For Rubio to appear to side with Perry — he even refused to say whether the Texas bill was similar to Florida's, even though it served as the model — could be politically damaging.

Hunger "rise steepest in Florida"

"America's "hunger bill" cost the nation $167.5 billion last year, according to new research released Wednesday — a tab that doesn't even include food stamps and other federal nutrition programs. Instead, it's the cost of hunger-related illness, lost economic productivity, charities that feed the poor and the consequences of hungry children falling behind in the classroom."

While every state in the nation saw an increase in the cost of hunger from 2007 to 2010, the three-year rise was steepest in Florida, where it increased nearly 62 percent to $11.7 billion, according to the study from the nonprofit, nonpartisan Center for American Progress and Brandeis University.

Fitz to take on Buchanan

"Democratic former state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald of Sarasota is poised to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan." "Former state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald likely to challenge Vern Buchanan". Meanwhile, "Group asks FBI to investigate Buchanan" and "Listen: Buchanan voicemails shed light on campaign reimbursement dispute".

Rubio says "no"

"Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says he's not going to be the GOP vice presidential nominee in 2012 because he's focused on being a U.S. senator. Speaking at a political forum in Washington, Rubio said flatly on Wednesday: 'I'm not going to be the vice presidential nominee.' He then repeated himself." "Rubio says he won't be VP nominee". See also "Marco Rubio says he won't be GOP VP nominee" and "Rubio says he's won't be VP nominee".

The best they can do?

"Andy Gardiner to Take Over 2014 State Senate".

Background checks

"Amid an ongoing investigation into how a convicted felon was hired by the state Department of Revenue, the agency this week implemented new policies on criminal-background checks of new applicants and current employees." "After Felon's Hiring, Department of Revenue Tightens Criminal Checks".

Hasner, LeMieux Laff riot

"On Wednesday, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner -- one of the leading Republicans looking to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 -- took aim at one of his chief primary rivals, former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, for backing a measure allowing banks to raise fees for using debit cards."

The LeMieux camp fired back at Hasner, hitting the former legislative leader’s record in Tallahassee.

"Poor Adam keeps getting tripped up by his own record," Anna Nix, a spokeswoman for LeMieux, wrote Sunshine State News on Wednesday. "While George LeMieux sided with small businesses, consumers and retailers, and stood up against Wall Street and its lobbyists, Adam was in Tallahassee voting for tax increases, requesting millions in wasteful spending, and accepting cash and campaign checks from the very bank he is now criticizing."

Occupy Florida

"Hundreds meet downtown for Occupy Orlando, to discuss group's goals". Related: "'Occupy' groups emerge on South Florida's political left to protest income gap, Wall Street abuses".

I don' like rules

"Members of a House subcommittee and Gov. Rick Scott's regulatory reform office are trying to solicit public comment on their blitz against what they see as excessive state regulation." "Are you burdened by state regulation? Scott, lawmakers want to know".

Obvious that Florida needs stricter pollution rules

"An all-day public workshop on Florida’s hotly contested water pollution standards held Tuesday brought up several concerns about the efficacy, and accuracy, of the state’s proposed rule."

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that Florida needs stricter rules to govern pollution in its waterways — nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen (which come from failing septic tanks, home fertilizers and industry effluent) lead to wide-scale algal blooms, which choke off oxygen to other marine life, and lead to widespread fish kills and no-swim zones. But the question of where the stricter standards will come from — the state or the feds? — has yet to be answered.

"It's not the first time"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "It took a circuit court judge to step in and block Florida from implementing the nation's largest prison privatization plan. The transfer of 29 facilities and 16,000 inmates to a private firm turned out to be not only controversial but, according to the judge's ruling, unconstitutional. Add misguided as well. The ruling was the right call and should give Gov. Rick Scott pause in his zeal to privatize this important government function. Unfortunately, the executive branch is likely to appeal, even though it's clear Florida's leadership put the state in this legal quagmire in the way it tried to impose this ill-advised initiative on the public. It's not the first time." "Court's block of prison privatization a welcome reprieve for Florida".

Rubio "speechless"

"Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was thrust into the bright national spotlight of Republican presidential politics Wednesday — and not just because he’s a potential short-lister for the vice presidential ticket."

The normally eloquent Republican was relatively speechless Wednesday when asked about his role in the decision by nearly every major GOP candidate to boycott a presidential debate sponsored by Spanish-language media giant Univision because of allegations that it tried to pressure Rubio into a sit-down interview.

Republi-baggers can't find the word "flouride" in the Constitution

"Eight years ago, Pinellas County commissioners decided to add fluoride to the drinking water."

On Tuesday, the board eliminated fluoride despite pleas from dentists who said its absence would cause more rotten teeth.

Credit tea party activism for the reversal.

The tea party movement took flight in 2009 in opposition to big government programs on the national stage, but its influence has since trickled down to local governments to affect the most basic of services — right down to the water that pours from your tap. ...

Most American medical groups strongly advocate adding fluoride to drinking water to improve dental health, particularly for needy children. A majority of U.S. communities provide fluoridated water.

Pinellas County provides water to about 700,000 people in the unincorporated areas and to most cities. Some officials in those cities were baffled by the decision to eliminate fluoride. ...

The decision also triggered national attention with calls to the county commissioners from USA Today, CBS radio news and other outlets. Pinellas County's decision was criticized by one top U.S. official.

One man's "reorganization"

"For the third year in the row, state lawmakers are once again considering a possible reoganization of the mammoth Department of Health. This week the first presentations outlined a possible reorganization, which could affect as many as 1,253 employees and trim as much as $230 million in spending from the department's budget in the coming year." "Health department reorgnization could affect more than 1,200 workers".

Foreclosure cash

"State leaders say speeding up Florida's lethargic mortgage foreclosure process, third-longest in the country, will jump-start the state's economic recovery." "Florida courts say: Fund us and we can move foreclosures along".

"All but meaningless"

"State agencies were ordered this summer by Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders to draw up a list of potential budget cuts along with their normal annual budget requests. But that list of cuts, generally meant to reduce spending by 10 percent, may be all but meaningless. At least that's how one top lawmaker put it." "Top lawmaker: Budget cuts proposed by agencies are meaningless".

