"Florida Whig Party" Breaks With Modern Whig Party

According to the "Florida Whig Party" site, they have decided to no longer associate with the Modern Whig Party.

First, a little background. The "Florida Whig Party" pre-dated the Modern Whig Party by over a year. After the formation of the Modern Whigs, they decided to ally themselves with the Modern Whigs on a national level.

But very soon after they affiliated, internal tensions began, for two reasons.

First was political. Although both groups are frustrated and unhappy with the Democrats and Republicans in Congress, the two groups had two different base philosophies, and different remedies to issues. The Modern Whigs wanted to reduce partisanship, and adopt reasonable, centrist, and moderate solutions. The "Florida Whigs" were sympathetic with the rhetoric and solutions presented by the far right. After joining, they attempted to moderate some of their rhetoric, but the tension was always there. Recent statements and positions taken by the "Florida Whigs" were criticized by the rest of the Modern Whig membership.

Second, was the immediate tension between the Chairman and founder of the Modern Whigs and the Chairman of the "Florida Whigs." The "Florida Whig" leader had a "his way or the highway" approach and was very aggressive in his moves to personally discredit the Modern Whig Chairman.

I can't say I am surprised that the "Florida Whigs" have broken away. Although the Modern Whigs could have used the activism and talents of the "Florida Whigs," both groups are better off in the long run, are now more coherent internally, and are free to move forward.

So, it is important to note that future statements, actions, and candidates of the "Florida Whigs" are not related to, and have nothing to do with the larger, moderate, national, Modern Whig Party, of which I remain a proud supporter.