Webster whines about IRS

"Congressman Dan Webster, R-Fla., has a reputation of being something of a slow starter. When he challenged Alan Grayson back in the 2010 election cycle, after much pondering, Webster only entered the race in April 2010. But as he gears up for a third term in Congress, Webster is taking no chances and has started his re-election efforts early. Webster sent out a fundraising appeal to supporters on Friday in which he bashed the IRS on Friday." "Dan Webster Gets an Early Start on 2014".

"Rubio's grandstanding"

The Sun Sentinel editors write that, "there are times when Marco Rubio . . . well, let's just say this sentence doesn't end with the words 'shows common sense.'"

This week Rubio proposed a constitutional amendment that would end the Affordable Care Act's requirement that everyone buy insurance. . . .

Nothing stops Rubio from using a public forum to rail against the healthcare reform law. Countless people, business owners and public officials are against it. Several states, including Florida, have been reluctant to go along with it.

[Even] Rubio is smart enough to know that such a proposal has no chance of passage. A constitutional amendment rquires two-thirds approval of both chambers of Congress, a particularly daunting challenge given that the U.S. Senate is controlled by the Democrats. Then it would have to be ratified by three quarters of the states, a similarly improbable feat.

Yet there he stood this week with his proposed amendment — also introduced in the U.S. House by Steven Palazzo, R-Miss. — that says: "Congress shall make no law that imposes a tax on a failure to purchase goods or services."

Like we said, no chance. None.

Other than a big waste of time, Rubio's grandstanding is nothing more than another symbolic swipe at Obamacare and President Obama. Perhaps it's also a way for him to fend off conservative critics who claim his immigration proposal is nothing more than amnesty for illegals.

Nelson takes on Scott

"Rick Scott took a shot at President Obama yesterday about the federal sequestration forcing some furloughs of National Guardsmen as the hurricane season ramps up."

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is shooting back with a letter encouraging Scott, a Republican, to work on his fellow GOP politicians in Congress, many of whom rejected budget-cutting alternatives.

Putnam winding up

Aaron Deslatte: "With re-election looming, Putnam polishes conservation bona fides".

"Inaccurate and ridiculous — Pants on Fire."

"PolitiFact: NRA founded 'to protect freed slaves' from Klan, black leader says".

Wingnuts in a dither

"Rick Scott's conservative base, already disillusioned by a series of steps by the Florida governor toward the political center in recent months in the run-up to a re-election year, has found a new grievance to air against him: his recent suspension of a sheriff who defended the Second Amendment." "Did Rick Scott Suspend Sheriff for Defending Second Amendment?".

"Sarasota Saudi" scandal?

"A group representing 6,600 survivors and relatives of those killed and injured in the 9/11 attacks has called on the FBI to 'come clean' about its investigation of Saudis in Florida who may have aided the terrorist hijackers."

The reaction by 9/11 Families United to Bankrupt Terrorism on Thursday followed news that former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham had accused the FBI in court papers of concealing the existence of its Sarasota investigation and impeding Congress’s Joint Inquiry into the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"Rubio has long been dogged with a reputation as a lightweight"

Scott Maxwell: "Marco Rubio has long been dogged with a reputation as a lightweight."

And for good reason. He started his tenure as state House speaker by renovating the legislators' private dining room and ended it by printing copies of a legislative yearbook — a glossy pictorial Rubio filled with pictures of, well, himself.

And then there were the more serious issues — such as the unadvertised teaching gig he snagged after steering money to Florida International University, and the $100,000 worth of limo rides, plane trips and other perks he racked up on the GOP's special-interest-funded credit cards.

On May 22, General Counsel Matthew Z. Leopold sent letters to attorneys Christopher T. Byrd and Kelly L. Russell, saying, "We believe the objectives of the office will be accomplished more effectively by removing you from your position." Attorneys Teresa Mussetto and Christopher McGuire resigned, although McGuire's letter indicated his resignation after 26 years with the department was requested.

"I am confident I was let go because I aggressively enforced Florida environmental laws and gave legal opinions that were contrary to the policy initiatives that Jeff Littlejohn (deputy secretary for regulatory programs) was pushing," Byrd said.

He said Littlejohn has intervened in cases and argued for law violators in an effort to help private industry. Department lawyers, Byrd said, would have to go to DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard to overrule Littlejohn on his legal opinions.

GOPers to convene circular firing squad

The Miami Herald editors: "The comprehensive immigration-reform bill that the Senate will debate throughout June is by no means ideal, lacking fairness for same-sex couples and too onerous on citizenship waiting periods, among other flaws. But even so, it offers a long-delayed pathway to citizenship for many of the nation’s estimated 11 million illegal immigrants and deserves to win approval. . . . Why the change? Conventional political wisdom holds that Republicans woke up when their presidential candidate in 2012 lost the Hispanic vote by 44 percentage points. They have to get this right for the sake of their party’s future. Doubtless, the lopsided vote got the GOP’s attention and has given Republicans who support reform some running room." "Closer to reform

Meanwhile, "Rubio vows to press hard for immigration reform".

