"The last thing Bondi wants is to appear vapid"

"The last thing Bondi wants is to appear vapid, and that's what would happen if she spends an hour 'demonizing Obama' instead of discussing local issues, [Dan Smith, head of the UF's Campaign and Election Center] said." "Bondi limiting debates against more experienced Gelber".




Another fine Jebacy

"Florida high school seniors again scored below the national average on the SAT college entrance exam, with the class of 2010 scoring slightly lower than 2009 did." "Fla. SAT scores stable, below national average".




"Private-sector professionals with contrasting economic visions"

"Unlike any election in modern Florida history, this fall's gubernatorial contest pits two private-sector professionals with contrasting economic visions against each other."

Republican Rick Scott is a onetime merger-and-acquisitions lawyer who built the nation's largest hospital chain by tearing down administrative overhead, and the economic recovery plan he is pitching to voters focuses heavily on slashing red tape, bureaucracy — and taxes.

Democrat Alex Sink was a corporate banking executive for 26 years who led a massive financial institution that primed business expansion through loans. Her jobs plan focuses on freeing up investment cash, and incentivizing companies willing to spend on production and research in the state.

"Florida governor's race: Scott, Sink tout plans for economy, jobs, taxes".




"McColluma conspicuous no-show"

"Attorney General Bill McCollum, a conspicuous no-show at a Republican Party of Florida quarterly meeting this weekend at Disney World, had no apologies this morning." "McCollum not sorry he skipped Rebublican Party meeting".




Teabagger makes a fool of himself

"Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein says Republican challenger Allen West's campaign rhetoric is often "extreme" and 'threatening' and 'offensive.'"

West says Klein needs to "man up."

In the Palm Beach-Broward congressional District 22 race, Klein and West haven't merely differed over the stimulus and health care bills and other elements of the Obama-Pelosi agenda that Klein backed and West opposed.

They've also clashed over West's words - and over Klein's regular use of a Florida Democratic Party videographer to record and transcribe those words when West makes public appearances.

The practice isn't uncommon in modern politics, but West recently called the taping "Gestapo-type intimidation tactics" by foes out to distort his positions. Klein said the reference to Hitler's secret police showed "appalling disrespect to Holocaust victims and survivors."

Klein's campaign recently posted footage from March in which West calls Islam "a totalitarian theocratic political ideology," voices disdain for people with "Co-exist" bumper stickers and slams "chicken" leaders who read "memos from the feminists."

"GOP challenger West slams Democrat Rep. Klein on references to 'Gestapo,' 'butt-whoopin'".




The Week Ahead

"Florida's lawsuit against health care reform will get plenty of attention, but this week a panel of lawmakers also votes on whether to accept billions in federal aid." "The Week Ahead for Sept. 13-17".




Big of him

"With the fresh approach of a newcomer and the fervor of a reformer, Republican Rick Scott is determined to be a governor without an executive jet." "Florida government jet doesn't fly with Scott".




"No one left standing on the high ground "

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "With independent candidate Bud Chiles out of the Florida governor's race, there's no one left standing on the high ground of campaign finance reform. Republican Rick Scott lost his way in the primary, first by using his personal fortune to buy himself into the race and then by blocking his opponent's access to public campaign financing. Now Democrat Alex Sink has joined him with less than candid comments about her plans for a third-party committee she set up." "Where do they stand on campaign reform?".




Delightful

"Thick coat of oil found on Gulf sea floor".




Mica speaks

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "A Sentinel report last week revealed that Florida has spent less than half of its share of stimulus funding."

And U.S. Rep. John Mica, ranking Republican on the House transportation committee, noted Friday that only 30 percent of the first stimulus plan's cash for transportation projects has been spent nationally.

If Florida and the rest of the nation haven't come close to spending the bulk of the money from the first stimulus plan 18 months after it passed, why should anyone be confident that they'll do any better with the second stimulus' $50 billion?

We're not.

"Waiting on the stimulus".




Teabaggers run wild

"Republicans Plot Historic Comeback". See also "Coast to coast, tea partiers promote their cause".




"Maddox and Putnam defend their past political lives"

"In a year when having a lot of political experience is seen as a negative, Scott Maddox and Adam Putnam attempt to defend their past political lives despite their individual controversies." "Commissioner of Agriculture: The Insiders' Race".




"Selling or trading state conservation land"

"DEP takes move after concluding that the Suwannee River Water Management District wanted to get rid of land that still had value." "DEP working on criteria for selling or trading state conservation land".




RPOFer laff riot

"Almost the entire slate of statewide Republican candidates and a host of local candidates and elected officials united Saturday in Sarasota for a 'Taking Back Our Country' rally. The message? A vow to oppose the Obama Administration on every level."

The crowd — estimates of its size range from “nearly 2,000″ to “nearly 4,000″ — applauded vigorously when attorney general candidate Pam Bondi pledged to do “everything in [her] power to fight ObamaCare” and to “continue to fight for our state’s rights.”

Gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott also promised the crowd he would fight to “repeal ObamaCare,” although he did not state specifically how, as governor of Florida, he could affect congressional legislation. That didn’t stop him from promising “no more stimulus spending” either.

References to illegal immigration also drew an enthusiastic response. Scott’s running mate, Jennifer Carroll, said that there was no issue more important today than “securing our borders,” and that Floridians don’t realize “how vulnerable we are.”

Rep. Vern Buchanan, who faces an easy reelection bid this year, also fired up the crowd by discussing illegal immigration, citing a bill he sponsored to make English the official language of the U.S. He also asked the audience for help to “fire Nancy Pelosi.” “We need to stop the spending, stop the bailouts and stop the stimulus,” he said to loud applause.

Senate candidate Marco Rubio headlined the event, and his appearance was clearly the draw for many of the attendees — who waved flags and signs etched with phrases like “Liberals Move on Out!” and donned red, white and blue clothing and T-shirts bearing slogans like “Defend Your Constitution.”

"Florida Independent: News. Politics. Media".




Another Rooney

"Palm Beach County is generally associated with Democratic politics, but the coastal slice of a coastal county that makes up state House District 83 leans Republican, and over the past 20 years it has elected Republicans, but may be leaning to the middle." "District 83: Another Rooney Vies for Office".




The way things work

"AP analysis: Who got government work after the oil spill?".




"The age of electrified idiots"

Fred Grimm: "We've descended into the age of electrified idiots." "Nut preacher hits jackpot in digital age".




Crist has two new commercials

"Crist, who is running in the U.S. Senate campaign without party affiliation, has launched two new television commercials, both of which attempt to show the governor is able to work above partisan politics -- while his opponents seek to remind Florida voters about Crist's record." "Charlie Crist Runs Commercials Claiming the Middle".




Charlie changes (again)

"In a new Senate campaign position paper, Gov. Charlie Crist backs a broad swath of gay rights, including one major change in his past stance – he favors allowing adoption by same-sex couples." "Gay advocates praise Crist position paper on gay rights".




'Ya reckon?

"Crist spending less time in his office, more time on campaign trail".