130 state wildlife officers may be cut

"The possible cutting of 130 state wildlife officer positions and state spending reductions for invasive species control had some legislators raising concerns on Wednesday."

Rep. Franklin Sands, D-Weston, said he doesn't see how the agency can carry out its mandate of protecting and fish and wildlife resources with fewer officers. He said the cuts represent a "false economy."

"What's going to happen is by cutting the programs, we're going to have even bigger problems in the future," Sands said. "It will cost us more than we think we are saving with these budgetary cuts."

Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, said the proposed law enforcement reduction "bothers me a lot." He asked whether there are smaller reductions the agency could absorb.

Slashing law enforcement

"Gov. Rick Scott asked all state agencies to conduct a 10 percent budget cutting exercise this summer, but for law enforcement, legal and corrections agencies Wednesday, it was an exercise in futility. Representatives for the agencies told the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee they can't sustain any more cuts without giving up on functions required by the Legislature and the state constitution." "Nightmare scenario looms if more cuts made, law enforcement agencies tell House panel".

Horizontal districts

"Panhandle legislative districts will be horizontal, Senate committee agrees".

Romney runs wild in Florida

"Mitt Romney swept through the capital of the nation's biggest swing state Wednesday, meeting voters at a restaurant, talking jobs with business professionals, and working to nail down dollars and support from some of Florida's most influential Republicans." "Romney courts businessmen, Florida's top Republicans in Tallahassee". See also "Mitt Romney reels in more Florida endorsements" and "Florida Pawlenty supporters for Romney". Related: "Mitt Romney's moment"

Our technology Governor

Blithe media accepts that this is a mere "technology mix-up": "E-mails on Gov. Rick Scott's BlackBerry may have been lost in another technology mix-up inside his office. Scott and his staff already have acknowledged that e-mails from his two-month transition and from his iPad are missing." "More of Gov. Scott's e-mails missing". Related: "Florida Gov. Rick Scott is e-mailing again".

Cain kountrie

"Herman Cain, the surging presidential candidate, stops to sell a few books". See also "Herman Cain says his grass-roots base will carry him to victory".

Three months later, Scott made pretty much the same statement during a debate sponsored by Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association.

"Our plan is seven steps to 700,000 jobs, and that plan is on top of what normal growth would be," Scott said.

The new promise: Create 700,000 jobs. Period.

In June, Scott spokesman Brian Burgess touted news that Florida had added 50,000 jobs since January, saying that Scott was going to count every one toward keeping his promise.

In the same few days, another Scott spokesman, Lane Wright, brushed off a question about Scott's original promise to create 700,000 jobs "on top of what normal growth would be."

"Gov. Scott committed to creating 700,000 jobs in seven years, and we are on track to meet that goal," Wright said.

In August, the governor himself weighed in. An Associated Press reporter reminded Scott that his jobs plan was designed to generate 700,000 jobs on top of those restored by the state's expected growth.

"No, that's not true," Scott said. ...

Last week, the governor again faced the question he was asked as a candidate, nearly a year prior. This time, instead of a debate audience, Scott faced members of the Sun Sentinel editorial board.

"Your pledge was for 700,000 in addition to normal growth, wasn't it?'' Scott was asked.

No, he replied.

Now, Scott says it's just 700,000.

To be clear: That's a difference of about 1 million jobs.

The governor's plan was on the record, and it was specific. His policy changes, from regulatory reform to spending cuts, would result in job growth. Instead, his office has counted every net new private sector job — starting from before the governor had a chance to change policy. For the governor, that means a tally of more than 71,000 jobs since January.

On the Flip-O-Meter, that counts as a Full Flop.

Buchanan a prime target in Florida

"Democratic former state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald of Sarasota is poised to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. Taking on a relatively popular multimillionaire incumbent in a GOP-leaning district is an uphill challenge to say that least, but Fitzgerald was a moderate and among the brighter bulbs in the Florida House over two terms. He is likely to be Buchanan's toughest challenger since 2006. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee heavily recruited Fitzgerald and sees Buchanan as a prime target in Florida." "Uphill battle ahead".

"Serious budget fixes in a looming"

"Economists have assured Florida lawmakers that the state faces a smooth budget road in the coming year, but Tuesday a few deep potholes emerged." "State’s recovery hits potholes as revenue from foreclosures, roads and schools lower than expected".

"Siding with the extreme rhetoric"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The Pinellas County Commission has taken a big step backward on public health, siding with the extreme rhetoric of a vocal conservative minority over sober scientific analysis and the county's medical community. The 4-3 vote Tuesday to end the county's water fluoridation program this fall will contribute to higher dental bills or poorer health for 700,000 Pinellas County residents. It is an indefensible retreat, and voters should remember this failure to stand up to scare tactics." "Vote for scare over science".

"Saving the average Florida family $371 at the gas pump in 2030"

"A new set of fuel efficiency standards proposed by the Obama administration could save the average Florida family $371 at the gas pump in 2030." "Report: New fuel efficiency standards could save Floridians billions".

Medicaid deform protest

"This afternoon, health advocates and Medicaid recipients are protesting the state’s plan to privatize Medicaid in front of WellCare’s corporate headquarters in Tampa."

The protest is being led by Florida PIRG, a public interest group in the state that also released a report (.pdf) today that criticizes the state’s plans to expand the Medicaid Reform Pilot statewide. The current pilot exists only in a few counties.

"Angry reactions from Republicans"

"Five Republican presidential candidates are boycotting a proposed Univision debate due to allegations that the Spanish-language media giant tried to strong-arm Sen. Marco Rubio with a controversial story about a relative." "5 Republican presidential hopefuls boycott Univision debate over Rubio story". See also "Five Republican candidates boycott Univision's January debate" and "Republican presidential candidates boycotting Univision debate over Rubio flap".

"Remaining in the shadows"

"Private prison companies lost one chance for a big profit last week when one of the largest known privatization campaigns in the country was blocked by a Florida judge for being unconstitutional. But private prison players like The GEO Group and the Corrections Corporation of America, which would have won big from privatization, and the tactics they use to ensure they stay in good graces with lawmakers have remained in the shadows even as the future of the legislation remains in question." "Despite setback, private prison companies have track record of influence".

