Empty suit

Steve Bousquet: "While Gov. Charlie Crist campaigned in Miami with John McCain on Friday,"

more bad economic news tumbled out of his administration.

Florida's unemployment rate remained at 6.6 percent in September for the second month in a row. That's half a percentage point above the national average and 2.4 points higher than a year ago.

That's not all: The budget Crist signed in May is dripping red ink, at least $900-million worth, and will have to be cut again or propped up with cash reserves.

Though this economic mess wasn't Crist's fault, it is his responsibility. His response so far is underwhelming.

"Take a good look at the economy, governor".

"The number of workers without paychecks in Southwest Florida inched upward in September. Meanwhile, one of Florida's top economists warned not to expect any sudden miracles to change that trend." "Outlook on jobs worsens". It seems Charlie's been limiting his efforts to praying for a "sudden miracle".




Poor John

"With time running short and his poll numbers dipping,"

presidential hopeful John McCain dropped into a traditionally Republican area of South Florida Friday, telling a largely Hispanic audience that Florida was a "must-win state, and you know we're going to win."

McCain's whirlwind visit — he was on the ground less than three hours — underscored the importance of Florida as a crucial battleground state as the long presidential race nears the Nov. 4 finish.

"John McCain calls Florida a "must-win" at FIU rally".

More: "McCain emphasizes 'Joe the Plumber' theme in Florida". McSame wigs out in Charlotte this morning: "McCain suggests Obama's tax plans 'socialist'".




If only to rid ourselves of our empty suit in Tally

"McCain acknowledged in an exclusive interview Friday that he probably would be better positioned in must-win Florida if he had picked Gov. Charlie Crist as his running mate." "McCain avows Crist's value".




Show me your papers ...

"The lawsuit centers on Jose Morales, who became a U.S. citizen in November 2007 and registered to vote last month. Two weeks after the college student registered, he received a letter from Cherokee County that demanded he provide evidence of his citizenship, according to the complaint."

"He received his voting card soon after he showed his passport to the registrar's office, but last week another letter asked him to again verify his citizenship and warned him his name could be removed if he did not." "Judge won't stop Ga. voter citizenship checks".




To know him is to, you know ...

... recognize his rank partisan incompetence: "Democrat Phyllis Busansky netted a contribution from a second former chief of staff for Buddy Johnson, her Republican rival in the race for supervisor of elections."

Johnson is seeking re-election after winning the office in 2004. Dan Nolan, who served as his top deputy for nearly a year of his early tenure, gave Busansky a check for $250 earlier this month.

"Well, I think their record kind of speaks for itself," said Nolan, a former Central Command Army colonel who now runs his own business. "Phyllis has got a record of public service and support in the community. Buddy hasn't got much of a record, and his judgment has demonstrated itself."

Nolan joins lawyer Helene Marks, who also was Johnson's chief of staff for a little more than a year, and has now twice contributed to the Busansky campaign.

"Buddy Johnson's former chiefs of staff donate to Phyllis Busansky's campaign".




More GOP racist "jokes"

Blaise Ingoglia's "most steadfast defender, Ana Trinque, chairwoman of the Republican Executive Committee, said that ... Ingoglia is just a friend with a political views she admires." and what are those "views"? Well, "the kind of crass, racist attempt at humor you'd be unlucky to encounter at a roadside bar." "Ingoglia ought to be pariah of the GOP".




Ruth explains Mahoney

Daniel Ruth starts with:

You have to give Florida Congressman Tim Mahoney, D-What's Your Sign?, back-handed credit for at least this much.

Jeepers, this guy didn't even wait to get elected on his phony family values, morality in government, sanctity of marriage, blah, blah, blah campaign balderdash before he started chasing more skirts than Hugh Hefner as a scholar-in-residence at the Trollop Academy for Loose Women.

Few politicians were ever as blessed to have a congressional seat dropped in their laps. Unfortunately for Mahoney, according to ABC News, the space was also occupied by his consort, Patricia Allen.

The best is here: "Pol's Career Was A Brief Affair".




Amway politics

"The biggest special interest devoting money to Florida legislative races this fall isn't Big Sugar, big corporations, trial lawyers or bankers. It's a Michigan school-choice organization called All Children Matter. It has raised $3.5 million in Florida and has but one interest. Founded in 2003 by the DeVos family [read "Amway", which owns the Orlando Magic, the organization has doled out millions on behalf of candidates across the nation to support alternatives to traditional public schools -- from taxpayer-funded vouchers to charter schools and "virtual-classroom" programs." "DeVos-funded group tries to sway state races". Ironically, "Obama, Clinton coming to Amway Arena on Monday".




'Glades

"If Everglades restoration doesn't start soon, Ron Bergeron is afraid that there may not be an Everglades left to save." "Steve Waters: One man's fight to save the Everglades".




Amendment 2

"Sponsors of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage announced an advertising campaign Friday and said its detractors are trying to scare voters about the proposal." "Amendment 2 debate gets hitched to worry over unintended effects".




Nelson

"Bill Nelson is talking to teachers in Tampa on the subject of education during the nation's economic crisis." "Sen. Nelson speaks to teachers Saturday in Tampa".




Biotech

"Gov. Crist announces head of biotech task force".




The Zell Corporation's Orlando store ...

... is outraged: "Two years ago, Tim Mahoney campaigned on a promise to return morals and family values to Washington after the Mark Foley scandal involving male congressional pages. So how's that working? Mr. Mahoney, who represents Florida's 16th District, is now embroiled in his own sex scandal." "Voters in District 16 deserve better than last 2 hypocrites".




"Blair did not return a phone call seeking comment"

"Hillsborough Commissioner Brian Blair [and former 'professional' wrestler] told a group of black civic leaders this week that he has been endorsed by two local African-American political leaders in his re-election bid. That would be surprising since both men — Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White and Tampa City Council member Tom Scott — are Democrats. Blair is a Republican. In fact, White and Scott both told the St. Petersburg Times Friday that they have not endorsed Blair." "Black leaders deny backing Blair campaign".

"Florida faces another potential meltdown at the polls"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "With a national election less than three weeks away, Florida faces another potential meltdown at the polls -- this time, over more than 100,000 registered voters who might not be eligible to cast their ballots due to prior felony convictions." "Florida should break down barriers to voting".

More: "Florida turns into tossup after financial meltdown" and "Shades of 2000? Florida again too close to call".




How conveeeeninet ...

Steve Bousquet:

Hispanics and blacks account for more than half of the people in Florida whose voter registration forms were rejected in recent weeks under the state's controversial new voter verification law.

Democrats were four times as likely to be tripped up by the law as Republicans, and more than half of the people affected are 30 years old or younger.

"New voter registration law snares mostly minorities".

