"Charlie Crist's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.''

The description also applied to Wednesday. And Tuesday. And Monday. And to the week before that. And to the entire month of October.

Let's be clear: The governor/would-be U.S. senator from Florida known for his groundbreaking fundraising is stuck in a record-shattering slump.

The only way things could get worse is if Gennifer Flowers, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and the guy who videotaped former Virginia Sen. George Allen making an ethnic slur all showed up at his doorstep in Tallahassee.

Crist will do almost anything to erase the endless television footage of him and the president touting the administration's stimulus plan while sharing a stage and a smile in Fort Myers.

Since then, the governor has endured an unbelievable string of setbacks. The straw polls he lost at about a dozen local Republican party meetings around the state. The slaps in the face from conservative interest groups like The Cato Institute, the Club for Growth and the Family Research Council. ...

To make matters worse, three of Crist's top campaign fundraisers -- Palm Beach County businessman Harry Sargeant, Hollywood eye doctor Alan Mendelsohn and most recently, Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein -- have had embarrassing run-ins with the law in the past year.

Many of the national-level conservatives who backed [NY Conservative Party loser] Hoffman have either endorsed or spoken favorably of Marco Rubio, who's mounting a conservative challenge to Crist in the Florida Republican Senate primary. They include the National Review magazine, Limbaugh, former GOP House leader Dick Armey, the Club for Growth and others.

Democrats have been eagerly watching and publicizing Rubio's attacks on Crist, thinking Rubio would be easier to beat than Crist.

"The new ultra-right candidates are scaring even Republicans," said Ana Cruz, a Tampa strategist for Democrat Kendrick Meek in the Florida race. "We saw the ultra-right coalescing around this [New York] candidate – without them, he might not have ever come close."

This has to be a maddening turn of events for the governor. After years of fending off the perception he was a man of less intellectual substance than a Brazil nut, a gaggle of right-wing harrumphs within his party throw their allegiance to a guy who makes the governor look like William F. Buckley — and it's Charlie Crist who finds himself in political exile?

Where is Kosmas?

Update:"Democrats hold 258 seats in the House and can afford 40 defections and still wind up with 218, a majority if all lawmakers vote. But all 177 Republicans were expected to vote 'no,' and Democratic leaders faced a series of complications trying to seal the needed votes for their complex and controversial legislation that would affect one-sixth of the economy and touch the lives of countless Americans." "Vote on health care may not happen Saturday".

Congresswoman Kosmas claimed she would issue a statement yesterday on her last moment announcement to vote against HCR. Kosmas to vote no on health care bill.

There was no statement. You may want to ask her yourself:

Washington D.C. Office
238 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2706
Fax: (202) 226-6299

Port Orange Office
1000 City Center Circle, 2nd Floor
Port Orange, FL 32129
Phone: (386) 756-9798
Fax: (407) 208-1108

Orlando Office
12424 Research Parkway, Ste 135
Orlando, FL 32826
Phone: (407)-208-1106
Fax: (407)-208-1108

Toll free number: 1-877-9-KOSMAS
(1-877-956-7627)

At the trough

"For lawmakers in Tallahassee this week, many big questions remained unresolved, but fundraising for campaigns continued." "Real work, cash hunt collide".

Rothstein snaps his fingers ...

"A bank central to the federal fraud investigation into Fort Lauderdale attorney Scott Rothstein was ordered by a Broward judge Friday to turn over records to the receiver for Rothstein's embattled law firm."

The law firm has about $300,000 in its operating account, including $200,000 from a returned check from the Florida Democratic Party.

When [Rothstein] flew to Morocco last week he called Broward Sheriff's Office Lt. David Benjamin to escort him from his car to the airplane at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Benjamin, who is executive officer to Sheriff Al Lamberti -- who Rothstein supported during his campaign last year -- is a longtime friend of Rothstein's, said BSO spokesman Jim Leljedal. ...

Benjamin was not working that evening and escorted Rothstein as a favor to a friend, not as an off-duty detail. Rothstein did not disclose details of his trip, Leljedal said.

Not pure

"Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio is emerging as the champion of activists fed up with Republicans who don't stay true to conservative principles. But if those turning against Gov. Charlie Crist are looking for a pure, uncompromising conservative, Rubio's legislative record might give them pause." "Rubio record diverges from campaign rhetoric".

FEC complaint

A copy of the FEC complaint against a Crist consultant filed by Tampa Republican Club President Liz Wessel, with some "thoughts on the complaint from Paul Ryan of the Campaign Legal Center". "Federal election complaint against Crist consultant".

Understatement

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Letting the Palm Beach County Commission continue to make decisions that shape the Everglades is like letting the Los Alamos (N.M.) County Commission design the nation's nuclear weapons." "Let state shape Everglades".

Feel free to move to South Carolina

"Firms critique state on reducing red tape".

Puff piece

Adam Smith puffs McCollum this morning: "Bill McCollum is the anti-Crist. As in Charlie Crist. The question is: "

Will people in Florida be ready for such a jarring transition of styles in the Governor's Office? Or is McCollum the perfect act to follow the tanned and rested one?

These two Republicans couldn't be more different. Where Crist exudes style, McCollum has substance.

Crist is half Greek. McCollum is a geek — no sense in finessing it. Crist is tanned. McCollum is bland.

Crist is a glad-hander. McCollum is glad to talk about the latest book he's reading. It's 1920: The Year of the Six Presidents, about Warren Harding, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and the two Roosevelts.

Crist is tailor-made for TV with its seven-second attention span. McCollum has C-SPAN written all over him.

Crist is a populist. (Remember "good riddance" to State Farm?) McCollum is a policy wonk who gives long, nuanced answers.

Anthony Kennedy Shriver who?

"There's been lots of Buzz lately about Anthony Kennedy Shriver of Miami - son of Sargent and Eunice, brother of Maria - running for Florida governor. We haven't heard back from him, but it sounds like he is very seriously looking at the race." "The next Kennedy generation to challenge Alex Sink?".

'Glades

"A landmark environmental group founded by Everglades icon Marjory Stoneman Douglas is closing its Miami office, citing declining membership and donations." "Everglades group closes office".

