"She will fill the void that women Democrats across this country are feeling because of Sen. Obama's failure to pick Hillary Clinton as his VP," Greer said. "Many were already teetering and this pick is just going to push them to McCain. It was a very bold move on his part."

"She's no Hillary Clinton," said Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman. "She's Dan Quayle in a dress."

"McCain pick puts focus on women who support offshore drilling, are anti-choice, mock cancer survivors, oppose stem cell research, think creationism should be taught in schools, ardently oppose gun control, dig beauty pageant contestants, want to open up the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to drilling and aren't sure about the global warming thing"

Chump change

"Crist asked a special legislative panel Friday to tap $672 million from a budget reserve fund to help make up another state revenue shortfall." "Crist seeks to tap reserve fund".

"Accountability won the day"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "For elections officials in 15 Florida counties, Tuesday's polling provided a referendum on new paper-based balloting systems. And for the most part, accountability won the day. " "All-paper election a rebuke to naysayers".

Never mind

"A system error resulted in doubling the number of votes counted from most precincts in Tuesday's election in Indian River County, election officials found Thursday. But a computer recount showed the same winners won -- although by much smaller totals, according to an unofficial recount by the county's election Canvassing Board. It included two county judges and a county commissioner." "System error doubles vote count in most Indian River County precincts".

Nelson speaks

"Bill Nelson, Florida's senior statewide elected Democrat, spoke with Deputy Editor of Editorials Tim Nickens and several other reporters this week about Sen. Barack Obama." "Obama and the Fla. vote".

Not exactly what you'd call a kingmaker

"Jim Greer came out of nowhere to become a powerful force as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida."

But even with help from Gov. Charlie Crist, he won by only 13 votes and faces a re-election vote in January.

The question now is whether he helped or hurt his cause in Tuesday's election.

Casting aside the tradition of neutrality, Greer took sides in several races between Republicans for the Legislature or party posts, taping "Hi, this is Jim Greer. Vote for …" robo-calls in some cases.

The problem: Not all Greer's people won, so he may have gained new enemies.

Is the wedding still on?

"Crist said he got a phone call from Sen. John McCain at 9 a.m. Friday with word that the Arizona senator had chosen someone else to be his running mate." "Crist got word from McCain in 9 a.m. phone call". See also "Sorry, Charlie. McCain picks woman running mate Palin".

Read much?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board writes today that "the sound you might have heard Friday from Dayton, Ohio, was Republican presidential nominee John McCain blowing up the mold for running mates." "We think: McCain's pick of Palin makes both tickets historical". Didn't the Dems do this two decades ago?

Ruth

"Johnson used variations on the word 'flawless' so much that you have thought he was talking about Sophia Loren, instead of a parochial election involving 12 strawberry farmers." Just read it: "Putting The Flaw In Flawless".

GOP disenfranchises Florida!!!

I look forward to the media slamming the bejesus out of the GOPers for disenfranchising Florida: "The Republican National Committee today made its penalties stick against South Carolina, New Hampshire, Florida and Michigan for holding primaries earlier than rules allowed. RNC credentials committee member and South Carolina state Rep. Alan Clemmons said that those states all lost half their delegates by holding primaries too early. That cut the size of delegations and influence those states have in picking the GOP nominee." "GOP Upholds Delegate Penalties Against States".

Thanks State, County and City employees

"Floridians think state and local response to the winds and flooding of Tropical Storm Fay was pretty darn good, according to a poll released Friday." "Fay response well-received".

"Fuel costs, projects force increase"

"Customers of Progress Energy Florida could see their electric bills jump more than 30 percent next year, as the utility pays for higher fuel costs and nuclear and environmental projects." "Progress pushes forward to raise electric bills".

Tampa Tribune endorses McCain and his "daring selection"

The unbiased Tampa Tribune editorial board believes that "a campaign that centers on specific issues, which would be welcomed by voters of both parties, will be an advantage for John McCain." "Obama's Speech Resonates, But Also Raises Questions".

The same predictable dopes parrot McCain campaign talking points, finding it "amusing to see the Democrats make the same criticisms of Palin that Republicans make of Obama". "The Maverick Is Back".

"Solutions beyond extending tax cuts for the wealthy"?

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: McCain,

can be expected to emphasize his foreign policy experience and qualifications to be commander in chief. But polls already show most voters believe he is more qualified than Obama in those areas. A better strategy would be for the candidate who cannot remember how many houses he owns to show some empathy for Americans struggling to make ends meet and offer concrete solutions beyond extending tax cuts for the wealthy. That would be of particular interest in Florida, where job losses in July ranked the highest in the country and the unemployment rate is the highest in 13 years. Fighting to eliminate congressional earmarks in the federal budget, however commendable, does not resonate with homeowners behind on their mortgages.

Term limits

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: " There are 37 former mayors, nine former state governors, 272 former state legislators and four former sheriffs serving in Congress today. The broader accruing experience usually benefits the electorate. But what if politicians were happy to stay where they were as long as voters wanted them there? In too many posts -- the governorship, the Florida House and Senate, various cities' commissions or councils, such as Palm Coast's -- voters don't get that choice. Term limits do." "Out of office too early".

