The ads come at a critical time for Republican Crist: His once-bulletproof popularity is showing cracks.

And despite having a $6 million campaign account, he is facing a real primary fight against former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, a favorite among conservatives.

In the ads, Crist presents himself as a penny-pinching conservative and blasts President Barack Obama as a big spender.

Crist takes credit for cutting state spending by $7 billion, reductions forced by the lousy economy and declining tax receipts. In fact, the Legislature has trimmed his proposed budgets every year he has been in office. ...

On one radio station in Fort Myers, the same city where Crist appeared with Obama to embrace the president and his stimulus package, WINK News conservative host Mandy Connell ripped the governor's claims.

"Oh, my God, my head is going to explode," she said. "I cannot stand people to take credit for things that they didn't do. We can't spend our way to prosperity? What ... was your standing on stage begging Barack Obama for stimulus money, then?"

A poll done by Insider Advantage this week showed his approval rating at 48 percent — below 50 percent for the first time — though a Florida Chamber of Commerce poll had his approval rating at 62 percent.

Either way, Crist is no longer considered a sure bet against Rubio, who raised $1 million this summer and has had a string of decisive victories in straw polls among party activists.

Crist also boasts that while spending in Washington has been increasing, he has cut Florida's budget by $7 billion since taking office. What he doesn't say is that Florida's constitution requires a balanced budget, and that state revenues have declined because of the recession, forcing the budget cuts.

When Crist pushed for the stimulus package, one of his arguments was that it was needed to prevent even deeper budget cuts. When it passed, Crist said, "I couldn't be more pleased on how this turned out."

Crist also says in the ads that he has cut taxes. And while Crist did successful push for cuts in property taxes, he doesn't mention that the last budget he signed included $2 billion in increased taxes and fees, including increased vehicle registration fees and a higher cigarette tax.

But as Crist runs for the U.S. Senate in 2010, he faces a Republican primary battle with former state House Speaker Marco Rubio who is helping spur some conservative party activists to turn against the governor.

Rubio, who will make campaign stops today in Volusia and Flagler counties, is traveling the state pitching a conservative message that ranges from cutting taxes to opposing the federal stimulus package.

And in the process, the Miami-Dade County lawyer is trying to draw sharp distinctions with Crist and present himself as the best candidate to go to Democratic-controlled Washington.

"I don't believe (Crist) will be a check and balance on the direction that President Obama and (Democratic leaders) Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi would take our country," Rubio said.

Wild horses ...

"20 wild mustangs found galloping along Kissimmee River north of Lake Okeechobee".

Kosmas krushing challengers

"U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas more than doubled the combined fundraising efforts of her top Republican challengers in the past three months, raising doubts as to whether the GOP can recapture the east-central Florida seat from the freshman Democrat. Kosmas, of New Smyrna Beach, collected more than $305,000 from a combination of individual Florida donors and powerful political-action committees, including at least $17,500 from unions, $4,000 from aerospace companies and more than $20,000 from the financial sector."

Her efforts far outpaced the three Republicans who had jumped into the race. One of them, state Rep. Dorothy Hukill, announced last week that she would abandon her fledgling campaign. The Port Orange lawmaker raised less than $25,000 in her inaugural quarter.

Her GOP peers fared slightly better. Winter Park Commissioner Karen Diebel — a favorite of national Republican strategists — raised more than $50,000. Most of these contributions came from her hometown, where about 40 supporters gave money to her campaign.

"In the beginning, you do focus on where you're from — your friends and your family," said Anthony Bonna, her campaign manager. He said fundraising slowed when former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz briefly considered entering the race. Holtz has since headlined a fundraiser for Diebel.

Thank you, Mr. Obama

"Stimulus spending puts 33,547 to work in Florida, more than half in education".

Muscogee Nation of Florida

The Tribe's "last victory was in 2007, when U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez introduced the Muscogee Nation of Florida Federal Recognition Act. The bill, a giant leap after a series of baby steps, remains under consideration in the Committee on Indian Affairs. U.S. Reps. Jeff Miller and Allen Boyd are co-sponsoring a House version. The bill could take another leap later this month, when either committee could send it up for a vote." "Panhandle tribe seeks US recognition".

Expect a Crist press conference at any moment

"Housing booming: Naples area Realtors report large increase in home sales from July to September".

Even the Trib gets it

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "The state Senate, to its credit, did approve a funding plan, but it failed in the House, where the leadership linked Florida Forever funding to a controversial plan to allow oil drilling immediately off the coast. This time lawmakers, regardless of how they feel about coastal drilling, should recognize petroleum production is an inappropriate funding source." "State must preserve Florida Forever".

Florida Hometown Democracy

Jim Saunders: "Florida voters are still more than a year away from an election showdown about how to manage the state's growth. But opponents are gearing up to try to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment, known as Florida Hometown Democracy, which would allow the public to make many major development decisions." "Debate rages on Hometown Democracy amendment".

The best they can do?

"2 in GOP may oppose Kottkamp for attorney general".

Grayson green

"U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, netted about $345,000 for his re-election — even as several established Republican opponents declined to challenge the bombastic freshman lawmaker."

[H]e raised his profile among Democratic donors last month when he said the Republican proposal for health-care reform was for sick patients to "die quickly."

The comments — made on the eve of the Sept.30 reporting deadline — did not have a major effect on his totals. But a last-minute flurry of out-of-state donations through the liberal political-action committee ActBlue hints that Grayson's comments could fuel a big haul in the next cycle.

As Crist parties in Las Vegas* ...

... "For the first time, more than 1 million Floridians are out of work. " "High Florida jobless rate to persist". See also ""Florida sees worst jobless rate since 1975".

- - - - - - - - - -
*"Crist will benefit from a fundraiser at the Palazzo Hotel and Casino, one of the newest casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, on Oct. 29. His host, Las Vegas Sands Corp. CEO Sheldon Adelson, is the 26th-richest man in America, according to Forbes magazine." "Governor Charlie Crist plans pricey event with Freedom's Watch funder".

Marco goes local

"A preliminary analysis of Rubio’s most recent fundraising records, available today, show that the former state House Speaker pulled a majority of donations from Florida, undercutting speculation that he would get much of his support from out-of-state conservatives, rather than supporters (and more importantly voters) in his home state. What's more, the vast majority of these gave relatively small contributions -- less than $1,000 -- which means Rubio can go back to them for more money. Late Friday, the Rubio campaign estimated that he received more than $698,000 from almost 5,800 Florida donors and nearly $315,000 from almost 3,200 donors outside Florida." "Where did Rubio get his $1 million in donations?".

"The definition of a public record ..."

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The ruling makes clear that public agencies cannot circumvent Florida's Sunshine laws by doing government business with private companies or by using the Internet: 'The appeal by the university is a matter of public concern. It is not transformed into a private matter merely because the documents the university lawyers used to prepare the appeal reside on a computer owned by a private organization. The definition of a public record does not turn on the sender's method of transmission.'" "EDITORIAL: The 'Sunshine' gets brighter".

Legislative Film, Entertainment and Television Caucus

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "While we anxiously wait for the Legislature to honestly notice and earnestly invest in higher education to rev up the economic engines of the knowledge economy, it is heartening to see other approaches being championed."

This week, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, made another step forward in her efforts to build momentum in the film and entertainment industry, which is such a natural for Florida. It is also links to major assets of our community: Florida State University's College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts and other FSU and Florida A&M music and performing arts programs.

Ms. Rehwinkel Vasilinda announced Thursday that leading actor Jeffrey Donovan of USA Network's "Burn Notice," will join Florida legislators on Nov. 3, the next committee week, to launch the Legislative Film, Entertainment and Television Caucus.

Brown takes a pass

"Fla. Rep. Brown won't run for Senate".

"Another economic stimulus is needed"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board:

Millions of Americans are hurting from loss of jobs, homes and health insurance. In Florida, the unemploment rate is 11 percent (11.7 percent in Volusia County and 16.2 percent in Flagler County). Unemployment insurance should be extended, and with it, extensions of subsidized health benefits for the unemployed and their children. Jobs should be created. Federal and state governments have various means. One option is tax breaks or tax credits for businesses that create jobs, as long as the system isn't easily gamed to enable bogus job creation.