SBA

"State Sen. Dan Gelber says the proposed anticorruption package he unveiled earlier this week is more vital than ever in light of the Securities and Exchange Commission's investigation of possible fraud by the board that oversees the state pension fund." "Change sought in who oversees state pension funds".

Related: The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board:

Candor and transparency are two traits still missing from the state agency that oversees billions of dollars of Florida investments. It turns out the State Board of Administration has been under federal investigation for more than a year into whether its employees may have been collaborating with Wall Street firms that sold the state some $2.3 billion in risky securities before the mortgage market collapsed in late 2007. That should have been fully disclosed to taxpayers and to the local governments that trusted the SBA to invest their money.

Still the same ...

"King successor Sen. Thrasher sworn into office".

As a political bellwether state, Florida's races always draw national attention. But the fight over the Republican nomination for an open seat in the U.S. Senate between Gov. Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami is shaping up as epic struggle for the soul of the Republican Party ...

Now the conservatives have set their sights on Florida, where Gov. Crist is deemed to have strayed from the fold of true believers by adopting a moderate stance on such issues as President Obama's stimulus package and efforts to pass climate-change legislation.

Kosmas a "no" on HCR

"Why Kosmas has decided to vote against the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which was introduced by Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi, was not clear Thursday. Her spokesman said he would have a statement on it this morning." "Kosmas to vote no on health care bill". See also "Orlando-area House Democrat Kosmas opposes health bill".

Here's The Kosmas campaign site, and facebook page. Her local office numbers are: (386) 756-9798 and (407) 208-1106; Her toll free number: 1-877-9-KOSMAS (1-877-956-7627)

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "On Nov. 4, the Republican leadership in the House presented its alternative."

The timing is suspect. The content is familiar. It sums up several decades of Republican prescriptions for the consumer end of health care: Do nothing. (The Medicare prescription-drug benefit Congress approved in 2004 looks like the exception until it's revealed for what it's been: a boon to private insurers and Big Pharma.)

The House Republican proposal, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, would not affect the number of uninsured individuals. There are 47 million people without insurance today. By 2019, under the Republican plan, there would be 52 million. Nor would the proposal improve matters for the insured. It would, however, use federal law to get around state regulations so insurers can operate with less oversight and seek fatter profits across state lines.

Crist will say anything

Aaron Sharockman: "Last week Crist told reporters he didn't know Obama was traveling in Florida. On Wednesday, Crist told a national television audience he didn't endorse the $787 billion federal stimulus bill pushed by Obama and passed by Congress in February."

Crist's comments about the stimulus startled conservatives, Democrats, and frankly, us, who all remember things differently. ...

Let's go back to earlier this year, to see what Crist had to say then. ...

Good luck with that

"Democrats ask Tampa to apply to host convention".

Complaint

"A Republican activist from Tampa has filed a federal complaint against the Charlie Crist for Senate campaign, alleging that it was involved in the creation of an anti-Marco Rubio Web site." "Elections complaint filed against Crist campaign".

The best they can do?

"Amid a federal investigation into allegations that Rothstein was running a massive Ponzi scheme, his law partners at Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler invited the media to tour the private office Thursday. A hired PR man and a lawyer portrayed the office's opulence, security and compartmentalized layout as evidence that even the partners were bamboozled by their hard-charging friend and colleague." "Tour of Scott Rothstein's office reveals gallery of who's who".

The story that keeps on giving: "Former Republican Party finance director lobbied for Rothstein firm in Tallahassee".

SEC investigates SBA

The Florida State Board of Administration, the "agency that manages $132 billion in pension and local government investments is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission." "Report: Fla. investment agency under investigation".

Miami

The Miami Herald editorial board: "It's back to the future for Miami-Dade mayors".

Trib editors and their usual Tea-Bag blather

The Tampa Tribune editorial board this morning: "During the worst recession in modern times, as workers were enduring pay cuts, losing benefits and being required to take furlough days, the city of Tampa's unions sacrificed ... nothing." "No time for additional perks".

More Chamber of Commerce pap from the Trib, this time in the guise of "breaking news" - the Trib breathlessly reports that "Canadian couple opt for U.S. health care system".

SunRail

"Crist renews call for special session on SunRail project".

Bought and paid for

"It wasn’t the double layers of chocolate that had everyone abuzz, nor was there anything particularly special about the white chocolate placards that read: "

“Happy Birthday, Gov. Charlie Crist. From Scott and Kimberly Rothstein.”

Rather, the fact that Rothstein paid $52,000 just to have his name there surprised some of the lobbyists and honchos with the biggest special interests in Florida: Florida Crystals, The GEO Group, Mardi Gras Race Track and Casino. They all paid a mere $5,200 each to sponsor just one of the cake’s candles on that beautiful July 24th day in 2008 at The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach. Their donation is denoted in the little silver flags that stand by the candles.

Volusia County domestic partnership ordinance

"The Volusia County Council took no action Thursday on a potential domestic partnership ordinance. That was likely because discussion of the issue took a broader course than some expected and some council members said they didn't have enough information to come to a decision." "Council debates partnership law".

Let the games begin

"Club for Growth comes after Crist".

Crist-Rubio race "more divisive than ever"

"Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer's involvement in Gov. Charlie Crist's U.S. Senate race against Marco Rubio is proving more divisive than ever. The Hillsborough County REC just sent [a] hard-hitting letter, which a Republican forwarded to us, to Greer telling him to cut it out." "Hillsborough Repubs to RPOF chief Greer: Cease and desist". More: "Dinerstein, Republican chiefs tell party boss to back off".

The response?: "Jim Greer: I will not cease and desist".

"A passel of promises"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "To end school busing 13 years ago, Orange County district officials made a passel of promises to a federal judge. ... What is now clear, however, is school officials might just as well have made those promises with fingers crossed." "Orange Schools' broken desegregation promises show pattern of mendacity".

Sansom

"A House panel rejected a request Thursday from former Speaker Ray Sansom that it suspend its investigation into his conduct while criminal charges against him are still pending." "House will continue inquiry into Sansom".

