"The Cotton Mather of Fort Lauderdale"

Daniel Ruth: "Do you suspect it's possible that Rep. Allen West, R-Tailgunner Joe, has retained the expert services of Ozzie Guillen to hone his well-crafted image as a dolt?"

If West keeps this up, it's only a matter of time before the congressman accuses the College of Cardinals of having ties to Havana because of the red zucchettos the cardinals wear.

Better not to encourage him.

The Grand Inquisitor of the tea party was holding forth at a town hall meeting in Jensen Beach this week when one of the pitchfork attendees asked him to estimate how many fellow members of Congress are card-carrying Marxists or International Socialists, as opposed to domestic Socialists.

West could have answered, "Sir, one of the downsides of holding public office is having silly twits like you as a constituent."

Instead, the Cotton Mather of Fort Lauderdale responded with absolute certainty: "I believe there's about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party who are members of the Communist Party."

Who knew? ...

By West's twisted reasoning, Florida U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown of Jacksonville and Frederica Wilson of Miami are commies, commies, commies. So is Georgia's John Lewis, an icon of the civil rights movement. Lewis shed his blood fighting to open doors for the likes of Allen West, who has now returned the favor by accusing a venerated House colleague of, at least, being disloyal.

And it's all because these folks believe in equality? Less guns and more education? Fairer taxes? Oh the Material Dialectic of it all.

Both West and McCarthy are world-class panderers. Both displayed indifference to the ramifications of accusing fellow Americans of being unpatriotic because they held opposing views. Both couldn't prove their charges. And most notably, both could lay claim to being boorish, unpleasant people.

Sargeant blows hole in Greer-RPOF criminal case

"Harry Sargeant III, former finance chair for the Florida Republican of Party says he and other party officials knew all about it when former GOP chairman Jim Greer and the party's executive director took over fundraising operations." "GOP officials knew about Greer fundraising deal, former finance chair says".

"Former Florida Republican finance chairman Harry Sargeant III -- a South Florida billionaire entangled in his own financial scandal -- has signed a sworn statement that former Gov. Charlie Crist and George LeMieux first suggested the idea that Jim Greer take over as party fundraiser."

Greer is awaiting trial in Orlando, charged with theft, fraud and money laundering. He is accused of setting up a shell company called Victory Strategies to funnel $125,000 in party funds into his personal bank accounts in 2009 while he was chairman. He says the money was rightfully earned as fund-raising commissions.

He has filed a separate civil suit naming the state party, former chairman John Thrasher and Senate President Mike Haridopolos, both of whom signed different copies of the severance agreement. A judge moved the civil case to Tallahassee last month, and the RPOF has asked to have it dismissed.

Sargeant states in his affidavit that he was aware Crist and Greer were both "frustrated and concerned" with the performance of then-RPOF uber-fundraiser Meredith O'Rourke and that Crist "instructed" Greer to fire her and replace her with someone else. O'Rourke told state investigators that Greer had approached her about teaming up to run the fundraising operations and splitting the commission. When she refused, she said she was forced out of the job. ...

Sargeant has drawn his own headlines since resigning as party finance chairman in 2009. Last summer, he was ordered to pay $28.8 million to a member of the Jordanian royal family in a dispute about lucrative U.S. military contracts to supply fuel to troops in Iraq. Democrats have accused him of being a "war profiteer," and a former employee was indicted in Los Angeles federal court over allegations that he illegally funneled campaign cash to Crist and John McCain.

Baggers in a dither

"Scott defied tea party activists Friday and allowed an energy bill to become law that sets aside $16 million for tax incentives to solar, wind and biofuel companies." "Gov. Scott lets tax incentives for alternative energies become law despite tea party opposition". See also "Adam Putnam Energy Bill Prevails".

Obama visits Tampa

"Obama visits Tampa, touts trade".

Health department reorganization bill goes to Scott

"A bill that critics say will weaken Florida’s health department was presented to Gov. Rick Scott [yesterday]. House Bill 1263, sponsored by state Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, and state Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Miami, was heavily criticized by public health experts as it quickly made its way through both chambers this past legislative session." "Bill reorganizing state health department presented to Scott".

Self-serving TaxWatch turkey talk

The self-appointed corporatist "tax-watchers" share their self-serving wisdom with us again this year:

The list this year contained some twists.

For example, TaxWatch identified $5 million for a world-class regatta in Sarasota but recommended further review by the governor, rather than a veto.

Robert Weissert, TaxWatch's vice president for research, said that's because the issue came up last year and emerged early during this year's session.

"The classic turkey is one where everybody says, 'What the heck is that,' " he said. "This was on people's radar screens throughout the process, it was more of a gray area."

Bradenton Republican Sen. Mike Bennett, sponsor of the proposal, said TaxWatch originally favored the bill but changed course when its consultants weren't hired for the project's economic analysis.

"The governor has been to the site, we've had letters of support from the cities and counties," Bennett said. "The number of jobs this thing would create is phenomenal."

"Battle for Florida is on"

Jeremy Wallace: "President Barack Obama left no doubt on Friday that the battle for Florida is on."

Days after Republican Mitt Romney essentially sewed up the GOP nomination, Obama made a beeline for Florida, including a stop in Tampa to stake out a key message on the economy near the site where the Republican National Convention will be held in August. ...

The ramped up effort in Florida, and specifically Tampa, is hardly coincidental, political experts say. If Obama wins Florida as he did in 2008, he will be nearly impossible to beat for re-election because of the way the electoral college math works out.

And no county is a bigger bellweather than Hillsborough County, said University of South Florida political science professor Susan MacManus. In each of the last four presidential elections, the candidate who carried Hillsborough County — where Obama visited Friday — has won the state and the White House.

“It’s the biggest swing area of the biggest swing state,” MacManus said.

Scott's investment tax credit strategy flopping

The Tampa Tribune editorial board writes that "the Tax Foundation ranks Florida 44th in appeal to capital-intensive manufacturing. The national organization says Florida ranks low 'despite offering the most generous investment tax credit — roughly 10 times the average nationally.'" "Taxing surprises".

Breaks to businesses diminish state funds

The Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy reports that "even though the Florida Legislature faced a shortfall of revenue needed to continue paying for current services, it passed an assortment of tax cuts that will diminish state funds even more in the future."

In addition, it provided other tax breaks to businesses, continued the expansion of the tax-financed private school voucher program, and appropriated more than $100 million for subsidies for businesses promising new jobs.

The reduction in funds through tax cuts and subsidies was accompanied by a $300 million cut to universities and hospitals and nursing homes, whose payments were cut for the fifth consecutive year. The dollars forgone through tax cuts could have been appropriated to lessen those and other budget cuts imposed by the legislature.

