The Pendulum Swings Up

Check out this story about the Florida Democratic Party by Gary Fineout of the Miami Herald, here are some highlights:

"Despite being called ''pathetic'' by Gov. Jeb Bush because of bookkeeping problems and tax woes, the Florida Democratic Party managed to raise nearly $800,000 over the last three months, a nearly three-fold increase from the first quarter of 2005.

The Republican Party of Florida reported raising $1.23 million in the last quarter, a sharp drop from the more than $3 million that flowed into party coffers between January and March. GOP party officials, however, expect their numbers to rise again as the 2006 elections move closer.

Democrats managed to raise just $269,000 between January and March, but raised nearly $763,000 between April 1 and June 30. Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman said part of the jump was due to the party's annual Jefferson--Jackson dinner that was held in June at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood.

But Thurman said many people had been stepping forward to help out the party. ''I think that it showed there is still a groundswell of good individuals that care about the party and care about the issues and care about making sure this party moves on,'' she said."

Kudos to Chair Karen Thurman!