"If Obama is going to win Florida"

Jeremy Wallace: "If President Barack Obama is going to win Florida, he could use a big assist from former President Bill Clinton."

It’s no accident that Clinton is prominently featured in new television ads for Obama and that he was the biggest speaker of the night Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention.

“Bill Clinton is golden in Florida,” said Dan Smith, a University of Florida political science professor.

But just as importantly, Clinton speaks to demographics that have been difficult for Obama to unlock this year as he did in 2008. Specifically, Clinton appeals to older voters in Florida and could make inroads with working-class white male voters.

"New budget forecast released this week"

"A new budget forecast released this week by state economists shows the state is expecting in 2013 to bring in enough money to meet its needs for public schools and health care programs while leaving $1 billion for reserves. The three-year forecast will be presented to legislators next week." "Fla. expected to avoid budget shortfall next year".

"Home-state success story"

"Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has spent her time at the Democratic National Convention here much the same way she has since becoming chair of the party last year: with a spirited defense of President Barack Obama, sharp barbs aimed at Republicans and a splash or two of controversy along the way." "It's Her Party: Debbie Wasserman Schultz as Usual at the DNC".

"We’ve been here before"

The Miami Herald editors: "Lawsuits have been filed questioning the validity of elections in Miami-Dade County. From the Miami-Dade mayor’s race to the property appraiser to one judge’s seat to various state legislative seats, the right to vote in free and fair elections has been compromised."

The culprit? The abuse of absentee ballots, with two Hialeah boleteros accused of fraud. And allegations that nursing homes, comedores and public housing for the elderly are Ground Zero.

There are federal investigations, a special prosecutor in Broward County handling the Miami-Dade mess and a Miami-Dade grand jury that will be looking at possible solutions as well.

Unfortunately, we’ve been here before. The 1993 Hialeah mayor’s race uncovered absentee ballot forgeries of disabled residents at nursing homes. In the 1997 Miami mayor’s race, The Herald turned up so many abuses, including dead people voting, that a judge tossed out the absentee ballots altogether. There have been other alleged fraud incidents from Sweetwater to North Miami.

The lawsuits seek to toss out the absentee ballots and count only the early voting and Election Day ballots, but that remedy would disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters. It’s the wrong medicine for what ails our elections system.

"Close elections cast a harsh glare on voting’s imperfections"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "Close elections cast a harsh glare on voting’s imperfections, and the tight Florida Senate District 27 race between Democratic state representatives Jeff Clemens and Mack Bernard has been no exception. Less than three weeks after a recount declared Rep. Clemens the winner by 17 votes come allegations by Rep. Bernard that 40 absentee ballots were improperly excluded from the tally. If nothing else, the legal battle should be a good reminder of the perils of absentee voting."

If Rep. Bernard’s claim finds favor in Tallahassee, where his attorney filed a lawsuit last week, it could reverse the outcome. His attorney alleges that Palm Beach County’s canvassing board improperly rejected dozens of legal absentee ballots because the voters’ signatures on the ballots were different from the signatures the elections office had on file.

Rep. Bernard’s attorney, former Republican state legislator Juan-Carlos Planas, said in an interview it appears that some of the ballots were rejected because the voters printed their signature on the ballot envelope instead of signing in cursive, as they had done on their voter registration card. Others, he claims, were rejected because signatures were in the wrong place. Many of the voters were Creole-speaking Haitian-Americans, he said, and the English instructions to sign rather than print were not clear to them.

State law requires that absentee ballots be discounted if the ballot “does not include the signature of the elector, as shown by the registration records.” But the standard for assessing a voter’s signature is surprisingly subjective. For a questionable signature, elections officials and county canvassing board members compare its handwriting to that on the voter registration card. But canvassing boards rarely have training in handwriting analysis, and there are no official standards for what is considered a match.

In this case, the specific problems with the absentee ballots are not clear, but if they were rejected for purely technical reasons — the signature was printed instead of signed, or signed in the wrong place — a court could step in. Judges tend to give wide deference to county canvassing boards, but the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that absentee ballots should not be rejected for narrow technical reasons if there is no sign of fraud and the voter showed “substantial compliance” with the ballot requirements.

However this case turns out, the courts or the Legislature need to provide more guidance on what constitutes a legal signature.

Epic Fail: Wingers chase Haitian vote

This is some desperate stuff over at The Sunshine State News:

As two Florida Democratic state representatives contest their recent primary election defeats through the courts, a political consultant from one of the state's major bipartisan consulting firms suggests the Haitian legislators might be the victims of a political "ethnic cleansing" by their own party officials.