FlaDems have 500,000 voter advantage, yet Senate proposes 23 GOP districts

"A week before the Florida Supreme Court hears new arguments in the state’s redistricting case, the Florida Senate submitted Friday a 100-page defense of its plan for redrawing its 40 district boundaries."

While the Senate plan includes 23 Republican-leaning districts and 17 favoring Democrats, the Democratic proposal creates a 20-20 voting balance.

But Senate lawyers said that approach conflicts with what analysts say is the state’s natural bias toward Republicans.

Although Democrats hold an almost 500,000 voter advantage statewide, research by Stanford University and University of Michigan political scientists concluded that Democratic voters tend to cluster in Florida cities — allowing Republicans to become the dominant party in a majority of legislative districts.

Scott's "dogma trumping common sense"

The Miami Herald editors: "In a stunning example of dogma trumping common sense, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a bill that addressed one common cause of crime, a bill supported by 152 of 156 legislators in both houses. One wonders if he read the bill or thought beyond the use of a veto as a one-line campaign slogan." "Veto trumps common sense".

FlaDems hold a 4% registration lead over GOP

"Florida Democrats are picking up steam heading into the general election, beating the GOP in lassoing new voters last month by 8 percent, according to data released by the Florida Democratic Party" Friday.

Registered Democrats in Florida now total 4,955,094 – 40 percent of Florida’s 12,328,235 registered voters – as of April 1, holding a 4 percent lead of the GOP, with 4,408,461 registered voters. Twenty-four percent – 2,964,680 – of Floridians are registered with no party affiliation. And independents grew by a larger percentage than either party last month, with 41 percent of new voters, or 23,333, shunning both the GOP and the Dems.

While the Democrats are crowing about the new registration numbers, they’re still down overall from earlier this year. Figures released by the Division of Elections in January showed 40.5 percent of Floridians registered as Democrats and about 36.2 percent as Republicans.

And Democrats still hold a smaller lead over Republicans than four years ago, when the gap favored Democrats by 5.8 percent heading into the 2008 presidential elections.

Florida state party committees rolling in cash

"A new report from the National Institute on Money in State Politics finds that Florida is No. 1 in the country for the amount of money that state party committees receive in campaign donations. More than $100 million in campaign contributions flooded the coffers of the Democratic and Republican Party committees during the 2009-2010 election cycle."

he Republican state party committee in Florida out-raised Democrats by bringing in a total of $67,236,671, winning the party majority control of both the state House and Senate that year. The state Democratic Party raised $49,497,496 for the 2010 election, the Institute reports.

Compared to the 2005-2006 election cycle, the state saw a total 24 percent increase in campaign contributions for state party committees.

Florida’s campaign fundraising activity bucked national trends, as well. According to the group, the 100 state parties nationwide “raised 2 percent less than they did in the comparable 2005–06 elections.”

There are several possible factors that have contributed to the popularity of donating to state party committees in Florida. As explained by a previous report from the Institute, Florida state party committees do no have the same caps on donations as donations to candidates have. State contribution limits currently cap donations at $500 per candidate per election. The Democratic or Republican party, however, can receive unlimited amounts.

It is also sometimes impossible to tell which candidate is receiving money from which corporation within the system. Parties do not always disclose (nor do they have to) to whom they are specifically dispersing their funds.

FlaBag extremists

"Three years ago Sunday, the tea party movement burst into public consciousness with large and loud demonstrations — and went on to jolt American politics."

Born of fear and frustration during the depths of the Great Recession, outrage over what tea partiers saw as an out-of-control government helped replace scores of Democrats with ultraconservatives in Congress and state capitals.

And they're not done yet. In Broward and Palm Beach counties, activists say their movement has evolved into an even more potent political force that will determine winners and losers in the 2012 elections. ...

With an energized tea party, voters anxious about the economy and discouraged Democrats staying home on Election Day 2010, tea party candidates won throughout the country, including U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

In South Florida, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, has been a frequent bogeyman, even before she became chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee in 2011. At one big tea party protest outside the Federal Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, one demonstrator's sign depicted Wasserman Schultz as a marionette whose strings were pulled by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Wasserman Schultz said the tea party has had a big impact, but one that ultimately will hurt Republicans. "They successfully dragged the Republican Party so far to the right that they've embraced extremism," she said.

Gay registration efforts

"Gay pride events prompt voter registration efforts".

Sen. Rubio has called the Dream Act "amnesty." He's wrong. Nothing that imposes conditions can be "amnesty." But as his party's Hispanic star, from a state whose Hispanic voters could tip the presidential election, Sen. Rubio can't sidestep immigration as he did in 2011 while delivering hyped speeches on many other major issues. ...

It's mid-April. The Senate takes off most of August. Nothing big gets done after Labor Day in election years. Yet Sen. Rubio complained to National Review that "Democrats and the left don't want to solve this issue; they want this issue to remain out there because they want to use it as a political tool."

In fact, Senate Republicans have been the main impediments to immigration reform, even when President Bush finally pushed the issue. To make his case, Sen. Rubio will have to dream up something more than a talking point.

"Disquieting questions"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board write that Zimmerman's arrest "raises anew disquieting questions about Florida's broadly drawn "stand your ground law," invoked in his defense." "Charges reveal 'stand your ground' law's flaws".

Florida's ALEC shills

"Florida Legislators with ALEC Ties".

Teabaggers going after Florida Supreme Court

"More than $450,000 has been cobbled together in the first three months of the year for the retention efforts of state Supreme Court justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince."

Lewis, Pariente and Quince were appointed to the court by former Gov. Lawton Chiles. Lewis and Pariente were appointed to the court by former Gov. Lawton Chiles. Quince was appointed by both Chiles and former Gov. Jeb Bush.

The three justices are facing heat, as did two others in 2010, for being viewed as judicial activists, highlighted by voting to block a measure that would have allowed Floridians to block the Affordable Health Care for America Act, better known [by the Teabagger crowd] as Obamacare[*], two years ago.

The anti-retention effort is being headed by the Orlando-based Restore Justice 2012, an outgrowth of efforts of local tea party activist Jesse Phillips.

Phillips said Wednesday that the justices may be “scared” after a similar effort two years ago resulted in some of the lowest votes ever in favor of retention.
...

On its website -- restorejustice2012.com -- the group claims “Our State Supreme Court is among the worst offenders and has frequently meddled in the democratic process and taken upon itself to determine outcomes that our state Constitution leaves to voters, not judges, to decide."

The group points to the court's 2006 decision to reject a law passed by the Florida Legislature that created the country's first statewide education voucher program and the 2010 decision that blocked a state constitutional amendment going before voters to ban any laws that required Florida residents to participate in a health care system.

