When the families of Charlie Crist and Jim Greer spent four days vacationing together at Disney World last year, donors to the Florida Republican party picked up the $13,400 tab.

When the son of former state GOP chairman Greer was baptized, Charlie and Carole Crist were on hand, toasting Aidan with champagne. Republican party donors paid $5,600 in photography expenses.

And when the governor headed to a U.S. Senate campaign fundraiser in New York City last year, Florida GOP donors paid for Greer's wife, Lisa, and Florida's first lady to head up to Manhattan a few days early, charging nearly $1,600 on the party's credit card.

It's all part of a stinging internal investigation into the scandal-rocked Florida GOP under the chairmanship of the now-indicted Greer.

portrays the party of fiscal responsibility as having lacked basic financial controls and accountability.

absolves free-spending Republican politicians who only reimbursed the party for personal expenses after the media started asking questions.

Rubio, who has not released all his party credit card statements, routinely charged personal expenses on his party cards, from groceries to family reunions, and had to reimburse the party more than $2,400 for double-billing the party for plane flights. Speaker-to-be Chris Dorworth of Lake Mary, joined Crist, Greer, and others on a Las Vegas trip that the auditors said had little to do with party business. Atwater and Cannon had to reimburse the party for hundreds of dollars in personal charges after the media obtained their credit card statements.

The investigation only covered party expenses during Greer's tenure as party chairman starting in 2007, and critics say that's because party leaders don't want to reveal how liberally legislative leaders were using their party credit cards long before Greer took over.

the party's use of the embarrassing report to launch new attacks on Gov. Charlie Crist and his independent bid for U.S. Senate — while down playing other irregularities — suggests a motive other than full accountability from a party that preaches fiscal prudence. An ongoing federal investigation is likely the public's only hope of ever learning the full picture of who benefitted from this corruption of Florida politics.

It is notable the party's announcement of the audit does not mention Sansom, who has been indicted for directing state funds to a project sought by a friend. The reason for the omission is obvious.

Sansom was Rubio's budget chief and his chosen successor - facts inconvenient to state GOP Chair John Thrasher's effort to make this Crist's scandal.

Yet Rubio paid the credit card company thousands of dollars for personal expenses, which included wine and minivan repairs.

The audit does not address why Rubio and other officials felt the need to use the party card for personal expenses when they could have used their own cards.

It is also notable the audit was conducted only from 2007 to 2009, when Crist was in office. Rubio and others had cards before that period. The review appears designed to keep the focus on Crist. ...

If the party wants to provide a credible clean sweep, it needs to broaden its scrutiny and eliminate the political spin.

"Dems are idiots and can't spell 'scandalous self-implosion'"

Aaron Deslatte: "Here are some words that could put fear in the hearts of some Florida Republican big-wigs: Indicted former state party chairman Jim Greer is writing a tell-all book."

So says Greer's Lake Mary lawyer, Damon Chase, who is intimating the tome will shed a different light on GOP leaders involved in the "conspiracy" to publicly scapegoat Greer and Gov. Charlie Crist for the Republican Party of Florida's high-spending ways in recent years.

Chase said he couldn't provide any more details until the criminal charges against Greer are "dropped."

But the still-burning ramparts of Florida Republicans' 2010 Civil War were on full display Friday, with the release of the long-awaited forensic audit of state GOP spending under Greer.

"Democrats are idiots and can't spell 'scandalous self-implosion,'" Chase said. "Rick Scott used the scandal well against McCollum because McCollum was involved in it."

But Democrats desperate to help Meek chip away at Crist's Democratic support pounced on the audit's misleading press release as quickly as Republicans.

"Greer And Crist Spent Thousands Of Dollars Jet-Setting Around Country For Personal Reasons On Republican Party Of Florida's Expense," is the headline on a release sent out by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

"Too bad for Meek that Greer's book won't be released by November," Chase said.

Webster a neocon

TPM: "Florida Republican congressional hopeful Daniel Webster has a 2003-era view of American wars. A source sends over video footage of a Webster campaign event where he advocates that U.S. troops stay in Afghanistan indefinitely at the military's discretion, and use it to create a series of democracies in the Muslim world."

"Our national interest is this: We need a beachhead in the Middle East, that is a democratic beachhead, not a party but a form of government," Webster told voters. "And to me, if we have a democracy in several countries there, it become a beachhead. It also protects us because once that beachhead is established it can move further and further and hopefully free up the people of the middle east."

Webster was asked specifically how long he believed U.S. forces should remain in Afghanistan. He says that's none of voters' business.

Yet Webster wouldn't put his boots on the ground

"Alan Grayson TV ad calls Dan Webster a draft dodger".

Senate debate

"No clear winner emerged from the first televised standoff among the major U.S. Senate candidates, leaving Republican frontrunner Marco Rubio on steady ground after Friday's debate hosted by Univision, the nation's largest Spanish-language television network." "No clear winner in Senate debate".

"The three major Senate candidates took opposing views on most subjects during their first debate on the Univision network. Republican Rubio and Democrat Meek were on the same side, though, on their views on Gov. Crist, the only independent in the race. Both portrayed him as a political opportunist."

"Everybody sees what you're doing; everybody gets it," Rubio said. "You only changed parties and did this independent thing when you couldn't win the Republican primary. And now you wake up every day and you try to figure out what you can say or do to take votes away from Congressman Meek so more Democrats will vote for you."

Meek also attacked Crist as the candidate who is "trying to pick the raisins out of the bread" by saying what people want to hear.

"Mr. Crist is someone that is willing to say 'Hey, I'm for everything on any day.' But we need leadership, someone to speak out," Meek said.

Crist countered that his opponents are bound by party ideology and allegiances and unable to do what's right for voters.

"Score one for the stagehands"

"Score one for the stagehands. Two days after a union protest prompted U.S. Senate candidates Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek to cancel their appearances at the Kravis Center, the group that sponsored the political matchup has decided it doesn't want a repeat performance of this week's chaos. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott will addresses the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches on Oct. 15 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, not at the Kravis. " "To avoid union picket line, Forum Club won't use Kravis for Sink, Scott".

Wingnuts run wild

"Rick Scott brought his campaign for governor to a North Florida stronghold Friday accompanied by a folk hero to many conservative Republicans: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal."

The fiery [sic*], fast-talking Jindal, an emerging national Republican figure and possible candidate for president in 2012, eagerly picked up on the Scott campaign's themes of creating jobs and linking Democratic opponent Alex Sink to President Obama and his policies.

``You've got an important choice this election,'' Jindal told the crowd. ``On the other side you've got a candidate who believes President Obama's stimulus policies are good for this economy.'' As the crowd booed its disapproval, Jindal thundered: ``They believe we need to raise your taxes.''

