Instead, a new convention contractor delivered a shock: Hotels are expected to throw out year-old room contracts with the convention's Republican organizers and sign new agreements with lower room rates.

"There were a couple hundred folks in the room slightly gasping,'' said Ron Alicandro, general manager of the Westin Tampa Bay. "We've all got signed contracts. None of us can understand it.'' Pinellas hoteliers got the same message at a meeting Thursday in St. Petersburg.

Election "mess created by the Governor"

"A dispute over Florida's new election law apparently won't be resolved before the state's Jan. 31 presidential primary."

A federal court in Washington, D.C. on Friday denied a request by Gov. Rick Scott's administration to expedite the case that involves four sections of the law and blamed Scott's administration itself for the delay.

Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning had asked the three-judge panel this summer to decide whether the four sections meet the requirements of the federal Voting Rights Act. Under the act, Florida must get preclearance, or approval, in five of its counties – Collier, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough and Monroe – because of prior racial discrimination there.

The sections under review reduce the number of early voting days, put new restrictions on groups that conduct voter registration drives, shorten the time frame for gathering signatures for citizens' initiatives and change Election Day rules for voters who move from one county to another. ...

The ACLU of Florida, one of the intervenors in the case, applauded the court's decision.

"The Court was right to say this is a mess created by the Governor and the Legislature. In denying their request for a 'drive by hearing', the Court essentially said that the state's failure to take this issue seriously until recently is no one's fault but their own," ACLU Florida executive director Howard Simon said in a statement.

Biden fires up Florida Democrats

"Vice President Joe Biden fired up Florida Democrats Friday night, decrying Republicans obstructing the president's economic agenda and ridiculing their foreign policy agenda."

"Name me one major initiative on taxes, on jobs, on Wall Street, on foreclosures, on promoting innovation, on infrastructure that is any different than in the eight years that they controlled the presidency. I cannot find one,'' Biden told more than 1,000 party activists gathered at Disney World for the state party's 2011 convention.

Drawing a rousing reception, Biden scoffed at Republican presidential candidates suggesting American troops remain longer in Iraq and noted that Texas Gov. Rick Perry once suggested he'd consider sending troops into Mexico to deal with the drug war.

Entrepreneurs in action

"Gov. Rick Scott's jobs czar defended the state's economic incentive programs on Friday, saying Florida would go after companies that failed to perform." "Gov. Rick Scott's jobs czar defends Florida's economic incentive programs". Related: "Check out where the tax-incentives and jobs went".

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "What's most striking is just how widespread the incentives are and how often they fail."

State leaders were so eager to help DayJet Corp. of Delray Beach get off the ground in 2005 that the Legislature approved a specialized sales tax exemption for the air taxi service's planes. Less publicized was the $2 million the company apparently received from the state's Quick-Action Closing Fund on the promise of creating 595 jobs. Just three years later, the service shut its doors after hiring only 142 people, but the database suggests it never repaid any of the $2 million.

"Florida's towering backlog of 350,000 foreclosure cases"

"Leaders of some of the nation's busiest foreclosure courts gathered Friday to discuss attorney civility, bank honesty and Florida's towering backlog of 350,000 foreclosure cases." "Lawyers, judges debate Florida's foreclosure backlog".

Florida's Renewable Energy Policy

Nancy Smith asks "What's Wrong With Florida's Renewable Energy Policy?"

Charter madness

"State Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, did enough in his personal disclosure letter that he didn’t violate legislative voting conflict laws when he supported a charter school reform bill last spring, the state Commission on Ethics has ruled. ... Fresen’s brother in law, Fernando Zulueta, operates Academica Inc., a for-profit organization that manages charter schools. The ruling rejected an advocate’s recommendation that Fresen didn’t fully disclose that his vote could benefit his sister Magdalena, who also works at Academica." "Ethics Commission Clears Fresen's Charter School Vote".

Occupy Florida

"A Leaner Occupy Tallahassee Returns for Third Weekend". Yesterday: "Occupy Tampa protesters charged with pushing police officer".

Intense use of off-road vehicles in Big Cypress

Bill Maxwell: "One of the benefits of living in Florida is being within easy driving distance of beautiful, wild places. But some of these places may be getting too much attention and love, and human activity has to be carefully controlled."

Big Cypress National Preserve, the 566,000-acre swamp between Fort Lauderdale/Miami and Naples, is one such place. While this treasure is home to many common animals such as turkey and whitetail deer, the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and the Florida panther find tenuous protection there. The panther is of greatest concern to environmentalists.

The major problem in Big Cypress is the intense use of the off-road vehicle, or ORV, by sportsmen, especially hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

"All-Star team of Florida lobbyists"

Aaron Deslatte: "Malaysian-based Genting wants to build a $3 billion resort casino in downtown Miami. And they're hiring an All-Star team of Florida lobbyists to make it a reality. Since summer, gaming interests of all varieties have hired nearly three-dozen lobbyists in to lay the groundwork for debate on the resort casino bill filed this week." See who these "all-stars" are here: "Lobbyists saddle up for gaming heavyweight fight".

Courtesy of the "values" crowd

"Panhandling bans pass as state cuts homeless funds".

"SunRail beginning to pay off"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "just four months after the governor grudgingly signed off on SunRail, tell the story perfectly well: The investment in the 61-mile rail line that will serve commuters from DeLand through Orlando to Poinciana already is beginning to pay off." "SunRail starting to showcase its worth".

Florida fights for insurance company profits

"Florida CHAIN (Community Health Action Information Network) has asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 'to reject a request by Florida’s Insurance Commissioner to grant insurance companies a reprieve from new Affordable Care Act requirements intended to ensure that consumers get value for the health insurance premiums they pay.' ... Insurance companies and Republicans in the state Legislature have been opposed to a medical loss ratio — mostly because it would affect the profits that insurance companies can hold on to." "Florida CHAIN asks feds to reject request by state to ‘phase in’ medical loss ratio".

"Scott trying to make Florida less appealing"?

The Sun Sentinel editorial board wonders if "Gov. Rick Scott trying to make Florida less appealing to top-notch research professors? Because he seems to be working overtime to get the job accomplished."

There is his idea — based on what is being done in Texas by Gov. Rick Perry — to base some tenure decisions on student ratings of a professor's effectiveness, along with the number of students that professor has taught.

Then there was the governor's decision to post the salaries of professors at public universities online, in what one has to conclude was an obvious attempt to have the public question whether the professors are worth their pay.

