Scott, the rural teabagger candidate

Jeremy Wallace: "Republican Rick Scott needs an urban renewal project if he hopes to get elected governor of Florida, judging by this week's primary election results."

A Herald-Tribune analysis of Tuesday's vote across the state's 67 counties shows that Scott, the former hospital company CEO, captured a large section of Florida, including the Panhandle and Central and Southwest Florida. In those areas, which have a higher percentage of Tea Party followers and more conservative voters, Scott showed that he could inspire the electorate. The counties in which he won big had turnouts 10 percent higher than the state average.

A cornerstone of Scott's campaign is reducing the size of government, and he is proposing cuts far larger than most mainstream Republicans have advocated. He wants to cut state spending to 2004 levels, to slash property taxes and to eliminate the state's corporate income tax.

While such cuts are in line with what many Tea Party groups are advocating, it is uncertain how Scott's message plays with independents and moderates. Tuesday's results showed he struggled in areas with more moderate voters.

Crist's "political amnesia"

"In an Orlando television interview, Gov. Charlie Crist told an interviewer he would have voted for the health care reform plan proposed by the Obama administration—a dizzying reversal of his previous position—but then retracted the comment, saying he misspoke."

That reverses Crist's position, stated on his web site, plus other past comments including his support of Attorney General Bill McCollum's lawsuit against the health care legislation.

Crist's opponents, Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Kendrick Meek, both pounced on Crist's reversal and re-reversal -- Meek saying Crist has "political amnesia" and Rubio saying, "This is getting ridiculous ... [Crist] doesn't actually care about health care, he only cares about getting himself elected."

Even Crist supporters would have to acknowledge he's shown flexibility in his views since he began becoming alienated from the Republican Party, but this reversal is in a different category.

Joint appearance

"In their first joint appearance on the campaign trail Friday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink challenged Republican Rick Scott to five statewide televised debates and chastised him for a running an overwhelmingly negative primary." "Finalists for Senate, governor jostle, dodge and schmooze at Realtors' forum". See also "Sink challenges Scott to five televised debates".

"Plenty of contrasts"

"If you're looking for a statewide race with substantive differences between the two candidates, your search is over. In the race for attorney general, Pam Bondi and Dan Gelber provide plenty of contrasts."

They disagree on Obamacare, education, guns and vouchers, and they seem to differ on how to utilize the assets of the office: the bully pulpit, the subpoena, the hundreds of lawyers skilled at chasing down the scammers and ripoff artists that are as much a part of the fabric of Florida as sunshine and orange juice.

Bondi, 44, the Republican, won 38 percent of the vote in a three-way race. She took only 26 counties, but ran strongest in Tampa Bay, Orlando and Jacksonville.

Gelber, 50, a Democrat, raised $1.7 million to overcome doubts about his fundraising ability. He took 59 percent of the vote against Dave Aronberg, winning 56 of 67 counties and exceeding his statewide average with 65 percent in Hillsborough and 63 percent in Pinellas.

The bay area is vital in this fight. Advantage Bondi at this point, because of her familiarity to Tampa-area TV viewers.

Saint "Jeb!" flops

Beth Reinhard gives us her "winners" and "losers"; some of her choices follow:

Winner: Marco Rubio. With only token primary challengers, the Republican Senate candidate scored more than 1 million votes -- roughly 150,000 more than the Democratic candidates combined. The lopsided turnout reminded me of a recent call from a Democratic consultant professing amazement over the thousands of people who turned out for conservative talk show host Sean Hannity's Freedom Concert'' in Orlando. Rubio could ride this so-called enthusiasm gap all the way to Capitol Hill.

(Sore) loser: Bill McCollum. The unsuccessful Republican contender for governor won't endorse nominee Rick Scott or quit talking about his former company's Medicare fraud scandal. Guess you can't blame McCollum for feeling bitter about the end of his political career and his third statewide loss, but Democrat Alex Sink will exploit the Republican rift every day he spends sulking. ...

Loser: South Florida. Turnout was about 17 percent in Miami-Dade, under 15 percent in Broward and just over 16 percent in Palm Beach, among the worst showings in the state. Pathetic. ...

Winner and loser: Jeb Bush [who] filmed a television commercial for McCollum, campaigned around the state with him and raised money for the campaign.

Loser: Charlie Crist.

"Florida lost"

Howard Troxler: "In case you missed it, the battle for the soul and future of Florida was waged during the 2009 session of our state Legislature."

Florida lost.

After 25 years of at least pretending that this state is "managing" its growth, the Legislature instead voted to repeal a key part of our growth law.

The Audubon Society asked Gov. Charlie Crist to veto SB 360.

The 1000 Friends of Florida asked him to veto it.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Association asked him to veto it.

The Florida chapter of the American Planning Association asked him to veto it.

Crist signed it.

At the time Crist was still a Republican, trying to curry favor with business and the Republican establishment. He signed the bill in private, and announced his action after hours, even while he was holding big showy "signing ceremonies" for lots of other bills around the state.

It was the low point of his governorship, and he will go down in the history books as the governor who rolled back Florida's growth management.

And yet Crist didn't do it by himself. SB 360 passed 78-37 in the House and 30-7 in the Senate.

"Winners, losers and lessons"

Scott Maxwell "takes a look back at the winners, losers and lessons learned from this week's elections."

• Watch out for whiplash. Get ready to watch some big-time back-tracking among members of the GOP establishment who are suddenly desperate to kiss Rick Scott's ring after weeks of trashing him. Take RPOF chairman John Thrasher, for example. Last week, Thrasher accused Scott of orchestrating "a multifaceted campaign of misinformation in an effort to mislead Florida voters …" On Wednesday, Thrasher touted Scott's "commitment to conservative values and his plan for creating jobs, reducing government spending and empowering the private sector." We can take you at your word, Mr. Thrasher … just let us know which of your words to take.

• Uplifting message. Dan Webster had a great campaign slogan that distinguished him from so many of the constant carpers whining about the downfall of America. Said Webster: "America is not broken. Washington is." Such a line hints at hope and optimism — which is something I think people crave.

"...with the one what brung ya"

Nancy Smith urges Rick Scott to "remember to dance with the one what brung ya". "Voters' Iron Will, Not Rick Scott's Money, Won the Day".

"Financial and legal burdens numbering in the hundreds"

"As dozens of attorneys gather in Miami Beach this week to brainstorm and share ideas, this fact remains: For thousands of gay couples in Florida and across the country, not being able to marry carries financial and legal burdens numbering in the hundreds." "Same-sex couples in Florida face myriad legal, financial hurdles".

