CD 13 ReVote Rally

The CD 13 Revote rally was a success, with

more than 500 people packing Bayfront Park on Sunday calling for a revote in the 13th Congressional District race.

"Protesters demand new election for District 13 congressional seat".


Huh?

The Tampa Trib editorial board:

Florida has what Tribune reporter William March pegs as a "moderate populist" in the future governor and a "religious conservative" in the new party chairman.

These two men are national leaders who, despite their differences, can compromise and collaborate.

"GOP Leaders Who Understand Teamwork".




Dirty Little Secrets

"Florida lobbying powerhouse Southern Strategy Group filed suit recently against its former lobbying partners in Georgia, accusing them of stealing a client list worth $600,000 a year in fees and seeking more than $50-million in damages."

Southern Strategy is one of Florida's most powerful lobbying groups. It was created in 1999, shortly after Bush was elected governor, and manned by lobbyists with close ties to his office.

Bradshaw was the issues coordinator for Bush's 1998 campaign and helped craft the governor's education policies. His wife, Sally, managed both of Bush's campaigns and was his first chief of staff.

Others at the firm include David Rancourt, a former deputy chief of staff to the governor; former House Speaker John Thrasher, a Bush friend and frequent golf partner; Chris Dudley, once a key aide to former Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan; and James T. "Tim" Moore, former head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. ...

Southern Strategy's Florida clients include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Chevron, Tampa Electric, Walt Disney World, Wachovia Corp., Corrections Corporation of America and dozens of others.

"Suit offers peek into world of lobbyists' grab for clients".




"Jeb!" AWOL

"Although the crisis was clearly apparent last year, state lawmakers waited until the waning moments of the regular session to rush through an insurance bill that had hidden land mines for rate-weary South Florida. Gov. Bush apparently was content to let his term lapse before convening a special session." "Lawmakers to tackle state insurance crisis".




Early Primary?

"Florida, California and Michigan are among the large states jockeying for earlier presidential primaries in 2008." "State may get early primary".




Lax Enforcement

"Report: Lax oversight of prescriptions attracts addicts".




Christian Coalition

"'Buyer's remorse' is the phrase that Hunter, the leader of Longwood's Northland, A Church Distributed, uses to describe the [Christian] Coalition's feelings about asking him to lead the national organization."

His plan: Expand the Coalition's mission beyond the condemnation of homosexuality and abortion. Yes, Hunter opposes both. But he also wanted to talk about Christ's other gospels -- such as compassion. He wanted to talk about taking care of the poor. And the environment. "Unless we care as much for the vulnerable outside the womb as we do for the vulnerable inside the womb," he said last week, "we are not doing the work of Christ."

To many, that sounds reasonable. To others, it sounded "liberal."

"And that part is amazing to me," said Hunter, who's a registered Republican. "How can the compassion of Christ be labeled liberal? Or conservative or anything else, for that matter."

"Pastor takes on rigidity -- and fails".




Survey

"Survey sizes up state's growth". See also "Urban sprawl is pushing panthers to their limit".




From The "Values" Crowd

"As the number of foster children in Palm Beach County grows, the state of Florida is spending less on attorneys who help move the children into adoptive homes. The number of attorneys who specialize in freeing children for adoption has dropped from four to two, and the Department of Children and Families' budget for attorneys in Palm Beach County is now less than it was four years ago." "DCF adoption cases hurt by shortage of attorneys".




Who Is Accountable?

Bill Cotterell asks: "should the state penalize public employees for doing their jobs with the power and resources - that is, money - they're given by the governor and Legislature?" "Every DCF chief has a hopeless job". Good question, which is why the Judge is "Looking To Cite "Jeb!" With Contempt"




Touch-Screens

"Sarasota County elections officials may be forced to ditch their touch-screen voting machines, but don't expect Charlotte County Supervisor of Elections Mac Horton to follow along willingly." "Horton likes his voting machines".