"Why he waited so long."?

"Crist has made it easier for felons to vote, but advocates questioned why he waited so long." "Crist helps restore felons' voting rights".

wiping away the last remnant of Democratic power in Tallahassee by naming his first justice to a court best known for its decision in favor of Al Gore in the 2000 presidential recount.

Crist, a Republican, handed conservatives a victory by choosing Lakeland appellate judge Charles Canady, 54, to an at-large seat on the seven-member court. Canady is the first of four selections Crist will make in coming months.

Conservatives quickly touted the choice of Canady, who, as a U.S. House member, was an ardent abortion foe and floor manager in the Republican impeachment attempt against President Clinton.

"He'll be able to pick people who reflect his judgment and his conservative principles," said lobbyist Brian Ballard, a close ally to Crist. "There's no better way to accentuate your beliefs than with appointments to the court."

The selection of Canady "gives me pause, I really worry about that," said Sandy D'Alemberte, a former Democratic legislator and law professor at Florida State University. "This has not been a partisan court.

His judicial "career" has lasted all of six years, and during merit retention in 2004 the Florida Bar rated his qualifications the lowest among the five 2nd DCA judges on the ballot.

The credentials that would vault Canady ahead of the other five candidates for this post are entirely political in nature.

The amendments thing

"But the state's electorate appears far more skeptical of a ballot measure that would eliminate more than $8 billion in school property taxes and require the Legislature to pay for it, most likely with higher sales taxes."

Don't confuse that with wisdom: "A majority of voters, close to the 60 percent needed for passage, favor writing a same-sex-marriage ban into the Florida Constitution, according to a new Orlando Sentinel poll." "Poll: Many don't buy into tax swap".

See also "Poll: Amendments too close to call" and "Amendment 5 faces long odds".

Trouble in paradise

Michael Mayo: "Yikes. If there was this much confusion and delay sorting out results from a primary with just over 11 percent turnout in Broward, what's going to happen come Election Day? This wasn't a good beginning at all for the new paper ballot system." "Boring day, troubling delays in Broward".

"The fallout from the delays in posting [Hillsborough] primary election results continued Wednesday, with the voting machine manufacturer calling a news conference to accept responsibility for the glitch and to offer assurances that the $6 million system will work correctly in November's general election." "Company Takes Blame For Hillsborough Election Glitch".

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Hillsborough elections supervisor Buddy Johnson did something incredible Tuesday even for Buddy Johnson. He took longer to report the results of the primary election than even those counties where the voter turnout was three or four times as strong. Of course, listening to him, the mess was no big deal and somebody else's fault. It always is. What will his chaotic leadership bring come November?" "Johnson muffs another election".

Ralph De La Cruz:

We're on the verge of a squeaky-tight presidential election in which the state of Florida is critical to the outcome.

Again.

And we're going into it with a lame-duck elections supervisor. A lame duck who has a record of stumbling in even smaller, less dramatic elections.

Moreover, this time he'll even be supervising the election of his successor.

Recounts

"A machine recount will take place this weekend to determine who is the winner of the razor-thin Palm Beach County judicial race in which contender Bill Abramson appears to have upset incumbent Circuit Judge Richard Wennet by 17 votes. ... According to Florida election laws, machine recounts are required for elections or referendums that are within one-half of 1 percent of the total votes cast in the races."

"If the machine recount results in a difference between one-fourth of one percent and one-half of one percent, the results are final. But if the difference is one-fourth percent or less, local elections officials must physically examine each of the ballots that have been marked with undervotes, in which machines may not have registered a voter's intended vote, and overvotes, in which voters may have marked more than one option." "State says "Go!" on judicial race recount".

"You could do better, Mr. Crist"? Actually, he can't

"An executive order sure sounds impressive."

That's what Gov. Charlie Crist issued Wednesday in making changes to the process for restoring civil rights for ex-felons.

Those changes include mailing voter-registration forms with every civil-rights notification, and providing better access to a Web site that allows felons to look up and print a copy of their restoration certificate.

You could do better, Mr. Crist.

The changes -- which, by the way, were suggested months ago -- still don't fix the problem. Web sites are nice, but it's not a stretch to imagine that many ex-convicts either don't own a computer or know how to use one.

Fun with fools

These fools can't really believe what they're saying? Can they?

- "Crist, himself chatted up as a possibility for the spot, is the latest Republican to weigh in on the vice-presidential pick."

- Allison DeFoor, a former vice chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and a delegate from Wakulla County to the Republican National Convention next week, called the choice, "brilliant," and one that will further cement a victory in Florida for the 72-year-old nominee.

Never mind

"Obama not quite Daytona bound".

Locals

"Melbourne woman speaks at Democratic National Convention" See also "Brevardians join parties for Obama", "Local Obama Supporters Gather To Watch Speech", "Locals celebrate moment in history" and "Older Miami activists see Obama nomination as dream fulfilled".

Raw political courage

"Crist asked a special legislative panel Friday to tap $672 million from a budget reserve fund to help make up another state revenue shortfall." "Crist wants to tap $672 million from reserves".