The two legislators challenging the outcome of their primary races in heavily Democratic districts are Rep. Mack Bernard of West Palm Beach and Rep. John Patrick Julien of North Miami. Both are immigrants from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and both have cultivated a reputation for being friendly to small businesses and school choice. Both received endorsements from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Julien was even endorsed by Florida Right to Life.

Bernard and Julien lost their primaries by razor-thin margins -- 17 and 13 votes respectively -- to opponents who had reportedly received the tacit backing of the Democratic Party establishment. Both winners are running unopposed in the November general election.

The two candidates are alleging voter fraud, and are being represented in their suits by attorney and former state representative J.C. Planas, a Republican. Bernard filed his suit Friday, and Julien filed his on Tuesday, both in the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, in Leon County.

Wexler defends Obama on Israel

"Wexler defends Obama on Israel while Republicans slam Dems for dropping Jerusalem from platform". See also "Obama, Democrats on defense over party platform language on Jerusalem".

Job cuts

"Florida had 1,415 planned job cuts in August, down from 1,944 in July, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement firm that tracks downsizing. Year to date, there have been 10,026 announced job cuts, the report said." "Florida's number of planned job cuts declines".

Republicans ignoring growing uninsured crisis

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board: "So hard-fought was the vote on health care reform that almost since it became law the president and congressional Democrats have been underselling it. That allowed Republicans to recast the debate, ignoring the growing uninsured crisis, and win the 2010 midterm elections. Now Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has promised to repeal the law if elected — but has yet to offer any workable alternative for uninsured Americans, including more than one in five Floridians."

Florida Democratic Party chairman Rod Smith told the Florida delegation how just three weeks earlier his 25-year-old son, a law school student, was diagnosed with cancer but received immediate care because he was still on his parents' insurance as allowed under the law. Another comfort, Smith noted, is that he also can't be denied coverage in the future. "If there's one reason we ought to win this election, and there are so many, we need to take the message out there: Affordable health care will affect your life,'' Smith said. "It's happened to me."

Florida only state still up to "xenophobic trickery"

Fred Grimm: "U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore issued a summary judgment Tuesday — the legal equivalent of a slam-dunk — against the state and a blatantly unconstitutional policy adopted back in 2005 to deny young Florida citizens in-state tuition unless their parents can prove legal residency. . . . His ruling was no surprise. Florida, apparently, was the only state still up to this bit of xenophobic trickery." "Rights outfit took on Klan, then Florida". The Sun Sentinel editorial board: "It started as a court decision striking down an apparent injustice, but the ruling by U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore threatens to become a legal flashpoint in the ongoing controversy over how this nation treats children of illegal immigrants. It shouldn't." "End two- tier tuition rule".

Freak show

"Black voters don't like Romney? Don't tell that to U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, and Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll. They have been called upon to head Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s come-from-behind efforts to garner inroads among black voters." "Allen West, Jennifer Carroll to Lead Charge for Mitt Romney with Black Voters".

"Another Rubio?"

"Florida House Speaker-designate Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, discusses growing up with a conservative upbringing in a large family, he’s the second of nine kids; his agenda for the 2013 session, pension reform and an online public university; and tells National Review Online that he isn’t looking beyond his next term, which ends in 2014." "Florida’s Next House Speaker: 'Fusion of Mitt Romney and Tim Tebow'".

"He was designated as Florida’s speaker of the house last year, and he’ll formally take on the role this November. The state’s system gives speaker-designates about two years to plan their tenures, so he’s been able to lay out a detailed agenda. He wants to continue the education reforms that Jeb Bush worked on during his governorship, pushing for more school choice and accountability. He’s also interested in starting an online public university. And he wants to change the state’s defined-benefit pension plan, which he calls an embarrassment." "Another Rubio?"

Early-voting stalemate

"Monroe County says it will end its holdout in an early-voting stalemate if a court rules that the state's new eight-day schedule does not discriminate against African-American voters. Monroe is one of five counties that cannot switch from 14 days of early voting to eight, as the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott have ordered, unless three federal judges rule that the change would not discourage blacks from voting."

The other four — Hillsborough, Collier, Hardee and Hendry — have told the three-judge panel they will conduct early voting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for eight days, the maximum number of hours permitted by law.

The three-judge panel suggested that timetable as one way that the state might convince the court that fewer days of early voting does not disenfranchise black voters in Florida.