“The Florida State Supreme Court has taken it upon itself to decide matters lawfully left to voters to decide,” Restore Justice stated. “They have disenfranchised every voter in the state on multiple occasions and greatly overstepped their constitutional limitations, proving that they truly are one of the most activist courts in the nation.”

Tuition

"UF and FSU ask Rick Scott to OK tuition bill".

Governors like Scott exist to squash hope

The Pensacola News-Journal editorial board: "We don't know if Gov. Rick Scott is captive to his ideology, or perhaps to what he thinks that ideology should or might be. Or to what the voters he thinks he needs to please to get reelected think it is."

Confusing? Well, Scott seems confused, too.

This week the governor vetoed a bill that passed, on a total vote of 152-4, through one of the more conservative legislatures in the country. Yes, it was a remarkably progressive bill to get through the Florida Legislature, but it just goes to show that you should never give up hope.

Of course, governors like Scott seem to exist to squash hope.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Ft. Lauderdale, was progressive — and fiscally conservative, too. It struck a small but symbolic blow against the idea that we need lengthy jail sentences for people whose real crime is their inability to stay off drugs.

Republican leaders interested in helping carpetbaggers

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board writes that Florida is "contributing to Amazon.com's dominance and the demise of true market competition."

State leaders' refusal to modernize the state sales tax system and demand payment from Internet-only retailers has put Florida retailers at a disadvantage for more than a decade. It also has robbed the state of revenue needed to pay for schools, prisons and other programs. Customers shopping at bricks-and-mortar stores in Florida pay sales tax, while those who buy online from an out-of-state seller do not.

The 2012 legislative session initially held great promise for leveling the playing field. Bills to require Internet-only sellers to collect and remit sales taxes from Florida customers had bipartisan support. The year before, the three states with larger populations than Florida — California, New York and Texas — embarked on their own strategies.

In the end, nothing changed. Tallahassee's Republican leaders apparently are still more interested in helping carpetbaggers than homegrown businesses who employ Floridians.

Dershowitz slams "politically motivated" arrest

Harvard University law professor Alan Dershowitz called the arrest "called the affidavit justifying Zimmerman’s arrest 'not only thin, it’s irresponsible.' He went on to criticize the decision to charge Zimmerman for second degree murder by special prosecutor Angela Corey as being politically motivated."

“Most affidavits of probable cause are very thin. This is so thin that it won’t make it past a judge on a second degree murder charge,” Dershowitz said. “There’s simply nothing in there that would justify second degree murder.”

Dershowitz said that the elements that would constitute that crime are non-existent in the affidavit. “It’s not only thin, it’s irresponsible,” said Dershowitz.

Dershowitz went on to strongly criticize Corey’s decision to move forward with the case against Zimmerman. “I think what you have here is an elected public official who made a campaign speech last night for reelection when she gave her presentation and overcharged. This case will not – if the evidence is no stronger than what appears in the probable cause affidavit – this case will result in an acquittal.”

Smerconish identified the total lack of any mention of the supposed fight that occurred between Martin and Zimmerman prior to Martin being shot. He said he was disappointed that he did not see any mention of that conflict that led to Martin’s murder.

“But it’s worse than that,” said Dershowitz. “It’s irresponsible and unethical in not including material that favors the defendant.”

“This affidavit does not even make it to probable cause,” Dershowitz concluded. “everything in the affidavit is completely consistent with a defense of self-defense. Everything.”

"Florida has yet to jump on the wind-farm bandwagon"

"The American Wind Energy Association reported Thursday that the Sunshine State is home to 15 plants manufacturing wind-power components for use elsewhere."

The facilities range from GE Energy's turbine manufacturing plant in Pensacola to Atlantic Bearings' power-transmission parts supplier in Doral.

A 16th company, turbine maker 5D, is set to crank up an assembly plant in Sarasota this year.

Though nearly 3,000 Florida workers are employed by these firms -- ranking the state ninth nationally in wind-power jobs -- their products and services are exported.

Like most of its neighbors in the sultry Southeast, Florida has yet to jump on the wind-farm bandwagon that's rolling across the country, AWEA said.

Poor Vern

"Democrat Keith Fitzgerald’s campaign for Congress today announced that it raised nearly $300,000 in the first three months of 2012. Fitzgerald’s campaign received more than 1,500 individual contributions, with an average contribution of $136." "Buchanan opponent raises nearly $300,000 during first quarter of 2012".

Counties Go to Court

"Counties Go to Court to Fight State Medicaid Billing". See also "Counties announce lawsuit to block Medicaid billing scheme".

Thanks yet again, Mr. Obama

"State governments raked in $763.7 billion in tax revenues during the 2011 fiscal year, up 8.9 percent from the previous year, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. ... Most states reported increases among most types of taxes – income, license, severance, etc. – but Florida’s bump in revenue came mostly from a 4.4 percent rise in sales taxes, taking in $19.4 billion." "States' tax revenues up across nation".

Related: "Foreclosures down in U.S., up in Florida for first quarter of 2012".

"Guillen flap brings out worst in everybody"

Hate to break it to you, but "many people in and from Latin America feel differently about Fidel Castro than Cuban exiles do."

"Volusia will be political hotbed"

"Regardless of what happens when the Florida Supreme Court reviews the new state Senate boundaries for a second time, Volusia County can still figure to be the battleground for one of the state's most competitive races."

The race for the District 8 Senate seat was the only one in Florida to have solidly funded candidates from both major parties before the Legislature's redistricting process began. New campaign reports -- which had to be sent to elections officials postmarked by Tuesday -- suggest the race is only growing tighter.

County Chair Frank Bruno, a Democrat, made another strong showing in the first three months of the year, raising more than $30,000. Republican Dorothy Hukill raised $17,000, but the four-term House member was barred from raising money for most of the quarter because the Legislature was in session.

She still holds an advantage of more than $55,000 in cash raised, but Hukill may have to start spending hers sooner, with the recent challenge from former Republican House member Pat Patterson. Patterson had time to raise only $2,300 after joining the race in March, but he was sitting on more than $70,000 from earlier campaigns.

Goin' local

"Edgewater man announces run for Volusia County chair" and "Port Orange mayor picks up competition".

Embarrassing

"Scott will work behind the ticket counter, in the airport's communications center and as a skycap over the course of his work day." "Obama, Scott both at Tampa airport Friday".

Makin' money

"Party donations soften during first quarter". See also "Flagler House candidates raise far less".

More time in FRS

"State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera said he was prompted to run after property appraiser Pedro Garcia told the city of Miami it might have to pay property taxes on parking garages at the new Marlins ballpark." "Miami state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera to run for Miami-Dade property appraiser".

Anti-choice GOTV scam

"A new anti-abortion group called Citizens for Protecting Taxpayers and Parental Rights has launched a campaign called 'Yes on 6,' urging Floridians to vote for Amendment 6 this November."

