2008 may turn out to be Lincoln’s waterloo
By
Alvaro F. Fernandez
U.S.
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart has claimed to be a great believer in the
U.S. electoral system. His actions and words, though, demonstrate
that he believes in our system of democracy as long as his congressional
seat is not the one being challenged. Like a prince or king, he
smolders when anyone dares to try and snatch from him what he views
as his political fiefdom.
I
mention this because 2008 looks to be a difficult one for the south
Florida member of Congress. Raul L. Martinez, former mayor of the
City of Hialeah, recently announced he would be running against
Lincoln. Even before the announcement, Diaz-Balart went into a tizzy
attacking the popular Martinez.
Diaz-Balart,
a republican from Miami, laughs off polls that demonstrate his waning
popularity and the dissatisfaction within the Cuban-American
community (a large segment which comprises his voting public) with
travel restrictions tightened in 2004 by President Bush. He points to
the electoral system as the only true survey of how voters really
feel. And he never misses the chance to remind us …
Al’s
Loupe Read Spanish Version
2008
may turn out to be Lincoln’s waterloo
By
Alvaro F. Fernandez
alfernandez@the-beach.net
U.S.
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart has claimed to be a great believer in the
U.S. electoral system. His actions and words, though, demonstrate
that he believes in our system of democracy as long as his
congressional
seat is not the one being challenged. Like a prince or king, he
smolders when anyone dares to try and snatch from him what he views
as his political fiefdom.
I
mention this because 2008 looks to be a difficult one for the south
Florida member of Congress. Raul L. Martinez, former mayor of the
City of Hialeah, recently announced he would be running against
Lincoln. Even before the announcement, Diaz-Balart went into a tizzy
attacking the popular Martinez.
Diaz-Balart,
a republican from Miami, laughs off polls that demonstrate his waning
popularity and the dissatisfaction within the Cuban-American
community (a large segment which comprises his voting public) with
travel restrictions tightened in 2004 by President Bush. He points to
the electoral system as the only true survey of how voters really
feel. And he never misses the chance to remind us that he has been
elected and reelected in south Florida’s District 21 since 1992.
But the fact is he fails to tell you that he has usually run
unopposed or against very poorly financed candidates. Yet, one of
those was Libertarian candidate Frank Gonzalez, who ran as a democrat
with a war chest of $10,000 against a million plus for Lincoln, and
received more than 40 percent of the vote in the 2006 election
against Diaz-Balart.
So
it looks like 2008 may turn out to be Lincoln’s waterloo. With
Martinez looming in the horizon, Diaz-Balart appears to fear a
candidate the likes that he has never faced. Martinez is a democrat
who over a span of almost 30 years won elections in a very republican
city. A large chunk of that city falls into the 21st
congressional district. In other words, Martinez is a very popular
democrat who can garner republican votes; Diaz-Balart is not a
crossover politician and will only pick up republican votes. The
forecast does not fare well for Lincoln and he knows it.
Also
noteworthy is Lincoln’s reaction to the potential Martinez
candidacy. He went on the attack bringing up Martinez’ past,
accusing the former mayor of being corrupt and beholden to pro-Cuba
forces in Miami. Diaz-Balart pointed to a statement I made in a
speech in Washington, D.C., in November predicting stiff opposition
for Diaz-Balart during this year’s race. The statement found its
way into The Miami Herald. Strangely it drew a heated and sinister
reaction from the south Florida republican leader. He accused me of
being a Cuban agent on Miami radio.
I
say sinister because Diaz-Balart was trying to employ the old Miami
tactic of fear. To this day he continues pointing to my prediction as
proof that the Cuban government is behind the Martinez candidacy.
It’s gotten to the point where I received a call from a Miami
Herald reporter trying to clarify the reason for my statements.
Candidly
I told him that my wish to see Martinez jump into the race is nothing
new and stems from my work fighting the cruelty of the 2004 Bush
Administration regulations limiting family travel to Cuba to once
every three years — with no exceptions. Martinez has also been
critical of these restrictions. So as a voting U.S. citizen I have
every right to feel enthused about a candidate who feels strongly
about an issue I am passionate about. That’s number one.
Secondly,
anyone who knows the former mayor knows he is the hardest working
politician in town. And that work has always translated to results
for his constituents. Ask any person who has lived in Hialeah long
enough to compare their city before and after Raul. His
accomplishments in favor of the people of Hialeah are well
documented.
Finally,
south Florida needs someone in Congress who will bring back the days
of Claude Pepper, Dante Fascell and Bill Lehman — men who truly
brought back “the bacon” for the people of this area. I believe
Raul is that person
Lincoln
knows he is about to get beat. He has decided his only chance is to
try and discredit Martinez early and often.
This
in itself should tell you something about the incumbent congressman.
After 15 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and facing a
tough political foe, you would think Diaz-Balart would point to his
record as prove positive that he deserves to return.
But
the fact is that Lincoln Diaz-Balart has been so hell-bent with his
no-win Cuba obsession, made worse by his draconian stands against 11
million fellow brothers and sisters on the island, that he’s
forgotten his District 21 constituents. Suddenly at a moment when he
needs to show off his accomplishments, he has nothing to point to.
So
what does Lincoln do? He uses old Miami tactics that in the past may
have worked.
The
thing is, if he had been watching closely, the word (and concept)
being bandied about is change. And it’s not only democrats but also
republicans who realize the voting public is tired of business as
usual: much rhetoric with little results.
Raul
Martinez represents that change south Florida desperately needs. And
the issues to be discussed will include Cuba, I’m sure. But there
are many other topics that also must be addressed. No wonder
Lincoln’s afraid to confront what’s ahead for him.
