This congressional primary is one of the most important votes that Republicans in District 26 can make. 
Because this November is the best chance the GOP has to topple Democrat U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, who will have a far less stressful re-election cycle in the 2016 presidential year.
Ladra swears she entered this race with no real horse. In fact, with the exception of Mr. Lorenzo “Larry” Palomares-Starbuck, I’ve had a prior and pleasant relationship with all the other candidates. But as the days and weeks passed by, it became clear that one candidate really stood out as more statesmanlike and scandal-free than any other.
Cutler Bay Mayor Ed “Big Mac Daddy” MacDougall won my support because he earned my respect, 
something you can’t say about a lot of candidates nowadays. Sure, they have charisma and potential and experience and blah blah blah. But do they have your respect?
That’s just one reason. There are so many. I’m going to limit Ladra to 10 reasons to vote for Ed MacDougall. And we’re going to go backwards, ala Dave Letterman, just because we can:
Reason number 10: He has got so much congressional-like swagger going on already — combat veteran, narcotics cop, town mayor, small businessman, motorcycle ride across the U.S. — he is like the John Wayne of local politics. He looks like an incumbent. Heck, I see presidential material there.
Number 9: He’s a straight shooter who means what he says and says what he means. What you see is what 
you get with Mac. He doesn’t flip flop. Unlike Miami-Dade School Board Member Carlos “Crybaby” Curbelo, who has gone hard right on what was once a soft and squishy immigration stance, Mac doesn’t waver. And that makes me think that his positions come from deeper than what the most recent polls say.
Number 8: He’s not going to change his cellphone number if elected. Because his positions don’t matter as much as ours. MacDougall wants to be the people’s voice in Washington, not his own. He wants to truly represent his constituents even when his personal opinion or belief is at odds.
Number 7: He has the guts to run in what is considered a “Hispanic” seat, the only Anglo in a five-man race who doesn’t think this region thinks that way anymore. He would likely win hands down anywhere else in the country — he’s that good a candidate.
Number 6: He doesn’t have a bunch of bogus or empty endorsements. “I haven’t sought any endorsements because I don’t want to go up there with any I.O.U.s.” MacDougall said. He’s endorsed by real people like the combat war veterans and the Kendall Federation of Homeowners’ Associations, who unlike Curbelo’s political celebrity endorsers, interviewed and considered everybody.
Number 5: He’s the only one of the five candidates on the ballot with specific issues he will hit the ground running on and the only one with no further political aspirations using this as a stepping stone.
Number 4: He has a successful business and doesn’t hide his income from that by putting it in his wife’s name, like Curbelo did so he wouldn’t have to disclose his lobbying clients, some of whom may do business with the school board.
Number 3: He took it upon himself to lead the fight against the tax money grab by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross last year, flying to Tallahassee to argue against it and forming a coalition of 20 mayors opposed to the deal.
Number 2: He’s not Carlos Curbelo.
And, the number 1 reason to vote for Ed MacDougall: He’s the best choice to beat Rep. Joe Garcia in November. That’s because he is squeaky clean while the others may have baggage. He will likely appeal to a lot of NPAs, like Ladra, and can maybe steal some Democrat votes because Garcia was hit with that absentee ballot scandal last year after he won and because Mac is a veteran, a former cop and, oh don’t forget, Anglo.
Curbelo is only the perceived frontrunner because the establishment (read: money) thinks he’s their best chance against Garcia. And they have to think that because they can’t believe that a gringo could beat a Hispanic in a voting rights district with a predominant Latino voter demographic.
So, basically, they only have one reason to vote for their guy. Ladra has 10 reasons to vote for Mac.
10 reasons to vote for Ed MacDougall for Congress added by Ladra on
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Cheo get real and be realistic. Castro has been in Cuba for 55 years so tell me which Cuban American politician in Washington has done anything for Cuba? They just go out there take pictures and bla bla bla. They are using the Cubans just to get elected.
When Curbelo joined the race he made the following statement: “People are deeply disappointed at the torrent of scandals that constantly emanate from Washington. From the IRS abusing its power to an embarrassing absentee ballot scandal led by the incumbent’s campaign in our own district”. Why don’t you ask him about Capital Gains? The company which he transferred to his wife’s name and how he doesn’t have to disclose his clients or who gave him money for his campaign. He is no better than those he is complaining about.
For those comments above I only have one thing to say. Some of us want to send a man to Washington to represent us. The others just want a puppet.
Is it?….me or is Curbelo the only one who sounds like a democrat? He so tries to create contrast with the other candidates he can be counted on to come up with an opposite sounding quote. Problem is he is supposed to be a Republican…..but then again he was previously aligned with Crist.