Another option is faster government spending of stimulus money already approved in February. As of this week, just $111 billion of the February $787 billion stimulus package has been spent. The package included $213 billion in tax cuts. An additional $470 billion is left to spend. Just $63 billion in tax cuts have been issued, leaving $150 billion yet to stream through the economy. Florida has been among the most laggard states in its spending of highway aid.

More Grayson

"The petition accuses Reid, D-Nevada, of trying to placate Republican Sen. Olympia Snow, the lone Republican to vote for the Finance Committee bill. 'Olympia Snowe was not elected President last year. Olympia Snowe has no veto power in the Senate. Olympia Snowe represents a state with one half of one percent of America's population.'" "Democrat Alan Grayson turns on his own party".

Thanks, Senator Atwater

"Florida Power & Light Co. got the OK on Friday to collect nearly $63 million next year to upgrade two nuclear power plants and build another that hasn't even been approved, thanks at least in part to state Sen. Jeff Atwater and an amendment he quietly added to a bill passed into law three years ago."

The "nuclear cost recovery clause" allows utilities to charge customers for planning and building nuclear plants before federal authorities approve them and doesn't require power companies to reimburse customers if the plants never come to fruition.

$600,000

"Special election to fill Wexler congressional seat could cost $600,000 in Palm Beach County".

Billy gettin' desperate

Steve Bousquet: "Bill McCollum and Alex Sink share common skepticism about oil drilling".

Trial lawyer staffers suspended

Aaron Deslatte: "The Florida Justice Association announced Friday that it had suspended its top three staffers -- Scott Carruthers, Paul Jess and political director Albert Balido -- for their role in the production of a racially charged mailer at the center of a multimillion-dollar special election last month." "Trial lawyer lobby suspends its top brass over racial mailer".

Which explains Kathy Castor

"As Florida cities go, Bay area is smart, Web site says".

Huth in the game in HD 26

Jim Saunders: "The race to replace state Rep. Pat Patterson next year is attracting early money."

New campaign reports show Republican Fred Costello raised $36,590 between July 1 and Sept. 30 for the House District 26 race. In all, Costello, the Ormond Beach mayor, has raised $65,224 since starting to collect contributions early this year.

But Democrat Tim Huth, a Volusia County deputy schools superintendent who entered the race in July, nearly matched Costello during the recently completed fundraising quarter. Huth brought in $30,070.

Republican Vince Champion of Ormond Beach raised $5,977, giving him a total of $21,477. Another Republican in District 26, Nathan Daniel McDonell, entered the race in September and raised $1,520.

And after a string of losses to U.S. Senate rival Marco Rubio in small, local GOP polls, Crist suffered his first setback in a large county with Wednesday's 90-17 vote by the Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee.

Crist said he hadn't seen the InsiderAdvantage survey that pegged his approval at 48 percent; instead he pointed to a Florida Chamber of Commerce survey this week that showed him at 62 percent. "I like that,'' he said on his way into the Broward Sheriff's Office to promote awareness of domestic violence.

Polls and press releases only mean so much, but combined with Rubio's improved fundraising, Crist's campaign is no longer seen as a sure thing. That's a huge swing from just a few months ago.

but combined with Rubio's improved fundraising, Crist's campaign is no longer seen as a sure thing. That's a huge swing from just a few months ago.

"Something's changed,'' said Republican state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale. "Three months in the political world is a lifetime.''

Bogdanoff, Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Majority Leader Adam Hasner are the three lawmakers representing Palm Beach County who didn't lend their names to Crist's campaign. "I have my own race to worry about,'' said Bogdanoff, though her state Senate bid didn't stop her from serving as an honorary co-chair of Bill McCollum's campaign for governor.

Hmmm ...

Adam Smith writes that "when former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre jumped in,"

[he] wondered about his relationship with [Republican operative Roger] Stone, who has a reputation for being in the middle of bizarre political theatrics- from the "Brooks Brothers riots" that shut down the Miami-Dade recount in 2000 to the Al Sharpton presidential campaign in 2004.

"Roger Stone is a friend of mine for many, many years, and he has been for many years an adviser...He talked to me about this race about a year ago and said you need to keep an eye on this race,'' said Ferre, who also stressed that Stone is not advising or directly involved in his campaign.

Benson jumps, ready to challenge Kottkamp

"One of Gov. Charlie Crist's top healthcare advisors abruptly resigned her state job Thursday, a strong signal that Republican Holly Benson plans to run for attorney general. If, as expected, Benson seeks the Cabinet post, she will be challenging Jeff Kottkamp, the man Crist picked as his lieutenant governor in 2006." "Healthcare advisor abruptly resigns".

Bill Cotterell writes that the 38 year old Benson "will have some catching up to do to challenge Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp for the Republican nomination. Kottkamp reported raising $175,000 in the past three months in his campaign to succeed Attorney General Bill McCollum, he has the advantage of statewide name recognition and is identified with Crist, who is running for the U.S. Senate. The governor has not endorsed Kottkamp and said Tuesday that competition makes candidates stronger. McCollum has also stayed neutral in the GOP race to succeed him." "AHCA chief Benson resigns".

Death penalty politics

"Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd wanted convicted killer Paul B. Johnson to be Florida's next death-row inmate executed."

So Judd took his desires to the people of Polk and to the only person in Florida who can sign a death warrant: Gov. Charlie Crist.

The sheriff and his team lobbied Crist with written petitions, online petitions and a letter-writing campaign. He advertised their efforts on the Sheriff's Office Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Judd even cornered Crist at a funeral for a Tampa police officer in August. He reminded the governor that another cop killer had been sitting on death row since 1981, and justice was waiting.

The governor, Judd said, was true to his word.

It also has death-row attorneys worried that it could start a new precedent.

"There is no rhyme or reason," said veteran death-penalty lawyer and one of Johnson's attorneys, Martin McClain. ...

The governor's decision is also the latest example of how subjective the process of death-order selection can be. There are inmates other than Johnson who have been on death row longer. And there are others who have no more appeals left.

Johnson has an appeal pending in the Florida Supreme Court.

Some sheriffs, such as Seminole County's Don Eslinger, want to leave the process to the courts and governor.

Others applaud Judd's imitative.

"What happens next is what matters"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "To attempt a reversal of what has become an embarrassing breach of ethics affecting not only in certain areas of the state, but also the Legislature's reputation, Mr. Crist made the grand gesture of requesting a grand jury be empaneled by the Florida Supreme Court to examine almost any case or aspect of Florida law it wishes for the next year."

In his call for a statewide grand jury, Gov. Crist is undeniably making a strong political and symbolic statement; he is, after all, running for office. It is nonetheless one that speaks to the public's weariness of seeing public officials here at home and nationwide maneuver for their own gain and take advantage of their positions ethically, personally and, in some cases illegally.

What happens next is what matters.

"Florida governments dragging feet on open-records law"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Lobbyists and pressure groups are exploiting instant-messaging tools and ubiquitous laptops at most elected officials' desks to get around open meeting strictures that require all communications during meetings to be public." "Electronic sunshine".

Drill baby, drill!

Steve Bousquet: "The state Legislature will be the battleground next spring as supporters and foes of offshore oil drilling ramp up their respective campaigns." "Drilling backers, foes prepare for big fight".

"Who's Charlie Crist kidding?"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board:

Who's Charlie Crist kidding? The Associated Press reports the governor now supports legislation that would fill U.S. Senate vacancies by special elections rather than appointment.

He's for it, we're told, because he favors democracy.

Hmm. Then what was Mr. Crist doing in August when ... [he]tapped his sidekick and former chief of staff George LeMieux. A man who'd never won public office. A person no one but Mr. Crist would think to appoint.

The "people's governor" favors democracy? His appointment of Mr. LeMieux says otherwise.

AIF, GOPers go after Argenziano

"Days after Tallahassee's top prosecutor said his investigation into the state's utilities regulator was turning up no 'skullduggery,' a powerful lawmaker and an important business lobby are calling for additional inquiries into the Public Service Commission."

Associated Industries of Florida, which has sided with Florida Power & Light in its request to raise rates $1.3 billion, called for the PSC's inspector general to investigate Commissioner Nancy Argenziano's BlackBerry messages to her former aide, saying they raised questions about her impartiality.

