"Crist's final year as governor begins like no other"

"Charlie Crist's final year as governor begins like no other: with perilous poll numbers, his optimism worn thin and his shell of political Teflon deeply scratched."

After two years of governing Florida by shrewdly gauging the prevailing political winds, Crist strayed off course as the economy spiraled downward in 2009, his nice-guy image no longer effective as a balm for frustrated Floridians.

"Crist's difficulties underscore the hazards of governing in volatile times, the fickleness of Florida's electorate and the perils of populism and bipartisanship."

Quick with a warm smile and warmer handshake, the 53-year-old Crist has led a charmed political life as a state senator, education commissioner, attorney general and now governor. In the early years, approval ratings for the Republican from St. Petersburg soared in the 70s.

But by October 2009, there was a stunning turnabout. A Times/Herald/Bay News 9 poll showed his job performance was viewed more negatively (55 percent) than positively (42 percent) by Floridians.

Just a year ago, Crist appeared politically invincible as he harbored ambitions of heading to Washington.

"His position worsening, Crist recently began dialing back the optimism in favor of speaking negatively of Rubio. But Crist never says the name of the former House speaker from West Miami."

But Rubio's technique is working. He's rising in the polls as Crist falls, in part because of the legacy of the governor's plans to fight global warming or restore civil rights for some ex-cons — positions anathema to many conservatives.

Much more here: "Battered image, uncertain future".




Sansom gets a pass

"An appellate court rejected an effort to revive criminal charges against former House Speaker Ray Sansom on Thursday, probably ending his court troubles."

DCA Judges Edward Barfield, Joseph Lewis and James Wolf agreed, holding that "we are without jurisdiction" and sent the issue back to circuit court.

Sansom still faces an Ethics Commission complaint and an internal House committee inquiry into his conduct.

The Destin Republican got an $110,000-a-year job at the college on Nov. 17, 2008, the day he became speaker.

"Court woes wind down for Sansom".




Daily Rothstein

"6 more investors repay 'false profits' in alleged Sarasota Ponzi scheme".




They said it

"The year in Florida political quotes".




"Redistricting is always the Rubik's Cube of politics"

"The looming national census — to be conducted this year — signals the beginning of the complex legal and political job that affects almost every facet of state government, including the 40 districts in the state Senate and 120 districts in the Florida House. Legislative leaders have hired lawyers and consultants and committees are planning public hearings on staking out Florida's next political landscape." "State legislative districts to be redrawn in 2010".




"Shrill demands from cut-at-any-cost anti-tax activists"

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editors touch on some of last year's disappointments:

Local governments' budget woes started long before the economy tanked. Driven by increasingly shrill demands from cut-at-any-cost anti-tax activists, city and county governments squeezed their property-tax rates to the point where they no longer kept up with service demands. ...

Building acres of strip malls, condominiums and endless rows of tract houses might be good for short-term construction jobs and part-time work flipping hamburgers. But without a more aggressive, targeted approach, the counties have little hope of attracting jobs that pay a living wage and industries that anchor the community. ...

It was the paradox of the decade. Every local government talked up "smart" growth. Few lived up to it. The lure of fatter tax bases through all the growth they could immediately grab proved more seductive than long-term stability and environmental balance. Don't blame voters.

Much more, including some "achievements", here: "2010".




Legal geniuses

"McCollum, other GOP AGs criticize 'Nebraska Compromise'".




Charlie hangin' in there

"Even before John McCain made his choice of Alaska's governor as his vice presidential choice on Friday, at least one member of the media was predicting Gov. Charlie Crist would cancel his nuptials to Carole Rome if he wasn't on the ticket." "Pundit pops cold quip about love and guv".




Columnists and editors share their wisdom

- The Miami Herald editorial board: "As South Florida starts to recover from the Great Meltdown, the five million who live here have the opportunity to strengthen our community with a laser-focused agenda that will create jobs, stabilize the housing market and open up credit for struggling businesses." "2010: Renewal and resolution".

- The Orlando Sentinel editors: "The bursting housing bubble hit Florida especially hard. Unemployment soared, growth slowed and tourists stayed home. Heading into the 10s, there are hints of a recovery. The stock market has reclaimed some lost ground, and homes are starting to sell again. But it's going to be a difficult time, and success will depend on leaders setting aside pettiness, abandoning extremism and working together." "What's behind what we think".

- The Tampa Trib editors: "The decade we didn't see coming".

- The St. Pete Times editors: "With a new year comes new opportunities to tackle big issues. Florida and Tampa Bay have more than their share. Here are six resolutions our elected leaders should embrace in 2010." "New year, new hope".

- Pamela Hasterok: "2010 will be better, right?".

- Fred Grimm: "South Florida had its share of lowlights in '09".

- Mark Lane: A '10s guy greets era early".

- Scott Maxwell: "The good, the bad and the idiotic of 2009".




No DWS

"There's one name you can scratch from the list of potential contenders for the U.S. Senate in 2010: Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the rising congressional star from Weston." "Time for House and home but not Senate".




Dyer takes a bow

"The number of murders in unincorporated Orange County and Orlando plummeted by roughly 38 percent in 2009 — a striking change after more than three record-breaking years of deadly violence." "Orlando-area murders drop by 38% in 2009".