What if Rick Scott and Jeff Greene both win on Tuesday?

That would be the most shocking result of the wildest Florida primary campaign in memory. It would leave both political parties in shambles and turn Florida into a national symbol of voter anger.

Bought and paid for

"McCollum, a 10-term congressman from Longwood in his fourth statewide campaign, has turned to that Establishment to survive. The biggest givers:"

- U.S. Sugar, which chipped in $825,000 — boosting its total investment in McCollum to more than $1.3 million this summer;

- $250,000 from Florida Power & Light;

- $25,000 from former House Speaker Allan Bense;

- $350,000 from Publix Super Markets; and

- $100,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

Walt Disney World, located in the congressional district McCollum represented for 20 years, has given at least $250,000. Those checks flowed through two Florida Chamber of Commerce committees, which collectively raised more than $2 million this summer to help McCollum, campaign reports filed Friday show.

AG undecideds

"If Undecided were a candidate, he or she would win the election for Florida attorney general in a landslide." "'Undecided' leading in Fla. races". See also "5 candidates scramble for attention in AG race" and "Attorney General candidate Pam Bondi makes final push for Republican support".

Related: "Poll: Bondi leads GOP race for attorney general" and "New poll: Pam Bondi, Dan Gelber hold narrow leads in Florida attorney general primaries" ("Republican former prosecutor Pam Bondi and Democratic state Sen. Dan Gelber have taken narrow leads in their respective primaries for attorney general, according to a Mason-Dixon poll released Friday.")

South Alabama to determine RPOF primary?

"GOP governor candidates focus on Panhandle".

Races to watch

"In a mid-August poll by Quinnipiac University, voters said they disapproved of the Legislature's job performance by nearly a 2-to-1 margin. Only 30 percent rated the Republican-dominated Legislature favorably. ... Republicans have a 26-14 advantage in the Senate and 76-44 in the House."

- State Sen. John Thrasher believes he can handle his job as state Republican Party chairman and still serve in the Legislature. He'll learn Tuesday if voters in his northeast Florida Senate district agree. Political novice Charles Perniciaro, a physician who formerly worked at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, is forcing Thrasher to campaign and spend money so survive a challenge from within the party he rules. Former Jacksonville television news anchor Deborah Gianoulis, who is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, awaits the winner.

- One of the key races there in the heart of Florida government has first-term state Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, a Democrat, being challenged by her own former county party chairman, Rick Minor, who got into the race a year ago following a pair of pro-drilling votes by Vasilinda.

- Another Senate race being closely watched is in South Florida where state Reps. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale and Carl Domino of Jupiter square off in the Republican primary for the nomination to challenge Democratic Rep. Kelly Skidmore of Boca Raton in November. The seat was held by outgoing Senate President Jeff Atwater, who is running for chief financial officer.

- Some familiar faces from the past are also on Tuesday's ballot, including former Senate President Gwen Margolis, who at age 75 is favored in a Democratic primary race against Kevin Burns in her third bid for legislative office.

- In a pair of Miami Republican primaries, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla has name recognition and former Gov. Jeb Bush's endorsement in his contest against Jenny Nillo to keep the seat vacated by his brother, Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla. Rep. Anitere Flores, armed with a $575,000 campaign warchest, is favored over David Nelson in her bid to move up from the House.

How many wingnuts can the RPOF fit into a primary?

"The race to unseat Democratic Rep. Suzanne Kosmas is wide open, with five Republicans running in Congressional District 24." "Five Republicans in Wide Open Challenge to Kosmas".

"Jobless rate creeps up"

"Florida’s unemployment rate hit 11.5 percent in July, ending three straight months of decline even as annual job growth showed its first gain since 2007, state officials reported Friday." "Florida's Jobless Rate Jumps Up, Ends 3-Month Turnaround". See also "Florida jobless rate creeps up to 11.5 percent in July".

When under oath, Scott pleads the fifth

The wingnuts have been running wild in recent days, begging for that bottom-feeder vote that comprises the RPOFer "base": "Naples millionaire Rick Scott seized on President Barack Obama's support for allowing a mosque near Ground Zero in New York City, and Attorney General Bill McCollum has plunged into a full-throated endorsement of an Arizona-style immigration law – one he said back in April wasn't needed."

Scott was first to pounce by denouncing Obama, who had said in defense of the proposal to build a mosque near the site that "Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country."

"What is our president doing supporting a mosque? He is wrong!" Scott roared at conservative talk show host Sean Hannity's "Freedom Concert" last weekend at the University of Central Florida. "This is a slap in the face to every fallen American."

Millionaires stiff the help

"In a Tennessee court case, the Senate candidate's company is being held accountable for late rent, unpaid taxes and poor maintenance. He blames the issues on a disagreement with a landlord." "Battle with Tenn. landlord causes troubles for Jeff Greene company".

PSC Kerfuffle

"A nominating panel on Thursday asked Gov. Charlie Crist to name two new Public Service Commissioners from a list that includes people Crist passed over just weeks ago."

The governor has 30 days to make the appointments but he fails to make a choice then the selection will be made by the nominating council. There have been suggestions that Crist should reject all the names, triggering a potential showdown between Crist and the nominating council that is headed by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton.

Another twist is that nothing could stop the next governor from recalling the new appointees next January. The next governor has the power to recall any appointments as long as the person has not been confirmed by the Florida Senate.

And the dog ate my homework

"Florida congressional candidate David M. Rivera warned national Republicans that an old domestic violence complaint involving someone with a similar name — but that he says was not him — could become an issue in his bid to keep Florida’s 25th District in GOP hands. Now the 1994 incident has resurfaced amid reports that Rivera was involved in a 2002 traffic accident with a truck that was carrying an opponent’s campaign mailers."

Rivera told the NRCC it was a case of mistaken identity.

According to the Miami Herald, the woman who filed the complaint maintains that it was not made against the politician David M. Rivera. No charges were ever filed, the newspaper reported. But The Herald also quotes a friend of the woman's brother as saying the candidate and the woman once attended a party together about 10 years ago; Rivera and the woman deny this also.

"Let me be clear: The 1994 case had absolutely nothing to do with me. I am not the David Rivera in that case and to suggest otherwise is a blatant and shameful lie," Rivera said again in his Friday statement.

Hey its a college town ...

... so, no book burning allowed: "According to the Gainesville Sun, fire chief Gene Prince told the church 'that under the city's fire prevention ordinance, an open burning of books is not allowed.'" "Church's Plan To Burn Korans Foiled By Fire Department".

See you in Havana

The Sun Sentinel editors: "Opponents of Cuba travel must also understand the counterproductive nature of their argument. As long as a general prohibition exists, the only people who will travel to Cuba are those who are neutral or harbor sympathy for the regime. The way to truly support democratic ideals in Cuba is by removing the general ban on travel. Allow travel to Cuba by all, not just those in permissible categories or those cherry-picked by Havana." "Lifting ban on travel to Cuba best way to push democratic ideals".

Now we see BP's true colors

"The latest guidelines for BP's $20 billion victims compensation fund say the nearer you are geographically to the oil spill and the more closely you depend on the Gulf of Mexico's natural resources, the better chance you have of getting a share of the money. Also, a second set of rules expected this fall will require that businesses and individuals seeking compensation for long-term losses give up their right to sue BP and other spill-related companies — something that could save the oil giant billions." "New guidelines could rule out many oil claims". See also "McCollum: Feinberg’s oil spill claims proposal unfair to Floridians".

E-Verify ... that's the ticket

"Regardless of who voters name as the state's next chief executive, Florida's latest strategy for countering illegal immigration will likely play out not along its borders, but in its boardrooms. Florida's four leading gubernatorial candidates want businesses to use E-Verify, a federal online employee verification database, to weed out unauthorized workers." "Florida gubernatorial candidates support E-Verify system to solve immigration issues".

Sansom blames the prosecutor

"The prosecutor in the Ray Sansom case was put on trial himself Friday for what his opposing lawyers say is unethical behavior."

former Gainesville circuit judge testified that State Attorney Willie Meggs acted improperly and "tried to prosecute his case in the media." Meggs called another judge as a witness, who testified that she didn't recall "anything inappropriate" in his conduct.

The hearing is an effort by lawyers for ex-House speaker Sansom and two co-defendants to have Meggs thrown off the case for prosecutorial misconduct.

Appearing for the first time since she announced Smith would be her lieutenant-governor choice, Sink criticized her potential opponents -- Republicans Bill McCollum and Rick Scott -- for "bickering'' and "personal attacks.''

"I'm fed up with the lack of leadership, partisanship and absence of direction,'' said Sink, echoing a television ad she has been running since Sunday.

Sink told a room full of loyal Democrats at a brief event at the Palm Beach Police Benevolent Association Hall in West Palm Beach that given the challenges that face Florida, "there is no time for partisanship, special interests, or personal agendas.''

Smith, a former Gainesville state senator and former Alachua County state attorney, gave the more fiery and colorful speech.

He joked about how his oldest son was busy explaining to judges why his father wouldn't be in the courthouse for the next few weeks or months -- which prompted Sink to interrupt with "years.''

Oct. 24 Senate debate

"CNN, St. Petersburg Times and USF to host U.S. Senate debate on Oct. 24".

Never mind

"Despite party anger over Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to leave the GOP and launch an independent run for the U.S. Senate, few early Crist donors have crossed over and contributed to Republican candidate Marco Rubio, records show." "Crist donors not flocking to Rubio". Related: The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Charlie Crist's refund".