And Rep. Carlos Lopez Cantera, a Miami Republican who sits on the PSC nominating council, echoed Associated Industries president and chief executive officer Barney Bishop's call for an investigation of Argenziano, but said it should also include Commissioner Lisa Edgar, who exchanged BlackBerry messages with an FPL lobbyist, Jorge Chamizo.

Decisions, decisions ...

"Dockery Will Have News in 3 Weeks".

Deutch jumps

"State Sen. Ted Deutch to seek Congressman Robert Wexler's seat". See also "State Sen. Ted Deutch says he will seek Wexler's seat in Congress".

"Galloping north of Lake Okeechobee"

"Pythons invading Florida's natural areas now have competition galloping north of Lake Okeechobee." "20 mustangs found roaming land north of Lake Okeechobee".

PSC

"Despite pressure from both Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature, state regulators on Thursday recommended that electric utilities not be required to give customers new incentives for saving energy and reducing electrical consumption." "PSC staff recommends utilities be allowed to drop conservation incentives".

'Glades

Joel Engelhardt: "News item: The state agency that oversees the environment 'believes' that 'a transportation, warehousing and distribution complex that serves heavy diesel truck traffic and rail operations ... is incompatible' with Everglades restoration. Makes sense, right? Why would restoring Florida's Everglades go hand-in-glove with creating a center of industry?" "Same political environment".

More Glades: "Long-stalled project to help Florida Bay, Everglades finally getting started".

Wexler

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Wexler: New role, big chance". Related: "Wexler bows out with $977,616 in campaign account".

Limbaugh blames the union for getting the boot

"Limbaugh said the real reason he's out is the NFLPA's attempt to influence negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. 'It's designed to intimidate the owners, frighten the owners, and say 'We're running this league now, gang, not you,'' Limbaugh said." "Limbaugh blasts critics after losing bid for Rams". See also Eugene Robinson's, "No, Limbaugh, it was just about you".

Privatizing the First Amendment

"Confirming that Thursday's St. Petersburg City Council meeting about privatizing the BayWalk sidewalk would be controversial, two people were arrested after a fight broke out. ... Thursday's vote giving control over the sidewalk to BayWalk gives the complex's managers the power to ban protests there." "BayWalk decision leads to brawl at City Hall".

Mendelsohn held fundraisers at his home for Crist's 2006 governor's race and had used secretive political committees to boost Crist and attack at least one rival.

Crist then made Mendelsohn a member of his gubernatorial transition team in 2007. And the governor wrote a personal letter asking the University of Florida's medical school to admit Mendelsohn's son.

• Harry Sergeant III, Crist's college fraternity brother and fundraiser, employed a foreign national who allegedly gave illegal campaign contributions to Crist through an intermediary listed as "H.S.'' in a federal indictment.

• Sergio Pino stepped down in 2006 as Crist's campaign finance chairman amid a grand jury probe into whether he raised funds illegally. Pino was never charged.

A thousand words

"Photos: Crist and Gingrich at Florida Chamber forum".

Crist loses another one

"In what has become a familiar ritual at gatherings of Republican activists across Florida, former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio trounced Gov. Charlie Crist in a straw poll of GOP Senate candidates tonight." "Palm Beach County GOP Senate straw poll: Rubio 90, Crist 17" and "Palm Beach straw poll goes to Rubio. Big time.". See also "Rubio crushes Crist in Palm Beach straw poll".

Grayson

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board:

So much for "one and done," the dismissive tag the GOP presumptuously pinned on Democrat Alan Grayson after he beat Republican Ric Keller last year for Florida's 8th congressional seat. Grayson would serve one term, they declared, then get his hat handed to him.

Laff riot

"Republicans eager to unseat a brash Orlando Democrat who said their party's healthcare plan amounts to hoping people "die quickly'' have so far been unsuccessful in finding a candidate."

But now comes a willing Republican -- all the way from South Florida.

Armando Gutierrez Jr., son of one of Miami's best-known political consultants and a member of local civic boards, voted in the city of Coral Gables as recently as April. ...

Gutierrez, a 28-year-old real estate developer and Republican Party fundraiser, said he has already lined up endorsements from three Central Florida Republicans: U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and state Reps. Chris Dorworth and Bryan Nelson. ...

Gutierrez is the son of one of Miami's best known political consultants, Armando Gutierrez, and -- like his father -- has planted roots in many parts of the community. ...

He is also a member of the Republican National Committee's Young Eagles, a group of 35-and-under donors. He has raised money for Florida U.S. Reps. Adam Putnam, Vern Buchanan and Tom Rooney, among others.

A spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee said the party is confident it will field a viable candidate to take back the seat Grayson won in 2008, defeating Republican Rep. Ric Keller.

Floridians cooling on Crist, want HCR

"A new poll out Wednesday indicates that Gov. Charlie Crist's statewide popularity has dipped below the halfway mark for the first time. The survey of 523 registered voters by InsiderAdvantage indicated that Crist still has positive numbers across Florida — 48-percent approval, compared to 41-percent disapproval of his overall job performance. But his ratings have been running in the 60- to 70-percent range."

Matt Towery, head of the Atlanta consulting firm InsiderAdvantage, said he "was somewhat taken aback" by the numbers.

"It has been conventional wisdom based on prior polling that Gov. Crist was somehow immune to the more tepid approval ratings we have seen for other incumbents in large states facing significant challenges," he said.

- What is your current political affiliation?
Republican: 41%
Democrat: 40%
Independent: 19%

- What is your opinion of the job performance of Governor Charlie Crist?
Approve: 48%
Disapprove: 41%
No Opinion/Undecided: 11%

- There are several versions of a new national healthcare bill being considered by the Congress. In general, what is your opinion of the passage of a national healthcare bill by Congress?
Favor passage: 49%
Oppose: 47%
No opinion/Undecided: 4%

Country clubbers luv their Billy

"Chamber poll: Bill McCollum 42, Alex Sink 35". More: "Chamber Poll: Voters ho-hum on health care, governor's race".

"Crist is putting his own ambitions above the state"

"Kendrick Meek's campaign gathered reporters in Washington today to tout an internal poll showing Charlie Crist with a 'soft lead' of 47-31 and suggested other ominous signs for the telegenic governor. One question in the Feldman Group poll found 51 percent of Floridians think Crist is putting his own ambitions above the state." "Meek: Crist loves turtles, but what has he done for Florida?".

"While a new poll from Rep. Kendrick Meek showed the Florida Democrat losing by 16 points to Gov. Charlie Crist (R) in the 2010 Senate race, the survey also provides some insight into how Meek will try to break into that lead over the next year." "Meek’s Campaign Makes Case for Path to Victory With New Poll".

Foreclosures

"Florida's foreclosure rate slows — but still 4th-worst in U.S.".

Sansom

"The criminal trial of state Rep. Ray Sansom has been put on hold while legal issues surrounding an appeal of a judge’s dismissal of most of the charges are sorted out. State Attorney Willie Meggs said Tuesday that he has asked the 1st District Court of Appeal to reverse the dismissal of an official misconduct charge against Sansom, the Associated Press reported." "State attorney appeals dismissal of charges against Sansom".

Prohibiting throwaway plastic and paper bags

"Florida environmental officials want to make the state the first in the nation to prohibit throwaway plastic and paper bags. The proposed ban would follow a five-year phaseout during which escalating fees, starting at a nickel a bag, would be imposed whenever such bags were used. Such a statewide fee -- which would also be a national first -- is already drawing criticism as a hidden tax." "Environmental officials want to make the Florida should ban throwaway grocery bags, environmental officials say".

See you in Havana ...

The Miami Herald editorial board: "In Havana a 50-year dictatorship considers dropping the ration book that has defined its control over a citizenry that has come to depend on its meager allotment of staples like rice, beans and coffee. In Washington a free society debates whether to allow American tourists into Cuba even if the Castro brothers' government has yet to take a baby step to reciprocate President Barack Obama's initial opening for more travel and remittances by Cuban Americans to the communist island. The backdrop for these two seemingly disparate moves? A global recession that has Cuba's regime scrambling for cash, and a change in U.S. leadership that has travel providers hoping to cash in on Cuba. " "Why now?".

"Wexler proteges"

"Battle of the Wexler proteges?".