Yaaawwwnnn ...

A "story" we missed the other day: "Jeb Bush endorses McCollum".

Stim

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: federal "stimulus money for education helps in two ways."

First, it pumps money into the economy much more quickly than the construction projects that will be completed this year and early next year. ...

Protecting schools from chronic budget cuts is the second benefit from stimulus money. Legislators have cut school spending so much that the state had to get a waiver to obtain the federal money.

Bush crook off the hook?

"Next week's federal insider trading trial of a major Broward GOP fundraiser with close ties to former President George W. Bush has been called off while a possible settlement deal is worked out."

Dr. Zachariah P. Zachariah, his physician brother and a third Fort Lauderdale doctor are accused of hauling down more than a half-million dollars in illegal profits during a fraudulent stock trading scheme in 2005.

A trial on the civil charges that was set for Nov. 9 was cancelled to allow time for the Securities and Exchange Commission to decide whether to accept signed offers of settlement from co-defendants Dr. Mammen P. Zachariah and Dr. Sheldon Nassberg, according to court records.

The SEC informed the court it also has reached a "memorandum of understanding" with Zach Zachariah, but said it was "unclear" whether the charges against him could be resolved without a trial. None of the agreements are public.

Never mind

"Crist sent out a stern letter late Friday night, asking Ubele to pull a copy of Crist's original form letter from the website."

"This letter is written to correct an inexcusable mistake made by staff in my office. reflected in a letter of June 30, 2009 regarding the DVD Jud Suss. Unfortunately, that letter was sent by staff prior to any review of the content of the DVD. Subsequently, my staff has reviewed the DVD and advised me of the content.

"I am now writing to unequivocally advise you that neither I, not anyone in this administration agree with or condone the anti-Semitic content of this DVD. This DVD contains anti-Semitic propaganda filmed in Nazi Germany. It is laden with crude, anti-Semitic stereotypes and was unfortunately used by the Nazi regime to facilitate the Holocaust. The murder of over six million Jews in World War II is an abhorrent but real episode of man's inhumanity to man.

"I am advised that you have posted by June 30, 2009 letter on your Web site. Since that letter was sent in error and does not reflect my view, I request that you immediately remove it from your Web site, and any other representation therein that I or anyone in my administration agree with or condone the anti-Semitic content of this DVD."

The audacity

"Exonerated man seeks cash for 27-year sentence".

[T]here are now three Crist moneymen caught up in alleged criminal or extremely shady activity.

Crist, whose career has been fueled by his skill as a fundraiser, finds himself entangled with the trio of scandals just as his U.S. Senate primary campaign against conservative Marco Rubio is attracting national attention. And there's already talk down in Florida that the Crist-linked scandals may become a factor in the primary contest.

So what's it all about? Let's go to the tape.

Dozens of federal agents on Wednesday night raided the Fort Lauderdale law offices of attorney Scott Rothstein, a swaggering lawyer under investigation for allegedly masterminding an investment scam that could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.

McCollum a Tea-Party victim?

Mike Thomas: "The Tea-Party rebellion against Republican Party bosses has attracted its latest Florida maverick — state Sen. Paula Dockery."

The choo-choo-killing queen of Lakeland wants to be governor. That requires ousting fellow Republican Bill McCollum, the tried, true and stale darling of the GOP Star Chamber.

Dockery joins Marco Rubio, the baby-faced assassin aiming for Charlie Crist in the race for U.S. Senate, as a party upstart.

One of them will win. And while I wish her well, it will not be Dockery. Here is why:

Rubio is running against a person: Charlie Crist.

Crist infuriates conservatives.

McCollum just puts them to sleep.

Who ... me?

"Crist is saying he did not endorse the $787 billion federal stimulus bill, a statement that might confuse some voters." "Gov. Crist denies endorsing federal stimulus bill".

"The ingredients to pack an ideological powder keg"

"After Tuesday's elections, Florida looms as the next front in a war between moderates and conservatives that's dividing a Republican Party trying to surge toward the 2010 election."

The state's GOP primary for U.S. Senate has all the ingredients to pack an ideological powder keg. It pits the sitting governor, Charlie Crist, who embraced President Barack Obama's spending plan, against a scrappy former state lawmaker, Marco Rubio, who has become a darling of the conservative movement.

Conservative groups active in a campaign in New York's 23rd congressional district that forced out a Republican they felt was too moderate say Florida is next on their agenda.

And so it begins

"Club for growth launches TV spot smacking Charlie Crist on stimulus". See also "Republican Majority PAC gets behind Rubio". Related: "Insurgency pierces Crist's 'inevitability'".

Corruption laws

"Citing a rash of corruption cases, a state senator is pushing for laws to combat bribery and restrict contact between the Public Service Commission and the utilities it regulates." "Florida Sen. Dan Gelber pushing for tougher public corruption laws".

"Consensus is building in the Florida Legislature to make the Public Service Commission operate more like judges by banning commissioners and their staff from communicating directly with the utilities they regulate." "Push begins for tougher PSC rules".

Will these people ever learn?

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "In April 29, the Republican-dominated Florida House voted 70-44 to reject an amendment that would have eased Floridians' eligibility for unemployment benefits and added $444 million in federal stimulus money to the state's unemployment fund. It was an inexplicable vote. The state's unemployment rate was 9.6 percent and climbing rapidly."

Rejecting the money was a case of putting ideology ahead of reality. "Once government provides that handout, it never takes it back," said Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach, while other representatives claimed that accepting the money would lead to higher business taxes and less hiring. There's a time for such a position. Not then, with unemployment at its highest point in more than 30 years, certainly not now, with 1 million Floridians unemployed and a state jobless rate topping 11 percent ...

Ironically, Florida put itself in the same position during its last comparable economic collapse--the one that began in 1926 and stretched through the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Legislature in October 1931 made a point of telling President Hoover that it would not accept federal help for its unemployed. Less than a year later, the state was requesting emergency help to relieve unemployment.

It's time for a repeat reconsideration.

Eating themselves

"GOP insurgent challenges Brown-Waite, cites her Scozzafava support".

Rail

"Crist wants special session on Fla. commuter rail".