"Stories of rejected voter registrations have focused on fraudulent applications submitted by liberal grass-roots organizations -- and even one filed by " Mickey Mouse" in Central Florida. But in Orange County, who are the most likely to be kept off the rolls? College students. Newly released records obtained by the Orlando Sentinel show that areas around the University of Central Florida and Rollins College are where the most voter registrations were rejected." "Lessons in voter rejection".




'Ya reckon?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Automatic voting rights for ex-felons would help fix state's mess".




Poor John

"While acknowledging that time is short and he is down in the polls, John McCain found a surge of support Friday from a largely Hispanic audience who loudly cheered his vow to win Florida in his battle to win the presidency." See also "Cheering supporters rally for McCain in Miami", "McCain comes to Miami to shore up his base" and "Cheering partisans hear from McCain in Miami".

More: "GOP's best stumps in South Florida" and "Cheering supporters rally for McCain at FIU".




This just in, from the "Jeb!" - girl

Remember Myriam Marquez, the author of what may be the most embarrassing passage in Florida political "journalism"? To wit:"'Jeb!''s "vision is universal and timeless...clear and electrifying as the day's cobalt-blue sky." Well, the poor thing is back in action at the Miami Herald:

If Little Havana is the heart and soul of the Cuban exile experience, then Florida International University captures the journey -- from exile to U.S. citizen to college-educated voter.

And there, in the thick of Cuban-American, middle-class enclaves in West Miami-Dade, John McCain will make his pitch Friday to get out the reliably Republican Cuban vote. Expect him to talk tough on U.S. policy toward Cuba and, if he wants to energize the exile base, raise nefarious concerns about Democrat Barack Obama's campaign for ``change.''

For many older exiles who arrived here in the 1960s and '70s, promising change carries dark overtones of Fidel Castro's double-talk to dictatorship.

"Opinion | McCain should court all Latinos, not just Cubans".




RPOFers drooling over this one

"Jurisdiction undecided in possible ACORN voter-fraud investigation".




Never mind

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "It is rare that a newspaper rescinds an endorsement, but in the race for District 16, The Post no longer can support U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, and recommends that he withdraw and that voters choose Tom Rooney." "Mahoney should withdraw; voters should pick Rooney".

See also "Mahoney's ads still running despite cloud over campaign", "Rep. Mahoney Admits To Affairs, Says He Won't Resign", "State GOP chair calls for Mahoney's resignation" and "Mahoney: I had 'multiple affairs'".




Obama-Hill show

Update: "Obama, Clinton coming to Amway Arena on Monday".

"Democratic Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will hold their first public appearance together in Florida on Monday in Orlando, sources said. Details are being worked out, but the two will also hold individual events as early voting kicks off in Florida." "Obama, Clinton to rally together in Orlando Monday". See also "Obama extends his campaign into Florida Panhandle".




'Glades

"Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama pledges to fulfill Washington's broken promises to shoulder half of the $10.9 billion cost of restoring the Everglades, his campaign announced this afternoon." "Obama pledges to fulfill feds' unmet promises for Everglades".




The Corridor

"The state's most critical battleground is the Tampa Bay area, a swing-voter mecca where Barack Obama has relentlessly focused attention and where recent polls consistently show McCain lagging." "GOP frets over fight for Tampa Bay".




Whoopee!

"Florida puts one of its executive airplanes on sale".




"An irregular financial heartbeat"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Local and state governments are desperately trying to keep an irregular financial heartbeat from flat-lining — streamlining and reorganizing their own operations while creating incentives they hope will promote private-sector activity." "Our Opinion: Economic defib".




"In church pews ..."

"In church pews and at pep rallies, pastors and activists are organizing their followers to pass or defeat the amendment that would make Florida the 28th state to add a legal definition of marriage to the state constitution." "Looking at Amendment 2: Would 'righteous' measure bar rights?". More: "Ad campaign says Amendment 2 does not endanger civil rights".




"Keller, Feeney"

"Two Republican congressmen from Central Florida have a combined $1.7 million to spend in the final weeks of their re-election campaigns, according to federal records. And they might need every penny against big-spending challengers." "Keller, Feeney have combined $1.7M left on hand".




"Space votes"

"New presidential ad: McCain, Obama battle for space votes".




Gambling

"Gamblers at Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Casino won't be playing blackjack anytime soon." "Legal issues delay blackjack at casino in Tampa".




Suspended

"Crist has suspended the chairman of the St. Johns County Commission, who has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two bribery charges." "Governor suspends indicted commission chairman".




Whatever

"FSU student Republican, Democratic leaders square off in a town-hall debate".




The "N" word

"A lawyer is demanding Gov. Charlie Crist strip the certification from a Panhandle teacher who was allowed to keep his job despite using a racial slur in class about Barack Obama."

The Jackson County School Board voted 3-2 Thursday night to uphold suspending Greg Howard for two weeks and transfer him to an adult education school, but rejected angry cries for his termination.

The penalty, which also included Howard losing his football coaching job, had previously been recommended by school superintendent Danny Sims.

You remember the "slur":

On Sept. 26, Howard, 43, wrote the word CHANGE — the mantra of Obama's presidential campaign — on a dry-erase board at Marianna Middle School then, according to reports, added his own definition: Come Help A (N-word) Get Elected.

"Lawyer wants Crist to pull certification of teacher over racial slur".




"The famous face from Palm Beach County"

"Candidates for office took on the skyrocketing number of home foreclosures, the global economic crisis and Palm Beach County's recent election meltdown in a forum tonight. The timekeeper for the event, held at the Harriet Himmel Theater in CityPlace, was the famous face from Palm Beach County's ill-fated 2000 Presidential election: former Supervisor of Elections Theresa LePore." "Candidates address everything from elections to economy at forum".




No match

"With hundreds of voters caught by a new state law cracking down on registration missteps, Broward County elections officials are stepping up efforts to fix the errors before next month's elections. About 800 residents who registered after Sept. 8 have run afoul of the controversial "no match, no vote" law. Elections Supervisor Brenda Snipes vowed Tuesday to make a second and third effort to ensure those individuals can vote on Election Day without difficulty." "Broward County to contact residents with voter registration discrepancies".

"Republican presidential candidate John McCain trails Democrat Barack Obama in Florida and national polls, but state Republican Chairman Jim Greer says his party's candidate still has a chance to turn around the dynamics of the contest and win."

Greer said he's found Republicans around the state aren't despondent about McCain's status.

"Florida Republican chairman, proclaims campaign's not doing so badly". See also "GOP anxiety builds as Obama holds lead in Florida".

"Facing Barack Obama's massive Florida campaign, Republican John McCain is scrambling to regain traction with a Friday appearance." "Obama, McCain intensify competition for Florida".




