It’s all about demographics. And geographics.

Retiree-heavy Florida has a surplus of voting seniors nervous about Obamacare’s changes. But Hispanics — the state’s least-insured but fastest-growing population — tend to support the Affordable Care Act.

The fourth-most populous in the nation, Florida is the most-diverse political swing state and has the nation’s second-highest rate of the uninsured, nearly 25 percent.

Active Democratic voters, who outnumber Republicans by more than 500,000, learned last year from President Obama’s campaign that the law can be a political plus — especially among Hispanics — after it was a millstone in 2010.

Two of the most-recognizable Republican figures in the fight against the act: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Rick Scott, who’s up for reelection next year and launched his political career four years ago by founding a group opposed to Obamacare.

So 2014 could become a political tie breaker over the Affordable Care Act, which has remained unpopular overall in Florida since 2009.

“Florida is ground zero for Obamacare,” said John Anzalone, President Obama’s Florida pollster.

See also "House takes first step toward government shutdown, votes to cut Obamacare funding", "Obamacare insurance could cost as little as $100 a month", "Gov. Scott does his best to make Obamacare unnavigable", "Sink won't run for governor in 2014 election" and "Grass-roots Obamacare group seeks uninsured people".

Sink says no

"Alex Sink won't run for Florida governor". See also "Sink won't run for governor in 2014 election", "Alex Sink won’t run for governor in 2014; wants to ‘spend some hours’ with Dems Rich, Crist" and "Alex Sink not running for gov".

The wingers put it this way: "Alex Sink Bows to Reality and Stays Out of 2014 Race".

Yee haw!

"Anti-gun group study: In states with 'stand your ground' laws, justifiable homicide rates soar".

Enuf' wit' them thar uppity citirzens

"Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey has recommended changes to security at the Capitol that would prohibit future protests like the 31-day occupation of the building earlier this summer." "Proposed policy change could end Capitol occupations".

"More of the same"

"2014 Should Bring More of the Same to the Florida Senate".

Ugly rhetoric

"Opponents of immigration reform might make it seem like they're ensuring that foreigners don't take jobs from native-born Americans. Not only is such rhetoric ugly, it's just plain wrong. As 19 Florida university and college presidents made clear this week in a letter to the state's congressional delegation, the passage of comprehensive immigration reform should actually improve job prospects for all state residents. " "An education on immigration".

Weekly Roundup

"If there was a theme to the final full week of summer in Florida politics, it was staying put." "Weekly Roundup: Running (or not) in Place".

"Florida’s unemployment is rising, not falling"

"Gov. Scott’s PR machine starts spinning in apparent attempt to refute reality." "Nonpartisan report claims Florida’s unemployment is rising, not falling".

"Florida’s jobless rate dropped 0.1 percent in August to 7.0 percent even though the state lost 4,700 jobs, according to numbers released Friday by the Department of Economic Opportunity."

The report shows the main reason for the drop in the unemployment rate is the declining labor force. If the labor force levels had remained where they were in December 2011, the jobless rate would be 8.2 percent as of July.

“If job creation has been relatively stable, why has Florida seen a marked decline in its unemployment rate? The answer lies in the labor force participation rate," the report states.

A release from DEO chief economist Rebecca Rust this month notes that people leave the job market for several reasons -- retirement, giving up looking for work, leaving to pursue education or delaying entrance into the labor market -- and that those reasons aren’t measured in monthly job numbers. Nonetheless, the labor force has been shrinking at the same time Florida’s working-age population has been growing at a rate of 1.4 percent over the year.

Florida "more laggard than leader"

Aaron Deslatte: "Florida has a checkered past when it comes to social-equality movements such as women's suffrage or gay rights, more laggard than leader."

So if there was a bright spot on the American Association of University Women's income-gap report released last week, it's that pay for women is a little closer to equal in the Sunshine State than elsewhere.

The report still paints a bleak picture of what females face in the workplace. Women working full time on average earn 77 percent of what men make — a figure that hasn't budged in a decade. Florida is slightly above the average, at 84 percent.

The report also broke down the disparity by congressional districts.

