National Dems See Garcia's Promise

Some good news in the National Journal, where Major Garrett noted that national Dems see Joe Garcia's race in the 25th as one of the top five pickup opportunities in the country. Personally, I wish the DCCC had done more offense this year, but I am happy that this opportunity was taken seriously by the blue team in Washington.

From Garrett:

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In Florida's 25th, Republicans are angry -- not at Washington, but at Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a first-generation Cuban-American. He fled this seat to run in the more compact and nominally more Cuban 21st District, creating an opening for former Miami-Dade County Democratic Chairman Joe Garcia, who lost to Diaz-Balart, 53 percent to 47 percent, in 2008. Garcia is running again and Republicans privately admit that their candidate, former state House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Rivera, though well-funded, is flawed. Republicans worry that higher turnout driven by races for governor and Senate will benefit the better-known Garcia. One Democratic poll in September had Garcia up by 7 points.

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I am surprised in a way that the GOP hasn't fought harder for David Rivera, but they can probably sense as well as local news editors what a train wreck the man is as a candidate. Garrett is awfully kind to leave it at "flawed." Recent revelations he has lied about doing consultant work for a federal agency come after allegations of domestic abuse and bad real estate deals with Marco Rubio. And just for fun, he also makes lunatic allegations about Garcia being a henchman of Castro. This guy is too coo-coo for Tea Party puffs, and that's saying something.

In Florida, this is our top pickup opportunity, and we should take it. I would love it if Florida Democrats come November could defend all incumbents in Congress AND take away a seat hand-drawn for Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Cowardice).