Where's Marco?

"Same-Sex Marriage Debate Headed to 2016 GOP Primaries".

Right wingers go after Gwen Graham

Doin' what they do best, name calling: "While most eyes in the Big Bend were on Tropical Storm Andrea, GOP political operatives in the region were busy defining congressional hopeful Gwen Graham as an all-out liberal Democrat, as far to the left as Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean." "Gwen Graham: A Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean-Style Democrat If Ever the GOP Saw One".

Scott, Gaetz and Weatherford hypocrisy laff riot

"As the first tropical storm of the season bore down on Florida Thursday, Republican state officials seized the moment to blast Washington and warn that the required budget cuts to federal programs could impede the state's ability to respond to hurricanes or floods."

Now, Scott, Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford have written to Congress and the Department of Defense asking them to exempt National Guard staff from the mandatory cuts because of Florida's hurricane season. . . .

"This is a disproportionately Florida issue because the furloughs are coming just at the time that hurricane season is starting,'' Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said in an interview. "It seems to me this is one of the reasons why across-the-board cuts or the kinds of cuts expressed in sequestration are nonsensical."

Perhaps the letter ought to be directed to the GOP leadership in Washington. Or, does the RPOF think sequestration is awesome for every state except Florida? More: "State leaders look to feds to prevent National Guard furloughs" and "Scott asks for help in avoiding Guard cuts during hurricane season".

"Scott's partisan veto"

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Once again, Gov. Rick Scott has refused to accept public policy established by the Obama administration that benefits Florida. And once again, the state will suffer because of his partisan gamesmanship. The Republican governor's veto of legislation that would have allowed undocumented immigrants with a new temporary status to obtain a driver's license ignores reality and common sense. Now tens of thousands of younger undocumented immigrants who live in our neighborhoods and attend our schools are just more collateral damage in Scott's war with Washington."

Yet Scott vetoed the bill and resorted to tortured logic. He criticized the federal government for failing to enforce immigration laws and dismissed deferred action status as an Obama administration policy not approved by Congress. This is a governor whose disdain for the Democratic president and disregard of the federal executive branch knows no bounds.

One trick pony

"Gov. Rick Scott Criticizing ‘Obamacare,’ Again".

"Scott can make history"

"By simply picking up the telephone, Gov. Rick Scott can make history as the governor who saved the Florida Everglades. If he blows it, history won't be so kind. It's his call, literally." "Gov. Rick Scott can make history by making timely call on Everglades".

"Health Choices"

"Florida Health Choices' debut 'imminent'".

Rubio desperate for attention

"Marco Rubio Lends Conservative Power in Race for John Kerry's Seat". More: "Sen. Marco Rubio Offers Constitutional Amendment Invalidating Part Of ‘Obamacare’" ("The individual mandate was among the most criticized aspects of the Affordable Care Act. The GOP made this provision among its loudest complaints about the law, even though the provision was first touted years ago by right-wing think tanks.")

The Department of Economic Opportunity, which manages the state's unemployment system, requested a congressional inquiry and an inspector general's probe of what it called the "politicalization" of the Labor Department.

Scott's "partisan gamesmanship"

"Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez says Gov. Rick Scott lacks the courage to stand up to extreme elements in the GOP. Scott notes the measure is unnecessary because Florida already allows immigrants legally allowed to work in the U.S. to get a driver license." "Democrats upset by governor's Dream Act driving bill veto". See also "Soto, Bracy lead condemnation of Gov. Scott for vetoing Dream Act driver bill" and "Orlando Democrats blast Scott over 'dreamer' veto". Background: "Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants’ kids vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott".

The Tampa Bay Times editors: "Once again, Gov. Rick Scott has refused to accept public policy established by the Obama administration that benefits Florida. And once again, the state will suffer because of his partisan gamesmanship. The Republican governor's veto of legislation that would have allowed undocumented immigrants with a new temporary status to obtain a driver's license ignores reality and common sense. Now tens of thousands of younger undocumented immigrants who live in our neighborhoods and attend our schools are just more collateral damage in Scott's war with Washington." "A partisan Scott veto on licenses".

The rich are different

What better way to prep for the campaign than buyin' a brand new jet plane: "Everywhere [Rick] Scott goes, he does it on his own aircraft at his own expense, and after nearly two-and-a-half years in office, he has decided he needs an upgrade. Scott is selling his eight-passenger Hawker 400XP, made by Raytheon in 2004, for $1.495 million. An ad for the jet on the website controller.com says the jet is in Bonita Springs and notes: 'Price reduction! Sale pending.' Scott’s new chariot is a 2008 Cessna Citation Excel, a 12-passenger twin-engine jet with a dropped aisle that offers enough headroom for Scott to stand tall in the cabin." "Gov. Scott trades up on new plane".