RPOFers joke about Obama assasination

Update: Is there some reason the newspaper company with the story (The Tampa Tribune) is not revealing the names of the "two reporters" who received the "joke" from Austin, or the "two other individuals" the e-mail had been passed through before it got to Austin?
- - - - - - - - - -

The story:

Al Austin, a high-level Republican fundraiser from Tampa, sent an e-mail to his list of his political contacts Wednesday containing a joke that refers to the assassination of Barack Obama.

"Top Tampa GOP Figure Shares Joke About Killing Obama" (dateline October 15).

"Austin acknowledged sending the e-mail to his list of political contacts, but [and here's the part where he abdicates vaunted GOPer personal responsibility] said

he did so while distracted by a conversation with his doctor and didn't know what it said. That list included at least two reporters.

According to the forwarding history on the e-mail, it had been gone through at least two other individuals before being sent to Austin on Tuesday. Those two individuals didn't immediately respond to e-mails seeking comment.

Austin, a prominent real estate developer long known as one of the state's leading Republican campaign fundraisers, has served in recent years as finance chairman for both the national and state Republican parties.

"Obama Slaying Joke Sent By GOP Fundraiser" (dateline October 16). Meanwhile, back at the ranch, "the Secret Service is looking into a second allegation that a participant at a Republican political rally shouted 'kill him,' referring to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama." "Secret Service looking into Obama threat at rally".




Browning just another partisan hack ...

"It has become a hot issue in the Republican presidential campaign and the conservative blogosphere: Is ACORN synonymous with voter fraud? For weeks, state and national Republicans have attacked the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now and its voter-registration drives that have prompted complaints from North Carolina to Nevada."

"On Tuesday, Democrat Barack Obama's campaign struck back, calling the recent attacks by John McCain and his surrogates efforts at voter 'suppression and intimidation.'"

And they got support from an unexpected source: Kurt Browning, who as secretary of state oversees Florida's election system and who, at a Tuesday briefing of the Cabinet, was asked about allegations of fraud in voter registrations turned in by ACORN.

"We have not seen a persistent problem across the state of Florida," Browning said.

His comments followed questions by two Republicans, Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson and Attorney General Bill McCollum, who voiced concerns about the fraud allegations.

"There is an impression that it's fairly widespread in our state," McCollum said.

That impression has been fanned by RNC officials, who have said ACORN and Obama's campaign are "engaged in a systemic effort to undermine our election system."


"Sentinel: Is there ACORN fraud in Florida?".




Billy boy furious ...

... that voter rolls have not been sufficiently purged: "Florida's attorney general said Tuesday there is "no excuse" for the state's failure to purge tens of thousands of convicted felons from the voter rolls in time for Election Day." "Florida's effort to remove felons from voter rolls 'deeply flawed,' state senator says". See also "Florida elections new headache: felons on voting rolls".

He might, ought express the same anger over his political party's voter suppression efforts.




Florida's "Dire economic circumstances"

"Dire economic circumstances call for severe responses, a fact reflected in contingency plans drawn up by state agencies as Gov. Charlie Crist begins his budget-building process." "Outlook bleak for Florida budget". See also "'Accelerate Florida' kicks into high gear" ("more than 179 projects worth more than $1.4 billion have been put on the fast track.")




Republican pot holes

The St. Petersburg Times: "GOP war chests swell in County Commission, House races".




"Florida has its own versions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac"

Mike Thomas; "Florida has its own versions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They are Citizens Property Insurance and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (CAT fund). And while they sell insurance instead of buying mortgages, there are striking similarities. Like Freddie and Fannie, they drastically underprice risk." "Insurance rates linked to votes? This can't go on".




"Doo-dah, Doo-dah"

"It is perhaps unwittingly fitting that the massive Confederate flag fluttering in the breeze is situated at Interstates 4 and 75, a proper reflection of the combined IQs that came up with this hickville idea in the first place." "Yet Another Dueling Banjos Moment".




Green stuff

"[A]s the state considers proposals to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and develop new sources of energy, a debate is building about what steps Florida should take -- and how much they should cost."

The state Public Service Commission took up the issues this week when it conducted a hearing on a proposal that would require greater use of renewable sources of energy, such as solar power.

Also, a panel appointed by Crist released a 123-page report late Wednesday that gives wide-ranging recommendations for reducing emissions.

That report warns that the state's "resources, communities and economy are expected to experience significant impacts if the current trajectory of global greenhouse-gas emissions is not reversed."

The debate ultimately could play out next spring when lawmakers deal with issues, such as requiring more renewable energy.

"State panel weighs costs against gains of green proposals". See also "Climate change proposals can exceed Crist's goals".




So far ...

The Palm Beach Post editors are crossing their collective fingers: "Early returns justify hope for a glitch-free election".




Battle 'o the "wealthy Republicans"

"Two wealthy Republicans are the financial fuel behind both sides of the ballot measure that would ban gay marriage in the Florida Constitution."

Backing the measure is the patriarch who founded Amway Corp. On the other side is a little-known telecom multimillionaire.

Donald A. Burns, 45, of West Palm Beach, contributed 18 percent or $400,000 of the $2.2-million raised by Florida Red and Blue, the most prominent group fighting Amendment 2.

On the other side, state records show billionaire Orlando Magic owner Richard DeVos, 82, of Grand Rapids, Mich., has given $100,000, or about 15 percent of the $676,700 raised by Florida4Marriage, the group that collected signatures to put Amendment 2 on the Nov. 4 ballot.

"Two wealthy Republicans are fueling both sides in the fight over Amendment 2".




"Domestic violence shelters"

"DCF officials say current economic conditions are causing those who flee to domestic violence shelters to stay longer than normal. A 2007-2008 study showed victims were staying an average of five to 30 days beyond the normal six-week stay." "DCF awards money to domestic violence shelters".




On the waterfront

"At issue is Amendment 6, which would direct property appraisers to value marinas, boatyards, boat-launch sites and commercial fisheries based on their current business use, rather than at the premium condo developers are willing to pay for their land." "Florida marina industry asks voters for property tax lifeline".




This just in ...

from the Zell Corporation: "Scott Maxwell: McCain saves best for last, but Obama maintains his reach".




Mahoney

"Facing an FBI investigation into how he paid off a former lover who had threatened to sue him, U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney on Wednesday offered proof that he did not use campaign funds." "Mahoney paid ex-staffer from own account, attorney says".




Wexler

"A political operative familiar with federal campaigns said that while many campaigns invest surplus cash, real estate investments are unusual. An FEC spokesman said there is nothing in federal law that prohibits investing campaign money in real estate as long as the candidate isn't the owner of the property." "Wexler campaign held second mortgage on West Palm home".




Heaven help us

"A protected loggerhead sea turtle that was repeatedly sliced with a machete has made a full recovery and been released in the Florida Keys." "Marathon: Turtle nursed back to health".




Government jobs

"A new military cargo plane will be built at Cecil Commerce Center in Jacksonville, bringing 300 new jobs to the former Navy base." "Plane to be built at former Jacksonville Navy base".