See James Rosen’s story on Fox. for those of you who tweet you can find the story at @jamesrosenFNC.
Mr Curbelo erred in lashing himself to this huge 10th Amendment issue. States are starting to drop out. Curbelo is a bitter clinger on Common Core. He even tweeted about “more rigorous testing” as if parents want that.
Maybe Mr Curbelo should have read those revisionist history books and gotten the goods on the socialists who have glommed on to this issue.
Ladra and David Rivera..whaaaat?
I just recently stumbled into this site and it’s a good thing I did. I also voted for Ed MacDougall this past week and after meeting him on several occasions, I can tell you he is the real deal as the person to represent our district in Washington. I heard Curbelo speak only once and that was more than enough to convince me that he is the wrong guy for the job. I easily could tell that he was annoyed and irritated when he was asked tough questions. You don’t need to be a political expert to know how inexperienced he is. I asked him a question once about the border issue, he went as far as praising President Obama on what a great job he has done in defending the border. If he gets elected, which I seriously doubt, he’ll be voting like a leftist Democrat, just like Garcia. Ed MacDougall tells it like it is and he is very approachable and listens to people. Of all the Republican functions I have attended, Ed has been there, along with Martinez and Starbuck, unlike the Miami-Dade REC’s “golden boy”, who I rarely if ever see.
Chio, I normally just read these posts and refrain from commenting because of my obvious bias on the subject matter. However, I find humor reading KKK and Macs name in the same sentence, it makes me smile, because if you only knew…
I’ll tell you what, I am giving you a sincere personal invitation to my wedding in November, where you probably see my dad in tears, as he watches my new father in law, his new “compadre”, give me his daughters hand in marriage.
You will enjoy the mariaci band serenade guests on one side, and the Scottish bagpipes on the other side, as we all cebrate together. My guest list, which includes you, is as diverse as our great community. I am easy to find so send me your address and I will send you an invitation personally. #macforcongress. #SomosUno
With Warm Regards,
Robert MacDougall
Cheo: Por Favor; I am know expert but me thinks you have been missing the point. The Duke didn’t do or say anything to diminish the other candidates in the race. They were in fact opening every forum with the notion they were of Cuban background with parents from Cuba. Rather, he pointed out they were suggesting this was somehow their prime credential. That anyone is somehow a particular heritage doesn’t give them standing over anyone else.
So here we have a guy, could have been a girl, but in this case is a guy, who dared to say—in the face of all current political wisdom from the establishment—-that has been owning the community for far too long—saying don’t judge me on my heritage but rather judge me on my experience and qualifications. Isn’t that exactly the breath of fresh air everyone of the next generation wants? Don’t you want to be free of this past debt that has weighed you down for far too long? Or Cheo—with your reference to the KKK maybe you are one of the debtors??
Ladra I follow your blog for a long time now. I know you LOVE and work for this criminal David Rivera who is una VERGUENZA to our community. BTW Rivera hates Curbelo. We all know that as well. I ll vote for anyone BUT Rivera. Thanks for your talent.
Ladra as the son of “Cuban Exiles” I can’t vote for a man that used that qualifier in order to diminish the other candidates in this race. If MaKKK does win the primary he hands cd26 back to Joe Garcia. I will cast my vote for one of those sons of “Cuban Exiles” MaKKKdougal seems to think so little of.
I have had the pleasure to be in close proximity to “MAC” Ed Macdougall for close to two years now. He is extremely approachable and hands on. He has always maintained an open door policy. I hear him sometimes on the phone giving out his Cell number and saying you can call me anytime. He is one of the nicest and kindest human being I have ever met. I am proud to say I know him! I believe in him. I believe in his cause and his direction. I am ready for change. I am ready for honesty, leadership someone who truly is of the people and for the people!
OMG, Nerd, I cannot stop laughing. And growling at the same time because this list is sooooo much better than mine. 😉
Love, Ladra
Ladra, you started it:
Top 10 reasons to send Carlos Curbelo to Washington:
10 because I’m pretty good with money, especially yours.
9 because I know Marco Rubio will forgive me eventually.
8 the Bureau of Indian affairs is right down the street.
7 much easier to work on common core from a centralized location
6 no longer welcome in Tallahassee
5 pay is pretty good and the insurance is even better
4 I’ve raised money for everybody else now it’s my turn
3 I know I can work with Democrats on expanding Obamacare
2 because a bunch of wealthy folks are going to be pissed if I don’t win and the number 1 reason to send Carlos Curbelo to Congress: I want to rename the Snapper Creek Post Office after Lincoln Diaz Balart
Mr. Enrique: Wonder no more as to how the Herald decides what to publish and not. You have to know they recommended Curbelo and on that basis every story before and after is going to be biased and in favor of their candidate.