Gov. Scott has also said the state should spend less on education programs that aren't related to current workforce demands — he particularly singled out anthropology. He said more money and time should be spent on fields like technology and engineering and math.

The fact is, University of Florida President Bernie Machen, among others, has said that eliminating tenure would threaten UF's recruitment of faculty. That is hardly a way to keep Florida's universities competitive with the rest of the country.

The posting salaries of backfired on Gov. Scott, too. He claimed it was simply a matter of transparency, not politics. But it turns out the average salary of full-time professors in Florida — about $80,879 — is about $6,000 below the national average, according to the American Association of University Professors.

Yes, the salaries are public record, but the only thing transparent about putting them online in such an abrupt, unexplained way is the attempt to sway public opinion about overpaid professors.

As for Gov. Scott's ideas about what subjects students should be studying, the American Anthropological Association responded by questioning whether the governor understands the contributions to biological and medical research that the anthropology field has made.

Florida's "priorities"

Lloyd Dunkelberger: "A recently filed bill that would allow the creation of up to three megacasinos in Florida may say something about the state’s priorities."

The bill — filed by Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, and Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale — puts a higher dollar value on a gambling czar than the governor, at least when it comes to pay.

The 142-page bill creates a State Gaming Commission, which would award the casino permits and head the new Department of Gaming Control, which would replace the current Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.

The seven-member gaming commission would be appointed by the governor and have to include at least one member with law enforcement experience and another who has financial expertise in casino operations.

The commission members would be paid $125,000 a year, while a commission chairman, also designated by the governor, would be paid $135,000.

FlaDems to produce 'broadcast production' videos

"Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich announced Thursday that the Senate Democratic caucus will be producing regular 'broadcast production' videos in order to get past the capital city's "right wing spin." But it looks like mainly a YouTube production that will be available to TV outlets." "Senate Democrats take to the airwaves, via YouTube, to battle 'right wing spin'".

Never mind

"The Mississippi Republican Party is changing a TV ad that falsely claimed a Democratic state senator lives in Florida rather than in her own district on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. State GOP director Tim Saler said the ad criticizing Sen. Deborah Dawkins started running Thursday and was pulled off the air Friday to be edited so the incorrect information could be removed." "Miss. GOP changes ad about where Dem senator lives".

Genting's first U.S. casino

"While it continues pushing for a Miami resort, Genting opened its first U.S. casino in New York on Friday." "Genting opens first U.S. casino – in New York". See also "Opponents line up against new casino bill", "Miami-Dade County Commission takes aim at mega-resorts casino plans" and "Two Vegas magnates disagree on Miami’s casino potential". Related: "Gaming bill sponsors say gaming won't scare off Mickey Mouse tourists".

Jill Cicciarelli, a high school civics teacher in New Smyrna Beach, has been nabbed for the terrible offense of registering 50 of her students to vote.

Cicciarelli, like many Floridians, was not aware of the obstacles put in place by the Florida Legislature to suppress new voter registration.

She found out the hard way this month when Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall forwarded the teacher's name to the Florida Secretary of State's Office for engaging in unlawful voter registration. ...

Cicciarelli had no idea she became "a third-party voter registration organization" when she passed out registration applications to her high school seniors at the beginning of the school year and then delivered a completed stack of them to the local elections office weeks later - long after the 48-hour deadline had passed.

It meant she could face a $1,000 fine for late submissions, and an additional $1,000 for not registering as a third-party organization. The state could further prosecute her for a third-degree felony if it found the noncompliance was willful and she could be barred from registering future voters.

These are the new laws that have persuaded the League of Women Voters to not risk trying to register new voters in Florida anymore.

McFall, who is a board member of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, calls herself "Republican and proud of it." But she isn't proud of the new law, which she sees as a Republican effort to suppress the vote in the state. It's a way to keep groups such as ACORN from registering Democrats in Florida, she said.

"This is a partisan piece of legislation," she said. "It's not done to stop fraud. If someone was trying to register more than once, or register a bogus person, our system would catch it."

Mitt romping in Florida

So much for the Fla-Baggers: "Florida will hold its primary on January 31, voting fourth in the primary and caucus calendar. According to the poll, three out of ten Republicans say they back Romney, with Cain at 18%. Gingrich and Perry each grab 9% support, with Paul at 6%, Bachmann at 4%, and Huntsman and Santorum at 1%." "Poll: Romney at or tied for top spot in first 4 states to vote". See also "CNN polls: Romney has big lead in Florida and New Hampshire; barely up in Iowa, South Carolina".

Enough with that protest stuff ...

"Police arrest 3 Occupy Tampa protestors". See also "Occupy Tampa protesters charged with pushing officer, police said".

"Before more money is wasted"

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "A federal judge this week shot legal holes through Florida's requirement that all welfare applicants undergo drug testing. We hope Gov. Rick Scott, who promoted the ill-advised tests, backs off the policy before more money is wasted defending it in court." "Unreasonable drug testing".

"Casino Tool"

"Kenric Ward: "Rick Scott: Casino Tool or Economic Leader?".

Mack exposes weakness of GOP' bench in Florida

"By suddenly and unexpectedly jumping into Florida's Republican U.S. Senate primary, Connie Mack has at least made a lackadaisical race more exciting."

But while the congressman with the familiar last name may have changed the game, he hasn't ended it. Whether the field of major candidates is four men or five, the race seems as wide open as ever.

The Disney Chamber

"When the Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its legislative agenda this month, it included some interesting additions. The chamber, arguably the state's most influential business group, pledged to lobby against allowing casinos in South Florida and for preserving a controversial tax advantage for Internet-based travel companies. On the surface, the two issues are unrelated. But they share an important common denominator: They are also priorities for Walt Disney World, one of the Florida Chamber's biggest benefactors." "Critics say Disney wields too much influence in the Florida Chamber of Commerce".

Don't let the door hit you on the derriere

"Two subsidiaries of Des Moines-based American Enterprise Group Inc. are leaving the state in part because of a section of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act better known as Obamacare." "Obamacare Helps Drive Two Health Insurers from Florida".

Buchanan's "campaign money and special favors"

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editors: "U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is a tireless advocate for cutting the federal deficit. Three times in the past five years, he's filed a bill calling for a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. But his actions on behalf of NASCAR racetracks clearly demonstrate why reducing the federal deficit has proved to be so difficult: campaign money and special favors."

Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, filed a bill to create a permanent tax break for the racetracks three months after he was scheduled to attend a fundraising event at Daytona International Speedway.

Buchanan's staff would not say whether he went to the event as expected, but this much is certain: "He collected at least $11,500 in racing-related campaign donations in the last quarter," Wallace noted.

More than that, proceeds from the fundraising event — which cost attendees as much as $25,000 — were targeted for two political funds Buchanan created, according to the invitations. Amounts donated to those funds won't be reported until January.

Buchanan has used one of the funds to donate more than $150,000 this year to the National Republican Congressional Committee, which contributes to the campaigns of other Republicans seeking House seats.

In other words, it appears that Buchanan is taking money donated for his benefit and using it to try to boost his own influence in the House.

Browning full speed ahead with voting restrictions

"Fresh off a court victory over the ACLU on Florida’s voting law changes, Secretary of State Kurt Browning has no plan to ask legislators to reconsider the new laws they made in the 2011 session." "Nelson Asks Scott to Reconsider Changes to Florida Voting Laws".

Stearns has nuthin' better to do?

"U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns' bill forcing states to recognize valid concealed-weapons permits held by visitors from other "concealed-carry" states has passed a key committee and appears set for a House floor vote. The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday passed the Ocala Republican's bill 19-11, almost exclusively along party lines. Rep. Dan Lungren was the only defector, as the California Republican joined 10 Democrats in opposing Stearns' measure. It's unclear when Stearns' bill, known as the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, might come up for a final vote." "Stearns' gun bill moving along".

Hospital taxes

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Gov. Rick Scott seems never to have met a tax he likes. He's still pushing for tax cuts, even with lawmakers facing a $2 billion budget shortfall next year and the prospect of slashing more spending from education, health care and other basic services. But Scott's skepticism of at least one tax — paid by some property owners to operate or subsidize local hospitals in Florida — is well founded." "Time to rethink need for hospital taxes".

Loss ratio kerfuffle

"Patient advocacy groups urged federal regulators to reject Florida's request to grant insurers more time to come into line with new requirements by the Affordable Care Act. The new rules would require a high percentage of premiums to be spent on actual medical care or reimburse policyholders the difference." "2 medical insurers to pull out of state as advocates urge new hearing on loss ratios". Meanwhile, "Insurers float plan to whack attorneys fees and license health care clinics".

Chamber laff riot

"U.S. Chamber study: Tort reform could create up to 162,000 jobs in Florida".

Kurlander misses the boat

Steven Kurlander rushes to Little Marco's defense, arguing that he is "the latest victim of a debilitating ethos of character assassination rampant in our press and blogosphere that wrongfully dissects a politician's rendition of his personal history, taking facts out of context to destroy his or her credibility." "U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio need not apologize for way he told parents' story".

"Missing link and step-child" of 'Glades effort

"Restoring the central Everglades - long considered the missing link and step-child in clean-up efforts - is the centerpiece of a radical new process for deciding which projects are most important and making sure they get done as quickly as possible." "Corps' new plan should speed central Everglades cleanup".

FlaDems face "serious challenges"

Lloyd Dunkelberger: "Despite having a president in the White House and the largest share of the state’s voters, Florida Democrats open their three-day state convention on Friday facing some of the most serious challenges in the party’s political history. They may lose the presidency. They may lose their only statewide seat — U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s." "Florida Democrats open convention facing serious challenges".

Cardwell carries bankers' water

"A proposed federal rule that would require the automatic reporting to the Internal Revenue Service of interest earned on accounts held in U.S. banks by foreigners would create 'serious safety and soundness concerns to banks' in Florida, a former state commissioner of financial regulation told Congress on Thursday."

Tom Cardwell, who was commissioner of financial regulation in Florida for two years until August of this year, planned to testify to the House Financial Services Committee in Washington and raise the concerns of Florida banks, which hold lots of deposits of "nonresident aliens."

In prepared testimony, Cardwell said Florida has looked at foreigners' deposits and determined they aren't particularly associated with money laundering or other crimes. Foreigners often want to park their money in the United States because of fear of uncertainty or instability in their home countries, or because of fears of corruption there that could lead to their money being plundered. In many cases, they're also trying to avoid paying taxes in their home country -- something that would be put in jeopardy by the proposed regulation.

Cardwell planned to tell the Financial Services Committee that the proposed U.S. Treasury rule to require the collection of additional information on interest earned -- which could be shared with the depositors' home countries -- would lead those depositors to pull their money out of Florida banks. How much those banks have in nonresident alien deposits isn't totally clear. Cardwell says in his prepared remarks that it is more than $14 billion. The state's banking association says it's anywhere from $60 billion to $100 billion.

"Welcome to Las Vegas East"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "State Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale and Rep. Erik Fresen of Miami claim their legislation to add three destination casinos to Florida is aimed at reducing gambling in the state. But based on the 142-page bill the pair finally unveiled Wednesday, that's misleading at best. If the Legislature approves HB 487 in anything close to its initial draft, the state might as well put a sign at the border: Welcome to Las Vegas East. The least Bogdanoff and Fresen could do is be honest about the impact of their sweeping legislation." "Don't be suckered by casino bill". Related: "On heels of gaming bill, audit finds pari-mutuel oversight problems".

Andres Oppenheimer: "Las Vegas-style casinos would hurt Miami".

Another fine Florida export

"Terry Jones, the Gainesville pastor who created a stir by publicly burning the Quran, is running for president, according to the International Business Times." "Florida pastor who burned the Quran running for president".

"LeMieux, Greer clash"

"The U.S. Senate candidate says he earned the money for consulting services with the state GOP. But the group’s former chairman says there were no such services." "LeMieux, Greer clash on party payments".

Mack jumps

"U.S. Rep. Connie Mack unexpectedly signaled late Wednesday that he will enter the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, apparently convinced other candidates cannot defeat Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson." "Shakeup alert: Rep. Connie Mack to enter Florida’s Senate race". See also "Connie Mack IV will shake up Florida Senate race" and "Analysis: Why Connie Mack's Senate candidacy may be game-changer, not game-ender".

Meanwhile, "GOP Senate Hopeful Craig Miller Hits the First Coast".

Rubio "bristles"

"Sen. Marco Rubio and Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce officials chose not to rekindle a fight over new flights to Cuba."

But during a visit here Thursday, the Miami Republican bristled at a reporter's suggestion that he tried block flights from Tampa to protect Miami travel businesses.