Rubio runnin' hard

"About those 'secret' email accounts".

Wells explains

Bill Cotterell: "If Gilbert and Sullivan sat down with Monty Python, and maybe Mel Brooks, they might come up with a more far-fetched farce than the political-judicial spectacle Florida treated the world to a little more than a dozen years ago. Now, Charley Wells has made sense of it in 136 scholarly pages of his new book, 'Inside Bush v. Gore.'" "Wells' book looks at Bush v. Gore".

Troopergate

"Fired Florida trooper fighting to win back his job".

Rubio to choose Teabaggers over Dreamers

"While he may have been the point man on the immigration reform bill, Marco Rubio is now saying he could vote against it -- an action that could come back to haunt him if, as is widely expected, he runs for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016." "Marco Rubio Treads Lightly on Immigration Bill".

"Hidden money. A shadowy candidate"

"Hidden money. A shadowy candidate. Missing campaign-finance reports."

That’s not just a description of Justin Lamar Sternad’s congressional campaign in 2012, which led to his conviction in federal court.

It also describes the campaign of Jose Rolando “Roly” Arrojo, who like Sternad ran against U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia — but in 2010.

Unlike Sternad, Arrojo has ties to Garcia’s former top adviser, Jeffrey Garcia, who resigned Friday amid an unrelated criminal investigation into fraudulent absentee-ballot requests for the Aug. 14, 2012, Democratic primary.

Like Sternad, Arrojo failed to properly account for more than $10,000 worth of campaign expenditures and at least one mailer.

But Sternad is facing prison time. Arrojo just received a stern letter from the Federal Election Commission for his violations.

Sternad’s lawyer is asking the FBI to investigate — especially now that Garcia’s own campaign is at the center of an elections scandal.

“If my client is going to go through the wringer, let’s apply the law equally,” said Sternad’s lawyer, Enrique “Rick” Yabor, who wrote to the FBI on Monday.

“Why does Arrojo get a pass, while my client faces possible prison time?” Yabor asked. “Who’s getting preferential treatment?"

Fred Grimm: "Surprise! Both parties cheated in Joe Garcia’s district". The Miami Herald editors "Joe Garcia’s ballot scandal".

Scott laff riot

"Scott praises state workers' efficiency, hard work".

Rich quest

"Nan Rich's gubernatorial quest is more visible this spring, thanks to GOP attention and a hard swing to the left. But the former Florida senator still has a way to go to make her name a household word in Florida." "Nan Rich: I'm Still Here, Guys".

Teabaggers swoon

"[I]t sounds like Scott is ramping up his rhetoric against the Affordable Care Act." "Gov. Scott calls federal health law a disaster".

Rouson coup?

"Rep. Darryl Rouson failed to pay taxes on Tallahassee townhouse". Meanwhile, "House Dems plan rules change, insist there's no coup to overthrow Rouson".

"The lucrative influence business"

"A steady number of former Florida lawmakers are finding jobs in the lucrative influence business, adding to nearly 340 members of Congress who have breezed through the revolving door in the past 15 years." "Florida lawmakers-turned-lobbyists fuel revolving door of politics".

Rubio strides national stage

"Marco Rubio Lends Conservative Power in Race for John Kerry's Seat".

RPOF blames Sink for Dubya's recession in Florida

"In a news release, the party suggests that Sink, as state chief financial officer from 2007 through 2010, was responsible for the effects of the national economic crash on Florida - along with Charlie Crist, who was then a Republican and governor."

The news release refers to Crist and Sink as "the captain and his first mate," even though at the time, with Crist then a Republican, the two were political opponents and clashed several times over state budget issues.

"The Crist-Sink Team Lost 832,000 Jobs From January 2007 To January 2011," contends the GOP news release, blaming them for the recession that resulted from the national financial crisis and economic collapse of 2007-08. "Does Alex Sink want one more bite at the apple?"

Sink is considering running for governor, but says she hasn't decided. If she does, it's likely Crist will be her opponent in a Democratic primary, although he hasn't announced either.

Rubio goes after Beyoncé

"Jay-Z and Beyoncé's controversial trip to Cuba four weeks ago has stoked public interest in traveling to the forbidden island, prompting more Americans to seek similar 'people-to-people' culture tours."

The rapper/singer celebrity couple popularized a small but growing travel phenomenon that taps a pent-up demand to visit Cuba, an exotic time-locked land still off-limits to U.S. tourists. Their highly publicized adventure — while sharply criticized by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and other Cuban-American leaders — also reinforced attempts by many members of Congress to make it easier for almost any American to legally visit Cuba.