Greene's rags to riches story

"Greene likes to tell a rags to riches tale of growing up in a working class family in Worcester, Mass., a working class city. He used to clear the dirty dishes off wealthy guests' tables at The Breakers in Palm Beach as a summer job when he was in college. He tells people he worked hard for everything he's earned. And he has earned a lot." "Fla. Sen. candidate Greene has altruistic message".

Just another challenge for Meek

Kendrick Meek points out that he has overcome "struggles in his life, political and personal. He was diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade. He worked his way through college while also playing football for Florida A&M. He led the effort to put class-size limits in the state constitution while then-Gov. Jeb Bush was campaigning against it. So when billionaire Jeff Greene entered the Democratic Senate primary and vowed to spend as much as it took to win, Meek, who was supposed to be a lock for the nomination, saw it as another challenge he could overcome." "Meek sees doubt as encouragement in Fla. Sen. race".

Gulf special session?

"Senate President Jeff Atwater says he'll be disappointed if a special legislative session on Florida's response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill isn't held 'at the earliest possible date.'" "State Senate president wants Gulf special session 'at earliest date'". See also "Jeff Atwater Offers Update on Special Session". But see "Promised special session in September looking unlikely" ("there are signs now that the session may not happen anytime soon.")

Teabaggery

Daniel Ruth: "Looking to right-wing-nut elitist drive-by bloviator Glenn Beck for guidance on anything remotely having to do with the concept of 'honor' is like looking to the Blazing Saddles' Mongo as a role model for table manners."

This guy wouldn't grasp the meaning of "honor" if it was wrapped in a red, white and blue box and presented to him by Sgt. Alvin York, Pat Tillman and Nathan Hale.

But there he will be next week on the National Mall surrounded by his fellow tea bag travelers, sycophants and gofers promoting a cause near and dear to the Lord Haw-Haw of the FOP News Network: Glenn Beck himself.

The Obama visit

"President Obama wrapped up a five-state political trip here today by raising an estimated $700,000 for the Florida Democratic Party and reaffirming his support for Kendrick Meek's Senate primary bid." "Obama visit affirms support for Meek, highlights Democrats' high hopes for Sink".

Scott's "grotesque display of misinformation and pandering"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Rick Scott, seeking the GOP nod for governor, has come out with a new ad blasting President Obama for defending the constitutional right of Muslims to build a mosque near ground zero. It's a grotesque display of misinformation and pandering to the worst prejudices about Muslims." "The truth (not)".

Utilities get theirs

"Crist received his final slate of candidates for appointment to the Public Service Commission on Thursday, the last piece in the legislative effort to replace all but one of the commissioners who rejected the billion dollar rate increases sought by the state's largest electric companies."

The nominating council refused to consider reappointing Argenziano and Skop in June because they too often aired the board's disagreements in public, said Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Sarasota, the council chairman. Bennett chairs a political fundraising committee called "Committee Supporting Utilities and Competitive Commerce.''

More than any appointments in Crist's term, the governor's appointees to the state utility board have encountered the most political backlash. The state's largest power companies, especially Juno Beach-based Florida Power & Light, mounted a campaign to oust four of his appointees after the PSC unanimously voted against the $1.3 billon rate increase request sought by the company. Only one of those commissioners, Lisa Edgar, will remain.

What's the difference?

"One political novice and two veterans are vying to keep the state attorney general post in Republican control for the next four years. But despite each one's solid resumes, polls suggest that most likely voters in the primary have difficulty distinguishing the three." "GOP candidates for AG struggling to stand out".

FlaDem rule problem redux

"Florida could have trouble abiding by proposed rules for the 2012 Democratic presidential primaries, state party Chairwoman Karen Thurman has warned the Democratic National Committee."

National party rules require state parties that are in the minority, as Democrats are in Florida, to show they have taken "provable positive steps" to persuade lawmakers to stay within the approved primary calendar.

Thurman wrote DNC Chairman Tim Kaine that the rules don't do enough to prevent states whose primaries are set by law from being penalized by the party if their legislatures do not abide by the rules.

That's what happened to Florida Democrats in 2008, when the Republican-led legislature moved the presidential primary to January to try to increase the state's influence.

Immigration issue cuts both ways

"Balking at Arizona's tough immigration-enforcement law, Florida Democrats appear out of step with national sentiment while Republicans wholeheartedly support the measure, a new Sunshine State News Poll reports." "GOP, Democrats Split on Immigration Law".

The Scott Story

Nancy Smith: "Did he forget the secret handshake? Lose his special decoder ring? Somebody please tell me what awful thing Rick Scott did in a period of a few months to make the Republicans in Tallahassee so mad at him." "When Your Own Treats You Like Dirt: The Rick Scott Story".

Yaaawwwnnn

"Rubio hails American exceptionalism at Jacksonville campaign stop".

McCollum hits the tiki bar

"Republican gubernatorial candidate and Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum delivered stump-speech rhetoric to a crowd of supporters gathered at a tiki bar on the Sarasota bayfront Wednesday morning." "McCollum hits Sarasota to stump for last-minute support".

Slow day

"The Republican is visiting Miami Jewish Health Systems, a nursing home and health care facility, on Friday." "Senate hopeful Rubio takes campaign to seniors".

Scott's past haunts him

"Scott's hospitals kept a double set of books. The one with inflated costs was sent to Medicare. The list of legitimate expenses, often marked "Confidential: Do Not Show to Medicare Auditors," was kept for internal record keeping, [alleged whistle-blower John] Schilling testified in court." "Scott's campaign still hears echoes of whistle-blower".

SunRail dispute

"A dispute over insurance between the state of Florida and Amtrak is delaying one of the most critical steps in creating the SunRail commuter train in Orlando." "Dispute could slow down Orlando commuter rail".

Nasty

"David Rivera fights off nasty attack from GOP rivals for Congress".

Fourteenth amendment follies

Scott Maxwell: Health care, immigration — baby, do we have issues!".

"Science we find inconvenient"

Fred Grimm asks how do we Americans deal with "science we find inconvenient?" He answers his own question: "We "ignore it. Call it a lie. Make it out to be the stuff of elitist eggheads. Particularly when scientific recommendations cut into profits.

Evolution gets skeptical treatment in text books throughout the Bible belt. The Big Bang gets shut out. Lately, anti-evolution evangelicals have extended their war against science to include the heretical notion of man-caused global warming. Their argument goes (news to the passenger pigeon) that man does not have the power to undo what God has created.

Which ought to fit nicely with a campaign against those godless geeks who've dared to denigrate God's BP-sauteed invertebrates in the Journal of the American Medical Association. ...

It's the great American paradox. We live bountifully off the fruits of scientific research while attacking scientific findings that offend religious or political ideologies. Or the bottom line.

Sink, Florida's chief financial officer and a former Bank of America executive, has sat on the sidelines while Attorney General Bill McCollum and millionaire businessman Rick Scott mash each other with biting personal accusations before their Republican primary showdown Tuesday.

In hypothetical general election matchups, Sink was preferred by 31 percent to McCollum's 29 percent, within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. She led Scott 33 percent to 29 percent.

Independent Bud Chiles, the son of the late Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles, had 12 percent in both comparisons.

"He is getting one in eight votes and that is nothing to sneeze at," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac poll, noting Chiles' potential role as a spoiler. Chiles poses a significant problem for Sink since he is likely to draw more heavily from her base on Election Day.

Although she trailed either GOP competitor by eight or nine points in June, she has been the unintended beneficiary of the heavy volume of negative television ads her potential November opponents launched against each other," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"She has been able to sit back and save her money for the November election, while whoever wins the Republican primary will have substantial work to do healing wounds within his own party and cleaning up his image," Brown added.

Sink's favorability numbers have hardly moved in the last two months, going from 28 - 14 percent favorable on June 9 to 30 - 15 percent favorable today, with 53 percent who don't know enough about her to form an opinion.

"Once the primary is over, the race for Governor will be one to define Alex Sink for the majority of Floridians who don't know enough about her to have an opinion. McCollum, who leads the GOP primary race, has seen his favorable/unfavorable ratio sink from 37 - 29 percent favorable among all registered voters to a negative 33 - 34 percent. Scott's has dropped from 31 - 22 percent favorable in June to a negative 28 - 40 percent today.

"At this point it's not clear whether independent Bud Chiles will be a force in November. His numbers have ticked down since his announcement, but he is getting one in eight votes and that is nothing to sneeze at," said Brown.

"Where do they scrounge these candidates up?"

Kos, in conncection with the David Rivera-Joe Garcia race, asks: "Seriously, where do the Republicans scrounge these candidates up?"

According to this Florida Highway Patrol crash report filed September 6, 2002, a truck working for Liberty Mailing Services was delivering campaign fliers to the US post office. Onboard the truck, thousands of fliers by Rivera’s opponent at the time, fliers that included a last-minute attack on Rivera’s character. Before the truck could make it to the US post office, however, a car driven by David M. Rivera struck it, forcing the truck to the shoulder of the Palmetto expressway right in the middle of evening traffic ten minutes before its deadline to get to the post office, 6 o’clock.

Mr. Happy face

"Crist dove into Broward's Democratic strongholds where some Democrats see him as an alternative to the mud-slinging Democratic rivals." "Charlie Crist woos Broward Democrats fed up with mudslinging".

Scott depo kerfuffle

"Steven Andrews, the attorney who slapped Rick Scott with a subpoena last week, has told the GOP gubernatorial candidate's campaign that he is delaying the deposition he had initially scheduled for Friday."