Crist gives us "the lowest rate in the nation"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Crist, who has one government-paid job and is angling for another one in Washington... and the Republican-led Legislature get dismal marks for actually spending the [stimulus] money available. As The Post reported on Saturday, in September only 4 percent of Florida's transportation projects had been given the go-ahead, the lowest rate in the nation." "Crist less than stimulating".

We'll go with "shut up"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The Florida Chamber of Commerce talks a good game:"

Invest in education, restore infrastructure, improve transportation, attract high-paying jobs, protect the state's quality of life. But don't be hoodwinked by the feel-good message chamber leaders espoused this week at their conference at the Disney Yacht Club Resort.

Actions speak louder than words, and for years the chamber has touted the same lofty goals only to undercut them with their lobbying efforts during the annual legislative session. It's time for the chamber to act like a leader for Florida's future, not just talk about it. ...

The chamber, through its political activities, has been one of the major stumbling blocks in Tallahassee to overhauling the state's outdated tax structure so it can help spawn a new economy. By staying silent or by direct assault, it has pushed repeatedly to narrow Florida's tax base, prohibiting any sustained quality investment in education. Its annual awards are showered on legislators doing the chamber's short-term, special interest bidding — such as weakening workers' compensation laws — rather than on those who strive to alter the state's economic landscape.

Baseball

"ABC Coalition, a citizens group that says the Rays need a new stadium, is accused of wrongfully meddling with Tropicana Field's status as baseball's home in St. Petersburg." "Is baseball committee going too far?".

Enough already

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "It is arguable whether Rifqa Bary has a valid reason to be in Florida. Her legal case certainly does not. The state needs to send the teenage runaway back to Ohio and allow authorities there to resolve her dependency status."

Bary, 17, ran away in July from her family's apartment in Ohio. She was found in August in the Orlando home of Christian evangelical pastors Blake and Beverly Lorenz. Bary said she fled because her Muslim family threatened to kill her over her conversion to Christianity. She also accused her father of past physical abuse. Authorities in both states found no evidence of abuse or of any plot to kill her. Officials said several other allegations made by the teen have not held up.

Michelle Obama

"Michelle Obama honors Fla students, teachers".

Hot night in St. Pete

"Former City Council member Bill Foster attempted to portray opponent Kathleen Ford as intolerant of his Christian conservative beliefs during a heated mayoral forum Wednesday."

"Foster has been dogged by questions over his assertions that the world was literally created in six days and that dinosaurs roamed the Earth alongside humans despite a large body of scientific evidence that suggests otherwise. His letter to the Pinellas County School Board last year that linked Charles Darwin to Adolf Hitler also has haunted his campaign. His response? Shift the heat to Ford, whom he claims mocked his faith by passing out toy dinosaurs at a candidate forum Monday." "Ford, Foster spar over fundamentalism and science".

Troxler: "Enough with the dinosaurs".

UCF

"School eclipses University of Florida, and is now among the largest in the nation by enrollment." "UCF now largest university in Florida".

"What more could Charlie ask for?"

Mike Thomas: "The drilling rigs are coming. Cannon will push through the required legislation in the House. And his counterpart in the Senate will do likewise. Gov. Charlie Crist is on board. It burnishes his conservative credentials. And diverting some of the royalties to renewable energy gives him some political cover. Green drilling. What more could Charlie ask for?" "Solar energy, natural gas: Florida's new power couple".

McCollum dead in the water

"Attorney General Bill McCollum, who raised only half as much money last quarter as Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, said Tuesday it's too early to start comparing fundraising gaps in the race for governor." "McCollum campaign reports $853,000". See also "Dems hold rare money-raising edge in Florida governor's race".

Primary challenges for Kottkamp and McCollum?

"Upstart U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio appears poised to give Crist a spirited Republican primary contest for the seat next year, with $1 million raised last quarter and a growing base of conservative support."

And he may have company.

State GOP officials say Pensacola Republican Holly Benson, a former legislator and current state Agency for Health Care Administration secretary, is considering challenging Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp for the attorney general nomination. Some Republicans have been quietly promoting her all summer.

Then there's state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, who helped derail Central Florida's SunRail commuter train in the Legislature.

Dockery has said she's leaning toward challenging Longwood Republican Bill McCollum in a gubernatorial primary and will decide in the coming weeks.

"The money-polluted special-interest culture of the Florida Legislature"

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "The charges against ophthalmologist and political operator Alan Mendelsohn may be the strongest argument yet for cleaning up the money-polluted special-interest culture of the Florida Legislature." "Indictment against Alan Mendelsohn builds strong argument for controlling interest groups".

The latest from the "there is no global warming" crowd

"Floridians must accept that the state's economy is evolving from one centered on tourism, construction and agriculture to one driven by science and engineering, global competition and a stronger sense of place, the head of the state's Chamber of Commerce said Tuesday." "Diversity Is State's Future".

'Ya reckon?

And they can't even blame the teachers' union ...

"Since opening in 2007, Charter on the Beach Middle School has struggled to boost student achievement. The school has also had financial troubles and is running a net deficit, according to the school system. ... In a Miami-Dade School Board agenda item, district officials listed more than a dozen reasons for moving to terminate the school's charter. Among them:"

• The school failed to provide mandatory programs for special-education students and English-language learners.

• Some teachers were not properly certified. Some did not use lesson plans. In certain instances, the material being taught in classrooms did not follow state standards.

• The school was not providing remedial classes for the low-performing students.

• Instructional materials were in short supply -- and out of date.

• The school had fallen into a state of financial emergency and ``lost significant portions of its accounting data.''

Wexler takes a walk

"U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler of Boca Raton, a self-described ``fire-breathing liberal,'' defender of Israel and friend of both President Barack Obama and Gov. Charlie Crist, is quitting Congress to head a think tank seeking peace in the Middle East."

The jockeying to represent his heavily Democratic congressional district began in earnest Tuesday as the news of his departure began to leak out.

"I'm still a little bit in shock over all this,'' said state Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Parkland, though he added he was "for sure'' considering a run for the seat.

Other potential Democratic contenders in the district covering parts of North Broward and Palm Beach counties are state Sen. Ted Deutch of Delray Beach, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, Broward County Mayor Stacy Ritter and former Broward County Commissioner Ben Graber.

Once Wexler's resignation becomes official, state law requires Crist to call a special election.

They're dropping like flies

"Two more top-tier Republicans decided Tuesday that they would not challenge U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson for his Orlando congressional seat -- leaving the GOP establishment without a favored candidate against the outspoken freshman Democrat. Within hours of each other, former state Sen. Daniel Webster and conservative businessman Jerry Pierce announced they would not run, a setback for the party given Webster's experience and Pierce's commitment to spend $200,000 of his own money."

"That leaves a pair of Tea Party activists -- Patricia Sullivan from Eustis and Dan Fanelli of Orlando -- and transplanted Miami developer Armando Gutierrez Jr., as likely Grayson foes." "Two more top-tier Republicans bow out of Grayson race".

"Florida should frame fiscal picture with logic"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Over the past three years, the state budget shrank nearly $6 billion. And the cuts hit some of the most vulnerable in Florida: public-school students, the elderly, the impoverished and the disabled."

The news for the coming year is worse. A revenue estimate released earlier this month predicts that state revenue will fall $2.7 billion short in the 2010-2011 budget year.

Florida lawmakers should face reality as they prepare to write next year's budget. Drastic budget cuts are already eroding the state's ability to rebuild a strong, stable economy. Carving billions of dollars from school, health and social-services budgets has left Florida ranking low in critical workforce readiness and quality of life measures.

Education provides a prime example. The state's public school system is 50th in the nation in per capita school spending, and rated an "F" in an Education Week ranking of student readiness for college. The school system also scrapes the bottom in graduation rates.

· Tap unclaimed revenue sources.

· Close other loopholes.

· Ratify the Seminole gaming compact.

· Don't overburden local governments.

No more LeMieuxs

"Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to pick his top political advisor, George LeMieux, to fill the temporary U.S. Senate vacancy was widely criticized, and now some lawmakers want to take that power away. State Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg, this week filed a bill (HB 213) mandating special elections in the event of future vacancies." "Elections sought to fill Senate vacancies".

Crist plays death politics

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Charlie Crist sends a dangerous message when he allows petition drives to influence the signing of death warrants. Allowing public outrage to affect signings diminishes the justice system and politicizes the gravest of decisions."