A decision by the court is expected this month.

In a statement to the court, Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Harry Sawyer Jr. insisted that the reduction of early voting days would have a "retrogressive impact on minority voters." But he said: "If the court preclears the early voting change for Florida, I will follow the requirements of the law, as I have for nearly two-and-a-half decades."

Sawyer also told the judges that Scott "has publicly stated to the press that I may be removed from my elected office if I do not capitulate."

Scott never said that publicly, but did say he would take any steps necessary to ensure that the new eight-day schedule is implemented statewide.

Where's Bill?

"Nelson neither asked for nor was offered a speaking role at the Democratic National Convention — and that’s fine with him." "Sen. Bill Nelson prefers campaign trail to convention".

Fines on elected officials, government staff and appointed officials

"The Florida Commission on Ethics has started to impose $25-a-day fines on 632 current and former state and local elected officials, government staff and appointed officials for failing to submit financial disclosure forms by July 1."

The individuals named in a report by watchdog Integrity Florida include term-limited state Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, judicial nominating commission members Joseph Lopez, John Mariani, Nilda Pedrosa and R. Kyle Gavin , and Amy Graham, a former spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Scott.

One of Bush's current causes is helping to promote a new movie that tells, in Hollywood fashion, the story of two single moms who take over a failing public school in the hopes of turning it around. Titled, "Won't Back Down," it was produced by Walden Media and is being distributed by 20th Century Fox.

"I think it's going to have a game-changing effect," Bush said. "And it looks like commercially it's going to be viable, which is pretty great."

After the film was shown in Tampa last week, Bush sat on stage with Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor of D.C. public schools, a Democrat, and the two discussed education reforms.

The Democratic National Committee, when HuffPost first asked on Sunday, originally waved off the idea that organizers from Rhee's group, StudentsFirst, or any other of the "Won't Back Down" [film*] promoters, were turned down for official coordination between the screening of the movie here this week and the official convention.

But after HuffPost wrote Monday that DNC political director Patrick Gaspard "raised no objections" when informed of the movie organizer's intentions to screen the film in Charlotte, Gaspard added more details to the story that made clear that he had given a firm stiff arm to attempts by Rhee's husband, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, to get official Democratic support or sanction for the movie.

Gaspard said in a phone interview Tuesday that Johnson "reached out and asked whether or not this film could be shown in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention."

"I informed them that that would not be possible, that we would not have a relationship with the film," Gaspard told HuffPost.

"And then after they asked whether or not they could be a part of the convention program, they then asked if the film could be shown on the convention through the auspices of the convention in a space provided by the convention, and whether or not it would be possible to spread word about the screening at official DNC events," he said, "and I reiterated again that the Democratic Party would not have any relationship at all with the screening and would not be involved, in any way, shape or form, with the promotion of the film."

Johnson also asked Gaspard if the movie could be advertised on the DNC's e-mail list. Gaspard said he also turned down that request.

The American Federation of Teachers, the nation's second-largest teachers union, has attacked the movie for inaccuracies and also gone after the owner of Walden Media, Philip Anschutz.

But anti-union ferver grows, as more high-profile Democrats abandon them. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Obama's former White House chief of staff, is currently locked in his own battle with the Windy City's teacher unions.

- - - - - - - - - -

*"Won't Back Down" stars Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis and Rosie Perez. Twentieth Century Fox screened the movie at the Republican National Convention, along with a Q&A session moderated by newscaster Campbell Brown. See "Teachers union speaks out against fall film 'Won't Back Down'".

Florida rule classifying students by parents' immigration status unconstitutional

"A federal judge has ruled the state is discriminating against potentially thousands of U.S. citizens who live in Florida, by charging them higher out-of-state tuition as non-resident students simply because their parents may lack legal U.S. residency. U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore found Tuesday that Florida’s rule classifying such students according to their parents’ undocumented immigration status violates the Constitution’s equal protection provision." "Federal judge rules state cannot treat some Florida students as non-residents and charge higher tuition". See also "Ruling a win for Fla. students".

"Crist set to take stage"

"The former self-described 'as conservative as you can get' governor will tell tens of thousands of spectators and many more watching on television why he supports Barack Obama’s re-election." "With Charlie Crist set to address DNC on Thursday, most Democrats ambivalent".

