Crist campaign is trying to make last-minute arrangements for a debate with Jim Davis in Miami, which might not be televised statewide, in an what appears to be an attempt to avoid a previously planned Hardball-style debate hosted by Chris Matthews.

Crist doesn’t want a debate with the format of Matthews’ Hardball show, his campaign says – he prefers a more conventional style with timed speeches from podiums. ...

WFLA-TV in Tampa and the other NBC affiliates in Florida have long planned to host the Matthews debate Oct. 30, to be broadcast live on their stations.

But the Crist campaign told the station late last week it opposed the format, and might not participate unless it was changed. Negotiations have been continuing since.

Speaking of Chickens ...

"We are told by people who pay attention to such things that the Bush family had high hopes for son Jeb, because he was considered the brightest of all the boys. Never mind that being the brightest Bush boy is a little like being the most talented oboe player in Logan, Ohio."

On Oct. 6, Jeb the Lesser, let's call him, landed in Pittsburgh, coming to the aid of beleaguered Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and was immediately engaged by a Union detachment, in this case the United Steelworkers Union, much like his namesake [J.E.B. Stuart] had been engaged by Kilpatrick's cavalry at Hanover, east of Gettysburg.

But unlike his namesake, Jeb the Lesser took refuge in a closet. ...

Jeb's security detail hustled him into a subway broom closet, where he remained until the pickets were dispersed by the police.

"It was a very tense situation. They were very close to the governor and shouting on top of him." That slightly bewildering sentence sounds like something Jeb's oldest brother would have cobbled together, but the paper attributed it to a Port Authority spokesman.

Imagine what Limbaugh and the fabulists at the Fox News Network could have made of that if it had been Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, blowing kisses to the steelworkers before ducking for cover, instead of Jeb the Lesser:

"Pennsylvania Governor comes out of closet in Pittsburgh. State's Democrats in disarray. Santorum deplores moral depravity in high places, calls for governor's impeachment."

Hey, with Fox's penchant for identifying rogue Republicans as Democrats, it could still happen.

57% Have Yet To Form An Opinion On Davis

"On Tuesday, Davis, the Democratic nominee for governor, was on a Miami radio station being quizzed by talk show host Jim DeFede, who was asking him about a new Quinnipiac University poll that showed Davis trailing Crist by 10 points among likely voters. DeFede was not that interested in the point spread. He was curious about the finding that '57 percent of those surveyed haven't heard enough to form an opinion' of Davis, who has been campaigning since Feb. 10, 2005." "Democrats worry Davis lacks the cash, drive to catch Crist".

Anderson Bends Over

"Palm Beach County Elections Supervisor Arthur Anderson said Thursday he's now leaning toward putting notices in polling locations letting voters know how their ballots will be counted in the unusual race to replace disgraced U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fort Pierce. After originally rejecting the idea, Anderson said a legal opinion put forward by the Florida Association of Supervisors of Elections looks like a sensible solution. It would alert voters that a vote cast for Foley actually goes to substitute candidate Joe Negron of Stuart, and also say a vote for Democratic candidate Tim Mahoney counts for Mahoney and a vote for unaffiliated candidate Emmie Ross counts for Ross." "Polling notice on Foley replacement sensible solution, Palm elections chief says".

More Anderson news: "Another election glitch".

October Surprise

"A company headed by the Democratic candidate for Mark Foley's congressional seat is being sued over what investors say is a fraudulent transaction." "Democratic candidate's firm added to fraud suit".

What War?

"Polls and candidates' forums show the Iraq war is a top issue on the minds of voters, but congressional candidates across Florida are veering away from details about troop deployments, withdrawal dates, diplomacy efforts and other specific strategies." "Despite voter concerns, candidates dodge war".

"McCollum's Misrepresentation"

"Voters have come to expect a little exaggeration in political campaigns. Outright distortion, however, shouldn't be tolerated. Distorting the truth is what Republican attorney general candidate Bill McCollum is doing in his attack on Democratic candidate Walter "Skip" Campbell over a 2001 payday loan bill."

One of the attorney general's main responsibilities is to interpret and enforce state consumer-protection laws. After McCollum's misrepresentation of the payday loan bill, voters might reasonably question his ability to fulfill that duty.

Testy Debate

"Republican U.S. Rep. Ric Keller painted Democrat Charlie Stuart as a tax-raising Nancy Pelosi liberal, while Stuart cast Keller as a do-nothing lawmaker who if re-elected would be either a lame duck or a promise-breaker."