Last week Crist signed a death warrant against the killer of a Polk County sheriff's deputy and two others during a vicious 1981 crime spree. The decision came about a week after Polk Sheriff Grady Judd started an online petition drive urging the governor to sign the warrant.

A coincidence? It doesn't look that way.

Even at a Jaycees meeting

"After today's passage of a health care bill by the Senate Finance Committee, the debate over what should be done to reform the nation's health care system continued in a Tampa hotel meeting room. The Tampa Jaycees sponsored the event, which included members of the Hillsborough Young Democrats and Republicans." "Health care bill divisive locally as well as nationally".

"Why, oh why, do conservatives hate America so?"

This is off topic, but we join Eugene Robinson in asking that "somebody explain this to me:"

The president of the United States wins the Nobel Peace Prize, and Rush Limbaugh joins with the Taliban in bitterly denouncing the award? Glenn Beck has a conniption fit and demands that the president not accept what may be the world's most prestigious honor? The Republican National Committee issues a statement sarcastically mocking our nation's leader — elected, you will recall, by a healthy majority — as unworthy of such recognition?

Why, oh why, do conservatives hate America so? ...

The problem for the addlebrained Obama-rejectionists is that the president, as far as they are concerned, couldn't possibly do anything right, and thus is unworthy of any conceivable recognition. If Obama ended all hunger in the world, they'd accuse him of promoting obesity. If he solved global warming, they'd complain it was getting chilly. If he got Mahmoud Abbas and Binyamin Netanyahu to join him around the campfire in a chorus of "Kumbaya," the rejectionists would claim that his singing was out of tune.

Let the rejectionists fulminate and sputter until they wear themselves out. Politically, they're only bashing themselves. As Republican leaders — except RNC Chairman Michael Steele — are beginning to realize, "I'm With the Taliban Against America" is not likely to be a winning slogan.

Class size

Naples News editorial board: "Class-size amendment ... let’s hear all possibilities before abandoning repeal".

"No one consulted or even warned them"

"An association of solar energy businesses in Florida stunned environmentalists last month by declaring its support for offshore oil drilling. Turns out, some of the trade group's members were just as surprised -- and outraged, since no one consulted or even warned them about it." "Solar group's endorsement of offshore drilling causes controversy".

Entrepreneurs in action

"The oil giant ExxonMobil claims Florida's price gouging law is too vague and that the company might not supply fuel in future emergencies if the law isn't clarified." "Oil giant challenges gouging law". See also "Steve Bousquet - St. Petersburg Times".

Crist, in an appearance at a Lakeland Yacht Club luncheon sponsored by the Lakeland Republican Club, made it clear to the audience of more than 200 that he considers himself just as conservative as former Florida Speaker of the House Marco Rubio. The two are fighting for the GOP nomination in next year's primary.

"When I was in the state Senate I was nicknamed 'Chain Gang Charlie.' It's hard to get right of that," he said during an interview with The Ledger prior to his address. ...

Crist said in his Ledger interview that he would describe himself as "about as conservative as you can get" in his post.

Crist said he signed the death warrant for convicted murderer Paul Beasley Johnson at the request of Sheriff Grady Judd, who lost a friend and fellow deputy whom Johnson was convicted of killing along with two other men in 1981.

Entrepreneurs in action

"One of the world's largest oil companies says state price gouging laws are so broad that it could be in violation virtually any moment a state of emergency is declared. ExxonMobil, one of 15 companies under state investigation for inflating prices during Hurricane Ike last year, has asked the state to explain exactly what it means by gouging. The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services has 90 days to respond." "State's price-gouging law questioned".

Billy tries to make himself newsworthy

"Attorney General Bill McCollum on Wednesday will convene the first of three sessions designed to teach public officials that when they use instant messaging and social networking to discuss public business, it's still a public record." "McCollum seeking to `bust the myth' that new technologies skirt Sunshine Law".

I am shocked, shocked!

"After a joint investigation, no criminal wrongdoing has been found at the Public Service Commission." "Joint investigation finds no criminal wrongdoing at Public Service Commission". Meantime, "... commissioners likely headed for utility jobs"

"Just ask the Florida Republican Party"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "The Florida Democratic Party is cruising for trouble with its decision last week at a state party meeting to allow its chairman to sign big fat checks without also having the party treasurer's signature."

By "big fat" we mean a $25,000 check could be signed by Chairman Karen Thurman, or whomever holds the job, without checks and balances long specified in party bylaws.

For at least the past decade, the party chairman has been permitted to sign off on a check of up to $5,000 without the treasurer — currently Alma Gonzalez of Tallahassee — approving the check.

This second signature may be cumbersome sometimes, but it's wise regardless of Ms. Thurman's argument that it's a bigger, busier party today than 10 years ago, and purchases for party business simply cost more.

All the more reason to have safeguards. Just ask the Florida Republican Party, which is dealing with financial embarrassments regarding unguarded use of party credit cards that raises questions about who gives money to the party and who spends it, and for what.

Today's public is skeptical, and rightly so, of the power of both state political parties to raise unlimited funds and spend them with very little scrutiny.

As Florida crashes and burns ...

... "Crist will be in Las Vegas on Oct. 29 for a fundraiser with 'perhaps the Republican Party’s wealthiest donor.'" "Crist heads to Vegas for campaign fundraiser". See also "Crist heads to Vegas for campaign fundraiser".

The real "unstable man who has come unhinged"

Mike Thomas whines that Grayson is "calling Republicans knuckle-dragging obstructionists who want the sick to 'die quickly.'"

If this fits the definition of unstable and unhinged [as National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Andy Sere says], it certainly seems to have served a very lucid purpose.

The Republicans are cowering in knock-kneed terror.

Potential challengers are dropping out with comical regularity.

The last credible challenger standing is former state Sen. Dan Webster, who is so conflicted he can't say yes and he can't say no.

So he ponders away while the Republicans cross their fingers for a savior.

"I guarantee he's going to lose."

Oliver is an unstable man who has come unhinged.

"We'll have at least three or four candidates running," he says. "A couple will be credible or substantial people. A couple others will fall into the noncrackpot category."

If you're not a crackpot and always wanted to see Washington, call Lew immediately.

The Republicans look like a bunch of Chihuahuas yapping at the Rottweiler behind the fence. But this Rottweiler not only is snarling and frothing at the mouth, it also went to Harvard.

It is a crazy and smart Rottweiler.

So there is lots of yapping, but nobody is about to open the gate and take him on.

The best they can do?

"Restaurant supply company owner Jerry Pierce plans to announce Tuesday that he will put $200,000 into his Republican campaign to take down U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando. ... That campaign down payment would double what fellow Republican Armando Gutierrez Jr., a South Florida developer recently transplanted to Orlando, has promised to infuse into his campaign to take on Grayson." "Another GOPer Pledges Own $ to Take Down Grayson".

"Tawdry tale"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "The tawdry tale of South Florida ophthalmologist and political operator Alan Mendelsohn may be the strongest argument yet for cleaning up the money-polluted special-interest culture of the Florida Legislature."

Mr. Mendelsohn was indicted two weeks ago on 32 federal corruption counts. Prosecutors allege he raided money he solicited for political-action committees to finance his children's education, pay a mistress and direct $87,000 to an unnamed public official through an intermediary.

The doctor has pleaded not guilty. Last week, however, prosecutors said new charges or more defendants could be added to the case by the end of the year.

Mr. Mendelsohn made a name in Tallahassee by raising the political profile of the Florida Medical Association. Later he expanded his influence-peddling portfolio to include gambling. While never registered as a lobbyist, he steered political contributions to the Legislature's Republican leaders, and touted his influence with them to clients. He was a member of Gov. Charlie Crist's 2006 transition team.

Mr. Mendelsohn was particularly attentive to former Senate President Ken Pruitt, contributing to his campaign and giving $50,000 to a committee formed to help elect Mr. Pruitt's brother to a House seat in Central Florida. Both Mr. Pruitt and Mr. Crist wrote recommendations for Mr. Mendelsohn's son when he applied to the University of Florida's medical school. He was admitted over objections from a university selections committee.

Grayson's Lake County constituents

The Limbaugh-Beck-Hannity parrots were out in force in Lake County last night:

Gilbert Kepler, 69, of Mount Dora, a Republican who was not able to get a ticket for the event, hoped to make his voice heard. The retiree said he opposes government-run health care because he is certain it would fail.