Rothstein scramble

"With their scramble to return campaign contributions from Scott Rothstein, Florida politicians are hewing to the political script. When there's bad news involving a donor, the drill is: return the money or give it to charity, express shock or dismay at the bad news — and rest assured that it ultimately won't make a bit of difference to the voters come Election Day." "What will the political fallout of Rothstein donations be?".

NRA nuttiness with a privatization twist

"The National Rifle Association is pushing [Florida] legislation to ban adoption agencies from asking potential parents if they have guns and ammunition in the home."

NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer said adoption agencies are violating gun-owners' rights by asking about firearms in an adoption form. She said any request about gun ownership from an agency connected with government was tantamount to establishing a gun registry. ...

The issue flared up in Brevard County where a gun-owning couple took umbrage at a request from the Children's Home Society that they disclose if they had firearms before adopting a child.

The couple complained to a lawyer, who called Hammer. She said it would be easier to change the law rather than sue.

A spokeswoman for the Children's Home Society, Liz Bruner ... said that because the state child-welfare system is privatized, Children's Home Society is a subcontractor for a subcontractor and, therefore, communication with the state agency can be challenging.

Marshall Harris

Robert McKnight: "While the political community has been following the elections around the country, few noticed that Florida lost a political giant, former state Representative Marshall Harris, who passed away Monday in Miami. He was 77 years old."

Marshall, a Democrat from Miami, served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1966 to 1974, deciding to retire from elected service unbeaten. He was perhaps best known as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, during the administration of Speaker Dick Pettigrew (1972-1974).

In a word, Marshall brought a no-nonsense requirement of accountability to the Legislature's process and the agencies it funded. It was said that he delighted in having the press join him for his periodic unannounced visits to Capitol agencies — this, mind you, from an unabashed liberal legislator.

SunRail

Catherine Dolinski: "SunRail backers in the state Senate continue to press for a special session to jump start the Central Florida commuter rail project. But they have yet to convince House leaders, who question whether the Senate can deliver the necessary votes." "SunRail backers continue to push for special session".

RPOFers Slime their own

"Brevard County GOP Chairman Jason Steele said the [fake Twitter] account used his name and photo and sent tweets that hurt his character. One read, "Is 10:30 too early to make a drink?" Steele is recovering from alcoholism. Police traced the account to Republican Party field operations director Tim Nungesser." "GOP county chair victim of fake Twitter account". See also "Fake Twitter account, Republican Party of Florida feud linked". More: "Fellow GOP official behind fake 'tweets'".

"A nation that incarcerates more of our citizens per capita"

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "With a budget-cutting 'exercise' demanded of the Department of Corrections, the Florida Legislature has an opportunity to shift into a smarter modus operandi in managing less-violent offenders."

A 10-percent cut from the DOC's prison spending, said Secretary Walt McNeil, could mean early release of prisoners, which is problematic given a variety of mandatory sentencing guidelines lawmakers give judges. A 10-percent cut could mean closing three state prisons and relocating prisoners, but prisons are big job-suppliers for many rural counties and politically popular. The cutback could also mean trimming private-prison contracts. ...

"We have become a nation that incarcerates more of our citizens per capita than any other nation," Mr. McNeil said in St. Petersburg on Friday at a conference on criminal justice sponsored by the Pew Center on the States and the John Jay Center on Media, Crime and Justice. He said that there has been no significant reform in our criminal justice system since 1965 and that the cost of continuing to build more and more prisons and incarcerate more and more citizens is "economically unsustainable."

Florida lawmakers, given a fiscal crisis, have strong reason to intervene in this downward spiral that does little but cost money. They have a chance to find a better balance between public safety and developing ways to turn around the lives of nonviolent offenders.

Wingnut revival tour to hit Orlando

"Sarah Palin book tour includes Orlando".

'Glades

The Miami Herald editorial board: "In search of money to help pay off Miami International Airport's expansion, officials want the county to consider drilling for oil and gas at an old jet port that's now part of the Big Cypress National Wildlife Preserve as one potential way to get money." "Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades".

"Greer offered a helping hand"

"Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer offered a helping hand to Sen. Paula Dockery, who’s complained that her party isn’t doing anything to aide her gubernatorial bid. Dockery announced yesterday she’s challenging Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum in a bid for governor and defying Greer’s wishes to avoid GOP primaries in high-profile (and expensive) races." "Greer to Dockery: Need help? Just ask!".

Enuf already

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Between the time he stopped being mayor of Boca Raton (March 2008) and started being a Palm Beach County commissioner (March 2009), lawyer Steven Abrams represented a client who wanted to build an upscale bowling alley at the Boca Raton Airport. In that capacity, Mr. Abrams appeared before the Boca Raton Airport Authority." "End full-time moonlighting". Related: "Rival feels Abrams’ Rothstein link tilted field in his favor for Crist appointment".

The Junior Senator from Florida

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Warnings about how climate change could threaten the security of the U.S. and nations throughout the world will be sounded today at a conference at the University of Central Florida in Orlando."

Sansom

Updated: "Fla. House panel won't delay Sansom ethics case". See also "House inquiry into Sansom to continue".

"Former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom wants lawmakers to delay his ethics case until criminal charges against him are resolved. A lawyer for the Destin Republican is set to make that argument Thursday before the House Select Committee on Standards of Official Conduct." "Fla. House panel asked to delay Sansom ethics case". See also "Fate of Sansom probe on agenda".

Meantime, "Ray Sansom is left with little to do but defend himself" and "Former Rep. Melvin joins race to replace Sansom".

Laff riot

"Burgin, 27, says arriving in the state capital with contacts in hand made for a smooth first session. She spent two years as an aide to former Rep. Trey Traviesa, whose seat she won when he abruptly stepped down and dropped out of the race in 2008. Before that, Burgin worked with then-Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair. She was also a White House intern." "Rep. Rachel Burgin readies for House battle".

"Going negative"

"Polls showed Bill Foster trailing Kathleen Ford, and so in the waning days of the campaign, he began to portray Ford as a 'divider' and himself as a 'uniter.'" "Going negative boosted Foster".