Andrews, a contributor to the campaign of Scott's primary rival Bill McCollum, is suing Collier Court Reporting for access to a sealed deposition that Scott gave in April in a now-settled case against Solantic healthcare company, in which Scott is a major investor.

Terms of the settlement in that case made Scott's April deposition confidential, and he has refused publicly to release it, calling it a "private matter."

Scott's attorney and Collier Court Reporting have been trying this week to persuade a Leon County Circuit Court judge to throw out the subpoena demanding that Scott answer Andrews' questions on Friday. To date, no hearing has been scheduled on the motion; Scott's attorney, Charles Trippe of Jacksonville, would not comment on the case.

Crist retains lead in Q Poll

From Quinnipiac:

In the Senate race against Rubio and Meek, Crist gets 45 percent of the Democrats - more than Meek's 36 percent - and 50 percent of the independent voters. Against Greene, Crist gets 51 percent of the Democrats to Greene's 31 percent, and 48 percent of independent voters.

"Crist is getting more support from Democrats than either Greene or Meek. The key for Crist will be whether he can hold this many Democrats once the party's nomination is settled and keep his half of the independent voters," said [Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute].

"Crist's edge in the Senate race is built on the very favorable impression Floridians have of his performance as Governor. They approve 56 - 35 percent of how he is leading the state, an impressive figure at a time when voters in many states seem to be taking out their economic frustrations on their governors," said Brown.

Maybe later

"In the final stretch before Tuesday's primary election for attorney general, Democrats Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber are beating each other up over an issue they once agreed on. Both men battled against big money in politics on the floor of the state Senate, but the reality of a closely fought race has caused them to resort to the controversial fundraising methods that they previously deplored." "Democrats for attorney general vow they'll back each other — after primary".

Scott goes after McCollum, Greer link

"Republican gubernatorial newcomer Rick Scott is getting slammed for his new ads linking Attorney General Bill McCollum to the Jim Greer scandal." "GOP Establishment condemns Rick Scott's new ad".

But his lips were moving

"The Republican-led Legislature did not put Amendment 7 on the November ballot to torpedo competing initiatives by a liberal-leaning citizen's group, House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon told the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday." "Cannon wants Amendment 7 on ballot".

Gun fight

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "In a political season full of distortions, exaggerations and outright lies, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott draws distinction for the most ludicrous claim."

A recent mailer pictures a handgun with the words "Bill McCollum: Aiming for You Rights." Inside it warns that McCollum "is targeting gun owners."

It points out Scott received a higher ranking from the National Rife Association than McCollum, which is true, if curious.

Marion Hammer, the state NRA lobbyist, bestowed an A rating on Scott for being an NRA member and owning a couple of books about Second Amendment rights.

McCollum was given only a B, but this ignored a lifetime of defending gun owners' rights. He was penalized for engaging in the gun-rights battle, while Scott was rewarded for having stayed out of the fray.

Good luck with that

"A fired office manager is suing the Florida Republican Party, claiming she lost her job for repeatedly warning GOP officials about ousted Chairman Jim Greer's lavish use of party credit cards and illegal spending in support of Gov. Charlie Crist's campaign for the U.S. Senate last year." "Woman sues RPOF, claims she was unjustly fired".

Early voters

"At least 200,000 Florida voters -- who have heard enough from the televised political attacks and barrage of mailbox fliers -- have gone to the polls to take advantage of the state's two-week early voting period in this year's contentious primary election." "Early voters expected to be 30% of turnout".

Meek "on target"

Mark Blumenthal, the editor and publisher of Pollster.com, writes in Huffington Post that

It is not unusual to see highly contradictory poll results in statewide primary elections, but it's rare when we can find easy explanations for those differences. In the case of next week's Democratic primary for Senate in Florida, however, those differences are becoming increasingly clear.

Last week, I shared my hunch that the handful of polls pointing to a close outcome in the race were likely understating the support that Rep. Kendrick Meek would eventually receive in his race against self-funded billionaire Jeff Greene. Three new surveys released last weekend -- by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Sunshine State News/VSS and the Meek campaign itself -- all show Meek now leading by margins of between 8 and 15 percentage points. The poll by Ipsos Public Affairs, on the other hand, shows Greene maintaining an 8-point lead (40% to 32%) among a small subsample of 237 Florida Democrats. ...

The most likely explanation for the difference involves turnout or, more precisely, the challenge of sampling the likely electorate for the Democratic primary. The last two August Democratic primaries held in Florida attracted just over 800,000 of the state's 5.4 million registered Democrats. At that size, the Democratic primary electorate would represent less than 5 percent of Florida's more than 14 million adults. Measuring a target like that is tough for any survey.

To get close, the surveys conducted by Sunshine State News and the Meek campaign used official voter lists to select and dial voters with some prior history of casting ballots in Democratic primaries. The Mason-Dixon survey began with a random-digit sample of all adults in Florida, but then screened for registered voters who say they "vote regularly in state elections" and that they are likely to vote in next weeks' primary.

Ipsos did something very different.

Sink dodges Obama

"President Barack Obama raised $700,000 at the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach for Florida Democrats to help Alex Sink's campaign for governor." But Alex wasn't there:

For Alex Sink, the Democratic front-runner for governor, the potential price for embracing the increasingly unpopular president was too steep. The state's chief financial officer did not join Obama at the deli or greet him at Miami International Airport, and she had stepped off the stage by the time Sen. Bill Nelson introduced the president at the hotel.

Her distance from Obama contrasted with their dual billing as ``special guests'' for the fundraiser, which fortified the Democratic Party for a turbulent election year in which five powerful statewide posts are up for grabs.

"A recent Mason-Dixon poll of Florida voters found Obama's job-approval rating dropping 'significantly' to 41 percent. The survey also showed widespread skepticism toward his economic recovery package."

"Palin's surprise endorsement of Bondi"

"Palin's surprise endorsement in the three-way Republican [AG] primary surfaced on Facebook, and Bondi rushed to spread the word ahead of Tuesday's primary. ... 'I'm so very proud to be endorsed by such a strong Christian woman who loves her family and her country and is a true role model,' Bondi said." "Sarah Palin backs Pam Bondi for Florida attorney general".

Meanwhile, "Kottkamp Builds Lead in Attorney General Race".

Teabaggery

"A tea party group downgraded Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum on its conservative report card for failing to sign a pledge opposing the "bailout" of U.S. Sugar Corp."

The pledge was part of a questionnaire sent by Tea Party in Action to political candidates across the state to gauge their positions on issues important to the tea partiers. The group's executive director Marianne Moran said McCollum's failure to sign the pledge deprived him from earning a perfect score and matching his rival Rick Scott.

"While Rick Scott scored a perfect score, his opponent for the gubernatorial nod, Attorney General Bill McCollum, earned a lesser degree of support because he wavered on a key issue. Attorney General McCollum declined to sign his name to a pledge to oppose the U.S. Sugar Corp. bailout," Moran said in a statement.

She said the absence of McCollum's signature left his questionnaire incomplete.

The questionnaire asked the following six questions and featured the following signed pledge:

1. Do you support an Arizona-style law in Florida to combat illegal immigration?

2. Do you support Florida’s lawsuit against Obamacare?

3. Do you oppose Gov. Crist’s bailout of the U.S. Sugar Corporation?

4. Do you support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution with no tax increases?

5. Do you believe in smaller government, less spending, tax relief and more liberties for Floridians?

6. Would you support legislation, similar to laws passed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, Gov. Sarah Palin, and Gov. Mark Sanford that outlaws implementation of a national ID card?

Obama hits South Beach

"President Barack Obama swooped into Florida for less than three hours Wednesday to pick up $700,000 for the Florida Democratic Party, and two corned-beef sandwiches on rye from a Miami Beach deli -- to go. Obama's unannounced stop at Jerry's Famous Deli brought crowds streaming onto Collins Avenue and allowed him to give an extra backslap to Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek, who joined him at the deli counter." "Obama raises $700K for Democrats, visits Miami Beach deli". See also "Obama visit affirms support for Meek, highlights Democrats' high hopes for Sink".

Teabaggers can't find limits on raw sewage

Try as they might, Florida's teabaggers will be unable to find explicit language in the U.S. Constitution that authorizes the government to limit the right of U.S. citizens to dump fecal matter anywhere they choose.

See "Fecal bacteria found at 3 waterfront parks". Perhaps market forces will be enough to prevent fecal bacteria from showing up in public parks?

McCollum, the state's attorney general and a former congressman, has taken the lead over millionaire businessman Rick Scott in their nasty and expensive fight for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday.

The poll also had Meek, a Miami congressman, now leading billionaire investor Jeff Greene in their battle for the Democratic Senate nomination. Meek was preferred by 35 percent of 814 likely Democratic voters to 28 percent who chose Greene in a random telephone survey conducted Aug. 11-16. ...

Three weeks ago, Scott and Greene held double-digit leads in a Quinnipiac poll and both have spent millions of their own money on their campaigns.

But the races remain volatile as 19 percent of Republican voters remain undecided and 32 percent of those who do name a candidate say they could change their mind. Among Democrats, 29 percent are undecided and 39 percent of those who name a candidate could change their mind. ...

From August 11 - 16, Quinnipiac University surveyed 807 Republican likely primary voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points and 814 Democratic likely primary voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points. These likely voters were selected from lists of people who have voted in past elections.

"Ground strategies"

"Wealthy rookies in the Senate and governor's races are spending heavily on television campaigns; their competitors emphasize 'ground' strategies." "It's money vs. grass roots in fight to win Floridians' votes". But see "Negative ads give Bill McCollum lead over Rick Scott in governor's race".

