Million-dollar fine for Katherine Harris donor

I guess this guy can afford it, he being a large figure in the military-industrial complex.

Somehow it seems bigger than an item for the Metro section in the Miami Herald, but there it is. Mitchell Wade "reached a settlement" with the Federal Elections Commission for excessive and illegal contributions to Katherine Harris' campaign for the U.S. Senate last year.

It's been said here before: we're permitted to gloat when people get in hot water on behalf of Katherine Harris. The link to the Herald story.

Mel Martinez out as "general chair"

Mel Martinez is out as so-called “general chairman” of the Republican Party. I have a little comment up on DailyKos pointing out the announcement, and also asking whether this can be taken as confirmation that the Republicans are shifting further racist on immigration. Can’t stand having a Hispanic on top? Is that right, fellows? He must have shrunk in his guayabera a year ago when the Republicans were running a TV ad making Hispanics out to be potential terrorists. That's your party, Mel. Were you no longer willing to be their front man? Or did they give you the boot?

I don't know which to hope for. My hope is for the Republicans to be an honorable opposition.

UPDATE: State Democratic Chairwoman Karen Thurman put out a statement Friday evening counting Martinez' departure as one in a series of Republican debacles this week, featuring their vote in the House to uphold the SCHIP veto. They need better Republicans, Thurman said, offering a spoof web site devoted to drafting Katherine Harris.

Check it out at www.draftkatherineharris.com and have a couple good laughs.