One of the sad things about campaigns for state Cabinet offices is that they get very little media coverage in the best of years.
This is particularly bad year for the folks running for Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer and Agriculture Commissioner.
It is nearly impossible for these folks to break through the clutter of dramatic races for U.S. Senate and governor. Most voters will go to the polls knowing very little about the Cabinet candidates.
Apparently, in scathing letter to "Dear Friends," Democrat David Aronberg is trying to grab a minute of the spotlight by attacking fellow Democrat Dan Gelber.
Aronberg's hook is the BP oil spill. Gelber just resigned from his firm - Akerman Senterfitt - saying he could no longer work there since the firm has taken BP as a client.
Aronberg is accusing Gelber of having a conflict of interest. Independent observers say the charge is nonsense. Still, Aronberg continues to claim that if Gelber becomes Attorney General he will have to step aside from "what may well be the biggest lawsuit in Florida history."
"I fully realized that by shedding light on these facts, my opponent's supporters would accuse me of negative campaigning," says Aronberg.
Here is the letter - we'll let our thoughtful readers decide who is right.
Dear Friends,
As a horrified nation watches daily news reports of oil washing up on our shores, it has become clear, as President Obama said, that this is indeed “the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced.”
Not only is the oil spill one of the most important challenges facing Florida today, it also presents the most important legal issue facing our state’s next Attorney General.
In what may well be the biggest lawsuit in Florida history, the next Attorney General will have to lead the state’s legal response to the actions of BP, Halliburton and Transocean.
In my opinion, Florida’s next Attorney General should not come from BP’s law firm.
Two months ago, BP hired Dan Gelber's law firm to represent the company in Florida. Because of this potential conflict of interest, I, along with many others, have serious concerns about my opponent’s ability to represent Florida against BP as Attorney General.
I fully realized that by shedding light on these facts, my opponent's supporters would accuse me of negative campaigning.
I strongly disagree.
Like you, I too am tired of personal attacks in politics: vicious campaign ads that reference someone’s family or an innocent youthful indiscretion have no place in politics.
But when the number one issue facing the next Attorney General is the impending lawsuit on behalf of the people of Florida against BP, it is crucial information to know that one of the Attorney General candidates may be disqualified from leading the charge against BP. You don’t have to be a lawyer to see the potential conflict of interest when someone works for BP’s law firm and then turns around and sues BP as Florida Attorney General.
Whether Florida’s next Attorney General can sue BP is not only a relevant issue -- it is one of the most important issues of this campaign.
The people of Florida will ultimately decide whether I am right or wrong to highlight this issue in this race.
However this election turns out, at least it will be decided on relevant issues, not red herrings. On public policy, not personalities. On oil, and not on mud.
Sincerely,
Dave
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