Awake and Occupy

"Awake the State will join Occupy Orlando Nov. 1".

Romney's Florida Team

"Romney, who placed second in the 2008 presidential primary, announced that three Florida Republican congressmen -- Ander Crenshaw, Connie Mack and Tom Rooney -- would co-chair his efforts in the Sunshine State. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who endorsed Romney earlier in the month, will serve as the state chairman, while Florida CFO Jeff Atwater will be the state finance chairman." "Romney Draws Big Names to Lead Efforts in Florida".

Final trial court decision in FRS lawsuit pending

"The decision to cut state and local government workers pay 3 percent and shift the money to the state's pension fund broke the state's contract with employees, a Leon County circuit judge told lawyers for Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature on Wednesday."

But was the move illegal? That's the question Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford left undecided as she ended the day-long hearing on the lawsuit brought by the Florida Education Association and other state and local government unions.

"Floridians wind up with Dorworth, R-Tin Cup"

Daniel Ruth: "If things go according to plan (insert wry smile here), by the end of 2014 the Florida House will be ruled by a chap who until recently was in worse financial shape than a fruit peddler."

Based on his prior business savvy, you wouldn't trust Speaker-Designate-Designate Chris Dorworth, R-Alms, who will be one of the most powerful politicians in the state, to manage sweeping up a parking lot.

But because of the Florida House's dippy rite of succession, which makes Britain's royal family look downright whimsically spontaneous, untested lawmakers who couldn't find their keisters with the help of NASA are tapped to ascend to leadership positions while they are still teething.

As a result, Floridians wind up with the likes of Dorworth, R-Tin Cup, who a mere two years ago was living off his $2,600-a-month legislative salary and had fewer assets than a monk. But that was then.

Perry Staffs Up

"With Florida looming large as the fourth state lined up to decide the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas announced on Thursday his campaign team for the southeastern part of the Sunshine State."

Perry turned to four well-established Republican leaders to build his campaign in Miami-Dade County. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Esteban Bovo, who also served in the Florida House and on the Hialeah City Council, will lead the Perry team in the county. Bovo will be aided by three county co-chairs: Miami-Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo, who advised John McCain’s presidential campaign on Hispanic outreach; Roly Marante, who was the county executive director of Jeb Bush’s 1998 gubernatorial campaign; and Jorge Luis Lopez, a member of the Republican National Committee's Council of 100 and long-time supporter of both George W. Bush and Jeb Bush.

In Palm Beach County, Perry tapped Beth Kigel to lead his campaign. Kigel served in the same role for both McCain and Rick Scott’s gubernatorial campaign in 2010. Kigel also was a regional co-chair of then-Attorney General Bill McCollum’s bid to defeat Scott for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Kigel will be helped by GOP activists Linda Gore, Ira Sabin and Michael Barnett and former Young Republican leader Jackie Fay, who also helped Pam Bondi’s successful attorney general campaign in 2010.

County Commissioner Chip LaMarca, a former chairman of the Broward Republican Executive Committee, will be leading the Perry team in Broward County. LaMarca will be aided by former Broward County Commissioner Kevin Tynan, Coral Springs City Commissioner Vince Boccard, Republican activist Joe Eikenberg, Gregg Sjoquist, and Greg Aguirre who was the executive director for small business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and part of Marco Rubio’s team in 2010.

Republican activist Shanna Jones will lead the Perry campaign in St. Lucie County while Sal Rizzotti, who is active with the county GOP, will take the reins in Martin County.

Herman Cain's Florida bandwagon

"Fundraisers, among others, have joined the Herman Cain bandwagon, saying he has the heart of GOP voters." "Prominent Florida Republicans helping Cain".

Fla-Bagger Convention

"Next week’s Florida Tea Party convention is slated to feature some big names in Florida politics, as well as the opportunity for state tea party members to discuss some of their favorite topics — including Agenda 21 and Islam."

According to the current convention agenda, speakers will include Gov. Rick Scott, former Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed, and anti-Islam blogger Pam Geller. and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Update: Rubio’s office tells the Independent the senator will in fact not be attending the event.

Attorney General Pat Bondi was mulling over an appearance, but her name does not appear on the updated convention agenda. In September, Scott’s office told the Independent his appearance had not been confirmed.

The convention will also feature G. Edward Griffin, an anti-Federal Reserve, anti-United Nations and anti-communist conspiracy theorist who describes himself as a “life member” of the John Birch Society — a historically infamous anti-communist group.

Anti-Islam blogger Pam Geller is also on the agenda for next week. Geller is best known for her blog Atlas Shrugs, described by The New York Times as a “site that attacks Islam with a rhetoric venomous enough that PayPal at one point branded it a hate site.”

Commission on Ethics rejects Teamsters’ charge against Scott

"The state Commission on Ethics on Wednesday rejected the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ charge that political contributions spurred Gov. Rick Scott to push for prison privatization. The commission ruled the Teamsters’ allegations failed to 'constitute a legally sufficient complaint' or 'indicate, in a substantive, factual manner, a possible violation.'" "Teamsters Fail in Ethics Claim Against Rick Scott; 'Pay-to-Play' Rejected".

West's wing man

"Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld appeared today at a Washington, D.C. breakfast fundraiser for Rep. Allen West, R-Fort Lauderdale, with suggested contributions from $500 to $2,500. West, a former lieutenant colonel, resigned from the Army in 2003 after “it was disclosed that he fired a pistol near [an Iraqi] detainee during an interrogation, apparently in an effort to frighten the man into disclosing information about impending attacks.” Rumsfeld was secretary of defense at the time." "Rumsfeld a special guest at Allen West fundraising breakfast".

Whining never ends

"Florida Chamber of Commerce says it ‘will fight’ unemployment taxes".

Environmentalists argue nutrient criteria aren’t stringent enough

"The federally mandated 'numeric nutrient criteria,' a set of standards to govern water pollution in the state of Florida, have been harshly criticized by industry, agriculture and even lawmakers — who argue the criteria are too stringent and would result in job losses and stymie business growth. But now a new set of critics have emerged: environmentalists, who feel the criteria aren’t quite stringent enough to make any real impact." "Conservationists criticize changes to new Florida water regulations".

