The St. Petersburg Times reviews a subject that was originally brought forward when Charlie Crist named his close aide George LeMieux to succeed Mel Martinez as U.S. Senator.
That is, some of LeMieux's work with the law firm of Gunster Yoakley & Stewart. Reporter Alex Leary writes that a financial disclosure form showed that Florida Energy Associates, the group trying to cram offshore drilling down the throats of the Florida Legislature this year, paid the new Senator at least $5,000.
For what, apparently nobody knows.
LeMieux ain't talking, citing "attorney-client privileges". And one of the few human beings that we know is involved with the secretive group, Florida Energy Associates' Doug Daniels, says he can't 'recall' what LeMieux did.
All of this is relevant because offshore drilling is also something that LeMieux may have to vote on in pending federal legislation. For the record, LeMieux says he supports drilling "if done safely."
Meanwhile, LeMieux voted against a Defense Appropriations bill yesterday that included language that would add federal penalties for attacks on gays and lesbians.
He was one of only 29 Senators to do so. Democrat Bill Nelson voted in support of it. The House already passed the bill and it now will go to President Obama for his consideration.
Although I doubt LeMieux's vote will receive any criticism from the political right in Florida politics, I can't help but feel that the Governor's selection of the man the Wall Street Journal described as "mini-me" isn't going to be an overall negative for Crist, in both the Primary race for Senate, and if he wins that, the general election next fall.
This article appears in Oct 22-28, 2009.