Florida's booming economy

"A Margate man suing a Pompano Beach club claims a performer's shoe flew off during a pole dance, shattered the mirrored ceiling and caused glass and the shoe to hit him." "Man sues strip club after injury".




HD 60

"By most standard measures, the race in state House District 60 is a classic mismatch." "Florida House District 60 a campaign of contrasts".




Now we know

"Stun gun fails to work on wild boar".

Labels: RPOFers not "despondent"

Oops! Glitch tells 1,245 residents they can't vote


"Another voting embarrassment"

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "You probably figured the voting situation in Florida couldn't be any more of an embarrassment. Wrong."

The ultimate irony is Florida is now enforcing the "No Match, No Vote" law, under which a voter whose driver's license or Social Security number doesn't match government records would be rejected until the discrepancy is cleared up. There is concern that new voters might not have their ballots counted.

So thousands of felons who shouldn't be voting on Nov. 4 might. And other voters, who for whatever reason can't immediately pass the "No Match, No Vote" test, won't have a voice.

After Florida's voting debacles, you would think getting it right would be a top priority for Crist and Browning. Yet there surely will be legal challenges if the election is close again. At least we'll know who to blame if there is another embarrassment.

"Another voting embarrassment for Florida". See also "At least 30,000 felons eligible to vote in Florida", "Palm Beach County voting equipment passes tests" and "Palm Beach County election officials prepare for worst".




Independents

"Poll results show a late shift among independent voters, which has helped Obama overtake Republican John McCain in Florida and open a clear lead in other battleground states." "Florida independent voters likely to have the last word".




... and an ultraliberal terrorist to boot

"A volunteer with Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart's campaign was dismissed Monday after warning a Miami voter not to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama because 'he's a Muslim.'" "Volunteer dismissed over lie".

More: "Congressional candidate Joe Garcia had early interest in politics" and "Mario Diaz-Balart unfazed by challenge to seat".




Even Mr. Happy Face gets it

From the Maitland housewife: Charlie

would rather twiddle his thumbs than stump for McCain.

He has decided that high-profile support of McCain could hurt him more than help him in his 2010 race. And that tells me he is writing off McCain's chances of winning Florida.

He is putting in a token effort to play the role of good Republican. But we have seen enough of Crist in action to know when he's going through the motions.

"Crist knows that Obama is going to beat McCain".




"Take Mickey Mouse"

"Nationwide, ACORN is a favorite GOP target for allegations of voter registration fraud this year. That's not new. Similar complaints followed the 2004 elections. A criminal investigation in Florida found no evidence of fraud. ACORN even has a cameo role in the scandal over the 2006 firings of several U.S. attorneys by the Bush Justice Department. Under attack again, ACORN leaders defend their work. Often, they say, things are as not simple as they're portrayed. Take Mickey Mouse." "ACORN defends voter registration".




Mahoney

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "The time is now for U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, to address allegations that he had an affair with a member of his congressional staff, moved her to his campaign staff when word got out about the affair, then paid her to keep quiet." "Mahoney response lacking to very serious allegations". See also "Fla. congressman seeks probe after affair reports". More: "Mahoney seeks inquiry after report of affair" ("Mahoney, married with a child, declined to say Monday whether he had carried on an affair with a former aide and paid to keep her quiet, then called for an investigation by the House ethics committee into his own conduct.")

Cook Political Report "House Editor David Wasserman releases ratings changes in two districts. New allegations against freshman Democratic Rep. Tim Mahoney move Florida’s 16th CD from the Lean Democratic column to the Lean Republican column."

In two years, so much has changed, but some things have stayed the same. If it’s election season, you can count on ABC News’s investigative unit to break a sex scandal in Florida’s 16th CD. “Foley Friday” (Sept. 29, 2006), meet “Mahoney Monday” (Oct. 13th, 2008).

Private polling in the past few months has shown Mahoney in surprisingly strong reelection position. Even some Florida Republicans have admitted Mahoney’s centrist voting record and strong presence in the local news have made him a tough target for GOP businessman Tom Rooney, who has had to explain why he was registered to vote for a time at his father’s dog racing track. But today’s revelation, complete with an expletive-filled audio tape, that Mahoney likely paid a former mistress a $121,000 settlement to keep quiet about their extramarital affair after firing her from his congressional staff, is certain to turn this race on its head.

At this point, the story is still breaking and Mahoney has yet to respond publicly to the charges. And it’s true that a scandal can appear to be more devastating on the day it breaks than it ultimately is. But it’s almost impossible to imagine a scenario in which he could avoid severe political damage as a result of these allegations, even with a significant cash-on-hand advantage over Rooney.

Plenty of members of Congress have won reelection after sex scandals have broken. However, the same voters who were livid at former GOP Rep. Mark Foley’s double life two years ago are unlikely to see Mahoney’s transgressions as anything other than grossly hypocritical. Mahoney’s 2006 ads played up his own “faith in family” in contrast with Foley’s misconduct. The ABC News story cites former and current Mahoney staffers who say the affair with the former staffer, Patricia Allen, began before the 2006 election.

Early voting in Florida begins one week from now, so all voters will have had a chance to digest the latest developments in the race by the time they cast their ballots. This scandal moves FL-16 to the Lean Republican column and the top of the list of GOP takeover opportunities.

"Mahoney, Shadegg Move To Lean Republican" (subscription requited).




Whatever

"Floridians in November will decide on six proposed constitutional amendments. Less than a month before the election, most voters don't know much about them." "Poll: Floridians unsure about new amendments".




Budget blues

"Leaders of state law-enforcement organizations are urging Gov. Charlie Crist to spare the Florida Department of Law Enforcement from major budget cuts, warning that criminals will go free without FDLE's technical assistance." "Budget cuts hit FDLE hard Lottery results".




Messy

"GOP incumbent Keller called Grayson an 'ultraliberal' whose 'kooky ideas . . . inch toward socialism.'" "For Keller, Grayson, WMFE debate is mud fest".




Say what?

"Thirty percent of Floridians enrolled in Medicaid reform [sic] said they didn't realize it, and more than half didn't know they could opt out, a new report says." "Florida Medicaid Reform Often A Mystery".




Soft money

"At issue are so-called committees of continuous existence, or CCEs, similar to national '527' groups. In Florida, these committees operate under vague, warm-and-fuzzy names, like Folks for Florida's Future, but they serve as vehicles for legislators to circumvent the $500 limit and raise vast sums. They are allowed under state and federal elections law that let political parties and committees raise unlimited contributions known as soft money." "Groups' accounts enable lobbies to ante up millions for legislators".

