|
Just got this from Peter Deutsch campaign via email:
Gore's remarks are death blow for Penelas' bid
Is it too late to draft Al Gore for president?
Calling Alex Penelas ''the single most treacherous and dishonest person I dealt with during the campaign anywhere in America,'' the former vice president has not only gut-shot Penelas' senate campaign but in all likelihood ended the political career of our ambitious mayor.
And it's not because Gore's words are so harsh. It's because they're true.
''Not all who claim to have been supportive and loyal truly were,'' Gore wrote in an e-mail to The Herald.
Nevertheless, Penelas claims he was a true supporter. Well, if that's the case, then it should be easy enough for him to prove it and put this matter behind him. All the mayor has to do is point to an event, a statement, a single campaign appearance he made on behalf of Gore between the day he won reelection on September 5, 2000, and the day of the presidential election on November 7.
Just one statement during those 62 days. I've looked. I can't find any.
Al Gore isn't upset because Penelas gave him the cold shoulder during the summer and early fall of 2000. Folks in the Gore campaign understood, given the Elián González debacle, that Penelas had to distance himself from the Clinton/Gore White House to win reelection. But once Penelas won his race, they expected his support.
Democratic fundraiser Mitch Berger says he specifically helped Penelas raise out-of-state money to help him avoid a run-off so Penelas could help Gore during those critical 62 days.
Penelas took the money and then disappeared like a thief in the night.
Penelas skips Gore vote drive was the headline in The Herald on October 19, 2000.
Penelas was supposed to attend the event with Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, but instead Penelas blew it off. His excuse: He had to go home and pack for a trip to Spain.
Penelas' political advisor, Ric Katz, was quoted in the story denying Penelas had abandoned Gore. ''There is no question Alex Penelas is part of the Gore campaign,'' Katz said. ``He believes in the candidate and the party's goals and mission and when he comes back he will be visible.''
Penelas returned home seven days before the election. But once again, he went into hiding. There is no evidence he made a single statement on Gore's behalf anywhere on Spanish language radio or in any other medium. And Penelas' Senate campaign couldn't produce a single instance either.
On November 6, the day before the election, Gore barnstormed across the country before arriving in South Florida for a massive midnight rally on South Beach. The stage for the star-studded event was filled with Gore's Democratic supporters.
Penelas, however, didn't show up. ''It was just very late at night,'' Penelas' spokesman told me then.
Sorry Mr. Vice President, Alex couldn't help you during the closest election in this country's history because it was past his bedtime.
Raul Martinez believes the real reason Penelas abandoned Gore is that he cut a deal with leading Republicans earlier in the year. The Republicans wouldn't support Penelas' main rival in the mayoral election -- Republican Miguel Diaz de la Portilla -- and in return, Penelas would steer clear of the presidential election.
Penelas has always had an alliance with Dade Republicans and has even raised money for them. But in 2000, he crossed the line.
''I'm just surprised Al Gore hadn't said anything until now about it,'' said Martinez, a Democrat who has yet to endorse anyone in the Senate race. ``This kills Alex. The hard-core Democratic voters who are going to vote on August 31 are not going to vote for him. Whatever inroads Alex made over the last year to win them back have just been lost.''
Even if by some miracle, Penelas wins the nomination, imagine the Republican attack ads against him, quoting Gore calling Penelas ``treacherous and dishonest.''
Penelas' one selling point on the campaign trail is that he's the candidate that can win the general election.
Well, not anymore.
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(144 posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