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board luvs the Charlie: "As Florida governor from 2007-11, Crist's moderate agenda had more in common with the current Democratic platform than the stridently conservative one Republicans approved last week in Tampa at the Republican National Convention. Crist supported immigration reform, embraced stimulus funding as a way to keep Floridians working, backed public school teachers, sought to set a new alternative energy standard for the state to address climate change, provided a path for felons to get their civil rights restored, and even kept the polls open longer in 2008 for early voting."

Contrast that with today. In Florida under Gov. Rick Scott, Republicans have made it harder to register to vote and cast ballots. The governor rejected $2.4 billion for high-speed rail linking Tampa to Orlando, and he and legislative leaders have refused to accept millions in federal money for health care reform and to help low-income pregnant women. Scott signed a budget that cut $1.3 billion in public education last year, then bragged this year that the state had increased education spending by $1 billion when the truth is that Florida is still spending less on education than when he took office.

Of course, Crist is not wholly in line with Obama and Democrats — which actually makes his appearance more refreshing. He has repeatedly opposed raising taxes and gun control. He is no supporter of abortion rights and gay marriage. But on social issues, he has been a live-and-let-live lawmaker and has said the current GOP platform outlawing all abortions goes too far. Crist is a populist, and there is little room for populists anymore in the Republican Party.

Some have seen Crist's defection to Obama's camp as opportunistic, giving the possible future candidate a chance to address a national audience. But the real importance of Crist's presence is as a symbol of moderation and cooperation. Americans from different perspectives can work together for common goals toward a better future, even if they don't agree on everything. That is the antidote to extremism, writ large.

To many FlaDems, Crist appearance "revolting"

"To President Barack Obama’s reelection team, former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist’s high-profile speaking role at the Democratic National Convention is a coup. But to many longtime Florida Democrats, it’s revolting."

But it’s unclear how much help Crist can be. A new Florida voter survey from Public Policy Polling found that, after Crist’s endorsement of Obama, he became less popular and now 36 percent have a positive view of Crist while 44 percent have a negative opinion overall.

"Democrats still appear to be somewhat skeptical of him as well though 44 percent rate him positively to 33 percent with a negative opinion," pollster Tom Jensen said in a statement.

The Democratic candidate who ran and lost against Crist for governor in 2006, former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, said Florida Democrats “know who Charlie Crist is.” He said he understands the appeal of Crist in the short-term and that the 2014 governor’s race is a long way off.

“Outside of Florida, at a national level, Gov. Crist helps send the message that the Republican Party has lurched too far to the right,” he said. “Here in Florida, it’s a different story.”

Ballot fraud alleged at ALFs and nursing homes

"Charges of absentee-ballot fraud at assisted-living facilities and nursing homes are at the center of Rep. John Patrick Julien’s legal challenge to the results of the District 107 primary race for the Florida House."

Julien, D-North Miami, who lost a razor-thin Democratic primary to Miami Gardens Rep. Barbara Watson last month, filed a court complaint Tuesday challenging the results of the race. After a recount, Watson won with 50.06 percent of the vote — a 13-vote edge.

The court complaint, filed in Leon County, alleges that several absentee ballots tied to a North Miami nursing home may have been cast fraudulently. It highlights a political consultant who advertised herself as “The Queen of Absentee Ballots” and a woman who appeared on Haitian Creole radio, warning absentee voters to consult with “teacher Carline” before filling out their ballots. . . . State law requires people to fill out their own absentee ballots, although there are exceptions for people with disabilities. Julien is alleging that several votes tied to the Claridge House nursing home and other healthcare facilities may have been improperly or fraudulently cast.

Scott hires Jindal's communications director

"Brian Burgess, the director of communications for Gov. Rick Scott, is heading to the Republican Party of Florida. Burgess will be replaced in the governor’s office by Melissa Sellers, a former communications director for Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and who served as the director of regional media for the Republican National Convention in Tampa." "Rick Scott Brings In New Media Director from RNC, Bobby Jindal".

Poll: Crist edges Scott; Nelson leads Mack

"Former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, one of the featured speakers at this week’s Democratic National Convention, has a net unfavorable ranking among Florida voters, according to a new survey by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling."

Crist would beat Scott by a 45-to-42 margin, the poll says. But a generic Democrat would beat Scott by the same margin.

Sen. Bill Nelson, who attended the convention briefly Tuesday then returned to the campaign trail, leads Republican Rep. Connie Mack by a 45-to-38 percent margin in PPP’s poll.