Citing Keller's pledge in 2000 to serve no more than four terms if elected to Congress, Stuart asked the three-term incumbent whether he would stick to that promise if re-elected. "Either he's a lame-duck congressman for the next two years," Stuart said, "or he's breaking his word."

Keller responded that he doesn't know what will happen down the road. "When I make that decision, I'll let you know," he said.

Reform Demanded

"Hundreds of residents demand insurance reform at state meeting". See also "Schemes, but no clear solutions, on insurance".

Paper Trail Case

"The Florida Supreme Court refused to get involved Thursday in a dispute between the state and a citizens group over a Nov. 7 ballot initiative that would require Sarasota County's election system to produce a paper record of votes. The action returns the case to the 2nd District Court of Appeal. The referendum will go ahead in the meantime. Voters will be asked to change the county's charter to require that voting machines leave a paper trail beginning in 2008." "Court avoids Sarasota ballot issue".

"No Buddy"

"Elections Supervisor [and Jebbie appointee] Buddy Johnson owes Hillsborough voters an explanation. He botched an initiative to change the county's form of government, and his office's credibility is at stake."

Why was the Hillsborough elections supervisor so unresponsive to a voter petition drive? He needs to quit stalling and explain his actions.

Political Stunt

The story continues to make its way around the State: "Democrats say politics reason for Crist's probe into '51 murder".

Foley Fallout

"Millions of dollars in federal money for communities and counties formerly represented by Mark Foley may be in jeopardy. 'It's normal practice in a situation like this that projects would go away because they no longer have a sponsor, and we don't put any projects in without a sponsor,' said Frank Cushing, clerk and chief of staff for the House Appropriations Committee." "16th District, short on leadership, now may lose money". See also "Panel questions former Foley aide".

Choice Politics

"State official to address anti-abortion group".

Whatever

"Sally Bradshaw, the former campaign manager and chief of staff to outgoing Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, has signaled her preference for president in 2008 -- and it's not Jeb Bush. Bradshaw, who headed Bush's successful campaign for governor in 1998, will serve as Florida advisor to Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's national political action committee, The Commonwealth PAC." "Bradshaw joins Romney team". See also "From Jeb! to Mitt".

"Signature Slip-Ups"

"Signature Slip-Ups Can Annul Absentee Ballots".

Peter Principle

"Three-term U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, is the only Florida Republican candidate for Congress not to draw a Democratic opponent." "Putnam Opponents Are Unaffiliated".

Getting The Boot

"Halloween is still a few weeks away, but chief-of-staff Bob Ward in the House Speaker's office is already playing the role of Grim Reaper. Ward has notified a number of committee staffers that they may no longer be needed in the administration of incoming House Speaker Marco Rubio, a Miami Republican." "House Cleaning".

Tampa Trib Lays Three Eggs

The Tampa Trib editorial board: "Florida Needs Reliable Tom Lee As Chief Financial Officer" "McCollum For Attorney General" and "Keep Bronson Ag. Commissioner".

Incapable Of Doing His Job ...

The "President is coming back to raise more money".

Revolving Door

"With 60 former state legislators signed up to lobby their former colleagues on behalf of various well-paying clients, as of 2005, Florida was second only to Texas, with 70." "As The Door Revolves". See also "Legislators turned lobbyists".

Protect Our Wallets

"Going by the latest campaign finance reports, it might appear that the supporters of Amendment 3 might have an easy ride heading into Election Day."

Reports filed last Friday show that the group Protect Our Constitution has raised $2.2 million to pay for its campaign in support of Amendment 3. The organization's donors read like a who's who list of Florida businesses: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has given $100,000, as has Publix Supermarkets and the Florida Association of Realtors. U.S. Sugar has given $75,000, while former legislator Gaston Cantens gave $50,000. The National Association of Home Builders kicked in $300,000 while the U.S. Chamber of Commerce contributed $100,000.

Trust The Voters has reported raising just $40,500 as of the end of September. But Paul Seago, who is running the anti-Amendment 3 campaign, said the group "will have enough money to meet our goals." Those goals include having enough to do a statewide television buy--which for one week is about $1.2 million.

Laff Riot

"Just because he's a Republican, he said, doesn't mean he won't first look out for the interests of consumers." "Crist warns business not to take him for granted".

The Rich Are Different

"Republican candidate for governor Charlie Crist will be with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Perhaps Trump is expecting a bad hair day; no cameras are allowed." "The Donald or The Grove?"

