Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez has responded quickly and openly to the revelation Thursday that one of his mayoral campaign workers had illegally requested 20 or so absentee ballots for voters who had asked for them at an event.
And good for him. That’s what innocent people do.
Not only did he come out of the commission meeting at least once and likely a few times to meet reporters head on, but he also posted a new video to his supporters on his YouTube channel the next day. The short clip doesn’t actually mention the criminal investigation and seizure of Juan Pablio Baggini‘s computer, but wink-wink refers to it instead.
“Friends, I want to thank you so much for your offers of support. I’m more excited than ever to focus on the future of our great city and to make sure that this campaign is about that and only on that,” says a carefully less cocky and somewhat deferential Suarez, and maybe he’s also referring to complaints from incumbent opponent Mayor Tomas Regalado that someone is stealing his yard signs.
“Oour time is now. This is not the time for petty politics. This is the time to focus on the real problems of the city of Miami and offer real solutions,” he says in the message that is less than 30 seconds long.
This video is slightly less slick and cool than the others, but it was done on the fly, and there’s no catchy tune, naturally.
“Thank you for joining me on this ride, and I look forward to the journey with you.”
He also tweeted very optimistically Friday. “I have a feeling that this Saturday’s campaign walk is going to be the best one yet. Bring your energy & enthusiasm,” he said.
Regalado has been quick to jump on the political opportunity, er, news with calls for a full investigation and gratitude that this came out before the election. But who can fault him? Wouldn’t anyone facing a real challenge from a candidate who is slicker, younger and richer? Remember, Suarez has about twice as much in his campaign coffers as Regalado. Expect the mayor to use this in mailers soon and robocalls or radio pieces. No matter how it turns out in the end, which may be that there was absolutely no intent to break the law.
Because while I am all for a full investigation, I also think we need to be rational, also. Despite attempts by some to connect this to the investigation into Congressman Joe Garcia‘s campaign, there are stark differences.
To summarize: Whereas Garcia’s longtime consultant, uber experienced Jeffrey Garcia (no relation), admitted to a scheme in which a computer program or virus generated hundreds of absentee ballot requests without the permission or even knowledge of the voters, these 20 or so AB requests were generated manually by Baggini, who is a political neophyte, from forms filled out and signed willingly by real voters themselves who also may have thought they were giving the campaign permission to ask on their behalf.
Is Baggini possibly guilty of first degree felony by requesting ballots for someone other than a relative and using personal information online? Probably. El pobre.
Is the campaign guilty of conspiracy? Not that I can see. Still, I’m anxious to see a quick follow up report from law enforcement investigating the matter, who have apparently already found that most if not all of the voters are legitimate and asked for the ballots at the Suarez campaign Cinco de Mayo event.
Maybe that is why Suarez has not asked JP to resign, like Garcia asked his consultant-turned-chief of staff to do when he learned of the scam. There is no scam here. Just a stupid mistake. Okay, a really stupid mistake that is going to cost Baby X a lot of time to mitigate, some gray hairs probably and perhaps a few votes anyway. It is a distraction they did not need. And knowing the commissioner candidate’s family history with AB issues, everyone should have been eggshell carefully by-the-book on any AB issue.
In fact, if those campaign t-shirts in the news that say “Don’t be Absent on Election Day,” were Baggini’s idea, it’s the second stupid mistake.
New Francis Suarez video on heels of AB raid added by Ladra on
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Leave Sopo out of this. If Sopo has done something wrong, let the state attorney/feds investigate. At this point, I question the “future” ability to, well, lead us into the future We need a candidate with experience, temperance and vision. While the “future” has a clear and ambitious vision, I question his experience and temperance. Those, I believe, come with time. The “future’s” mistake/crime, is indicative of his lack of experience. A seasoned public servant would not have made such a careless blunder.
It was a Stupid Stupid Stupid mistake by an underling. Lack of supervision, maybe. CORRUPTION:Noooooo!
Ladra, great analysis as always. I agree that this is a far less egregious case than the one involving perpetual candidate Joe Garcia. However, ignorance of the law is no defense, at least in a court of law. But I digress.
One thing that is interesting y que no se ha comentado mucho is that one of the alleged perps behind the perpetual candidate Joe Garcia abesentee ballot fraud scandal is also working for or somehow affiliated with “Baby X’s” campaign. Word has reached me up here in Tallahassee that perpetual candidate Joe Garcia’s campaign spokesman, turned congressional communications director Giancarlo Sopo, whose house was raided by investigators in connection with the absentee ballot fraud case involved with the Suarez mayoral campaign. No me preguntes to what extent or what his role is.
Anyway, that aside, I’ve learned with these political dynasties (and political dynasties in the making) that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Many share that view, which is why it’s shocking that they wouldn’t be more careful with this sort of thing.
That being said, I leave you with this precious little gem from my days in Miami when we conservatives in the local GOP battled against Xavier Suarez, who at the time was seeking the chairmanship of the local party despite never even being a member of it, much less part of the executive committee. We brushed it aside as another one of his locuras, but had to deal with it nonetheless. It has little to do with this issue, but I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of it:
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2004-12-23/news/a-small-office-still-elusive/
Your comment seems a bit disingenuous.