A third batch of deleted Scott emails

"E-mails on Gov. Rick Scott’s BlackBerry may have been lost in another technological mix-up inside his office, newly released records show."

Scott and his staff have acknowledged that his account and about 50 others from his two-month transition — a crucial stretch after Election Day when key hires are made and a first-year policy agenda is shaped — were lost when a contract lapsed with a private company that stored the e-mail data. Scott also lost about 50 e-mails from his iPad when a staffer inside his office updated software for the device.

Now it’s a BlackBerry.

Scott’s office has acknowledged that missing transition e-mails may violate state public record laws.

Sunshine State who?

"Sunshine State News surfaced in the Tallahassee press center last year as one of many web-based news organizations covering Florida government. Only the folks at Sunshine refused to disclose the investors financing its conservative-oriented news reports."

Sunshine State News Editor Nancy Smith again refused Wednesday to identify the organization's owners. ...

Editors at Sunshine have repeatedly declined to identify the owner of the news service that frequently praises Republican Gov. Rick Scott and routinely trashes Democrats and the mainstream media. Earlier this year Smith praised Scott as a "hero'' and described him as "utterly charming'' in a column critical of the Capital press corps.

A study completed in July by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism ranks Sunshine as the least transparent news website in journalism's new internet-based landscape. The study found that news websites were more likely to offer balanced news coverage when they were more transparent about funding sources.

Sunshine State News, a Florida corporation, was initially formed by Justin Sayfie, a former staffer of Gov. Jeb Bush who operates Sayfie Review, a website that aggregates news about Florida.

Golf cart heaven

"Romney is all-too familiar with The Villages — a mainly conservative retirement community in Central Florida that has become a must-visit stop for Republican candidates passing through Florida. His trip Tuesday was his eighth, by his count, between two presidential campaigns and trips stumping for others, like Gov. Rick Scott." "Romney stumps in Florida, attacks Perry". See also "Cain no mere flavor of month; says 'I am Hagen-Dazs black walnut with substance'", "Romney has good day at Central Florida's Villages; Cain due today" and "Herman Cain says his grass-roots base will carry him to victory". Related: "Herman Cain Gains Momentum While Rick Perry Falls and Mitt Romney Holds".

"Intolerable, embarrassing, and extremely unprofessional"

Scott Maxwell writes that "we have someone claiming Jennifer Carroll needs to be impeached for running 'an intolerable, embarrassing, and extremely unprofessional' office."

That someone, by the way, is Carroll's spokeswoman. Or rather, she used to be until she went public with her concerns ... and quickly lost her job.

"This space available"

Fred Grimm: "Among Florida’s beggared public institutions, their budgets desiccated, even a school bus looks like a big yellow business opportunity. Those unnatural sounds breaching the quiet along the state’s network of nature trails? The voices of the outdoor advertising industry, offering to re-decorate those economically antithetical pathways. The Sunshine State’s new motto: 'This space available.'" "New Florida state motto: ‘This space available’".

Odd Couple

"Rick Scott and Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Odd Couple for Israel Trade Trip".

I-4 corridor

"Deborah Cox-Rousch looked on in dismay three years ago as Barack Obama turned Hillsborough County blue and then went on to capture Florida and the White House — ending her county’s eight-year run as a GOP stronghold in presidential elections. 'I said, 'Never again,''Mrs. Cox-Rousch said."

Since then, she’s been elected GOP county chairwoman and has been busy laying the groundwork to avoid a repeat of 2008, when Mr. Obama’s 10,000-vote victory in Hillsborough County rippled across the Interstate 4 corridor and through the state, reinforcing the region’s reputation as a harbinger for presidential elections.

“We say in Hillsborough County, you can’t win Florida unless you win the I-4 corridor and you can’t win the nation if you can’t win Florida,” Mrs. Cox-Rousch said.

Dotted with citrus groves and scrub pine woods and populated by the retirement communities of Polk County and the burgeoning areas around Orlando, the 132-mile stretch of highway has become known as a microcosm for the entire Sunshine State.

The corridor is home to two of the state’s top three media markets, Tampa and Orlando, and about half of the state’s Republicans — a fact that likely will be driven home in the coming months now that the state has moved its primary date to Jan. 31, putting it the fifth in lineup on the nomination calendar and forcing GOP candidates to take note.

"Liberal scribblers"

Nancy Smith: "Liberal scribblers are fish out of water when they dive into GOP affairs – all wet. Bless their hearts, they can't help themselves. They've got to butt in and pronounce judgment." "Sorry, Frank: It's Our Party Primary and We'll Cry (Only) If We Want to". Related from the The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Call off the party, GOP" ("On Friday, Republicans in Florida scheduled the state's presidential primary for Jan. 31, which would be the first in the country, and thus made the campaign season as volatile as the financial markets.")

Enough "brainstorming"

"The Hialeah fire department stripped life-saving paramedic equipment — including intubation kits to help patients breathe and defibrillation pads to revive children — from its fire trucks Tuesday, only to undo the changes after what the city called a misunderstanding."

The move happened after fire department brass discussed the possibility of doing away with the equipment in the future to save money. That “brainstorming,” said Fire Chief Marcos De La Rosa, was incorrectly interpreted as an order to remove the equipment.

"Political pressure from Scott crippled the ability of the elderly advocates

"Secretary Charles Corley told a Senate committee Tuesday that he will follow the recommendations of a federal report to allow the long-term care ombudsman the ability to talk to legislators directly, conduct independent press conferences, and serve as independent advocates of the elderly — as required by federal law. But Corley stopped short of agreeing to sever compete control of the Long Term Care Ombudsman program, saying that because the state relies on federal funding for the program, it must maintain an oversight role."

That didn’t suit the committee chairwoman, Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, who called Corley before her committee in the wake of the blistering federal report that accused the governor’s office and his appointees of meddling to muzzle critics of the nursing-home and assisted-living industry.

Storms said she will file legislation for next session that makes the Long Term Care Ombudsman program completely independent from the Department of Elder Affairs, which has authority to appoint or terminate ombudsmen who are supposed to have the authority to criticize department rules.

