Debbie Wasserman Schultz, With Good News From Florida

For years, the word "Florida" has been something of a four-letter word for Democrats. Remember that whole recount thing that happened in 2000? Yeah, it's a bitter little pill for many, and it was the site of bitterness in 2008, and not just because Rudy Giuliani camped out there all winter, like most unpleasant New Yorkers. Florida began the campaign season running afoul of the DNC and nearly losing their convention delegation, and finished out the year as one of the loci for late-breaking campaign stops. Along the way, Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was ever-present. She was a tireless advocate for getting her state's delegation seated at the Democratic National Convention. And once that was achieved, she became a tireless advocate for Barack Obama. Last night, her work paid off in an Obama win, and Florida contributing nothing more dramatic than their electoral votes. A beaming Schultz talked to Liz Glover about being excited for change in Florida.

[WATCH.]

Comments

[redsongia]

I like her alot. There's alot of young talent out there in the Democratic Party, it seems.

[jayburd]

I remember being so frustrated with her during the primaries because she was a Clinton surrogate and said some rather unflattering things about Obama whenever she went on the cable news circuits. But she played the exact same role for Obama once he became the nominee and was just as loyal to him. She is a great Democrat and a great American. Thank you, Congressman Wasserman-Schultz for helping turn Florida blue again!

[Deparis]

A very impressive surrogate this election cycle, along with Missouri's Senator McCaskill. Tough, intelligent, principled, smart... My hat off to these two women in particular. I wish them a quick ascend in the congressional leadership, I will be very proud of them.

[redsongia]

Yes, and Jennifer Granholm impressed me too, along with the Gov. of Montana, Schweitzer.

Lots of good dems on the horizon, it seems.

[scared4ALL]

Debbie Wasserman can be added as one of our many heroes & patriots. One of many who stand for "We The People" from all over this soon to be, again, great nation.

Thanks Debbie. We love you!

[IcedTee63]

I was glad she was on our side. When she tore into Michele Bachman, I almost felt sorry for Bachman...almost.

[Monrocsol]

What I liked best of Debby was that she is loyal to Hillary!

[redsongia]

She tore into Ken Delay pretty good as well. He came on Hardball, I think it was, talking about how "unamerican" and worrisome and Obama victory would be. The whole time, I was thinking, "hey Ken, hasn't your trial started YET?"

First words out of DWS's mouth, "All due respect, but you're hearing from a man who presided over one of the most corrupt congresses in history"

Nice how she reads minds like that.

[Jenababy]

Thanks Debbie for all your hard work. I always enjoyed listening to your input on the news networks. You never backed down or gave up, your tireless work paid off, we thank you and the Florida citizens for turning the red state to blue.

[cltclt]

I love the idea of her as Speaker of the House. I don't know the logistics, but Pelosi could step down for the good of the party. She is overly partisan and CAN NOT speak. I saw Wasserman Sch. on Chris Matthews and she laid the hammer down on Tom Delay, (the so called hammer). She started with "Chris, with all due respect" and proceeded to remind us that Tom Delay left the House under a disgrace cloud so shouldn't be giving advice. Chris Matthew was laughing at the top of his lungs. The senate majority leader Reid should go to for some new blood. He's vindictive and brings the wrong kind of attention to the Senate. I think President Obama (YESSSS!) will work all of this out and hopefully, they will work with him. Axelrod instead of Emanuel also, as Rahm now seems very conflicted about whether to accept the offer. NEXT.

[Yodada]

Debbie Wasserman Schultz was someone I never heard of before the election . . . Thank God that she was a Democrat because she has the complete package, brains, eloquence, temper, family, etc. I hope she does well and is recognized for her efforts on behalf of the party and platform. She was all over national tv and always cool, calm and collected, very impressive!

[CVN65]

Amen to that. If she was a Republican you would really have to stretch to hate her.

[13lotus]

now, this is a perfect example of an intelligent, articulate, politically savy woman that doesn't wilt under pressure. answers questions that are asked of her. asks tough questions and doesn't waiver. she has been such an inspiration, too, in this election process. thank you debbie for all your hard work and dedication.

[TrooAmerican]

Yeah... shes all that and a bag of chips.
Shes hot too.

[CVN65]

You don't get out much, do you?

[tskl]

ditto!

[WilliamBudd]

Unlike Palin, I'll bet Schultz knows the signatories to NAFTA, can name the countries in North America and already knows that Africa is a continent not a country.

[Marnie21]

Debbie was amazing this election season. Everytime I saw her speak on behalf of senator Obama and his policies she blew me away. I knew with her out there campaigning for Obama Florida was in the bag. Many thanks Debbie, you are a warrior!

[OhioJan]

Debbie, you & Bob Wexler ROCKED for Obama all year! Thank you SOOO much for all your hard, DEDICATED work for our victory Tuesday night!!!!!!!! I'm still in a state of "shock & awe" that we won, not only Florida, but PA & my "conservative state" of Ohio as well! Thank God we turned blue Tuesday, now I don't have to move to the East Coast to live in a democratic state!

Again, Thank you, Debbie, you have become a new "political heroin" for me this election year & I can't WAIT to see what paths your bright political career takes off onto!!!!!!!! You ROCK, Girl!!!! (Now DW-S truly IS a "pitbull with lipsitck" - but WAY cuter & with WAY more compassion & patriotism!!!!!)

We love you, Debbie, Bob, & FLA!!!!!!!!!!!

[CVN65]

Jan- she is your new "heroine", unless, of course, you are speaking of the one drug BHO did not put into his body during his formative years.

[philosopherkingtomas]

She is great !

[augusteighteenth]

Debbie Wasserman is my idol..I love that woman! Her AND Wexler...South Florida is very lucky!

[SouthernIL]

I just love Debbie!!! She has become part of our family. I have tried to catch every interview. Ms. Wasserman Schultz is bright, positive, intelligent, strong, forthright, and deligent in her beliefs for a better future for all.
If I were President Elect Obama! I would find a place for her in my Cabinet/Administration. I know that the State of Florida would hate to lose her representation in Washington, but she would be an excellent addition to the Obama team. She has brought Florida back to a respectable plane and helped to reassure her constituents that every vote would count this time around. She is truly the silver lining in that very gray cloud that "was" hanging over Florida. I feel that she played a very big role in turning Florida from red to blue, and I congratulate all her efforts. Ms. Wasserman Schultz .... if only we could clone you!! KUDO'S to you.

[Dave01]

Debbie needs to replace Pelosi as Speaker of the House!

[OhioJan]

Oooo...Good one! I LIKE that idea WAY more than that capitulating Pelosi! DW-S would NEVER give in to an immoral, unethical piece of legislation like Pelosi did on FISA - not to mention, taking Impeachment of the shrub "off the table"!!!!!

[tskl]

amen!

[Oxfarm]

She did wonderfully. Thanks, Debbie. Thank you, Florida!