Sink, the state's chief financial officer, has not advocated raising taxes, but Jindal said: ``Rick Scott doesn't believe in any of that.''

Scott and Jindal also held events in Pensacola and Orlando, but the Jacksonville rally was by far the biggest of the day, the campaign said.

``Bob-BY! Bob-BY!'' an enthusiastic crowd of more than 300 people chanted as Jindal charged a small stage inside an airplane hangar decorated with a huge American flag.

Wingnut laff riot

"Conservative activists across the cyber world are rallying behind a Palm Beach State College student whose Young Americans for Freedom organization was booted out of a campus club event last week."

The group's Florida chapter posted a video on its website showing a police officer asking PBSC student Christina Beattie to remove her table at a campus rush event, where student clubs recruit new members.

Beattie and the organization's Florida president, Daniel Diaz, were displaying literature critical of President Obama's healthcare legislation, stimulus program and the nation's "unsustainable welfare state."

While the group said its first amendment rights were violated by a pro-Obama college administration, the school said the group simply didn't follow rules.

"They never registered as a campus club, and that's all they need to do to be fully recognized," said PBSC spokeswoman Grace Truman. "You can't just come in, set up a table and say you're forming a club. Student clubs get student activity money that are paid for by student activities fee. The college needs to be very clear who the clubs are."

Slight uptick in unemployment

"Florida's unemployment rate climbed slightly to 11.7 percent in August, with more than 1 million Floridians still out of work, according to figures released Friday by the state Agency for Workforce Innovation." "August jobless rate up slightly". See also "Unemployment Continues to Rise in Florida".

"Keeping the Faith"

"Muslim Candidate For Florida House Is Keeping the Faith".

Sink discloses tax returns, Scott dithers

"Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink released five years of tax returns and called on rival Rick Scott to release his, too." "Sink releases her tax returns".

"She filed separately from her husband, attorney Bill McBride, so his returns are listed separately."

Sink's Republican opponent, Rick Scott, has yet to make public his returns, and reports earlier this week indicated it may be a while until he does. The multimillionaire former health care executive reportedly is still gathering forms.

"Revolving door emblazoned with a dollar sign"

Steve Bousquet: "Nowhere is the effect of term limits more obvious than in the state House of Representatives, which has devolved into a political revolving door emblazoned with a huge dollar sign."

They come and go — Republicans, mostly — and many of them barely leave a set of footprints. They generally hew closely to a rigid party-line agenda, or following "leadership," as it's known in Tallahassee. A lot of them become senators, prolonging their legislative careers for another eight or 10 years.

In the House, inexperienced rookie legislators are running for speaker before they know where the bathrooms are in the state Capitol. The obsession with raising money is worse than ever, and House members serve two-year terms, so it seems they are perpetually running for office.

Against this backdrop, House Republicans hope to pad their huge majority this fall. They now hold 76 seats to the Democrats' 44. The GOP wants 80 or more seats, partly to have tighter control over the machinery of lawmaking, and partly as veto-override insurance in the event Democrat Alex Sink is elected governor (it requires a two-thirds vote to override a veto by the governor).

Amendment 4 chaos?

"Will Florida Hometown Democracy create costly chaos or end bad development?" "Does Amendment 4 Go Too Far?".

Who will bend over for business ...

... that is the question Mary Ellen Klas asks today: "In an election year tilting Republican, with the two major candidates for governor who have spent more time in the boardroom than in politics, it should be a dream-come-true year for Florida's business interests."

But for many in the business community, the choice is not an easy one.

Republican Rick Scott was founder and former CEO of the for-profit hospital chain Columbia/HCA but is still largely unknown among business circles. Democrat Alex Sink, who spent 26 years with NationsBank and then Bank of America, was elected Florida's chief financial officer on the strength of business support, but now faces doubts from those same groups.

accepted contributions from the two groups that make business leaders wary — lawyers and unions.

"Alex Sink is a very likable person and we very much supported her as CFO — she did an excellent job," said [Rick McAllister, president of the Florida Retail Federation]. "The quandary we have is when you have the responsibility for vetoing or signing legislation that deals with unions and trial lawyers — that concerns us."

Brilliant

"Putnam correct on future water needs for state".

Gelber leads money race

"Democratic nominee Dan Gelber continues to hold a substantial fundraising edge on Republican Pam Bondi in the race to become Florida's next attorney general, and he's hoping to take in more dollars in her home base in Tampa." "Gelber leads Bondi in AG fundraising race".

Never mind

"Candidate married to porn star withdraws from race".

Got milk?

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Florida's new 'Milk Party' is crusading on behalf of a constituency with no self-declared political enemies: the children." "'Milk Party' could make a difference".

Meek, Rubio, Crist debate tonight

"For those who cannot watch it on television, the debate will be available online immediately after the telecast at univision23.com." "Meek, Rubio, Crist debate Friday night on Univision".

Scott turns tail

"A statewide broadcast debate on NBC between Alex Sink and Rick Scott planned for Oct. 25 has been canceled because Scott declined, saying moderator Chris Matthews is 'a known Obama liberal.'" "Scott cancels NBC debate, making USF event likely".

Garcia's "25 for 25"

"Set against a backdrop of stubbornly high unemployment and sky-high home foreclosures, Democratic congressional candidate Joe Garcia unveiled an economic plan Thursday pushing for help for small businesses and homeowners -- and a heap of tax cuts and credits." "Joe Garcia reveals 25-idea economic plan".

RPOF flip-flop

"After voting Saturday at a meeting in Orlando not to release the report of an audit of its finances, the executive committee of the state Republican Party reversed course Wednesday, voting during a conference call to release the document."

This after the RPOF claimed the audit

provided evidence that the party's financial meltdown last year was the fault of Gov. Charlie Crist, who has now left the party, and the man Crist picked to be party chairman, Jim Greer. Even as they said that, the party officials also refused to release it publicly.

Crist lashes out at Rubio

"Under attack on television and losing traction in the U.S. Senate race, Gov. Charlie Crist lashed out Thursday at front-runner Marco Rubio for his spending with a Republican party credit card and for trying to stuff 'pork' into the state budget."

Rubio has denied any wrongdoing, and party officials say a top-to-bottom audit -- expected to be released Friday -- did not raise any red flags about their much-ballyhooed nominee.

Crist's aggressive tone comes as the latest polls show Rubio with a double-digit lead and the anti-tax Club for Growth began a TV advertising campaign on his behalf. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is airing about $1 million in anti-Crist ads.

Scott Desperate with capital D

"Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is lending a hand to Rick Scott on the campaign trail. The Republicans are making stops in Pensacola, Orlando and Jacksonville on Friday." "Scott joined by La. Gov. Jindal on campaign trail".

You remember Jindal, the dopey excorcist who attempted to deliver a State of the Union rebuttal last year:

Both Democrats and Republicans alike panned Jindal's rebuttal in terms that were decidedly harsh: "amateurish," "laughable" and, most commonly, "a missed opportunity."