Consider: "A Tallahassee police union [sic] group paid for radio and mail ads to voters touting Orange County commission candidate Shannon Gravitte as a 'true crime fighter,' a key plug in a race where crime is a top issue. But records indicate that both ads -- though attributed to the PBA Voice of Law Enforcement Fund -- were bankrolled by local development and theme-park interests who had already given heavily to Gravitte's campaign." "Electioneering groups make contribution limits irrelevant".




A "blessing"

"At the Broward Democratic Party's monthly meeting Tuesday night, it started at the beginning — with the invocation, delivered by Mike Moskowitz, the state committeeman for the county. He called for a 'blessing on the elk and moose in Alaska who have been decimated by Sarah Barracuda' and included a prayer that Palin doesn't turn her sights on the squirrels in Washington, D.C." "Broward Democrats poke fun at Sarah Palin".




Warning! "Political experts" ahead

"Florida Trend asked some of the state's political experts to predict what will happen in Florida on Election Day 2008." "Who will take Florida? McCain or Obama".




HD 28

"When William Smalley, the Democratic challenger for state House District 28, attacks Republican incumbent Dorothy Hukill, he goes after what Hukill considers her strength -- her record as a two-term state representative. " "History key in District 28 race".




Must be balanced

This just in from the Zell Corporation: "But we wish Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama would approach the issues more and their campaigns' dark sides less." "Voters deserve better in the race for president".




Not a hard call

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "Busansky for elections chief".




Back on the ballot

"Ruling puts judge candidate back in race, but ballots lack her name". See also "Ballot printing in Broward County halted until dispute settled".

Warning Will Robinson! Felons trying to vote!

Prepare yourself for RPOFer shrieking about "vote fraud": "More than 30,000 Florida felons who by law should have been stripped of their right to vote remain registered to cast ballots in this presidential battleground state, a Sun Sentinel investigation has found."

Many are faithful voters, with at least 4,900 turning out in past elections.

The felons the Sun Sentinel identified never received clemency, but their names remain on Florida's voter rolls. Some are well-known:"

ex-Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne and ex-Palm Beach County Commissioner Tony Masilotti, for instance, both convicted last year of public corruption.

IQ test: what do these two dudes not have in common with most of the felons stricken from the rolls?

On a separate note, doesn't the (apparently incompetent) FDLE have anything better to do than this?:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs daily checks of criminal records against new voters and those who have made changes to their registrations, sending possible matches to the Elections Division.

"To civil rights advocates,"

the troubled system is an argument to change the state's constitution to automatically restore voting rights to all felons who complete their sentences.

"Many convicted felons remain on voter rolls, according to Sun Sentinel investigation".




Where's John?

"As John McCain struggles for traction in Florida, many Republicans find themselves asking the same question. Where is McCain's television presence?" "Many Republicans ask: Where's McCain's TV presence?".




"Do the math"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board:

The Legislature just cut $332 million from the education budget. The state faces a $3.5 billion deficit next year, projecting further cuts to come. Deficits aren't unusual in downturns. Deficits that large, in a state supposedly this rich, are. They're the consequence of tax policy. One example: In 1999, under Gov. Jeb Bush, the state began phasing out the state tax on income earned on stocks, bonds and other investments -- a cut valued at more than $250 million a year and that mostly benefited the wealthy.

Do the math. That's more than $2 billion in lost revenue right there (not counting the much larger revenue the tax would have brought in from 2003 to 2007, when the stock market soared, not counting the trust-fund raiding that took place in 2001 to close a $1 billion budget gap and the raiding that took place this year to close a larger gap). Jeb Bush boasted that taxes were cut in almost every year he served, until 2006. The tax-slashing party didn't end with Gov. Charlie Crist, who championed a constitutional amendment forcing local governments to scale back their property taxes. The amendment passed, revenue fell, and school boards went into budget-cutting mode -- before the financial crisis hit.

Florida's $610 billion economy ranks it, by itself, as the world's 17th-largest economy -- ahead of Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Poland and Switzerland (where students generally perform better than in Florida), and twice the size of oil-rich Saudi Arabia's. The state economy grew 5.4 percent in 2004, 7.3 percent in 2005 and 3.6 percent in 2006, well ahead of the rest of the nation. Yet Tallahassee is pleading poverty now that its economy hit zero growth in 2007. It's not true that Florida had no choice in the fat years but to cut taxes, or has no choice now but to suffer the consequences. Bad tax policy is reversible tax policy. That's the message teachers and school boards should be hammering on lawmakers.

"Lesson plan for educators: Reform state priorities".




Wexler

"When Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler announced in July that he would begin renting an apartment in his congressional district, it was a rare indication that at least some of the ordinary forces of politics apply to the six-term incumbent." "Aggressive rivals, residency flap muddy Wexler's path to reelection".




Yee Haw!

"A giant Confederate battle flag that has been raised several times at the crossroads of two major highways near Tampa has been replaced with an even bigger flag." "Giant Confederate flag flying near Tampa gets bigger".




Undecided

"Floridians in November will decide on six proposed constitutional amendments. Less than a month before the election, most voters don't know much about them. In a poll conducted Oct. 4-6, more than 40 percent declared themselves undecided on five of the six ballot questions." "Poll: Floridians unsure about new amendments".




"My ambition is to have ambition"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "You can't accuse the state's Public Service Commission of being too ambitious." "Now's not the time for state regulators to wimp out on renewable energy".




Don't get sick

"Volunteers In Medicine, which provides free care for impoverished, uninsured Martin County residents, closed its doors to illegal immigrants last month. Immigrant advocates in Indiantown, including Sister Teresa Auad, aren't sure how many undocumented families were using the clinic's free services, but said a need for primary care definitely exists in the area. ... Treasure Coast Community Health in Fellsmere also requires patients to prove legal residency before receiving care, Executive Director Don Loftus said. The center does direct undocumented patients to other agencies where their legal residency status might not matter." "Illegal immigrants face fewer choices for health care on Treasure Coast".




Don't blame the GOPers

The Zell Corporation wants you to know that the recession --> depression ain't necessarily the fault of GOPerdom: "There is lots of blame to go around. ... Republicans, it is true they contributed with their distaste for government regulation. But it was the Democrats who balked at regulating Fannie and Freddie. Fannie and Freddie downplayed the risks as they raked in massive profits. So if you ask me, all of them caused this meltdown." "Meltdown not over: 'Financial weapons of mass destruction' have yet to go off".




"Aiming for Ros-Lehtinen upset"

"A little-known Colombian- American businesswoman faces an uphill climb as she poses the first serious challenge to a 19-year Congressional incumbent." "Democratic challenger aiming for Ros-Lehtinen upset".

"A longtime congresswoman known for her personal touch, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is expected to fare better than others from her party at the polls." "Ileana Ros-Lehtinen rising above party's ills".




Sad news

"An animal welfare official says a wayward manatee that was rescued from cold Cape Cod waters died on the way home to Florida." "Lost manatee rescued in Mass. dies on trip to Fla.".