One of their own

"A coalition of Republican officials from three Central Florida counties have demanded a public apology from state Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, for comments he recently made about Hispanics. If he doesn't apologize, the group asked that Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, remove Hays from that body's redistricting committee. The demands are spelled out in a letter the group signed and sent to Haridopolos after a press conference Thursday in Kissimmee." "Central Florida Republicans demand apology from Sen. Alan Hays for comment about Hispanics".

Sorry Ricky: it ain't gonna happen

Eric Ernst writes that our "governor seems to invite the public to rise up in indignation" about college professor salaries. Ernst thinks "that isn't happening for several reasons."

First, presidents, medical school profs, deans and coaches dominate the highest-paid list. No surprises there.

Second, if one digs a little below the surface, as reporter Zac Anderson did in a Herald-Tribune article published Wednesday, it turns out that the average salary of Florida professors is about $6,000 less than the average of $86,653 at research universities nationwide. ...

Third, even if professors at major universities get paid more than most of us, so what? Education of the young is the hallmark of civilized society. Those who engage in it deserve high status and pay to go with it. University professors represent the epitome of that system. They should be paid accordingly.

And fourth, the public has numbers other than professors' salaries to lament when it comes to disparities in pay.

In 1965, CEOs in major U.S. companies earned about 25 times more than the average worker. Now the ratio is anywhere from 275 to 1 or 350 to 1, depending on whose figures you believe.

New Rubio discrepancies

"U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has come under fire for incorrectly linking his parents to the Cubans who fled Fidel Castro beginning in 1959. He insists they are exiles nonetheless, and angrily denounced the suggestion he misled for political gain." "New discrepancies arise in Rubio story".

Fresen didn’t violate conflict laws

"A Miami state representative didn’t violate voting conflict laws, a state commission found." "Fresen cleared on ethics complaint".

Michelle Obama in Tampa

"St. Petersburg's Sexton Elementary kids greet Michelle Obama in Tampa". See also "Michelle Obama lands in Tampa for fundraising".

“Some of the big education grants are winding down,” said Don Winstead, a Collins Center consultant who was former Gov. Charlie Crist’s stimulus czar. “I expect the job numbers to decline from here on out.”

The Florida-based think tank started crunching stimulus data with money from liberal investor George Soros after Republican Gov. Rick Scott stopped maintaining a similar website that Crist started. The report is available at www.collinscenter.org.

“The information is available if you know where to look for it,” Winstead said.

Scott spokesman Brian Burgess said the stimulus site was dismantled because it was not getting significant web traffic and because Scott “has different priorities.” Scott, who opposes the stimulus program, has created his own public records site that posts information related to Scott’s policy agenda — floridahasarighttoknow.com.

Rubio tells "dramatically different" stories

"NPR [yesterday] afternoon cited Sen. Marco Rubio's piece Friday in Politico -- a strident reaction to allegations he embellished his parents' Cuban exile story -- and called it a 'narrative dramatically different from the one he provided to NPR in late 2009.' At issue, in part, is Rubio's telling of why his mother returned to Cuba." "NPR cities 'dramatically different' narrative than Rubio laid out for Politico".

'Jus dead fish

"The National Oceanic Atmospheric Association has released its annual condition report for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The report, which will guide a comprehensive review of sanctuary regulations in 2012, details the decline of several species and resources in the area, which have suffered as a result of both climate change and human impact." "NOAA finds dwindling species in Keys Marine Sanctuary".

"What is happening at 610 South Blvd. is completely legal"

"A little over a year ago, no-party gubernatorial candidate Bud Chiles stood outside an off-white single-story building with a carefully manicured lawn in suburban Tampa and said, 'This building behind me is ground zero for what’s wrong with Florida politics.'"

The building’s address: 610 South Blvd., a designation found on the financial disclosure forms of countless political committees in Florida and all over the country. The unassuming building nestled in an unassuming neighborhood is a veritable political action committee mill, churning out millions of dollars and influencing elections all over the country.

The kicker: What is happening at 610 South Blvd. is completely legal.

Chiles — who eventually dropped out of the race and endorsed Democratic candidate Alex Sink — was echoing the thoughts of millions of Americans who feel that too much money goes into our country’s political system, and we know way too little about where it comes from.

610 South Blvd. provides insight into a commonly overlooked aspect of campaign financing: Because so few people understand the nuances of campaign money, politicians and activists have a limited number of places to turn to when starting a committee. That leads to a high concentration of candidates and committees at a few select addresses, none more infamous in Florida political circles than 610 South Blvd.

Nancy and Robert Watkins together run Robert Watkins and Co., the accounting firm located at 610. Thirty-nine political committees are currently registered under the address with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The committees registered there have conservative leanings and ties exclusively to Republican politicians.

From Winter Park to Luxembourg

"Winter Park's Bob Mandell is new U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg".

FlaDems chastised for shortage of Hispanic speakers

"A group of Hispanic Democrats in Central Florida is chastising the party for what it calls a shortage of Hispanics in the lineup of speakers for the party's state convention, which starts Friday." "Not enough Hispanic speakers at state Democratic convention, group says".

Will the whining ever end?

"The National Federation of Independent Business says a pending 8.9 percent rate hike in workers' compensation costs is 'bad news' for small businesses." "NCCI Workers' Comp Hike 'Bad News' for Small Businesses in Florida".

Biden Heads to Florida

"Joe Biden Heads to Florida: 2012 and 2016 in Mind".

Rickpublicans

"The Florida Democratic Party has launched a fund-raising Web site - Rickpublicans.com - that takes aim at some of the state's most prominent Republicans by pointing out their ties to unpopular Gov. Rick Scott." "Six degrees of Rick? Democrats launch 'Rickpublicans.com'".

Fla GOP primary a winner-take-all contest for 50 delegates

"The Florida Republican presidential primary will be a winner-take-all contest for 50 delegates, a bloc that could serve as an early knock-out punch in this winter's primary season, the Republican Party of Florida announced Monday. The decision, approved by the Republican National Committee, means Florida loses just under half the 99 delegates it would have expected had it obeyed RNC rules and set a primary no earlier than March 6. Last month, state officials set the primary for Jan. 31." "State GOP presidential primary will be winner-take-all". See also "Florida primary will be a winner-take-all contest".

Welfare drug testing law enjoined

"Court blocks Florida’s welfare drug testing law". See also "Judge blocks state drug testing for welfare applicants" and "Florida's welfare drug testing law blocked by judge".