"Crist's investigation brought no new facts and now he wants to come forth and say all the things he'd done in this case to try to make headway in the black community, which I think is playing politics," state Sen. Les Miller, D-Tampa, said during a conference call arranged by the campaign of Jim Davis, the Democratic opponent of Crist's, a Republican, in the governor's race. ...

Moore's daughter, Evangeline Moore, 76, offered praise for Crist and agreed to be filmed for a TV commercial reading a letter of thanks. Crist said Tuesday he no longer intends to use the footage in an ad.

But that did not quell criticism from Miller and state Rep. Curtis Richardson, D-Tallahassee, who said Crist should have been looking at contemporary issues facing the black community and that the decision to reopen the old case was a political calculation.

"To have used that interview for political gain when (the investigation) was paid for by the taxpayers of the state of Florida would have been absolutely wrong," Richardson said.

reaction from Davis could be a sign the campaign is worried about Crist's appeal in the black community. A Quinnipiac University poll released this week showed Crist taking 20 percent of the African-American vote, which has historically been reliably Democratic.

Florida State University historian and definitive Moore biographer Ben Green already had said the same, calling Mr. Crist's conclusions "deeply flawed" for misreading old investigative reports.

The "clear picture" that Mr. Crist said had emerged came into fuller focus when he sent a crew to the Maryland home of the slain leaders' surviving daughter, Evangeline, to film her reading a "thank you" note she had sent him. He said he would use the unsuspecting daughter's footage, against her wishes, in a campaign ad. Then he said that he wouldn't politicize the murders. Then he made a personal appeal to Ms. Moore, after which she consented to the use of the note.

"They faked the conclusion of the investigation, manipulated Evangeline and her family to do a campaign ad, and did it all to win the black vote," Mr. Green told the Orlando Sentinel. "The honorable thing would have been not to put her in the middle of a governor's race in the first place." Mr. Crist, who this week said he won't use the footage, could have looked good in all this. But he oversold his case, because, as the skeptics had suspected, he was selling himself.

That's Our Mel

Not much of a bridge builder:

The League of Conservation Voters' 2006 "Environmental Scorecard'' finds that Florida's U.S. House members averaged 39 percent in terms of supporting LCV positions. The full scorecard is here, and the Florida ratings here:

Senator Martinez 0%

Nelson Ahead

"Incumbent Sen. Nelson still far ahead, poll finds". But wait! There is this: "Harris beating Nelson?".

Running Off At The Mouth

"Jim Davis jumped on statements Republican Charlie Crist made Tuesday that seemed to indicate Crist would support a constitutional amendment capping property taxes like California’s infamous proposition 13. Crist was in Tampa talking about insurance and taxes when some property owners complained about the toll taxes were taking on their homes and investment properties." "Reckless or Misunderstood?" See also "Crist Backs Property Tax Limit".

Top Issue

"Six of 10 Floridians think soaring property insurance costs are top issue in governor's race." "Voters want insurance solutions from candidates". See also "Davis Aims To Cut Home Insurance Costs".

GOP Slime

"Before the race even officially began, voters in a state Senate district that spans Tampa Bay were given the goods on Charlie Justice. Justice, a 38-year-old three-term House member and University of South Florida academic adviser, found himself with this label: 'Wrong for children. Wrong for families. Wrong for us.'"

The Republican mailer lacked explanation, of course, and its message presumably came as a surprise to Justice's wife and two young daughters. But be forewarned, District 16 voters. This is only the beginning of a ground and air assault that may employ weapons of mass distortion.

Justice's opponent, 35-year-old advertising consultant and three-term House member Kim Berfield, has had plenty of practice. In a nasty Republican primary with Frank Farkas, she and Farkas did everything but throw spitwads. Farkas tried to tar her as a Scientologist, which she is not, and pictured her wearing a beauty queen's sash labeled: "Ms. Insurance Industry Friend of the Year." Berfield superimposed Farkas' face on a dog, as in lapdog, and portrayed him as reaching into a cookie jar: "As a boy, 'lil Frankie Farkas developed a bad habit."

Now the stakes are raised, and both parties think they have a shot at winning this seat. That means big money, maybe as much as $7-million, could be poured into this matchup. Unfortunately, that also means voters are likely to be treated to many more sophomoric stunts that have no relationship to reality.

The claim that Justice is "wrong for children" is so witless as to be comical, but a new commercial casting Justice as a tool of the insurance industry suffers from a bizarre identity crisis.

