The 13th FL Congressional Election...

The 13th FL Congressional Election... ::: From the Newsbull Weblog of: Matt Bruce
::: Read & Respond @: http://www.newsbull.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=38514 Matt Bruce
Managing Editor & Publisher, News Sarasota   Newsbull Columnists Network 

SARASOTA, FL (NS) -

I never payed very much attention to people after the GOP Primary in the 13th Congressional District who started telling me they weren't going to vote for either the GOP winner Vern Buchanan and most certainly would not for for the Democratic Candidate Christine Jennings...

The people who either told me, called me or emailed me were supporters of Tramm Hudson, FL State Rep Nancy Dietert, FL State Rep Donna Clarke and Jan Schneider...

I thought they were 'joking' and just never even gave it a second thought when the comments were made. But now, I have a different opinion of what many just can't seem to believe as the Election results in FL Congressional Race District 13 are counted and recounted...

There are newspaper articles now reporting as much as a 30% 'No Vote' for either Candidate in the 13th Congressional race because of all the 'negative ads'. This was the same thing I heard during the Primary where I actually got phonecalls, emails and face to face comments coming from people who were 'fed up' with the Tarmm Hudson negative campaign ads against Vern Buchanan...

And in my travels around both Sarasota and Manatee Counties the past couple of day's after the Election, I'm hearing people in the Target, Wal-Mart, Publix Supermarket and even some places I like to dine in saying they "did not vote for either Candidate in the 13th FL Congressional District race."

I haven't heard just a few times, I've been hearing it over and over, 'dozens of times'...

I'm not wondering nor laughing any more, I really do believe the 'Under Vote' now being talked about of some 13% was an INTENTIONAL Voter protest against the 'negative campaign' ads from both the Primary and General Election for the 13th FL Congressional District Race...

I don't believe a recount will show much, if any, disparity in the results and the Absentee Ballots that are still coming in from the Military won't change the end result of a Victory for Vern Buchanan...

The current number stands at '368' and that more than likely will change 'upward', because the Military has a history of voting for the Republican Party over the years...

Now, while there are some saying "they didn't see the 13th Congressional Race on their touchscreen ballot," I say if you'd bothered to pay CLOSE attention to the first page of Candidates, right at the very top of the page were the 13th FL Congressional District Candidates...

I can't say as I remember the Congressional Candidates at the top of the Ballot before, but I can tell you that I knew where to look, because I actually took the time to study the Ballot BEFORE I early voted in Sarasota...

Now with all of that being said, when the FINAL Tally comes in and the 13th FL Congressional Race is certified, I most certainly hope that everyone gets behind the winner and does what they can to help make Florida and America BETTER...

If you didn't Vote, you have NOTHING to complain! If you Voted and don't know who YOU Voted for, shame on YOU!

Voters who have not payed attention and only 'assume' things are the way they think they are, need to educate themselves before they show up at a Polling Place to Vote...

As far as any 'problems' with Voter machines, try blaming the person putting their finger on the machines FIRST before you jump to any conclusions...

I can remember a comment from early in the computer and internet era that stands out. "Computers are only as good as the people using them."

Think about that the next time you step up to an automated Touchscreen Voting machine...

Would it have been nice to have a 'paper trail' like what was passed in Tuesday's Election? SURE!!!!!

But, until the next Election in 2008, we won't have that additional tool to help in a situation just like what we now have...

So will we have an official certified WINNER sometime next week or will we have another Al 'The Bore' Gore debarcle like we had in 2000???

I most certainly hope not! I'll take the Final Election result that will be CERTIFIED and accept them, regardless of who the winner is...

For Now, That's Just 'OUR' Opinion...

Matt Bruce
News Sarasota.com
Host Of "The Captain's AMERICA" Radio Show
Heard On 1490 WWPR Radio