Amendment 6 is a legislatively created ballot initiative that proposes “the creation of Section 28 of 2 Article I of the State Constitution to generally prohibit public funding of abortions and prohibit the State Constitution from being interpreted to create broader rights to an abortion than those contained in the United States Constitution.”

The group launching the campaign is listed with the Florida Division of Elections as a political action committee with assets totaling $13,359.

Documents filed with the Division of Elections show that the committee is being funded by the influential anti-gay and anti-abortion group Florida Family Action PAC, which is part of the Florida Family Policy Council. Other anti-abortion groups funding the committee include the Florida Catholic Conference, Florida Right to Life and the Diocese of Venice in Florida.

As the measure made its way through the state Legislature last spring, the bill was presented as a way to restrict public funding of abortion — which is already illegal. But the amendment would roll back a constitutional privacy right in the Florida Constitution, which currently provides more protection for women than the U.S. Constitution does.

While the bill summary includes this information, critics take issue with the amendment’s title: “Prohibition on Public Funding of Abortions; Construction of Abortion Rights.”

State Rep. Elaine Schwartz, D-Hollywood, said during debate over the bill that the amendment was introduced as a “political move to get out the vote in 2012.”

"Stop fighting commonsense reform"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Broadcasters are in business because the public grants them free access to the airwaves. It's not too much to expect them to also make it easy for the public to know who is buying the political ads they find there. Local television stations should tell their leaders to stop fighting commonsense reform proposed by the Federal Communications Commission that will bring much-needed sunlight to the money behind politics."

The FCC's proposed rule, expected to be voted on April 27, would require major stations in the top 50 markets to upload their political advertising information to an FCC website. Smaller stations would be given two more years to comply, a nod to complaints by broadcasters that the requirement is expensive and burdensome. It's a baseless claim. Once systems are automated, digitizing information saves money and staff time over keeping paper records. Moreover, stations can afford to put a few resources toward their public interest obligations.

Estimates are that television broadcasters will earn $2.5 billion in political advertising in 2012, an increase of more than 60 percent from 2008, thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court unleashing an avalanche of money for independent ads with its Citizens United decision. By having the information on all these ads centralized, online and in searchable form (a detail that isn't yet clear in the rules, but should be made mandatory too) the public would be given for the first time an easy way to track money that goes into political ads, and any special interests financing them. This won't solve America's problem with big money in politics drowning out smaller voices, but at least it will let everyone know who is doing the speaking.

Millions pour into political war chests

"Time-share companies and resort owners, the business lobby, trial lawyers, unions, and Realtors topped the list of interest groups that poured millions of dollars into their political war chests during the last three months -- in anticipation of what should be a wide-open and unpredictable 2012 campaign season." "Interest groups, politicians pump up political war chests". See also "Party donations soften during first quarter", "Early, extra sessions hamper Q1 fundraising in Senate races", "Bill Nelson has $9.5 million for Senate race" and "Here's a fundraising twist: Judges out-raising lawmakers so far in 2012".

Wasserman Schultz

"Wasserman Schultz `proud' to represent South Florida, hopes for another term".

West hiding under his bed

"Allen West sees communists lurking in Congress" and "Allen West says there are Communists in Congress".

Florida GOPers whine about "war on women"

"The war over the so-called "war on women" continues to rage – in South Florida and beyond. Sharon Day of Fort Lauderdale, co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, said the Democrats are conjuring up a 'phony war on women.'"

Day continues, accusing the Dems, of all people, of being divisive:

She said President Barack Obama and his supporters "continue to create this divide. First they did this class divide, and now they're doing this gender divide."

"You betcha"

"You betcha Sarah Palin will be at the August Republican National Convention."

The political action committee for the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate plunked down $4,500 to reserve space at Channelside Bay Plaza for the big political event.

"As sure as death"

Tom Jackson: "As sure as death, taxes and humidity, it was inevitable Mike Fasano's name was going to appear on a ballot sometime this year. You could have more easily denied the flight of our winter guests and summer thunderstorms." "Nobody term-limits Fasano".

Mack seeks attention

"U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV brought his Republican U.S. Senate campaign to town Wednesday in the form of a petition calling on President Barack Obama and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson – both Democrats -- to change their minds on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline." "Mack brings U.S. Senate campaign, petition to Orlando".

Rubio attends a VP candidate's class

"Rubio, R-Fla., will travel Thursday to the sixth Summit of the Americas, which will take place Friday and Saturday in Cartagena, Colombia." "Rubio to travel to Summit of the Americas".

FlaBaggers "hoodwinked"

Nancy Smith writes that a "tea party group hoodwinked into believing that HB 7117, the energy bill now before Gov. Rick Scott, is somehow going to 'increase the cost to businesses and consumers.'" "Looks Like Exxon Mobil Is Out to Crush Florida's Energy Bill, Corleone-Style".

Two-thirds of the House rank 95% or more on AIF scorecard

"Associated Industries of Florida said Wednesday that two-thirds of the House -- all Republicans -- ranked 95 percent or higher on its legislative scorecard."

Meanwhile, progressive groups [Florida Watch Action, Progress Florida and America Votes] recognized 27 legislators -- all but one being Democrats -- for opposing policies of Gov. Rick Scott, on some of the same issues supported by AIF.

The contrasting ratings offer conflicting evidence as to whether a more conservative Legislature is coalescing or whether the parties are becoming more polarized -- or both.

AIF said the differences between Democrats and Republicans on pro-business issues had narrowed as shown by its scorecard this year.

Big of them

"Charges dropped against Occupy Sarasota protester". See also "Charges dropped in Occupy Sarasota chalk arrest".

Florida's 'AAA' credit rating reaffirmed

"One of three major credit rating agencies reaffirmed Florida's 'AAA' credit rating on Wednesday,"

but kept its outlook listed as negative and listed a lawsuit challenging mandatory contributions to public employee retirement plans among events that could cloud the state's fiscal standing. Meanwhile, the Department of Revenue reported that state revenue continued a string of months in which it has come in above forecasts.

Scott and Legislature win "Muzzle" Award

"Enacting a law that bars doctors from discussing gun safety with their patients. Slicing the "f-word" from a designated free-speech wall. Blocking websites about non-mainstream religions and gay-advocacy groups from public computers."

Those were some of the dubious achievements that the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression cited Thursday in announcing its "Muzzle" awards. The Charlottesville center bestows the Muzzles annually to mark the April 13 birthday of Jefferson, its namesake, a free-speech advocate and the nation's third president.