"GOP voters were 'exceedingly conservative'"

PPP out polled Mason-Dixon and Quinnipiac by recognizing that Florida's GOP primary voters were one step away from Attila the Hun (with apologies to Attila who at least had the courage to fulfill his military obligations).

Aaron Deslatte explains: "PPP was more accurate than conventional pollsters. PPP director Tim Jensen said his best guess was he got better results because his shop used a looser screen for the voters it sampled, calling general election GOP voters instead of past primary voters."

"If the folks who voted [Tuesday] had been exactly the same as the folks who voted in the 2006 primary, I imagine McCollum would have won," Jensen said. "That's because he was the Republican establishment choice and the kinds of folks who vote in every primary likely went to him. But there were hundreds of thousands more people voting ... than in 2006 and my sense is the newbies went strongly for Scott."

Jensen also said his poll detected that the more-likely GOP voters were "exceedingly conservative" compared to those who voted in the 2008 presidential primary.

"Serious dent" in RPOF attempt at party unity

"Bill McCollum doesn't forget easily."

Two days after he lost the Republican nomination for governor, McCollum still refuses to support winner Rick Scott, and continues to raise questions about his former rival's character.

In his first public appearance since conceding the race, McCollum said Thursday that he called Scott to "congratulate him and wish him well.'' But he didn't bury the hatchet in one of the nastiest primary's in state history.

"I still have serious questions about issues of his character, his integrity, his honestly -- things that go back to Columbia/HCA,'' McCollum said, referring to Scott's former hospital chain, which paid a $1.7 billion fine after a federal criminal investigation. "As other voters will do, I will judge him throughout this campaign.''

The attorney general's remarks put a serious dent in the message of party unity and reopened a vulnerability Democratic candidate Alex Sink is likely to exploit in the general election.

In case no one has noticed, Tallahassee is not only crawling with incumbents, but Republican incumbents. And Scott didn't just run against McCollum. He ran against the Republican establishment, which pushed back with $14 million in negative advertising casting Scott as a corporate charlatan with all the integrity of Snidely Whiplash tossing Nancy Reagan into the streets.

It is always one of the oldest axioms that politics makes for strange bedfellows. The forced detente between Scott and state GOP chairman John Thrasher looks a bit like Paris Hilton canoodling with Dick Cheney.

Thrasher issued his tortured air-kiss to Scott because he didn't have much choice. If Scott goes down in flames against Alex Sink, Thrasher hardly wants to the labeled as the guy who didn't support — at least publicly — the party nominee. This had to feel like Gen. George Patton having to apologize for slapping the shell-shocked buck private.

Still, in the weeks ahead, would it surprise anyone if Thrasher secretly wore a "Sink For Governor" campaign button behind his lapel?

He was able to take advantage of a revolt by GOP voters against their own establishment, whose leaders were tainted by a series of scandals in Tallahassee. Mr. Scott's TV ads were particularly effective in raising questions about Attorney General McCollum's connection to indicted former GOP Chairman Jim Greer.

The general election will be a different game. Democratic voters, who stuck by Rep. Kendrick Meek in his race for the U.S. Senate against another upstart outsider, billionaire Jeff Greene, are not as alienated as voters in the other party.

Mr. Scott will also have a hard time pushing the "insider'' theme against Democratic candidate Alex Sink, the state's chief financial officer, whose party has been out of power in Tallahassee for a decade.

Campaign roundup

"Chiles wants 527s to disclose more information, The debate over the debates begin in the U.S. Senate race, Ausley goes after Atwater again." "Campaign roundup for Friday".

"Floridians question if gender equality has been reached"

"This week marked the 90th anniversary of women winning the right to vote. ... It's difficult to imagine a time when women couldn't vote. Today, registered women voters outnumber men in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties -- where they made up 56 percent of voters in the last presidential election. But it took decades of political fighting for women to see the ratification of the 19th amendment -- granting women the right to vote -- in the United States Constitution on Aug. 26, 1920. Florida's Legislature, however, did not symbolically ratify the amendment until 1969." "90 years later, equality issues unresolved".

Chiles won't rule out withdrawing

William March: "Bud Chiles, no-party candidate for governor, held a news conference Thursday to call for campaign finance reform, but also said he won't rule out withdrawing from the governor's race if he thinks he can't win." "Chiles doesn't rule out leaving governor's race".

"Undemocratic fixture remains in elections laws"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "The primaries are over, and voters can relax for a minute now that the attack ads and robo-calls have ceased, for a while anyway. Unfortunately, there is one undemocratic fixture in state elections laws that continues to haunt the political process — the write-in candidate." "Lawmakers need to write off the write-in loophole".

Don't over-promise

"The incoming speaker of the Florida House told Republican candidates Thursday to campaign as conservatives but not to over-promise about cutting fraud, waste and mismanagement in state government." "Incoming Speaker of the House tells GOP candidates not to over-promise".

Education adequacy lawsuit

"A circuit court judge has ruled that a parents group can continue with a court challenge of the state’s education system, rejecting a request by the Legislature to throw the suit out." "Lawsuit Over Education Adequacy Goes Forward".

AG race

"McCollum’s illegal immigration, health care fights at issue in A.G. race".

Teabaggers in a dither

"First-term Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson has a surprisingly gentle first ad of the general election season. Grayson stands as a defender of public schools in the ad, saying, 'My five children go to public school right here in Orlando. I fought for $200 million to save our schools for them, and for us.' Then a chorus of children launch into a chant of 'Alan Grayson saved our schools!'" "‘Grayson saved our schools!’ chant children in his first general election ad".

Hate campaign

"[Redstate blogger] says opposition to New York Muslim community center 'probably saved' campaign".

How Scott did it

"How Rick Scott Held on for Victory". Related from Nancy Smith: "Voters' Iron Will, Not Rick Scott's Money, Won the Day".

Money talks ...

"Bill McCollum, running for Florida governor, and Lisa Murkowski, running for re-election as senator from Alaska, may have fought back too late in their respective Republican primaries. Their opponents attacked them early and often, costing McCollum the election Tuesday and leaving a stunned Murkowski on the edge of defeat." "2010 Political Ad Spending Crushing 2006 Levels".

Scott's Running mate possibilities

"Will the GOP gubernatorial nominee stay outside or go inside for a running mate? Here are possibilities ...". "Who Will Be Rick Scott's Lieutenant?".

Will blow back hurt Sink?

"The race for chief financial officer is heating up with a web attack ad by Democratic challenger Lorranne Ausley on a subject that may prove perilous for her party’s nominee for governor." "Will Loranne Ausley's Attack Blow Back on Alex Sink?".

