Here in Florida republican politics has gotten to be very entertaining. First we have two [
http://www.sptimes.com/...] republicans running for the office of Governor, who JEB Bush really doesn't like because they are probably more liberal than the democrats running but like to call themselves "Jeb Bush republicans." Then we have JEB supporting candidates to run against incumbent republicans who crossed him.
The fun part of this whole thing is the battle taking place within the republican party which seems to be making their "Big tent" even smaller.
Consider the fundraising letter Bush sent out in support of State Senator Alex Villalobos' primary opponent because Villalobos refused to back an effort to alter the popular class size amendment, and refused an effort to restor tuition vouchers that the Florida Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. Bush wrote that Villalobos
"has abandoned our party's principles and lost his way."
In response republican Senator Nancy Argenziano said
"The governor has a history reflecting accomodation of special interests and evidenced by the agencies' contracts, and his flexible Republicanism is at odds with both America and actual Republican principles. In his heart of hearts, the governor prefers dictatorship to democracy."
Then it starts to get good.
Carole Jean Jordan, Florida Republcan Party chairwoman stated
"Personal attacks on the sitting governor of Florida questioning his character are far beyond the bounds of responsible dialogue. I sincerely hope that Senator Argenziano will reconsider her comments, especially in light of all that Governor Bush has done for the people of Florida and for the Reppublican Party."
Argenziano's response was:
"Carole Jean Jordan can kiss my ass."
To me this shows that the battle within the republican party has grown out of control. Some republicans, hoping to reclaim their party from the neocontheofacists, no longer fear what might happen to them if they refuse to march in lockstep. The fear is gone and the tight control we once saw is now starting to crumble as republicans fight to see who is going to define their party.