Regalado “forgot” to declare some money in one report then put it in another one. Accepted 10k from Dominicans. No funny business was found in the investigation aside from neglect and “stupid”.
They received a fine.
The famous gas card was found to have been falsified and he was cleared of all wrong doing.
Yet we shouldn’t lump X.Suarez with the AB fraud because he was cleared and found not guilty.
And Baby X did something illegal but it wasn’t THAT illegal and just a mistake.
Call a spade a spade.
Vigilant we will stay…. Good day.
Yes, Flagami, and while this was illegal, as I said, it also was just plain stupid.
I do call things as I see them and I do not see intent to do any fraud here. Intent to cut corners? Sure. Intent to gain 20 votes? Absolutely. But in the end, a stupid mistake. If it were intent to fraud, JP Baggini would not have put his own email as the return email on the requests.
And, frankly, that makes it different from many other cases and the distraction bothers me. While people harp on this, Anamary Pedrosa, the aide to Commissioner Esteban Bovo who collected 164 ballots at his office, got immunity — in exchange for WHAT exactly? — and other shenanigans go without notice.
I am not giving Commissioner Suarez or silly Baggini a pass. Investigate. But let’s be clear: It could be that el pobre idiota stepped in it by mistake. And THAT should not distract from the real fraud.
Thanks for chiming in, though. And let’s stay vigilant.
Love, Ladra
Ladra! Not you please. You’ve always called it as you see it. 20 abs, 100 abs or 1000 ab forms. The intent was the same. To manipulate the system by lying, misrepresenting the truth, being dishonest, engaging in fraudulent behavior or whatever anyone wants to call it.
The law is clear. Not vague. Suarez’s campaign clearly broke the law by posing (imposter) as the person, spouse, or legal guardian of the people who had originally singed the forms. I’m sure those poeple did not authorize those actions on their behalf. They acknowledged signing the forms, but that was it.
It says more about the character of that campaign. Lets do anything to win. Never mind the rules.
All I no es que
IT WASAN ME MAN OK!
Kat, thanks for chiming in. And, if you are new to Political Cortadito, a word of preparation: Ladra is always a bit much.
Suarez confirmed that the requests were made because his “nobody” thought he could request them online since they were REAL requests signed by voters. He corrected his semantics later and said the INTENTION was always to do it legally.
It’s a bit of a lazy mistake and, frankly, I have said that it is hard to believe anyone in that campaign would have done anything like that, taking into account the family AB history, which has reared its ugly head again on the heels of this news. Poor Suarez family.
But look at the facts: If it were fraud, why are there only 20 requests instead of hundreds? Why are there signed forms? Why do the voters themselves say they thought they had given them permission to request the ABS on their behalf? This is not fraud. This is just plain stupidity. And, yes, it will cost Commissioner Suarez. But because of perception, not because of anything actual or real. I hate when that happens.
And I use “The Future” kind of tongue in cheek to play on the wording in his campaign. And because it works on so many levels, sarcastically. And because, as Ladra’s two or three fans know, I am addicted to alliteration. See? And, yes, I have come to lean his way because — God, I hate saying this but — what freaking option to we have? Really?
I do like The Future in this race, I do. I didn’t want to. I have very dear friends who have issues with his dad. But I’ve come to like him sorta dragging my feet. I’ve admitted it. Sure there are doubts. But let’s not forget Mayor Tomas Regalado’s history, including his trying to buy off the Police Chief and taking about $8,000 in illegal contributions from the Dominican Republic. So, que remedio tenemos?
Blog reporters are independent, but not the same as straight news. If you follow blogs, you will see a lean or a position many times. Most times, like with Ladra and Miami’s grandpapi blogger Al Crespo and Stephanie Kienzle of North Miami’s Voters Opinion, it is an independent (and unpaid) position. But there is often support or endorsements…I think it would be irresponsible for me NOT to tell readers what I REALLY think. And, frankly, last time I checked, traditional (read: staid) newspapers also have political endorsements. At least the good ones do.
That said, I am never completely sold. If I have reason to change my mind, you will be the first to know. Or the second. Or the third.
Again, thanks for chiming in.
Love, Ladra
You started to sway me but this is a bit much.
Yes Baggini is a nobody but that doesn’t mean Suarez campaign is run by nobody’s.
When I first heard of the story I thought “honest mistake”
Then I heard Suarez’s responses: Not only did he confirm that he knew about it but in his opinion everything was done legally.
Calling the Suarez “The Future” with your constant lean to him has me asking.
Why are you painting Suarez as the victim?
I follow blog reporters because they are independent not because its a political endorsement.
I don’t think it’s against the law to request absentee ballots for those who request it. I guess losers can try to bring down their opponents by dirty tricks instead of proving to be the best candidate. I hate politics.
I meant to write Ladra not Laura.
Laura:
This is not a coincidence. Francis is connected to lobbyists Steve Marin who escaped being charged with a crime on voter fraud years ago.
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