Center director Josh Wheeler says several of the 2012 winners earned their Muzzles for engaging in viewpoint censorship, which the First Amendment prohibits.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the state's Legislature won its Muzzle for adopting a National Rifle Association-backed law that largely prohibits physicians from asking patients about firearms in their homes or discussing gun safety. In response to a challenge by physicians' groups and gun-control advocates, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction last fall blocking enforcement of the law, ruling that it infringed on free speech in the context of a doctor-patient relationship.

More universities to leave the state-run insurance program?

"The Department of Management Services is expressing concerns that other universities could follow lead of University of Florida in wanting to leave the state-run insurance program." "GatorCare could take a chomp out of fund that pays for state employee health insurance".

FlaBaggers agree with Mack: Ryan budget a "joke"

"Rep. Connie Mack drew heat last week for saying the budget plan crafted by Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan budget was a 'joke.' But he isn't alone. A number of tea party-backed House members also faulted it and Monday, a tea party organizer from Florida said he supports Mack, who has distanced himself from the critical remark." "Tea party comes to Mack's aid".

Mario Diaz-Balart whines

"Republicans at the national and state level slammed President Barack Obama and his trip to Florida on Tuesday."

In a telephone conference call with reporters, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Miami Republican who represents part of South Broward, Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, excoriated the president, his campaigning and his policies.

The Republicans highlighted the president's long-planned three fundraisers – in Palm Beach Gardens, Hollywood and Golden Beach – and the fact that he added an official stop at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton so the taxpayers would pick up the bulk of the cost of the trip.

Obama raises $2 million

"President Obama's first visit to Palm Beach County since he was a 2008 candidate found him in full campaign mode Tuesday, telling $10,000-a-plate donors and enthusiastic Florida Atlantic University students that his policies stand in stark contrast to the "old broken-down theories" of Republicans." "Obama raises $2 million, reconnects with young voters in South Florida visit". Related: "Fundraising, tax talk dominate President Obama's day in South Florida".

FlaBaggers go after Putnam

"A coalition of tea party groups is urging Gov. Rick Scott to veto the conservative Legislature's energy proposal, calling its revival of expired renewable energy tax credits 'crony capitalism.'" "Tea party groups oppose Adam Putnam energy measure".

"Exempting abortions from state's right to privacy"

"A group of anti-abortion advocates is urging voters to support a constitutional amendment they say will allow lawmakers to revisit a parental consent measure struck down by the courts. But opponents of the proposal, placed on the November ballot by lawmakers last year, say it would have a much more far-reaching effect by specifically exempting abortions from the state's constitutional right to privacy." "Florida anti-abortion campaign aims to restrict privacy rights". See also "'SNL' alumnus Victoria Jackson now opposes energy bill on Scott's desk".

Scott gives Romney "tepid" endorsement

"Responding to word that Rick Santorum is dropping out of the Republican presidential primary, Gov. Rick Scott, who has stayed neutral in the primary, issued a somewhat tepid endorsement of Romney. While praising Santorum and saying nothing positive about Romney, Scott said it’s now clear Romney will be the nominee and it’s time for Republicans to coalesce around him." "Scott gets behind Romney - somewhat".

Population growth slows

The Daytona Beach News-Journal editors: "The census and population numbers are in for mid-2010 through mid-2011, and the news is decidedly mixed."

The numbers show a slow pace for both Flagler County and Florida as a whole. But the growth rate for Volusia County was practically nonexistent. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Volusia County had a growth rate of 0 percent from April 2010 to July 2011. The county only added 152 new residents in that time period, while Palm Coast alone added 1,300 residents.

GOPers rake in the cash

"Republican party fundraising down in early 2012", but the: "Fla. GOP continue[s] to outraise state Democrats".

"Led by a Jefferson County Republican who reeled in more than $108,000, newcomers posted some of the top fundraising totals in legislative races during the first three months of 2012."

Monticello businessman Halsey Beshears reported raising $108,268, as he tries to win a largely rural House district that includes all or parts of 10 North Florida counties, according to records posted Tuesday on the state Division of Elections website.

Beshears, the owner of Total Landscape Supply, appeared likely to dwarf the fundraising totals of the other four candidates planning to run for the House District 7 seat. ...

Another top fundraiser during the quarter was Republican House candidate Travis Hutson, who brought in $70,675. A St. Johns County resident, he is running in District 24, which includes parts of St. Johns, Flagler and Volusia counties.

Newcomers from nearby Clay County, meanwhile, also had big quarters. Senate District 7 candidate Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, collected $68,401, while House District 18 candidate Travis Cummings, R-Orange Park, raised $66,226.

Among other Republicans, Heather Fitzenhagen of Fort Myers raised $65,377 as she tries to win House District 78 in Southwest Florida.

Democrats hope that newcomer Joe Saunders will be able to win the Orlando-area House District 49. Saunders raised $55,731 during the quarter.

Other top fundraisers among Democratic House candidates included Jonah Wolfson, of Miami Beach, who raised $49,625; and David Kerner, of Lake Worth, who raised $46,020.

New rules

"Stung by public reaction to judges who lobbied state lawmakers into a $50 million courthouse many have dubbed a "Taj Mahal,'' the Florida Supreme Court has established new rules that would muzzle individual judges who try to have their way with the Legislature."

And some judges are not happy. The state's circuit court judges have formally asked the state's highest court to rescind the rules and at least engage in a public discussion of rules that would constrain their right to speak out in public. Judges at the 5th District Court of Appeal also have filed a formal objection to a provision that would establish term limits on chief judges.

The rules, approved by a sharply divided court in February, would prevent individual judges from taking their budget requests and suggestions for changing the law directly to lawmakers without first getting approval from the Supreme Court and administrative committees that oversee the budget.

"Streamline Offerings"

"Atwater Pushes Universities to Streamline Offerings".

Just beneath the surface of President Barack Obama’s strong approval ratings, Republicans see signs of a chance to woo Hispanic voters and turn this influential bloc of voters to their side.

A new poll from a new Republican-leaning group called the Libre Initiative finds that Hispanic voters are unhappy with the country’s direction, pessimistic about their kids’ futures and suspicious about what government can do to foster the American dream.

“We’re getting in front of Hispanics with a different message than you’ve been hearing,” said Jose Mallea, Libre Initiative’s national coordinator.

“The Democrats want to talk about immigration, and the Dream Act,” Mallea said. “This is an effort to talk about economic freedom, opportunity, the American dream, and government over-reach.”

Mallea acknowledged that the nationwide poll for the group — which oversampled Hispanic voters in states like Florida and California — showed that Republicans have catching up to do when it comes to Hispanics.

Though President Obama failed to get the act passed when Democrats controlled Congress, many Republicans have opposed it outright, saying it allows for too much “amnesty” that encourages more illegal immigration.