"After watching Jindal," one Democratic strategist emailed, "I'd pay a lot of money to be back watching a Palin speech."

"Awkward with capital A," emailed another.

Libertarian votes are "mathematically crucial"

"With three major candidates splitting the vote, any support for [Libertarian Senate candidate Alexander] Snitker becomes mathematically crucial." "Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Snitker may decide race".

Scott's hypocrisy in the spotlight

Aaron Deslatte: "Although Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rick Scott has frequently lambasted President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan, a telecommunications company he has invested heavily in continues to reap financial rewards from the federal program." "Rick Scott company gets more stimulus bucks".

Feinberg denies he's "a liar"

"Embattled Gulf oil spill claims czar Ken Feinberg acknowledged Thursday that payments from the $20-billion fund he administers for victims aren't coming quickly enough, but he denied misleading Floridians when he promised to grant quick relief." "Claims chief: 'I am not a liar'". See also "Update: Feinberg says he didn't dodge reporters following closed-door meeting with McCollum".

Thrasher's "tumultuous ride"

"John Thrasher is entering the final stretch in his year-long run as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. It's been a tumultuous ride -- more challenging in many ways than his turns as Florida House speaker, lobbyist, lawyer and state senator -- but the St. Augustine Republican feels the best is yet ahead." "John Thrasher Reflects on RPOF's Tumultuous Year".

Immigration reform

"Local and national organizations have expressed support for the decision by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., to attach the DREAM Act to the defense authorization bill as part of a larger campaign for immigration reform." "Florida organizations to hold vigil to urge LeMieux to support DREAM Act".

About Rubio

A dKos diary of interest:

A few recent polls have shown Marco Rubio surging in the polls, most recently an Ipsos/Reuters which pegs the race Rubio 40, Charlie Crist 26 and Meek 21. I won't sugarcoat anything. The polls are consistent right now, so this is no outlier. Rubio is the favorite right now. But lest Democrats, or even Crist supporters, lose heart, there are some things to keep in mind.

McCollum's suit against health-care law gains traction

"Despite dismissive comments from state and national Democrats, Florida's lawsuit against the federal government's health-care law is getting traction in court." "Latest Line: Judge Will Move Health Lawsuit Forward".

South Florida Agriculture Association break ranks

"Individual members of the South Florida Agriculture Association say they are departing from the association's traditional Republican stance to back a lieutenant governor candidate they know, Democrat Rod Smith." "South Florida Farmers Back Democrat Rod Smith".

Florida media has Webster's back

"Staircase bought with taxpayer money exists, but it isn't fancy".

Bush tax cuts "creeping into" Florida election

"The national debate over ending or extending Bush-era tax cuts is creeping into Sunshine State election campaigns."

Obama wants to extend tax breaks only to individuals making less than $200,000, and married couples making less than $250,000, who represent an estimated 98 percent of all taxpayers. But the trio -- top targets of Republicans hoping to regain control of the House in November -- have joined a number of moderate Democrats urging House leaders to extend all the cuts, which expire at the end of the year if Congress does not act.

LeMieux shows leadership

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "George LeMieux showed leadership in backing lending package". The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Small business gets a boost from Sen. LeMieux".

Class size to the Supremes

"As expected, the Florida Supreme Court has received a challenge to a ballot proposal that would loosen Florida's class size limits. The 1st District Court of Appeal on Thursday expedited the case by sending it directly to the justices without issuing a ruling of its own." "Florida Supreme Court gets class size amendment case".

More: "High Court Gets Amendment 8 Appeal". The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Keep class-size amendment on ballot: Language is muddy, but voters should be able to figure it out.".

Rubio refuses responsibility

"Rubio denies responsibility for 'Taj Mahal' courthouse funding".

Crist's "bad ballot placement"

"One study showed that that the closer to the top candidates' names appear on the ballot, the more votes they get." "Bad ballot placement? Crist ninth of 10 names".

Chamber shows its right-wing stripes

The Chamber is, of course, yet another GOP front group. "The Florida Chamber of Commerce may have spent millions to defeat him in the primary, but when it comes to the general election contest, it's decided to give some love to Republican Rick Scott."

The chamber endorsed an all-Republican lineup in its November ballot endorsements announced Thursday, supporting both Scott for governor over Democrat Alex Sink and Pam Bondi for attorney general over Democrat Dan Gelber.

The chamber board spent the morning interviewing the candidates in Tampa before announcing its picks.

Money rolls in for Sink

"Politico reported, and campaign insiders confirm, that the Democratic Governors Association, the arm of the national party that helps its candidates for state governor's offices, has transferred $2 million to the Florida party for TV advertising purchases." "Dems kick in $2m for Sink".

'Glades

"Politifact: Kendrick Meek not lone defender of Everglades".

In Florida, the nation's largest political battleground, the lessons from the primary season that wrapped up Tuesday are even harder to discern.

The state featured one of the earliest and most dramatic battles for the proverbial soul of the Republican Party when a grass-roots favored conservative, Marco Rubio, overtook the moderate Gov. Charlie Crist in the U.S. Senate race. Crist bowed out of the GOP primary to avoid a rout and is now running as an independent against Rubio and Democrat Kendrick Meek in the Nov. 2 general election.

But the unprecedented, three way-race in Florida defies the classic tea-party narrative, in which an ideologically pure political outsider triumphs over the weak-kneed establishment.

Rubio evades personal responsibility

"Rubio, who was state House speaker when a controversial courthouse in Tallahassee called the 'Taj Mahal' was put in the state budget, is denying responsibility for it." "Rubio denies responsibility for 'Taj Mahal' courthouse funding".

Number 9

"Unlike in past elections, independent Charlie Crist's name won't be at the top of the November U.S. Senate ballot." "Crist's name will be 9th on ballot".

"The tartuffery in the land of make-believe"

Daniel Ruth: " How long does it take a pol to go from claiming to be a crusading outsider who will ride to the rescue of that den of iniquity in Tallahassee, to being a monied-up insider darling of special interests?"

About the same time it takes to invoke the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination.

Thrasher emerged from a Republican Party board meeting as man in full harrumph, accusing Gov. Charlie Crist of being part of a now defrocked GOP cabal that misspent hundreds of thousands of dollars. He cited a trip the now independent U.S. Senate candidate took to Las Vegas and Los Angeles, where apparently considerable sums of money were spent on … well, they did go to Las Vegas.

There were just a few itsty-bitsy problems with John Thrasher's discovery of his inner J. Edgar Hoover. Although the chairman was blithely thrilled to accuse a political rival with engaging in more questionable — and by implication illegal — free-spending, Thrasher refused to offer any proof.