Department of Veterans Affairs

"Former state Comptroller Bob Milligan will head the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs on an interim basis." "Fla. Veterans' Affairs gets new boss". See also "Crist, Cabinet welcome Lt. Gen. Milligan".

Chiles brings it home

"Lawton 'Bud' Chiles brought his bid for governor to a leafy Tampa neighborhood Thursday and condemned the influence of special interest groups that bankroll negative TV ads under the banner of innocent-sounding committees."

Chiles chose to make his point at the Hyde Park home of an accounting firm that handles the paperwork for dozens of those committees, nearly all of them working to elect or defeat Republican candidates. The firm, Robert Watkins & Company, specializes in helping the groups comply with election and tax laws.

The groups have names like "Florida Liberty Fund" and "Prosperity Florida." Chiles counted $22-million in donations over several years from an array of business interests, from sugar to tobacco to utilities, and he gathered available information on the state elections website, http://www.dos.state.fl.us/.

Kudos to PPP

"In the final days of the campaign, there were three public polls released, and only Public Policy Polling (PPP) called both of the races right:"

Actual results:
Governor (R): Scott 46, McCollum 43
Senate (D): Meek 57, Greene 31

PPP's final poll::
Governor (R): Scott 47, McCollum 40
Senate (D): Meek 51, Greene 27

Mason-Dixon's final poll::
Governor (R): McCollum 45, Scott 36
Senate (D): Meek 42, Greene 30

Quinnipiac's final poll::
Governor (R): McCollum 39, Scott 35
Senate (D): Meek 39, Greene 29

Yee Haw!

"Palin's picks faring well in primaries".

How low can Florida go?

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Voters should keep some facts in mind:"

Florida already has one the lowest rates — 39th — among states with a corporate income tax. That's part of the reason why the conservative Tax Foundation has rated Florida's business tax environment the nation's fourth friendliest.

And if Florida were to cut or eliminate its tax, it would lose some or all of the funding behind a program, popular with both parties, that allows corporations to divert their tax toward scholarships for kids from poor families to attend private schools.

TaxWatch has put more thought into the issue. It is not calling for the corporate income tax to be scrapped, but says Florida puts itself at a disadvantage in competing for business with other states by how it imposes the tax. It slaps the levy not just on a corporation's sales in Florida, but also on its property and payroll in the state. That formula discourages investment and hiring in Florida.

TaxWatch has concluded that applying Florida's corporate income tax only to sales would create an incentive for businesses to locate or expand their property and payrolls in the state. Over time, that would boost business-tax revenues. The think tank's conclusions are backed up by several academic studies and the experience of other states.

Reforming the corporate income tax probably isn't on the list of promises from candidates because it doesn't work well as a campaign slogan. (It's not a very sexy subject for an editorial, either.)

But it's the kind of idea that candidates touting their business smarts should be advocating. They should be more serious about fixing the economy, and have more faith in voters to get beyond sound bites.

Law loosening planning requirements tossed

"A judge on Thursday struck down a 2009 law loosening state planning requirements and controls on urban sprawl that development and business interests say are stifling Florida's growth. In a lawsuit filed by four counties and 16 cities, Chief Circuit Judge Charles Francis ruled the Legislature violated the Florida Constitution by requiring local governments to implement the law without providing the dollars to do it or a means to raise them."

Florida Chamber of Commerce Vice President Adam Babbington said his organization was disappointed.

"GOP insiders fear Sink" ... Scott a "dead man walking"

"Analysts who work with Latino voters say McCollum's shift on immigration may have cost him crucial support. But they argue that Scott's concrete stand leaves him a 'dead man walking.'" "Republican surge may have helped propel Scott to victory".

For powerful Tallahassee insiders accustomed to winning, Rick Scott represents their worst fears."

But they have an even bigger worry: Democrats might win in November.

Many top-tier lobbyists don't know their Republican nominee for governor. They backed Bill McCollum, pumped millions into his primary campaign, and lost. Now, with party control of the Governor's Mansion at stake, they mounted an effort Wednesday to show that Republicans are one big happy family.

"Already splitting the labor vote"

"If you're wondering why Kendrick Meek's win in the Democratic Senate primary is good news for Republican Marco Rubio, look at what happened less than 24 hours after Meek's victory."

A group of Florida Teamsters endorsed Gov. Charlie Crist, who's running as an independent, while Meek met with supporters from the Service Employees International Union in Orlando.

Day 1 of the general election campaign, and Crist and Meek are already splitting the labor vote.

"Equivocal answers to 2 of 3 key questions"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Florida voters provided equivocal answers to two of the three key questions hanging over Tuesday's primary election."

Two of the questions were national in scope: Is this the Year of the Outsider in politics? And are Republicans, the minority party on the national level, fired up and ready to make a statement at the polls? The third question is a perennial: Can a well-heeled candidate buy an election?

On Tuesday, voters in Florida answered "maybe" to the first two questions.

Webster "deader than Elvis"

"Bomb-throwing U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson barely waited for the Republican primary ballots to be counted before writing his new opponent's epitaph."

"Dan Webster is deader than Elvis. … He is the ultimate establishment candidate," Grayson quipped Wednesday, the morning after Republican voters picked the veteran former state legislator to run against him in District 8.

Likewise, in U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas' neighboring District 24, the Democratic Party is taking a similar tack. Party operatives already have labeled the newly nominated Republican, state Rep. Sandy Adams, a "Tallahassee insider" and "partisan rubber stamp."

Laff riot

"Jeb Bush on Florida GOP brawl: 'We must unite'".

Back at the SOE ...

The Sun Sentinel editors: "There was plenty of talk during Tuesday's primary elections about negative campaigning, big-money candidates vs. career politicians and voter apathy on a low-turnout day. But you know what you didn't hear any complaints about? Election snafus. And what a welcome relief that is in Palm Beach County." "Quiet elections in Palm a welcome relief from past snafus".

"The future of Florida politics?"

The Miami Herald editors: " Rick Scott won a remarkable victory this week in his race to become Florida's next governor. He did it by spending an unprecedented amount of money -- $50 million, mostly his own -- to overcome Attorney General Bill McCollum, a longtime fixture in Florida politics. Money has always been the mother's milk of politics. But never has it played such a pivotal role in a Florida campaign, and never has a candidate virtually unknown to the electorate managed to come so far and make such a big splash by spending so lavishly. Is this the future of Florida politics?" "Rick Scott's deep pockets".

Poll puzzles

William March: "Pollster Brad Coker of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research says angry voters, a volatile race with numerous lead changes, two unpopular candidates and an unpredictable turnout were all part of why his late polls failed to correctly predict the outcome of the Bill McCollum-Rick Scott GOP primary for governor." "Pollster: Unpredictable governor's race led to incorrect polls". See also "Mason-Dixon pollster: 'Angry voters' a major factor in Rick Scott's win" "".