Brogan

"Brogan mends universities' ties with lawmakers".

Lobbyists always come home

"Thrasher, 65, has long been an influential figure in Tallahassee, serving as House speaker from 1998 to 2000 and later as one of the Capitol's best-known lobbyists. He has already snagged key committee assignments, including being appointed chairman of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee and receiving a seat on the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee." "King successor Sen. Thrasher sworn into office".

Dockery's maverick style will attract followers from voters fed up with politics as usual. But her criticism of the state's political culture, largely controlled by her fellow Republicans, may offend party regulars.

She referred to herself as someone "who is going to clean up the act in Tallahassee'' and said many voters are frustrated with the Republican establishment.

She also criticized the party for misspending money and misusing American Express cards doled out to party officials and powerful legislators -- details of the expenses have not been made public.

"What needs to be done is to say, 'Hey, we've made mistakes. Let's lay it all out there. Let's get it in the sunshine. Let's share our credit card reports with you, and let's move on,' '' Dockery said.

She criticized the Republican Party for "anointing'' McCollum for the GOP nomination for governor and said voters are entitled to a choice without interference from party leaders.

Just look at what former House Speaker Marco Rubio has accomplished in his effort to overtake Gov. Charlie Crist in the Republican U.S. Senate primary. Although Rubio doesn't have Crist's money or name recognition, his challenge is making things interesting.

The same thing could happen with Dockery.

She has a long way to go in this campaign. She doesn't have the name recognition of her primary opponent, who has run statewide three times. But neither does she have McCollum's baggage.

Crist has "as much substance as a bowl of Jell-O"

Scott Maxwell: "After nearly three years of wooing Floridians with doe-eyed gazes and pretty words, residents seem to have finally woken up to the fact that their charmer-in-chief has about as much substance as a bowl of Jell-O."

Crist is beginning to look like the ER of Florida politics. People still tune in — just not like they used to. The novelty has worn off.

In trying to explain Crist's decline, I don't think the problem is that he's done much to tick people off.

It's that he hasn't done much, period.

The guy is one big ball of feel-good platitudes and namby-pamby catch phrases.

Even if Crist has vowed to do something you really like, there's a good chance he undermined or later abandoned that vow as well. ...

The list of things about which Crist talked big but came up short goes on — with property insurance, health care and more.

And people are finally starting to notice.

PB Dems give Landrieu the boot

"Palm Beach County’s Democratic Party has dumped moderate Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu as its keynote speaker for next week’s annual fund-raising dinner because party activists are displeased with Landrieu’s stance on health care." "Palm Beach County Dems’ dumping of health care skeptic Landrieu 'news to us,' her office says". More: "Louisiana Sen. Landrieu out as Democratic keynoter; locals disliked her stance on health care cloture".

"'New management' mettle"

The Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "The Public Service Commission can show its 'new management' mettle by establishing new energy efficiency standards. The current standards used by the utilities under the PSC's supervision are far too inadequate and are an impediment to establishing a 'green economy.'" "PSC must set meaningful efficiency standards".

Rubio emulates Obama

"Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio may bemoan Barack Obama, but not in every area."

The underdog rival to Gov. Charlie Crist is striving to emulate the small-donor fundraising model that helped propel Obama past another money-raising titan, Hillary Clinton, in the 2008 presidential election.

A closer look at the Senate candidates' latest campaign finance reports shows Crist has relied so heavily on large donors that his financial advantage over Rubio is less enormous than it might appear.

The Crist campaign did not respond to questions about its donors, but the Rubio campaign said its average donation so far this year has been $119.

You've got a down-the-line Reagan conservative in Marco Rubio,'' radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh said this week, contrasting him to Crist.

Knuckle-draggers look South

The Wall Street Journal: "Conservatives, energized by their role in shaping Tuesday's New York congressional election, have set Florida in their sights as the big battleground for 2010."

That state's Republican Senate primary in August is emerging as a focal point in the wider debate over the future course of the Republican Party. ...

Taking down Mr. Crist in Florida, who only last year was considered a potential running mate for Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, would be an achievement for the conservative movement. Mr. Crist, who enjoys substantial advantages in money and voter recognition, appears to be responding by stressing in new radio ads his conservative positions on government spending and taxes.

New polling shows Mr. Crist could be vulnerable, with Mr. Rubio rising in Quinnipiac University surveys from single digits last year to 35% among GOP voters, 15 points behind the governor.

The Club for Growth has been studying the Florida Senate race for months and is weeks away from deciding on whether to begin airing anti-Crist TV ads -- a decision that could shrink the governor's big money advantage. The group reported Tuesday that its members poured $1 million into the New York congressional race in support of Mr. Hoffman.

FreedomWorks, a conservative group led by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, has identified the Florida race as the conservative movement's biggest primary prize of 2010. It is laying plans to marshal thousands of volunteers to target GOP voters with charts contrasting Messrs. Crist and Rubio on fiscal issues.

"If you take a look at the people who are committed in that race, it's the same cast of characters, all the Republican establishment that haven't spent a great deal of time on the ground in the state," Mr. Armey said.

Grover Norquist, head of the group Americans for Tax Reform, said, "You're going to see a whole bunch of energy, and it gets directed toward Rubio."

Billy holds a press conference

"McCollum says Expedia, Orbitz cheated state, local governments out of tax revenue". See also "Internet travel companies are being sued by Fla.".

Zell speaks

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Prepare yourself for the biggest sale to hit Central Florida in a generation — one liable to overwhelm you by the sheer number of choices put before you."

Candidates mustn't pretend to be something they're not. Those doing so insult voters who know better. But candidates often do it anyway. Take Florida's centrist governor, Charlie Crist, who's busily trying to recast himself as Jeb Bush in preparation for the Republican primary. Come on. He's bashing runaway federal spending — and ignoring President Obama when he visits Florida — when in February he praised the president and his stimulus package?

Candidates should put pragmatism before partisanship. Single-mindedness and blind obedience to one's party guarantees gridlock in government, but it's the path Mr. Crist's opponent in the Republican primary often takes. Marco Rubio talks not about compromise but of "standing up" to President Obama on his approach to stimulating the economy, insurance reform and energy policy. Compromise, to Mr. Rubio, is anathema.