That kind of McCarthyism sort of makes you wonder whether on the day they taught due process while the chairman was attending law school at Florida State University, he wasn't otherwise engaged in burning a witch.

"Florida GOP needs to come clean on its spending scandal"

Update: "GOP to release audit of party finances".

The Tampa Tribune editors: "State Republican Party Chairman John Thrasher says an internal audit found that Gov. Charlie Crist may have spent "hundreds of thousands of dollars" inappropriately."

Yet Thrasher, who is also a Jacksonville state senator, hasn't revealed any details. He promises to release the "forensic audit" Friday. It will need close review.

Thrasher and the Republican hierarchy have been trying to trash Crist since he abandoned the GOP to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent.

Thrasher is a former House speaker and influential lobbyist known for bulldozing opponents. He is hardly the most credible of sources.

One thing is clear: The Florida GOP needs to come clean on its spending scandal.

Thank you, Mr. Obama

"Feds give Central Florida $48 million to battle foreclosure blight".

"Southwest Florida flavor"

"The newest upper tier of the state House leadership team will have a distinctly Southwest Florida flavor. Incoming Speaker Dean Cannon Wednesday named Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Lake Placid, his budget chief and Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, his rules chairman." "New House leadership has Southwest flavor".

To the extent one believes anything the Heritage Foundation has to say ...

"If Congress fails to extend Bush-era tax cuts this year, Florida retirees will suffer a blow to their wallets -- adding to their health-care pains, a Heritage Foundation report says." "Florida Seniors Queasy Over Obamanomics".

What a blast

"Guns and crime took center stage in the gubernatorial contest Wednesday as both nominees, Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink, showed off their endorsements."

Earlier Wednesday the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund and the United Sportsmen of Florida (USF) endorsed Scott for governor, citing his strong support of the Second Amendment.

“We sincerely appreciate your support of Second Amendment, self-defense, and anti-crime issues,” Marion Hammer, past president of the NRA and executive director of the USF, wrote to Scott. “Your position on pro-sportsmen, pro-Second Amendment, and pro-freedom issues has earned you our endorsement and our gratitude.”

The NRA gave Scott an “A” grade and the USF rated the candidate as “pro-gun.” Scott had received an “A” grade from the NRA during his hotly contested primary contest for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Attorney General Bill McCollum, whom Scott bested in the primary, received a “B” grade from the NRA, though he had earned higher marks from the organization in the past.

“I am pleased to once again have the support of the NRA in this campaign,” said Scott. “As a lifelong firearms enthusiast and hunter, I am glad that the NRA has chosen to endorse me. As governor, I will work tirelessly to ensure that Floridians’ Second Amendment rights are protected.”

While Scott was trumpeting his endorsement, Sink had one of her own.

Having already won the endorsements of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Police Benevolent Association, Sink continued to show off her crime fighting credentials Wednesday when she unveiled the backing of 27 current and former county sheriffs, including Sheriff Jerry Demings of Orange County and Sheriff Larry Campbell of Leon County.

RPOFers sit on their hands

"Payments for two popular green energy rebate programs are stalled because of a high-profile budget disagreement between Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature. Florida is in line for $31.5 million in federal stimulus money for the 2006 solar rebate program and a new program that helps people modernize their air conditioners." "Energy rebates stalled amid tiff between Crist, lawmakers".

"Alex Diaz de la Portilla vehemently denies ..."

"A Miami senator wrote a letter to support a Miami Beach company involved in a contract dispute after his brother's campaign received cash from the company's owner." "Link denied between letter, campaign cash". Related: "Senate leader intervenes in prison contract after brother's campaign gets check".

"To infinity and beyond"

Mike Thomas: "This is the latest plan NASA is considering to get us to infinity and beyond." "NASA incompetent — or just lying to us?".

"Frivolous, questionable, even fraudulent expenses"

Fred Grimm on how "staffers and stalwarts with the state Republican Party managed to forget about their own Visas and MasterCards. Instead, they charged frivolous, questionable, even fraudulent expenses to the party." "GOP business has new meaning".

Scott's boneheaded ""Rhetoric is clashing with reality"

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "Rhetoric is clashing with reality in Florida, where Rick Scott -- the Republican nominee for governor -- and key GOP legislators disagree over the state's use of federal stimulus funds."

Scott has repeatedly stated that Florida should not have used any federal dollars connected to economic-stimulus initiatives and should not take any more.

This week, the state Legislature's budget panel authorized Florida to spend an additional $2 billion in stimulus funds during the next four years.

The decision is in line with decisions by the Republican-dominated Legislature to accept billions in stimulus dollars and use them to preserve important programs and prevent budget cuts even deeper than those that have been made.

As of July 31, according to the Florida Office of Economic Recovery, the state was expected to receive $21.7 billion in stimulus funds -- not including additional reimbursements for Medicaid or the value of federal loans that prevented the Legislature from having to raise the unemployment-benefits tax levied on businesses.

Unlike a lot of Republican legislators who groused about the "failed stimulus" initiative and its effects on the federal deficit, but then willingly accepted the money, Scott has taken a dogmatic position. Not only does Scott oppose the stimulus, but claims he could have "figured out how to balance the budget without it."

Campaign roundup

"Campaign roundup for Wednesday".

"Judicial pincer movement"

"Crist may face a twin-pronged legal attack by members of the political party he used to lead - a judicial pincer movement aimed at cutting his U.S. Senate campaign off at the knees."

The former Republican, turned breakaway independent, continues to lead the U.S. Senate race in most polls. But a lawsuit facing a pivotal ruling next week could freeze millions of dollars in disputed campaign contributions now in his account and make it virtually impossible for him to mount an effective final push in his three-way race against Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Kendrick Meek.

The Republican Party of Florida also will decide by next week whether it will go to court to force Crist to repay thousands of dollars in American Express charges leaders say a forensic audit of party spending showed he rang up during the tumultuous reign of ousted and indicted former chairman Jim Greer, Crist's hand-picked party boss.

A judge in Naples is expected to rule Tuesday on whether Crist can spend money he raised while campaigning as a Republican.

Fl-oil-duh

"Attorney General Bill McCollum said Wednesday that he was "cautiously optimistic" after meeting with Ken Feinberg, the administrator of a $20-billion fund for Gulf oil spill disaster victims." "McCollum 'cautiously optimistic' after talk with BP claims czar".

Spend it already

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "If Florida and the rest of the nation haven't come close to spending the bulk of the money from the first stimulus plan 18 months after it passed, why should anyone be confident that they'll do any better with the second stimulus' $50 billion?" "Florida lags in allocating stimulus dollars".

