Senator or sycophant? LeMieux decries corruption, praises Crist, despite Rothstein connections

Only days ago, in the midst of the growing controversy over the alleged corrupt of former Representative Ray Sansom, newly-appointed Senator George LeMieux made a declaration of war on the corruption plaguing Florida. However, despite Crist's arguably tenuous involvement with Sansom, and the "culture of corruption" abetted by Scott Rothstein, LeMieux has shown support for Crist's candidacy over Rubio. LeMieux's appointment was met with cries of cronyism, thus, making this statement on LeMieux's part, somewhat, unsurprising.

Charlie Crist, having signed the bills that misappropriated funds to Sansom under the camouflage of funding for a College in North Florida, as well as former Speaker Marco Rubio are both suspected of some level of complicity, though there is not much of a case against the latter. However, there is evidence that Crist signed the bills for funding openly described as "turkey" by TaxWatch, a Tallahassee watchdog group.

LeMieux's statements decrying corruption (though in reference to a different situation), and his subsequent endorsement of Crist (a figure in a such a corruption scandal), is baffling to say the least; Why bother create a perceived flip when none is necessary?

LeMieux was appointed to the Senate for the ostensible purpose of demonstrating what kind of legislator Crist, himself, would be, and to hold the spot for the front-running candidate. No one expected LeMieux to bother endorsing anyone, because everyone knew it'd be Crist. The surprising carelessness, however, is what caught everyone's attention; beginning a crusade against corruption, then publically endorsing a figure involved in a scandal.

Neither Rubio, nor Crist has any evidence against them alleging that they knew about the project through which Ray Sansom had been funneling cash.The fact that Rubio, and not Crist, has been called for testimony is really not an issue, given that Rubio and Crist both play minor, if any, role in the scandal.

Apparently, all of this sudden publicity from LeMieux is in an effort to get Senate colleagues, who are interested in the Senate race, to come to him to get involved: ``What I have told my colleagues was that if they're interested in getting involved in the Florida race, I hope that they will come to me,'' LeMieux said Tuesday during his first visit to South Florida since taking office. ``I will give them the benefit of my opinion and obviously, they have the right and choice to do what they like. But I'd like to tell my side of the story.''

LeMieux means by telling "[his] side of the story" is that he wants to cast aside concerns about Crist's conservatism, and also bolster Crist's candidacy by acting in a way that suggests Crist would do the same; the intent of LeMieux's appointment to begin with.

The corruption LeMieux spoke of, specifically, targeted Broward lawyer and Ponzi schemer, Scott Rothstein and his direction of $2 million in campaign contributions to Governor Crist, something that seems even more careless on LeMieux's part.

LeMieux went on to say that South Florida has a much larger problem, it is becoming a "culture of corruption" and `It makes us look bad. It's bad for business and bad for our way of life.''

He does not blame himself or Crist for how Rothstein got the money, however: ``You don't look at someone who's generous and just criticize,'' said LeMieux, who also ran Crist's gubernatorial campaign in 2006, to which Rothstein contributed heavily.

All of this is an apparent effort at distancing himself, Crist, and the State of Florida from Rothstein, who not only attended LeMieux's swearing-in, and Crist's wedding, but was also appointed by Crist to a Judicial nomination panel until this Tuesday, when he resigned.

LeMieux's politicking as of late, and the formation of a political action committee, and his active role in Florida's congressional delegation (he single-handedly blocked the appointment of an ambassador opposed by Cuban-Americans), suggest he may be running for Democratic Senator, Bill Nelson's seat in 2012.

Many Florida Republicans refute the claim that LeMieux is under-qualified (he's similarly experienced compared to Crist), or just a "seat-warmer": ``For those who thought George LeMieux was going to be passed by in the Senate and not be noticed by many people, the exact opposite is the truth,'' said U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart told the Miami Herald,``He's an extraordinary public servant.''

The Democrats in Florida are much more critical of LeMieux: On the day of his appointment, a mailer titled "Senator LeMieux (R-Cronyism)" and openly criticized LeMieux's "conservative" views on gun control, and abortion, and Crist's use of LeMieux's "credentials" to bolster his own campaign over the interests of Floridians.

Senator LeMieux's role in representing Florida is the center of a contentious debate over whether or not he will reflect positively on Crist, and in the best interests of Florida, and whether or not Crist's courting of the far-Right is necessary, given that the support of moderate Republicans, and some Democrats who feel the Democratic candidate, Congressman Kendrick Meek, is too liberal, and is a "regional" candidate.

With over a year remaining in his term, will Senator LeMieux really crack down on corruption in Washington and Florida? Or only until the end of the Primary? Republicans say, vehemently, "yes", but, it seems, Democrats aren't counting on it.

Many moderates were distraught over LeMieux's statements to the effect of, "I'm pro-gun, pro-choice,..." to make his conservatism, in no uncertain terms, clear and in the front of his appointment. The concerns, though dissipating, are largely over LeMieux's ability to distinguish him views from Crist 's where it counts, on the Senate floor. So far, it seems he has.