Inaccurate ballot summaries

"The Florida Supreme Court is hearing arguments in challenges to three proposed state constitutional amendments. In each case Wednesday the state is appealing judges' decisions to remove from the Nov. 2 ballot an amendment proposed by the Legislature. The judges ruled their ballot summaries were inaccurate or misleading." "Fla. justices hearing argument on 3 amendments".

Everywhere a sign ...

"Political season brings glut of illegal signs".

"Sink riding high"

"While Bill McCollum and Rick Scott bruise and blister each other daily in the GOP primary race for governor, Democrat Alex Sink is stepping out from the shadows with a running mate, a new TV ad and new momentum that could spell trouble for Republicans."

Sink, riding high on last week's poll results showing her ahead of Scott and McCollum, has chosen former state Sen. Rod Smith of Alachua as her running mate. The campaign plans a formal announcement Thursday in West Palm Beach.

Meanwhile, the bitter Scott and McCollum battle drew national attention Tuesday when Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, head of the national GOP statehouse campaign effort, demanded Scott take down an ad attacking McCollum.

Village idiots

"Rick Scott says he is 'clear choice' for governor in Villages appearance".

"Safe choice"

"In choosing Rod Smith as her running mate, Alex Sink gets a former state senator and former Alachua County state attorney with name recognition in the state's most conservative areas and an ability to work with the Republican Legislature. " "Rod Smith a safe choice for Sink". See also "Dem LG Candidate: Rod Smith".

"Talk about shooting yourself in the foot"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Just one day after he unveiled a harsh Arizona-style immigration proposal for Florida, Attorney General Bill McCollum was obliged to backpedal, conceding a need to consult with 'my supporters in the Hispanic community' about the provisions in his punitive and potentially unconstitutional measure. That came after U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a co-chair of Mr. McCollum's Hispanic leadership team in his race for governor, pronounced herself 'blindsided' and 'disappointed.'" "It's not Arizona". Related: "Poll shows immigration may be tough issue for McCollum". Related: "Bill McCollum braces for Hispanic backlash over law targeting immigrants".

FCAT follies

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith says everything is hunky-dory with the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test results. It is hard to share his confidence." "Straightening out the FCAT mess".

McCollum's "racial profiling"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "There are many reasons why Florida should not copy Arizona's unconstitutional attempt to crack down on illegal immigration. The most obvious flaw is that, like Arizona's law, a plan pushed by Republican legislators and Attorney General Bill McCollum would require police to check the immigration status of anyone legally stopped who is reasonably suspected of being in the country illegally. That would lead to racial profiling, regardless of what the supporters claim." "Immigration plan goes too far".

"Gelber sitting pretty"

"With 11 Point Lead Over Dave Aronberg, Dan Gelber's Sitting Pretty in Dem AG Race".

"Space, space, space"

"If the 2010 midterm elections are all about jobs, jobs, jobs, then the race for Florida's 15th Congressional District is about space, space, space." "It's All About NASA, Space Jobs in Bill Posey's District 15".

Greene goes to church

"Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene, the Democratic Senate candidate who profited by predicting subprime borrowers would default on their home mortgages, drove his Cadillac Escalade to Westgate today to visit a church that has sheltered as many as 100 homeless people a night." "Billionaire Greene takes U.S. Senate campaign to Westgate homeless shelter". See also "Jeff Greene Visits Homeless Shelter, Responds to Drug Accusations".

Fl-oil-duh

"Georgia scientists argue it's premature to dismiss the environmental threat from vast volumes of oil still floating in the Gulf or settling to the bottom." "Could oil spill threat still remain? Report says yes". See also "Up to 79 percent of spilled oil remains in gulf, scientists say".

More: "New Oil Threat Looms Off Florida's Gulf Coast", "" and "Oil notice signs gone from some Pensacola beaches".

No drugs?

"Tyson: 'I never did drugs on the boat'".

Luv 4 sale

"As Rick Scott freely spends his fortune in his bid to become governor, Republican rival Bill McCollum is fighting to keep up by spending the millions of others."

McCollum's allies make up a long list: Big Sugar, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Progess Energy, real-estate developers, road builders, beer distributors, car dealers, nursing homes and wealthy individuals like Fort Lauderdale entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga and Dallas philanthropist Peter O'Donnell.

All have written hefty five- and six-figure checks to a pair of political committees controlled by McCollum, the state attorney general, as Scott and McCollum battle for the nomination in next Tuesday's primary.

McCollum's two groups, Florida First Initiative and Sunshine State Freedom Fund, have raked in a combined $4.1 million to help fund a barrage of McCollum TV ads attacking Scott for his role in leading the Columbia/HCA hospital conglomerate, which was hit with record Medicare-fraud fines. McCollum, who has criticized Scott for trying to ``buy the governor's mansion,'' said he's not selling out in taking special-interest money.

LeMieux laffer

"With President Barack Obama headed to Miami Beach on Wednesday for a fund-raiser for the Florida Democratic Party at the Fontainebleau Hotel, two Sunshine State Republicans are welcoming him with a one-two punch on his economic policies." "LeMieux, Rubio Welcome Obama to Florida by Hitting Him on Economy".

Scott gets with the program

"Within less than a week of Sunshine State News pressing Rick Scott about his lack of Spanish-speaking ads on South Florida TV, the campaign launched its first spot." "Rick Scott Gets With the Spanish-Speaking Program".

Endorsements

The Palm Beach Post editorial board endorses "For governor, Democratic and Republican primaries: Sink, McCollum".

Courtesy of our "education Governor"

"Fewer than a quarter of black male students in Palm Beach County graduated within four years of high school in 2008, lagging far behind already woeful statistics nationwide, according to a study. And the county's graduation rate among white males was also well below state and national figures." "Study: Black graduation rate lags locally and nationwide; whites not much better".

The Chiles effect

"Lawton 'Bud' Chiles and his independent was supposed to be the spoiler in this year's race for governor."

Political observers thought he would be the Ralph Nader of Florida politics, siphoning Democratic votes and handing the election to a Republican.

But that's not quite the case, if you believe several recent opinion surveys. They show Chiles, the son of a popular former governor and U.S. senator, with nearly equal support from independents and voters from both parties.

"Bud's not a spoiler for the Democratic candidate,'' said his brother Ed Chiles, a restaurateur who lives on Anna Maria Island. "He's pulling very significant numbers from both sides without spending any money.''

• Chiles garners 12 percent in a November match-up against Republican Bill McCollum and Democrat Alex Sink, according to an Aug. 6-10 survey by Ipsos Public Affairs for the Times/Herald. He would get 14 percent if Rick Scott is the GOP nominee.

• Chiles gets 17 percent if he faces Scott and Sink, according to an Aug. 9-11 poll by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research. He would capture 13 percent against McCollum and Sink.

He's pulling from all camps, such as in the Mason-Dixon matchup with Scott and Sink, where Chiles drew 17 percent of the Democrats, 17 percent of Republicans and 16 percent of independent voters.

So, what's behind the numbers?

Smith, 60, a former Alachua County state attorney who lost the 2006 Democratic primary for governor, could not be reached for comment, but a major fundraiser who spoke recently with Smith said he considered this "his last chance for public service.''

Smith, who served in the state Senate from 2000-2006, was state attorney for the Eighth Judicial District from 1992-2000, during which time he successfully prosescuted serial killer Danny Rolling.

Both Sink and her husband, Bill McBride, himself an unsuccessful candidate for governor, had been actively courting candidates since June, with the hopes of naming a running mate in time for the Democrat's Jefferson/Jackson Day dinner in July, a source said.

Webster and the Teabaggers ...

... can't find the words "Social Security" in the U.S. Constitution.

"Former Florida state Senate Majority Leader Dan Webster, one of several Republicans seeking the nomination to run against Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson, spoke out in favor of cutting Social Security benefits to balance the budget at a West Orlando Tea Party-sponsored forum on Thursday night in Winter Garden." "Alan Grayson opponent advocates cutting Social Security to balance budget".

Never mind the hypocrisy

"Despite top state officials saying health care reform is unconstitutional, Florida will get $1 million." "Florida gets money tied to federal health care reform".

Making sense of Florida's recent polls

William March writes that, for those "following Florida politics closely, you were probably bewildered by clashing poll results in the governor and Senate races reported this weekend."

Depending on which poll you looked at, Bill McCollum was either 12 points ahead of Rick Scott in the Republican primary for governor, or 4 points ahead, or 10 points behind.

In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Kendrick Meek was either 14 points ahead of Jeff Greene or 4 points behind.

In the Senate general election matchup, a three-way race with Republican Marco Rubio, no-party candidate Gov. Charlie Crist and Meek or Greene as the Democrat, Crist either hung onto a narrow lead over Rubio or slipped to 5 points behind.

What happened?

The answer provides an interesting lesson in the vagaries of political polling – in particular, the difficulty in polling in low-turnout, volatile primary elections.

"One more fake education summit"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Doubts and shortcomings concerning this year's FCAT scores and school grades should make Floridians even happier that Gov. Crist vetoed the Legislature's punitive "merit pay" bill. In theory, it would have based teacher retention and pay primarily on student gains as measured by the next generation of high-stakes tests. We support the move to end-of-course exams. But the tests don't exist. Until valid tests are created, with teacher input, that pinnacle of accountability, like the FCAT, is just one more fake education summit on which politicians can plant their flags." "School grades meaningless: Florida can't phase out this failed system fast enough.".