That was fast

"Rubio, Crist, Meek stumping for Senate in Tampa area".

Brilliant mistake

Wingers already calling for more drilling in the Gulf. Related: "Oil spill: Laid off cleanup crews blast BP".

Entrepreneurs in action

"Reputed mobster linked to Florida scam admits guilt".

"An awkward situation"

"State Sen. John Thrasher’s primary win was basically a lock (he was the incumbent candidate for District 8 and is the interim chairman of the Republican Party of Florida), but it wasn’t all positive vibes at his Tuesday-night celebration party. The intense rivalry between Republican gubernatorial candidates Rick Scott and Bill McCollum and Scott’s victory last night has placed the state party, and its leader, in an awkward situation." "At Thrasher victory party, tension over Republican gubernatorial nominee".

Florida Senate Summary

Kevin Derby: "Republicans and Democrats cast ballots in 10 state Senate districts across Florida Tuesday. While some incumbents faced primary challenges, all of them prevailed. And look for some different faces in the Senate -- even if they have familiar names." "Incumbents Prevail in Senate Races, but New Faces Emerge".

Florida House summary

Kevin Derby: "With all 120 House seats up in November, there were some dramatic results in the Tuesday primaries. While some incumbents received scares in the primaries, all of the incumbents save one held on to win. With a few upsets and some races thought to be close turning into blow-outs, keep an eye on some of the House races in November for further political drama. " "Dramatic Results in Primary Battles for House Seats".

"Bright spot"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Judicial races were Broward's bright spot in an otherwise ugly primary".

Same old, same old ...

"If Florida voters were angry with their state legislators, they didn't show it on Election Day." "Florida voters stick with their legislators".

"Wilson comfortably won her primary"

"State Sen. Frederica Wilson comfortably won a primary to follow in Kendrick Meek's footsteps to Washington." "Split in Haitian vote lifted Frederica Wilson to congressional win".

With most precincts counted, it became clear that Scott had overcome the might of the Republican establishment, the special interests who dominate the Capitol and a longtime politician determined to tar his character.

Scott's win bears witness to his personal wealth -- he spent at least $50 million of it on the campaign -- as well as the thirst for political change in the Republican Party of Florida, which has been rocked by scandal and whose leaders worked to stop him cold. ...

The race was in doubt as late as 11 p.m., in large part because McCollum was beating Scott by a 2-1 margin in Miami-Dade -- the biggest Republican county in the state. But even that advantage wasn't enough, and with 90% of the statewide vote reported, the Associated Press projected that Scott had enough votes to win.

In what looked like a protest vote against Scott and McCollum, little-known third-party candidate Mike McCalister was receiving one of every 10 votes -- far more than any poll had anticipated.

Sink will be ready for any comers, said campaign spokeswoman Kyra Jennings.

"She is the best-funded Democrat ever running for governor, and Alex Sink has already laid out her plan for moving Florida's economy forward," Jennings said.

Also in Sink's favor: the usually well-oiled Republican Party of Florida machine is sputtering as it rebuilds following the indictment of its former chairman, Jim Greer.

The RPOF's federal campaign account, which is used to bolster its get-out-the-vote drives, has dwindled to $54,000. Reports show that the account had $468,500 in cash but $414,850 in outstanding debts. The Democratic Party of Florida has $1.6 million in cash.

Will Scott be "pleading the fifth" ...

...during the debates with Sink? Just askin'.

Meek pulls it out; Greene endorses him

"Overlooked and underestimated on the campaign trail for nearly two years, Miami Congressman Kendrick Meek on Tuesday easily beat back a profligate challenge from real estate mogul Jeff Greene to run away with the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate."

Greene walked like a man last night, saying

that he would endorse Meek and contribute to his campaign.

Meek will take the Democratic spot on the Nov. 2 ballot against Republican Marco Rubio and no-party candidate Gov. Charlie Crist, plus a half-dozen lesser-known no-party and minor party candidates.

But he starts off as an underdog, financially and in polls, to Crist and Rubio. ...

Polls suggest the heart of the three-way battle will be a contest between Meek and Crist for the loyalty of Democratic voters, many of whom have been backing Crist, giving him a lead in those polls.

Meek appears to have a better chance of taking those Democrats back from Crist than Greene would have had.

Unlike Greene, Meek "has a deep and significant history in the Democratic Party and that goes back to his leadership on class-size reduction," said veteran Democratic strategist Karl Koch of Tampa. "What you'll see over the next several weeks is that Democrats will come home."

But some Democrats say that means Meek and Crist will split the moderate and Democratic vote, handing the win to Rubio.

Gelber-Bondi

"A stark partisan choice in the race for attorney general awaits voters as Democrat Dan Gelber and Republican Pam Bondi claimed victory in Tuesday's primaries." "Gelber, Bondi headed for showdown". See also "Democrat Gelber, Republican Bondi will face off for Florida attorney general", "Bondi Gets GOP Nod for Attorney General" and "Gelber, Bondi stake out opposing positions in attorney general race".

More: "State Sen. Dan Gelber won the Democratic nomination for attorney general Tuesday, handily beating fellow Sen. Dave Aronberg and turning his fire on Republicans." "Dem AG Nominee Dan Gelber Takes Aim at 'Special Interests'".

Few surprises

Kevin Derby: "While the close battle for the Republican gubernatorial nomination and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek’s demolishing of Jeff Greene for the Democratic nomination in the U.S. Senate election won the headlines, there were a number of dramatic contests in congressional primaries across Florida on Tuesday." "Incumbents and Favorites Hold On in Congressional Primaries".

Grayson draws Webster

Grayson gets "conservative icon", a/k/a "Taliban Dan", in November:

A familiar name to Central Florida voters — former state Senate Majority Leader Dan Webster — easily held off a pack of fellow Republicans on Tuesday to win the GOP primary for Orlando's congressional seat. Webster had an insurmountable 40 percent of the vote with 99 percent of the votes counted in the 8th District. He'll go on to face the brash freshman Democrat U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, as a well as Florida Tea Party and independent candidates, in November.

Why? Because in 1990, Webster sponsored and supported legislation in Florida that would have made it much more difficult for people to divorce -- a policy called "covenant marriage."

In a letter to supporters, Grayson described it like this: "Dan Webster's bill reduces the institution of marriage to a roach motel: You can check in, but you can't check out."

Grayson added:

With one exception: adultery. So, let's say that your husband, God forbid, has been abusing you. And you need a divorce. You have only one option. According to Dan Webster's law, you would need to deliberately commit infidelity in order to get a divorce.