Now, Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has offered a scaled-back version that would give legal residency status — but not citizenship — to some college- and military-bound residents who aren’t legal citizens [see "Rubio's phony 'DREAM Act without the dream'"].

The Libre Initiative didn’t poll the DREAM Act or Rubio’s proposal. The former is wildly popular among Hispanic voters, and one recent poll by the group Latino Decisions showed that Hispanics are less likely to vote for a candidate who opposes the act.

Nationwide, Obama pulls in 61 percent of the Latino vote against a generic Republican who would get just 31 percent, according to the Libre Initiative poll of 500 likely Hispanic voters conducted by the Tarrance Group, a firm that typically surveys for Republicans. The pollster oversampled 700 Hispanic voters in seven states.

Likely Hispanic voters in Florida were the least-enthusiastic when it came to support for Obama, with 48 percent saying they’d vote for the president and 45 percent planning to vote against him. That lead is well inside the poll’s error margin of plus or minus 4.5 percent.Florida, however, is an anomaly when it comes to the Hispanic vote due to the heavy concentration of Cuban American voters, who tend to be more conservative than, say, Mexican or Puerto Rican voters.

FloBama

"Obama to fundraise in South Florida on Tuesday". See also "President Barack Obama in Florida today, Tampa on Friday". Related: "President Barack Obama visiting Florida to talk about 'Buffett Rule'" and "President Barack Obama's coming. So what's a Republican to do?".

"Scott should be held to account"

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "Florida lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott were quick to congratulate themselves for legislation aimed at curbing fraud and abuse under the state's auto accident insurance law, which passed on the last day of the legislative session. But it may not be that great for consumers. Starting Jan. 1 — Scott is expected to sign HB 119 — victims of accidents with injuries short of an emergency will be entitled to just $2,500 in personal injury protection coverage (known as PIP) for medical bills and lost wages — just one-fourth of the current $10,000 limit. If car owners don't see commensurate decreases in their premiums starting in 2013 and beyond, lawmakers and Scott should be held to account." "PIP reform may miss consumers".

"The 'garbage' of mindless 'tough on crime' talk"

"It took six long years for Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff to pass a law intended to help a few people deal with their drug addiction in state prison. It took Gov. Rick Scott only a few seconds to wipe it out."

“I’m phenomenally disappointed,” said Bogdanoff, a Fort Lauderdale Republican who could not convince Scott that the modest reform in the bill would save taxpayers’ money by reducing the chance that inmates would re-offend by getting them the help they need.

“He said it was a 'public safety’ issue. No it’s not,” she said. “These are non-violent drug offenders.”

Political leaders have to get past what she called the “garbage” of mindless “tough on crime” talk, Bogdanoff said.

She said Florida cells are full of people whose only crime is an addiction to drugs, and if they don’t get help, they’ll soon be back on the streets, committing new crimes to support the habit that flourished in prison.

But that’s not how Scott saw it.

New Rivera challenger

"Democrat Gloria Romero Roses, a Southwest Ranches businesswoman and first-time candidate, launched a congressional campaign on Monday against Republican U.S. Rep. David Rivera."

The Florida Democratic Party, eager to show that Roses has the backing of the state establishment, announced her intention to run a week after Miami state Rep. Luis Garcia quit the congressional race after accusing national Democrats of betraying him by recruiting other candidates for the seat. Garcia is now running for the Miami-Dade County Commission.

The 40-year-old Roses — who was born in Bogotá, Colombia, but raised mostly in Hollywood — is a political rookie unknown outside of certain Democratic circles where she has been active the past couple of years, raising money and awareness for women candidates in Florida.

Magic City mess

"The public could be asked as soon as August to decide whether saving millions of dollars on elections is worth it if it means giving current leaders an extra year in office."

Meanwhile, "Auto magnate Norman Braman, who led the successful drive to oust of former Mayor Carlos Alvarez, is recruiting a slate of candidates to target incumbent commissioners who, he says, have not embraced charter reform." "Charter change in Miami would save millions, but give elected leaders an extra year in office".

Myriam Marquez asks "Is Braman a bully or a reformer?"

Scott's re-election campaign begins with the budget

John Kennedy: "Scott says he doesn't expect to come 'anywhere close' to last year's record $615 million in budget vetoes as he wraps up his review of the legislature's new $70 billion spending plan." "Budget vetoes seen as less likely in Gov. Scott's second year". Related: "Scott barnstorms schools touting $1 billion boost that will go fast".

FSC takes on term limits

"Link to Broward term limits case at Florida Supreme Court".

Medicaid deform

"Florida CHAIN sends a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Atlanta saying that proposed reductions to the program in Florida are 'dangerous' and 'unjustifiable.'" "Group asks feds to 'decisively reject' caps to Medicaid program".

"Florida communities risk losing flood insurance"

"A FEMA official asks Florida to clarify, if HB 503 is signed into law, how communities can comply with the National Flood Insurance Program requirement that they ensure all federal and state permits have been received for development. State Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan W. Koon responded that his agency will issue a memo directing communities to attach the requirement as a permit condition." "FEMA says Florida communities risk losing flood insurance because of legislation".

Quinones recall stalls

"A recall drive against Osceola County Commissioner John Quinones has stalled -- and perhaps fizzled."

Petition papers were filed last week with the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections by local businessman Jorge Coronado. The campaign was launched just days after Quinones announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for the new 9th Congressional District.

But recall organizers quickly withdrew their petition, citing "technical" glitches in the paperwork. On Monday, Coronado told Sunshine State News that he is "no longer involved."

Forget pensions, just pay them their wages

"Two Florida restaurant companies will have to pay back wages to almost 150 workers, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced Monday." "Florida restaurants ordered to pay wages owed to almost 150 workers".

"Poll-watching group with tea party ties"

"A new organization in Hillsborough County says it is making a non-partisan effort to clean up errors or possible fraud in voter rolls, but it is associated with a tea party group accused of seeking to suppress minority votes in Texas."

The organization, Tampa Vote Fair, is combing county voter rolls using a database and software obtained free from a national organization called True the Vote.

True the Vote is an outgrowth of King Street Patriots, a Houston-based group accused in court of using poll watchers to suppress minority voting in Houston in 2010.

Backers say the Tampa group's efforts will be nonpartisan, but its work could draw fire in a state already roiled by allegations of attempted voter suppression.

Democrats and others are challenging new laws passed by the Republican majority in the state Legislature, which Republicans say are aimed at preventing voter fraud, but Democrats say are aimed at reducing voting by minorities, young people and women.

The group's formation also suggests the increasing extent to which partisan battles are being fought through voting regulations. ...

Voter challenges by Republican poll watchers in the past have led to national litigation and court orders against "voter caging," challenging voters based on previously compiled evidence of incorrect addresses on voting rolls.