Florida's worst? The rock-ribbed conservative, Brevard-based district of U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge. The average annual wage for men was $45,694, while women earned $33,423, or 73 percent of that.

The smallest gap was in the West Palm Beach-to-Fort Lauderdale district held by U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, where men earned $32,291 and women $30,306 — or 94 percent.

The second-smallest gap belonged to U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, where women earned $31,720, 92 percent of men's $34,519.

"Keeping the heat on GOP legislators"

"Liberal-advocacy groups as well as more center-of-the-road groups such as the League of Women Voters of Florida are trying to keep the heat on GOP legislators opposed to Medicaid expansion, which would cover roughly 1 million people and draw down around $51 billion in federal funding during the next decade."

Florida has until Dec. 31 to seek the extra Medicaid dollars in 2014.

"Florida is at a crossroads, and the clock is ticking," said Deirdre Macnab, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, in a conference call last week with Tampa business leaders.

Meanwhile, the SEIU, Organize Now, Florida CHAIN and others targeted Republican state Rep. Mike La Rosa's St. Cloud district office, with a news conference and canvassing of downtown businesses to spotlight his opposition to the optional expansion, which Republicans argued would expand government without guarantees of future federal funding.

La Rosa is chair of the Osceola County legislative delegation, which is firmly Republican despite the county's slight demographic shift toward Democrats.

A throng of vexed constituents gathered on the plaza by the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. United States District Courthouse in downtown Miami Wednesday. For anyone dabbling in Miami politics, this was not an insignificant gathering.

Neither judge can get a confirmation hearing, according to the peculiar convention observed by the Senate, until both home state senators submit a so-called “blue slip” for each judge. Bill Nelson gave his go-ahead. Marco Rubio turned obstinate.

Both candidates were vetted by Florida’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commission. Both were rated “well qualified” by the American Bar Association. And both were recommended to Obama by Nelson and Rubio. . . .

Times change. Rubio has since taken a drubbing from the Tea Party for the temerity of championing immigration reform. His rehab strategy (and his hope for the Republican presidential nomination) has been to appease right-wing zealots who see any cooperation with the president as utter duplicity. Even when it comes to the confirmation of lowly district judge appointments. . . .

But like so much else that comes with the politics-as-total-war madness, like the sequester or the looming government shut-down, political gamesmanship in Washington has real consequences back home. In Miami, Rubio is not just fomenting political and racial divisiveness, he’s clogging the courts. He’s impeding justice.

As Flabaggers whine . . .

"Grass-roots Obamacare group seeks uninsured people".

Pissing away tax dollars

"Gov. Rick Scott intends to take his fight for random drug tests of tens of thousands of state employees all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, a lawyer for the Republican governor told a federal judge Thursday." "Gov. Rick Scott seeks Supreme Court review of worker drug test".

Auditing lobbyist pay

"Now that Senate President Don Gaetz has expressed an interest in enforcing the never-used provision of a 2005 ethics law requiring audits of lobbyist pay, an association representing Capitol lobbyists is pressing to have some say on the issue."

The Florida Professional Lobbyist Association, which met Thursday, sent Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, a letter signed by its high-powered (and paid) board Thursday night, asking to make recommendations to lawmakers on how to conduct the audits.

"Disney's Anti-Gambling 'Mafia Tactics'"

Nancy Smith: "In case you still doubt the Mouse runs the show in Orlando, check out the lobbying contract the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority awarded Wednesday to a Disney "friend" (wink, wink). Entertainment conglomerate Disney first told Authority board members who they couldn't consider to lobby for them, then who they had to consider." "Two Top Lobbyists Fall Victim to Disney's Anti-Gambling 'Mafia Tactics'".

Scott takes credit for Obamacare jobs

"Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who last year called the federal health care law the “biggest job-killer ever,” was front and center Wednesday to celebrate a health care company’s announcement that it will add 1,000 jobs thanks to — yes — the health care law." "Scott announces company will add 1,000 jobs in Tampa".

Rubio "in free fall"

"Two polls released Wednesday had bad news for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s presidential hopes in 2016."