Ah, but here's the catch. Under Dan Webster's law, if both parties cheat on each other, then they can't get a divorce. Ever. They're locked in holy matrimony, forever. Like two scorpions in a bottle. So if you cheat on him to get away from him, and it turns out that he's cheated on you, well then . . . .

A call to Webster's staff was not immediately returned.

Teabaggers show their partisan stripes

Most teabaggers have always been nothing more than a wingnut Republicans. Now they are starting to crawl out from underneath the rocks. Get this:

"Dan Webster has won in the Republican primary deciding which candidate will face off against Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, come November, earning 40 percent of the vote in a crowded field."

Tea party activists made an appearance at Webster’s party. Tom Tillison, a tea party radio host, told TFI that despite the Republican infighting in the primary, his organization’s goal is simple: "defeat alan grayson." [sic]

He plans to issue an endorsement notice for Webster tomorrow, and wants to unify the often-fractured Central Florida conservative grassroots movement behind him. "Even though he’s got a long history in politics," Tillison said. "He’s just an average, everyday guy."

CD 24: Kosmas-Adams

"Suzanne Kosmas swept to an easy victory Tuesday night in the Democratic primary for the District 24 U.S. House seat, but Volusia's first member of Congress since 1992 can't expect such an easy go of it in November. After defeating former Winter Springs Mayor Paul Partyka with 78 percent of Tuesday's vote, Kosmas will face Sandy Adams, her former colleague in the Florida House of Representatives, who won by a single percentage point among the five candidates in the Republican primary." "Kosmas challenge bigger in November".

Earlier: "Sandy Adams Leading in a Cliffhanger in CD 24".

Thrasher to face Gianoulis

"State Sen. John Thrasher, who splits his time as chairman of the state Republican Party, is advancing to the general election. Thrasher, 66, had little trouble winning his Jacksonville-area Republican primary race Tuesday, defeating political novice Charles Perniciaro. Former Jacksonville television news anchor Deborah Gianoulis was unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face Thrasher in the Nov. 2 general election." "State GOP chairman repels intraparty challenge".

CD 3: Brown-Yost

Corrine Brown had an easy primary victory Tuesday."

The nine-term incumbent defeated Scott Fortune, 54, a civil-rights lawyer from Jacksonville, in the District 3 Democratic primary by an 80-to-20 percent margin.

She will meet Republican Mike Yost on Nov. 2. The auto-repair technician from Jacksonville held 46 percent of the vote late Tuesday to put himself ahead of Dean Black (35 percent), a farmer and businessman from Jacksonville, and Chris Nwasike (19 percent), a banking financial specialist and president of the Duval County Young Republicans in Jacksonville.

Mica awaits Beaven in CD 7

"There was no primary in the third local congressional seat, District 7, where Republican John Mica faces a challenge from Democrat Heather Beaven in the Nov. 2 general election.".

RPOFers crawl after the money

"Democrats, Republicans learn different lessons from mega-rich campaigns".

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Florida voters, after being peppered for weeks with the most negative ads in memory, sent a message in Tuesday's primary that money may talk but it cannot vote. While the negative tactics succeeded in some races, including the GOP gubernatorial primary, in others it failed miserably." "Voters transcend much mud".

HD 83

"Cardone concedes to Rooney in House District 83 GOP race".

HD 11

"The closest Florida House race in the 2008 election is headed for a rematch. Former Columbia County Commissioner Elizabeth Porter topped three challengers by a wide margin Tuesday in the Republican primary for the Florida House District 11 seat." "Porter wins her GOP contest, will face Boyd".

HDs 83, 85, 86, 88, 89, 91

- "After years of political exile, Democrat Irv Slosberg of Boca Raton had a clear victory Tuesday over newcomer Sheldon 'Klassy' Klasfeld for a chance to regain the District 90 state House of Representatives seat Slosberg previously held for six years."

- "First-time candidate Lori Berman, a Democrat, will be going to Tallahassee after winning her District 86 primary race to succeed Rep. Maria Sachs. Berman, who moved into the district in July, has no Republican challenger."

- "In the Republican House primary for District 91, which saw three candidates making their first run for office to claim the seat left open by Ellyn Bogdanoff's candidacy for state Senate, George Moraitis held a slight lead over David Maymon after both Fort Lauderdale candidates battled in a nose-to-nose slugfest to compete in November's general election." More: "Slosberg, Berman, win state House primaries".

SDs 25, 27, 35

"Bogdanoff takes race for GOP Senate nominee in District 25".

CD2: Boyd holds on

"Democratic Rep. Allen Boyd, the prominent conservative Blue Dog who has spent more than a decade in Congress, narrowly escaped defeat Tuesday, holding off state Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson. Boyd’s less-than-convincing 51 percent victory came after plowing nearly $2.2 million into his campaign – a deeply troubling sign for an incumbent who has held his Panhandle-based seat for seven terms." "Boyd holds on in Fla.". See also "Southerland, Boyd to face off for House seat".

CD 6: Stearns again

"In the 6th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns easily overcame a feisty challenge from Weirsdale resident Don Browning, the first Republican to take on Stearns since 1990." "Stearns turns back primary challenge".

CD 17: Wilson looks to succeed Meek

"Wilson poised to win Meek's seat in Congress". See also "Frederica Wilson enjoys comfortable lead in race to replace Meek".

Yaaawwwnnn

"Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told Utah officials on Tuesday that there's little evidence to link smaller class sizes and student achievement." "Ex. Gov. Bush slams class size limits".

Thank you, Mr. Obama

This ought to help Sink with her first budget: "On Tuesday, Florida was named one of the big winners in the federal government's second round of the Race to the Top competition, landing $700 million for its public schools. The Miami-Dade district expects its share of the winnings to exceed $60 million. Broward stands to get about $45 million." "Florida wins $700 million in 'Race to Top' education grants". See also "Florida Takes Home $700 Million in Race to the Top".

Fl-oil-duh

"Music legend Willie Nelson will perform on Pensacola Beach in October as part of a three-day benefit concert for victims of the Gulf oil spill." "Willie Nelson to perform at oil spill-benefit".

Quinnipiac: "August 23, 2010 - Meek, McCollum Lead One Day Before Florida Primaries, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; But Many Likely Primary Voters Remain Undecided ".

More: "A weekend of last-minute polling shows that the primary race for governor continues to be volatile as a new Quinnipiac University poll released Monday shows Attorney General Bill McCollum's lead narrowing to 39 to 35 percent against insurgent Rick Scott." "Bill McCollum's lead over Rick Scott narrowing, newest poll shows". See also "Poll: Meek, McCollum lead in primary races".