In its 31-page report, the U.S. Administration on Aging concluded that political pressures from the office of Gov. Rick Scott and state elder-affairs officials had crippled the ability of the elderly advocates to serve as effective, independent advocates for frail elderly and the disabled.

"Haridopolos has stacked deck in favor of casino gambling"

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos has stacked the deck in favor of expanding casino gambling in the state — and so has the gaming industry. The push for more casinos has become so intense, in fact, that someone in state government needs to slow the action and ask whether having more ways to gamble is really in Florida's best interests." "Hedge bets on Fla. casinos". Related: "Sarasota works to limit casinos".

Protesters are expected in downtown Sarasota

"Scores of protesters are expected in downtown Sarasota Thursday for a demonstration outside the Main Street Bank of America in support of the amorphous Occupy Wall Street movement. Characterized by some as the liberal antithesis of the Tea Party movement, the Wall Street demonstrations have been marked by conflicts between police and protesters, but Sarasota authorities say they expect a peaceful event and do not plan to intervene." "Protest planned outside Sarasota bank".

Never mind

"After being chastised by the federal government for intimidating volunteer advocates for the elderly, the head of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs agreed to loosen its control over the activists." "State agrees to loosen grip over nursing home ombudsman".

"Indefensible"

"Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday at a meeting of the Florida Cabinet that it was 'indefensible' for state Sen. Mike Fasano to receive a nearly $11,000 invoice after he requested records regarding Florida pension fund investments." "Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi calls nearly $11,000 bill for public records 'indefensible'".

Miami-Dade County muscles in on casino cash

"Miami-Dade County began muscling in Tuesday on the potential financial windfall from a Malaysian casino and resort operator’s $3 billion plan to build a sprawling resort destination on The Miami Herald site on Biscayne Bay. Commissioners voted unanimously to negotiate new terms with the city of Miami board that determines how tax money is spent in the Omni area, with the ultimate goal of spreading the new wealth generated by the Genting Group’s development." "Miami-Dade to Miami: Give us a share of city’s casino windfall".

In a letter Monday to the Republican National Committee, U.S. Rep. David Rivera[*] and state Reps. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Erik Fresen also demanded that Univision apologize and fire its news president, Isaac Lee.

Hasner's ethnic attack

Steve Bousquet:

When John Kerry ran for president a few years ago, Republicans said he “looks French.”

When France abandoned its support for America by opposing the war in Iraq, some members of Congress told restaurants to remove all references to “french fries” from their menus in favor of “freedom fries.”

Sacre bleu!

That’s nothing compared to what’s happening right now here in Florida.

In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Adam Hasner and George LeMieux are doing what candidates do in primaries: tearing each other’s character to shreds.

The latest is Hasner’s gem, “LeMieux: It’s French for Crist.” If you send a check to Hasner’s Senate campaign, you’ll get a bumper strip with the slogan on it.

Education deform a comin'

"Changes are coming aimed at improving Florida's higher education system to ensure students are graduating with skills needed in the state. But what those changes will be and how they will impact faculty, students, universities and colleges may not be known until next year. " "Higher education reforms on the way for Florida".

On the cheap

"Florida officials have long complained that they get cheated on their share of federal highway funding, which favors vast states with small populations."

But a major reason for the low rate of return is that Florida puts up relatively little money to match federal grants, leaving a lot of potential dollars to be divided among other states.

The rate of return may remain low in fiscal 2011, partly because of Gov. Rick Scott's controversial decision to refuse some federal aid, including $2.4 billion of federal high-speed rail money as well as millions of dollars to implement the new health-care law and other projects. ...

"We constantly leave money on the table," said Karen Woodall, interim director of The Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy. "These are our tax dollars in Washington, and we don't bring them back to Florida. People scream that we don't get our fair share, but we are in control of much of that. Decisions have been made that prevent us from pulling down those dollars." ...

The low rate of aid stems in part from the state's limited tax revenue -- notably the absence of a state income tax, a low corporate tax rate and many exemptions designed to help businesses. That gives the state less money to spend to lure federal dollars, some of which get divvied up elsewhere. States like New York and Massachusetts that spend more generously on their residents consequently draw more federal money for such things as Medicaid and unemployment benefits.

Fasano wants subpoena

"When Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, asked the State Board of Administration this year for documents related to a $125 million investment, he was given a bill for more than $10,000. Instead of paying, Fasano sent a letter Monday to Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, asking him to subpoena the SBA for the records, or otherwise force the agency tasked with handling state investment funds to present the requested documents at a committee meeting." "Feisty Sen. Mike Fasano calls for subpoena of SBA records". See also "Senator pushes to subpoena Florida pension fund instead of paying $11k for public records".

"Buzz about a potential Romney-Rubio ticket"

"Florida freshman Sen. Marco has no plans to endorse anyone in the GOP primary, but inside his Senate office and political operations, his ties to Mitt Romney run deep."

At least six past and current Rubio Senate aides, including chief of staff Cesar Conda and his deputy, Terry Sullivan, worked for Romney's 2008 presidential bid, establishing a direct link and a line of communication between the front-runner for the 2012 GOP nomination and the front-runner in the Republican veepstakes. There's also a trail of fundraisers, donors and consultants who have overlapping relationships with Rubio and Romney. ...

Romney is also tapping into Rubio's network in delegate-rich Florida. Jay Demetree, Rubio's former finance chairman, serves in a similar fundraising role for Romney in Florida, while Bertica Cabrera-Morris, Rubio's 2010 Central Florida campaign chairwoman, is a senior adviser to the Romney campaign.

"There is a synergy," Cabrera-Morris, an Orlando-based consultant and lobbyist, told POLITICO. "The people who were with Marco who are now with Romney (believe that) Marco and Romney have most of the same ideals. A lot of us made the decision based on that."

As for Rubio's team, she added, "The cream of the crop of Romney now work for Marco Rubio."

The Rubio-Romney staff connection also highlights a key trait the two men share: They're establishment favorites who are running extremely disciplined operations — one on the presidential stage, the other in the Senate — that stay on message and don't veer wildly from one strategy to the next.

