reversal to his recent proposal for a temporary reduction of Florida gasoline taxes after McCain made a similar proposal at the national level. Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, criticized it as a campaign gimmick.

"If John McCain jumps off a cliff, will Charlie Crist jump, too?" Bubriski said.

Eric Draper, policy director for Audubon of Florida, said it would take 10 years to produce energy from new offshore leases even if exploration started now. He said conservation is a better solution.

"If you had an oil leak out there, an explosion, you would end up damaging all the beaches on the Gulf Coast," Draper said.

Crist said he was unsure whether the Florida Legislature would approve drilling, but he said it's something lawmakers should at least study.

He said protecting the environment should be balanced against economic factors.

"We're a tourist state," Crist said. "We have to protect the beauty of Florida, but we also need to have people have the opportunity to drive here and be able to afford to do that too."

Crist, though, acknowledged even if Florida decides against drilling the state's beaches could be damaged by pollution from neighboring states. He said he hoped improved technology would reduce the chances of that happening.

David Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council, said the industry already has changed since the moratoriums were put in place.
"Technologies that we use and the extraction of oil and gases is much more compatible with offshore resources and protection of the environment," Mica said.

___

Associated Press reporters David Heller and Jon Manson-Hing contributed to this report.

THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- 7th CD FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN JOHN MICA AND PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH -- MICA VOTES WITH BUSH 95% OF THE TIME

THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- 7th CD FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN JOHN MICA AND PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH -- BIRDS OF A FEATHER WHO FLOCK TOGETHER


THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- VOTE FAYE ARMITAGE FOR CONGRESS



MICA HEAD-BUTTING ABC NEWS CAMERAMAN, REFUSING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS


THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- VOTE FAYE ARMITAGE FOR CONGRESS



MICA HEAD-BUTTING ABC NEWS CAMERAMAN, REFUSING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS


THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- VOTE FAYE ARMITAGE FOR CONGRESS


Excerpt from
Welcome to the
Mica for Congress website.

"In politics there are talkers and doers -
John Mica is a doer."
President George W. Bush
During a visit to Daytona Beach,
January 30, 2002



MICA HEAD-BUTTING ABC NEWS CAMERAMAN, REFUSING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS


THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- VOTE FAYE ARMITAGE FOR CONGRESS

THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- 7th CD FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN JOHN MICA AND PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH -- MICA VOTES WITH BUSH 95% OF THE TIME

THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- 7th CD FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN JOHN MICA AND PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH -- BIRDS OF A FEATHER WHO FLOCK TOGETHER


THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- VOTE FAYE ARMITAGE FOR CONGRESS



MICA HEAD-BUTTING ABC NEWS CAMERAMAN, REFUSING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS


THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- VOTE FAYE ARMITAGE FOR CONGRESS



MICA HEAD-BUTTING ABC NEWS CAMERAMAN, REFUSING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS


THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- VOTE FAYE ARMITAGE FOR CONGRESS


Excerpt from
Welcome to the
Mica for Congress website.

"In politics there are talkers and doers -
John Mica is a doer."
President George W. Bush
During a visit to Daytona Beach,
January 30, 2002



MICA HEAD-BUTTING ABC NEWS CAMERAMAN, REFUSING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS


THEY'VE HAD THEIR TURN -- NOW IT'S OUR TURN -- VOTE FAYE ARMITAGE FOR CONGRESS

MICA'S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE IS DANGEROUSLY, DECEPTIVE

MICA'S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE IS DANGEROUSLY, DECEPTIVE and falsely advertises two year old Jacksonville FLorida Times-Union and Orlando Sentinel endorsements as if they were current ones.

AS A CONGRESSMAN, JOHN MICA IS STRICTLY A NON SEQUITUR, ENGAGED IN AD HOMINEMS

and he's so dull he probably doesn't know what either of those terms means. See article below about MICA taking time during a hearing about corruption in IRAQ by talking about President Clinton.

MICA engages in non sequiturs and ad hominems. He knows not that he knows not that he knows not.

Reminds me of when we met with 20th District Representative WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, Chancellor of Flagler College, Republican lord of all that he surveys.

In response to nastiness, I used those two terms. Both times, PROCTOR looked like a dog, turning his head to the side, lacking understanding.

MICA's so lacking in understanding and social graces he fails the laugh test.

TPM MUCKRAKER: Rep. Mica Implies Clinton Admin Was As Corrupt As Maliki

Rep. Mica Implies Clinton Admin Was As Corrupt As Maliki
By Spencer Ackerman - October 4, 2007, 12:03PM
Classy guy, that Rep. John Mica (R-FL). Hearing about how Radhi Hamza al-Radhi's investigators have been tortured and murdered by militias affiliated with Iraqi political parties -- including the prime minister's -- Mica kept his eye squarely on the real target: Bill Clinton. Mica read out a list of what he described as the Clinton administration's misdeeds -- officials under indictment; officials who fled the country rather than testify; and, of course, impeachment -- to make the point, he said, that "no administration is left without corruption."

It's a responsible comparison. After all, Bill Clinton hung his opponents up on meat hooks, tortured them with power drills and sent Democratic Party-affiliated armed bandits to steal oil revenue in order to finance their illicit activities.

It was too much for Radhi, who, through translation, reminded Mica of the billions of dollars stolen by the Iraqi government and asked, "don't you think it deserves follow up and attention?"

JOHN MICA ONLY VOTES WITH GEORGE BUSH 95% OF THE TIME