HD 33

"A law and order incumbent Republican [Sandy Adams]. A Democratic challenger [Robert Acosta] who would raise sales taxes. An independent with libertarian views. Those are the choices in the campaign for Florida House District 33, which covers west Volusia, as well as parts of Orange and Seminole counties." "Candidates see different needs in House 33 race".




Shhhh ...

Tom Blackburn has a little fun this morning: Roe v. Wade, you know ... "the decision anti-abortion folks rally against in Washington each January."

Who wrote it? A Republican justice (Harry Blackmun) appointed by a Republican president (Nixon). The court's majority consisted of four Republican appointees and three Democrats. The dissenters were one Republican (William Rehnquist) and one Democrat (Byron White).

"Republicans legalized abortion".




McCain who?

"Where's that Crist campaign magic?".




'Ya reckon?

"Congressional District 22: Ron Klein, Allen West disagree on pretty much everything".




TPS

"Two weeks ago, the Bush Administration announced it would extend temporary protected status to an estimated 300,000 Honduran, Nicaraguan and Salvadoran nationals who have been allowed to stay for years after natural disasters struck their countries. It was granted to Hondurans and Nicaraguans after Hurricane Mitch hit in 1998 and to Salvadorans after a series of earthquakes in 2001. While immigrant advocates argue it's unfair to deny Haiti the same benefit afforded those countries, opponents say the fact that the immigrants from those other places are still here is proof the system doesn't work." "Advocates urge U.S. to give undocumented Haitians temporary protected status".




No fat kids

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Legislature made the right call in requiring physical education classes." "Fit minds, fit bodies".




"Still can't seem to shake the 2000 TV spectacle"

"You may think a representative democracy sounds pretty simple. Self-governing folks can take an hour out of their busy lives Nov. 4 to cast their votes and decide which party and presidential hopeful rules the roost. Welcome to Florida. Hope you can stay for a while. Truth is, the Sunshine State still can't seem to shake the 2000 TV spectacle of the presidency being affected by poll workers training their spectacles on dimpled chads." "Here's what you need to know to ensure you can cast your ballot on Election Day".




Stumper

"Boxer, who serves with Obama on the Senate foreign relations and public works committees, will also visit communities in Boynton Beach and Lauderhill on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday she will campaign for Obama in Sunny Isles Beach, in Miami-Dade County." "Sen. Boxer to stump for Obama in West Palm Beach".




Never mind the parasites

Note to RPOFers: some folks don't own their own pools. "Nothing says 'South Florida lifestyle' like a pool, a tropical oasis where you can take a dip year-round. But hundreds of pools are closed annually for carrying parasites, bacteria and other pathogens that can make swimmers seriously ill." "Poorly maintained public pools a growing health concern in South Florida".




Party on

Michael Mayo: "It's party vs. power in Broward County sheriff's race".

RPOFers runnin' for cover, "finger-pointing" begins

"John McCain's plunging poll numbers in Florida have top Republicans second-guessing and starting to distance themselves from the campaign." The wheels are coming off the (mythical) mighty RPOFer machine

''There are a lot of folks who have never been in a foxhole before and are clearly nervous,'' said Brian Ballard, a major McCain fundraiser. "There is some finger-pointing going on a little bit too soon.''

Even Gov. Charlie Crist, who helped deliver Florida for McCain during the primary, said he will spend the final weeks before Election Day minding the state's weak economy rather than campaigning for the Arizona senator.

''When I have time to help, I'll try to do that,'' Crist said last week, after he flew around the state with McCain running mate Sarah Palin. Saturday, he skipped a McCain football rally and instead went to Disney World.

Once considered a potential running mate, Crist had pledged to do all he could for McCain and spent several days this summer campaigning for the Republican nominee in and outside Florida. He faults the tough economic times for McCain's difficult time in Florida, where he trails rival Barack Obama by about 5 percentage points in the polls.

No Republican has won the White House in modern times without carrying Florida. The last to lose the state was McCain's former colleague, Sen. Bob Dole, in 1996. Some Republicans say the state party hasn't done enough, while others blame McCain's national campaign.

You know the RPOFers are hiding under the sheets when reporters resort to Roger Stone for a quote. Stone, a "'stone-cold loser'", "hater", "Nixon-era dirty trickster", sexual deviant, as well as

a longtime McCain supporter, said the state party and the national campaign bear almost equal blame.

''This effort lacks coordination and a cooperative spirit and it's showing,'' Stone said. ``But it's more than mechanics. The campaign has no consistent message.''

"Democrats say they expect the race to tighten, despite their cash advantage. And economic problems aside, Republican spending is also lower in Florida than in 2004 because there's no Jeb Bush determined to deliver Florida for his brother."

All of this comes at a time when the party financial reports show that in the last quarter GOP officials claimed $500,000 in credit card expenses and $300,000 for chartered planes.

Jim Greer, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, said the party's spending isn't unusual for election time. Greer chartered a private jet last week to appear at a Sarah Palin rally after he was told there was no room on the campaign plane.

That came just after the St. Petersburg Times reported details about a strategy meeting between McCain's Florida staff and GOP officials and Greer was quoted as saying he was just trying ''to make sure everything was done right'' by the McCain campaign.

McCain staffers say the meeting was routine and many Republicans viewed the leak of the meeting as blame-shifting by Greer, especially after he criticized Palin in the New York Times.

Much more here: "Florida Republicans cast blame as McCain trails in polls". See also "How much can Crist do to help McCain?": "As Republican hopes appear to be fading nationally, Gov. Charlie Crist stands out as one of the country’s most popular GOP officials. But it’s not clear how much he can do, or is willing to do, to help presidential candidate John McCain win in Florida."




Stop the no-match madness

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial board: "Florida could be watching a disaster unfolding in slow motion. To avoid that, Gov. Charlie Crist and Browning have only one viable option: They should suspend enforcement of the No Match, No Vote law until after the Nov. 4 election." "'No Match, No Vote'". Remember,

The law at issue bars any Florida citizen from becoming registered to vote and voting with a regular ballot if the state cannot validate the applicant's driver's license number or the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number, no matter how much identification the voter brings to the polls on Election Day. The process starts with an attempt to "match" voter information to other government databases, an error-prone exercise that often fails. For example, the Social Security Administration reports a 46% failure rate when trying to match voter registration applications. State officials admitted in a recent challenge to the law, Florida NAACP v. Browning, that typographical errors by election workers are responsible for most of the failures.

If the state cannot match the voter registration records, many eligible voters who submit registration applications before the October 6th deadline to register may not be notified of the matching failure until Election Day, when they appear at the polls to vote. There, they will be forced to cast a provisional ballot, and that provisional ballot will only be counted if the voter submits a photocopy of his or her driver's license or Social Security card within 48 hours after the election, even if they already showed their driver's license at the polls.