Charlie's numbers still strong

"Crist job-approval rating slips from its high of 70%".

"Smack-down"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "State Farm Florida got it wrong. State regulators got it right. They dealt a decisive smack-down to the insurance company's brazen request for an average 47.1 percent increase on its homeowners' policies." "The answer is No".

Fay fallout

See "Wildlife areas to close from Miami-Dade to Palm Beach County because of high water" and "Releases possible as Lake O rises after drenching by Fay".

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "" "Tweaks in rights- restoration process for ex-felons don't go far enough".

He was initially elected as a conservative Democrat, but after his 1986 re-election, he changed parties. The change created much hard feelings as the change came almost immediately after he accepted Democratic money for his re-election campaign. He was defeated in 1990 when he ran for the Florida Senate. He was elected to Congress in 1992 in a very close election against Democratic Candidate Tom Mims. He represented Florida's 12th congressional district from January 3, 1993 until January 3, 2001. He was one of the managers appointed to conduct the impeachment proceedings of President Bill Clinton.

Crist was heavily lobbied to pick Canady by members of the Christian right and former Bush staffers. ...

Canady, who is from Lakeland, served as general counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush from 2001 to 2002 and defended Bush's school voucher program, which gave tuition vouchers to children from failing public schools to attend private schools at taxpayer expense. The Supreme Court ruled 5-2 in 2006 that the program was unconstitutional.

Not a good visual

"The folksy first-term governor proved his stuff again Wednesday morning, when he prodded Florida Democratic delegates to bark like dogs after predicting Barack Obama would win Montana." "Montana governor tabbed as next Democratic superstar".

Early voting too expensive?

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "At a time of budgetary belt-tightening, it's worth asking whether state law should force counties to stage early voting for primary elections." "Early voting becomes an issue".

From the "values" crowd

"Thousands of people with disabilities statewide will see their services cut next month as part of a new plan to put financial limits on services." "Service cuts for people with disabilities to start".

"Florida could once again keep the nation waiting"

"Worry that South Florida could once again keep the nation waiting to see who captures the Oval Office resurfaced Wednesday when Broward County officials took 21 hours to count all the precincts from Tuesday's woefully light primary."

The delay not only kept three hot-button races in limbo for nearly a day, it instantly rekindled memories of 2000, when hanging chads and ballot problems in Palm Beach County kept the nation on edge in Bush v. Gore.

This November, the heavily Democratic Broward County is expected to turn out in droves for nominee Barack Obama.

C'mon folks, read a newspaper

"Did you happen to notice that Florida's delegation was blinking red, white and blue last night?"

That's because they were all wearing necklaces made of mini- Mickey Mouse heads, provided by Disney. (Retail value: $9.39.)

Because what's more Democratic and patriotic than a blinking mouse?

M-D Poll hi-lights

"New poll: McCain has thin lead in Florida over Obama". More:

- "Democrat Barack Obama clung to a razor-thin 45-44 percent edge statewide over McCain in the poll, a lead that means nothing given the survey's 4 percent margin for error."

- "McCain garnered only 78 percent support from Republican voters interviewed a lower base of love than the high-80s support Florida Republicans are used to giving their nominees in recent statewide and presidential contests."

- "The survey found 32 percent of Florida voters were more likely to support McCain if Romney was on the ticket, compared to 17 percent who said they would prefer Gov. Charlie Crist."

- "Voters, in turn, would also rather see Crist stick with the job they elected him to do. 'If he was a second-term governor that might be different, but he's not even though his second year in office,' said Brad Coker, polling director for Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, which surveyed 625 voters over Monday and Tuesday. 'Sometimes people get turned off if you're seen as a social climber, or in this case, a political climber.'"

Knuckle-draggers in a tizzy

"Crist signed an executive order Wednesday making it easier for released felons to register to vote and to track the status of their civil rights."

The move builds on Crist's push, 16 months ago, to dismantle Florida's Jim Crow-era laws. But the timing — with less than six weeks before the voter registration deadline for the Nov. 4 presidential election — angered some of the very people who sought the change.

The move is also expected to draw flak from opponents, including some Republicans who fear the decision could help presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in a battleground state. A high percentage of prison inmates are African-Americans who are more likely to vote Democratic.

Public opinion on the issue is mixed. A Quinnipiac University poll in December 2006 showed 55 percent of Floridians opposed "automatic" restoration of civil rights.

Under Crist's order, the Florida Parole Commission Web site (www.FLrestoremyrights.com) will allow released felons to print out copies of their restoration certificates, and all released felons will be given voter registration forms with the certificates.

DB 4 OB

"Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Daytona Beach on Sept. 20 to address the Florida Democratic Party at the Ocean Center." "Party members notified Obama to visit Daytona Sept. 20".

"Guess which state?"

"When the presidential nominating roll call was taken Wednesday night, one state messed up its ballot count."

Guess which state? Florida, the crucial swing state that brought America the dangling chad, the party that almost missed the convention because its "rogue primary" violated Democratic National Committee scheduling rules, the Democrats who flirted with having no electors because they couldn't muster a quorum in Tampa, proudly reported its delegate count for Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The DNC Secretary made a point of welcoming the Sunshine State back into the fold, as delegates from other states applauded politely.

