Florida Watch Action, Ruth’s List Unmasked

The Political Hurricane, Florida’s Progressive Political Voice, has begun a 5-part series about money and the Florida Democratic Party Chair’s race.

In the race for FDP Chair, Allison Tant, who has the backing of party insiders, will face off next month against Alan Clendenin, a grass-roots activist and a man who has a plan for rebuilding the failing state-wide party apparatus.

What’s interesting about The Political Hurricane’s series, is the startling revelations which have come to light in relation to two groups – Florida Watch Action and Ruth’s List – that claim to support progressive causes and Democratic candidates.  Indeed, Florida Watch Action could play an important role in influencing the outcome of the FDP race for party chair, but only time will tell.

Florida Watch Action, also known as Pink Slip Rick, is registered as an 501 (c)(4) organization and according to the article, is not required to disclose its contributions or expenditures to the Florida Division of Elections, unlike Ruth’s List.   “The only reason that someone would want to create an organization like this, as well as a 527, is to hide who their donors are. What does Florida Watch Action have to hide?,” declares Dave Trotter, the article’s author.

But perhaps even more revealing is the little support FWA provided to Democratic candidates in helping them win seats.

Again, Trotter notes that, in 2011, FWA pulled in over $312,000 in revenues and spent some $224,104. But precious little went to support local candidates.  Indeed, according to the article, it is likely that FWA’s Executive Director, Susannah Randolph, could have received about $142,357 (63 percent of expenditures), as compensation to run the group and handle the daily operations of the organization in 2011.

There is a similar story to tell regarding Ruth’s List.

Founded by Ellis Robinson in 2009, The Political Hurricane notes that over $381,000 in donations have gone toward the organization.  And like FWA, very little has gone to promote campaigns and support Democratic women across the state.  According to the article, less than 10 percent of the money received is used directly to help candidates.

“Basically, almost every aspect, as well as every penny spent, by Ruth’s List seems to be for the benefit of making Ruth’s List more money and not for the benefit of promoting female, progressive Democratic candidates. Therefore, what is the use of it? Is it there to truly promote female candidate, or to make one person a lot of money while not having to pay for anything in return?”

The article also points out that Robinson has made enough purely from Ruth’s List, over the last two years, to buy a 2007 Lamborghini!

The Political Hurricane concludes by again, questioning the usefulness of both FWA and Ruth’s List:

“Much like Ruth’s List, one must question this organization’s (Florida Watch Action) existence. In fact, many people, even activists that we know around the state consider Florida Watch Action’s acts laughable and, honestly, quite childish. Also, if the goal of Florida Watch Action is to take down Rick Scott, that is setting the bar quite low. Democrats should expect to beat a governor that rarely has an approval rating over 40%. It is the hard races where Democrats need to be putting their attention.”