In the primary, Farkas may have exaggerated Berfield's close relationship with the insurance industry. And Democrats already have wrongly attributed the source of a description of her as the "darling of the insurance industry." But Berfield is in fact chairwoman of a House insurance committee that has failed miserably to bring homeowners' insurance rates under control. She in fact was named representative of the year in 2004 by the Florida Insurance Council. She in fact, as of last month, had received $73,000 in campaign contributions from the insurance industry - 15 times as much as Justice.

Pending Lawsuit

"During a conference call with Florida Association of Supervisors of Elections attorney Ron Labasky, seven of the eight election supervisors in the 16th Congressional District reluctantly agreed to post signs near each poll's sign-in sheet telling voters that a vote for Foley would count for his replacement as the Republican candidate, state Rep. Joe Negron, R-Stuart." "Foley signs could spark election controversy". See also "Signs will tell voters Negron replaces Foley", "Poll notices to remind: A vote for Foley is a vote for Negron".

Brain Trust

"Jeb Bush meets with Mississippi Gov." "Mississippi Gov thanks Jeb for hurricane help".

Samm Simpson

"David versus Goliath. That's how observers describe Democrat Samm Simpson's battle against Washington powerhouse C.W. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, in the general election Nov. 7." "Democrat Is Major Underdog In U.S. House District 10 Race".

Ad Watch

See "Miami Herald ADWATCH: 'Expensive'" and "Miami Herald ADWATCH: 'Lower Rates'".

Harris Claims Misinterpretation

"Harris has refused to apologize or retract her statements. But she said Wednesday she does regret the way her statements were interpreted." "Harris explains views to Jews". See also "Harris meets with Jewish group about 'legislating sin' comment" and "Harris addresses Jewish residents".

Siplin

"Siplin could lose law license".

Foley Fallout

"The Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach has sent a formal letter asking Mark Foley's attorney to identify the clergyman who allegedly abused the former congressman." "Foley asked to name alleged molester".

Not So Fast

"Florida Republicans are within striking distance of powerful committee posts just as voters threaten to hand control of the House to Democrats, a frustrating prospect after 12 years building good will and seniority in the GOP-controlled chamber." "Florida GOP poised to lead choice House committees".

Time For A Change

"When Floridians lose Jeb Bush as their governor in three months, they will also lose their de facto education czar - a man who has made remaking the state's education system according to his own vision an eight-year mission." "Tone on education policy to change". See also "Parents Weigh Governor's Effect On FCAT's Future".

Davis on Citizens

"Florida homeowners who found themselves thrown out of Citizens Property Insurance and shunted into a private insurer that increased their rates are due a refund, contends gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis." "Davis contends Citizens should compensate homeowners".

Poos Mark

"Then-U.S. Rep. Mark Foley complained in an e-mail to Gov. Jeb Bush in 2004 that he was being ignored by President Bush on his trips to Florida after several hurricanes."

Foley resigned his congressional seat last month after his sexually explicit instant messages to former male pages became public. Before then, the Republican had maintained a regular dialogue with the Florida governor on a number of issues, mostly inconsequential, by e-mail.

But in one, he wanted the governor to intercede with his brother on some perceived slights. Foley complained that U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam accompanied President Bush on a visit into Putnam's central Florida congressional district and noted that state Rep. Joe Negron was on another trip.

"I can't quite figure what I have done, but this is a continuing pattern of slights," Foley complained in a Sept. 29, 2004, e-mail to the governor.

Negron

"Negron gets money from national GOP". See also "National GOP spends $244,300 in fight to keep Foley district".

Be Careful Out There

"Jury awards $11.3 million in Internet defamation case".

Talk Talk

"A federal court told Gov. Jeb Bush's top lawyer Wednesday to give a deposition in a sexual-harassment case, saying her investigation that led to Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Terry White's firing is at the heart of the state's defense against a lawsuit by a former employee." "Deposition of Bush attorney ordered in White case".

Kottkamp

"Jeff Kottkamp was talking about families, crime and the American free-enterprise system. As he shook hands and posed for pictures with well-wishers at a fish fry in this rural crossroads hard against the Alabama border, the Cape Coral legislator repeatedly reminded voters that he and Attorney General Charlie Crist share their values. In the Panhandle, that means cutting taxes, opposing abortion and leaving people's guns alone." "Kottkamp hits Panhandle; touts values, voting record".

We Can Only Hope

"More voters tuning in to politics, poll says".

Turncoat

"Former Rod Squader Todd McWaters quit the Jim Davis campaign on Monday after less than a month. He was a Davis organizer in Northwest Florida, but he's gone to work for Coalition for Bipartisan Progress, the Charlie Crist 527 that has attracted other Smith refugees." "Another Defector".