Rasmussen Reports released a poll in which Vice President Joe Biden is a clear second choice for Democrats behind former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- but Biden still has a commanding lead over Rubio, who drew the displeasure of conservatives with his role in immigration reform, in a possible 2016 matchup. . . .

The Rasmussen poll of 1,000 likely voters was taken from Sept. 16-17 and had a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.

According to Pubic Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with Democratic connections, Rubio is in free fall in New Hampshire, home of the first presidential primary. Back in an April PPP poll, Rubio placed second in the Granite State with 25 percent behind Paul with 28 percent.

Paul leads the new poll with 20 percent followed by Christie with 19 percent. Former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida takes third in New Hampshire with 14 percent followed by favorite daughter U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., with 12 percent. Cruz takes 10 percent. Rubio stands tied in sixth place, knotted up with U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., with 7 percent. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania trails with 2 percent.

"Scott is in a political bind"

"Florida Gov. Rick Scott is considering an executive order to address growing controversy over the Common Core State Standards."

Once a clear Common Core supporter, Scott is in a political bind. Tea party groups, which make up an important part of his base, want Florida to jettison the new standards and tests. But schools across the state are already teaching Common Core, and Republican leaders in the House and Senate are standing behind the benchmarks.

The Miami Herald editorial board argues that, "instead of political games, Gov. Rick Scott should lead on stronger education standards." "No backtracking on Common Core".

"Florida's war on the Affordable Care Act"

Douglas C. Lyons: "Florida's war on the Affordable Care Act amounts to a tremendous waste of time and money, particularly in a state with the nation's second highest number of uninsured residents behind Texas. Our state isn't simply dragging its feet. It's sabotaging health reform outright. Undermining an unpopular president in Washington may be the rationale for going after Obamacare, but the real harm is taking place closer to home. Uninsured Floridians are the real collaterial damage in a conflict that shows no signs of slowing anytime soon." "War on Obamacare leaves Floridians as casualties". See also "Sobel blasts Florida House on health care before U.S. House".

An orchestrated move?

"Former Central Florida state legislators Scott Plakon and Eric Eisnaugle are holding a fundraiser tonight at the Orlando offices of Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell."

Eisnaugle, who left office after redistricting placed him in Rep. Steve Precourt's Orlando district, is running for that District 44 seat which encompasses much of southwestern Orlando and Orange County. Eisnaugle is also politicking to be House speaker down the line, a phenomenon spurred by Florida's eight-year term-limit law for legislators.

But here's a hitch: Precourt may land a job heading up the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, a gig he has eyed for a long time. He would then have to resign the seat early, and trigger a special election. If that were to happen, Eisnaugle would almost certainly step in to fill the seat, and rumors have been circulating since Precourt lost his majority leader job that this was an orchestrated move giving Eisnaugle an early advantage in that 2020 House speaker's race.

State offering insurance to part-timers

"Despite postponent of a federal mandate, the state will start offering health care insurance to thousands of part-time and noncareer employees next month." "State will offer health care to part-timers".

Chief among them is Florida, where Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-dominated Legislature have made it more difficult for Floridians to obtain the cheapest insurance rates under the exchange and to get help from specially trained outreach counselors.

The report from the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund found a fourfold disparity in measures of health between states with the best care and those with the worst. As a result, low-income Floridians, like those in a handful of other states, were more likely to die prematurely or end up in the hospital for conditions such as diabetes and asthma.

More than 60 percent of Florida's low-income adults were either uninsured or underinsured — meaning they spend a relatively high share of their incomes on medical care, according to the study.

In the highest-ranking states, low-income, less-educated residents are more likely to be covered by health insurance, to have a regular source of medical care and to get the recommended preventive care, such as cancer screenings. . . .

In Texas, for example, 55 percent of working-age adults who make less than twice the federal poverty level lack health insurance, the highest rate in the nation.

In Massachusetts, which already guarantees its residents health coverage under a 2006 state reform law, 12 percent of low-income adults lack health coverage, the report notes.

Gambling interests gather forces

"Gambling interests will once again push for large casinos and a stronger state regulatory body next year, but the only sure thing is a lot of money will be on the line." "Gambling interests gather forces ahead of next legislative cycle".

