Race to the fringe

"In their first debate in Florida, eight Republican presidential contenders in Orlando challenged one another's conservative credentials." "GOP rivals trade jabs on values, Clinton". See also "Republicans on the attack", "Rumble at the Rosen", "Candidates battle to win hearts of conservatives", "Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney defend credentials during GOP debate", "Sparks fly at GOP debate", "GOP hopefuls race to right at debate", "GOP hopefuls debate in Orlando", "GOP rivals argue who's most conservative" and "Republican presidential candidates debate in Orlando". To the extent anyone cares: "Fred flopped, Rudy rocked".

More: "GOP Chickenhawks candidates talk tough"

"In an interview after the Republican presidential debate, Fox News' Carl Cameron tried to pin down Gov. Charlie Crist on a few things: Who won; will he endorse Rudy Giuliani; and will he seek a VP spot? Crist, smiling at a national TV audience, dodged all three." "The elusive Charlie Crist".

And this is just plain silly:

The rhinestone-encrusted elephant brooches sparkled as about 3,000 delegates awaited the eight GOP presidential contenders’ debate at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando.

Two doors down, 226 reporters watched the debate on five flat screen televisions.

That’s because they were not allowed to even enter the Gatlin Ballroom, except for FoxNews reporters who were seated on a platform overlooking the red, white and blue lit stage.

"It’s a virtual debate for reporters".




Another Jebacy

The News-Journal editors - "Even as former Gov. Jeb Bush was pushing the state into a massive privatization of Medicaid, advocates were warning:"

Not so fast.

Bush didn't listen. He wanted sweeping changes, statewide, and he wanted them rapidly. He didn't want to hear that private networks weren't ready to take on a huge influx of patients. He wouldn't listen to those who worried about forcing a medically vulnerable population to choose among health plans to find the one that best meets their needs. He seemed to revel in the attention Florida got from other states for pushing ahead with changes with precious little evidence that they would save the state money. . . .

A new report by the Agency for Health Care Administration's inspector general, Linda Keen, suggests the legislative caution was well-founded -- and that Gov. Charlie Crist has inherited a mess. Bush's "big hairy audacious" reforms, as he called them, aren't working out too well.

"State should hit brakes in Medicaid experiment". The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Delay Medicaid Reform program statewide".




Mel being coy with his kiss of death

"Martinez Now Free For Presidential Politics—But Not Saying With Whom".




GOPers take it where they can find it

"Sure Republicans head into 2008 with an unpopular president, an unpopular war and no consensus on their best presidential candidate. But like manna from heaven, the Democratic presidential candidates' boycott of Florida's Jan. 29 primary has state GOP leaders giddy." "It's a gloating old party".




And then there's this ...

"House, Senate at odds as tax-cut deadline nears". See also "Chambers' chasm endangers chance for tax changes" and "House GOP needs a helping hand from Dems today".




Sex in the City (of Hialeah)

"A week after Hialeah Councilman Jose Caragol made headlines for an oral-sex-laced campaign slogan, his opponent in the race is wondering if the orange code enforcement notice left on her front door Thursday is a sheer 'coincidence' or an act of 'retribution' from the city." "Hialeah council hopeful questions complaint".




Yaaaawn ...

"GOP reaches out to Hispanics". See also "GOP not giving up on Latino voters".




One third world nation to another

"There is hope that Florida's fight with global warming will inspire Third World nations." "Fla. plan on climate upheld as example".




Laff riot

Pamela Hasterok yesterday:

You would have thought the eight Republican candidates on stage were debating the boogeyman rather than each other. After all, Hillary Clinton wasn't there.

Trying to break out of the pack, Republican candidates did everything but trash the furniture to win over the great lot of undecided GOP voters. On a night like Sunday, words matter and candidates searched for just the right ones to bring voters to their side.

"GOP candidates search for just the right words".




Billary

"Bill Clinton told a Miami audience Sunday night why he thinks his wife is the best candidate for president." "Bill Clinton raises money at Miami rally".




Boyd

Even "Boyd sees need for a change in mission".




(Almost) prepaid

"Prepaid tuition plans won't cover full costs at 3 state universities".




The end of the world as we know it

"When the Legislature passed Florida's Defense of Marriage Act several years ago, defining weddings by statute as the legal union of one man and one woman, former Sen. Daryl Jones of Miami made a thoughtful speech."

Forget about gay marriage, Jones said. That's what prompted the state law - Hawaii's Supreme Court had ordered that state's Legislature to show cause that marriage should be limited to heterosexuals, and there were rumblings of "civil unions" in a few other states - but Jones said the issue had broad societal implications.

Essentially, Jones said, a lot of people live together unmarried because that's what they want, or because complications in their personal lives make it better for them. Like it or not, the "Father Knows Best" or "Leave it to Beaver" family model - in which Dad goes to work and dispenses timeless wisdom while Mom stays home and settles kiddie disputes - is of a bygone era, if in fact it was ever prevalent anywhere but on long-ago TV.

Jones predicted that the time would soon come when state government, Florida's largest employer, would have to adapt its personnel policies to what's going on in society.

This month, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink took a very small first step toward such an adaptation. She announced that employees of the Department of Financial Services may use sick leave to care for domestic partners.

"Sink takes one small step for domestic partners".