Charlie: All Things To All People

"Republican Charlie Crist's proposed $4 billion in tax cuts may face opposition from an unlikely source if he's elected governor in November."

The conservative Florida House, a reliable bastion of anti-tax Republicans, already declined to pass the centerpieces of Crist's plan earlier this year when they were offered by GOP lawmakers.

And fiscal leaders in the House said it would be very difficult to enact Crist's tax cuts while still paying for the voter-mandated limits on class sizes that must be in place by 2010.

Unlike Gov. Jeb Bush, Crist has said he won't lead efforts to revise the class-size reduction amendment to make it less expensive.

"Anti-tax Republicans balk at Crist's spending plans".




The "Special Interest" Party

"When it comes to handing out campaign cash this year, the state Republican Party is first in the hearts of Florida's special interests."

State elections records show the Republicans have taken in $27.9 million in contributions this election season, most of the big donations coming from corporations. That's nearly double the $15.1 million going into the Florida Democratic Party's coffers.

"Florida's GOP rakes in $27.9 million from special interests, twice that of Democrats". See also "Incumbent Crist Isn't Taking Chances On Fundraising".




Davis

"Democrat Jim Davis, clearly needing to maximize his support from South Florida's Democratic strongholds, picked up the endorsement Sunday of the Palm Beach Post." From the endorsement:

"Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist and Democratic candidate Jim Davis differ most on the two issues that matter most to Floridians: education and property insurance. Mr. Crist would continue the wrongheaded, failed policies of his predecessor. Rep. Davis would transform them."

"Post for Davis" See also "Davis Keeps Heat on Crist".

More: "Early on, Davis had a political 'itch'" ("Jim Davis' childhood friends don't recall him considering politics. But given his grandfather's influence, they weren't surprised.")




Negron

"Bush tries to make Negron household name". See also "Governor touts Negron on coasts".




Oh Pleeez ...

"That Lee could emerge from the Senate's biggest smack-down with Bush not just unscathed but with a near unprecedented primary endorsement is, according to his supporters, a testament to the Valrico senator's political prowess." "Maverick Lee cites Senate savvy". See also "Tom Lee the maverick".

As if Jebbie was going to sit this one out. If anything, the endorsement shows that the RPOF is afraid of Alex Sink.




Amendment 3

"Amendment No. 3 fails to safeguard public interest". See also "Florida voters to cast ballots on several important amendments in November".




Storms-Gorham

"She's a seasoned veteran of the political arena who has been campaigning since the mid-1990s. He's a newcomer to politics who was motivated to run to ensure a solid future for his 3-year-old daughter." "Political Veteran, Newcomer Square Off In State Senate Race". See also "For State Senate: Berfield, Gorham, Joyner And Crist" ("A politician who would rather pick a fight than find a solution is unlikely to find success in Tallahassee. The district would be better served by Stephen Gorham, a conservative Democrat making his first run at office.")




Charlie and Mark

"With politicians everywhere scrambling to wash themselves of Foley's tainted cash, "Why is Charlie Crist holding onto Mark Foley's money?" the Democrats asked Monday." "Following Foley's money".




Lawsuit

"The Florida Democratic Party filed a lawsuit Friday in hopes of keeping notices out of polling places that would inform voters that ballots cast for former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley will count for fellow Republican Joe Negron. The eight county elections supervisors who will record the outcome in the 16th Congressional District agreed this week to print a notice that would be posted at registration tables and handed to voters who had questions about the race." "Democrats sue over notices about ballot".




Shaw-Klein

"As the campaign between U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw and Democratic state Sen. Ron Klein enters its final weeks, both men are trying to land independent and undecided voters." "Shaw, Klein vie for indies, undecideds".


Chicken Charlie

"Charlie Crist and Jim Davis will meet in a televised debate Oct. 24 on PBS, but it’s still up in the air whether they’ll have another debate Oct. 30 hosted by Chris Matthews of NBC’s Hardball."

From Davis, who has agreed to the second debate: "Charlie Crist refuses to appear in public with me or Daryl Jones. ... And Charlie Crist is apparently refusing to have a second debate because he doesn't want to have to answer questions from me. So, I don’t like to mention the president's advice often because it’s usually wrong, but when he’s right I like to refer to the president. As the president said, 'You can run but you cannot hide.'"

"What They’re Saying About The NBC Debate". Kottkamp is also on the run: "See Jones, not Kottkamp".




Clark Visit

"Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, who ran for president in 2004, is campaigning Tuesday with Democratic congressional contenders Christine Jennings and Tim Mahoney." "Visits from wanna-be and former presidents continue".




Desperate in CD 13

"Vern Buchanan’s tough race for Congress from Florida’s 13th District—the Sarasota-centered seat being vacated by Katherine Harris—has become the cause celebre. Vice President Dick Cheney showed up Oct. 7 to raise money and give a short speech for Buchanan; next week, the campaign has announced, President George Bush is coming. " "Bush To Stump For Buchanan". See also "Area race heats up; president will visit".




CD 22 Cash

"Klein has spent $2.7 million on the race and has $492,906 remaining, but is expected to get a home-stretch cash infusion when former President Bill Clinton headlines a fundraiser on Friday. Shaw, who has raised $3.9 million, is in slightly better shape, with $1.8 million in the bank." "Big money in the Dist. 22 race".




"Dead in the Water"

"With three weeks until Election Day, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris has less than $1 million in the bank, an amount that leaves her Senate campaign all but dead in the water, according to political analysts." "Nelson, Harris money". See also "Nelson In The Money".




UBC Endorses Crist

"Charlie Crist was in Tampa this morning to receive an endorsement from the Florida Carpenters Regional Council, a union representing some 5,000 active and 6,000 retired carpenters, piledrivers and millwrights statewide." "Crist Gets Carpenters’ Nod".