Thomas loves his Rubio

Mike Thomas blathers on this morning about how "Republicans very much need a successful Marco Rubio in Washington. ... he is the most important Republican running this November." "Marco Rubio is most important Republican this fall: Here's why".

"Bits and Pieces"

Kevin Derby's "Political Bits and Pieces".

Mario Diaz-Balart vacancy scramble

"When U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart announced in February that he would run for his brother's more Republican-friendly seat in Congress, he set off a scramble to replace him. Suddenly, there would be an open race for a post that Democrats came tantalizingly close to picking up two years ago. The closely watched contest has not disappointed so far."

Seven candidates are vying to represent the 25th Congressional District that spans western Miami-Dade, eastern Collier and Monroe counties. Five of them -- two Democrats and three Republicans -- will face off in the Aug. 24 primary. (The two others, Whig Party candidate Craig Porter and Roly Arrojo of the Tea Party, will not be on the ballot until November.)

The general election race is widely expected to come down to a battle between Republican state Rep. David Rivera, the Florida House budget chief who already represents much of the district, and Democrat Joe Garcia, who almost defeated Diaz-Balart in 2008. The two frontrunners boast strong name recognition and impressive war chests, and in a sign of things to come, their campaigns have already sparred over federal stimulus money and immigration reform.

But first, the two must defeat their opponents -- all running for office for the first time -- in the primary.

In a district that leans Republican, with some neighborhoods long-suffering from foreclosures and unemployment, the five candidates have stressed their plans to create jobs and jump-start the economy.

Meurice, a 32-year member of the International Longshoremen's Association, has touted his experience outside of politics, representing union members in disputes for higher wages and better health benefits.

"People right now are looking for somebody they can relate to,'' said Meurice, who has the backing of the South Florida AFL-CIO, which supported Garcia in 2008.

Country clubbers open the checkbooks

"As Rick Scott freely spends his fortune in his bid to become governor, Republican rival Bill McCollum is fighting to keep up by spending the millions of others. McCollum's allies make up a long list: Big Sugar, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Progess Energy, real estate developers, road builders, beer distributors, car dealers, nursing homes and wealthy individuals like Fort Lauderdale entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga and Dallas philanthropist Peter O'Donnell. All have written hefty five- and six-figure checks to a pair of political committees controlled by McCollum, the state attorney general, as the two men battle for the nomination in next Tuesday's primary." "Scott, McCollum spending big dollars in GOP gubernatorial primary".

"Equal parts role model, cheerleader and breadwinner"

"The crowded race to replace Kendrick Meek is about more than winning a rare open seat to Congress. With election to the district that stretches from Overtown to Pembroke Pines comes the almost deified title of being the voice of South Florida's black communities in Washington, a position that entails being equal parts role model, cheerleader and breadwinner for some of Miami-Dade County's poorest areas." "9 seek rare House seat replacing Kendrick Meek".

"Attack, after attack, after attack."

"Fueled by unprecedented amounts of money and a bottomless barrel of attacks, the primary campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate have trapped Floridians in two escalating TV ad wars."

Attack, after attack, after attack.

In the Republican primary for governor, self-made millionaire Rick Scott is carpeting television screens with accusations that Attorney General Bill McCollum voted in Congress to raise taxes and fees 42 times.

And McCollum and his advocates are claiming in ads that Scott, a former health care executive, is profiting off porn, illegal immigrants and fraud.

In the Senate race, Democrats Jeff Greene and Kendrick Meek are using their 30-second spots to debate who, essentially, is a bigger crook.

And that may be putting it kindly.

Dem AG contest

"Just a week before election day, more than one in three Democrats remains undecided about who to vote for in the party's contest for attorney general." "With 11 Point Lead Over Dave Aronberg, Dan Gelber's Sitting Pretty in Dem AG Race".

Greer gets cash back

"Crist's independent U.S. Senate campaign is refunding nearly $10,000 to Jim Greer after the indicted former Republican Party chairman asked for the money to help pay for his legal defense."

"As you know circumstances have caused me to need money to defend myself and take care of my family,'' Greer wrote in an Aug. 5 letter. "I know sending the money back is hard, but with what has happened it may be politically beneficial for you to do.''

Greer, 48, faces six felony charges, including organized fraud and money laundering, after authorities said he used a secret fundraising contract to funnel party donations to a consulting firm he owned.

Greer and his wife made maximum contributions -- $4,800 each -- to Crist in May 2009. Crist's campaign first disputed the letter's authenticity but agreed Monday to return the money after Times/Herald inquiry.

The move served as an inconvenient reminder for Crist about his close ties to Greer, the man he put at the party's helm when he was elected governor in 2006.

"No, we really meant it"

Howard Troxler: "If the voters decide Amendment 8 is reasonable, well, they get the last say. But given that the government has opposed class-size limits from the beginning, that it has waited until now to propose Amendment 8, that it has set up artificial penalties and a budget crisis, and that this is part of a greater philosophical animosity to citizen petitions, I would not mind in the slightest if the voters said, 'No, we really meant it.'" "Amendment 8 asks Florida voters to reconsider class sizes".

The poor things

Gary Fineout: "Florida lobbyists reported receiving less money during the first six months of this year compared with the same time period in 2009. This means that professional lobbyists were paid slightly less for work they did during the recently completed 2010 session. An analysis done by the Florida Tribune of new lobbying compensation reports turned in this past weekend shows that the median amount for the first two quarters was $61.8 million or $2.72 million less than the first two quarters of 2009." "Lobbying income dipped during first half of year".

"Elitist junta of jodhpurs controlling the RPOF"

Daniel Ruth: "We sure do love our cherished freedoms, our beloved rights, our rock-ribbed values — unless, of course, we actually have to defend them."

And so even though it was a fairly fleeting comment, once again Gov. Charlie Crist offered up a compelling example of just how liberating it can be to shed the ideological strictures that come with being associated with the elitist junta of jodhpurs controlling the Republican Party these days.

The newly minted independent candidate for U.S. Senate said he agreed with President Barack Obama's view that building a mosque near the 9/11 ground zero site in New York was perfectly appropriate and in keeping with fundamental American principles protecting religious expression.

Crist could have taken the easy route and joined the chorus of political bloviating phonies decrying the very idea that a mosque might be built within blocks of ground zero.

"Bloated"?

"Universities across America -- including Florida -- are sagging under increasing layers of bureaucratic bloat, a new research study reported Tuesday." "'Bloated' Administration Fuels College Costs".

Solar

"The Florida Energy and Climate Commission decided Friday to allocate $13.8 million in unspent stimulus money to cover a portion of the state’s unpaid solar rebates. Even with that measure, though, more than $40 million in unfunded rebate claims will persist." "Commission funds portion of unpaid solar rebates, but state still owes millions".

Fl-oil-duh

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Thad Allen, the retired Coast Guard commandant who is the federal government’s point man in the BP oil disaster, makes an important point: The nation has a responsibility to not only clean up the spill but to learn from it. In a teleconference Monday with the Times’ editorial board, Allen pointed out several areas where the government needs to strengthen its response. These reforms should be pursued now even as the cleanup continues and the government decides how to cap the wellhead for good." "Sensible reforms for the next spill".

See also "Oil spill recovery grant includes $3 million for mental health care in Florida", "" and "".

"The cavalry arrived Monday"

"For financially strapped Senate candidate Kendrick Meek, the cavalry arrived Monday in the form of Bill Clinton, who rallied the Democratic troops Monday at three back-to-back rallies in South Florida. The popular former president's appearances offered a shot of free publicity for Meek, a Miami congressman who's been outspent more than 5-1 on television by Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene." "Clinton lends his Democratic star power to Kendrick Meek in South Florida". See also "Bill Clinton Brings Star Power to Kendrick Meek Campaign". Related: "Meek Opens 15-Point Lead Over Greene".

Greene, a Palm Beach real estate mogul, called efforts to squeeze the Communist regime a "failed policy'' in his third and final face-off with rival Kendrick Meek. The debate was broadcast live by WPLG-ABC 10 in South Florida, home to a large and politically influential Cuban-American community.

"I'm thinking we need to take a close look at opening up travel and the embargo,'' Greene said. "We've hurt the impoverished people of Cuba . . . I'm not saying let's open the doors tomorrow, but I'm saying when I get to the Senate I want to take a close look.''

Meek smirked and said he wasn't retreating from his support for the embargo, but he failed to remind voters that Greene had previously backtracked on the reason he took his 145-foot yacht to Cuba. Greene initially said he was part of a Jewish humanitarian mission, but later said he stopped there for emergency repairs.

Meek, a Miami congressman, also stumbled when responding to a question about the construction of a Muslim center in New York City near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks by Islamic terrorists. Meek declined to take a position; Greene said he opposes the mosque.

While previous matchups between the candidates have centered on personal attacks, Sunday's debate was less acerbic and drew out some policy distinctions nine days before the Aug. 24 primary.

Meek's margin in the Aug. 9-12 survey of likely voters is even bigger than the 8-point spread he enjoyed in his own internal poll conducted Aug. 10.

"Meek's margin is broad-based and includes leads with most key voter groups, including those who say they have an 'excellent' chance of voting -- 46 to 30 percent over Greene," said Jim Lee, president of Voter Survey Service, which conducted the statewide poll for Sunshine State News (see methodology below).

The Miami congressman also holds substantial leads in two other key voter demographics: up 8 points among senior citizens and up 19 points among "super voters" who cast ballots in both the 2006 and 2008 Democratic primaries.