And then, after Obama was nominated by acclamation, the Florida party said "oops."

Instead of 136 votes for Obama, 51 for Clinton and one abstention, the corrected total was 135 for the victor, 59 for the New York senator who graciously asked the convention to make it unanimous for Obama, and no abstentions. The initial count, shouted to the convention rostrum by Florida Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman, indicated that two-dozen delegates might have taken a walk — rather than voting for Obama.

Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff said, however, it was just a big logistics snarl.

Even Mr. Happy Face ...

... gets it: "Crist hints he might not be McCain's VP pick" ("Charlie Crist gave the first hint this morning that he will not be Arizona Senator John McCain's pick for a vice-presidential running mate on the Republican ticket.")

When in doubt ...

"Two things are clear from this week's voting in Broward: It helped to be an incumbent. And in a race without an incumbent, it helped to be a woman. Gender was especially pronounced in three-way races with two men and one woman. Unless there was an incumbent, the woman won." "Incumbents, women had their day at polls in Broward races".

No shows

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "No question there were surprises following Tuesday's primary elections, which far too few voters participated in. They missed out. Maybe some were bailing water or had otherwise excellent reasons to duck their responsibility to vote — after all, the public services that will help Fay-battered residents recover come through their governments — all to be overseen by some of the men and women who won office Tuesday." "Election '08".

"Think Florida's budget is bad now?"

"State lawmakers heard Wednesday that they will face a $3.5 billion hole in the state budget next year, raising concerned cries in both parties about the future of Florida's health, education and criminal justice systems." "Lawmakers Face $3.5 Billion Gap In Next Year's Budget".

"Think Florida's budget is bad now? You haven't seen anything yet. A top state economist said Wednesday that Gov. Charlie Crist and lawmakers could have to plug a $3.5 billion budget hole next year as Florida's housing-driven economy continues to sputter." "State economist says Florida facing more budget troubles". See also "Lagging economy could mean more cuts" and "Lagging economy could mean more cuts".

"Feeney didn't get what he wanted"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "So why was Feeney's campaign calling registered Democrats before the primary, touting Curtis's positions on Social Security, health care and Iraq? Easy. Feeney preferred to face Curtis -- whom he beat in 2006 with 58 percent of the vote -- than Suzanne Kosmas, a New Smyrna Beach Realtor and former state representative. Kosmas had outraised Feeney in campaign contributions by nearly $150,000. And her moderate, business-friendly positions better match the conservative-leaning Congressional District 24. She's the more formidable opponent -- which is why Feeney wanted Democrats to vote for Curtis. Feeney didn't get what he wanted; Kosmas handily beat Curtis and will move on to the November ballot." "Attack ads injure when voters don't question".

Move up

"The Florida Supreme Court has moved up hearings on challenges to three proposed state constitutional amendments to meet a Sept. 5 ballot deadline. The justices Wednesday agreed to hear the cases two days before that date, when ballots for the Nov. 4 election will be set. Oral arguments previously were to be held three days after the deadline." "Supreme Court moves up amendment hearings".

Maitland housewife goes overboard

Mike Thomas: "The bloated St. Johns River is flooding Central Florida. So this might seem an odd time to praise the bloated bureaucracy that oversees it. But that is today's topic. Government can do something right." "Let water be water, and keep people away".

Spare us the Sam Zell worship Mikey.

"A test run for new optical scan technology"

"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." ""Florida DEP secretary queried on pay bonuses".

Tuff guy

"What's the difference between a bonus and a temporary merit-based increase?"

That's the question at the heart of a debate going on between a Lakeland state senator facing a re-election challenge and the head of the state's environmental regulatory agency.

Republican Sen. J.D. Alexander sent a letter Thursday asking Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Sole where he got the authority to distribute roughly $78,000 in bonuses to staffers in the agency's general counsel's office in a bad budget year.

Alexander runs a state Senate panel that oversees the governmental operations budget, so he can ask such questions. He pointed to state laws that say the Legislature has to sign off on lump-sum salary bonuses.

Another suggestion ...

... don't fire 'em for unionizing.

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Information, indeed, is power, especially if it can put more money in your pocket. That's the mission of the civic-minded Prosperity Campaign, created in 2002 by the Human Services Coalition in Miami. It encourages local businesses to make sure that their employees, especially lower income workers, can access services and benefits available to help them save money, hold on to their homes, get out from under crushing debt and fulfill other vital needs." "Nurturing prosperity".

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".

Village idiot goes national

"U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart flew into enemy territory Monday, tapped as a star [sic] of a Republican rapid-response team that is aggressively looking to put its spin on the Democratic convention. From a sleek, high-tech war room set up in a brick bunker about a mile from where Democrats are converging this week, Diaz-Balart zapped Barack Obama and praised John McCain -- in English and Spanish -- on radio, television and in print." "Diaz-Balart jabs on Obama turf".

On the home front, the Miami Herald's Lesley Clark writes that "the Miami Republican's Democratic challenger was nipping at his heels from the Denver hotel where Florida's Democrats are camped out."