The legal geniuses at the wingnut Heritage Foundation speak: "'This is a deliberate violation of the law on the part of the judge,' said Robert Rector, a Heritage Foundation researcher who helped author the original law governing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program." "Judge's Welfare Drug-Test Injunction Called 'Insane and Irresponsible'".

"Inside exile baseball"

Fred Grimm: "Over the weekend, old interviews surfaced on the Internet with Rubio talking to a Tampa television station, with NPR, with Fox News, indicating, or saying outright, that his parents came over 1959. In a 2009 campaign speech in northwest Florida, covered by Herald reporter Beth Reinhard, Rubio said 1959. And there was that 2010 campaign ad with him declaring, 'My parents lost everything – their home, their families, friends, even their country.'"

Rubio responded angrily to the questions about his exile credentials, particularly to the Washington Post story, which propelled this peculiar Miami story into the national conversation, entangling Rubio’s family bio, and questions about his veracity, into national Republican politics. ...

Miami’s Cuban community closed ranks around their favorite son, their political star, declaring there was no meaningful distinction among Cubans who left in 1956 or 1959. That the whole imbroglio was the stuff of low-down politics, just short of slander. “They’re rallying behind him,” Gonzalez said. But, he said, within the exile community, there’s another conversation. “Inside exile baseball,” he called it. “I guarantee Cubans all are talking about this among themselves.”

[George Gonzalez, professor of political science at the University of Miami] said the Cuban exiles are undoubtedly debating with one another whether Rubio might have fudged his biography. Or whether, despite growing up in a place where everyone talked about their families’ exile experience, he was simply confused. Or was it that his parents had been murky on the details?

“Not to vilify Rubio in any way, shape or form, but it just doesn’t seem plausible,” Gonzalez said.

LeMieux grubs for wingnut vote

"Here's something you don't necessarily expect to see from a candidate trying to win votes from Florida's families: a call for higher tuition at state universities." "LeMieux says college is too cheap".

Arresting occupiers

"Occupy Wall Street supporters arrested in Tampa and Orlando". Related: "Occupy Orlando supporters have to vacate campsite | Video".

Tallahassee prosecutor looking at Carroll office recordings

"A Tallahassee prosecutor is deciding whether any laws were violated in making a tape recording of a conversation between two employees in the office of Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement started investigating in September after receiving a complaint regarding the audio recording." "Probe of covert tape of Jennifer Carroll's staff discussion advances".

Grayson truthfully defends the Occupy Wall Street movement

"Alan Grayson, an Orlando Democrat and former U.S. Representative running to reclaim a seat in 2012, emerged a big-time supporter of the Occupy Wall Street movement after appearing on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher on Oct. 7, 2011."

"Listen, if I am a spokesman for all the people who think we should not have 24 million people in this country who can't find a full-time job, that we should not have 50 million people in this country who can't see a doctor when they're sick, that we shouldn't have 47 million people in this country who need government help in order to feed themselves, and we shouldn't have 15 million families who owe more on their mortgage than the value of their home, okay, I'll be that spokesman."

Maher's audience gave Grayson a standing ovation. His retort popped up on YouTube and then spread through Facebook and Twitter. Liberal bloggers praised him for his succinct explanation. You can see the video clip here.

Grayson's defense of the Occupy Wall Street movement earned him praise from the left-wing blosophere and pundits for its pith. No pundit or official in the movement's first month had quite articulated the protesters' qualms -- high unemployment, expensive health care, poverty and underwater mortgage payments -- as Grayson did in 20 seconds on Maher's show. We examined each of his economic claims and found them accurate, point for point. We rate his claim True.

"Regulators rejected arguments from consumer advocates"

"State utility regulators rejected arguments from consumer advocates and agreed to allow utility companies to charge customers so they can invest in speculative plans for nuclear power." "Regulators agree to let FPL raise rates to pay for possible nuclear plants".

World's biggest companies breaching contracts, laffing their way to the bank

"Florida has given tax breaks and other cash incentives to some of the world's biggest companies in return for creating jobs."

But even Walmart, Publix, Kraft Foods and other corporate giants have had trouble meeting job goals.

New data show that Florida has signed contracts worth $1.7 billion since 1995 in return for promises of 225,000 new jobs.

But only about one-third of those jobs have been filled while the state has paid out 43 percent of the contracts.

That averages out to $10,237 per job.

Drake is the state representative who is sponsoring a bill to give Death Row inmates the choice between the electric chair or a firing squad – “a lead cocktail,” in Drake’s words.

Not even Clint Eastwood could say the phrase, “lead cocktail,” with a straight face, but Drake claims to be serious. He says he’s frustrated by the questions about whether lethal injection, Florida’s current method of execution, is actually painless.

Says Drake: “Don’t tell me I have to be sympathetic and humane to people who do something so heinous that a judge orders them to be executed.”

You can see why death-penalty opponents are secretly elated to have this guy spouting off. All that’s missing is flecks of spittle on his lips.

Judges show no indication of easing off

The Palm Beach Post editors: "If Gov. Scott deserves credit for proposing a new Everglades rescue plan, two other people deserve more credit."

Alan Gold and Federico Moreno are federal judges in Miami supervising lawsuits against the state for failing to clean water that flows into the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and Everglades National Park. Judges Gold and Moreno show no indication of easing off. We don't know how much Gov. Scott loves the Everglades, but we know that he hates lawsuits.

"Huge problem for Florida Team Democrat"

Nancy Smith: "Huge problem for Florida Team Democrat looking toward the 2012 elections: There's no sign of a miracle likely to come dancing out of the locker room later this week. What state Dems have now is a squad of 125-pound linebackers with the bench strength of the 1976 Tampa Bay Bucs, no viable game plan and a shrinking donor list propped up mostly by labor unions and trial lawyers." "Florida Democrats Need a Big Swig of Energy Boost".

Is Vern Buchanan "Crazy? Self-defeating?"

Jeremy Wallace: "It is not often that a member of Congress tips off reporters to a confidential federal investigation about himself. But that is essentially what U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan did last week when he instructed his campaign to tell select members of the media that the Justice Department was investigating his campaign."

Crazy? Self-defeating?

Hardly, said Michael R. Shannon, a political consultant based in Virginia who specializes in crisis management.

He said Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, may be following one of the oldest rules in the political crisis management playbook.

“Control the release of the information,” said Shannon, president of Mandate: Message, Media & Public Relations. “By releasing the information now he avoids having to react to someone else releasing it later.”

