Donald Trump says he will make America great again. Well, not to be outdone, Stephen Bittel is going to make the Florida Democratic Party great again folks!
We have our own Donald Trump right here, in the Florida Democratic Party. He is the only one who can make us great again.
He has every big name on speed dial.
He has all of the money.
Everyone has sat at his table.
Everyone owes him a favor.
Every consultant is clamoring to be on his payroll.
The problem is, he is just as thin-skinned as Donald Trump, too.
I actually find it kinda funny.
Take, for instance, this latest endorsement by the Democratic Black Caucus. Clearly Stephen Bittel thought he had it in the bag. He didn't, and it has bothered him in a major way.
To soothe his hurt feelings about not getting the endorsement of the Black Caucus, Bittel rolled out this list of endorsements to the press, thinking he was overshadowing Dwight Bullard. He ended up overshadowing himself with an untruth he told.
Bittel let the public know that he had the endorsement of four members of Congress. FOUR, folks. Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alcee Hastings, and Val Demings.
Only Bittel did NOT have the endorsement of Val Demings. And he knew he didn't.
But don't let that stop his ego from sending that list to the Herald! Must stop Dwight Bullard at all costs, right? Like Donald Trump, when did facts ever get in the way?
After I pointed out to the Herald that Demings hadn't endorsed in the race, Demings' office sent a statement saying that, indeed, she had NOT endorsed in the race.
It looks to me like the Herald will have to fact-check everything that comes out of the Bittel camp from now on. The excuse that the Bittel camp gave for the error was "cut and paste."
Now, I don't know about you guys, but I'm not Susie sausage-head, and cut and paste doesn't explain that LIE. What would you be cutting and pasting that would put a person's name on an endorsement list who never endorsed you? Sorry. Not buying it.
Now, in his haste to roll out his list of endorsements, Bittel was clearly going for the number of endorsements he could put on paper, and thus the lie that included Val Demings.
Remember, folks, this is a weighted game. Take a look at the people on his list. All committee men and women matter, but unfortunately, in this FDP chair's race, all committee men and women don't matter the same.
Get your endorsement weight up, Bittel. You aren't going to win that way, boo-boo!
You listed the Miami Dade Democratic Party, so where is Fran Menes? Isn't she a part of that party? She is the second half of the most powerful duo in this weighted game.
You have not listed a single one of the big counties.
Not. One.
Well, except yourself. Where is Broward? Where is Palm Beach?
You listed Bay County, Stephen. They account for what? Four votes together?
Yes, you listed Janet Cruz. Where is Oscar Braynon? He's still out there.
Let's face it. You do not have this sewn up. I know it. You know it.
All your thin skin did is show your hand. Thank you.
By the way, we all know Debbie Wasserman Schultz is casting her vote for you. The both of you insult our intelligence by trying to play this distance game. Stop it. It's boring.
Leslie Wimes is founder and president of Women on the Move and the Democratic African American Women Caucus, www.daawc.com. Follow Leslie on Twitter: @womenonthemove1.