Related: "Polling Challenge: Identifying Likely Voters".

Early voting strong, overall turnout remains a question

"A record-setting 361,615 Florida voters participated in early voting through Sunday, although election officials cautioned that the number may reflect the convenience of voting before Election Day, not a higher-than-expected overall turnout." "Early voters turn out in large numbers as candidates push for votes".

Kevin Derby: "This is it -- primary Election Day in Florida -- in a state of increasing national importance and political vigor. As the rest of America watches -- for that matter, as Florida intently watches itself -- voters go to the polls to decide who will be their party's nominees in November’s general election. " "Close Contests Across Florida on Primary Day". Related: "Nation's eye turns to Florida primary voting".

"Conventional wisdom for this election year is voters will exorcise incumbents, purge weak-hearted partisans and send an insurgent message to those in power. But don't expect a wholesale revolt in today's primaries in Florida, where fear of the unknown appears to trump the desire for change." "Florida poised to resist revolt". More: "Record-Setting Primary Season Ends With Uncertainty" and "Money for nothing in Fla. primaries".

See also "Bill McCollum, Rick Scott and other rivals criss-cross state in final scrum for votes", "Candidates rally before primaries" and "Wealthy Insurgents May Fall Short in Florida" and "GOP governor, Dem Senate races highlight Fla. vote".

Daily kos: "In both the primaries for Governor and Senate, it has been a pitched battle to the last minute between absurdly well-funded neophytes and classic politicos."

In the GOP gubernatorial primary, the big winner might be Democrat Alex Sink. The primary between longtime insider and state AG Bill McCollum and uber-wealthy hospital magnate Rick Scott has been so ugly that Sink has gone from a double-digit underdog against the GOP nominee to a single-digit leader. ...

On the Senate side, late polling is more uniform, and seems to confirm that Congressman Kendrick Meek is favored to successfully fight off the cash-infused challenge of wealthy real estate investor Jeff Greene, who it is fair to say was something of a flawed candidate from the outset.

Downballot, Republicans will pick nominees in two targeted races for November: FL-08 (Alan Grayson) and FL-24 (Suzanne Kosmas). The big downballot race to watch here is in FL-25, one of the better Dem pickup opportunities in the nation. It will be interesting to see if the late revelations about the myriad of troubles for GOP fave David Rivera [see below] will drop this nomination in the lap of one of his lesser-known GOP rivals.

"Rarely has a Florida primary election been so captivating"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Rarely has a Florida primary election been so captivating. No one can predict today with certainty who will win the top-of-the-ballot races for the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate and Republican nominee for governor. Also hanging in the balance are each party’s nomination for state attorney general. And down the ballot, voters across Tampa Bay will pick new school board members, circuit and county judges and nominees for county commissions." "Now it's up to you, voter".

Steve Otto: "As difficult as it is to work up much enthusiasm for this mess, if you have taken the time and looked beyond those television cheap shots, there are some decent people on the campaign trail. There are still a few candidates who made real sacrifices in their lives to knock on doors and sell themselves." "Hold your nose and vote". See also "It's primary day: Your turn, voters" and Tom Jackson's "Procrastinators know what's what at polls".

Senate

"Will money or grass roots win Fla. Senate primary?". More: "Final day shows contrasts between Meek and Greene" and "Sidewalk drama between Greene, Meek supporters in WPB as primary campaign nears end".

Guv

"As Republican gubernatorial candidates Bill McCollum and Rick Scott flew around the state on Monday in the last day of campaigning before election day, they had a chance meeting at Tampa International Jet Center ... and said nothing to each other." "McCollum, Scott don't even exchange glances as they cross paths campaigning". See also "Bill McCollum, Rick Scott fly around Florida one day before gubernatorial primary", "In Shadow of Differing New Polls, McCollum, Scott Engage in Down-to-the-Wire Slugfest" and "The Rivalry Behind the Scott-McCollum Battle".

Meanwhile, "facing only token opposition in her primary, Democrat Alex Sink is expected to emerge victorious Tuesday but with one big problem: In her quest to become governor, she is unknown to half of Florida's voters. Meanwhile, a barrage of television ads in the high-profile Republican primary has given her competitors -- Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and Naples businessman Rick Scott -- plenty of name recognition. It has also given her plenty of ammunition to use against them in the Nov. 2 general election. Sink's challenge now is to define herself as a candidate and explain to voters what she wants to do in office, say pollsters and political observers." "Alex who? Sink still is unknown to many". See also "Alex Sink needs to quickly establish herself with voters for Nov. election".

More: "For GOP, it's McCollum or Scott for governor".

AG

"Florida's next attorney general will take the lead on Gulf oil damage claims and a pending lawsuit over the federal health care program, but many voters were still undecided between three Republican and two Democratic candidates as Tuesday's primary election approached." "Florida's top lawyer seat is an open race".

"Ill winds are coming into convergence"

Mike Thomas: "Dirty politics is entering a new, muddier phase infecting races at all levels."

Many ill winds are coming into convergence. The public's attention span is getting ever shorter. There is increasing competition to be heard above the growing din. There is a heated battle for audience share by a growing number of media outlets, websites, blogs and so on. There is the need to make maximum impact . And there is a complete lack of accountability.

1. Experience seen as bad.

2. Arrogance seen as acceptable.

3. Voting seen as unnecessary.

All in for McCollum

"The latest report for the Republican Party of Florida's federal campaign finance account — the rich source of funds for get-out-the-vote efforts, voter registration drives and even staff salaries — shows it has dipped to an unusually low $54,000."

Money raised in the federal account must come from individual, not corporate, contributions. Judging from the push in the past several weeks, Republican leaders have been very busy raising corporate money, but it has apparently gone only to the political committees aimed at boosting Attorney General Bill McCollum's campaign for governor.

For what it's worth, the Democrats appear to be in a better shape, with $1.6 million on hand.

State Senate challengers

"State Sen. John Thrasher, who splits his time as chairman of the state Republican Party, will learn Tuesday if GOP voters in his Jacksonville-area district believe he can do both jobs well. Thrasher is one of two Senate Republicans with an opponent in Florida's primary election. Rep. Thad Altman, R-Viera, is the other. No incumbent Democrats are being challenged." "GOP chairman has primary challenge for Senate seat".

Will Hispanics vote?

"Candidates are stepping up their efforts to reach Hispanics as the final day for the primary vote nears Tuesday, but it remains to be seen whether a significant number of Latinos will vote. While many participated in the 2008 elections, Hispanics typically show low turnout during primary races." "Election time: Will Hispanics vote in the Florida primaries?".