Asked under what circumstances Tampa Vote Fair poll watchers might challenge voters, [Kimberly Kelley, member of the local Republican Party executive committee and head of Tampa Vote Fair] didn't give a clear answer, saying she hasn't been through the poll watcher training provided by True the Vote.

"Selective Memory"?

Nancy Smith: "Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Women: Talk About Selective Memory".

"Robbing Peter to pay Paul just doesn't make sense"

The Sun Sentinel editors: "State legislators did Floridians a disservice when they crafted a new budget by tapping reserve funds for the state's 11 universities — to the tune of $150 million. Not to address higher education needs, mind you, but to help pay for other state government services. You don't need a college degree to know this particular case of robbing Peter to pay Paul just doesn't make sense." "Stop raiding ed reserves".

And these guys expect pensions?

"200 acres consumed by Miami-Dade brush fire".

"Jobs mystery"

The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Florida's employment peaked in February 2007, when 8.87 million of us were working. That was 10 months before the recession officially started."

Obama's stimulus spending plan was enacted in February 2009. By that time, Florida had lost 578,000 jobs, and the next year it elected Rick Scott as governor, largely because of his emphasis on jobs and private enterprise. He promised the state 700,000 new jobs in seven years.

The nationwide recession may have ended in June 2009, but Florida's employment didn't snap back as is expected in a recovery. By February 2010, Florida had lost 827,000 jobs in three years.

Now job growth has returned, but as in the nation, many people have given up hope of finding work. Florida is adding jobs slightly faster than the 20,000 a month it needs to keep up with population growth, but not much more than that.

The state's unemployment rate is falling, but it is no longer the most reliable gauge of prosperity. A bill recently introduced in the U.S. House, called the "REAL Unemployment Calculation Act," would count all potential workers, even those too discouraged to continue asking for a job. Changing how the rate is calculated would instantly raise the U.S. unemployment rate from 8.2 percent to 9.6 percent and send Florida's back into double digits.

"Best January ever"

"Florida businesses reported their best January ever, posting a 12.5 percent jump in sales, the biggest single monthly increase since August 2006." "Florida businesses post best January ever".

Sloppy social media

"The head of the Democratic National Committee, Broward Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, is sticking by a Jewish-outreach aide who was embarrassed last week by an old Facebook posting where she joked about 'Jewbags.'"

The aide, Danielle “Dani” Gilbert, quickly apologized for the six-year-old slur. But by then, the Facebook posting had gone viral.

Also, Democratic sources started leaking stories that her hiring at the DNC exposed a rift with President Obama’s campaign.

Wasserman Schultz said on Monday that Gilbert, who is Jewish like the congresswoman, should be forgiven. She said it also showed the perils of social media in today’s campaign world.

“She was 20 when she posted that picture,” Wasserman Schultz said. “I spoke to my own children and gave that unfortunate posting as an example of how, no matter what you think is funny among your friends, nothing on social media is private.”

Wasserman Schultz made the comments in response to a reporter’s questions after a Sunny Isles event where she bashed the Republican House budget for cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security — a perennial line of attack for Democrats during an election year.

Wasserman Schultz also disputed anonymous sources who told the website BuzzFeed that Gilbert’s hiring for Jewish outreach at the DNC was made over the objections of top officials at the Obama campaign and the DNC, which already has a Jewish-outreach coordinator.

The sources fretted to BuzzFeed that Wasserman Schultz was putting her own personal politics and relationships ahead of the interests of the party when she hired Gilbert, the daughter of major Democratic donor Mark Gilbert of Boca Raton.

"Nelson speaks to Hispanic seniors"

"Sen. Bill Nelson speaks to Hispanic seniors about concerns".

is floating a Republican version of the DREAM Act. It’s still just a concept, but with the backing of the leading Hispanic Republican, it’s seen as a way for the GOP to appeal to Latino voters turned off by the party’s harsh rhetoric on immigration. Democrats have already panned it, and a New York Times editorial called it "the DREAM Act without the dream."

Take Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who has recently been floating his stripped-down version of the Dream Act">stripped-down version of the Dream Act, a bill to legalize young unauthorized immigrants — Americans in all but name — who serve in the military or go to college. Mr. Rubio’s idea to make it palatable to his party is to offer them legalization without citizenship. "You can legalize someone’s status," he says, "without placing them on a path toward citizenship." He warns that if Dream Act youths became citizens, they could — horrors — someday sponsor family members to enter legally. This idea is nothing more than some newly invented third-class status — not illegal, but not American.

It’s the Dream Act without the dream and should be dismissed out of hand, along with similar half-measures embraced by Mitt Romney and other Republican presidential candidates, who endorse legalization for military service but not college, and not citizenship in any case. Representative David Rivera of Florida has offered a limited Dream Act only for those who join the military and has said that he would file another only for youths younger than 18-and-a-half who earn four-year college degrees and wait 10 years to adjust their status.

Florida GOP primary did nothing to settle the nomination

"The Republican National Committee has cut Florida's delegation from 100 to 50 and promises to limit the number of floor passes and other perks Florida receives to the convention in Tampa as punishment for moving its primary to January in violation of party rules."

By moving the presidential primary to January, Florida blew up the entire 2012 schedule and by some accounts contributed to the protracted primary that has done little to help the GOP's standing with the public. And contrary to what most Florida leaders predicted, the primary here did nothing to settle the nomination.

Florida Republicans freak out over Obama declaring martial law

"A White House order updating federal emergency powers has raised alarm among some conservative commentators, and [Orlando] U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams, that President Barack Obama is attempting to grab unconstitutional powers."

A columnist with The Washington Times declared the mid-March order — an update of a 60-year-old document outlining the president's authority in a national emergency — "stunning in its audacity and a flagrant violation of the Constitution." The conservative [wingnut] Drudge Report website linked to it with the headline, "Martial Law?"

And Adams, R-Orlando, said it "leaves the door open for the president to give himself control over American resources during both times of peace, and national crisis."

So Adams filed a nonbinding resolution specifying what Obama cannot do with the order — including institute a draft, confiscate personal property and "force civilians to engage in labor against their will or without compensation."

But legal experts from both ends of the political spectrum said it's a stretch — at best — to believe the order allows any of those powers.

As written, the executive order outlines the powers the president can exercise "in the event of a potential threat," such as mobilizing for war. These range from the mundane, such as preparing disaster plans, to more robust authority that includes taking control of civil transportation and forcing U.S. companies to prioritize defense contracts.

All this has been on the books for decades. ...

[Nevertheless,] Adams' resolution has at least 37 co-sponsors, including six Florida Republicans: Gus Bilirakis, Jeff Miller, Richard Nugent, Dennis Ross, Steve Southerland and Allen West. It has yet to receive a committee hearing.