Shannon said once a campaign begins reacting to an investigation, it looks defensive, which can translate into appearing suspicious to voters. By raising the issue himself, Buchanan can give the appearance he took responsibility for the story, even though he has refused to personally talk to reporters.

Just as important, Shannon said, Buchanan puts the information out more than a year before the election. By doing so, he can claim it is old news if it arises later during his campaign against Democrat Keith Fitzgerald.

"Nuclear socialism"

"Despite critics' cries of "nuclear socialism," the Florida Public Service Commission is expected to approve $337 million in utility rate hikes on Monday." "PSC Set to OK $337 Million Rate Hike For New Nuclear Plants, Upgrades". The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "Nuclear power is a bad bet".

Monday Morning Reads

"Monday Morning Reads: Rick Scott's priorities and Genting's vision".

Imagine the backlash

"GOP legislators ponder easing Florida drug laws, adding treatment".

Global warning to have disastrous effects on SoFla

Fred Grimm: "The rising sea will wash across great swaths of South Florida. Salt water will contaminate the well fields. Roads and farmland and low-lying neighborhoods will be inundated. The soil will no longer absorb the kind of heavy rainfalls that drenched South Florida last weekend. Septic tanks will fail. Drainage canals won’t drain. Sewers will back up. Intense storms will pummel the beachfront. Mighty rainfalls, in between droughts, will bring more floods."

The economic losses and the mitigation costs associated with the effects of global warming over the next few decades will be overwhelming. It will cost a medium-sized town like Pompano Beach hundreds of millions just to salvage its water and sewage systems.

A sobering study released by Florida Atlantic University contemplated the effects of global warming in specific terms, particularly for South Florida, considered one of the more vulnerable metropolitan areas in the world, with six million residents clustered by the ocean, living barely above sea level.

The study from FAU’s Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions, adding to an overwhelming scientific consensus about the disastrous effects of global warming, and along with growing hard evidence that temperature changes are already altering the environment, ought to have sent tremors through the halls of government.

Except it didn’t.

Immigration minefield for GOPers

"Perhaps more than any other issue, illegal immigration is a tricky topic for the GOP contenders. Each time they speak, candidates risk offending someone — Republicans who want a crackdown or the growing number of Hispanic voters who are U.S. citizens." "Immigration issue a minefield in Republican race". Related: "Medical help for illegal immigrants could haunt Mitt Romney".

Florida's finest

"While on vacation 3 Manatee firefighters helped save a life".

"Ethnic gamesmanship"

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Republican state Sen. Alan Hays of Umatilla is either woefully ignorant or suffers from a befuddled anti-Hispanic bias, or both." "Ethnic gamesmanship has no place in reapportionment".

Tuition rates of U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants

"U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants must pay out-of-state tuition in Florida. A lawsuit has been filed to overturn the policy." "U.S.-citizen children of immigrants protest higher tuition rates". See also "Legislator wants to change law that denies in-state tuition to students with undocumented parents".

"Scott is aiming higher"

"Months after making controversial changes in the public school system, Gov. Rick Scott is aiming higher - at state colleges and universities, which he wants on the front lines of his fight to create jobs in Florida." "Gov. Scott shifts focus to colleges' role in creating jobs".

On anthropology

"Is anthropology considered a STEM field?".

"Central Florida road projects could be postponed"

"As much as $500 million worth of Central Florida road projects could be postponed in coming years as the state tries to find money to pay for its share of the Wekiva Parkway." "State could delay $500M in road projects to pay for Wekiva Parkway".

Awake The State Summit

"With two months until the opening of the 2012 Florida Legislative session, progressives in the state have started to mobilize."

On Saturday, more than 50 people took part in the Awake The State Summit at the University of Central Florida. The two-day event, which continues today, was created to bring activists together and give them the tools to fight against Gov. Rick Scott's "anti-middle class" agenda, organizers said.

This weekend's summit was designed to bring the groups back together and get people on the same page, said Edwin Enciso, who helped coordinate LegiCamp, a program to help activists better understand legislative issues. The participants decide what bill or proposed bill to tackle.

Sentinel editors move to the right of Rick Perry

The Orlando Sentinel editors move to the right of Rick Perry, writing that "At a debate last month, GOP presidential hopeful Rick Perry said it's heartless to deny [the children of] illegal immigrants the right to attend college at in-state tuition rates. We'd call it fair and fiscally prudent." "Don't cut tuition for illegal immigrants".

One suspects that the editors' motivation is largely due to the fact that Orlando's Sen. Gary Siplin is pushing the issue; Siplin is as popular in the Sentinel editors' board room as Alan Grayson.

Romney grubs for the Fla-bagger vote in Florida

"Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is coming to the defense of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who's fighting allegations that he embellished his family's history by saying his parents fled Cuba before Fidel Castro's communist revolution. ... The AP relays background on the controversy surrounding Rubio:"

The 40-year-old freshman senator has always publicly identified with the exile community and has a strong following within it. In a campaign ad last year, he said: "As the son of exiles, I understand what it means to lose the gift of freedom." Rubio's biography on his Senate website previously said he was "born in Miami to Cuban-born parents who come to America following Fidel Castro's takeover." It has been changed to say Rubio "was born in Miami in 1971 to Cuban exiles who first arrived in the United States in 1956."

But The Washington Post reported that Rubio's parents actually left Cuba in 1956, nearly three years before Castro seized power in a revolution against dictator Fulgencia Batista. Rubio's father was a store security guard when he and his wife left, according to Rubio's staff, and came to the U.S. for economic reasons.

Marco scrubs his Senate Web site bio

"Following an article in the Washington Post stating that the senator had embellished the story of his family’s arrival from Cuba to the United States, Sen. Marco Rubio’s Senate Web site biography has now been changed." "Marco Rubio updates his Senate Web site biography".

Occupy Florida

"More than 100 Occupy Tampa protesters showed up at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on Saturday evening. But compared to Friday, when six protesters were arrested for lying on sidewalks in violation of a city law, Saturday's assembly was peaceful." "Occupy Tampa protesters huddle to discuss challenges". See also "'Occupy' movement expands into West Palm Beach".

And "lying on sidewalks" is not peaceful?

Obama's Florida bundlers

"Florida bundlers have raised at least $4.5 million for the Obama campaign directly and for the Democratic National Committee. Federal campaign laws allow donations up to $5,000 to the campaign and $33,500 to the national parties. Florida's more than two dozen Obama bundlers include a mix of veteran Democratic fundraisers and power brokers, and relative newcomers to the world of top-tier fundraising." "Florida bundlers help bring in big bucks for Obama".

