Who's Fort Lauderdale backing for President?
Who are the rich and famous of Fort Lauderdale backing for President of the United States?
It's a bit complicated.
First off, many people keep that choice a secret. You can ask (as I've done), but many will just tell you it's none of your business, and they may be right. Also, some of the richest and most famous back more than one candidate, just in case!
But thanks to the Internet, if you've given a Presidential candidate (or two) more than $200, your name, occupation, address, and shoe size are there for the discovery! All together, large donors in Fort Lauderdale have given about a Million Dollars, spent nearly evenly among the Democratic and Republican candidates, according to current Internet records.
And here's what it's looking like so far.... on the Democratic side,
Obama,
though seemingly catching fire on the National stage, hasn't lit so much as a brushfire here in Fort Lauderdale among the big donors. His known local support comes from former Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Tim Smith, well- known local architects Anthony Abbate, Don Singer, and Dan Fee, civic activists Joe Holland and Cal Deal, historic preservationist Diane Smart, and attorney Mitchell Berger. He has also gotten big donations from Neil Sterling and George Platt,(Broward County lobbyists), but they both are hedging their bets and giving to multiple candidates ,herein referred to as MD (Multiple Donors).
Clinton
seems to be the big favorite among the City's powerful. John and Charlotte Rodstom have been their most vocal fans among elected officials, having held a fundraiser at their Las Olas Isles home. Also in the Clinton camp include attorneys Don McCloskey, Greg Durden, George Platt (MD), Dick Coker, John Milledge, Robert Lochrie, and former Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Dean Trantalis. The developers include Ramola Motwani (beach), Michael Shiff (Las Olas), and Alan Hooper (downtown). The realtors include Jackie Scott and Linda Bird, and well known VIP's include Jim Kane (pollster), Jack Abdo (Bank of Atlantic) Neil Stirling (MD), Alan Levy, Geri Udell, Judy Stern (political consultant) Jim McKinley, and Elizabeth Buntrock (cousin of Wayne Huizenga) (MD).
Richardson
had quite a bit of support of the elite, with large donations from Michael Egan (former owner of Alamo Rent-a-Car), Russ Klenet (lobbyist) and attorneys Russ Adler (MD) and Ira Marcus, and also got money from multiple donors Platt, Buntrock, and Judy Stern.
Edwards
Edwards saw support from former political candidates Fred Haddad, Ken Cooper, and Bradford Cohen, attorney Jon Krupnick and VIP's James Cummings and Elizabeth Buntrock (MD).
.......and on the Republican side
McCain
has seen big donations from attorneys Russ Adler (MD), and Don Hall, realtor Ted Drum, and VIP's Randy Avon and Clay King.
Romney
was the favorite of Wayne Huizenga, Mike Maroone (auto dealerships), James Blosser, (who raised $100,000 for George Bush) and VIP's Fred Guardabasi and George Morgan (shopping center developer).
Guiliani
saw donations from local bigshots Terry Stiles and William Schere, and attorney Russ Adler (MD) .
Huckabee
was the favorite of anti-gay activist Margaret Hostetter, and was recently endorsed by Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle.
Thompson
received a donation from Naugle (MD).
It's a bit complicated.
First off, many people keep that choice a secret. You can ask (as I've done), but many will just tell you it's none of your business, and they may be right. Also, some of the richest and most famous back more than one candidate, just in case!
But thanks to the Internet, if you've given a Presidential candidate (or two) more than $200, your name, occupation, address, and shoe size are there for the discovery! All together, large donors in Fort Lauderdale have given about a Million Dollars, spent nearly evenly among the Democratic and Republican candidates, according to current Internet records.
And here's what it's looking like so far.... on the Democratic side,
Obama,though seemingly catching fire on the National stage, hasn't lit so much as a brushfire here in Fort Lauderdale among the big donors. His known local support comes from former Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Tim Smith, well- known local architects Anthony Abbate, Don Singer, and Dan Fee, civic activists Joe Holland and Cal Deal, historic preservationist Diane Smart, and attorney Mitchell Berger. He has also gotten big donations from Neil Sterling and George Platt,(Broward County lobbyists), but they both are hedging their bets and giving to multiple candidates ,herein referred to as MD (Multiple Donors).
Clinton
seems to be the big favorite among the City's powerful. John and Charlotte Rodstom have been their most vocal fans among elected officials, having held a fundraiser at their Las Olas Isles home. Also in the Clinton camp include attorneys Don McCloskey, Greg Durden, George Platt (MD), Dick Coker, John Milledge, Robert Lochrie, and former Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Dean Trantalis. The developers include Ramola Motwani (beach), Michael Shiff (Las Olas), and Alan Hooper (downtown). The realtors include Jackie Scott and Linda Bird, and well known VIP's include Jim Kane (pollster), Jack Abdo (Bank of Atlantic) Neil Stirling (MD), Alan Levy, Geri Udell, Judy Stern (political consultant) Jim McKinley, and Elizabeth Buntrock (cousin of Wayne Huizenga) (MD).
Richardson
had quite a bit of support of the elite, with large donations from Michael Egan (former owner of Alamo Rent-a-Car), Russ Klenet (lobbyist) and attorneys Russ Adler (MD) and Ira Marcus, and also got money from multiple donors Platt, Buntrock, and Judy Stern.
Edwards
Edwards saw support from former political candidates Fred Haddad, Ken Cooper, and Bradford Cohen, attorney Jon Krupnick and VIP's James Cummings and Elizabeth Buntrock (MD).
.......and on the Republican side
McCain
has seen big donations from attorneys Russ Adler (MD), and Don Hall, realtor Ted Drum, and VIP's Randy Avon and Clay King.
Romney
was the favorite of Wayne Huizenga, Mike Maroone (auto dealerships), James Blosser, (who raised $100,000 for George Bush) and VIP's Fred Guardabasi and George Morgan (shopping center developer).
Guiliani
saw donations from local bigshots Terry Stiles and William Schere, and attorney Russ Adler (MD) .
Huckabee
was the favorite of anti-gay activist Margaret Hostetter, and was recently endorsed by Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle.
Thompson
received a donation from Naugle (MD).
I am supporting Obama just like the City of Ft Lauderdale the country needs a new Direction.Just like President Reagan He had a new direction and it was new thinking out of the box. I am not saying I agreed with what Reagan did but it was a new direction and He was able to get the America People behind him and I see that in Obama. What makes our Country great is that it is the peoples Government form of governing and for to long it appears the people have not been involved. and back to the City of Ft Lauderdale if we as Residents want change we must get involved I have been walking in the Crime Walks that the CVC has organized and if more people got involved it would reduced the problems it will take Residents and Police and the Commission and City Manager working together to make a change. This City has so much to Offer Location /Location/location there should be a oasis on ever corner of the City.
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As always - we see the fat cats hedging their bets by supporting multiple candidates - it makes you wonder if they believe in anything strong enough to take a firm stand. The buying of power stands out during election seasons and this one is no different. I wonder if these multiple donors have any honor of commitment left in their souls.....or maybe they have sold their souls.
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If you chose to identify a certain individual as an anti gay activist, why not indentify others as pro gay activists? Isn't that the fair thing to do?
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That's a good point, but as far as I see, none of the others listed make their mark on the gay issue the way Margaret has. If you think I'm wrong, let me know........thanks, Tim
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Wonder who Cindi Hutchinson is for?
Could the lifelong Republican be for McCain? Oh wait Albetta whispered in her ear (poof) she is a Democrat now so probably for Hillary oh wait she is losing better go with Obama. Is this they type of person to lead Fort Lauderdale. NO!
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I think every president had his own way and destination
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