Raul Martinez reiterated a challenge to debate Diaz-Balart in Denver, before cameras.

''He won't do it at home,'' Martinez said. ``So let's go here. We're both here.''

Democrats believe they have their best shot in years to take out one of Miami's three Cuban-American Republicans in Congress in races that are attracting national attention -- and loads of money. All three Democrats in the races have outpaced the GOP incumbents in fundraising. ...

And he's about to have national exposure: His campaign said he has been tapped as one of five congressional challengers to share the stage Tuesday night with Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat who chairs the national committee charged with boosting the Democratic majority in Congress.

The two other Floridians are Democrats Joe Garcia, who is challenging Diaz-Balart's brother, Mario, and Christine Jennings, who is seeking election two years after losing a tight race to Republican Vern Buchanan.

Democrats say voters in Diaz-Balart's majority-Republican district are increasingly more interested in healthcare and mortgage foreclosures and accuse Diaz-Balart of focusing almost entirely on Cuba. Martinez told one interviewer that Diaz-Balart, whose aunt was once married to Fidel Castro, was using his congressional seat to fight a ''family feud'' with Castro. ''You can't do that,'' he said. ``It's like the Hatfields and McCoys.''

Diaz-Balart called the remarks ''offensive'' to the Cuban political prisoners he says he views as ''heroes,'' and shrugged off Martinez's calls for a televised debate.

"Ability to pay"

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that "in South Florida and nationwide, some insured patients are being asked by hospitals to pay larger portions of their bills upfront — and sometimes hospitals will not do the procedures until they get their co-payments."

Hospitals administer emergency treatment without asking for payment first, but elective or scheduled procedures — anything from nose jobs to chemotherapy — can be withheld depending on a patient's ability to pay.

An informal survey of 22 hospitals in Broward and Palm Beach counties found that all have required upfront payments for elective surgeries for several years. The change that might shock patients, hospital officials said, is the larger amounts requested as insurance companies require patients to make higher out-of-pocket payments.

DemCon

Adam C. Smith: "Florida Democrats revel in gained ground". See also "Floridians get warm embrace at Democratic convention" and "Treasure Coast Democratic delegates ready for their part at national convention".

Dan Ruth: "In June, as Sen. Barack Obama was tidying up his hold on the Democratic presidential nomination, former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman huffed that although she might very well bring herself to vote for Obama, she most certainly was not going to offer to volunteer to work on his campaign. Fast forward two months to the eve of the Democratic National Convention in Denver and now Freedman was more reticent, telling an out-of-town newspaper she was thinking of not voting in the presidential election this November." "Courting That Critical Sandy Vote". Scott Maxwell: "With Hillary in the house, it's not all about Obama"

Even ...

Cotterell is forced to do it: "Democratic Convention blog: That's a wrap for day 1".

Better luck next time

"Florida insurance regulators Monday told State Farm Florida that it couldn't raise property insurance rates. The state's largest private property insurer had requested an average 47.1 percent increase. " "State Farm denied 47 percent property insurance rate hike". See also "State to nix State Farm rate hike".

Blame the feds

The Tampa Tribune editorial board says that "before throwing stones at Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee, the congresswoman should have accepted responsibility for the federal government's failure to protect communities from criminals who enter this country illegally."

Though she bungled the delivery, U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite was right Monday to call for a federal investigation of how two illegal immigrants with arrest records were free to allegedly carry out a string of violent robberies and rapes.

This region was let down by a system that released two illegal immigrants who went on to terrorize women and restaurant owners. Lessons must be learned to prevent other innocent citizens from facing a similar horror.

Lazy bums

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "This area's homeless quandary is perfectly framed by recent news out of Seminole County:

More than 600 school-age children are expected to spend at least part of the year in motels, shelters or tents in the woods. An additional 450 homeless children in Seminole County are younger than 5 years old.

Those numbers were compiled by The Children's Cabinet, an all-volunteer group hoping that the statistics will spur local leaders to take action.

The report helps blow away stereotypes that homeless people are just a bunch of bums hanging out in downtown Orlando. Despair runs deep in this area, with as many as 9,000 homeless people in Central Florida."

'Ya reckon?

"State and national leaders of the Democratic Party told Florida delegates Monday that the state's 27 electoral votes will probably decide whether Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. John McCain moves into the White House next January." "DNC: Florida will play key role in '08 general election".

"Tuition differential fees"

"Tuition differential fees were approved by the 2007 Legislature and allow FSU, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida to levy extra charges for additional faculty. The fees will apply to newly enrolled undergraduates — freshmen and transfers — including students with Bright Futures scholarships." "Tuition increase hits new 'Noles".

"We have a false sense of our dryness"

Mike Thomas; "The St. Johns River Water Management District operates a huge flood-bypass canal on the Brevard-Indian River county border that empties into the Indian River Lagoon. It should only have to be used in storms so severe they'd only come once every 50 years. It has been used twice in the past four years."

I recall state biologists going bonkers in the 1980s because the state was using various plants to define whether or not an area was a wetland. But the plants dried up in dry spells. And so a piece of land that was in fact a wetland would lose that designation long enough for a builder to bring in his bulldozers.