"Glimmers of light"

The Sasrasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "Through the gloom of much of the global, national and statewide economic news, we're beginning to see glimmers of light, notably in Southwest Florida." "Hopeful signs for the economy".

Dorworth won't say how he came into the money

Scott Maxwell: "Two years ago, State Rep. Chris Dorworth was in a heap of financial trouble."

In short: Things were very bleak for the Republican legislator.

But the next year, things got much better for Dorworth.

Early in 2010, his GOP peers voted for him to become a future speaker of the House — widely viewed as the second-most-powerful position in the state after the governor.

And, according to recently filed papers, Dorworth went from having hardly any assets in 2009 to having a big one: a $713,000 stake in an out-of-state corporation that paid him $72,000 cash — in 2010.

How did he come into the money? Well, Dorworth won't say.

What is wrong with Rubio?

Jon Stewart asks what is wrong with the GOP, including Marco Rubio?

Real ID, who knew?

"Real ID law gaining some real opposition".

"Governor's predictable crusade for more tax cuts on top of tax cuts"

The Saint Petersburg Times editors: "Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders continue to act as if Florida will magically return to prosperity if they can just cut taxes and business regulations enough."

But new state revenue forecasts for the next two years expose the fallacy of that argument. Florida in the next two years won't have the means to maintain even the current level of often inadequate spending, particularly in education. Yet Scott's so-called jobs plan remains depressingly familiar: Just cut more taxes for businesses. It is a failed strategy that has diminished Florida's quality of life, and it has failed to keep the state's unemployment rate from rising higher than the nation's. ...

The governor's predictable crusade for more tax cuts on top of tax cuts is not a road map to job creation and economic prosperity. It would require deeper spending cuts in areas such as public education — the very sorts of programs that families and business executives examine when they consider whether Florida is a good place to live and work.

"The battle over Miami’s soul has begun"

"A bill is expected to be filed Monday by Miami Rep. Erik Fresen and Fort Lauderdale Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff. It asks legislators to do what decades of lawmakers have rejected: bring three Las Vegas-style casinos to Florida."

The proposal appeals heavily to the jobs-first strategy of Gov. Rick Scott and legislators, but skepticism is widespread. Doubters question what impact more gambling, more tourism and more congestion will have on families, communities and the state.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Times/Herald last week, [the top U.S. executive for one of the globe's largest casino developers] responded to concerns, pointedly countered rumors that his company is anti-Semitic and associated with the Chinese mafia, and offered a window into the company's legislative strategy.

does Miami want to be known as the home of one of the biggest mega-casinos in the world — if not the biggest one — assuming the Florida legislature approves it? Or does it prefer to be known as an international trade center that already has 1,000 multinational corporations, a brand new University of Miami Life Sciences and Technology Park, and an Art Basel annual fair that ranks among the world’s top fine arts shows? ...

[Oppenheimer's] opinion: It all depends on how Florida legislators would regulate mega-casinos. If gambling corporations are allowed to build giant resorts with blinking lights, surrounded by “Girls, Girls, Girls” signs, pawn shops, and casino company buses roaming the city offering free rides to take seniors to the gambling places, it will kill Miami as an international business center.

On the other hand, if legislators demand that mega-casinos have a discreet appearance, much like the slot machine and poker facilities at Hallandale Beach’s Gulfstream Park, where you don’t see huge casino signs from the street, and if there are laws to prevent Miami from becoming a Mecca for prostitutes, drunks, pickpockets and con artists, the proposed casino resort could be a good addition to the city.

But, for now, [Oppenheimer is] not neutral. Considering how vulnerable Florida legislators are likely to be to big money promises at a time of financial crisis, I’m afraid they will be pretty lax at the time of authorizing full-fledged casinos. Unless the regulators convince [him] otherwise, [he thinks] mega-casinos will hurt Miami.

Rubio's "politically useful identity" comes crashing down

The usual suspects are rushing to Rubio's defense.  Consider this less than compelling syllogism from Nancy Smith: "Most Cuban Americans in this state don't define an exile by the date of his departure from Cuba. They define it by his inability to return to the Castro regime." "Marco Rubio Didn't Lie, Ask Those Who Know Best".

If that is so, why was it that Rubio spun on his head to create the false impression that his parents left Cuba to avoid Castro? The answer is plain: Rubio wanted to create the politically useful impression that his family left Cuba because of Castro.

The reality, of course, is that Rubio's family had abandoned Cuba years before Castro's ascendancy. Indeed, it would be more accurate to say that Rubio's parents fled the Batista regime; to be sure, fleeing Batista's brutal regime was both a wise and understandable thing to do, but it doesn't necessarily play as well with Miami Republicans, who are dominated by anti-Castro dead enders.

Tom Lyons elegantly takes down the excuses trumpeted by Rubio's friends in the media.  Lyons begins with the truism that "Rubio has said, in print and in speeches, that he is the son of Cuban exiles who fled Castro. That claim made his roots seem more like many of his fellow South Florida residents, the ones who helped launched him into local politics and later sent him to the Florida Legislature."

In 2006, when Rubio was about to become Florida Speaker of the House, he had claimed he was one of many children whose parents were "forced to flee and come here" because of Castro. Even his U.S. Senate biography says his mother and father "came to America following Fidel Castro's takeover."

But the sad-yet-inspiring tale is a case of gilding the lily.

As newly released documents reported by the Washington Post forced him to admit, Rubio's parents moved to Florida in 1956, while Havana was still a colorful tourism hot spot Americans were flocking to. Documents show his father was approved as a permanent U.S. resident that year.

Castro's takeover was in 1959.

After the Washington Post yanked the rug from under Rubio's family history tale, he responded that he had simply been uncertain on some dates and so had innocently garbled some "family lore." And one news report noted that the Miami Herald had more or less taken Rubio's side.

The Herald said Rubio has also said, at times, that his parents came to America before Castro took power. The times when he dramatically claimed otherwise are apparently shrugged off in the Herald account as part of Rubio's tendency to be a bit sloppy with details.

Details? Arriving here while fleeing Castro is no detail. It's the crucial fact, key to the story, the entire point.

That wasn't being sloppy. That was fudging facts to help create a politically useful identity. That he has sometimes told the truth only shows he knew better.