"Rubio/Meek surge"

"If the new Reuters/Ipsos poll in Florida is correct, Charlie Crist is now a good deal closer to getting passed for second place than he is to frontrunning Republican Marco Rubio. The survey shows Rubio at 40% of the vote, with Crist back at 26% of the vote and Democrat Kendrick Meek at 21%. In an interesting twist, Ipsos polled the possibility of a head-to-head Rubio/Crist matchup. That race would be a coinflip, with Rubio up by a single point (46-45). They did not, in an even more interesting twist, pursue a Rubio/Meek trial heat." "FL-Sen: Another poll confirms Rubio/Meek surge, Crist plummet".

"'My fellow right-wing extremists'"

"For decades, Republicans have accused Democratic candidates of being too liberal for Florida. This year, Democrats are accusing Republicans of being too far to the Right."

Congressman Ron Klein -- a Democrat running hard in a Broward/Palm Beach county swing district -- constantly calls Republican opponent Allen West “too extreme for South Florida.”

Klein unfurled a TV ad on Monday that features a video clip of West telling a crowd of supporters: “I’m just honored to be here today with all my fellow right-wing extremists.”

Klein’s ad also depicts West as a threat to Social Security and Medicare.

West, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, has raised more than $4 million while drawing support from the conservative tea party movement. He has often taunted Klein and fellow Democrats with sarcastic references and may have been speaking ironically when he referred to fellow extremists.

Sink respects picket line

"Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek arrived outside the Kravis Center around lunchtime Wednesday as roughly 50 union members carrying signs greeted hundreds of Palm Beach County leaders." "Meek greets union members at Kravis; Sink vows not to cross picket line". Related: "Meek-Crist Debate Canceled Over Labor Dispute".

Just a another RPOF front group

"NRA backs Scott in governor's race".

"Ever so slowly"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Ever so slowly, gay rights are being endorsed by the courts. In South Florida, three circuit court judges have ruled that the state's ban on gay adoptions is unconstitutional. The state, wrongheadedly, is appealing two of the rulings in the Third District Court of Appeal." "Gay rights a matter of equal rights". Related: "Crist's change of heart could thwart gay adoption advocates" and "Crist may drop defense of state gay adoption ban".

He said he was glad Crist agreed not to cross the picket line. But he said the union contacted his campaign staff last week about the labor strife that began 10 years ago. No one responded.

"I'm happy he did it," he said. "But come on dude, where have you been for the last 10 years?"

Campaign roundup

"Campaign roundup for Tuesday".

"Florida's budget picture is improving"

"Florida's budget picture is improving, but state economists are still waiting to gauge the fallout from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill catastrophe." "Florida's budget outlook improving".

McCollum continuines to refuse to endorse Scott

"While the Republican Party of Florida wined and dined this past weekend to rally the party faithful behind the GOP nominees, the bitter primary battle between victor Rick Scott and Attorney General Bill McCollum continues to linger -- with McCollum continuing to refuse to endorse Scott." "Rick Scott Makes Nice to Bill McCollum, But Still No Endorsement".

Crist's "appropriate evolution" on gay adoption

"Crist said today that he'll consider ending a legal battle over Florida's ban on adoptions by gays, but a man who challenged the law doesn't want him to."

Florida ACLU executive director Howard Simon said Gill wants the case to run its course in the courts because that's the only sure way to kill the ban. Dropping the case now would mean the judge's ruling applies to only one of Florida's 20 judicial circuits, Simon said.

"You're not doing anybody a favor by even considering a premature halt to this case," he said. "We need a final determination."

Simon said he'd encourage the state to take the case to the Supreme Court even if the appeal court rules against the ban. He said that ruling could come as early as Wednesday.

"Namby-pamby Democrats"

Scott Maxwell: "Namby-pamby Democrats in this state could learn a thing or two from the Republicans."

These guys have guts.

I'm talking in-your-face, Rambo-style, put-Chuck-Norris-to-shame chutzpah.

If these guys have an enemy, they take him out. And they don't let pesky things like logic or reality get in their way.

How else can you explain last weekend's announcement that the Republican Party of Florida's "audit" into its shady finances, which found that not a single person associated with the party did anything wrong?

Sure, elected Republicans from South Florida to the Panhandle had access to these special-interest slush funds. But miracle of miracles, the party's audit determined that the only people responsible for wrongdoing were the people no longer associated with the party.

Did the legislators who racked up hundreds of thousands of credit-card charges on dinners, limos, trips and car-repairs do anything wrong? No!

But did turncoat Charlie Crist — even though he didn't even have a card? Yes!

If none of that makes any sense to you, then you're probably a mere mortal. Or a Democrat. ...

The Democrats and the press can keep on howling. But Thrasher & Co. have decided to create their own reality. And unless investigators or voters contradict them, they may end up looking brilliant for doing so.

Sink turns up the heat

"Prodded by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, top state officials on Tuesday agreed to pressure the oil spill claims manager to process pleas for help faster." "Fla. officials put heat on oil claims czar". Related: "Sink, Crist and Bronson urge more sympathy, urgency for Florida oil spill claims".

'Glades

"U.S. judge demands water district show it has money for Everglades cleansing".

Greer concedes "racist" component to RPOF

"Indicted former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer said Monday he has discovered "racist views" within the GOP and is sorry he helped fuel a national firestorm last year over a speech by President Obama to America's schoolchildren."

"In the year since I issued a prepared statement regarding President Obama speaking to the nation's school children, I have learned a great deal about the party I so deeply loved and served," Greer's Monday statement said. "Unfortunately, I found that many within the GOP have racist views and I apologize to the president for my opposition to his speech last year and my efforts to placate the extremists who dominate our party today. My children and I look forward to the president's speech."

Greer declined to identify the extremists within the GOP.

"It is not my belief that the Republican Party as a whole or even a majority of Republicans have racist views," Greer said Tuesday. "I just believe there are some in the party that don't think minority outreach should be a priority, that moving in that direction doesn't help the party because it encourages more minorities to vote."

Greer said he regrets that, as chairman, he took advice "to keep certain segments of the party happy. ...There are some Republicans that do believe that there is no place for moderates in the Republican Party."

Enough with killing bears

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "Don't resume bear hunts".

PBA joins FOP in endorsing Sink

"The Police Benevolent Association, which has endorsed Alex Sink for governor, slammed her GOP opponent's budget-cutting plan as 'dangerous' to the public."

This is the first time in 20 years that Florida's Police Benevolent Association and Fraternal Order of Police have both endorsed a Democrat in the governor's race. Today, PBA director David Murrell called Republican candidate Rick Scott's proposal to cut almost $7 billion out of the $70-billion state budget —including $1 billion cut from the $2.3 billion prison budget — a "dangerous" plan that would trigger the early release of inmates.

"Market-perverting"

Fred Grimm: "Home values down, taxes up -- smug expression gone".

Campaign contribution reimbursement lawsuit

"A circuit judge Tuesday denied Gov. Charlie Crist's motion to dismiss a lawsuit seeking return of campaign contributions. Next week the judge will decide if he'll certify the case as a class-action case." "Judge won't dismiss Crist lawsuit".