Crist takes "two hard hits"

Bill Cotterell: "Crist’s race for the U.S. Senate took two hard hits over the weekend in a poll showing Republican Marco Rubio surging ahead."

First, the Mason Dixon Florida Poll said the governor’s favorable name-recognition ratings are dwindling. Second, the statewide survey showed U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek widening his lead over Palm Beach businessman Jeff Greene — the Democrat Crist needs in the race on Nov. 2.

A matter of journalistic ethics

The Trib's Tom Jackson's "big, fat, boneheaded mistake".

AG candidates struggle to distinguish themselves

"With billions at stake over Gulf oil damage claims and a pending lawsuit over new federal health care laws, the next attorney general Florida voters choose may be their most influential in years. But there's no clear front runner among the three conservative Republicans and two Democrats who have struggled to distinguish themselves from one another." "Florida's top lawyer seat is an open race".

Nary a substantive issue in sight

"The biggest issue in the state Senate battle between Republicans Julio Robaina and Miguel Diaz de la Portilla is not the economy, healthcare or education. It's who is closer to U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio." "Rivals fight over ties to Rubio".

"McCollum's proposal distracts from legitimate reform"

The Sarasota-Herald Tribune editors: "Even in the best of times, Americans often have been unable to come together on immigration reform."

Now -- amid a damaged economy, bitter midterm primaries and partisan paralysis -- the immigration challenge is more riddled than ever with demagoguery and division. It's a growing fire.

Candidates should not be fanning the flames to score political points, but some seem unable to resist the temptation.

To wit, Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Bill McCollum touted a proposal last week that aims to out-tough Arizona's harsh new immigration laws.

To be sure, immigration is a potent political issue among Republican voters. A Mason-Dixon poll released Friday showed that "81 percent of GOP voters likely to cast ballots in the Aug. 24 primary support the Arizona immigration law," the Orlando Sentinel reported.

McCollum's primary opponent, Rick Scott, has long expressed support for the Arizona law, but McCollum initially resisted the measure. He changed his stance after S.B. 1070 was amended to curb the likelihood of racial profiling -- and as polls increasingly showed which way the GOP winds are blowing on immigration.

McCollum's decision to pump up the volume on immigration -- as early voting began -- only inflamed an already difficult discussion on this issue.

HD 55

"Hopefuls eye Dist. 55 seat in Florida Legislature".

Spill? What spill?

"With oil no longer gushing from the BP well in the Gulf, support for a constitutional ban on drilling in Florida waters is fading, most surprisingly in the Panhandle."

A new poll conducted for The Miami Herald, St. Petersburg Times, Bay News 9 and Central Florida News 13 shows 41 percent of Florida voters support a ban on offshore drilling, while 49 percent oppose the idea. In May, 44 percent supported the ban and 44 percent opposed.

'Glades

The Miami Herald editorial board: "What a roller coaster ride the U.S. Sugar land deal has taken. The South Florida Water Management District's board approved a much smaller purchase Aug. 12. While the pared-down deal remains controversial, it is still better to have the land in the public's 'bank' for future Everglades restoration projects than leave it in private hands." "Still a good, if much smaller, deal".

Not quite "Mission Accomplished"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "BP hopes to permanently plug its crippled well in the Gulf of Mexico within days, which would bring tremendous relief to millions of residents along the coast. But don't hang the "Mission Accomplished" banner just yet." "Mission accomplished? Not yet". See also The Palm Beach Post editorial board's "System must protect state: Even if oil never gets here, all Floridians could be affected.". Related: "President Obama, in Panhandle visit, says work in the Gulf is not done".

Irresistible

"She has some fun with the nasty Bill McCollum/Rick Scott primary." "Alex Sink's first TV ad mocks McCollum and Scott".

Meek + Bill Clinton

"A visit from former President Bill Clinton on Monday could be pivotal in Kendrick Meek's campaign for the Senate seat. They'll appear together at three South Florida rallies." "Meek hoping for boost from Clinton". See also "Bill Clinton to stump for Kendrick Meek in South Florida" and "President Clinton in South Florida Monday to campaign for Kendrick Meek" ("the Clinton-Meek alliance began when Meek was a Florida state trooper providing security for a little-known visiting governor from Arkansas.")

Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene is barely leading Miami Congressman Kendrick Meek in the Democratic primary, according to a new poll -- and both look headed for defeat in the Nov. 2 general election.

In an election year already defined by surprises and shake-ups, The Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9/Central Florida News 13 poll underscores the unpredictable Florida electorate. In the homestretch before the Aug. 24 primary, nearly one-third of Democrats have not made up their minds between Greene and Meek.

Looking ahead to Nov. 2 with Greene as the Democrat, voters only barely favor independent candidate Charlie Crist over Republican Marco Rubio, 32 percent to 30 percent, within the poll's margin of error. Greene trails at 19 percent.

If Meek wins the Democratic nomination, the picture looks slightly better for Crist. He beats Rubio 33 percent to 29 percent, while Meek gets 17 percent.

But in a potentially major advantage for Rubio, the poll of registered voters found that three-quarters of Republicans said they were certain to go the polls, while less than half of Democrats said they were a sure bet. The stronger motivation among Republican voters reflects polls nationwide and has boosted the party's hopes of taking back Congress in November.

"It's the economy, stupid"

"Rick Scott leads the Republican primary for governor in a new statewide poll thanks to his massive TV ad buys and the old maxim: It's the economy, stupid. Despite lingering questions about his business record and a Medicare fraud scandal in his background, the former health care executive has a 10 percentage-point lead over rival Bill McCollum ahead of the Aug. 24 primary in part because voters see Scott as the candidate who can best pull the economy out of the doldrums." "Scott leads McCollum by 10 points".

Crist only gets a "pat on the shoulder"

"There was no hug and little in the way of a photo op, but Gov. Charlie Crist did get a brief pat on the shoulder Saturday from President Barack Obama. It came after Obama made his only scheduled public comments during a two-day trip with his family to the Florida Panhandle to promote a tourism industry that has been battered by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Obama was at the podium at the Panama City Coast Guard Station with first lady Michelle at his side in front of the cutter Coho and a phalanx of blue-clad Coast Guardsmen. Crist, who needs Democratic votes in his run for the U.S. Senate as an independent, watched Obama, who is backing Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek in that race, from a distance well behind a bank of cameras." "".

Related: "Crist's lowest approval ranking mirrors Obama's".

McCollum's "calculated move that backfired"

Myriam Marquez: "It was a calculated move that backfired."

On the same day that Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum unveiled his proposed "tougher but fairer than Arizona'' immigration law, a statewide poll showed him pulling ahead in the race.

He didn't need to exit fringe right with a proposal that would require every immigrant to carry papers or face jail time. But that's what he did.

Never mind the potential for profiling or the injustice of setting stiffer penalties for the undocumented if they commit the same crime as a legal resident. The damage was done. Key Hispanic supporters were incensed.

Flat out desperate

"As early voting begins, Bill McCollum pursues votes with Jeb Bush".

"Breathlessly awaiting McCollum's next attempt"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "If Bill McCollum hopes to show he's governor material, he'll need a stiffer spine than he had during a recent interview."

Florida Baptist Witness recently asked Mr. McCollum whether Florida should change the law that currently allows gays to serve as foster parents.

His response, published Monday: "I think that it would be advisable. I really do not think that we should have homosexuals guiding our children." Mr. McCollum already supports Florida's ban on gay couples adopting children — the nation's only such ban.

Now Mr. McCollum is saying gay people shouldn't shelter children. His reasoning: Florida's laws on adoption and foster care should be consistent.

We're breathlessly awaiting his next attempt to dehumanize Florida's gays and lesbians.

In fairness, his Republican foe in the primary, Rick Scott, said basically the same thing to the Baptist Witness. He was just more adept at deflecting the question.

Crist the only one?

Crist seems to be the only major statewide candidate to agree with President Obama on the Mosque issue. Meanwhile, Scott grovels for tea leaves, calling the President "shameful" and "cowardly".

More:

Gov. Charlie Crist, meanwhile, said he agreed with the president's view about religious freedom.

"I know there are sensitivities and I understand them,'' he said after meeting with Obama in Panama City about the oil disaster. "This is a place where you're supposed to be able to practice your religion without the government telling you you can't.''

Crist is running for U.S. Senate as an independent, having left the Republican Party, and his views could appeal to Democrats.

But some Democrats in Florida were sharply critical of Obama. "President Obama has this all wrong,'' said Jeff Greene, who is running for U.S. Senate. "Freedom of religion might provide the right to build the mosque in the shadow of ground zero, but common sense and respect for those who lost their lives and loved ones gives sensible reason to build the mosque someplace else.'' ...

Alex Sink, Florida's CFO and Democratic candidate for governor: "It is my personal opinion that the wishes of the 9/11 victims' families and friends must be respected. They are opposed to this project and I share their view.''

Rick Scott, one of the Republicans in the gubernatorial race, was the first to criticize Obama, calling his stance "shameful and the act of a cowardly politician.''

Scott's GOP rival, Attorney General Bill McCollum, said, "It is simply symbolically wrong at a time when we're at war.''

In the Senate race, Republican Marco Rubio said, "It is divisive and disrespectful to build a mosque next to the site where 3,000 innocent people were murdered at the hands of Islamic extremism. I strongly disagree with President Obama and Charlie Crist.''