Rubio burnishes VP cred, claims he can see Cuba from Florida

Can you imagine a weaker VP candidate? "Online bookmaker gives Rubio good odds".

"Lest anyone doubt the importance of Florida's 29 electoral votes"

Adam Smith: "Lest anyone doubt the importance of Florida's 29 electoral votes to President Barack Obama's re-election campaign, consider the schedule taking shape for this week:"

Obama will speak Tuesday at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton about the so-called Buffet Rule that would apply to millionaires the same effective tax rate that middle-class Americans pay.

Then on Thursday, first lady Michelle Obama will give a speech to high school junior and senior girls and their families at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, part of a program to honor military families.

Now we're hearing that the White House is looking into the president stopping in Tampa on Friday for an official event.

Tax dollars subsidizing the Chamber

"$2M in public dollars went to area pro-business groups".

Trayvon killing boosts voter-registration drive

"On Palm Sunday, LaVon Bracy stood before the congregation of New Covenant Baptist Church in Orlando and announced plans to participate in an effort by 50,000 black congregations nationwide to register 1 million voters on Easter Sunday." "Trayvon Martin killing boosts Easter voter-registration drive".

Wingnuts whine about turnout

Anthony Man: "First came the prayer, then the politics."

The venues couldn't have been more antithetical – one night at McKenna's Place, an Irish pub in Greenacres, the next at Calvary Chapel, the megachurch based in Fort Lauderdale – but the purpose was the same.

The objective: inspiring South Floridians Christians to undertake a new form of outreach, with the goal of toppling President Barack Obama. They were enlisted to reach out to the thousands of other area Christians who aren't registered to vote, sell them on signing up, and mobilize new and old Christian voters alike to cast ballots this fall.

"We're organizing Florida to take back America," said John Stemberger, president of the Orlando-based Florida Family Policy Council, a group with conservative views on social issues that include combating abortion and gay marriage.

"This is very, very critical," Stemberger told about 175 potential volunteers who gathered one recent evening at Calvary's Fort Lauderdale campus. "What you do or don't do in the next seven months could mean the difference in who is running the free world. It's that serious."

His comments aren't hyperbole. Several key demographic groups – the young, seniors, blacks, Hispanics, and Jews, as well as conservative Christians – could tip the balance in the state on Election Day and determine which candidate wins Florida's 29 electoral votes and the presidency.

Stemberger didn't provide specific numbers of unregistered Christians in his speech or in a subsequent email interview. But the political arm of the national Family Research Council, another socially conservative political organization affiliated with his group, reported that when Obama won Florida by 236,450 votes in 2008, the state was home to 668,890 conservative Christians[*] who didn't cast ballots because they weren't registered.

"With a fraction of that, we can win Florida," Stemberger told his audience in Fort Lauderdale. "These are people who would vote the right [sic] way if they were registered."

Stemberger, a former political director of the Florida Republican Party, and his supporters are clear: the right way means preventing Obama, a Democrat, from securing a second term.

Obama beating Romney among women by 14% in Florida

Adam Smith: "Four years ago Obama narrowly won Florida when he beat John McCain among women by 5 percentage points, according to exit polls. A Quinnipiac University poll of Florida voters in late March showed Obama beating Romney among women by 14 points and leading the state overall by 7 points."

While debates over contraceptive coverage or Planned Parenthood have drawn much of the media attention lately, the gender gap extends to a wide array of issues.

"For more than a decade, women have been more likely than men to favor an active role for government. And recent surveys show that higher percentages of women than men say that government should do more for the poor, children and the elderly," Pew Research said in a recently released report.

Quinnipiac's Brown suggested the wide gender gap apparent lately is related to much more than Limbaugh outbursts.

"Women tend to be more risk averse and more security oriented," he said. "The Republicans for the most part are for cuts in budgets that women more than men see as potentially a threat to their economic security and those around them."

Recent polls point to independent and swing voter women moving toward Democrats in recent months, but there also is anecdotal evidence that the GOP rhetoric has helped energize the Democratic base.

Anne Sankowski, 58, a retired postal worker in Tampa, said she started volunteering for the Obama campaign in September after listening to then-candidates Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry sound "like religious fanatics."

That, along with the union-busting efforts in Wisconsin and talk of cutting Medicare for future beneficiaries, fired her up to get active politically: "It's just everything they've been talking about for the last six months is backward movement not just for women, but for everybody.''

When did Kingsley get his law degeree?

They talk a lot about the horrific end of the lochner era between rounds of golf down at the country club.

Kingsley Guy, who apparently thinks he's a lawyer, pontificates on constitutional law today: "Florida, now the nation's fourth most populous state, has been playing a bigger role in the political life of the country. So it should come as no surprise that the ObamaCare lawsuit has a strong Florida connection. The suit was brought by 26 states, but it was Florida under former Attorney General Bill McCollum that initially launched the challenge."

Many Florida Democrats heaped abuse on McCollum at the time, labeling him a political hack who was wasting money pursuing baseless legal arguments. But those not blinded by left-wing zealotry, and who had a fundamental understanding of federalism, recognized immediately the challenges had merit. ...

Since the principle of "judicial review" was established by the 1803 Marbury v. Madison decision, the Supreme Court has overturned all sorts of laws because they didn't pass constitutional muster. As for passing by a "strong majority," the health care legislation achieved only the 60 votes in the Senate needed to make it filibuster-proof. As for House, the "strong majority" amounted to only seven votes.

Does the president really believe the American people are so stupid that they'll accept such a statement as fact? Obama taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago, but if this is any indication of the quality of his instruction, his students should ask for their money back.

"Political assault on higher education"

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "This year Florida lawmakers launched what former Gov. Bob Graham aptly described as "a political assault on higher education." How rough was it?"

-Lawmakers passed a budget that would slash $300 million in funding for the state's 11 public universities, directing them to raid their reserves and ratcheting up pressure on them for another year of 15 percent tuition hikes.

-For the University of Florida and Florida State University, lawmakers eliminated the upper limit on raising tuition, creating the likelihood that students at those schools will have to swallow even higher annual hikes.

-Yet lawmakers also added to the financial stress on the system by caving to Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander's parochial crusade to create a 12th university, Florida Polytechnic University, from a University of South Florida branch with locations in and around his district. Groups representing USF students, faculty and alumni came out against the idea, but Alexander bullied colleagues into backing it.

Voucher madness

"Political, legal fights over school vouchers' fate".

"Nuclear advance fee" lawsuit

"A group of four legislators say the Florida law that requires utility customers to pay in advance for new nuclear plants is unconstitutional and have joined a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to overturn it." "Four Florida lawmakers join lawsuit against nuclear advance fee".