Part of McCollum's lawsuit to proceed

"At least a portion of Florida's lawsuit challenging health-care legislation will proceed, a federal judge who presided over a first-round hearing on Tuesday said. Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson said he likely will dismiss several of the five counts alleged in the challenge to the Affordable Care Act but will allow the suit to proceed under at least one count. The Obama administration had asked Vinson to dismiss the entire lawsuit, and he didn't say which portion of the case will go forward." "At least part of health-care lawsuit will continue". See also "Health-Care Lawsuit Likely to Proceed".

"Florida is shaping up to be a battleground in 2012"

"Republicans in Florida are trying to make the November elections for state offices a referendum on President Barack Obama, betting that the Sunshine State’s continuing lagging economy and mounting discontent with the White House will pay heavy dividends when voters hit the polls."

Rick Scott, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, and GOP attorney general candidate Pam Bondi have made their opposition to the Obama administration one of the hallmarks of their campaigns.

A Pulse Opinion Research Poll released Tuesday by Fox News confirmed the wisdom of the Republican strategy of attacking the White House. The poll of 1,000 likely Florida voters taken on Saturday reveals that 37 percent approved of Obama’s performance in the White House. Even more heartening for Republicans, the poll also finds that Florida is shaping up to be a battleground in 2012, with 57 percent of those surveyed thinking Obama should not be reelected.

"Thrasher isn't taking Gianoulis lightly"

"He's one of the Florida Legislature's most powerful Republicans, and one of its most partisan. She's a well-known former TV anchor who praises the collegial style of the late Republican Sen. Jim King."

John Thrasher, Jim King's successor, took on the state's teachers union and cleaned house at the Republican Party of Florida.

Deborah Gianoulis Tweets from Jacksonville Jaguars games and tweaks Thrasher for wielding a "hammer" of "top-down" leadership.

At the geographic heart of Senate District 8 is Jacksonville, but there's more to it than that. The district covers parts of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler and Volusia counties -- in short, it stretches along the Atlantic and almost reaches south to Daytona Beach.

The fight for SD 8 might seem like a David-and-Goliath battle, pitting a well-connected lobbyist/lawyer against a political neophyte. Indeed, voter demographics and campaign cash appear to be stacked heavily for the incumbent.

Running for re-election in a district that has 46,000 more Republicans than Democrats, and having raised $414,898 in cash to Gianoulis' $94,749, Thrasher seems like the odds-on favorite.

As if those advantages weren't enough, Democrats face strong headwinds in this mid-term election as Republican turnouts surge, fueled by a bad economy and tea party activism.

Still, Thrasher isn't taking Gianoulis lightly. Nor should he.

Meek garners veteran support

"While still down in the polls, Kendrick Meek is trying to bolster his U.S. Senate campaign with the help of the state's veterans." "Vets Rally With Kendrick Meek".

"An old position or a new position?"

Nancy Smith: "What's that you say, Charlie Crist has a position paper? I don't know whether to laugh or cry. An old position or a new position?" "Charlie Crist Taking a Position ... Stop the Presses? I Don't Think So".

Privatization follies

"In the last few decades, private prisons, which now house about 9 percent of the inmate population in the U.S., have grown steadily in number — but so has criticism of an industry that makes its profits from the rehabilitation of criminals." "Hernando jail transfer the latest point of controversy for Florida’s private prison industry".

GOPers co-opting teabaggers

"In July, former Republican Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott told The Washington Post that Republicans should work toward assimilating tea party candidates, saying,"

“We need to co-opt them.” On CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey expressed dissatisfaction with Lott’s statement, calling tea party movement supporters “independent-minded people.”

“They really have no particular appreciation for the performance of either party in the past several years,” Armey said. “They want to run for office in order to change that.”

Independent Troy Stanley, currently running against Republican Ander Crenshaw to represent Florida’s Fourth District, is one such “independent-minded” person.

A Navy veteran and former hot dog vendor, Stanley decided to enter the political ring due to his dissatisfaction with current politicians and policies, and he isn’t fond of the idea of the tea party being co-opted.

Crist sees red

"Governor is red over Legislature's refusal to fund green".

Jim DeMint to the rescue

"Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., has transferred $250,000 from his own reelection account into the Republican Party of Florida, reports Ben Smith of Politico. The cash will be used in part to aid get-out-the-vote efforts in the party’s federal account."

DeMint is as sure of a bet as any to win reelection against surprise Democratic candidate Alvin Greene. He was also the first sitting senator to support Republican Marco Rubio’s bid for Florida’s Senate seat. DeMint’s PAC, the Senate Conservatives Fund, endorsed Rubio when the National Republican Senatorial Committee backed no-party candidate Gov. Charlie Crist, and has given over $327,000 to his campaign.

Ausley lashes out at Atwater over audit

"Democratic CFO candidate Loranne Ausley lashed out at Senate President and Republican CFO candidate Jeff Atwater and the Republican Party of Florida today, criticizing the party for failing to release the complete audit of its credit card spending." "Atwater, Republican Party take heat for failure to release credit card audit".

Gelber's press secretary

"Dan Gelber, the Democratic candidate for Florida attorney general, hired Aaron Blye as his campaign press secretary. Gelber will face Republican Pam Bondi in November." "Gelber hires campaign press secretary".

The Biltmore Boys

"Sixteen mayors from around the state are coming to The Biltmore Hotel on Thursday to set next year's agenda for the Florida League of Mayors. ... The 5-year-old organization lobbies the state Legislature on bills that affect cities. It also educates mayors throughout Florida on leadership, municipal issues and successful practices through a series of roundtable discussions and other events." "League of mayors to discuss state issues".

LeMieux displays independent streak

"Sen. George LeMieux put sound policy above partisanship Tuesday and voted to advance a stalled bill that benefits small businesses."

The Florida Republican displayed an independent streak by helping break an unnecessary deadlock over a bill now cleared for final vote. Next LeMieux should embrace a compromise offered by his Florida colleague in the Senate, Democrat Bill Nelson, to help small businesses again and reduce a burdensome government reporting requirement established under health care reform.

"They'll show up just about anywhere"

"With the political air being sucked up by high-profile races for governor and U.S. Senate, the candidates for agriculture commissioner joked at a joint appearance Tuesday that there's no need for lawyers or a TV market map to schedule a debate for the Cabinet post. They'll show up, they said, just about anywhere." "Fla. ag commissioner doesn't draw crowd".

Your Chamber dues at work

"U.S. Chamber begins Crist assault with TV ad".

"Not a ringer"?

