"Suspiciously Partisan"

"Voters in Mark Foley's congressional district need to know his name is only a placeholder on the Nov. 7 ballot for his Republican replacement. But the aggressive notification plan being recommended by the Florida elections division looks suspiciously partisan."

Here are two worrisome clues:

1) State elections laws are, at best, silent about whether special notices for one candidate can be posted in voting booths and included in absentee ballots. In fact, a Florida Association of Supervisors of Elections attorney claims those laws specifically prohibit any extra materials in absentee ballots, and a 1990 elections opinion seems to support him.

2) When Robin Rorapaugh sought to replace a late-departing Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw in 2004, the division fought to keep her out of the race altogether. After courts said Rorapaugh could replace the Democrat whose name remained on the ballot, the division offered no advice on how to clear up any voter confusion.

Nonetheless, state elections divison director Dawn Roberts on Tuesday advised all eight elections supervisors in U.S. House District 16 to put notices "in every voting booth" and "in future absentee ballot mailings" telling voters that "any vote cast for Mark Foley (REP) shall be counted as a vote for Joe Negron (REP)." ...

The fact that supervisors are listening to their own attorney, and not Roberts, is revealing. They all aim to assure that voters are well-informed, but only Roberts is appointed by a partisan politician. Does that make a difference?

"Why notes with votes?".




Bought and Paid For

"Floridians for Truth and Integrity in Government, the stealth group that raised millions of dollars to blow Republican Tom Gallagher out of the gubernatorial primary, has cut state Republicans their biggest check of the year."

Known as an electioneering communications organization, the soft-money group whose biggest contributors included U.S. Sugar Corp., TECO Energy and Cape Coral developer Greg Eagle gave $1.1 million to the state Republican Party on Sept. 22, records show.

Truth and Integrity raised more than $3.1 million this year, making it the largest electioneering organization created to influence elections, and spent much of that on TV ads designed to help Republican Charlie Crist in the race by trashing Gallagher.

"Stealth group gives GOP largest check of year".




15 Seconds

"Move over Energizer Bunny, and welcome political candidates as the new wave of television ads get shorter and more to the point." "Candidates pin hopes on 15-second TV ads".




Davis Picks Up Cash

"Davis reported Friday his best fundraising week since he won the primary. He raised $419,211, bringing his total donations to $5.3 million." "Obama brings star power to aid of Davis, Jones". See also "Dash for Cash", "Obama brings his star power to Davis rally" and "Rising star Obama stands behind Davis".




Buchanan Desperate

"Cheney's first official visit to Sarasota since being elected vice president wasn't just a goodwill gesture to help Republican Vern Buchanan raise money for his congressional campaign." "Cheney rallies the GOP in Sarasota The vice president was here to help a Republican in a tight race.".




Clear Choice

"Candidates for north-county state House seat offer clear choice".




What A Stand Up Guy

"Florida's largest power company couldn't defeat Charlie Crist in the Republican primary for governor — and now has found that its new strategy of currying favor isn't working, either. Since the Sept. 5 primary, Florida Power & Light Co. has twice approached Crist about making a substantial donation to the Republican Party, and twice has been told that he is not interested in the company's money, Crist said." "Crist to FPL: Keep the cash".




Feeney

One of the most corrupt politicians in Washington plays the fool:

Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, has spent time and money creating a Web site to discredit his longshot opponent for the 24th Congressional District.

Democrat Clint Curtis, a Titusville computer programmer, says Feeney's site, Crazyclintcurtis.com, is just another step in their long-running feud and an attempt to deflect accusations of corruption.

Among other digs, the site has photos of Curtis that were altered to show him wearing a tin-foil hat while the Patsy Cline classic "Crazy" plays in the background.

Curtis, a political outsider, has hired an attorney to see whether the site is criminal.

Within a day of Curtis' primary victory, Feeney's campaign began questioning Curtis' sanity. Feeney has refused to debate Curtis on substantive policy issues. It would be a disservice to voters to do so, he said.

"House race turns zanier".




Pruitt Bites Hand

"Pruitt lashes out at insurers, plan to have state pay part of damages".




Foley Fallout

"While polls show there has not yet been a voter backlash nationally over the Mark Foley scandal, the fallout is likely to affect several key races that could tip control of Congress to the Democrats." "Some Republican seats shaky since Foley scandal". See also "Campaigning Republicans quick to ditch Foley money" and "Analysis: Bush agenda goes unheard amid din of Foley scandal".




Go Ahead Mark, Name Names

"Diocese asks Foley to reveal name of his molester". See also "Palm Beach Diocese wants Foley to name his abuser".

More: "Foley's excuses are unacceptable." "Mark Foley".




Harris

See "Harris Campaigns On Ousting IRS", "Harris rolls the dice on tax plan Senate candidate says it 'makes sense' -- but others disagree." and "Harris says Nelson's policies are opposed to Christian beliefs".

More: "Harris attack on Nelson is insult to faith"




Jabbing

"Democratic candidate for governor Jim Davis fired a couple of sharp jabs at Republican Charlie Crist today during a burst of campaigning that took from a children's summit in Orlando to a rally with Barack Obama in Miami."

In Orlando this morning, Davis told the 1,000 attendees at the Florida Children's Summit he was "disappointed" that Crist turned down an invitation to share the stage together citing scheduling conflicts. "With all due respect to Charlie, one of the reasons I'm here is his scheduling conflict to talk about children's issues has been a scheduling conflict for eight years [actually, six] while he's served as attorney general and education commissioner," Davis said.

And in Miami this afternoon, Davis reminded the crowd of about 500 that Crist recently confessed to not knowing when the FCAT is administered to students. "When you see Charlie Crist, tell him we feel like the FCAT is being given every single day in our schools," Davis said.

"Jim's Jabs".




SOE's Resist State Efforts To Help Negron

"Officials: Foley/Negron notice won't be in ballots".




Wexler

"Wexler calls for president to clarify drug import policy".




Convenient

"Federal law may allow Mark Foley to tap into his campaign funds to pay legal fees in the investigation of instant messages he sent to former congressional pages." "Mark Foley may be able to use campaign funds to pay legal bills".




CD 9

"Roots versus new blood is the theme in the race to succeed longtime U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis, an intense match between the retiring incumbent's son and a challenger hoping to ride voter discontent." "U.S. Watches 9th District Race". See also "Busansky Stresses Accountability" and "Bilirakis Drawn Early To Politics".




Glass Houses

"A campaign consultant with the state Democratic Party resigned from his job in August after he was questioned about a 2001 arrest." "Democratic campaign consultant resigns over 2001 arrest".




Whatever

"In closet, Foley a gay rights champion".