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, the other leading Democrat in the race, issued a statement reflective of the sensitive nature of the debate. ``Our nation was founded on the pillar of religious freedom and construction of the mosque should not be denied on religious grounds,'' Meek said, "but this is ultimately a decision for the local community in New York City to make.''

Unaffiliated voters

Scott Maxwell reminds us that "both Republicans and Democrats have lost shares of Florida's electorate."

The Democrats' piece of the pie has shrunk by 4 percent in the past 10 years.

Republicans have fared even worse, losing 8 percent of the market share.

Unaffiliated voters, on the other hand, have grown from about 15 percent of the electorate to 19 percent — an increase of more than 25 percent.

Approximately one out of every five voters in this state now wants nothing to do with either party — at least when it comes to registration. ...

Democrats, by the way, now account for 41.5 percent of Florida voters. Republicans constitute 36 percent.

Of Kirk, Catts and Jebbie

Martin Dyckman: "Florida voters almost always have expected their governors and U.S. senators to win election the old-fashioned way: by earning it. Never has either of these offices been bought."

But this year's polls suggest that Rick Scott's fat checkbook is persuading Republican primary voters to overlook his lack of any record of public service.

If he goes to the governor's office, he would be only the third man since 1900 to get there without first having been elected or appointed to any lesser public office.

What the first two did with the state's top job points out the huge gamble Scott's voters would be taking.

Of the 27 governors since 1900, 22 had served in the Legislature; Kirk, Catts and Jeb Bush (elected in 1998) were the only ones who had no experience in elected offices.

Bush had been briefly in Tallahassee as Gov. Bob Martinez's secretary of commerce and was familiar with politics in Miami-Dade County and through the career of his father George H.W. Bush, whose long record of public service culminated in the 41st presidency. But the fact that the younger Bush had not held his own elected office may have had a lot to do with his defeat in his first run for governor and his disinterest in obtaining bipartisan support for his more controversial policies when he was elected in 1998. Relying on large majorities of Republicans in the Legislature, Bush did not have to view compromise as a necessity. That he did not regard it as a virtue either will count against his historical record. Voters may want to consider his example along with Kirk's when they ponder how well or poorly Scott might perform his duties.

Money talks and ...

"Florida's property tax appeals system favors big businesses and wealthy homeowners, the Sun Sentinel finds." "South Florida property tax appeals are on a blistering pace".

Derby looks at all 120 House races

Kevin Derby: "All 120 seats in the Florida House of Representatives will be up for grabs come November. With Republicans controlling 76 seats, it will take a near miracle for the Democrats to gain control of the House this election cycle. Already controlling 44 seats, the Democrats hope to pick up five more -- giving them enough votes to block Republicans sending proposed constitutional amendments to the voters." "Race for the House".

"Obscene excess"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The obscene excess of a new $48 million courthouse in Tallahassee will be a permanent reminder of why voters distrust government to spend taxpayer dollars wisely. It represents everything wrong in a state capital where insider dealing and secrecy, rather than obligations to Floridians, dictate policy."

St. Petersburg Times senior correspondent Lucy Morgan detailed last Sunday how 1st District Court of Appeal Chief Judge Paul Hawkes and Judge Brad Thomas lobbied legislative leaders in 2007 to secure a little-noticed deal for an ostentatious courthouse that even the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court did not support. As the Legislature in subsequent years slashed courts' operating budgets statewide, forcing layoffs and increasing backlogs, its leaders remained committed to the palatial new home for a few friends and colleagues at the court.

Hawkes and Thomas are longtime Republican insiders, former staffers for the Legislature and former Gov. Jeb Bush. Hawkes had served two House terms representing Crystal River. Clearly, this pair felt entitled to a setting worthy of their lofty status. They sought a courthouse that mimicked the Michigan Supreme Court building. It was to have 60-inch TVs, granite-trimmed bathrooms and private kitchens in each mahogany-trimmed judge's chamber. To help foot the bill in an economy already slowing in 2007, Hawkes and Thomas convinced legislative leaders to borrow $33.5 million for the building and charge the court rent — an unprecedented arrangement.

Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, enabled the deal by tucking an amendment into a transportation bill on the last day of the 2007 session. Crist claimed he was just doing then-Senate President Ken Pruitt's bidding. Now Pruitt and Gov. Charlie Crist, who signed the bill into law, seem to have amnesia.

Exhibit A: the appointment this week of Paul Hawkes to the 1st District Court of Appeal.

The judges there should be legal scholars foremost, politicians last if at all. In picking Hawkes, Bush got it backward.

Hawkes is a former state representative who has spent the last two years as chief of policy for the speaker's office, for which he had been a consultant in 1997 and 1998. In those roles, he actively promoted much of Bush's agenda. Former Speakers Tom Feeney and John Thrasher, close allies of the governor, led Hawkes' list of references.

Police your garbage

"In this July 31, 2010 photo released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, two black bear cubs, one with a jug on its head, run along a roadway in Ocala National Forest, Fla. The black bear cub in Florida affectionately known as "jarhead" can finally enjoy a good meal. The clear plastic container was removed from the 6-month-old cub's head after being stuck for at least 10 days. The cub poked its head into the jar when digging through trash in a neighborhood in central Florida. Biologists say the cub was days away from death because the jar made it impossible to eat or drink. The team had to tranquilize the mother bear and then grab the cub to remove the jar from the bear's head." "Plastic jar removed from bear cub's head".

Fl-oil-duh

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Keep pressure on BP to pay claims". The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "System must protect state: Even if oil never gets here, all Floridians could be affected.".

See also "Obama gives personal assurances of Gulf's safety" and "Final plug on Gulf oil leak at least days away".

What, Thrasher worry?

Steve Bousquet: "After he served as speaker of the House, he made millions as a lobbyist in Tallahassee. Now he's a state senator and heads the Republican Party of Florida, giving him direct access to mountains of campaign money. He's extremely well-connected. So why does John Thrasher seem worried?" "For GOP chairman Thrasher, election poses real challenges".

Note to Alex: "The he-coon walks just before light of day."

Daniel Ruth: "It has probably become abundantly clear to Sink and her brain trust that she cannot simply run against Scott by consistently pointing out he is the Dr. Jack Kevorkian of scruples. McCollum harped on that theme with precious little traction."

So maybe it is time for Sink to be thinking: Lt. Gov. Bud Chiles. After all, He-Coon Jr. has clearly demonstrated that even with a minimum of campaign funds the old family name still has some notable appeal across the state.

With sparse media attention and virtually no advertising, Bud Chiles has attracted as much as 20 percent support in the polls, a commentary perhaps as much on the strength of his father's legacy as the relative weaknesses of better known candidates.

Chiles would bring name recognition and enhanced media attention to the Sink campaign. His presence would also likely help with fundraising, which Sink will sorely need should she find herself running against the Tea Pot Dome of prescription drugs [Scott].

The entire object of the exercise of running for office is to … win. Adding Bud Chiles to the Sink ticket helps her … win, if that is what she has in mind.

And since the lieutenant governor's job carries with it less formal duties than a Chernobyl tour guide, really now, unless Chiles turned the post into one long taxpayer funded Club Med retreat like the current incumbent, Jeff Kottkamp, how much harm could he do?

In a 1994 debate Lawton Chiles famously observed, "The old he-coon walks just before the light of day." Jeb Bush is still trying to figure out what he meant.

But for Alex Sink it might be suggested dawn is just breaking over her campaign.

Bad news for FlaDems?

"Bad news may be coming for Democrats in the November elections -- and that dismal prediction comes from a Democratic pollster."

Hamilton Campaigns, a Jacksonville- and Washington-based Democratic consulting firm, reports that Democrats are ambivalent about the fall election as President Barack Obama's popularity flags.

A memo obtained by [or leaked to the conservative] Sunshine State News shows the results of a private poll[*], which surveyed 1,000 Florida voters who say they are likely to cast ballots in the Nov. 2 election.

Among the findings:

* The electorate in Florida identifies as moderate to conservative -- 24 percent liberal; 29 percent moderate; and 47 percent conservative. Even among Democrats, fewer than half (43 percent) call themselves liberal.

* There is a significant gap in the level of interest in the upcoming election held by Democrats vs. Republicans. Almost two-thirds of the electorate say they are very interested in the election (64 percent very interested; 26 percent somewhat interested; 10 percent not interested).

Only 58 percent of Democrats say they are very interested in this election, compared to 76 percent of Republicans.

Republicans who identify as very conservative are the most interested at 87 percent.

* President Obama’s personal favorability rating is split (51 percent favorable; 49 percent unfavorable; 32 percent very favorable, 35 percent very unfavorable).

What's wrong with Hillsborough?

"For the second time in two weeks, a Hillsborough County circuit judge has ruled that the embattled campaign for county commission of a former Tampa City Council member can continue. On Friday, Circuit Judge Herbert Baumann decided that Democrat Linda Saul-Sena can remain on the ballot for the Hillsborough County District 5 seat. Saul-Sena, a 20 year veteran of the Tampa City Council, had been sued by a Republican voter who claimed she had failed to follow Florida’s 'resign-to-run' law. Saul-Sena conceded she failed to resign her post on the council prior to qualifying, and pulled herself from the commission race, only to be nominated back on the ballot by the Hillsborough Democratic Executive Committee. In a strange twist, another former Tampa City Council member, John Dingfelder, made the same mistake in running for the District 1 Hillsborough County Commission seat. He too was sued by a Republican voter, but a circuit judge ruled last week he could stay on the ballot because he had pulled out of the commission race and been nominated by the DEC." "Judge rules former Tampa councilwoman can continue bid for commission".