The overlap between Romney and Rubio staffers could only fuel party buzz about a potential Romney-Rubio ticket.

In Michigan's recent Mackinac straw poll, Romney nabbed the top spot with 51 percent, while Rubio was the runaway favorite for vice president. Two polls released last week show Romney narrowly leading the pack in Florida, which announced Friday it was moving up its primary to Jan. 31 to be more influential in the nominating process.

Is Romney-Rubio the dream ticket?

Scott for sale

"Scott is working again when it comes to raising money. Scott's political organization - called Let's Get to Work - had been largely dormant in the months since he took office. But the group's own website shows that in late July a political committee associated with the Florida Optometric Association donated $100,000 to the group."

Scott last year used the organization, also known as a 527 committee, to help his maverick campaign for governor. Let's Get to Work raised more than $17 million, although nearly $13 million came from a Scott family trust. The group used the money primarily for television ads.

Scott, a millionaire businessman, spent more than $70 million of his own money for his campaign.

John French, the coordinator for Let's Get to Work, said the governor kept open the fundraising account in case he needs it before he mounts a re-election effort for 2014.

"We saw no reason to shut it down," French said. "It's just sitting there for when we need it."

French said right now there is no "concrete plan" on how to spend to money.

Anti-Tea Party group heads for Florida

"Frustrated by Wall Street bailouts and inspired by seemingly spontaneous demonstrations in New York City, protesters plan to take to the streets in Florida this week. 'Occupy' groups in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville say they are joining a populist movement that's spreading to cities across America. [They're] organizing via Facebook and Twitter (#OccupyWallStreet)".

Occupy Tampa is planning an all-day demonstration Thursday at Lykes Gaslight Park, beginning at 9 a.m.

Liberal and progressive groups, including St. Pete for Peace, said they will march on Tampa's financial district.

On Saturday, demonstrations are planned in Jacksonville (noon at Hemming Plaza) and Fort Lauderdale (5 p.m. at 100 S. Andrews Ave.).

The action moves to Gainesville and Ocala next week, with protests scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville and Saturday, Oct. 15, in downtown Ocala.

Franco Ripple, a progressive activist in South Florida, said, "In the last few years we've seen the tea party lay claim to the populist idea that they are speaking for 'the majority of Americans' or 'the American people' with calls for dramatic cuts and absolutely no tax increases of any kind, regardless of income.

"The tea party misguidedly believes the government is screwing us through so-called 'wealth redistribution,' while the Occupy protesters believe that corporate/financial kleptocracy is screwing us," said Ripple, who said he is not involved in the Occupy movement.

"Cruel, hard, cold facts"

Daniel Ruth: "Considering that the current Republican presidential field is increasingly starting to look more dysfunctional than the Gadhafi family, it is perfectly understandable why New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is being nudged to jump into the race."

As a ruminating Christie walks the moors of Hackensack humming Hail to the Chief, there are some cruel, hard, cold facts about pursuing the White House. ...

As of now he has no national political organization — no teams of volunteers and operatives in places like Iowa, New Hampshire, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Texas — and well, the rest of the country.

Perry, Cain heat up in Florida

"Two of the leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination continued to gain the support of prominent Floridians as the stakes get higher in the Florida primary, which will be held early in the election cycle." "Rick Perry and Herman Cain Continue to Get Support in Florida".

Another casino resort on drawing board

"The Las Vegas Sands operators are discussing buying a large tract of land near downtown Miami to build a casino resort, which would compete with a plan by Genting group to do the same on The Miami Herald’s site." "Vegas company looking to build Miami gambling resort".

Black unemployment higher

"Black unemployment higher in Miami metro area than national rate".

Judges required to lecture women seeking judicial bypass for abortion

"The new restrictions require that young women seeking a bypass have access only to the circuit court in which they reside. Before, young women could appeal to any circuit court in the state. Many argued the restriction could present a violation of privacy —especially for young women living in small towns. (Currently, this strict provision is only law in North Dakota.) Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, explained during debate over the bill that 'in small judicial circuits, the judge knows the parent and the kid.'"

"The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida pointed out that the bill added new language requiring judges to lecture women seeking a bypass." "New restrictions on judicial bypass for parental notification of abortion now in effect".

"Don't blame anyone in a black robe"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "Florida's court system is down and out — again. What a disgrace. Just six months after it needed Gov. Rick Scott to approve a $19.5 million emergency loan, the system is facing another monetary meltdown. Periodic courthouse closures, delays in civil trials and employee furloughs could be in the offing. What a sorry predicament for one of the three branches of government. The constitutional guarantee that the courts will deliver justice without delay is at risk."

But don't blame anyone in a black robe.

The culprit is the same one that took the system to the brink in April: a budget scheme from lawmakers that relies on a trust fund largely bankrolled by foreclosure fees. ...

For the long term, leading lawmakers need to shift their focus from strong-arming the courts to ensuring that this branch of government gets enough resources to keep from withering.

It wouldn't be a favor to judges; it would be fulfilling an obligation to every citizen and business that counts on the courts to uphold and interpret the law, protect freedoms, and peacefully settle disputes.

Florida voters to have outsized role in nominating GOP candidate

"Four years after giving Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) campaign a huge boost and ending the campaign of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Florida’s GOP has again moved up the date of its primary to late January to try to give state voters an outsize role in nominating the GOP candidate for president." "Florida positioned as 2012 kingmaker". See also "Republicans bicker over new presidential primary date".

"Floridians in poverty surpassed 3 million in 2010"

"While the number of Floridians in poverty surpassed 3 million in 2010, the Florida Legislature cut state programs aimed at helping those facing unemployment and poverty, a new report finds." "Report: Legislature cut ‘safety nets’ in Florida as poverty soared".

"Outlook grim for higher education"

"Forecasts for their main funding source were revised downward by nearly two-thirds on Monday as taxes levied on electrical utilities and wired telecommunications plummet. Those taxes are a major source of revenue to cover building costs at colleges and universities." "Capital outlay forecasts take dive; outlook grim for higher education".

Say what?

"Broward's schools chief to get $268K salary and perks".

