Joe and Barry: Chicago Style Extremism

This handy chart shows why NO self respecting fiscal or social conservative can even THINK about supporting Joe Abruzzo.

Democrats: This guy is EVIL!*

And by evil, I'm referring to what your party activists have traditionally called Big Pharma, Big Oil, Big Banks, Big Tobacco, Walmart, etc.

Now that we've established why Republicans can't vote for Joe, it appears honest Democrats can't do the same.  The only ones left are the 90% of his supporters who live outside Palm Beach County.  

Abruzzo's Donors: Something to offend EVERYONE!

Here's a link to Joe Abruzzo's senate campaign contributors, as of 9-27-12: Abrruzo Contributions

A few "FUN FACTS" stand out.

1.) Only 9.97% of his contributions come from individuals.
2.) 90.03% of his contributions are from PACs, unions, lawyers, and other firms.
3.) Just 23.6% of his contributors are in Palm Beach County.

Which begs the question: Who does Joe Abruzzo really represent?  It's certainly not We the People.

Think Abruzzo is a ‘moderate?’ Then you don’t know Joe.

 Perhaps Rep. Abruzzo earned the moderate label because he’s one of the few Democrats to
have the support of BizPAC. Maybe it’s his clean cut look and past Coast Guard service. Or
could it be the deceptive mailer that went out in 2010, which successfully confused enough
Republicans into voting for him that Tami Donnally lost by the slimmest of margins.

‘Moderate’ is a label reserved for someone who doesn’t tow the party line on all the issues. In
Abruzzo’s case, he has proven to be a left-wing ideologue on both social and fiscal policy. The
old adage, “All things in moderation, including moderation” applies nicely to him.

Abruzzo has a 52% Florida Chamber of Commerce Rating. When I was in school, 52% wasn’t
moderate, it was an ‘F.’ His American Conservative Union rating is 6%. So perhaps Joe is one of
those moderate Democrats who is socially conservative?

Nope. Abruzzo wants to use tax dollars to pay for abortions, and voted against protecting the
unborn, even in the third trimester. He also opposed the ultrasound bill, which would have
ensured a woman’s right to know. The Christian Family Coalition gives him a 0% rating.

Is he moderate because he voted for drug testing of welfare recipients? Well, he voted against
drug testing for his buddies who work in state government. He opposed offshore drilling and
school prayer, and supports cap and trade and ObamaCare.

Has he earned that label because of broad grassroots appeal? Hardly. Over 90% of Abruzzo’s
state senate contributions come from PACs, unions, lawyers, and other firms. Only 9% comes
from individuals. And a vast majority (over 75%) of his money comes from outside the county.

Abruzzo a moderate? If that’s the case, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz is just a tad left of center.

Lobbyist Joe Abruzzo's conflict of interest problem

An incumbent legislator who is employed as a lobbyist is shady enough, though the Florida Ethics Commission assures me it's legal in Joe's case, simply because he hasn't registered at the state level (he is registered on the county level).  

However, Abruzzo is listed on his firm's website (http://www.weisshandler.com/weiss-handler-attorneys.asp)  as the SOLE "Government Relations and Public Policy Consultant."  His firm DOES lobby at the state level, stating on its website that it provides "the most effective representation before the judicial, legislative, and executive branches, including the Governor and Cabinet."  

Additionally, Joe accepts campaign help from the firm.  On July 1, 2012, the firm made an in-kind contribution to Joe's campaign in the amount of $324 for "Express Mail."  In short, Joe Abruzzo is a state official employed by a lobbyist of the state that helps him and his campaign financially.  How could his firm NOT influence his decision making in Tallahassee?  How can this be right?