"Social Security's broke. Medicaid's broke. The Post Office is broke," Kepler said. "If the federal government manages to get their hands on health care, it's going to be broke, too."

Anti-union Trib blames unions

The Tampa Tribune editorial board fails to understand that "unions" don't get raises, people do: "Tampa taxpayers can no longer afford the generous raises to which the unions have become accustomed." "Say no to raises".

Billy "playing politics with pensions"

"'I'm of the adage,' said Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, "that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.""

The thing that "ain't broke," according to Mr. McCollum, is Florida's system for managing public pension funds. He was speaking at the Sept. 29 meeting of the State Board of Administration. He's one of the board's three trustees. The other two are Gov. Crist and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. But it's a good bet that Mr. McCollum was speaking more as a Republican candidate for governor in 2010 than as an SBA trustee. ...

Politics is the main problem. Ms. Sink is CFO, and Mr. McCollum and Gov. Crist know that enacting her financial reforms would give her a positive issue in her campaign against Mr. McCollum. Isn't she playing politics, too? Some, but she advocated these reforms before becoming a gubernatorial candidate. In any case, blocking financial reforms in the pension system, as Mr. McCollum and Gov. Crist are doing, is a sure sign that something is "broke."

'Ya reckon?

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Prison officials must do more to prevent abuse".

See you in Havana

"Two senators seeking to end the 46-year-old ban on U.S. travel to Cuba are finding it difficult to get their measure to the Senate floor. Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) have revived a bill they first introduced in March to lift the ban that was initially imposed by the Kennedy administration in February 1963." "Senators seek end to Cuba travel ban" ("The bill has attracted 32 co-sponsors").

Huh?

"Florida takes gradual approach to spending $15.4 billion in stimulus money".

"But for how long?"

"The real estate crash brought a halt to developers' plans to turn affordable lodging and housing in the Florida Keys into resorts and yacht clubs for the wealthy -- but for how long?" "Developers' plans for Keys at a halt -- for now".

Labels: Crist insists he's a wingnut

Former House Speaker Ray Sansom caught a break last week when a Tallahassee judge dismissed most of the criminal charges filed against him by a grand jury earlier this year. But he's not out of hot water -- he still faces an official House inquiry, headed by one of the state's former top prosecutors. While that investigation is ongoing, legislative leaders should ask themselves how this scandal occurred -- and what they can do to prevent future ignominy. ...

The best possible outcome of this case has little to do with whether Sansom serves jail time (which seems unlikely at this point) or whether he is ousted from the House. Rather, it turns on the determination of legislative leaders to strip away the secrecy that clouds each year's budget negotiations, encouraging self-interested deals and clandestine horse-

trading. Floridians should be able to trust their elected representatives to be honest, open and fair when allocating the billions of dollars that pour into state coffers each year. That's not the case now -- as the Sansom case proves.

"The judicial system works"?

Mark Lane: "'The judicial system works,' a characteristically upbeat Gov. Charlie Crist told reporters last week."

"We have a good system of justice," he concluded.

This reflection on the general excellence of Florida courts came because a Leon County circuit judge threw out official misconduct charges against former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom and others.

Usually when criminal charges are dismissed by judges, we hear officials grousing about activist judges letting criminals walk the streets because of legal technicalities. But this was different. And to be sure, the technicalities involved were, well, technical.

"GOP fundraising scandal"

"FBI recordings reveal a turning point in a two-year corruption investigation that resulted in the indictment of a Broward eye doctor at the center of a GOP fundraising scandal." "Alan Mendelsohn case: Checks, lies and audiotape".

Like rats off a ship: "After state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, was quoted describing Mendelsohn as a 'friend,' one of her GOP state Senate primary rivals pounced last week." "Politicians edge away from links to key donor". See also "Local pols seek their distance from indicted eye doc/moneyman".

That's our Bill

"On June 23, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum pulled in a bundle of campaign checks from a single address in Pittsburgh. In all, $28,000 in checks from that address made their way to McCollum's campaign for governor."

Many donors listed their occupations as homemaker, investor or student. They can be traced to people connected with Federated Investors, which last year was awarded a lucrative contract with the Florida State Board of Administration — a board that McCollum helps oversee.

In 19 months since getting that contract, how much has Federated made in fees? More than $3 million.

• With personal contributions limited to $500, bundled contributions from relatives of employees at a firm is a tried-and-true method.

The day before and the day after McCollum got his $28,000 in 56 bundled checks from Pittsburgh, Gov. Charlie Crist's campaign for U.S. Senate received a mini-bundle: six Pittsburgh donations totaling $14,400. The donations tied to Federated Investors arrived 16 months after Crist, McCollum and the third SBA trustee, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, approved a big contract with the SBA.

• Investment firms and contractors donate through intermediaries, a double win: Unlike personal contributions, there are no caps, plus it's harder to trace the source of the money.

Federated executives are among the six-figure givers to a Florida political party, as is an executive from Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., the giant private equity firm. Companies that donate through political fundraising arms include Bank of America.

All three companies have lucrative contracts with the SBA.

• The campaigns of legislative leaders with influence over public investments get bundles of contributions from Wall Street, too.

Executives of Kelso & Co., a New York private equity firm, rained 100 campaign checks on a dozen key members of the Florida Legislature, including those who help write laws concerning the SBA. Kelso donated most of the money three months after the SBA gave the company a contract to manage $100 million in pension funds.

Rail wars

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "State and local officials need to give Washington the confidence to invest in rail in Florida. They must create a funding base that makes rail systems possible. They must craft fair deals with private companies that do more than shift liabilities onto taxpayers. The stimulus money could be a game-changer in how Florida recovers from its growth-fueled economy." "Leadership lacking on high-speed rail". See also The Sun-Sentinel editorial board's "Florida's high speed rail hopes hinge on Tri-Rail's success".

AG

"Democrats looking for a front-runner in the first debate of the Florida attorney general's race saw two polished politicians take light digs at each other Sunday while seeking a unified front against the Republican Party."

Two state senators little known outside of South Florida, Dan Gelber of Miami Beach and Dave Aronberg of Greenacres, are competing to be the state's top lawyer and a member of the Florida Cabinet.

Most of the Democratic Party's hopes of curbing GOP control of state government in 2010 center on its leading candidate for governor, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. But Democrats also see an opening in the attorney general race. Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, the only major Republican contender so far, has a low profile in the state and faced questions about his taxpayer-funded travel and security.

Charlie's "symbolism as much as substance"

"Crist says he doesn't think much about his legacy. To hear his critics talk, perhaps it's just as well."

As the first Florida governor to forgo a re-election bid, Crist has little more than a year left in his term. Already, the Republican's tenure appears destined to be marked by incomplete grades on issues such as property insurance, health coverage for the uninsured, climate change and the economy.

"His effort to reform the insurance industry has been a disaster,'' Colburn said. "He has done nothing to examine the economic crisis before us, what the state should do to avoid another crisis, and how the state can emerge from this crisis stronger.''

On spending, Crist claims credit for reducing Florida's budget, but he had no choice. The collapse of the real-estate market caused massive tax-collection shortfalls, which forced the budget to shrink by $7 billion. State employees have not had a pay raise in three years.

On the environment, Crist gushed over climate change in 2007, but the issue is unpopular with many conservative Republicans and has receded from view. Instead, Crist says offshore oil drilling is ``worth looking at'' with sufficient environmental safeguards.

The Cover Florida health initiative is vintage Crist: It's symbolism as much as substance. It was launched with lots of fanfare but no money to market it. The governor used weekly news conferences to urge reporters to "get the word out,'' and the result is that many people don't know it exists. ...

A gifted politician, Crist rakes in campaign money from special interests, yet maintains a humble, common-man image. His approval rating remains high, but his bid for the U.S. Senate suddenly looks competitive with Republican rival Marco Rubio raising $1 million in the past three months and drawing raves from conservative commentators.

"Florida is heading for a cliff"

"Florida is heading for a cliff when it comes to Medicaid spending. The federal government has been very generous in upping its support for Medicaid, the health care program for the poor and disabled, in Florida during the economic recession. But the problem is that the extra funding is scheduled to dry up in December 2010, leaving Florida perhaps more than $1 billion short and facing the prospect of having to cut back critical medical services for some of the state's poorest and sickest residents." "Deep Medicaid Cuts Feared as Help Ends".