"Florida Chamber should send a thank-you note to California"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "The Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Retail Association and the Associated Industries of Florida should send a thank-you note to California. Legislators in the Golden State, in negotiating a deal that requires Amazon.com to lobby Congress to pursue a national sales tax collection system, have provided the best chance yet to create a level playing field in Florida and elsewhere for bricks-and-mortar retailers."

Never mind that Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President Mike Haridopolos, in recent weeks, have both conceded that Florida's current sales tax policy is unfair and outdated; both men have followed the lead of their predecessors and done nothing to change it.

Good luck with that

"One GOP lawmaker’s push for a moratorium on commercial water permits".

There's money in managed care

"Florida has renewed a contract to manage its Medicaid Information Management System for three years and $172 million. ... Florida, though, is still awaiting approval of a federal waiver to implement statewide managed care." "Florida awards $172 million Medicaid data contract".

Expect a whitewash

"A Florida Senate committee is investigating allegations that the state's Department of Elder Affairs illegally interfered with a watchdog program that is supposed to protect the rights of residents in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities."

The Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs has scheduled a hearing Tuesday to question the elder affairs staff following a highly critical report from the federal government a month ago that showed repeated violations.

The report, from the Administration on Aging, cited numerous problems with the department's oversight of the state's Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.

It criticized the Department of Elder Affairs for what it described as muzzling the ombudsman program's communication with the media and restricting its ability to lobby the Legislature on behalf of nursing-home residents.

The report also faulted the department's selection and firing of volunteers who make up the bulk of the watchdog program's work force, saying that "it must be clear to the volunteers that they work for and are answerable only to the Long Term Care Ombudsman."

Romney tries The Villages

"Mitt Romney to hold town hall meeting at The Villages today". See also "Romney to meet with voters in Central Florida".

"The Affordable Care Act is working"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board points out some of the successes of the Affordable Care Act:

As various elements of the law have gone into effect, the benefits are becoming even more obvious. Health insurance security for young adults has markedly increased, and the nightmare scenario of insurance costs rising for seniors in private plans has failed to materialize. The Affordable Care Act is working, and the proof is in the numbers.

It has been a year since the Affordable Care Act allowed parents to keep adult children on their health insurance until age 26. This single change has led to more young adults being covered by health insurance than the law's supporters even envisioned. A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the country had 900,000 fewer uninsured adults ages 19 to 25 in the first quarter of 2011 than it had in the first quarter of 2010. The only valid explanation is the change in law, since the spike comes despite youth unemployment in double digits. ...

Another health care reform bright spot is news that premiums for Medicare Advantage insurance plans will tick down next year by an average of 4 percent, and insurers project enrollments will increase 10 percent. This is in stark contrast to predictions by Republicans and the insurance industry that seniors would leave in droves if health care reform passed.

Gov. Rick Scott, state Attorney General Pam Bondi and other Florida Republicans who have gone to court to overturn the landmark law are waging a political fight on thin legal theory and putting health care at risk for all Floridians. The Supreme Court should uphold the law and let the reforms continue.

Teabaggers don' like them laws 'bout those "contract" things

"A Palm Beach County woman has won a $1,251 breach-of-contract judgment against tea party activist Everett Wilkinson. Susan Smith sued Wilkinson and his South Florida Tea Party, alleging that he failed to fully remunerate her for a three-month fundraising and business-development contract." "Palm Beach Woman Wins Case Against Tea Party Activist Everett Wilkinson".

Wingers want more

Lloyd Dunkelberger: "After a bitter debate this year, state lawmakers mandated that 655,000 state and local government workers [who had not had a raise in years] contribute 3 percent of their annual salaries to the state pension fund."

Now, as Florida heads to its next annual session, which begins in January, there are signs that another pension battle may loom.

Blaming public employees

"Pay for shrunken Palm Beach County staff up 83% in past decade".

Dead roofers...

"Newly enforced rules meant to make construction crews working on roofs safer are fueling a competition between those contractors who are following them and passing on the costs to their clients and those who are skirting the rules and scooping up business." "Roofers blast new safety rules as bad for business".

Hasner veers right

"On Friday, Hasner unveiled the backing of one of the most prominent social and religious conservative organizations in the country -- the Family Research Council Action PAC."

The Family Research Council is one of the leading national organizations for social and religious conservatives. The group was founded in 1983 by prominent evangelical leader James Dobson and has been led by prominent conservative activists including former Republican presidential hopeful Gary Bauer and Ken Connor, who was with Florida Right-to-Life and ran for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1994. The organization supports traditional marriage, the pro-life cause and a greater role for religion in the public square. ...

Earlier in the month, Hasner won the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll in Orlando, beating out three of his rivals for the Republican nomination.

Puffing Bondi

"Casual in jeans, but still put together, Pam Bondi comes to the Nola Café as breezy as she was when she worked for the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office."

Now, nine months into her new job as Florida's attorney general, Bondi doesn't want to go on camera for an interview or be photographed Friday morning because she doesn't have time to get all made up.

Although her schedule was supposed to allow for 30 minutes with a reporter, she winds up staying nearly three times that long, talking about her public and private priorities as she munches on beignets while an aide waits in an SUV. ...

Here is an edited transcript of a part of the conversation ...

"Obama might need Nelson's little-appreciated charisma"

"With the economy lagging and his approval ratings sagging, President Obama might need the little-appreciated charisma of Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and the continued unpopularity of Republican Gov. Rick Scott to carry Florida in 2012, said U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar." "Hastings sees help for Obama in Nelson's popularity, state GOP's poor ratings".

Rubio angling to be VP

"Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has a new book out. Florida's Sen. Marco Rubio and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley also are writing books. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell raised eyebrows by speaking in politically important New Hampshire, Rubio and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie by popping up at the Reagan Presidential Library in California." "Angling to be VP: GOPers run — without campaigning".

Sierra Club blues

Nancy Smith prattles on that "every now and then an organization comes along to show that often enough, one person's sacred trust is another's spending disaster. So it was last week with Free Market Florida (FMF), an Orlando-based free market watchdog group that works with a coalition of business and civic leaders. FMF launched a new ad criticizing the Sierra Club and EarthJustice for what it calls 'standing in the way of job-creation, energy independence and a common-sense water policy for Florida.'" "Somebody Tell Sierra Club: Money Doesn't Grow on Trees".

