Florida "very much a tossup"

"Quinnipiac University released a poll Tuesday that says McCain leads Obama by a margin of 47 percent to 43 percent in Florida. A poll last month showed Obama ahead 46-44 percent. Peter A. Brown, assistant director of Quinnipiac's Polling Institute, said the race is "very much a tossup" in Florida and two other key states, Ohio and Pennsylvania." "Latest poll shows McCain leading Obama, 47 to 43 percent". See also "Poll shows McCain has lead over Obama in Florida".




No turnout ...

"Voter turnout worst in 10 years" See also "Not much fuss — or turnout — at Palm Beach County polls".




... No problems

"Low-turnout and minor mishaps marked Tuesday's primary election across Florida, the first since legislation required a paper trail for all ballots." "Low turnout statewide in elections". See also "Paper ballots make generally smooth debut in Broward County".

"So few Floridians went to the polls on Tuesday that it at least gave elections officials what amounted to a test run for new optical scan technology. Given the rate of scanner failure and the slowness of the new check-in procedures, supervisors should feel fortunate the general election is still 10 weeks away." "Primary reveals vote kinks".




And so it goes

"Few incumbents facing primary challenges in Fla.".




A fine idea at the time

"Biden might not have a big effect on the Democratic presidential ticket in Florida -- but his selection could help block Gov. Charlie Crist from being John McCain's running mate." "With Biden in, Crist could have less of a shot".




DemCon

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Now that the Democratic Party has agreed to seat the entire Florida delegation at the national convention, delegates are tripping all over each other to declare that the feud between the state and national parties is over. 'It's all good now,' one Florida county chairman told reporters. Not so fast." "Delegation seated, but problem unresolved". See also "" and "State's delegates wistful for Clinton".




Time to cut taxes

"Lawmakers reacted with calm Wednesday to a new forecast that they could be facing a $3.5 billion budget hole in the 2009-10 fiscal year." "Fla. facing $3.5 billion budget hole in 2009-10".




"If you're going to pat yourself on the back"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "If you're going to pat yourself on the back for restoring civil rights, Mr. Crist, you may as well free up a few hands to finish what you started." "Gov. Crist's grand plan for restoring ex-felons' rights needs revamping". See also "Crist makes it easier for Florida's felons to vote".




"How to invite more floods by permitting more homes"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "Tax-base seduction".




Misc. election results

- The poor things: "Mario Rubio, brother of the state House speaker, lost his bid for a House seat from Jacksonville. Will Pruitt, brother of the Senate president, lost a House race in Central Florida."

- "The power of Gov. Charlie Crist's endorsement proved to be a mixed bag on Tuesday as one Crist-backed candidate was headed for victory while another went down to defeat." "Endorsements, bloodlines no help for many in state races".

- "Rooney clings to slim lead in U.S. House race; Reps. Hastings, Klein winning handily". See also "Rooney will face Mahoney in former Foley seat" and "Rooney's road strategy pays off with congressional primary win". More: "Fall Hotbeds in Florida Produced Close Primaries Tuesday" ("Tuesday’s primary to decide the nominee for the Republicans’ top-priority House takeover bid in Florida — and one of its biggest in the nation — also produced the closest race. ").

- "Kosmas, Feeney showdown set; Armitage moves ahead for Mica's post".

- "Longtime Venice politician Nancy Detert overcame a significant fundraising disadvantage to narrowly win the Republican primary for the District 23 Senate seat Tuesday." "Detert narrowly beats Grant in GOP primary for state seat".

- "In a race that pitted two political veterans with family ties to the state Legislature against each other, Miami Beach Commissioner Richard Steinberg declared victory in state House District 106." "Steinberg comfortably takes District 106".

- "Ric Keller barely held off a lesser-known and mostly self-funded opponent in the Republican primary Tuesday, raising questions about whether the four-term incumbent could survive his Democratic challenger in November." "Keller will face suprise Democratic winner Grayson in November".

- "Bryan Miller wins House District 83 nomination".

- "In South Florida's most bare knuckle state primary, former state representative Eleanor Sobel is poised to edge out two other political veterans for the southeast Broward Senate seat held by term-limited Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller." "In South Florida's most bare knuckle state primary, former state representative...".

- "Three fight it out for Florida Senate District 31; Jenne, Clarke-Reed, Rogers hold leads in bids for House seats".

- "Rouson heads for Nov. 4 and write-in opponent".

- "Christopher "Chris" Smith handily defeated three opponents in the race to replace State Sen. Mandy Dawson in State Senate District 29, which stretches from Fort Lauderdale to Riviera Beach." "Smith wins State Senate District 29". See also "Herald: Former Rep. Chris Smith appears headed back to Tallahassee".




Another success story, courtesy of Jebbie

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Florida students' SAT scores were only negligibly better than last year, and we're still ranked in the bottom third nationally in math, writing and reading." "Smart money".