Shameless losers

Just like his pal former speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich, ex-congressman and former Florida attorney general Bill McCollum wants voters to forget a few things.

Gingrich would like voters to forget he's a philandering hypocrite, a "histobbyist" and the ultimate Washington insider, with the ethics violations, record fines and enemies to prove it.

For his part, McCollum would like voters to forget about the fiasco that was his service as a Clinton impeachment manager. As one of the managers, McCollum proved his mastery of the law couldn't get a grand jury of 12 Orthodox Jews to indict a ham sandwich.

McCollum would also like voters to forget that he's a three-time loser at statewide campaigns in Florida. McCollum's record is: lost a statewide general election to Bill "Milk Toast" Nelson; lost a GOP primary to Mel "Scared Of My Own Shadow" Martinez; and most recently lost a Republican primary to Rick "I'm Not The Problem, The Establishment Is" Scott in 2010.

Not only do these two peas share a pod of wanton voter forgetfulness, they are also old friends.

About three and a half weeks before the Florida presidential preference primary when Newt abandoned his "I'm Running For President To Promote My Books And DVDs" tour, he called on his buddy Bill to serve as his statewide campaign chairman. Newt needed a high-profile leader who could help him assemble a game plan in less than 25 days; McCollum, remember, has lots of experience running for office statewide in Florida.

Problem is, Newt didn't get the memo explaining McCollum's wealth of experience is losing statewide, not winning. This guy could screw up a one-car funeral procession.

Fast-forward to election night, when Newt's campaign fell flatter than Obama's birth certificate at a tea party rally. With "Howdy Doody" Bill at his side, Newt refused to concede, and like an immature child who didn't get what he wants, Newt didn't make the obligatory call to congratulate the victor, Mitt Romney.

Gingrich's actions reminded me of the sore loser his chum McCollum was when he lost the gubernatorial primary to Scott in 2010. McCollum similarly snubbed the victor; then when he finally issued a written concession statement, he described his opponent as "a multi-millionaire with a questionable past." Classy dude, McCollum.

So now these two crybabies are upset with the rules of the game and are looking for a loophole. Specifically, they are seeking redress from the Republican National Committee to allow for proportional delegate allocation (which would benefit Newt), verses the winner-take-all allocation the Republican Party of Florida established.

The state party issued the following statement from its chairman, Lenny Curry:

"On September 23, 2011, RPOF's Executive Board — 38 people including members from around the state, members who serve on the RNC, and members who are affiliated with different campaigns — unanimously passed RPOF Rule 10. Rule 10 determined Florida would be winner-take-all if the primary date was moved by statute and Florida was penalized by RNC for the move. All campaigns and the RNC have known since then that Florida was winner-take-all. RNC's legal counsel has, on numerous occasions, noted their understanding and acceptance of Florida's rule.

"Florida was winner-take-all before Election Day, we were winner-take-all on Election Day and we will remain winner-take-all. As Bill McCollum confirmed to Fox News, had the outcome been different he would not be seeking publicity for a challenge to the rules adopted by Florida Republicans. It is a shame when the loser of a contest agrees to the rules before, then cries foul after losing."

Well said, Chairman Curry. Unfortunately, politics is full of shameless losers.