Our booming economy: nearly one in five Floridians on food stamps

"Florida, where nearly one in five residents is on food stamps, has a lot at stake as the House debates deep cuts in the program this week. House Republicans want to cut $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over 10 years. That’s almost 10 times more than the Senate wants to cut and twice as much as cuts the House rejected earlier this summer." "New food stamp reforms could affect millions in Florida".

Lake O rising

The Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial board: "Man's efforts to control nature have been severely tested this summer in Florida, and man -- as well as nature -- is losing."

The rains that have pummeled South Florida are the heaviest in 45 years, pushing Lake Okeechobee to the brim of the man-made, earthen dike that surrounds it. The risk of overflow has forced the release of excess water into the estuaries of the St. Lucie River to the east and the Caloosahatchee River to the west.

As described by New York Times reporter Lizette Alvarez, in a story published in Wednesday's Herald-Tribune: "The rush of fresh water from the lake and the estuaries' own river basins, along with the pollutants carried in from farms, ranches, septic tanks and golf courses, has crippled the estuaries and, on the east coast of the state, the Indian River Lagoon."

The estuaries and the 156-mile-long lagoon -- which need a natural balance of salt and fresh water to be breeding grounds for marine life -- have been overwhelmed by the inflow. Manatees, fish, shellfish and sea grass have suffered massive kills.

Charter madness

"Sarasota County School Board members lambasted the applications for new charter schools Tuesday, at times calling them 'bizarre' and 'disrespectful' and accusing one of plagiarism." "Sarasota school officials scold charter schools".

Miami-Dade GOP punks Jebbie

"Miami-Dade’s Republican Party voted overwhelmingly Tuesday night to oppose the Common Core education standards as an unconstitutional 'inappropriate overreach' by the federal government."

The two-page resolution, part of a grassroots conservative revolt sweeping Florida and the nation, was partly a stand against President Obama as well as former Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, who helped build the Miami-Dade Republican Party and chaired it in 1984.

Grayson opposed by array of lightweights

"Carol Platt of the Osceola County Realtors Association ramped up her campaign Tuesday for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla. Platt’s camp announced formal campaign kickoffs throughout Central Florida toward the end of October."

Platt does not have an open shot at the Republican nomination. Also running for the GOP nomination are Navy veteran Jorge Bonilla and community activist Peter Vivaldi, who served on the Orange County Charter Review Commission and ran for Orange County School Board in 2012. Navy veteran Michael McKenna is challenging Grayson in the Democratic primary.

On Tuesday, Platt, whose family has been in the area since the end of the 19th century, played up her roots in the GOP. Platt’s team played up the fact she was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to a community college board of trustees and served as a co-chair for his gubernatorial campaign and his brother George W. Bush’s presidential campaign.

But there are signs that some Republican officeholders are leaning toward Bonilla who they hope can appeal to minority voters in the district. More than 40 percent of voters in the district are Hispanics. U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, who chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee, is backing Bonilla. So is state Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, who previously led the Florida Christian Coalition.

Grayson still looms as a heavy favorite to keep his seat in 2014.

Pastor Bill looks to replace Fasano

"Bill Gunter, pastor of Redeemer Community Church in New Port Richey, won the Republican primary on Tuesday in the special election to replace former Rep. Mike Fasano in the Florida House to represent parts of Pasco County." "Bill Gunter Cruises to GOP Primary Victory in Pasco County House Race". See also "Gunter romps in GOP primary for District 36 special election".

"Which bring us to Gov. Rick Scott"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "After years of belt-tightening that saw Florida lawmakers slash funding for state services and repeatedly renege on legislative commitments made in earlier sessions, the state is projecting a surplus of $850 million for 2014-2015 budget. Great news — especially for anyone in elected office dealing with sagging poll numbers and running for another term."

Which bring us to Gov. Rick Scott. Hardly had the surplus estimate been made public before Mr. Scott launched a “listening tour” around the state to figure out how to give away $500 million in the form of tax cuts. Whee! Who doesn’t like tax reductions? But before jumping on that tax-cut bandwagon, consider what Florida stands to gain by using the money wisely.