Most members of Congress manage to hold onto their seats as well as Tom Brady's receivers hold onto his passes. But some let go of them, as could Rep. Alan Grayson if enough of his constituents tire of his Darth Vader routine. His office vows he'll use the dark side against anyone running against him. They deserve an honest debate instead. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, meanwhile, didn't do herself or her constituents any favors when she failed to take firm positions on health care during a recent forum. Public service isn't an entitlement. Those wanting to do it well must work at it.

Roth-who?

"Crist, Rooney, state Dems and GOP pledge to return Rothstein contributions". More: "Rooney returns Rothstein contrib but not wife’s; Dem challenger calls it 'shameful'".

HD 57

"Stacy Frank has filed to run for the District 57 state House seat currently held by Republican Faye Culp. Frank joins a Democratic primary against Clifford Somers, but she'll be the best-known of the two candidates - she's a longtime lawyer and the daughter of Clerk of Court and longtime prominent political figure Pat Frank and retired appeals court Judge Richard Frank." "Frank joins state District 57 House race".

HCR

"Democratic plans in the U.S. Senate and House would expand the number of people on the Florida Medicaid program from 2.7 million to more than 4 million, a new report by the Agency for Health Care Administration says. The federal-state program provides health coverage to the disabled and poor."

Fortunately, Florida's got this genius - who surely has great HCR ideas of his own - representing it in DC:

"It's nowhere near affordable - we're talking about a billion dollars, potentially," said Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples. "It's an unrealistic expectation and burden to place on the states."

Get a life

"'When the Republican Party threw Sarah Palin under the bus, I knew they just did not have the soul they used to,' said McKain, who is running to replace U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, D – Monticello." "Whig candidate running for Boyd’s seat".

"Florida leaders backing the wrong horse in gaming debate"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Key leaders in the Florida Legislature have been doing everything in their power to stonewall a casino accord between the state and Seminole leaders. It's time they folded. The tribe holds all the cards in this game and Florida can't afford to leave millions of dollars on the table." "Taking a chance".

Related: The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Making a mockery of their own anti-gambling rhetoric, lawmakers continue to look the other way while storefront cyber-cafes, which offer rows of Internet terminals that strongly resemble slot machines, proliferate across Florida." "Storefront operations deserve attention"

Going Local

"Foster elected St. Petersburg mayor" (The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "St. Pete voters chose steady progress" and Troxler: "Victory represents the status quo, columnist says"), "St. Pete elects first openly gay council member", "Miami Beach mayor coasts to reelection; commission races head for runoff"; "Hialeah mayor, 2 City Council incumbents easily reelected" and "Voters elect officials in 3 Volusia cities".

Who writes these headlines?

GOP press releases are transformed into headlines at the Orlando Sentinel: "Republicans sweep governor races in Virginia, New Jersey _ troubling sign for Dems, Obama".

Here's a troubling sign, buried in the story: "Democrat Bill Owens captured a GOP-held vacant 23rd Congressional District seat in New York in a race that highlighted fissures in the Republican Party and illustrated hurdles the GOP could face in capitalizing on any voter discontent with Obama and Democrats next fall.".

Miami

"Miami voters demanded a breather from eight years of fast-paced development Tuesday, ushering in Tomás Regalado as mayor on a wave of support from residents who said they were tired of uncontrolled growth and unchecked spending." "Regalado wins Miami mayoral race".

Getting ya' coming and going

"Miami-Dade officials are proceeding with a plan to install slot machines at the airport. Commissioners voted Tuesday to apply for a permit, despite staunch opposition from local casinos and race tracks and the long odds it would be approved in Tallahassee." "Officials seek slot machines at Miami airport".

The investigation into Rothstein, a major fundraiser for Gov. Charlie Crist, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and other major politicians has left candidates in the lurch and the prominent law firm reeling. The firm -- Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler -- was a top sponsor of a Fort Lauderdale golf benefit Friday chaired by former Gov. Jeb Bush.

Federal authorities on Monday stepped up their criminal investigation into Rothstein, 47, who is suspected of operating a Ponzi scheme by selling hundreds of millions of dollars in fabricated legal settlements to investors.

Sink, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said she was giving back an unspecified amount of donations. Records show she received $2,050.

"These are very serious allegations,'' Sink's campaign said.

Rothstein, his wife and employees and relatives of employees of his law firm have contributed $100,550 to Republican Gov. Charlie Crist's Senate campaign since the governor announced in May, according to campaign finance records. Rothstein's law firm is one of Crist's top contributors.

Rothstein said in an interview in August that he got married in a three-day wedding celebration at the former Versace mansion in South Beach in January 2008 with about 400 guests, and that Crist flew in to attend.

in attacking Sink over Rothstein's money, McCollum is unwittingly (or wittingly, perhaps?) raising the question: Should McCollum's fellow Republican, Gov. Charlie Crist, return the $100,550 directly contributed by Rothstein and his law partners to Crist's U.S. Senate campaign? Crist allies estimate Rothstein could account for as much as $500,000 to $1 million in contributions to Crist.

SunRail

Aaron Deslatte: "Central Florida's two-year fight to roll its commuter-rail plans through Tallahassee may be almost over. Two weeks ago, Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater and other legislators went to Washington to hear that Florida must jump-start the $1.2 billion, 61-mile SunRail project and help out South Florida's Tri-Rail if it hopes to land $2.5 billion in federal funding for a high-speed train between Tampa and Orlando." "Washington's ultimatum on commuter rail puts plans on track".

Rubio moves North

"U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio is an unlikely contender in northwest Florida, a strip of the Bible Belt closer to Alabama than his hometown of Miami."

For the young, Cuban-American politician, Panhandle voters could be a tough crowd: They've come across few Hispanic candidates and often view South Florida as a cesspool of incivility and corruption.

But in a Republican primary that's shifted from a cakewalk for Gov. Charlie Crist to a referendum on whether he has sold his Republican soul, many voters in Northwest Florida say they don't care if Rubio speaks Spanish -- as long as he speaks ``true conservative.''