Delightful

"Amendment 4, the proposed state constitution amendment that would have voters giving final approval to changes to city and county comprehensive land use plans, is opposed primarily by developers, the lobbyists who represent them and the city and county governments who would lose final say over these plans if the amendment passes. But mainly, it’s the developers."

With voters able to approve changes to comprehensive land use plans, that Wal-Mart that would bring in piles of tax dollars but would be loathed by the community will never see the light of day. This, perhaps, explains why Wal-Mart has given $100,000 to the No on 4 campaign, a donation that hardly makes the big-box store unique among its peers.

But it’s the people who build those stores — along with everything else — who have the most to lose. That’s why the largest new home builder in the nation, Pulte Homes, has given the No on 4 campaign more than half a million dollars in 2010, and why the country’s second-largest home builder, Florida’s Lennar Homes, has contributed $367,000.

How are these construction companies, hit hard by the housing bubble burst, so flush with cash? The money flowing to No on 4 is there in part thanks to an underreported clause in one of Congress’ many extensions of unemployment benefits in the past year.

"Hurling insults daily"

"The candidates, Rep. Kendrick Meek and billionaire Jeff Greene, hurl insults daily at each other. But with the no-party candidacy of Gov. Charlie Crist attracting a wealth of support from Democrats and independents, either candidate stands a distant third to either Crist or Republican Marco Rubio, according to numerous polls released on the Senate race." "No love lost between Kendrick Meek and Jeff Greene".

End of the week report

"Campaign roundup for Friday".

1.7M in tax dollars to Billy

Gary Fineout: "Florida taxpayers have already handed more than $5 million in matching funds for the 2010 election in just three weeks. It shows that Florida may still wind up eclipsing the amount of taxpayer money spent on campaigns back in 2006 when new laws adopted by the Republican-led Legislature allowed candidates to collect larger amounts of money from the state. That year the state handed out $11.1 million in matching money to campaigns for governor and Cabinet." "Taxpayers have spent more than $5 million on help for political campaigns".

"Always controversial ... equally theatrical"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Always controversial, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is equally theatrical. FCAT often unfolds with drama over testing angst and below-bar scores. Other years, it's morphed into a comedy — of errors — that tortures parents and educators acutely aware of the high stakes." "Shore up trust in FCAT".

No room for RPOF moderates

"After months of fighting with local party bosses, state Sen. Mike Fasano has resigned from the Pasco County Republican Party's Executive Committee. Fasano's resignation comes after a nasty public fight between the New Port Richey moderate and the more conservative heads of the Pasco GOP, Bill Bunting and Randy Maggard, sparked by Fasano's continued support of his longtime friend and ally, Gov. Charlie Crist." "Fasano quits Pasco GOP".

Delusions of grandeur

This is a real howler: Beth Reinhard imagines herself part of "an aggressive press corps". Huh? were there a bunch of new hires while I was gone?

Anyway, Reinhardt writes with a straight face about how Florida's political reporters get "in the faces" of candidates and "scours their backgrounds", and how they apply "heat" to the candidates. She explains:

Today [her column] is about [Jeff Greene and Rick Scott] fumbling another ritual of the state's highly hazardous campaign trail: going toe-to-toe with an aggressive press corps.

As we reporters like to say to irritable, wealthy candidates: "If you can't take the heat, get out of Florida in August. And for the love of God, take us with you -- to Martha's Vineyard or the Hamptons or any more pleasant clime.''

One thing about rich folk who have never held public office: They are typically unaccustomed to reporters getting in their face and scouring their backgrounds for misdeeds and conflicts of interest.

I know ... nuthing ... nuthing

"Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Greene said Friday he will sue the St. Petersburg Times if the paper does not retract an article about his real estate transactions."

The article, which was published Aug. 8, detailed Greene’s sale of condos in California that landed at least one of the buyers in prison. Greene said the article ignored documents in order to paint him in a negative light. ...

Greene said the paper exaggerated his ties to the man, James Delbert McConville, in an effort to make him look bad.

Freedom to defecate

The teabaggers can't find "septic tank" in the U.S. Constitution: "Some of Florida's nearly 3 million septic tank owners are getting angry, and a veteran lawmaker who said he was tricked into voting for the first statewide mandatory inspection program is getting nervous." "Septic tank owners are angry over inspection legislation".

Raw political courage

"Back-to-school sales tax break begins".

Scott in hiding

Aaron Deslatte: "We know this about Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rick Scott: He has a temper. We also know he doesn't like to answer a lot of questions, particularly from the media."

That's why Scott's campaign handlers have taken the highly unusual step this summer of keeping him away from all of the editorial boards at Florida newspapers. It's also why they refused to participate in what would have been the only statewide televised debate in the race, a forum last Wednesday in Orlando sponsored by a business-backed group called Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association.

Even after a debate he did attend in Tampa, his campaign refused to make him available to reporters afterward in the typical post-debate "spin room" – unlike rival Bill McCollum, who answered questions for half an hour.

Scott's campaign said he didn't need to answer any more questions because he had clearly won the debate – but his fall in recent polls suggests otherwise. In the past week, he's gone from a six-point lead to a four-point deficit in two separate polls taken by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc.

Donors ... who needs 'em

"With the Republican nomination on the line, two candidates looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas in November have dug deep into their bank accounts to finance last-minute advertising before the Aug. 24 primary, according to recent reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. Craig Miller, a former CEO of Ruth's Chris Steak House, has pumped more than $500,000 of his own money into the race, including $180,000 in the last two weeks. That counters the $200,000 that former Winter Park commissioner Karen Diebel gave herself last month." "Kosmas foes dig into their bank accounts to fund campaigns".

CD 17

"For the first and likely only time, all nine Democrats vying to replace Kendrick Meek in Congress gathered Thursday, highlighting their similarities and few differences in a friendly forum of supposed political foes." "Rivals in congressional race sound mostly alike".

'Glades

"A nearly $2 billion land deal once described as the Louisiana Purchase of Everglades restoration ended up getting whittled away under the weight of a sinking economy and shifting political winds. Now two years after Gov. Charlie Crist announced a blockbuster deal to buy out all of U.S. Sugar Corp.'s more than 180,000 acres, a radically reduced plan has emerged to acquire two strategically located pieces of the sugar giant's vast real estate holdings." "Crist's downsized Everglades restoration land deal still faces legal scrutiny". See also this Mike Thomas column: "Ever-shrinking U.S. Sugar buyout means putting on happy faces".

Nancy Smith: "More land to no purpose, more government waste in Florida. Thursday’s South Florida Water Management District vote was all that and so much more." "Lost Hope for the Everglades?".

"Someone, prepare the dunking chairs!"

Scott Maxwell: "In the attorney general's race, far-right zealots are targeting GOP contender Pam Bondi for her many alleged sins — including divorce."

Holy chastity belts! What will these modern-day demon-women do next? Wear shorts? Work outside the home? Someone, prepare the dunking chairs!

The fact that these blowhards are still screaming isn't surprising. The fact that anyone's still listening is.

Because these people and their constant crusades against equal rights do more than just embarrass themselves; they embarrass Christianity.

The latest news has John Stemberger — the guy best known for leading his tireless fights against homosexuality with the Florida Family Policy Council — going after Tampa Bay prosecutor Pam Bondi.

"But what do Floridians know about these two?"

"They complain about the attack ads against them, but the two multimillionaires running for top offices in Florida only have themselves to blame."

Slick TV ads by Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott and U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Jeff Greene have pummeled their primary opponents as ``career politicians'' and pointed to deals and votes they made during public careers. That's normal in a campaign.

So, too, should Mr. Scott and Mr. Greene expect voters to ask them about their past -- and present -- business deals and lifestyles even as they claim they are free of "special interests'' because they are financing their own campaigns.

Their slick messages promising to bring common sense to Florida politics as astute businessmen surely attract voters frustrated by partisan wrangling in Tallahassee and Washington. But what do Floridians really know about these two men?

Not much if all voters see are their glitzy ads.

After spending millions of dollars on the campaign Mr. Scott, a Texan until recently, still hasn't explained his role in the largest Medicare fraud case in U.S. history as head of the mammoth Columbia/HCA hospital chain in the 1990s.

Mr. Greene, a billionaire thanks to his betting against the housing bubble, has been more available to the press and answered some tough questions from this Editorial Board, but he, too, seems surprised that his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, is attacking how Mr. Greene made his money. Mr. Greene, a California Republican until recently, scoffs at having to answer questions about yacht trips to Cuba or recent business deals or who he counts as his friends. Yet those issues speak to his judgment.

"Misleading ads written to persuade by deception"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board:

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain," the Wizard exhorts Dorothy and cohorts toward the end of "The Wizard of Oz" as he is unveiled to be "a very good man" and a fraud.

Unlike the erstwhile travelers on the yellow brick road, voters shouldn't be fooled near the finish of this primary election cycle by shifty campaign commercials seeking to lure their votes through misleading ads written to persuade by deception.

"Strippers and other tawdry tales"

"Democratic Senate candidate Jeff Greene finds himself answering inquiries about strippers aboard his Summerwind yacht and other tawdry tales." "Jeff Greene's yacht holds the secrets: Sexcapades or Sabbath?".

"There's the Florida guy ..."

"There's the die-hard Democrat from Texas who says November's elections are about keeping Republicans from power. There's the North Carolina Republican who says it's about firing Democrats for growing government. There's the Florida guy who lost his job and says it's all about unemployment." "Many voters, many views of election's meaning".