Crist, the state's attorney general, was backed by 53 percent of likely voters, including leaners, compared to 43 percent who said they favored the Democratic congressman from Tampa with 3 percent undecided. The random telephone survey of 783 likely voters was taken between Oct. 3-8 by Quinnipiac (Conn.) University Polling Institute.

Crist-Foley Connection?

"The Democrats have asked for all information relating to the page case that the attorney general's office has, including any contacts Crist himself has had with the former congressman. They also are seeking Foley-related communications between the attorney general's office and the office of Gov. Jeb Bush, U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., other congressmen and the Republican National Committee."

A Crist campaign spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Florida Republican Party spokesman Jeff Sadosky called the records request a "resort to gutter politics and baseless accusations."

State Democratic spokesman Mark Bubriski replied that Republicans shouldn't be worried if they don't have anything to hide.

Charlie Lost

"Charlie Crist held a hastily-arranged forum with supporters in Tampa today to talk about hurricane insurance and property taxes, but when the talk turned to taxes, he gave a surprising answer to citizens’ questions. Crist appeared to say he favors a California Proposition 13-style tax revolt constitutional amendment in Florida. ... Campaign spokesmen couldn’t immediately clarify exactly what sort of tax-limiting amendment Crist favors." "Crist For A Prop-13 Style Tax Revolt?" See also "Crist Backs Property Tax Limit".

Crist Goes After Dems

"South Florida Democrats are getting mailers in the governor's race from the GOP. Polls showed that Republican Charlie Crist is picking up a good number of Democratic voters." "GOP's Crist reaches out to S. Florida Democrats".

Davis on Property Insurance

"If elected governor, Florida homeowners will see lower property insurance rates as soon as next year and a guarantee of at least partial coverage by the state, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jim Davis said Tuesday." "Davis plan: State to cover $20 billion in storm damages". See also "Davis touts plan to slash cost of storm coverage 40%", "On each side, an insurance plan", "Davis Aims To Cut Home Insurance Costs", "Davis plan lets state cover $20 billion in storm damage", "Davis plan lets state cover $20 billion in storm damage" and "Davis tackles property-insurance woes".

Financial Backgrounds

"Crist and Davis have several similarities to their financial backgrounds. Yet there are some striking differences that help to describe who they are, what they value and, perhaps, how each would govern. They seek a four-year, taxpayer-funded job with an annual salary of $132,932 and free residence in the stately Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee. Based on interviews with the candidates and family members, tax forms and financial disclosure documents, here are overviews of their financial backgrounds." "Rivals Crist and Davis experienced public servants, neither is a millionaire".

Cuba

"Violators of sanctions against Cuba targeted".

Good Luck

"Florida conservation groups want the state to commit $1 billion annually to preserve wildlife and create parks." "Environmental groups ask for more money".

"Ah, politics"

"A 2001 bill sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Walter 'Skip' Campbell created some of the toughest regulations of the payday loan industry in the country."

It was co-authored by a Republican, passed unanimously by the Legislature and roundly praised by Gov. Jeb Bush.

But now that Campbell is running for attorney general, his Republican opponent and a newly formed political action group are attacking the legislation as a de facto tax on the poor.

Ah, politics.

The Republican candidate, former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, says Campbell's bill was ill conceived, burdening Florida's neediest residents. "He acts too hastily," McCollum said of Campbell.

Pruitt Gets A Pass

"The Florida Commission on Ethics announced last month that it had cleared state Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, of complaints related to his political and personal dealings. The issue, however, is less what the ethics panel found and more what the panel didn't look at. ... the commission refused to scrutinize the $2,000 monthly payment Mr. Sanger also had been making to Sen. Pruitt for consulting on strategies and coordinating contacts as Mr. Sanger expanded his business from Palm Beach County into Port St. Lucie. The Post reported that the money could have covered Sen. Pruitt's mortgage and taxes, giving him, in effect, a free house. During an interview last week with The Post, Sen. Pruitt said he is no longer under contract to Mr. Sanger because the company's expansion has been successful and the senator's services no longer are needed." "Ethics panel and Pruitt: An inadequate review".

Sink Endorsed

The Palm Beach Post editorial board believes that "Democrat Alex Sink has the better qualifications to be Florida's chief financial officer, and she also has the better argument" "Start fresh, with Sink".