"Mortifying but not surprising"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "A new U.S. Justice Department study puts two federal prisons in Florida among the three worst in the nation for allegations of sexual abuse behind prison walls. That's mortifying but not surprising. Sexual abuse has been a problem for years in federal, state and local lockups in Florida." "Stop rapes behind bars".

Entrepreneurs in action

The Miami Herald editorial board:

Scarlet Duarte and Rechart Garcia face prison terms of five to 20 years for submitting almost $52 million in false claims for HIV infusion treatments that -- even if they had been used on AIDS patients -- are medically questionable at best.

The convictions last week of the clinic operators on various charges of conspiracy, healthcare fraud and money laundering involving six clinics in Miami-Dade and Collier counties illustrate the problems with the current system, which still lacks sufficient front-end mechanisms to prevent and detect fraud.

Orlando gay-pride parade

"On an afternoon when the gay community in Orlando was the size of a small city, it was possible to believe that someday, in any American city, gay couples might walk down the street without fear of taunts and violence." "50,000 show up for gay-pride parade".

Sales taxes on Internet purchases

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "If the latest gloomy financial forecast out of Tallahassee isn't enough to prompt state lawmakers to finally take steps to start collecting sales taxes on Internet purchases, it's likely nothing will." "Getting online taxes in state hands".

Sink pointed out her current job as Florida's chief financial officer has been her only elected office, while Attorney General McCollum served in Congress 20 years and will be on the ballot for the 14th time next year. She also noted he was a Washington lobbyist between elected positions.

"Leadership should mean caring more about everybody else's job than about your own," Sink said during a Florida Democratic Party dinner. "I'm running for governor because with new leadership, we can build a new economy, an economy with good jobs — jobs that allow you to support a family and carry yourself with dignity."

FlaDem Conference

"About 3,000 Florida Democrats are gathered in Orlando this weekend to prepare for an election year they hope will bring the return of Democratic political power in the state. Their optimism centers on Alex Sink of Tampa, who Democrats think can win them the governor's seat for the first time since 1994." "Sink giving her party new hope".

Entrepreneurs in action

"The issue of how federal dollars are spent is critical in Florida, where 90 percent of all businesses have fewer than 20 employees and government contracts represent a valuable lifeline amid a tanking economy."

The Small Business Administration recently reported that, nationwide, small firms received a record $93.2 billion in prime contracts in 2008. While that was $10 billion more than the previous year, it only represented 21.5 percent of all deals.

In Florida, more than 12,000 companies won small-business contracts worth $4.8 billion, according to the FPDS-NG, the government's procurement database.

But a Miami Herald analysis of more than 88,400 contracts performed in the state suggests that the numbers are bloated by companies that either don't belong on the list or defy all reasonable definitions of what makes a small firm. ...

Among the top 20 small business contractors in Florida, seven had revenue of $100 million or more, and one boasts annual revenue of $1 billion. In addition, nine of the top 20 firms have more than 100 workers and three have more than 1,000 employees.

Deeper in the data, massive public companies such as Northrop Grumman, Honeywell and Raytheon were all counted as small firms doing business in the state.

Some of those corporations are in the database under rules that grandfather them in, said Joe Jordan, the SBA's associate administrator for government contracting and business development.

For example, one of Florida's top 20 small-business contractors is engineering company Morgan Research Corp., of Huntsville, Ala. The firm was bought in 2006 by Virginia-based consulting firm Stanley. With 3,600 employees and annual revenue of $604 million, Stanley is large.

Even so, under federal rules, $36.7 million in Florida contracts that went to Morgan in 2008 were considered small-business deals even though that money is lining the pockets of its corporate parent. ...

The multiple loopholes, incomplete government data and the challenge of prying information out of privately held companies make the problem difficult to quantify.

As Charlie campaigns ...

"Just months after patching together a budget by cutting spending, raising fees and gobbling up federal money, Florida lawmakers are bracing for more tough times next year. Florida could face a budget shortfall of as much as $2.6 billion for the 2010-11 fiscal year that starts in July, as state tax collections continue sagging and costs increase for programs such as Medicaid." "Fla. faces $2.6 billion shortfall".

The media has their story ...

... And they're damn sure gonna run with it: "asked about the Democrat whose name is likely to be on the tip-top of the 2010 ballot -- U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek -- they are not so sure."

On one hand,

Democrats are chomping at the bit to see Sink, the state's chief financial officer, take on Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum, while the Miami congressman is still fighting the perception that he can't beat the sitting governor. ...

The doubts about Meek -- coming at a time when the governor's Republican rival, Marco Rubio, is gaining ground -- were widespread enough to persuade former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre to jump into the Democratic race last week. Most activists are skeptical of Ferre's chances but say his campaign shows Meek doesn't have the race locked down. ...

Meek's team dismissed questions about his Democratic challengers and his strength in a general election, pointing to an internal campaign poll they said showed Crist was beatable. The Feldman Group survey of 800 Florida voters in late September found 47 percent behind the governor and 31 percent for Meek. The margin of error was plus or minus four percent.

RPOFer "fundraising setbacks"

"If Florida Democrats needed any more cheering up on the eve of their state conference in Orlando this weekend, they got it with word that the likely top two Republican contenders on the 2010 ballot had some noteworthy fundraising setbacks this summer." "GOP fundraising slide bolsters state's Dems".

Registration overcoming RPOFer gerrymandering

"The 670,000-voter edge in registration that Democrats gained last year has changed the math in dozens of seats around the state."

For example, Obama captured 50 percent or more of the vote last year in 10 House seats held by Republicans -- including the Central Florida districts held by Cannon; Sandy Adams and Steve Precourt of Orlando; Bryan Nelson of Apopka; and Mike Horner of Kissimmee. Of them, only Adams is not running for re-election.

Still, re-creating the Obama effect is unlikely in 2010, in part because turnout usually slumps in off-year elections. And Democratic strategists say that the party won't reclaim majorities in either chamber of the Legislature before 2014, or 2016. Republicans hold a 76-44 advantage in the House and 26-14 edge in the Senate.

Democrats regained a net of eight seats in the House in 2006 but just one last year. In 2010, decisions will have to be made over whether to target some -- or go after many.

"In my opinion, there are 34 Republican seats that with sufficient funding and the right candidate, we have a shot," said Rep. Ron Saunders, a Key West Democrat overseeing House campaigns in 2010.

Begging Disney

"What's Disney willing to do for high-speed rail?".

Zell Corporation slams Grayson

Jane Healy has a few questions, starting with: "What's wrong with Sen. Bill Nelson?"

Why is Orlando's Nelson not a leader in this debate? Not only is he a Democrat in one of the nation's largest and most diverse states, he was Florida's insurance commissioner until 2000 when he was elected to the Senate. As a supposed expert in insurance, he would be the ideal person to meld proposals that could serve Florida and the nation well. What's more, Nelson also sits on the Senate Finance Committee, which is charged with coming up with a bill.

Rather than trying to lead on this, though, Nelson has ceded it to a senator from Montana, a state with fewer people than Orange County. He seems fixated instead on protecting Medicare Advantage from cuts.

"An incredible story"

"Wealthy Fort Lauderdale businessman Joel Steinger, the target of a fraud investigation, realized he was in a jam. So he went to the FBI in 2007 with an incredible story ...". "Mendelsohn case started with businessman's tip".

"Crist's foil has backing from conservative activists"

"Despite the public relations bonanza, Crist still holds a nearly 30-point lead in most polls, and his financial advantage over Rubio has only increased since the start of the summer. Rubio's fundraising has reportedly picked up, but he is still expected to report in campaign disclosure reports next week that he has about $1 million in his campaign account in a state where it costs a minimum of $1 million a week to advertise on television. Crist's campaign, meanwhile, said this week he will report $6.2 million cash on hand for the 2010 election." "Rubio gains buzz, but lags in fundraising".

"Anderson spent big"

"As Palm Beach County's top elections official, Arthur Anderson spent big: $40,450 for children's books, $10,000 for a Haitian cultural festival, $3,697 for jar openers bearing his name and thousands more for computer equipment that has never been found. Now, the former supervisor of elections' spending may force the county to pay more than $58,000 to settle questions over the use of federal money." "Audit questions thousands spent by the Palm Beach County elections office in '07-'08".