"He has no campaign website yet. He has not reported raising a dime from any apparent donors. And his Tea Party affiliation is news to Tea Party activists in Florida who say they've never heard of him. But Roly Arrojo says he's serious about his run for the 25th Congressional District. And he says he's absolutely not a ringer in the race that features heavyweights state Rep. David Rivera, a Republican, and Joe Garcia, a Democrat -- despite ties to Garcia's campaign manager." "Candidate has ties to rival's manager".

Legal action in the wake of a still-to-be-released audit of the party's books could be perceived as blatant politicking timed for maximum electoral impact as GOP turncoat Crist runs for the U.S. Senate against Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Kendrick Meek.

Media outlets and Democrats sympathetic to Crist have taken that tack, while resurrecting stories about Rubio's use of party credit cards.

"Does the phrase 'cutting off the nose to spite the face' come to mind?" mused University of Florida political science professor Daniel Smith.

"Not only is this possible lawsuit on flimsy legal grounds, it is political suicide for the Republican Party of Florida. The continuing RPOF internecine battle is completely lost on Florida voters, and it will be spun by Democrats -- as well as Charlie Crist -- as further evidence that the Republican Party has been wasteful, incompetent and out of touch.

"How this lawsuit would be beneficial politically for Republicans completely escapes me. It will remind voters of the questionable financial activities of RPOF leaders, including Marco Rubio and the incoming Senate President (Mike Haridopolos) and the Speaker of the House (Dean Cannon)," Smith said.

Thank you, Mr. Obama

"The Legislative Budget Commission on Tuesday also is taking up the addition of about $1.3 billion more in federal stimulus dollars to the current year's budget due to recent congressional action. State economists have reduced a predicted gap between state general revenues and high to critical priority spending needs for the budget year beginning next July 1." "Florida budget panel revising long-range outlook".

RPOF plays audit games

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Way back in February, after taking the reins of the state GOP from disgraced chairman Jim Greer, John Thrasher promised to "get to the bottom" of the secret deal-making and profligate spending that made a joke out of the so-called party of fiscal restraint."

Five months later, still not having gotten to the bottom of the scandal ...

On Saturday, you see, Mr. Thrasher implied that the audit's contents reveal malfeasance on the part of Mr. Greer, former Florida GOP Executive Director Delmar Johnson and Gov. Charlie Crist.

How convenient. Mr. Greer already had been criminally charged with fraud and money laundering. And Mr. Johnson is cooperating with investigators. No one needed the party's audit to suggest they were in trouble.

But now the governor's done wrong, too? No doubt Mr. Thrasher wouldn't mind if the public thought that of the guy who'd bolted the GOP to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent, challenging rising party star Marco Rubio. Mr. Thrasher suggested the audit points to Mr. Crist, Mr. Greer and Mr. Johnson inappropriately spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on travel, consultants and meetings not related to party business.

And it's right there in the audit, for everyone to see. Only maybe it isn't.

"Wrong-headed policy decision the Republican-led Legislature"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The impact of a wrong-headed policy decision the Republican-led Legislature made seven years ago is finally starting to ease, but far too many Florida children are still paying the price." "Good sign for kids' health".

Judge to hear McCollum's publicity stunt

"A federal judge in Pensacola will hear oral arguments today on whether to throw out a lawsuit challenging the national health-care law."

Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson will hear arguments beginning at 9 a.m. today from representatives of 20 states seeking to strike down significant portions of the law as unconstitutional.

The lawsuit spearheaded by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum was filed March 23, the same day President Barack Obama signed the $2.5-billion bill into law.

Opponents say the legislation drastically expands Medicaid and that it represents an illegal extension of Congress' regulation of interstate commerce. It also says that a tax penalty for citizens who refuse to participate is unconstitutional.

The U.S. Justice Department, defending the federal government, asked the court to dismiss the suit.

The government will argue that uninsured people still utilize the health-care system and that the burden of unpaid medical expenses falls into the lap of the insured. The government believes the law would lower health-care costs to level the playing field.

Fl-oil-duh

"Claimants wait weeks for payouts to replace income lost due to the gulf oil spill." "Gulf Coast residents in dire financial straits waiting for BP claims".

AFL-CIO slams Rubio and Scott

"The AFL-CIO, America’s largest federation of unions, launched a campaign this week targeting a slew of Senate, House and gubernatorial races around the country. The organization is printing direct-mail ads that slam Florida’s Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio and the GOP’s gubernatorial candidate, Rick Scott."

Two million mailers total will be issued. In Florida, the literature will remind union members which candidates have been endorsed by their union while focusing their message on what they highlight as track records workers in Florida should be wary of. “Marco Rubio’s record: Fewer jobs, an uncertain future for workers,” reads one. The other states, “Millionaire Rick Scott ran a hospital chain that cheated its patients — and paid the largest fine in U.S. history.”

Crist "continuing his makeover"

"Continuing his makeover from Republican to independent U.S. Senate candidate, Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday affirmed his support for civil unions, adoption by same-sex couples, and doing away with the military's ban on openly gay soldiers." "Crist affirms support for civil unions, gay rights". See also "No longer Republican, Charlie Crist shifts positions on some gay rights issues" and "Gay advocates praise Crist position paper on gay rights".

Sea cows

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "A plan manatees will love".

1000 Friends of Florida alters position on amendment 4

"The influential smart-growth advocacy group 1000 Friends of Florida no longer opposes Amendment 4, the statewide-ballot issue that, if passed in November, would give local voters more direct say over development in their communities."

The statewide group still doesn't support the measure, but until Monday's announcement it had long opposed Amendment 4 for fear that, among other things, it would disrupt local land planning and politics.

"All we need are workers who can read and cipher"

Mike Thomas: "Steal California Jobs. That's my economic plan, and it sure beats what Alex Sink and Rick Scott are proposing. We have beaches, sun, clean air and 150,000 empty condos at $35,000 apiece. All we need are workers who can read and cipher. That's in my plan." "Fix universities so we can steal California jobs".

Whatever

"First bald governor?".

Marco would say ...

Marco would say the walruses are faking it; they're part of a liberal conspiracy to undermine his campaign. "Melting sea ice forces walruses ashore in Alaska".

Another fine Jebacy

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

"Private-sector professionals with contrasting economic visions"

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

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

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

"McColluma conspicuous no-show"

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

Teabagger makes a fool of himself

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

West says Klein needs to "man up."

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

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

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

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

The Week Ahead

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

Big of him

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

"No one left standing on the high ground "

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

Delightful

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

Mica speaks

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

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

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

We're not.

Teabaggers run wild

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

"Maddox and Putnam defend their past political lives"

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

"Selling or trading state conservation land"

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

RPOFer laff riot

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another Rooney

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

The way things work

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

"The age of electrified idiots"

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

Crist has two new commercials

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

Charlie changes (again)

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

'Ya reckon?

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

The announcement is rife with political implications, given that Crist and Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio are running neck and neck in many polls, with Democrat Kendrick Meek a distant third.