The Amendment Thing

"Floridians have voted in recent years to shrink school class sizes, stamp out public smoking and even restrict pig farming. They have started a statewide pre-kindergarten program, taken both sides in a fight about medical malpractice and approved -- then derailed -- a high-speed train. But as voters get ready to go to the polls in November, they face a controversial proposal that would make it harder for them to approve similar measures in the future as amendments to the state constitution." "Proposal makes amending constitution harder for voters". See also "Special interests want you to vote against yourself".

RPOF Ad "Turns Some Facts Upside Down"

"This [RPOF] ad turns some facts upside down. Davis did not vote for 'billions in new taxes.' Even the explanation for the statement sent by the Republican Party disputes that notion. Instead, the GOP says that Davis voted, in 1999, against a $792 million 'tax cut.' The ad's claim that Davis wants to 'tax savings, tax seniors' is a broad interpretation of Davis' statement that he would bring back the intangibles tax. Democrats say it taxes the rich. Republicans say the tax hurts middle-class seniors. Regardless, the tax does not affect all seniors. Davis has said that all special-interest tax breaks would be up for elimination. He has said he will reduce property taxes by $1 billion." "Ad watch". See also "New Crist ad slams Davis".

Crist and his allies are apparently willing to say anything:

First, while Davis has voted for tax increases during his decade in Congress, his campaign notes that Davis has voted for tax cuts, too. And one of the votes the ad cites as a tax increase was a bill that would only have permitted counties to hold local referenda on a proposed tax. Davis' Republican opponent, Charlie Crist, has supported similar legislation in the past.

But the ad particularly stretches Davis recent comments that “all Florida tax breaks” should be considered for elimination. Davis in fact wants to make the sales-tax holidays on back-to-school materials, hurricane supplies and energy-efficient products and appliances annual events. Davis does say he would seek to bring back the intangibles tax on investments — which Republicans say hurts seniors and savers but which Democrats argue is paid only by the wealthiest Floridians — and repeal other tax cuts, particularly those carved out for specific industries and companies. But the ad doesn’t mention that Davis only wants to do so as part of a plan to cut property taxes across Florida by $1 billion.

GOP Attacks Mahoney

"It didn't take long for the contest to replace ex-U.S. Rep. Mark Foley to turn negative. According to the campaign for Democratic candidate Tim Mahoney, the National Republican Congressional Committee has spent roughly $500,000 on ads attacking Mahoney's position on Social Security reform" "Negron-Mahoney race goes negative". See also "Candidates for Foley's seat agree to a series of debates" and "Negron's climb was slow but sure".

Being There

Ric [sic] Keller takes credit for simply being there. See "Ad watch: Ric Keller for Congress".

Political Newbie

"The political newbie is a black Republican trying to win election in a traditionally Democratic district. He is running against Kathy Castor to represent District 11, in a seat being vacated by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis. Castor is a well-known Hillsborough County Commissioner and daughter of former state education commissioner and University of South Florida President Betty Castor. Jim Greenwald and R.J. Spencer are write-in candidates in the race." "Adams Making Grassroots Bid For Congress".

Laff Riot

He said it: "'Too many people are trying to politicize it and I don’t want to do that'", Charlie said. "Crist Won't Use Moore Commercial". See also "Crist: I won't use Evangeline Moore in ads", "Crist Will Not Use Moore Commercial" and "Jones 'outraged' by Crist's handling of case".

Foley Fallout

"Ethics panel to tackle Foley case". See also "Republicans on defensive", "Foley scandal threatens GOP hold in Florida's congressional races" and "Legal battle takes shape in Foley investigation".

Hollywood Scandal

"Hollywood City Commissioner Keith Wasserstrom secretly cut a deal with a sludge-processing contractor and launched a lobbying blitz to help the company secure an $18 million city contract, prosecutors charged Tuesday." "Hollywood commissioner accused of profiting to help firm win $18 million contract".

Dean Optimistic

"In UM visit, Dean is optimistic about Democrats' chances".

Shaw-Klein

"Shaw and Klein, locked in one of the nation's tightest and costliest congressional contests, reemphasized many of the themes that have dominated the campaign for months." "Congressional candidates hit familiar themes in debate". See also "Big money here lures political big names" ("Barbara Bush is the featured guest at a campaign lunch for U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw today.")

Lee Ad

"A day after Democrat Alex Sink launched her first television spot, the Republican Party of Florida is starting a new statewide spot touting Senate President Tom Lee for chief financial officer." "New Tom Lee ad to hit the airwaves".

CD 13

It took just more than a month and some serious cajoling from the governor, but Republican Nancy Detert has finally agreed to support fellow Republican Buchanan for Congress.