"Secret State Spending"

"Two safeguards on a secretive process that turns tax dollars into cash incentives for private corporations were quietly removed in the final days of the 2009 legislative session to help a Jupiter Island investment manager quickly secure $20 million for his digital animation company."

An amendment gave Gov. Charlie Crist's office, which helped craft the language, sole authority to award $42 million in economic development money. As a result, nine companies, each identified only by a code name, were awarded shares of the money within a week this summer. One $7.4 million project in Taylor County was never discussed in public.

Nearly half of the summer's total went to Project Bumblebee - a proposal from John Textor, who is targeting Port St. Lucie for a spinoff of Digital Domain, a visual effects company he owns with Hollywood blockbuster producer Michael Bay.

[T]he last-minute state budget amendment has already benefited the election campaigns of Crist and state Reps. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, and David Rivera, R-Miami, whose support was critical for the amendment.

Just days after the legislative session in May, which ran into overtime as lawmakers squabbled over the budget, Textor gave $5,000 to the Republican Party of Florida's federal campaign account to help Crist, who has raised more than $6 million for his U.S. Senate race next year.

In June, Textor gathered $2,000 in donations for Ambler and $1,500 for Rivera. Textor also helped arrange for former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, one of Textor's business partners, to attend Ambler's kickoff fund-raiser last month for Ambler's state Senate campaign. Textor said he hopes to host a fund-raiser for Ambler in Palm Beach County.

Textor said the donations were made out of gratitude. But he and all three elected officials deny any campaign contributions were promised in return for help with his project.

"If the people you help don't support you, who would?" Ambler asked.

"Perceptions of favoritism, and potential conflicts of interest"

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "Just because something meets the letter of the law doesn't make it proper. Just because an action is legal doesn't make it in the public's best interest. ... So we have:"

Public officials socializing with public officials who then vote on projects those lobbyists push, often with either our tax dollars or our interests in the middle.

Public officials moonlighting as lobbyists, leveraging their clout in one arena to influence public officials in another.

Public officials' spouses involved in lobbying, or getting politically-connected jobs.

Maybe it's all legal. But it still smacks as ill-advised by raising perceptions of favoritism, and potential conflicts of interest.

"Counties are weathering a 'perfect storm'"

"Counties are weathering a 'perfect storm' of a worldwide economic crisis, a 2007 legislative mandate to roll back taxes and Amendment 1 — Crist's successful campaign last year to double the homestead exemption and allow homeowners to keep their Save Our Homes benefits when they move — said association spokeswoman Cragin Mosteller." "Counties endure decline in tax revenue".

Laff riot

"Thrasher is new ethics chairman".

Orlando's "urban myth"

Mike Thomas: "Empty nesters will tire of their big, empty ranch homes. They will move to urban centers and live happily ever after in their skyboxes, enjoying the view, free from the tyranny of big yards and automobiles. The young professionals were to bring energy and buzz to downtown Orlando. But it was the baby boomers who were supposed to bring the fat portfolios, using them to buy the luxury condos, eat at the cafes, shop at the exclusive stores and buy tickets for the new performing-arts center."

"It was a theory pushed here and around the rest of the country. But this push toward urbanization is becoming an urban myth." "Making move to urban core is urban myth".

"Because something is legal doesn't make it right"

Mary Ann Lindley has a lengthy piece this morning on Sansom and the need for campaign finance reform. She begins: "Last week, Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis did what judges are supposed to do, which was determine whether state-budget decisions made by discredited former House Speaker Ray Sansom were illegal — or just offensively self-serving and regrettably business as usual in Florida politics." "Abusing power isn't always a crime".

Snookering voters

The Miami Herald editorial board 's Myriam Marquez reminds us that "For 18 years [she] sat in on endorsement interviews when [she] worked in Orlando. Everything from presidential candidates to elections supervisors"

Marquez, who, in "Bush Vision For Florida is JFK-Like" wrote perhaps the most sycophantic piece of doggerel seen in a Florida newspaper in the last decade - jabbering that Jebbie's "vision is universal and timeless...clear and electrifying as the day's cobalt-blue sky", now writes about political endorsements:

I wrote more editorials than I care to recall. Sometimes, the endorsement made the difference. Other times, special-interest money helped candidates snooker voters with dreamy ads on TV and radio.

Cold cash

Scott Maxwell: "Whose cash jolts your U.S. House lawmakers' campaigns?".

"In fact, it's been worse"

Randy Schultz: "A regulator having private dinners with executives of the companies she regulates. Staff members of regulators giving private access to executives of regulated industries. Has it ever been this bad at the Florida Public Service Commission? Yes. In fact, it's been worse." "Close down PSC club".

Wingnut-world

Rhonda Swan: "The Bible is too liberal. That's right, the infallible word of God isn't so infallible after all."

At least not according to members of Conservapedia, who have created a Wiki-type online encyclopedia of the same name and want to translate what they consider to be the liberal bias out of the King James version.

Conservapedia is the brainchild of Andrew Schlafly, a lawyer and former engineer, who is the chief editor of the site. His mother is Phyllis Schlafly, a national leader of the conservative movement and president of the conservative interest group Eagle Forum.

Conservapedia maintains that "liberal bias has become the single biggest distortion in modern Bible translations.

SunRail fuss

Joel Engelhardt: "It began as the Central Florida Commuter Rail. Last year, the proposed Orlando-area line went to a snappier name: SunRail. Now, it is seeking federal stimulus money under the name Central Florida Rail Passenger Corridor. Whatever you call it, the proposed commuter rail line is erroneously trying to tap President Obama's vision for a network of high-speed rail projects linking American cities. ... SunRail no longer threatens only Tri-Rail. Now, the boondoggle stands to end the state's bullet-train dream." "Backtrack on SunRail".

At least until we get past the next election ...

"Faced with an edict from Gov. Charlie Crist to 'clean house' at the troubled Public Service Commission, Senate President Jeff Atwater says he'll hold hearings during the next two months to change the way the utility regulator does business." "PSC troubles prompt widespread calls for reform".

Off topic

"GOP mocks Obama's peace prize".

"Transition from public servant to corporate lubricator"

Carl Hiaasen: "A strange and curious event took place last week."

Regulators actually denied a rate increase to Florida Power & Light, the state's largest utility.

The agency is in the midst of a headline-grabbing scandal brought about by staff members becoming too chummy with the utilities. A criminal investigation has been initiated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Like many regulatory panels, the PSC is uncomfortable in a bright spotlight, and for good reason. Too many commissioners and staff members get cozy with the power companies because they envision future employment opportunities.

Some would rather play along with an FPL rate hike than jeopardize a juicy job offer somewhere down the line.

If history is a guide, somebody in the utility business will find well-paying positions for Carter and his aide. Unless you're cursed with a conscience, the transition from public servant to corporate lubricator can be a breeze.

The dark side always pays better.

Cleantech

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "It's become known as the cleantech industry. Businesses are cashing in on the need to cut carbon emissions and reduce America's dependence on unstable and unfriendly foreign fuel suppliers. They're developing ways to use energy more efficiently and promoting renewable alternatives." "Go for the green".

"Judicial bypass"

"When pregnant minors decide to have an abortion, but they don't want to tell their parents, they can ask a judge." "Teens seeking abortions can get judge's permission".

AG race

"Democrats also think they have a strong shot at the second-most important state government office, attorney general, viewed as a step toward the governor's office. The winner of the Democratic primary between state Sens. Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber likely will face Republican Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp in the general election. The two Democrats, running what appears to be a close race, will face off in a debate today." "Things are improving".

And Marion Hammer would say ... ?

"Police: Fla. man kills fiancee on eve of wedding".

"Immigration system is broken ... needs a complete overhaul"

The Miami Herald editorial board: " There's fresh evidence -- not that any was needed -- that the national immigration system is broken and desperately needs a complete overhaul. Exhibit A was a report last week filed not by a chronic critic of immigration but by Dora B. Schriro, a former adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano who recently left to become New York City's correction commissioner. The 35-page report described a penal system that lacks standards for managing detainees, suffers from a lack of expertise and falls short of basic expectations." "Dysfunctional detention".