Any tax reduction proposed by Mr. Scott and Florida’s lawmakers must promote job growth and bolster the state’s economy. A tax cut that doesn’t do either can wind up being costly and counter-productive, like the 2011 reduction of more than $200 million in property taxes collected by water management districts. The resulting cutbacks on water cleanup operations and environmental oversight have proven unwise in a state that depends on a clean environment and outdoor recreational activities.

And before promising to dispense revenue like so much election-year candy, the governor and lawmakers must consider abiding by pledges made by the Legislature in years past.

"Scott 'deeply troubled'"

"Scott 'deeply troubled' by looming flood rate hikes, urges U.S. Senate action".

Sebelius and take a swipes at Republicans in Miami-Dade visit

"HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius visited Miami-Dade Wednesday to spread the word about healthcare reform - and take a few swipes at Republicans who have tried to block the new law." "Sebelius spreads the word on healthcare reform in Miami-Dade".

New education commissioner

"Pam Stewart named state education commissioner".

Rubio collects millions

"Sen. Marco Rubio has lost standing among conservative activists for his lead role in immigration reform but continues to collect millions in campaign dollars, emerging as one of the most prolific fundraisers in the country and underscoring his national ambitions."

Wednesday, the money chase continues when the Florida Republican appears at a barbecue restaurant alongside some of Washington’s top lobbyist-fundraisers. Admission ranges from $500 to $10,000.

Rubio this year alone has raised more than $5 million — a mix of small-dollar donations from average folks across the country to $5,000 checks from corporate interests — which he has poured into a team of strategists and to expand a national fundraising network.

"If you want to be president, you hire political consultants, fundraisers. People who work on your brand. That’s pretty clear what he’s done," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan authority on campaign finance.

Rubio’s operation has stoked such speculation because so little has been spent on supporting other candidates, the ostensible purpose of committees such as his Reclaim America PAC. In 2011-12, he gave candidates just 4 percent of the PAC’s collections, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Tax cut games

"On Monday, the Florida Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) exchanged shots over Gov. Rick Scott’s proposal to slash $500 million in taxes from the state budget. With Scott gearing up to run for a second term next year, the Florida Democrats launched a Web ad on Monday in which they attack the governor’s proposal to cut taxes." "Florida Democrats and RPOF Exchange Shots Over Rick Scott's Proposed Tax Cuts".

Hiding under their desks

"Should legislators be forced to testify under oath about whether they drew maps to protect themselves and other incumbents? The answer from the state Supreme Court will set precedent in Florida." "Supreme court weighs putting legislators under oath on redistricting". See also "Supreme Court to decide whether legislators have to testify" and "Justices Wrestle with Legislative Privileges".

The Miami Herald editors: "Under the veil of ‘legislative privilege’".

Deformers

Lloyd Brown whines about the "major pushback brewing against public school reform."

The reform effort has centered around standards and accountability, and Florida has been a leader, beginning with Gov. Jeb Bush in 1998. Grading schools is part of the process.

The efforts continue and Gov. Rick Scott noted, responding to a poorly-reasoned editorial in an Ocala newspaper recently, that Florida jumped from 11th to sixth in the nation for educational quality in 2013.

Anti-reformers insist that it is impossible to grade teachers or schools – in other words, make any assessment that would indicate whether schools are doing what they are supposed to do.

It is sheer absurdity. One wonders whether the teachers' union bosses would dispute the National Council on Teacher Quality's ranking of Florida teachers as No. 1 two years in succession. But it is an education myth that is not confined to K-12 schools.

Recently, Washington Monthly published a ranking of community colleges. The media rank things all the time. Certainly, such comparisons should be taken with a grain of salt, as all involve assumptions.

In the case of the magazine's rankings, readers immediately jumped on the story. None disclosed their interest, but it seems doubtful that any of the complaints were from those affiliated with colleges that scored high in the ranking.

We look forward to Brown's review of Dian Ravitch's "Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools". See "Ravitch to the Rescue. Here's an excerpt: "Diane Ravitch: School privatization is a hoax, 'reformers' aim to destroy public schools".