Buchanan narrowly defeated Detert and Tramm Hudson on Sept. 5 in a GOP primary. But since then, Detert and Hudson have avoided supporting Buchanan publicly. Both were no-shows at two different "unity" rallies intended to smooth over the hurt feelings from a particularly rough primary season.

Few "Gus Sightings"

"His Democratic opponent, noting rare "Gus sightings," says that she is convinced the Republican is avoiding her."

The television studio was all ready to go: The moderator was at the lectern, the timekeeper was in position. The camera operators were ready to roll.

But the candidates' table was set for one.

"I'm sorry I don't have more people with me," Phyllis Busansky, the Democratic candidate for the 9th Congressional District, said with a chuckle.

In recent weeks, Busansky has often remarked that "sightings" of Gus Bilirakis, her Republican opponent, are rare.

A "Gus sighting," Busansky said, is any encounter with Bilirakis in which he says more than three sentences.

Busansky, 69, a former Hillsborough County commissioner, said she is convinced that her opponent is ducking her.

Foley Hurting Buchanan

Jeremy Wallace writes that "Mark Foley's scandalous departure from Congress is taking a toll on Vern Buchanan's campaign scheduling. Already, Republican National Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Tom Reynolds has had to cancel a joint appearance with Buchanan in Sarasota. Now, plans to have U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert in town later this month are 'up in the air,' said Sally Tibbetts, a spokeswoman for Buchanan's campaign."

Pinellas Dems

"For Democrats, who are banking on wins in Pinellas to bring them a few more seats in the state Legislature, there is strain between the state and local parties." "Local Democratic Party's internal beef is no help".

South Florida Key

"Battle for Congress keys on South Florida".

CD 5

"Incumbent Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, supports the war in Iraq, backs a congressional plan to build a fence along the Mexican border and thinks this country needs to increase oil exploration to reduce dependence on foreign crude. Challenger John Russell of Dade City denounces the war and the Bush administration's handling of it, opposes offshore drilling and thinks Congress has failed on immigration changes. With less than four weeks until Election Day, Brown-Waite, who has raised more than $500,000 for her campaign over the past year, is leading the challenger in both money and support. A recent poll conducted for News Channel 8 indicates that Russell trails Brown-Waite by 16 points in the sprawling district." "National Divisions Show In 5th District Contest". See also "Brown-Waite Runs A Confident Campaign" and "Russell Raises A Fist At Washington Politics".

This is an odd turn of events in a general election race that so far has been driven by Crist's partisan strategy of portraying his opponent as a dastardly "Washington liberal." But Crist is promising a statewide vote to give a larger exemption to the property owners who need it least, and Davis says he would actually reduce by $1-billion the amount of property taxes the state seeks next year to pay for schools.

Who's the liberal and who's the conservative? ...

With Halloween approaching, both candidates are trying to toss candy to voters. But Davis' plan does respond to complaints about high property taxes by actually lowering the amount the state demands from local authorities for schools. Crist, meanwhile, calls for future exemptions that may or may not lower the overall tax burden and would, in either event, pass along most of the bill to cities and counties. To that extent, Crist is more trick and Davis more treat.

Charlie, The Utility Funded "Consumer Warrior"

"Republican Charlie Crist is running hard as a consumer advocate in his bid for governor, but that hasn't stopped him and the GOP from accepting almost $1.8 million in campaign contributions from the same powerful utilities that he has fought." "Utilities generous to Crist, GOP".

Head In Sand

"Gov. Bush continues to insist that Florida has 'more a hurricane problem than an insurance problem.'" "On insurance, will state get fooled again?"

It All Started With a Kiss

Curious that the AP wire stories on Jebbie cowering in a closet fail to mention that the whole thing was actually started by Jebbie: "Protesters said Gov. Bush blew them a kiss, acknowledging the crowd of about 30 chanting pickets that was made up of United Steelworkers and members of Uprise Counter Recruitment, a tour traveling through 22 cities to support anti-war efforts." "Jeb Bush gets rude welcome".

Big Ain't Necessarily Better

"Where are the big, hairy goals now?".

Keller-Stuart Debate

What exactly has "Ric [sic]" done in the past 6 years?

In their first face-to-face debate, Republican Congressman Ric Keller and his Democrat challenger Charlie Stuart give a snapshot of what voters will likely see in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 7 election.

Stuart, 54, questions just what Keller has done during the past six years in Congress to make America safer and better for the average family.