So in this respect the Mac is running against the political establishment in place for many years which does its best to sustain itself—-and he has to simultaneously run against the Herald which does its best to create controversy and sell newspapers. There use to be a time when they covered the news—now they can either create it or manipulate it.
Oh….and it would be hard for anyone to argue they are not a bastion of liberalism. So you don’t have to go far to connect the dots to finally figure who they really want to win the November election is Garcia. What way to best facilitate that? Well by endorsing Curbelo, of course, who they already know stands a snow balls chance in ***l of winning the November contest. They are just doing their best to stack the deck now.
If we have an informed electorate now and The Duke wins—-he can take down Garcia. Curbelo never could.
Go ED Go…lets put a man in District 26!!
Ed MacDougall is getting my vote! He is at a point in his life where he truly wants to make a difference for our community. It is refreshing not to hear the same political slogans we have heard in the past. I love that he stands for what he believes and makes no excuses for that. “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”-Albert Einstein.
After following this site for sometime and reading about “crybaby” Curbelo, I have to say my vote is changing to Carlos Curbelo. After following both candidates my mind was not made up. After reading a recent article in the Miami Herald it’s tough to believe what is true anymore. Leads me to believe that this is in fact what our community does not need in Washington. Mr. Curbelo will be a welcome new face in Congress and represent our community well. Best to Mr. MacDougall as well in his future endeavors as well as he has had my support in the past. Just don’t think he’s cut for our congressional seat.
Enrique G…If you like and believe the biased nonsense and politically influenced garbage in the Herald about Curbelo…I have some Dr. Suess books you can have.
For once we have a real PATRIOT! LOVE Mayor MacDougall
Mayor MacDougall got a pocketful of miracles
one miracle a day is all we need.
VOTE FOR MACDOUGALL.
Let me add one more… No. 11 – He truly listens, he truly cares and he knows what he is talking about.
When I met Ed MacDougall (3+ years ago) he was early in the process of learning Spanish, so he calls me one day and asks me if it would be ok to have a conversation (mostly in Spanish if possible) about immigration and the realities of Mexico and other countries in Latin America. We had a 2 hour conversation that day where he was so interested and also so humbled and appreciative for what he considered patience on my side. It was truly just such a pleasure to be able to talk to someone that was so interested in learning about these issues. I came to this country almost 5 years ago with a working visa and today I have a permanent residence. I also know a lot of people with different backgrounds and that have gone through different immigration processes that have struggled so much. Right or wrong, the truth is that the immigration issue is very complex and the process is completely broken. So I’m not an expert in immigration or foreign politics or the relationship between the US and the Latin America countries, but I think I can say that I know the process first hand and have personal experience on it. And I can also say, that having lived in Mexico for most of my life, I can also offer a good perspective of what the reality is in the country where I was born. I shared all this with Mac that day and through several conversations that we’ve had since then. So my point is that before he made his own opinion and position in immigration and the relationship with Latin America, he listened to me and many many others. He is not just repeating what the establishment is saying or what other republicans that have their own reputation have said, like Curbelo does. I mean… send them all back… just like that? Really? Curbelo has no idea what he is talking about. Ed MacDougall’s position and proposal on this and other issues has been carefully defined by LISTENING !! and by his own EXPERIENCE !! And going back to basics… isn’t that what all representatives should do? But as Landra says, sadly.. most of them don’t. Ed MacDougall is different, and he is the man that we need to represent this community. I can’t vote, I wish I could… but for those of you who can… please vote for the right guy, not based on the fact that he is or not Latino, vote for the man that can truly make a difference. With your vote you have the power to get rid of all the corruption that has affected this community and that most of us know how it affects our countries and our families and friends who still live there and are so sick of it. Vote for Ed MacDougall !!!
Carlito should have paid you
He obviously paid you Chino..bola de humo.
Chino, you either still don’t get it or you work for the crybaby. There is no pay for play here. He should have advertised to reach my readers — and I still would have endorsed Mac.
Love, Ladra
I will give you ten other reasons:
1) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
2) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
3) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
4) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
5) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
6) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
7) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
8) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
9) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
10) Curbelo is a snot-nosed, lying, slimy, immature, inexperienced, self-absorbed political neophyte that will not represent the people of FL26 well.
Get the picture Carlos…you suck!