Hialeah typos

"Hialeah firefighters union leader, ex-mayor criticize city budget for typos".

"With House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston of Fort Lauderdale facing term limits in 2014, a new Democratic candidate filed paperwork to launch a bid to replace him in representing parts of Broward County." "Eric Fowler Jumps Into Broward County Battle for Perry Thurston's House Seat".

Miami-Dade knuckle-draggers go after union reps

"A Miami-Dade commissioner began a push Monday to have the county end its practice of excusing dozens of public employees from their work duties to serve as full-time labor union representatives." "Commissioner wants to reduce or eliminate practice of paying union reps".

Stoopid

Fred Grimm: "Tamarac’s solution to its Patte Atkins-Grad problem was the political equivalent to the strategy a few South Florida cities employ to rid their streets of homeless vagrants. They pay the cost of one-way bus tickets out of town and call it a bargain."

Tamarac acceded to a shakedown from its nuisance commissioner last week and agreed to pay her $8,000 to just go away. The deal might have reeked of extortion but it was an irrefutable bargain.

The city commissioner had been arrested on bribery charges back in 2010, accused of taking some $6,300 in “unlawful compensation” from Broward County’s infamous political corruptors, Bruce and Shawn Chait. The father and son developers had been seeking city commission approval for a controversial project to convert a pair of Tamarac golf courses into housing tracts.

At her trial in December, rather than deny the particulars in the bribery allegations, Atkins-Grad adopted the novel defense strategy that she had been too dense to know what was up. “There’s a quantum leap between being incompetent and being corrupt,” Kenneth Malnik, her attorney, argued.

"Crist clearly wants to run for governor"

The Gainesville Sun editors: "Announced or not, Crist clearly wants to run for governor — run against Scott." "Crist's challenge".

Bondi must have been at a fundraiser

"The office of Florida’s attorney general has declined to offer an opinion on whether the Florida National Guard can process benefits enrollment for the spouses of gay troops on state property. Maj. Gen. Emmett R. Titshaw Jr., Florida’s adjutant general, wrote Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking the opinion on Sept. 6, essentially asking whether processing gay Guard members’ spouses for benefits would conflict with the state’s constitution, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman." "Florida attorney general doesn’t answer National Guard question about gay-spouse benefits".

The week ahead

"The Week Ahead for Sept. 16 to Sept. 20, 2013".

Who will Jeb appoint next?

"The state Board of Education will hold an in-person meeting Tuesday – its first since state Education Commissioner Tony Bennett resigned and parent groups called for an overhaul of the school grading system. The board plans to discuss the “next steps” in naming Bennett’s permanent replacement, as well as next year’s education budget." "State education board to discuss commissioner vacancy".

The Democrats’ response: Scott’s proposal amounts to “big giveaways to businesses at the expense of the middle class.”

Claiming the mantle of middle class champion is emerging as the moral high ground in politics, a likely campaign issue in the 2014 Florida gubernatorial race and future elections.

They show a large and growing gap in income and wealth between the nation’s upper crust and all others, plus a development some consider even worse: increasing economic stratification that makes generations less likely to move up the ladder from their parents.

With a reputation as the land of opportunity, the U.S. by some measures is actually one of the least economically “mobile” societies among prosperous Western nations.

Scott, a wealthy health care executive who has emphasized tax breaks and deregulation to help “job creators,” could end up facing populist [sic] former Gov. Charlie Crist.

“In Tallahassee today, if you’re well off, you’re taken care of, but where are the people who are looking out for the little guy and gal?” Crist said. “It seems to be absent.” He called it “very likely” that economic fairness will be part of his campaign if he runs.

Former Crist strategist Danny Kanner, who works on gubernatorial races for the national Democratic Party, said 2014 campaigns including Florida’s will focus on the issue.

“Rick Scott crystallizes this issue in a way very few other politicians can,” Kanner said.

There’s “broad agreement” among economists that inequality of both wealth and income is significant and increasing in the U.S., said Scott Solomon, an expert in international economics at the University of South Florida.