Thanks "Jeb!"

"Private elevator inspectors in Florida are missing violations, and more of the machines are going uninspected each year. ... Florida farmed out the safety inspections to private companies in 2000. In the past three years, the number of elevators left uninspected climbed 79 percent to 5,710 in the 2008-2009 fiscal year." "Report: Fla. elevator inspectors missing problems". See also "Report: Fla. elevator inspectors missing problems".

RPOFer waiting on Saint "Jeb!"

"The single biggest threat to Charlie Crist's political future probably isn't his U.S. Senate primary rival, Marco Rubio."

It's former Gov. Jeb Bush, who could give Rubio an enormous boost if he chose to.

A new Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9 poll underscores how much Bush's shadow still looms over Florida almost three years after him leaving office: Forty-six percent said they would rather have Bush leading Florida today, while 41 percent said Crist.

More striking, 71 percent of Republicans would pick Bush as governor today, while only 22 percent of Republicans said they would pick Crist over Bush. ``Is there a path to victory for Marco Rubio? Yes, but it involves the support of Jeb Bush,'' pollster Tom Eldon said. "Crist may have appointed the last senator, but Bush has it in his hands to appoint the next one.''

Billy can't catch a break

"The state party had been hoping to avoid a primary in the race to fill the seat Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is giving up after one term to run for U.S. Senate." "AP: Dockery to run for Florida governor". See also "State Sen. Paula Dockery to run for governor".

The temerity of these (former) inmates

"Freed inmate wants $1.35M from state for serving 27 years for murder conviction".

Your Chamber of Commerce at work

"Sarah Palin will be the featured speaker for the Daytona Beach Area Chamber of Commerce's 90th annual meeting Feb. 15". "Palin to speak at chamber function".

Florida Independents sliding to the right

"Independent voters are more likely to side with Republicans than with Democrats on issues facing Floridians, according to a poll conducted for The Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times."

Whether it's opposing a so-called "public option'' for government-run health insurance, supporting oil drilling or a general feeling that the nation is on the wrong track, independents are proving a key ally for conservatives.

The more conservative sentiment is a reversal from a year ago, when Herald/Times polls showed that independents leaned more Democratic.

Chief reasons for the public-opinion turnaround, according to poll respondents and pollsters: the rough economy and President Barack Obama's difficulty in quickly living up to his campaign slogan, hope and change.

Outa there

"Wexler exit might leave seat empty until May".

Enough with the wingnuttery

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "How long will the Legislature refuse to put roughly one-half billion dollars into the Florida economy?"

Last spring, with Florida's unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, the Legislature rejected $444.7 million in federal stimulus money for families suffering from the loss of a job. Republican leaders sided with business groups, which claimed that the money would have meant higher taxes. Now, the unemployment rate averages 11 percent statewide, and is higher in this area. It has topped 15 percent in St. Lucie County. So all these months later, at least two Republican senators are talking about helping people the state could have been helping all along.

claimed during the session that the money would come with too many demands. Among other things, he wrote in a July letter to The Post, the Legislature would have been "forced by the federal government to expand unemployment eligibility beyond what is now legally recognized."

Hearing that, you could be forgiven for thinking that Washington is asking Florida to give benefits to unsavory people. In fact, unemployment benefits would be extended to some part-time workers - who were losing their jobs in droves - and to spouses who had to quit their jobs to accompany their husbands or wives who had to move to find employment. Spouses who had to quit their jobs and move to escape domestic violence also would become eligible for unemployment benefits.

Plus, although the state is being asked to change its laws to make those people eligible, the feds would cover the cost. For normal unemployment benefits, Florida is taking out federal loans to pay the state's share of what already are low benefits compared with those most states offer.

"Powerful fundraising"

Michael Bender: "Obama-Crist press conference: the most powerful fundraising tool ever?".

It is now safe to answer the phone

"State officials today are expected to announce plans for a crackdown on abusive debt collectors, following reports that collection harassment has surged in the past 18 months and that little has been done to punish offenders." "State to crack down on rogue debt collectors".

"Dunderhead schemes"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "In search of money to help pay off Miami International Airport's expansion, officials want the county to consider drilling for oil and gas at an old jet port that's now part of the Big Cypress National Wildlife Preserve as one potential way to get money. Other options on the table: rock mining at the 23,840-acre site between Miami and Naples or allow a park for off-road vehicles that tear up the terrain. As desperation moves go, these options are the mother of all dunderhead schemes." "Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades".

"Somewhere between wild speculation and outright falsehoods"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Claims of oil riches for Florida warrant skeptical review"

Advocates of drilling for oil in Florida's coastal waters make two claims that have caught the attention of lawmakers and heightened momentum to end the ban on drilling offshore. They claim that as much as 3 billion barrels of oil lie beneath Florida's coastal waters. And they claim that the state could reap $2.25 billion a year from drilling royalties. The claims are somewhere between wild speculation and outright falsehoods.

'Glades

"Miami-Dade looks to cash in on old Everglades jetport".

Gambling

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "State lawmakers are wasting valuable time - and leaving money on the table - by balking at the new deal Gov. Charlie Crist reached with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to legalize increased gambling at seven casinos, including Tampa's Hard Rock." "Gambling stalemate gets dicey for state".

The bottom is falling out from under Florida's once hugely popular governor.

That 51 percent of the Republicans in the poll rated Crist's performance as fair or poor is particularly ominous for someone facing an aggressive U.S. Senate primary challenge from former state House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami.

In the Senate race, the poll found 50 percent of Republicans backing Crist, 28 percent Rubio, and 22 percent undecided. Even little known and 22 points behind, however, Rubio poses a real threat to the self-described "people's governor'' no longer appreciated so much by people who overwhelmingly see Florida headed in the wrong direction.

About Alan

The New York Times: Grayson's so-called

incivility is no accident; nor is the bluster. Such antics are often quickly rewarded in the media-crazed wrestling pit of American politics. One talked-about TV appearance leads to three more; every quotable outburst is a potential pitch, spread instantly by YouTube and blogs to an eager audience that can cheer by way of campaign donations made with the click of a mouse.