"Florida To Enforce Restrictive No-Match No-Vote".




Voting to begin

"Secretary of State Kurt Browning told county elections supervisors Friday morning that Florida is in good shape for the start of early voting and the general election."

Registration drives have swelled Florida's voter rolls by more than 800,000 this year through September, with a net advantage going to Democrats.

Final numbers won't be out from the state until next week, but available figures show of those who have registered to vote this year, 360,478 were Democrats, 190,137 were Republican and 253,294 were independent or had no party affiliation.

"Browning: Fla. ready for early voting". Actually,

the net gain for Democrats is even bigger. Including party switchers and voters dropped from the rolls, Democrats netted 415,580 voters through September, compared to the Republican Party of Florida's 169,841. That's a difference of plus-245,739 for the Democrats.

"By the numbers". And get this, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer,

accuses Democrats of "signing up anybody who has a pulse".

As opposed to who, Jimmy?: Anyone who has a yacht, a Beemer, a kid at Gulliver Prep, or ... you know, the rest of the RPOF base:




"Grab your hoods and your pitch forks and we'll meet at the library for the book burning!"




Florida's would-be "president of Cuba"

Lincoln Diaz-Balart is

facing the first real challenge to his seat from a populist Democrat who says today's voters are more worried about home foreclosures than Cuba policy, Diaz-Balart is campaigning aggressively and raising more money than ever.

As of Aug. 6, he had raised $1.7 million, about a quarter of it from law firms, real-estate interests and political action committees with interests in foreign and defense policy, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group in Washington.

Yet, even some Republicans in his district say Diaz-Balart remains a bit of a mystery.

''Most people don't know what it is he's been doing all the time he's been up there,'' said Robert Bueso, a Republican and treasurer of the East Kendall Homeowners Organization. "We do know his opinion on Cuba.''

The acknowledged a mere "'niche player'": and "to his colleagues and constituents, he is known, first and foremost, for his crusade against Castro's Cuba.' Critics say little has changed nearly a decade later." Indeed,

Diaz-Balart's focus has prompted accusations that, as the premier defender of U.S.-Cuba policy, he views his seat in Congress as a stepping stone to the job he really wants: president of Cuba.

"House race: Diaz-Balart noted for stand on Cuba".




M.T. go home

"A wayward manatee is headed south after being pulled from frigid waters off Cape Cod in an early morning rescue." "Manatee headed to Fla. after Mass. rescue".




No-Buddy

"Headlines about Hillsborough Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson that highlight troubles with property taxes, polling places and election returns have been useful for Phyllis Busansky, his re-election challenger." "Busansky waits for right time to attack Johnson".




The corridor

"The 132-mile interstate running from Tampa Bay to Daytona Beach cuts through fast-growing cities and neighborhoods flooded with new immigrants, through citrus farms, Disney and the birthplace of American stock car racing. It comprises 40 percent of the Florida's voting population, and also by far its most unpredictable voting bloc." "132 miles of potent political influence".




Laff riot

Dan Moffett apparently had to rush something out before his deadline:

We like to fool ourselves that Florida is this progressive, modern state showing Americans the way into the new millennium.

Other than Jeb-Dubya-Palin-McCain dead enders, and their media company lapdogs, has anyone fooled themselves - if for even a moment - into seriously believing that Florida is "progressive", "modern", and (most hilarious of all) capable of "showing Americans the way into the new millennium".

Moffett readily concedes that, even the cheerleaders "know better" about any claim Florida may have to being "progressive" or "modern":

- "For example, the state pulled off a major coup by getting The Scripps Research Institute to come to Palm Beach County and with it, a stream of brilliant scientists and beautiful minds. But before the new research campus had its sod laid, the Legislature passed a budget that forces the public schools to make deep cuts and universities to turn away students. Here comes Scripps - there goes education."

- "The state that is home to NASA and figured mightily in putting a man on the moon is the same state that can't figure out how to count ballots after an election, after all."

- "We finally start seeing progress cleaning up the Everglades, and then it's time to start pushing for more offshore drilling."

- "Rising gas prices make Tri-Rail ridership soar, so government decides to cut its financing."

It is hard to see how offering financial incentives to private enterprise (Scripps), serving as the background for a successful federal program (NASA), cleaning our soiled environment up a bit (the 'Glades), or tip-toeing into rudimentary mass transit (Tri-Rail) demonstrates that Florida is in any way "progressive" or even "modern", but Moffett's the man with the ink. Anyway, that was all a setup to Moffett's well taken comments on this:

reformers have good reason to be worried about getting voters to pass Amendment 1 next month.

The amendment would remove from the Florida Constitution a disgraceful provision leftover from the Jim Crow era known as the "alien land law." In 1926, Florida voters banned Asian immigrants from owning property. It was typical of about a dozen other discriminatory state laws of the period.

But it is also typical that all the other states have repealed their alien land laws while Florida hasn't. Though no one has tried to enforce the law here in decades, it remains a hurtful anachronism.

The Legislature should have removed the law long ago. In 2007, Sen. Steve Geller, D-Hallandale Beach, tried to have it struck down but was blocked by the Republican majority. Incredibly, Sen. Geller's opponents argued that the law might still be a useful tool in protecting the state against foreign incursions during these dangerous times.

You know, if Asians buy land here, the terrorists win.

"Time to evict Jim Crow".

See 'ya at the tractor pull.




McCain-Palin "Pre-election victory bash"

"The Republican Party of Florida is so sure of a win for McCain here they've lined up an Oct. 18 pre-election victory bash for the McCain- Sarah Palin ticket at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando. The invite mentions a "special guest speaker." Crist and state GOP chairman Jim Greer will be there, along with congressional and state legislative leaders who might show up." "Is GOP too confident?"




Young

"Politically, he said, the smartest course of action for members of Congress was to vote against the bailout." "Young stands by his 'no' vote on bailout".




Paper ballot mythbuster

Randy Schultz, who never did like paper ballots, addresses as coupla "myths" about paper ballot voting. First:

With paper ballots, if the race is real close, they just count all the ballots by hand and decide the winner, right? Wrong.

Under state law, there's first a machine recount if the margin in any race is 0.5 percentage points or less - say, 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent. All the ballots are fed through special, high-speed counters in the elections office. These machines are different from the ones at early-voting sites and polling places. If, after the machines finish, the margin is 0.25 percentage points or less, there's a hand recount.

So, that's when they look at all the ballots, right? Wrong.

The high-speed machines are designed to separate out invalid ballots: those with more that one choice in a race (overvotes) and those with no choice (undervotes.) Only those ballots are counted by hand. There's your paper trail.

Therefore, if John McCain and Barack Obama are separated by a recount-sized margin, there would be no arguing as there was in 2000 over which counties would hold a recount. All 67 counties would do a machine recount. That would make things easier. But if there had to be a hand recount, forget the idea of human eyes on every ballot.

