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Florida GOP, Congressman Radel 'Welcome' President Obama To Florida

You may not think the GOP would greet President Barack Obama with open arms. But, a Republican Florida Congressman as well as the head of the state’s Republican Party welcomed the President to Florida Wednesday in their own special way.

Florida Congressman Trey Radel, who serves the 19th Congressional District in Southwest Florida, didn’t exactly put out the welcome mat. He says President Obama is continually showing lack of leadership, from the IRS Scandal in which conservative groups may have been targeted to Obama’s recent visit to Miami.

“And, that IRS Scandal really exemplifies what the President is not doing, and that’s leading. So, of course he’s popping in and out of Miami and West Palm and other cities to go fundraise when what he needs to be doing is being here in Washington and being a leader, and showing some signs of leadership,” said Radel.

Radel made those remarks in a conference call Wednesday joined by state Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry.

Curry added he’s also not happy the Florida Democratic Party won’t give Nan Rich, the only declared Democratic candidate for Governor, a chance to speak at the party’s upcoming Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.

“I mean this isn’t somebody who just showed up and said ‘I want to run for Governor.’ This is a committed lifelong Democrat. I just think she ought to have the opportunity to speak for five minutes, five minutes. If I did what they were doing, they’d be all over me as well, assuming they’d be organized enough to be all over me,” said Curry.

Meanwhile, the Florida Democratic Party refused to comment on either of the issues.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on twitter @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.