For years, we've been entertained by American Exceptionalism, which essentially gives us sole permission to engage in gross acts of international misbehavior.

And now we just have the domestic version of that: Florida Exceptionalism.

You just have to imagine that we're that shining Waffle House on the hill, a state that should be recognized as better than the rest .

Which state Republicans obviously do. Because once again, they're ignoring the primary calendar set by their own party to bump up the Florida primary to the end of January from its allotted spot in March.

Marco Rubio is Rush Limbaugh's man

"Rush Limbaugh posed an interesting question on his radio show last week: Why are so many establishment Republicans practically begging New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to get in the race but not Marco Rubio?"

"Rubio would win in a walkover," Limbaugh said. "He's conservative. He's articulate. He's great-looking. He's Hispanic and sounds very smart. How can he possibly lose? If this were the Democrat [sic] Party, the party father would probably tell Obama to step aside and let Rubio run, if Rubio were a Democrat. There are more Hispanic voters now than there are blacks, and Rubio's got more experience than Obama had when he decided to run. … They're not pushing Rubio because while they praise him, they don't think he has had enough experience yet. And Rubio is — sorry to say this, folks — another example of the RINOs being wrong."

Teabaggers don't like being called "heartless"

George Bennett writes that "Conservative state Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, could live with Rick Perry's support for granting in-state tuition rates to the children of illegal immigrants in Texas."

But he couldn't stomach the way the Texas governor responded to critics of the policy during a recent Republican presidential debate in Orlando.

To those who oppose the program, Perry said, "I don't think you have a heart."

"When he said 'you don't have a heart,' I leaned over to my wife and said, 'I think he just lost the election with those words,' " Plakon said. He said he came to the debate favoring Perry.

The next day, Plakon met with Herman Cain during the Republican Party of Florida's Presidency 5 conference and became the first Florida legislator to endorse the former Godfather's Pizza CEO for president.

A national Fox News poll released Wednesday showed Cain's support jumping from 6 percent in late August to 17 percent after the Florida straw poll. Perry fell from front-runner status at 29 percent in Fox's previous poll to 19 percent in the new survey, while support for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney remained essentially unchanged at 23 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, at 11 percent, was the only other GOP candidate to attract double-digit support.

In Florida, Republican firm War Room Logistics released a poll Saturday showing Cain's support exploding from 5 percent before the straw poll to 24 percent afterward, while Perry plummeted from 25 percent to 9 percent. Romney inched upward from 25 percent to 28 percent. ...

With Florida expected to play a critical, early and expensive role in the Republican nominating process, Perry and Romney have assembled professional campaign operations and fundraising teams in the state and lined up high-profile endorsements from Florida elected officials.

Cain has no formal Florida organization. In addition to Plakon, he has been endorsed by state Rep. Larry Ahern, R-St. Petersburg.

"It's probably just a coincidence ..."

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "A circuit judge's clear-cut ruling in Tallahassee on Friday that Florida's massive plan to privatize state prisons is unconstitutional sent another powerful message to Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-controlled Legislature. They are not above the law, and they are going to lose in court when they exceed the constitutional restraints on their authority."

Scott and influential legislators such as Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander of Lake Wales were determined to pursue one of the nation's largest privatization efforts no matter what. In the Senate, Alexander quietly stuck language into the budget to privatize prisons — to the surprise of the chairman of the committee that oversees criminal justice spending, Sen. Mike Fasano of New Port Richey. And Scott fired his Department of Corrections secretary after he questioned the wisdom of the privatization effort and supported the lawsuit filed by the union that represents state prison guards. It's probably just a coincidence that the Boca Raton company expected to win the new prison contract, GEO Group, had 16 lobbyists in Tallahassee, donated $25,000 to Scott's inaugural celebration and once employed Scott's key outside budget adviser. ...

The abuse of power in Tallahassee illustrates why a nonpartisan, independent judiciary is so important. When the legislative and executive branches of government act so arrogantly and with so little respect for the rule of law, it is left to the courts to set things right.

The Miami Herald to the rescue

To Miami Herald works hard to help Marco Rubio have a nice, soft landing on the national stage.

"Days before Univision aired a controversial story this summer about the decades-old drug bust of Marco Rubio’s brother-in-law, top staff with the Spanish-language media powerhouse offered what sounded like a deal to the U.S. senator’s staff."

If Rubio appeared on Al Punto —Univision’s national television show where the topic of immigration would likely be discussed — then the story of his brother-in-law’s troubles would be softened or might not run at all, according to Univision insiders and the Republican senator’s staff. They say the offer was made by Univision’s president of news, Isaac Lee.

But Lee said in an email to The Miami Herald that any insinuation that he offered a quid pro quo was “incorrect” and “defamatory.”

In a written statement Friday, Lee said: “With respect to Senator Rubio, Univision covered the story in the same objective, fair manner we cover every significant story. Univision did not offer to soften or spike a story...we would not make such an offer to any other subject of a news story and did not offer it in this case.”

Rubio never appeared on Al Punto, a national political affairs program broadcast on Sundays. Univision aired the story about Rubio’s brother-in-law, a lower-level player in a 1987 coke-and-pot ring, on July 11.

Al Punto’s host, Jorge Ramos, is one of Univision’s most-recognized personalities and has advocated for the so-called “DREAM Act,” which Rubio has opposed on the grounds that it gives “amnesty” to illegal immigrants. The long-debated proposal would allow certain children of undocumented immigrants to become legalized U.S. residents.

Univision, headquartered in Doral, is a top-rated network, reaching 95 percent of the 13.3 million Hispanic households in the United States. Its ratings are tops in prime-time in such cities as Los Angeles, San Antonio and Miami — regardless of language. It recently created an investigative team.

Oh dear, what's a GOPer to do?

Two Florida presidential polls came out last week:

A Sept. 24-27 Survey USA found Mitt Romney leading among Republicans with 27 percent support, just ahead of Herman Cain with 25 percent support and Rick Perry in third place with 13 percent.