"Ric says often, 'We're gonna, we're gonna, we're gonna,' " Stuart said. "He's had six years. Five years since 9-11." ...

And the furor over former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fort Pierce, continued with calls for investigations and the resignation of House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., or anyone who knew about Foley's sexually explicit e-mails to teenage congressional pages.

Keller said what Foley did was wrong and said he supports a criminal investigation of Foley and an ethics investigation of anyone in Congress who knew about his e-mails. Hastert and other top House leaders had heard last year of one e-mail exchange in which Foley asked a 16-year-old boy to send him a picture, but did nothing beyond warning Foley to sever communication with the teen.

As for not acting more forcefully a year ago, Keller said, "All I can tell you is that the St. Pete Times and The Miami Herald had that e-mail. They didn't think it was newsworthy."

Stuart also endorsed criminal and ethics investigations. But as for what other Republicans knew, he said, "What it looks like is that someone did know and someone did nothing."

Standing By Your Man

"Don't count Republican Senate candidate Katherine Harris among those second-guessing House Speaker Dennis Hastert's handling of the Mark Foley scandal. Hastert may have been aware of "creepy" e-mails from Foley to a 16-year-old page, but in a Political Connections interview airing today on Bay News 9, Harris noted those e-mails were not explicit and stressed that the St. Petersburg Times saw the same ones." "Harris stands firm behind speaker in the unfolding of Foley scandal".

Nelson

"Some say the senator should aid others with his cash, popularity"

But with national sentiments shifting against the GOP, Nelson's play-it-safe strategy and the size of his campaign coffers -- Congress' third-largest at $12 million -- are not lost on Florida Democrats, some of whom say he should do more to help gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis and the party's three state Cabinet hopefuls, all of whom trail in polls and fundraising.

"Senator Nelson has a big war chest, and I basically think he needs to spread that money around the party and to other candidates," said Daisy Black, president of the Florida Democratic Black Caucus. "He's the father figure of the party, and I wish he would look out for other people. ... I don't think he has. I get the impression that he feels he's not a part of the rest of group."

Rapid Tour

"Negron on rapid tour of district".

Reno

"Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno will make her first appearance in the governor's race tomorrow in Miami." "Reno, Davis and Jones".

Ritzy

"It was more than just votes Crist was hoping to drum up this close to the election. Sarasota's value to Crist was clear by the nature of his stop -- a $500-per-person fundraiser at the Ritz-Carlton." "Crist fires up GOP, raises money".

Bailing on Negron?

The NYTimes via The Buzz: "Republicans in Florida do not plan to spend any money to defend the seat once held by Mr. Foley, effectively conceding it to the Democratic challenger, Tim Mahoney, who, not taking any chances, is running advertisements in which he pledges to return 'moral values' to Congress." "Negron's money".

Our Green Governor

"Fortunately for Florida, Gov. Bush has given up his attempt to end court oversight of the state's $1.1 billion Everglades cleanup." "Jeb gives (in); 'Glades gets".

Mel's Bad Enough

"To support Bill Nelson's reelection bid, you don't have to be a Democrat seeking political revenge for 2000. You just have to be a Floridian who wants a competent, sensible, productive United States senator, not the embarrassment that Katherine Harris would be for the state. ... her candidacy has been one long-running freak show. She has revealed terrorism plots that didn't exist, run through staff members the way Marie Antoinette ran through dresses and declared that electing anyone but Christians like her would allow sin to overrun America. Then there's the federal investigation of her link to a corrupt defense contractor. Rep. Harris will draw votes from blindly loyal Republicans." "Keep state's credibility; return Nelson to Senate".

Foley

"For Mark Foley, ambitions, private demons battled". See also "Associates fooled by Foley's attention-seeking public persona", "Democratic congressional candidate criticizes GOP on Foley matter" and "One certainty in ethics probe: no punishment for Foley".

HD 53

"Florida Elections Commission investigators want to know whether a political action committee led by Adrien Helm, wife of Pinellas Democratic Party chairman Ed Helm, violated campaign laws in advance of the September primaries." "PAC under investigation in HD 53".

HD 69

"Democrat gains money edge?".

Overcoming RPOF Election Obstacles

"The League of Women Voters came [Saturday] to ground zero for the 2000 presidential recount, fresh on the heels of a recent court victory in their fight against a tough new voter-registration law." "Voter group decries election obstacles".

Gorham

"It may be difficult to beat any Republican in District 10, but Stephen Gorham isn't a typical Democrat." "Oh, yeah, the guy running against Ronda".