I also recall the parade of dump trucks loading up fill dirt in West Orange and hauling it off to build up house pads in low-lying East Orange. More than 40,000 people moved into the Econ River flood plain during the 1990s, from Oviedo down to Avalon Park. Each house pad that goes in displaces that much more water.

Sheldon is the one

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "The gubernatorial appointment of a state agency chief typically turns few heads outside of Tallahassee, or inside the capital, for that matter. Gov. Charlie Crist, however, managed to make a noteworthy choice recently in replacing an inspiring administrator, Bob Butterworth." "George Sheldon is the right choice".

Lonely no more

"They're both in the thick of thousands of excited Democrats at the national party convention this week, but Robert Wexler and Stacy Ritter were awfully lonely for a long time." "Wexler and Ritter were awfully lonely as early Obama supporters". See also "Win for Barack Obama could mean more clout for Robert Wexler".

"A mountain of a paper trail"

"A mountain of a paper trail is building in Florida as elections supervisors order hundreds of thousands of pounds of the stuff for the first statewide use of optical-scan voting." "A hefty trail of paper: 90 tons of ballots piling up in Palm Beach County alone". See also "Paper trail of primary tests Florida's readiness".

Asleep at the wheel

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "The financial crisis that grips Florida government now knows no modern precedent, but nearly as alarming as the plunging forecasts are the numbingly casual reactions in the capital. "

As schools and universities and courts and hospitals fall into a deepening budgetary sinkhole, state officials are offering little more than shallow platitudes.

The latest news, delivered this month by the state's Revenue Estimating Conference, is breathtaking. A budget that was $6-billion less than the previous year is now, only seven weeks into the new fiscal year, $1.8-billion in the hole. That means government revenues have dropped three consecutive years, a trend with no known historic parallel. Further, the income isn't projected to recover to 2006 levels until 2012.

As legislative leaders eagerly blame national economic conditions, they are missing some critical trends at home. The most troubling may be the over-sized loss of jobs and the precipitous drop in population growth. This past year, Florida led the nation in job losses with 96,800. Its population increased by the smallest margin in at least a half-century, and only 39,887 more people moved here than left here. That net-migration number is one-tenth the amount of just four years ago. One-tenth.

Something seismic may be happening in Florida, and all Crist and legislative leaders can talk about is property tax cuts.

"Belles of the ball"

"After being slapped by the national party and shunned by the presidential candidates, the Florida Democrats and their 27 electoral votes are now the belles of the ball." "Fla. delegates rate front-row perch". "Treasure Coast Democratic delegates ready for their part at national convention". See also "Florida Democrats rally around Biden", "Florida Democrats seek redemption in Denver" and "Florida Democrats express optimism ahead of national convention".

Never mind

"Crist won national praise last year when he sped up Florida's much-maligned clemency process and returned the right to vote to hundreds of thousands of ex-convicts. Crist said it was 'the right thing to do,' winning praise from civil-rights groups stymied for years by the state's refusal to reform a Reconstruction-era system they contended was designed to keep blacks from gaining political power. Florida was one of only three states that did not automatically restore a felon's right to vote, hold job licenses, serve on juries and other rights after serving prison time. But in the 15months since Crist's announcement — and 10weeks before a historic presidential election — only a tiny fraction of those ex-convicts have registered to vote." "Out of jail, out of luck at the polls".

How could that be? The Orlando Sentinel explains: "Some of the ex-convicts clearly never made the effort to register. But the reasons also include state budget cuts, bureaucratic indifference and a failure by Crist and his administration to follow through on the changes the governor ordered."

Read all about it here.

Charlie: "I love him" (Not the way you think)

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "For a governor who hunted down miscreants as attorney general, Charlie Crist seems to have lost his sense of smell. So let's help him:"

The bundled money he got in his 2006 campaign from a close personal friend is beginning to stink. ...

The checks are a part of a larger pattern of unusual campaign behavior by oil executive and longtime Crist friend Harry Sargeant III. ...

Most of the people writing the checks had never given money in the past, and many were not even registered to vote. To call these bundles of money suspicious is an understatement. They fit precisely the profile of "straw" donors, which are illegal.

The governor's detachment might look less deliberate if Sargeant were just another oil executive. But he is a former fraternity brother about whom Crist has said: "He's a great patriot. I love him."

Off topic

The Palm Beach Post's Tom Blackburn: "Condoleezza Rice could hardly get called on for her daily reminders that it is 'time' for Russians to get out of Georgia and her warning that there will be "consequences" if they don't. "

Since he sewed up the nomination, the Illinois senator has been a friend to all mankind, and especially of the parts of womankind that are no friends of his. He extended his friendship even to the untimely selected delegates from Michigan and Florida. Let them come in peace, he said, so they will all be on hand to applaud the Clintons. By assuring that there would be none of what Ms. Rice calls "consequences" for disregarding the election calendar in 2008, he may have moved the starting gun for 2012 up to some time in 2011. When they think about that, voters will not thank him.