AG dollars

"The knock on Democratic state Sen. Dan Gelber, first when he ran for U.S. Senate and then when he jumped to the attorney general's race, was that the guy couldn't raise money. Sure, the press would lap up his quotes, the chatter went, but Gelber would fall short in critical campaign cash. Wrong."

Gelber: $1.676 million (5,150 donors).

Aronberg: $1.662 million (4,660 donors).

Jeff Kottkamp: $1.115 million (2,539 donors).

Pam Bondi: $999K (2,190 donors).

Holly Benson: $914K (2,043 donors).

Bob likes Charlie

"On Aug. 11, Dole cut a $1,000 check to Gov. Charlie Crist's independent U.S. Senate campaign." "Dole gives $1,000 to Crist campaign".

Whither teabaggery?

""Effect of tea party vote in GOP primary for Fla. governor remains unclear"".

Grayson's likely opponent, "Taliban Dan"

"There's a reason Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) calls Daniel Webster, his likely Republican challenger in November, 'Taliban Dan.'" (from a Grayson release):

Dan Webster -- endorsed in the primary by the Orlando Sentinel and by Jeb Bush -- may not have a clue on what to do about joblessness, homelessness, expensive healthcare, no money for schools or endless war. But he does know what to do about divorce.

Ban it.

In the Florida Legislature, Dan Webster sponsored and supported a bill to institute "covenant marriage." In a covenant marriage, you can't get divorced.

So Dan Webster's bill reduces the institution of marriage to a roach motel: You can check in, but you can't check out.

With one exception: adultery. So, let's say that your husband, God forbid, has been abusing you. And you need a divorce. You have only one option. According to Dan Webster's law, you would need to deliberately commit infidelity in order to get a divorce.

Ah, but here's the catch. Under Dan Webster's law, if both parties cheat on each other, then they can'tget a divorce. Ever. They're locked in holy matrimony, forever. Like two scorpions in a bottle. So if you cheat on him to get away from him, and it turns out that he's cheated on you, well then . . . .

There is only one place where in the entire world where both divorce and annulment are forbidden: The Taliban Government in Northwest Pakistan. And Taliban Dan wants to institute the same rule here. The man with the 19th century name wants to pass 13th century laws, which you and I will have to live by.

7 up

"Seven incumbent U.S. House members- five Democrats and two Republicans - are facing challenges from within their own parties." "7 Fla. congressional incumbents challenged".

The Rivera problem

Daily kos: "Eric Cantor has a bit of a problem brewing: he's closely linked himself to David Rivera, the likely GOP nominee in Florida's 25th CD -- a troubled candidate who has been accused of not just of domestic violence but also lying to cover it up." "FL-25: Cantor stands with alleged domestic abuser".

SD 27

"With eight years experience in the house and several years after that working as a lobbyist, many consider Sharon Merchant the "insider candidate" in the Senate District 27 Republican Primary. But Lizbeth Benacquisto is benefiting from ties to the inside too." "Merchant vs. Benacquisto: In or Out?".

SD 36

"Voters should recognize Miguel Diaz de la Portilla and Julio Robaina". "In SD 36 GOP Primary, It May Be All in the Name".

"The Keith Richards of the hustings"

Daniel Ruth admits it:

I admit it. I'm a junkie. I mainline rallies. I snort polls. I smoke bunting. I'm the Keith Richards of the hustings.

'Glades

"Federal Judge Federico Moreno denied the emergency request of the Miccosukee tribe to bar the South Florida Water Management District from buying 27,000 acres to help restore the Everglades. The order does not block the tribe from filing another motion to stop the sale." "Federal judge denies Miccosukee tribe effort to block Everglades land deal".

Economic impact of "your papers please" bill

"A statewide immigrant coalition that reacted angrily last week to an Arizona-style immigration enforcement bill in Florida, showed today that it has support from state Legislators who are concerned about the economic impact of such a bill on a state that depends on tourist dollars." "Florida immigration bill could hurt tourism, legislators say". See also "Coalition opposes popular Arizona-like immigration bill for Florida".

Fl-oil-duh

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "The Obama administration owes the American people plain talk about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - particularly about how much oil remains and the dangers to humans, wildlife and the environment."

The White House last fully addressed the issue in early August. A report by government scientists declared that three-quarters of the 5 million barrels spilled had disappeared - skimmed, burned, dispersed. Top officials took to the airwaves to celebrate the news.

This rosy narrative has since been badly shaken. Scientists at the University of Georgia said last week that the rate of evaporation and biological breakdown had been greatly exaggerated. Another team of scientists wrote in the journal Science about the discovery of a vast 22-mile underwater oil plume the size of Manhattan. Most alarmingly, they said they saw little evidence that the oil was being rapidly consumed by the gulf's petroleum-eating microbes, raising the possibility of significant future damage to the ecosystem.

Poll puzzle

Update: Public Policy Polling's "final poll of the race finds Rick Scott leading Bill McCollum 47-40. That advantage is within the poll's margin of error." "Close Republican race in Florida" and also sees "Meek headed for a big win" ("Kendrick Meek is headed for a blowout victory in Tuesday's Florida Democratic Senate primary. He's now at 51% to 27% for Jeff Greene with the other candidates splitting 9% and 13% still undecided.")

"In this campaign season, various polls -- increasingly part of Florida's political landscape -- have produced different winners and losers, often days apart."

A little over a week ago, the St. Petersburg Times, Miami Herald and Bay News 9 published Ipsos Public Affairs polls showing Greene edging Meek and Scott with a commanding 10-point lead over McCollum.

That news came amid a new Mason-Dixon survey showing Meek trouncing Greene by 14 points and McCollum leading Scott by a few.

Then came a Voter Survey Service poll showing Scott defeating McCollum. But a Quinnipiac University poll showed McCollum up by 9 percentage points.

And finally, over the weekend, came a poll from Mason-Dixon with McCollum and Meek ahead, 45-36 and 42-30 respectively.

"The week ahead"

"The end to a bruising primary election season is the big event this week." "The Week Ahead for Aug. 23-27".

McCollum, Scott go to church

"McCollum, Scott campaign at megachurches".

"A healthy dose of disdain"

"It's supposed to be the year of the "outsider" — the election where fed-up voters embrace newcomers and kick incumbents to the curb. But in Florida, the electorate seems to view most everyone in the political arena with a healthy dose of disdain." "Primary voters turned off by mudslinging".

Teabags a millstone around Rubio's neck

"When the year began, the stars could not have shone brighter for Marco Rubio, the fresh voice of newly invigorated conservatives who embodied the change that frustrated grass-roots Republicans demanded from inside their own party."

This week, facing a more complicated path than he had anticipated in his race for a United States Senate seat, he is hoping to begin a second act.