Teabaggers go after Justices

"Tea party and Republican groups are on the September schedule for Restore Justice 2012, which seeks to deny retention of three Florida Supreme Court justices." "Group aiming to oust 3 justices starts state tour".

State's voting expert "utterly unconvincing"

Steve Bousquet: "The state of Florida is having trouble convincing a federal court that its reduction in early voting days does not discriminate against African-Americans."

One reason is that the state's professional witness was so utterly unconvincing. The judges said so themselves.

A panel of three federal judges ruled Aug. 16 that reducing early voting days would be discriminatory in five counties under U.S. voting rights oversight: Hillsborough, Monroe, Collier, Hardee and Hendry.

Rubio and Castro

Nancy Smith: "Rubio and Castro are more than a pair of well-matched political opponents. They're all about party muscle, party domination in a nation of changing demographics. Now numbering more than 50 million, America's Hispanic population is projected to approach 80 million by 2030. That's 22 percent of the population -- most affecting the red-blue balance in key states." "Similarities in Julian Castro and Marco Rubio? Their Hispanicness, Not Much Else". See also "Political conventions highlight Hispanic split".

"'Old guard' at the PSC"

"The senator voted against her reappointment in 2009 and now is asking Gov. Rick Scott not to appoint her again because he said she is part of the 'old guard' at the PSC. In response, Edgar said, 'I believe Governor Scott will review experience and qualifications and will make the choice.'" "Sen. Fasano wants Lisa Edgar ousted from Public Service Commission".

Hasner troubled

"'Deeply Troubling,' Says Adam Hasner: New Democrat Platform on Israel".

Here's what a couple of top Florida strategists expect:

- "There's a unifying theme between the campaigns: Florida counts big," said Republican media guru Adam Goodman of Tampa. "Both are going to go all out with reckless abandon."

- "Florida's critically important — even Newt Gingrich said at the Republican convention that Mitt Romney can't win without Florida," said state Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux. "If Florida's ground zero, Tampa's the ground zero of Florida. You're going to see a frenetic pace."

It's already started.

The reason: Among the four largest states, a Democratic candidate can count on winning No. 1 California with 55 Electoral College votes, and No. 3 New York with 29, starting the race nearly a third of the way to a 270-vote majority.

A Republican, meanwhile, can count only on No. 2 Texas' 38 votes. GOP candidates must also carry Florida's 29 to have a chance at a majority; no other state has more than 20.

To carry Florida, with its Republican north and southwest and its Democratic southeast, candidates must win the swing area in the middle of the state — the famed Interstate 4 corridor, including the state's biggest media market, the Tampa area.

"You're going to see high-level surrogates, the president, the vice president, the first lady here, very often, and I'm sure you're going to see the same from the other side," said Arceneaux. "It's hard to overstate the importance of Florida this year in the national picture."

Even if he doesn't win the state, Obama can tie down Romney in Florida, forcing him to spend time and money in a state he can't afford to lose, denying those resources to other swing states.

"Obama wouldn't be surprised to lose Florida to Romney, but contesting it strongly means Romney can't just take it for granted," said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato. "And Romney needs many other swing states to get to 270."

The two start the battle in a near tie. Since early May, neither has led by more than 2 percentage points in the Real Clear Politics average of Florida polls.

Setting the bar low

The Miami Herald Bushco publicity machine sets the bar low when it comes to evaluating "Jeb!"'s utterances, and by the way did you know Jebbie "is bilingual and met his wife in Mexico"? "Jeb Bush says illegal immigration is "net zero"".

"Pure examples of right-wing social engineering"

Stephen Goldstein: "Attention Florida voters: Just say "No" to all 11 constitutional amendments on the November ballot. And don't be fooled by their high-minded and compassionate-sounding, but intentionally deceptive, titles. They are not what they seem."

Put on the ballot by the tea-party-dominated Florida Republican Legislature (aka the "voter suppression folks"), they are Trojan Horses, designed to fool you into voting against your best interests. They intensify the war on women, give greater power to the Legislature over the judiciary, gut government revenues, destroy the historic and fundamental separation between church and state, and create tension (and expensive, futile lawsuits) with the federal government. In short, individually, they are pure examples of right-wing social engineering; collectively, they have the net effect of hurling Florida back into the 16th Century.

All they got?

This short story in The Orlando Sentinel is about how a Romney supporter "strolled boldly Monday through an AFL-CIO-sponsored Labor Day picnic". "Lake Eola Labor Day picnic serves chicken, beans — and politics".