That "social justice" thing

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "How do you stop the spread of AIDS in a country where it's a crime to admit to homosexuality, or in areas where women and children are typically treated as chattel?" "Picking the right battle".

Does that include "Republican Party Reptiles"?

The Miami Herald editorial board: Ban exotic pets".

"A long-term strategy of sandbagging"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Cheaper is rarely better. It's just cheaper for the time being, but quite possibly much more expensive down the road. With our economy in tatters and new constraints on public spending, elected officials in Florida face more difficult challenges than ever. How, with reduced revenue streams and a wave of anti-tax sentiment sweeping the state, do they see past the bleak present and still find ways to invest in a more hopeful future? Clearly, it requires the courage to set priorities that will make some people and interest groups bitterly unhappy, and the vision to realize that we can't continue to use a long-term strategy of sandbagging." "Sandbags or dams?".

You gotta problem wit dat?

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "If the Public Service Commission approves a two-stage rate increase requested by Tampa Electric Co., a typical homeowner could pay about $50 more a month for electricity." "The Budget-Jolting Prospect Of Electric Bills Going Up 31%".

Early voting

"Age gap persistent in early voting".

Never mind

"Democratic delegates from Michigan and Florida were awarded full voting rights at the national convention Sunday, despite holding early primaries against party rules." "Dems give Michigan and Florida full voting rights".

"The legacy of Theresa LePore"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: writes that "[t]he legacy of Theresa LePore, the Palm Beach County elections chief who gave voters the "butterfly ballot" and the contested 2000 presidential election, continues in the form of a simple arrow." See what they mean: "Make ballots the state's new elections obsession".

"Biden has extensive Florida connections"

"Popular among seniors and Jewish voters, Biden could be helpful to Obama in Florida and in states like Pennsylvania and Ohio where Obama struggled during the primaries."

"The Jewish community loves Joe Biden," said Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, who also touted Biden's working-class appeal. "He has been a huge supporter of Israel and has been so in a very erudite fashion, because he knows all the players, not only in Israel but in the Palestinian Authority."

Biden has extensive Florida connections, including a brother who lived in South Florida; Michael Adler of Miami, his former national finance chairman and the former National Jewish Democratic Council chairman; Luis Navarro, his Senate chief of staff, who used to be executive director of the Florida Democratic Party; and even a lifelong friendship with former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Gallagher.

"He's a true lunch-bucket Democrat. It's a perfect choice," said veteran Democratic fundraiser Mitchell Berger of Fort Lauderdale, who has known Biden for 30 years. "A generation of Democratic voters that Sen. Obama is not doing as well with as he would like at this point would be very attracted to Joe Biden."

DemCon

"After a long and contentious presidential primary season in which Florida played a central role, Democrats hold their national convention this week with the aim of projecting strength and unity behind the first black presidential nominee of a major party." "Democrats Aim For Unity".

"After enduring months of political exile, Florida Democrats giddily find themselves back in the center of the political universe as they head to a history-making convention. " "Florida Democrats seek redemption in Denver". See also "Florida Dems head to convention" and "South Florida's Democratic convention delegates seek to unify the party and make history, too".

Florida Bloggers at the Dem convention

"Florida bloggers covering Denver convention". More generally, the NYTimes has this: "The Year of the Political Blogger Has Arrived".

Enough with pimping the photo ops

Hot off the presses!

Decked out in polo shirts and SWAT-style rain jackets, Crist and crew did news conferences -- carried live around the state and country throughout the week -- from the state Emergency Operations Center, where the governor implored folks to take the storm seriously.

"This is not a dry run," he said. He also flew with reporters in tow to Key West, Duval and Brevard counties, where he was trailed by TV crews as he toured emergency centers and neighborhoods.

Jeb Bush perfected the image of a reassuring, in-control chief executive through the 2004 and 2005 storm seasons.

"The investment paid off"

"State compensation reports show U.S. Sugar spent more to lobby the executive branch than any other company in the first half of 2008. The investment paid off in June when Crist announced Florida would buy out the company in a $1.75 billion transaction designed to help restore the Everglades." "When the going gets tough, lobbyists get going".

"Only Republicans"

"Republicans will decide in Tuesday's primary who among four candidates will be the next District 31 state representative. No Democrats filed to run in the race to replace Mitch Needelman, who faces term limits. And a legal loophole will keep them and independents from voting because a write-in candidate announced a campaign." "Only Republicans allowed to vote for next state rep".

"... but then what?"

Adam C. Smith:

And right now the polls show a neck-and-neck race where Obama has serious challenges ahead despite the anti-Republican sentiment in America: Nearly half of Hillary Rodham Clinton's supporters aren't yet sold on the Democratic nominee and a sizable chunk of the electorate views him as a distant, foreign figure without a clear agenda.

"He's exciting, he's likeable, he's a great campaigner, but then what?'' said Miami lawyer Ira Leesfield, a top Clinton fundraiser who now supports Obama but is no longer aggressively raising money.

