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29 Comments
Nancy Smith

FLWV? Run, Marco ... as Fast and as Far as You Can

September 14, 2016 - 6:00am
Pamela Goodman
Pamela Goodman

I'm sorry, but the president of the Florida League of Women Voters doesn't get to brag about the organization's "integrity and credibility."

Not this president. And, frankly, no longer the organization as a whole.

If you saw Marc Caputo's story in Politico Tuesday -- "Murphy, Rubio agree to two debates -- as sparks fly over more debates" -- you probably know what I'm talking about.

Caputo wrote that FLWV President Pamela Goodman personally donated $1,250 to Democrat Patrick Murphy's campaign. That, folks, is one heck of a revelation.  

Yet, Goodman is appalled Marco Rubio, Murphy's Republican opponent, doesn't trust the League to conduct a fair senatorial debate.

I Beg to DifferRun, Marco, run. As fast and as far away from this organization as you can.

"My contribution to Murphy was made when he was running for Congress," Goodman said in an email to Caputo. "Certainly not in this election. I have made NO candidate contributions since my post as President of LWV Florida in May 2015. I repeat again the proven integrity and credibility of our organization in sponsoring and administering candidate debates and forums for almost 100 years, is unsurpassed.”

Come on, Pam, you were a Murphy donor, your donation was a clear violation of LWV rules.

Goodman, 60, was elected to a two-year term as president of the Florida League on May 16, 2015. But before that, she was a six-year first vice president of the state league. And before that a four-year president of the Palm Beach County LWV.

Murphy ran for Congress while Goodman was serving as first vice president. That would make her a board member.

According to the League of Women Voters' Nonpartisan Policy, Rule No. 4: "A Board member shall not make campaign contributions to campaigns or candidates for any federal office or to political parties or other entities contributing to such federal races."

From where I'm sitting, Goodman's donation makes her ineligible as a judge of the League's character. It means she's out of the game. Red-carded. She leaves the field.

OK, an ethics breach doesn't work for the League of Women Voters like it does in soccer. But it should.

Certainly the political class the country over knows the League of Women Voters is far more political than its reputation as a neutral champion of good government. I've watched it change over the last 25 years, written about it on several occasions.

Now, look. The League's claims of nonpartisanship have gone beyond the laughable. It's sunk so low it is no longer trusted to run a fair and even political debate -- a voter education activity once among its most important roles.    

"We call them the League of Women Democrats. They're not even slightly left of center. They're far left," said Sid Dinerstein, former chairman of the Palm Beach County Republican Party. "It's sad they hide behind their name."

Dinerstein told the Sun-Sentinel he's known Goodman for years, dating to the 2008 election when they joined forces to tackle problems during the tenure of a former Palm Beach County supervisor of elections. He said Goodman is smart, and sounds good. But, he added, "she has an agenda she pushes," and noted that she's considered running for office as a Democrat.

The bottom line for me is this: Rubio wanted six debates, Democratic senatorial candidate Murphy has agreed to three and a forum. Now Rubio says no dice to two of the Murphy-approved events because he claims both would be in the Democrats' hands, staffed by those who donate to Democrats -- a Forum Club of the Palm Beaches forum, and, of course, the League of Women Voters debate.

This is a testy year with a great deal at stake. Murphy and Rubio are both entitled to feel comfortable with the venue and the organizers of the debates ahead, the more the merrier for the voters of Florida.

It's just a sad reality that the once venerable Florida League of Women Voters -- even without its liberal activism -- is not, and probably never will again -- be an organization both major parties can trust to run a baggage-free debate.

Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith

Comments

The League of Women Voters of Florida would like to present clear facts about our Nonpartisan Political Activity Policy. You will note that our President, Pamela S. Goodman, was not the President, Voter Service Chair, nor the Action Chair of the League of Women Voters of Florida when she made a donation to a candidate of her choice. Since becoming President, she has not made any donations in this election cycle to any candidates, thus complying with Policy provided here. NONPARTISAN POLITICAL ACTIVITY POLICY Updated August 2011 League Board members’ experience equips them for public life—both for elective and appointive office in government and for responsible positions in the private sector. The external contacts, skills and experience that leaders bring to the League, in turn, benefit and enrich the League as an organization. The LWVF/LWVFEF Board believes that Board members should not only be allowed, but also encouraged, to seek and accept non-League positions that confer these mutual benefits. At the same time, the Board recognizes the necessity of imposing a few basic limitations on Board members’ political activity in order to protect the nonpartisan reputation of the League. With this objective in mind, the LWVF/LWVFEF Board adopts the following guidelines: 1. Elected Office. The President, Voter Service Chair and Action Chair shall not run for, nor hold, any elective office. Other Board members shall not run for, nor hold, state elective office but may run for federal and local office, regardless of party designation, after consultation with the LWVF/LWVFEF Board and with the president of the affected local League. League members shall be considered candidates upon establishing campaign accounts. 2. Political Party Office. The President, Voter Service Chair and Action Chair shall not serve in any position in a political party. Other Board members shall not serve in political party positions at the state level and shall abide by their local Leagues’ political activity policies regarding holding federal and local party positions. 3. Campaign Contributions. The President, Voter Service Chair and Action Chair may not attend fundraising events or make campaign contributions for candidates. Other Board members may attend fundraising events and make campaign contributions for candidates at any level. 4. Political Campaigns. The President, Voter Service Chair and Action Chair shall not chair or administer fundraising or political campaigns, chair a campaign event or work in a significant way in the campaign of a candidate for office at any level. Other Board members may not undertake such activities for candidates for state office but may do so for candidates for federal or local office after consultation with the president of the affected local League. 5. Additional Clarification. Board members shall present questions about specific situations to the LWVF/LWVFEF Board where the foregoing policies do not resolve the question. This policy shall be reviewed and readopted by the LWVF/LWVFEF Board at the beginning of each new biennium. And those are the facts about the League of Women Voters of Florida Nonpartisan Political Activity Policy.

I have searched the Internet. I think the author of this article is right. Or if she isn't, the Florida League has changed the rules to suit the occasion. I have not seen anywhere that only the President, Voter Service Chair, or the Action Chair are subject to the donation policy. On several sites the Policy does say "Board Member" of the League of Women Voters should not donate to candidates, etc. The donation Ms. Goodman made does not sit well with me no matter how you describe it. I can understand a candidate not wanting to be subject to an organization whose president gave money to his opponent.

Thank YOU, Penny for setting this site straight. Yours is a clear and concise explanation of what ACTUALLY occurred, no matter how people, like Nancy Smith, attempt to spread undocumented bs regarding the LWVF! Actual SPECIFICS are what is normally left out(intentionally, or not) and I believe that in the minds of Smith and others, fabricated stories continue to come from Smith's keyboard! GO TRUMP!!

Ran into League of Women voters a lot in my business career and found them always to be partisan Democrats. Senator Rubio is well advised to steer clear of any debate forum run by this organization. I would be happy if he agreed to no debates. Marco Rubio is well known and I think the debate exposure will probably help Murphy who is not well known. I think Rubio will hold his own in any debate, but I would rather see him take a pass.

Little Marco will not win. Go Trump.

Rubio is a coward. GO TRUMP!!

Are you dumb? Marco is helping Trump in this state! Do you not realize Trump needs all the Republicans he can get on his side? Why don't you educate yourself and get a clue to how shit works.

I readily admit to voting for Marco Rubio and having donated to his campaign on several occasions. The League of Women voters is not a bi-partisan or politically neutral organization. It is essentially an adjunct of the Democratic party. A Republican who agrees to a debate with their moderator should do so knowing he will have two opponents in the debate. Pretending otherwise is politically naive. Thanks to Sunshine News for their timely article

I just happen to trust the FLWV to present a fair and unbiased debate. Anyone with absolute proof, other than Skipper's comment, should send in an email and prove me wrong. GO TRUMP!! DOWN with Rubio!

I don't like Rubio either (and he knows why), but will vote for him in November. Why? We will need all the Republicans in the Senate that we can get. Now -- if Rubio works against Trump, if he is elected (and I pray he is), we'll vote him out next time.

Valid point, Gail. Thank you! GO TRUMP!!

I'd like to see you do the limbo because there is no telling how low you can go. As I've stated before, I'd be happy to have you clean my toilets. Though you seem to be better at dealing it out than cleaning it up.

Get your facts straight. Her campaign donation was when Patrick Murphy ran against Allen West for Congress; years prior to assuming the State President's role. She has made NO donations since becoming President. And Politico ran a correction w these facts. This woman has more integrity and grit in her little finger than you ever will. Under her watch The League forced the Florida a Legislature, via litigation, to comply w the Fair Districts Amendment, passed by 63% of Fl voters, when all the R led legislature wanted to do was conspire to continue R majority gerrymandering in violation of the Constitution; and this was admitted by the Fl Senate R majority by stipulation filed w the Court. So, get your facts straight; and quit trying to impugn the integrity of a woman who works tirelessly, w/o any pay, for the betterment of the people of Florida.

Her donation to Murphy was done when she was State Vice President. As State VP, she was already not supposed to me partisan. But she was then and she is now. The Florida League of Women Democrats is no longer trustworthy.