That, dear readers, is all The Orlando Sentinel had to say about Labor Day. See generally: "Annual Labor Day Insult".

FIU Report: the State of Working Florida

"Florida's slow job creation during the recovery has created growing inequalities among workers, according to the 'State of Working Florida' report released Monday by Florida International University. 'Minority groups were hit much harder,' said Bernardo Oseguera, author of the report for FIU Research Institute on Social & Economic Policy, which features an unfinished condominium on its cover." "Minorities not recovering from recession, FIU report says".

"This year’s State of Working Florida highlights how slow job creation has created growing inequalities in wages and among groups. The Great Recession ended in 2009 but Florida continues to do worse than other states, especially those that have been able to boost manufacturing, which has in turn spurred growth." Here's the report: "The State of Working Florida 2012".

RNC job boom? Maybe for rent-a-cops

Joe Henderson: "Remember, to get the public behind the idea of hosting the RNC, it was sold as a chance to attract new businesses and jobs. We don't even need to say how badly those are needed, do we? The hope was to show CEOs around the country and beyond that Tampa has the right stuff to run with the big boys."

The theory went that by doing that, Tampa's economy could diversify with the coveted high-tech and well-paying jobs needed to lift everyone out of the doldrums. . . . Did it work?

Tampa did prove its mettle when it came to rent-a-cops hustling delegates out of the Tampa Bay Times Forum: "GOP convention-goers throw nuts at black camerawoman: 'This is how we feed animals!'".

Meanwhile,

The black CNN camerawoman who had nuts thrown at her at the Republican National Convention said she's "not surprised" by the incident.

"This is Florida, and I'm from the Deep South," Alabama native Patricia Carroll told journalist Richard Prince of the Maynard Institute. "You come to places like this, you can count the black people on your hand. They see us doing things they don't think I should do."

Carroll, 34, was doing her job inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Tuesday when two [as yet unnamed] RNC attendees threw nuts at her and said: "This is how we feed animals."

"It's hard to miss the irony"

The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Charlie Crist's chameleon-like talent for blending into any political environment will be on full display this week at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, where the former Republican, perhaps former independent and former governor of Florida will give his full-throated support to President Barack Obama."

Crist landed a speaking gig at the Democrats' Obama coronation after he wrote a column for the Tampa Bay Times endorsing the president. "I'm confident that President Obama is the right leader for our state and nation," Crist wrote.

Well, if Charlie Crist is confident about his position, you can take that to the bank. Please inject sarcasm here.

Just four years ago, when Obama was on his way to the presidency, Crist not only was a Republican, he was a leading contender for the second spot on John McCain's ticket. . . .

Crist wrote that the president built his record "by spending more time worrying about what his decisions would mean for the people than for his political fortunes." It's hard to miss the irony there. Crist's record as a politician clearly shows that he made decisions based on his calculations of his own political fortunes. That tendency was his undoing, and it likely will get in the way of any plans he may have for returning to politics in Florida.

"Hard to tell where Havana ends and Hialeah begins"

Fabiola Santiago writes about "the daughter of Cuba’s vice president, Marino Murillo — the man in charge of executing Raúl Castro’s economic policies — left a psychologists’ conference in Mexico earlier this month, crossed the border into Texas and was paroled into the U.S." "Cuba love story comes to Hialeah".

"Informed votes are a challenge"

"Informed votes are a challenge in judicial races".

"Few Florida stars"

"At Democratic convention, few Florida stars". Related: "Longtime delegate Bailey heads to his 10th Democratic convention". Related: "Florida delegates a big deal".

Meanwhile, charter schools are all the rage

The Miami Herald editorial board: Miami-Dade voters "in November will be asked to extend soon-to-expire construction bonds for another 30 years. The money raised will be used to make desperately need upgrades in schools, a third of which were built before the Beatles sang I Want to Hold Your Hand on The Ed Sullivan Show. Half of the schools in Miami-Dade County are more than 40 years old, and a third are older than 50. Too many classrooms need technological enhancements — imagine, schools with no computers or Wi-Fi. Then there are the deteriorating buildings with leaky roofs, moldy air-conditioning and exposed bathroom pipes that smell just awful." "A snapshot of the need".

"How much do local elected officials make?"

"How much do your local elected officials make? Think high pay, low pay and plenty of perks".

Tuff girl

"Getting a dinged up in the rough-and-tumble political fray is part of the job, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz says in an interview before Democrats begin their convention." "Wasserman Schultz says she’s grown "alligator skin" as DNC chair".