Second:

With touch screens, you could "vote" at numerous spots in each polling place. With optical scans, you can't vote until you put the ballot though the scanner. There will be lines waiting to cast ballots, and then lines waiting to insert the ballot. There will be no more than two scanners per precinct. Don't vote absentee; the error rate is much higher. But this may be a good year to vote early.

"Not every paper ballot counted".




Only Dem "moderates" and those "willing to buck" Dem Party orthodoxy need apply ...

... but right-wing GOPer bomb throwers remain welcome at the Zell corporation.

It was not a hard call for the Zell Corporation to endorse Kosmas over Feeney, who has become a public relations nightmare for his patrons at the Orlando Sentinel.

They explain:

We've endorsed Mr. Feeney in each of his previous races for Congress, but he's never faced a challenger as capable as this year's, Democrat Suzanne Kosmas. Ms. Kosmas, a former four-term state House member, is a successful businesswoman with a mostly moderate campaign platform.

"We think: Kosmas, Blythe, Putnam and Stearns would serve voters best".

I see - no problem endorsing wingnut Feeney in the past, before he became a PR nightmare, particularly since Kosmas is "mostly moderate" (read: "safe"). On the other hand, the editors (or the accountants, or whoever makes these endorsements), think it is fine to send a useless, flame throwing wingnut like Republican Adam Putnam back to DC, particularly when - in a soon to be Dem DC - fools who are "regularly skewering Democratic leaders in national TV appearances" won't be particularly effective.

To its credit, the Zell corporation did endorse Dem "Steve Blythe in the 15th Congressional District". However, the rationale is equally thin: Blythe "appears more capable than Mr. Posey, a state senator, of bucking party orthodoxy to pass legislation benefiting his entire constituency."

None of this is any secret - the Zell Corporation is happy to endorse a Dem or two*, as long as they are "mostly moderate" and happy to "buck[ Democratic] party orthodoxy", but has no problem with right wing ideologues** like Putnam, Mica, Keller Brown-Waite, Stearns, Keller and, before he became an embarrassment, Feeney.


- - - - - - - - - -
*One suspects Putnam, Mica, Keller Brown-Waite, Stearns and Keller were not asked what they thought about these Congressional Hearings convened by Senator Bernie Sanders: "HELP Committee Hearing - Immokalee Tomato Farmers -- 04/15/2008".

More: "four senators, including Sanders, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Springfield (Ill.); Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., have signed a letter urging Burger King Corp. and the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange to improve wages similar to the ones agreed upon by other fast-food chains." "Federal lawmaker comes to Immokalee to support farmworkers".

Background: "Modern-Day Slavery", "Florida remains a slave state", "Sheriff: There is slavery in Florida tomato fields", "Farmworkers exploited, even enslaved, in Florida" and "Slavery Update".

**The liberal - we hate oil drilling - Zell Corporation editors apparently have no qualms about overlooking the GOPer flip-floppery on the drilling issue.




Never mind the hypocrisy

The Miami Herald editorial board writes that "Mr. Bovo supports a constitutional ban on gay marriage, a position with which this board strongly disagrees. Yet in the same breath he says that he does not support any form of discrimination." After noting this gross hypocrisy, the editors give us these words: "The Miami Herald recommends ESTEBAN ''STEVE'' BOVO." And they throw in another right winger for good measure: "For House District 111 The Miami Herald recommends Erik Fresen".

More: "For Florida House District 107 The Miami Herald recommends Luis Garcia" and "For Florida House District 112 The Miami Herald recommends David Rivera".




Who writes these headlines anyway?

"A poll by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund finds that while Barack Obama overwhelmingly leads McCain in other states with big Hispanic populations — Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada — Florida Hispanics are closely split, with 38 percent backing McCain and 35 percent backing Obama."

The headline to the above passage, "Hispanics snub Obama", is ... well, a bit off the mark. After all, "the numbers in NV, CO, NM, and even FL are well above the 2004 levels of support that Bush received." See "NEW POLLS: NM, NV, CO, FL, Hispanics Crushing McCain".




'Ya think?

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board: "No on Amendment 2".




That's sum real rich pigs

Palin's "appearances in Boca Raton and Naples brought in $1.5-million apiece and a Jacksonville stop netted an estimated $1.2-million, according to Brian Ballard, co-chairman of John McCain's national finance team." "Palin piles up cash for McCain".




Must be balanced

Why do local newspaper company employees find the need to travel to other states and write less than insightful tripe like this?: In Democratic stronghold, a reluctant tilt to Obama".




SD 25

"Jeff Atwater faces Linda Bird for Florida Senate District 25 seat".




Latino Protestants

"With election day drawing near, the Rev. Manny Torres has a dilemma."

Torres, pastor of Primera Bautista Iglesia Voz de Salvacion, a bilingual Southern Baptist church in Lakeland, is a Latino Protestant, one of a few religious groups that might hold the key to the election.

"My heart is pointing more to Obama. My church feels the same way," he said. "We're paying so much taxes. And the economy, all these bad loans. People are losing their property. People are disappointed they voted for Bush. He knew the economy was falling apart."

"A Few Key Religious Groups May Affect Outcome of Election".




ACORN

"A senior deputy elections supervisor "

in Orange said her office has had problems with "hundreds" of ACORN-submitted forms, and Seminole's Michael Ertel said his office had received about 100 applications with non-matching Social Security numbers. But both seemed to attribute the problems more to sloppiness than intent to defraud.

"Aaron Deslatte: ACORN's voter signups bother McCain, but not Crist". More on this Ertel person here: "Beating the Bushes for a Supervisor of Elections".




"The vision I get"

St. Petersburg Times columnist Ernest Hooper: "Imagine a black man standing on a yacht and pulling up the rope ladder after climbing aboard, even though more people are down in the water. That's the vision I get whenever I hear black people, especially black ministers, promoting Amendment 2, the state's proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage." "Blacks and Amendment 2".




St. John

"The head of Florida's environmental agency announced a plan for Northeast Florida's cities and utilities to spend more than $600 million helping the St. Johns River." "NE Fla. cities, utilities to help St. Johns River".




Good luck

"Scientists trying to save Florida's diminishing coral reefs are using new approaches to help damaged reefs recover and survive a changing climate." "Researchers work to revitalize Florida's coral reefs".




SOE race

"The race for Hernando County supervisor of elections comes down to whether, after eight years, the status quo is working to a voter's liking, or it is time for a change. ... Williams, a Democrat, began her career in the elections office as a 17-year-old clerk, and over the years moved through the ranks to the position of assistant supervisor before she won election to the office in 2000. During her eight-year tenure, the number of people on the voter rolls in Hernando has risen nearly 24 percent as the county has grown." "Three with similar goals jostle for Hernando elections post".