A Sept. 22-25 poll by Public Policy Polling (some people polled before the last GOP debate in Orlando) found Romney leading with 30 percent, followed by Perry with 24 percent and Newt Gingrich with 10 percent.

"Disappointing lack of interest among Scott, Bondi and Atwater"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Charging a fortune for public records is a clear attempt to evade Florida's sunshine laws and conceal public business from public view. That seems to be the motivation behind an invoice sent to state Sen. Mike Fasano for more than $10,000 for public records from Ash Williams, executive director of the state agency that manages $145 billion in Florida pension and other public funds."

Williams has repeatedly resisted public records requests over a questionable hedge fund investment, and this whopping invoice to the New Port Richey Republican is another attempt to avoid public scrutiny. The Legislature should not sit still for this, and Williams' bosses — Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater — have to choose between supporting him or the public's right to know. ...

Just as disappointing as Williams' evasion of the law is the lack of interest among Scott, Bondi and Atwater. They should demanding that Williams comply with Fasano's request for public documents and follow the public records laws, not acquiescing to his secrecy.

Teabaggers can't find prohibition against polluting in the Constitution

"A federal judge has ruled that water coming from state-operated Stormwater Treatment Areas, and running south into the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, has been exceeding pollution limits designed to protect the Florida Everglades." "Federal judge rules for cleaner water in the Everglades".

GOPers playing politics with judicial vacancies

The Miami Herald editors: "During September, the Senate confirmed a grand total of three federal judges — leaving 95 vacancies in courthouses around the country. This means that there are simply not enough federal judges to handle the judicial workload, resulting in justice delayed in both criminal and civil cases. In 35 of those instances, including two district seats in the Southern District of Florida, the courts have declared a judicial emergency, meaning the dockets are overloaded to the breaking point. According to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service, this is a historically high level of vacancies, and the prolonged slowness in filling the empty seats makes the Obama presidency the longest period of high vacancy rates in the federal judiciary in 35 years." "The other federal crisis".

"Overworked and underpaid"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board applauds Florida's new Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins because he "recognizes that children's lives rest in the hands of overworked and underpaid investigators."

As if they'd just returned from a labor day picnic, the editors point out that

Entry-level investigators — who check out allegations of abuse, abandonment, neglect and/or exploitation of children and often work nights and weekends — earn $34,829.34. Wilkins wants to hike that to $39,300. That would still trail states such as Illinois ($49,620) or New Jersey ($47,937). Yet, the bump should help draw better-credentialed applicants.

Wilkins also is wisely exploring a career path for investigators sweetened with raises. Incredibly, they are stuck at their starting salary regardless of performance or tenure. Talk about a ridiculous disincentive. No wonder turnover is so high.

Given the high stakes, it's high time that DCF put a higher priority on the people who make life-and-death decisions for the state's most vulnerable citizens.

"Unemployment rate likely will be among the nation’s highest"

"If anything shows why Florida needs to create jobs quickly, this may be it: The Sunshine State’s unemployment rate likely will be among the nation’s highest for several more years."

One state economist pegs it at 8 percent four years from now. That’s more than double the unemployment rate in 2006.

That’s about three-quarters of a million Floridians out of work.

"Comprehensive strategy based on the greatest benefit to Floridians"

The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "A $3 billion resort on Miami's waterfront that could include a casino? Florida's gambling prospects certainly have gotten a lot more ambitious since a constitutional amendment in 2004 paved the way for pari-mutuel casinos."

Then again, a persistent economic decline has dropped state revenues like a rock, so to speak, jacked up unemployment to 10.7 percent and changed attitudes. As such, the Legislature, which would have to approve legislation permitting more gambling expansion, is gearing up for quite an onslaught of bills and lobbying.

The Seminole Tribe warns an expansion would violate the $200 million compact negotiated with the state. The pari-mutuels also want the right to develop destination casinos. Then there are companies like Las Vegas Sands and Genting Malaysia seeking to build casino metropolises. ...

What the state needs now is what we have previously argued for: a comprehensive strategy based on the greatest benefit to Floridians.

"Too compressed a calendar"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board writes that, "in their zeal to enshrine Florida as the fifth nominating state in next year's presidential primaries, [Florida] officials have caused national discomfort. Early nominating states Iowa and New Hampshire have vowed to hold their first-in-the-nation contests before Florida's primary -- meaning the presidential election season could begin around New Year's Day. This is clearly too compressed a calendar, too soon in the year. Candidates with name recognition and lots of campaign cash will hold a big advantage over underdogs hoping to score a primary breakthrough and then build momentum." "Florida should not leap to a Jan. 31 primary".

"What Bondi released this week was thin"

Scott Maxwell writes that "when last we checked on Attorney General Pam Bondi, she was being investigated for forcing out two of her top-producing investigators, and legislators had asked her to produce records to justify her actions."

Well, the investigation is still going, and state officials are tight-lipped about when it might be complete.

But public records are starting to trickle out. And if there was a smoking gun to justify these ousters, there's no paperwork to show it.

To the contrary, state Rep. Darren Soto said his reading of the documents show that Bondi's office ousted "forceful champions who were slugging it out in the trenches on behalf of Floridians."

[State Rep. Darren] Soto, D-Orlando, and other legislators filed a records request, asking for anything that might justify the expulsions.

What Bondi released this week was thin. The lead document was a complaint from an attorney representing a company being investigated for something else. Specifically, noted defense attorney [and Bush attorney in the 2000 election fiasco] Barry Richard complained that Clarkson and Edwards were too adversarial and unprofessional, adding that he believed they had "a pre-judgment that my client [Cash4Gold] was engaged in some type of wrongdoing."

Choice politics

"Americans United for Life says Planned Parenthood investigation part of strategy to end abortion".

"Legislators focusing on cycle of drug-related despair"

"One of every 10 inmates in the Florida prison system is behind bars for using drugs, and only a fraction get help for their addiction. The rest languish, get out, reoffend to support their drug habit and are locked up again. Legislators are now focusing directly on this cycle of drug-related despair in the hope of reducing the recidivism rate and lowering the cost of running the prison system." "Lawmakers debate raising focus on drug treatment for inmates".