Some Democrats also say that Mr. Grayson fills a void, defying their party’s inferiority complex, the constant sense that liberals just are not tough enough. They say that as an attention-grabbing motivator of the party’s base, he could prove hugely useful in getting out the message for next year’s midterm elections.

“There is always a feeling among liberals, a psychology that we are too apologetic; we see six sides to the Pentagon,” said James Carville, the Democratic operative and commentator, who met Mr. Grayson in a CNN studio shortly after the “die quickly” speech in Congress.

Florida harbinger?

"In what looks like a victory for the same conservative forces backing Marco Rubio in Florida, the Republican Party nominee dropped out of a special election to fill a vacant House seat in New York on Saturday."

Nationwide, conservative Republicans have been watching two races, Florida's Senate primary and the New York House race, as top battlegrounds in the party's moderate v. conservative internal struggle.

In the New York race, moderate Dede Scozzafava, the GOP nominee, was endorsed by the national party – just as Gov. Charlie Crist has been in the Florida Senate primary.

Conservative insurgent Doug Hoffman challenged Scozzafava with backing from many of the same prominent national conservative figures and organizations backing Rubio.

Scozzafava's withdrawal means Hoffman, running as the Conservative Party candidate, will face the Democratic nominee, Bill Owens, head-to-head in the special election Tuesday. If Hoffman wins, it's likely to energize and embolden the conservative forces backing Rubio even further.

"grade-school finger-pointing"

Scott Maxwell: "The two Florida politicians — the Republican attorney general, McCollum, and Democratic CFO, Sink — escalated ""to new heights last week as each one tried to blame the other for allowing debt collectors to harass Floridians." "Bill McCollum and Alex Sink should fight for us, not each other".

Care to say that under oath?

"While U.S. Sen. George LeMieux isn't talking about his recent stint in the private sector, his former boss talked a little bit about it last week."

Crist acknowledged that he and his "dear friend" and former top aide LeMieux discussed oil drilling in the last year. But Crist also said that he never talked specifically about any pending legislation.

That's an important distinction, because LeMieux's financial disclosure shows that his law firm was paid at least $5,000 for work LeMieux did on behalf of the group that is pushing to end Florida's nearly 20-year ban on offshore drilling.

LeMieux, who stepped down as Crist's chief of staff at the end of 2007, was barred from lobbying anyone in the governor's office for two years. LeMieux, in fact, never registered to lobby anyone in state government. Instead, the disclosure form he filed in October shows that he did "legal services and counseling" for more than 30 companies during his time between leaving Crist and replacing U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez.

One of the companies that paid LeMieux's law firm was Florida Energy Associates, which is pushing controversial legislation that would allow the governor and Cabinet to open up Florida waters to oil and natural gas leases.

Gambling

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "State lawmakers are wasting valuable time - and leaving money on the table - by balking at the new deal Gov. Charlie Crist reached with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to legalize increased gambling at seven casinos, including Tampa's Hard Rock." "Gambling stalemate gets dicey for state".

Gub race "a statistical tie"

Adam Smith: "The race to succeed Crist as governor was a statistical tie, with Democratic Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink winning support from 38 percent of those surveyed and Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum winning 37 percent. One in four voters were undecided between McCollum and Sink, including half of independent voters surveyed. ... The telephone survey of 600 registered voters was conducted Oct. 25-28, for the St. Petersburg Times, Miami Herald and Bay News 9. The poll was done by Schroth, Eldon and Associates, whose clients primarily are Democrats, and the Polling Co., which mainly works with Republicans."

"Who is Haridopolos?"

"Some find it ironic"

that Haridopolos describes his desires for smaller, cheaper government while earning his living from government. Or, some have credited his hiring to a desire by public-university and college leaders to curry favor with the Legislature.

From 1993 to 2003, Haridopolos taught history at Brevard Community College. After winning his Senate seat, he told BCC administrators that his legislative duties would conflict with teaching.

The college agreed to pay Haridopolos $150,000 over four years to research and write a book instead. Haridopolos delivered the 175-page manuscript -- an easy-to-read primer on Florida political history, how to run for office and how the Legislature works -- to the BCC president's office and fulfilled the terms of his contract.

In 2008, he accepted a job as a $75,000-a-year lecturer at the University of Florida.

The state Democratic Party and Progress Florida issued public statements, echoed by political blogs, suggesting that the university hired Haridopolos to curry favor with the Legislature. A FLORIDA TODAY editorial last year called the job "a sweetheart deal."

Florida Hometown Democracy

Sally Swartz: "A vote on the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment is a year away, but the battle lines are being drawn. More than 1 million Floridians signed petitions to put Amendment 4 on the November 2010 ballot. It would give voters veto power over changes to their community's growth plan." "Florida's battleground issue".

"Political silliness is already here"

Pamela Hasterok: "The political silliness is already here for next year's elections."

When asked why he wasn't joining Pres. Barack Obama, a Democrat, during his two-day visit to the state, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist said he didn't know he was going to be here.

Really?

Meanwhile, Crist is hoping to burnish his populist credentials by convincing the Public Service Commission to postpone its decision on whether Florida Power and Light and Progress Energy can raise their rates. He asked the commission, which agreed, to delay its vote until after his new appointee is seated next year. No rate hikes in an election year, please.

No education-cutting budgets, either, thank you. Crist is still trying to get the Legislature to go along with a compact he negotiated with the Seminole tribe. He allows them to run banked card games like blackjack and they pump at least $150 million a year into the state's schools.

The courts struck that deal down, saying lawmakers had to be involved. Lawmakers haven't been able to create a new agreement and now the House speaker wants federal regulators to shut down the tribe's gaming until they do. The question looms -- is $150 million worth opening Florida to ever more high-stakes gambling?

New Mayors

"St. Petersburg, Miami set to elect new mayors".

"Insurers hobbling search for cures through clinical trials"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "State and local governments have spent billions over the past six years to attract biomedical research to Florida. Telling patients they could lose their insurance coverage if they participate in research runs counterproductive to that goal." "Fighting cancer in Florida".