The Florida primary on Tuesday was once going to be Mr. Rubio’s chance to dispatch his main Republican opponent, Gov. Charlie Crist. But Mr. Crist bolted the party four months ago rather than face Mr. Rubio in the primary and is running as an independent in a three-way race.

Now, facing intense competition for the moderate Republicans and independents who could be the keys to victory in one of the nation’s most evenly divided states, Mr. Rubio is trying to show that he is more than just an insurgent protest candidate — and he is breaking with some Tea Party orthodoxy in the process.

Mr. Rubio spends less and less time trying to tap into the discontent that has been at the forefront of the midterm elections.

NRA kerfuffle

"Insurgent Republican candidate Don Browning has found himself in a verbal shootout with the nation's most powerful gun lobby over its support for longtime incumbent Rep. Cliff Stearns." "Browning in war of words with NRA over Stearns".

'Ya think?

"Will money be deciding factor in area races?".

Lying in church?

"Before a flock of 6,000, Rick Scott got a chance to address El Rey Jesus church in Kendall -- but he didn't turn the other cheek in the bare-knuckle Republican primary for governor."

"My opponent came here two or three weeks ago and was very disrespectful,'' Scott said as associate pastor John Laffite translated in Spanish. "He was not honest with your leadership about his beliefs.''

At issue: McCollum's shifting positions on an Arizona-style immigration law. McCollum at one point said he didn't support it and described it as "far-out.'' Then, after polls revealed the law's popularity and after the law was changed to prevent racial profiling, McCollum said he backed it.

But the attorney general didn't tell prominent supporters in Miami-Dade County that he planned to go a step further and back what, he said, was a stricter measure in Florida.

Among those blind-sided: Pastor Guillermo Maldonado of El Rey Jesus. So Maldonado said he offered Scott a chance to address his congregation.

The brief hit on McCollum caught the attorney general's supporters by surprise. Anthony Verdugo, with the Christian Family Coalition, was listening in the crowd and left shortly after Scott spoke. He told reporters that it was "highly inappropriate'' to use houses of worship to swipe at political opponents.

McCollum heard a fitting sermon about negative attacks at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth,'' pastor Mac Brunson urged the packed mega-church, quoting Ephesians 4:29. "Be nice!''

Coincidence? Probably. But a month ago, when McCollum's Republican rival Scott visited, Brunson lectured on the sin of lying.

"Blistering war between McCollum and Scott"

"After a blistering three-month television ad war between McCollum and Scott, even Republicans are beginning to worry that the damage may prove too much to overcome in the five weeks before voting begins in the general election against Sink." "Can GOP overcome nasty gubernatorial primary?".

The best they can do

"Local Republican leaders were at McCollum’s side as they attempted to rally their own constituencies behind the candidate. Among the faces were state Rep. Marti Coley, state Rep. Jimmy Patronis, former Speaker of the House Allan Bense, House majority leader Adam Hasner and former Panama City Beach mayor and current radio personality Lee Sullivan." "Scott, McCollum stump in Panama City".

Nice to have a job with daddy's company

"Congress has repeatedly extended unemployment benefits, but that doesn't make the move popular among Florida's Republicans or independents. Though Florida has one of the highest jobless rates in the nation, only 22 percent of Republican voters support extending unemployment compensation, according to a new Sunshine State News Poll. By contrast, a solid 68 percent of Florida Democrats back the extension." "Parties Split on Jobless Benefits".

HD 73

"Republican voters in Florida's House District 73 are likely to be served by youth and political inexperience when they go to the polls Tuesday." "GOP Youth Ready to Serve in Florida House District 73".

Special session update

"Atwater said he is open to a special session, [although] he is waiting to confer with House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala before he can go much further." "Jeff Atwater Offers Update on Special Session".

Fl-oil-duh

"The new administrator for damage claims from Gulf oil spill victims said Sunday it was his idea, not BP's, to require that anyone who receives a final settlement from the $20 billion compensation fund give up the right to sue the oil giant. But Ken Feinberg told reporters that he has not yet decided whether the no-sue requirement will extend to other companies that may be responsible for the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history." "Gulf claims chief says no-sue rule was his idea".

McCollum drowning in endorsements

"Eleven of Florida's biggest newspapers — Lakeland Ledger, Miami Herald, Naples Daily News, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Tribune, Tallahassee Democrat, Pensacola News Journal and Sarasota Herald-Tribune — endorsed McCollum for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. The fact that rival Scott refused to meet with any editorial boards probably had something to do with it." "Endorsements aplenty".

Weak bench

"In a sign of the confidence returning to supporters of McCollum's Republican gubernatorial campaign, speculative Buzz about McCollum's running mate ramped up in recent days. Among the most frequently mentioned names: Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina, state Sen. Alex Villalobos of Miami, state Rep. Anitere Flores of Miami, House Majority Leader Adam Hasner of Boca Raton and state Rep. Jennifer Carroll of the Jacksonville area." "Talk of running mate a sign of confidence for Bill McCollum".

"Working to keep state contracts honest"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Even her political opponents should see Sink deserves credit for working to keep state contracts honest." "Competitive bids provide checks and balances".

Florida's already "lean, fairly efficient state government"

"Although we won't know who our next governor will be until November, whoever lives at 700 N. Adams St., will probably change [Tallahassee's] economic base over the next four or eight years, whether intentionally or not."

In his inaugural speech, Republican Bob Martinez said, "I didn't come here to be different, I came here to make a difference." Lawton Chiles spoke of "right-sizing" state government, with "more steering, less rowing" from the Capitol. Jeb Bush got our attention when he mused about "emptying out" all those big white buildings he saw around him, from the east steps.

Bush was about as "profoundly appreciated" locally as the boll weevil was when it first burrowed into Alabama cotton fields. But with a compliant Legislature, Bush did more privatization and reorganizing than all modern governors combined.

He even overhauled the state personnel system, with his "Service First" initiatives in 2001. And he did it all in good economic times.

No matter who wins this year, the next chief executive will not have good economic times. He or she will inherit a lean, fairly efficient state government — but will have told voters it's a big, inefficient bureaucracy. You don't get elected by going around saying, "Actually, things aren't so bad in Tallahassee."

"The feeling wasn't necessarily mutual"

"A nasty Democratic Senate primary turned spiritual Sunday as Rep. Kendrick Meek told a church congregation that he forgives billionaire opponent Jeff Greene for his campaign attacks. The feeling wasn't necessarily mutual, however, as Greene, handing out school supplies to families in the same community, said it was Meek who pushed the campaign in a negative direction." "Meek: I forgive Greene for attacks in Senate race".