Warren "could have done the country a service"

Dan Moffett: "Unlike many televangelists and mega-church preachers, the Rev. Warren has an admirable record of using his wealth and influence to fight poverty, illiteracy and HIV/AIDS. He could have done the country a service by turning the interviews away from the abortion debate and toward some of the causes he has championed. It doesn't take a theologian to ask politicians hard questions about the moral conduct of government. Agnostics or atheists can do the interviewing just as well."

For example, how can the richest country on earth still have children who go to bed hungry each night? Is it morally right that 50 million Americans have no health insurance and receive care that's inferior to what the richest 50 million get?

How about the death penalty? Is it morally right for states to continue enforcing it, given the disproportionate numbers of minority and poor defendants who are sentenced to it? Is it morally defensible to go on with executions when so many on Death Rows have been cleared through DNA evidence? Even proponents of the death penalty concede that innocent people have been executed. Where is the moral dialogue on that in the campaign?

What is the United States' moral responsibility to take care of the planet? Don't Americans, with our wealth and power, have an obligation to lead the way against global warming? What about discussion of the morality of the Iraq War? (We were wrong about weapons of mass destruction and tens of thousands of people died because of it.) What is our moral obligation to the millions of war refugees and the Iraqi people who have suffered so greatly because of the Bush administration's incompetence?

The Rev. Warren should make a purpose-driven trip to Palm Beach County and ask politicians to defend the moral grounds of their decisions.

I go with the "Mother Nature" angle

"Early voting for Tuesday's primary election appears lower in Hillsborough County than in the past, but officials aren't sure whether the drop signals a trend or a concession to Mother Nature." "Early Voting Numbers Down".

A disaster

"President Bush declared Sunday that four Florida counties hit hardest by Tropical Storm Fay are major disaster areas, making them eligible for federal aid. The declaration makes funds available for emergency work and repairs to governments in Brevard, Monroe, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties." "Bush names 4 Fla. counties disaster areas from Fay".

Charlie's lust

Randy Schultz: "It took Gov. Crist, lusting after a spot on the McCain ticket, all of a day after Sen. McCain's conversion to drop his opposition to more drilling. Florida's Republican senator, Mel Martinez, now also wants further review of the offshore drilling issue. Those were attacks on Florida from within. And then the attacks got bipartisan."

We in Florida get it. This state has shown the strongest bipartisan support for limits on drilling near the coast. So high prices are our fault. Lost in all the simple-mindedness is the fact that Florida did work out a compromise on drilling two years ago. It opened up more of the Gulf but still kept rigs 150 miles offshore, thus protecting the state. At the request of the Pentagon, it left off-limits a military testing area.

The nation has an energy problem because politicians of both parties haven't made long-term commitments to conservation and renewable sources. An oil platform is the wrong campaign platform for Florida.

Seeing a shift in the polls on drilling, Sen. Obama reversed himself and hinted that some sort of reasonable, safe, carefully crafted compromise might be something he could consider under the right circumstances. Can he waffle? Yes He Can!

"Some of the worst flooding on record"

"The St. Johns River could hit Central Florida this week with some of the worst flooding on record. Runoff from Fay is gorging nearly every part of the 310-mile St. Johns River, which forms south of Melbourne and flows north to the Orlando area and on to Jacksonville."

And this doesn't sound like a plan: "Water-district officials might open canal gates that allow water to flow from the upper reaches of the river to the Indian River Lagoon along the coast. But that's an option of last resort because of significant environmental harm that results by dumping fresh water into a slightly salty ecosystem."."St. Johns River's worst yet to come". See also "State: Fay claims 11 lives in Florida; storm system still a threat".

"And Florida will be in the center of it all"

Scott Maxwell is at the convention, and says "Florida will be in the center of it all." "Conventional wisdom: Finish your wings, wash your hands".

The Florida weather thing

Adam Smith reminds us that "Florida's weather can make for dicey campaigning. John Kerry lost weeks of crucial Florida campaign time during the treacherous hurricane season in 2004, and last week Tropical Storm Fay took a toll on the John McCain and Barack Obama campaigns. Fay caused McCain to cancel a million-dollar fundraiser in Miami last week, and the Obama campaign pulled its TV ads across the state."

Off topic

In the don't we have better things to do category: "Sex sought for 2 cents, police say".

Vote Tuesday

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Florida's primary on Tuesday is the one and only chance for voters to elect judges and to send party nominees into the general election in November." "Primary election".

So much for a spine

Last Sunday, Mike Thomas wrote

It is time for the nuclear option: a state income tax.

Florida's budget disaster now qualifies as a national disaster.

In asking for federal emergency money to deal with flooding, Gov. Charlie Crist cited Florida's $1.8 billion deficit.

listened to me, we would have a personal income tax and could afford to buy everybody in Palm Bay a kayak. We would also have money for schools, universities, health care, poor children, unemployed liberal journalists and so on.

We'd be a utopia.

California teachers are tied with Connecticut teachers as the highest paid in the nation.

How do the enlightened leaders of California deal with their deficit compared to the gun-loving, Darwin-doubting Neanderthals of Florida?

Score one for the guys in the cave.

Florida still needs to broaden its tax base and fund critical needs. And the only way I see of getting there is a credible spending cap to ensure we avoid going the route of California.