Failed Fla-bagger convention exposes baggers as just another GOP front group

"At the Florida Tea Party Convention Saturday, you could find buttons calling for Marco Rubio to be on the presidential ticket, t-shirts declaring that Barack Obama has made communism cool again, and freeze-dried foods to last up to 25 years in case society collapses."

Scarce among the hundreds of conservative activists gathered in Daytona Beach? Any enthusiasm for Mitt Romney, the man widely expected to win the Republican presidential nomination.

"'I don’t buy the electability argument for Romney,' said state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, a top Cain supporter in Florida. 'With all the different positions he’s had, he may gain some independents, but I’d be concerned about the zeal of our base.'"

The weekend’s convention was billed as the biggest tea party gathering ever organized in Florida, but it wound up provoking plenty of disappointment, frustration and anger from activists attending it. Organizers had billed an event featuring a presidential debate, a Florida U.S. Senate debate, and speeches by luminaries including Scott and Rubio.

Presidential candidate Rick Santorum was expected Sunday, and Marco Rubio sent in a videotape, but the weekend was devoid of A-list speakers.

None of the major U.S. Senate candidates – Adam Hasner, George LeMeiux, and Connie Mack IV – showed up, nor did any other statewide elected official.

"Tea party faithful bemoan Romney, hope for Cain victory".

"It was a Tea Party bonanza this weekend at Florida’s first convention for the conservative activist group, but beyond the vendors hawking Tea Party playing cards and speakers warning about radical Islam and a coming currency collapse was one overriding message: 'Victory 2012 begins with you.'"

The absence of Tea Party favorites like Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio rankled some of the activists. Both had tentatively agreed to attend but subsequently backed out, according to convention organizers who were left with a few low-profile Republican Senate candidates answering questions about abortion and the U.N. at a candidate forum Saturday afternoon.

"Tea Party looks to 2012 at first state convention". Related: "Florida Tea Party Convention rescinds invitation to Muslim organization".




Library love

Bill Maxwell: "Despite deep budget cuts and a slow economy, Florida’s libraries continue to be resilient and essential community treasures." "Snapshot shows love for libraries in Florida".




Disney cashes in its chips

"Walt Disney World, the giant resort near Orlando whose four theme parks draw more than 45 million visitors a year, has made preventing 'destination" casinos a top priority. And few, if any, businesses carry as much weight in Florida as Disney, which employs more than 60,000 workers, generates nearly $600 million a year in tax revenue — and doled out more than $2 million to political candidates and causes during the past election cycle." "Biggest foe of expanded gambling in Miami: Disney".




"Nelson barely acknowledges his Republican challengers"

"In his re-election bid, Sen. Bill Nelson has barely acknowledged his Republican challengers. Instead, he has focused on Gov. Rick Scott." "Nelson uses Scott as foil".




Occupy Orlando

"Different march. Different Saturday. Same message: Stop corporate greed, end government corruption and fix social inequalities. Hundreds of Occupy Orlando supporters took to the streets again Saturday for a march through downtown —the group's second large-scale demonstration in less than a month." "Occupy Orlando marches again to end government corruption and corporate greed". More on the occupations: "Numbers drop for second Occupy Naples rally, protesters demand to be heard - PHOTOS".




Never mind the constitution

"For Democrats — badly outnumbered in the Florida Legislature — the court system has become their most effective weapon against the GOP’s efforts to push conservative reforms."

Courts have nullified three bills passed by the Legislature last spring and signed by Scott, striking down moves to privatize prisons in South Florida, drug test welfare recipients and prevent doctors from asking their patients about guns.

Two other laws are under court review: an elections overhaul criticized for limiting voter registration and early voting, and a pension measure forcing state workers to contribute 3 percent of their salaries to a retirement fund.

A hearing has not been scheduled on a lawsuit filed in September by teachers over a law linking their pay to student performance and ending tenure for new instructors.

"Florida GOP collides with the courts". Related: "Judge Again Slams Door on Effort to Shift Prisons to Private Management".




Week in Review

"The Week in Review for Oct. 31 to Nov. 4".




"Court should not end but amend"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The Florida Supreme Court should not end but amend its mandatory foreclosure mediation program to fix problems that preclude lenders and homeowners from reaching an agreement." "Rescue mediation program".




Bank Transfer Day

"A steady stream of customers flowed through the Tropical Financial Credit Union in Pembroke Pines on Saturday to open accounts, withdraw and deposit cash and transfer loans from their banks." "S. Fla. credit unions mark Bank Transfer Day".




Florida muckety-mucks like like Obama's chances

"Among more than 100 of Florida's most plugged-in politicos, Democrats are more optimistic than Republicans about winning the White House next year. Nine percent of Democrats surveyed said they expect Obama to lose the election — and only if Mitt Romney is the GOP nominee — while nearly 29 percent of the Republicans predict Obama will win." "Florida GOP insiders unsure of winning state in 2012 presidential election".