And so, the 'other' foot drops, and once again Nancy touts her 'news' like it happened yesterday. SHAME on you Nancy. GO TRUMP!!

nancy is the only reporter who told the story that goodman broke league rules. nobody will care though because dumbs protect each other and never do wrong

Did you even read this story, Charles?

"Pamela" must be on "Mumsy & Popsey,s" donation list...and all "Pamela" has to do is re-donate 'half' to "Paddy-boy's" campaign so he might just 'get the hell out' of the elder Murphy's basement FINALLY! Thirty three years old with no employment prospects (except in "Popsey's" company), no dates, no Wife, and no prospects (unless we vote him into a "Senate seat" and make him seem an attractive "prospect"!... Hell, that actually worked for that former "Senate gnome" Alfonse D'Amato). My advise for "Mumsey & Popsey": When "Paddy-Boy" leaves the house (for any reason...), change the locks & burn his bed ! [As for me, I will hold my nose and vote for Marco Polio, rather than contribute ANYTHING to "Paddy-Boy's" slow evolvement into anything resembling 'adulthood'...! ]

All you want is little Marco to win. Go Trump.

Say it ain't so C Breeze! Don't fold and give your very important to the enemy, Rubio. Just what has Rubio done FOR Florida, other than get tossed out of the Presidential election? At the very least, Murphy actually showed up at his job! GO TRUMP!!

Anyone here admit to voting for Rubio????? No one I know.. more voter fraud already stated!

I'm sorry, but I cannot vote for Rubio. Awhile back I requested assistance from him, regarding the VA. Taking almost 4 months to say, "they're working on your case" just doesn't tell me he's got any connections, not has he the clout to assist people in need. A commercial says he helped a woman's daughter obtain medication which prolonged the daughter's death for 2 months. I cannot help but wonder if the daughter saw that as a plus, or just another extension. I only hope she did not suffer. NO-------------> on Rubio and YES on ----------------------------> TRUMP!!

No one wants to shove the federal government up a womans vagina more than Rubio. ...... For someone who says keep goverment out of things it is more than sexist but taking a womans basic human rights because she is a woman says it all even in rape and incest...... it's really the only thing Rubio has stood for steadily......... And shortly many that don't know it will....... You should be so proud backing him Nancy.

Jerry, with the sick comment you made here, I realize you have no shame and could not muster it up, but you're an idiotic sexist and an embarrassment to ALL mankind! GO TRUMP!!

Forcing woman to have children of rape, incest like Rubio wants is sexist and sick. I just pointed it out and you know perfectly well it is true..... Insulting me doesn't change what Rubio wants..... or do you think goverment should force women how to breed? ... Its exactly what Rubio and apparently you all are for. Don't like yhe language, don't force women against their rights and how to make their family...... Its why Trump is losing women big time and will lose the election and Likely why Rubio will lose as it comes out in the debates..... Have a nice day losers ;^))

When it comes to shoving the federal government up a woman's vagina, I think you must be talking about Bill Clinton Jerry. What a sexist, AND SICK comment to make by you. It doesn't surprise me in the least because the left is nothing more than a group of angry foam at the mouth, malcontents liberals pitting race against race, gender against gender, parents against teachers etc. You must be a very frustrated man/woman that is having a problem with your gender identity. In case you're not aware of it the so-called basic rights you speak to is murder. That is undeniable although you insensitive, unpatriotic, pagans on the left will do whatever you can to repackage the heinous act of LTA and label it "Women's RIghts" RIGHT....

"jerry" (formerly "jerryd"), You are an undeniable "PIG"! Now, excuse me, I'm on my way down to my local "PP" to find today's daily 'market price' of baby-parts (maybe I can afford a brain for your empty skull).

I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment Nancy and that of Sid Dinerstein...the LWV has certainly had a glorious past history and is an outspoken advocate for their cause - Democratic politics...I've got a similar name for them: League of Democratic Women Voters...I can't recall in the last 20 years where they've even supported a Republican ideal...they are indeed to the far left and they are now considered a "capture" by the Democratic Party just like other "natural" constituencies...they are NOT non-partisan!...I had no idea that they had a league rule that prohibits them from making federal campaign contributions...I wonder why it's only for federal candidates as they get into state campaigns as well?

Barney, it seems you never tire of kissing Nancy's butt! You and your "wholeheartedly agree"...."Nancy". How about standing on your own feet, (2 or 4, doesn't matter) because right now your comments, along with your "articles" are so non descriptor and insignificant. Almost as meaningless as you've been! GO TRUMP!!

Comments are now closed.

nancy smith
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