The party's executive board decided to "request additional information regarding inappropriate expenses'' as it considers suing Crist, former party chairman Jim Greer and former executive director Delmar Johnson. Greer already faces fraud and money laundering charges related to party spending. A decision to sue may take up to 10 days.

Greer's attorney, Damon Chase, noted that Thrasher and other party leaders had previously approved of party spending under Greer as part of the severance deal to get him out of office.

"I'd like to ask John Thrasher, 'Were you lying then, or are you lying now?' '' Chase demanded.

By refusing to open the books and by raising red flags so close to the Nov. 2 election, the party left its motives open to attack.

Rivera getting desperate

"The specter of Cuban government infiltration into South Florida has surfaced in the race for a Congressional seat representing Miami and Collier County."

Garcia responded with one of the best quips in recent memory, suggesting

that Rivera assumed people would be too ignorant to translate Spanish into English.

33% solution to "hypocrite of the grandest order"

Scott Maxwell: "Right now, Democrats are wringing their hands over which of their two children they should help in the U.S. Senate race: Kendrick Meek or Charlie Crist."

It's like "Sophie's Choice ... except that Crist can feign earnestness better than Meryl Streep.

Here's what Democrats seem to be missing: They don't have to choose.

All they have to do is make sure Republican Marco Rubio doesn't get more than 33 percent of the vote. One of the other two would win automatically.

That way, they get either Meek, a loyal Democrat, or Crist, the independent who's likely to side with the Democrats, since his loyalty rests with whomever is in power.

Getting Rubio below 33 shouldn't be too difficult. His poll numbers, after all, have basically hovered in the 30s. And that's without any hard-hitting attacks coming his way.

Democrats don't even have to be mean to bring Rubio's numbers down.

They simply have to be factual — which would be damning enough.

Rubio, after all, is a hypocrite of the grandest order — a preacher of the live-within-your-means gospel who has lived high on other people's money for much of his own political career.

Embarrassing sycophant strikes again

Myriam Marquez is at it again, attacking public employees (the day after 9-11 no less), and no doubt making her boss man real happy*: "A job with Dade County pays amid this recession".

Whenever this alleged journalist hits the keyboard, one should recall her having penned perhaps the most embarrassing sycophancy in Florida newspaper history, about failed governor Jebbie Bush, writing that "his vision is universal and timeless. ... His vision is as clear and electrifying as that day's cobalt-blue sky".

- - - - - - - - - -
*Marquez knows how things work at the Miami Herald.

The delightful workings of the Miami Herald editorial process are all too familiar: these are the same courageous editorial page writers whom originally "voted 9 to 2 to endorse Walter Mondale. But one of the two was the publisher, Richard Capen Jr., who insisted on Ronald Reagan."

Capen then promptly "overruled [the] editorial board decision to endorse Walter F. Mondale", and the paper endorsed Reagan.

On the heels of that, Capen ironically received an appointment as Ambassador to Spain."

"Let the bears live"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Let the bears live, and let higher-order thinkers behave more responsibility." "Loaded for black bear".

Amendment 4

"The Dueling Columnists take on Amendment 4.".

"Brad Coker, managing director of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research in Florida, said preliminary numbers show Amendment 4 with support around the 60 percent mark, which is what's needed for passage."

Mason-Dixon will conduct formal polling on amendments later this month. But Coker believes the recession may cause support to erode.

"I don't know if it'll get to 60. In this economy, it might not be the best time," he said. "If they had this on the ballot in '08, it would have passed."

The state's economic situation has changed in the seven years the amendment has been in the making.

Teabagger-a-go-go

Stephen Goldstein: "Floridians need to show the rest of the country that we're grown-ups and that we have our heads screwed on tight. Right now, the silent, rational majority needs to campaign against the Glenn Beck-tea party-Republican unholy alliance. It would be tragic if they gained control of the House of Representatives, let alone the U.S. Senate."

"The usual insider politics was in bloom"

Randy Schultz: "It was the spring of 2007 in Tallahassee, and the usual insider politics was in bloom." "No separation of powers on abuse of state budget".

Teabaggers are hoping ...

"Anti-Bush tide lifted Klein in '06; will anti-Obama wave help West?". Related: ""Path to reelection steeper for U.S. Rep. Ron Klein".

FP&L wants it all, and they want it now

"A bitter dispute between Florida Power & Light Co. and Florida Public Service Commission member Nathan A. Skop is now headed to a state appeals court." "Utility turns to court to resolve bitter dispute with PSC member".

"The worst bill of the session"

Howard Troxler: "What our Legislature does in the first year of our two-year cycle is too easily forgotten by the next election."

So this is a perfect time to revisit one of the Legislature's "greatest hits" from 2009 — an innocent bill that mutated into a monstrosity.

A lobbyist for Audubon of Florida called it "a foul thing," the worst bill of the session. That was saying a lot, since the same session also included the repeal of a key part of our state's growth laws.

Senate Bill 2080 started out mildly enough, dealing with water conservation. One of its forerunners was intended to promote "Florida-friendly landscaping."

But on the next-to-last day of the 2009 session, the bill was amended, without even the knowledge of its sponsor.

The new version ordered Florida's five water districts to turn over the granting of all permits for water use and for environmental destruction to their staffs — outside the normal process of public involvement and state rules.

"The last stand of Republican legislators"

Mike Thomas: "There will be wailing in the principal's office, classrooms torn asunder, lawyers running amok and budgetary chaos. That's the plan, anyway. This is the last stand of Republican legislators seeking to weaken the class-size amendment." "GOP practices chaos theory on class size".

Thank you for smoking

"One casino boasts that it is endorsed by the American Lung Association. Its main competitor has so much smoke that patrons sometimes wear surgical masks. Guess which one is making the most money?" "Unhealthy habit brings casinos healthy business".

More Amendment 4

"Proponents and opponents alike say Amendment 4 offers a straightforward question to voters in November." "Amendment 4: Should voters have a say in development?".

Funny how that works

"Dade budget cuts spare county commission perks".

"Since those wigged dudes ..."

Aaron Deslatte writes that "what neither candidate is willing to admit is that interest groups have always been a part of American democracy. Like-minded individuals, from corporate chieftains and union workers to doctors, lawyers and teachers, have banded together to bring their grievances to government since those wigged dudes included the "right to petition" in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution." That and more political news from Deslatte here: "Funding Florida governor's race is an 'inside' deal".

The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin

Sally Bethea, founding director of Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, a 4,800-member environmental advocacy organization, writes that "For two decades, Georgia, Alabama and Florida have been battling over future water allocation in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin which straddles their borders. The dispute also involves a number of federal agencies, courts, and mediators. Its outcome is one of the most important issues facing the Southeast." "States can work together to solve water conflict".