"McCain and Obama Are Tied in Florida"

"The Presidential race in Florida is now tied. The latest Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Sunshine State finds John McCain and Barack Obama each earning support from 48% of voters."

The fruits of the media's inability to do its job:

Sarah Palin is viewed favorably by 54% and unfavorably by 42%. Biden receives favorable ratings from 51% and unfavorable ratings from 43%.

"Election 2008: Florida Presidential Election".

Perhaps this will open the eyes of some folk, but e doubt it:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a "per diem" allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.

[On top of that] the governor's daughters and husband charged the state $43,490 to travel, and many of the trips were between their house in Wasilla and Juneau, the capital city 600 miles away, the documents show.

"Palin Billed State for Nights Spent at Home, Taxpayers Also Funded Family's Travel"




The pitchforkers are a comin' ...

... after The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Suspend travel, remittance restrictions on Cuba to assist island's post-hurricane recovery." ("The United States must show compassion, and diplomatic smarts, by easing remittance and travel restrictions to Cuba.")

More: "Fla. Cubans, Haitians struggle to help Ike victims".




'Glades

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Palm Beach County commissioners have no reason today to give Florida Crystals a head start on converting land in the middle of the Everglades into an industrial center. And the South Florida Water Management District, which may pay $1.75 billion for U.S. Sugar, has no reason to encourage the idea." "Everglades, then port".




No mulligan for Feeney

"Two people stand between U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney and a fourth term: Suzanne Kosmas and Jack Abramoff. Kosmas is his Democratic opponent. Abramoff is his albatross, a convicted influence-peddler who took Feeney and seven others on a Scotland golf junket in 2003. Feeney, while insisting he didn't know Abramoff picked up his tab, ultimately repaid the $5,643 he said was his share of the trip. But for the past year, he has faced a lingering federal investigation that -- though it has produced no criminal charges -- has provided campaign ammunition for Democrats." "Ties to disgraced lobbyist Abramoff hang over Feeney's campaign".

Move along folks, nothing to see: "Envelope at Feeney's office holds flour".




Fire sale

"GOP offers access, photos with Palin for $50,000 in Calif.".




Hill

"Stumping for Obama in Fla., Clinton won't dwell on Palin", "Clinton says election isn't about Palin's gender", "In Tampa, Clinton Bypasses Palin Questions", "In Florida, Clinton beset by Palin talk", "Clinton back on road for Obama in Florida", "Hillary vs. Sarah? Don't bet on it." and "Clinton stumps in state".




Poor John

The best he could do? "McCain to stop by Jacksonville for a pancake breakfast".

More: "McCain to visit Florida next week". See also "McCain to visit Florida next week".




"Creativity"? Don't count on it

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "With the main federal trust fund used to pay for highway and bridge improvements soon projected to go broke, the pressure on Florida and other states to be more creative and efficient with transportation dollars only grows more urgent." "Transportation blues".




Take me to your leaders

Incoming House Speaker Ray Sansom, R-Destin, "named the following Republicans to leadership positions:"

* Speaker pro tempore: Rep. Larry Cretul of Ocala.

* Rules chairman: Rep. Bill Galvano of Bradenton.

* Rules vice chairman: Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale.

* Majority leader: Rep. Adam Hasner of Delray Beach.

* Deputy majority leader: Rep. Anitare Flores of Miami.

* Majority whip: Rep. Ron Reagan of Bradenton.

"New House speaker announces key leadership positions".




Whooppee!

"Florida officials convene to address gang problems".




Florida's other Senator to speak ... for a long time?

"Several senators from both parties support the multistate bill, though Florida Democrat Bill Nelson isn't among them. Nelson is hinting at a filibuster, saying he won't let Florida be 'a sacrificial lamb.'" "Congress warms to new oil drilling; Bill Nelson says he won't let Fla. be 'a sacrificial lamb'".

See also "Congress Warming to Offshore Oil Drilling Proposals" and "Senate To Vote On Drilling Next Week".




Nary a break in sight for poor Vern

"One of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's top aides resigned Monday, two days after his second drunken-driving arrest in four months. Ronald Allen Turner, 39, of Sarasota, resigned from his $92,000-a-year job as Buchanan's district director after his Saturday arrest. Turner also relinquished his post as Buchanan's re-election campaign coordinator." "Top Buchanan aide quits after his latest DUI arrest".




Just when you thought our knuckles were leaving the ground ...

... we read this: "Poll: 55% of Fla. voters support gay marriage ban".

Fortunately it needs 60%. See "Poll: Same-sex marriage ban falling short".




More money for Scripps

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "The announcement last week that The Scripps Research Institute will get $80 million over six years, to be split between its Florida and California campuses, shows why politicians threw hundreds of millions against the wall to recruit Scripps. Big federal grants are essential if Scripps is to transform Florida's economy. As envisioned by then-Gov. Bush, Scripps recruits self-sufficient scientists, whose discoveries result in for-profit ventures that bring high-paying jobs."

the editors mouth that "Scripps recruits self-sufficient scientists, whose discoveries result in for-profit ventures that bring high-paying jobs." "Signs of Scripps health".

Sounds great on paper, but they're planning to shut down the fire station down the street, and cut public transportation in the hood.




Time to buy?

Mike Thomas: "Now we have a reasonably priced market with lousy selling conditions. That translates into an excellent opportunity for those who can afford to buy. So, ever so slowly, people have started buying. ... doomsayers will point out that many of these sales are short sales or sales of foreclosed properties. Yep, they are. But that's all part of the healing process." "It's a fine time to buy a house -- really".