A study published last week by University of California, Berkeley economist Emmanuel Saez found that in 2012, the share of all income reaped by the wealthiest 10 percent of U.S. families reached 50 percent for the first time since 1917 — higher even than during the “Gilded Age” preceding the Great Depression.

Wealth disparities are even greater.

Lie down with dogs . . .

"Tea party activists, once unquestioned as a benefit to the Republican Party for supplying it with votes and energy, are now criticizing GOP leaders at seemingly every turn. They're demanding that Congress use upcoming budget votes to deny money for puting President Barack Obama's 2010 health care law into effect, despite warnings the strategy could lead to a government shutdown. They're upset that Republicans didn't block a Senate-passed immigration bill." "Fears about fallout from GOP divide with tea party".

Falling up

"Texas Land Commissioner candidate George P. Bush . . . — son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, grandson of former President George H.W. Bush and nephew of former President George W. Bush — discussed the issues facing the Hispanic population across the state." "George P. Bush discusses Hispanic issues".

Shallow and ironic

Aaron Deslatte fumbles mightily through his column today, concluding that the "the row over [Rep] Rouson show why[s] it may be a long time before the [FlaDem] party is ready again for prime time." This, because the Dems

sacked the FDP's veteran House campaign fundraiser, Jeff Ryan, after learning that incoming Minority Leader Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, had set up what's called an "Affiliated Party Committee" to raise cash separately from the state party.

House Democrats are now calling for a re-vote on Rouson's leadership job, and it appears the Sept. 23 caucus meeting might be a bad day for him.

it's not like Rouson was out there acting alone [by creating slush fund].

Besides his fund – which the FDP is in the process of dismantling, along with Rouson's brief tenure as minority leader-designate – House Majority Leader Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, has also created an APC.

Republicans don't appear ready to oust him.

And it isn't like Republicans haven't committed their own fundraising snafus. Attorney General Pam Bondi had to apologize this week for seeking a delay in the execution of Marshall Lee Gore, convicted of killing two women in the 1980s, so she could attend her own fundraiser scheduled for the same evening.

And Gov. Rick Scott had to scrap a cash-call that would have allowed big donors to hunt alligators on a private reserve after the invitation went public and questions were raised about how the hunt would be licensed.

Deslatte's defense - that it was OK for Rouson to maintain a slush fund because the Republicans are doing it - is both shallow and ironic. After all, Rouson is a former Republican.

No hugs here

"The Obama Administration is dispatching its top health official to Florida three times in the coming days to promote the Affordable Care Act in a Republican-led state that has been increasingly resistant to carrying out the new federal health law." "Sebelius to talk health care in Fla.".

I look forward to reading her tirade against the Batista regime

Fabiola Santiago's selective memory is on display in this diatribe against the League of Women Voters of Florida: "On Cuba, League of Women Voters ignores repression".

"Make out your checks to 'Let’s Get to Killing'"

In the wake of the Scott-Bondi money grubbing fiasco, Fred Grimm has a great idea:

With 405 prisoners on Death Row, and 135 of them qualifying for a rush job under the Timely Justice Act, the governor’s operatives could sell scads of $25,000 exclusive death chamber tickets to Tallahassee lobbyists and fat-cat contributors. Surely an exclusive seat at a lethal injection would capture the essence of his reelection campaign better than a private alligator hunt.

Tuxedos optional. BYOB. Space is limited. Make out your checks to “Let’s Get to Killing.”

Crist ready to run

Yawwwnnn: "Once one of the state's most successful Republican politicians, Crist is nine months into his new life as a Democrat and is preparing to run for his old job with his new party. And considering Obama carried Florida twice, the hug may not a bad thing as Crist tries to convince Democrats he's one of them and not just a politician trying to redefine himself and jump-start a dead political career." "Crist: Ready to run for old job with new party?"

Pants on Fire!

"When Blitzer asked about Obama’s decision to strike Syria, Wasserman Schultz defended the president and argued that he has support, unlike when the United States 'stood alone' against Iraq. Although Democrats often criticize Bush for invading Iraq without more global backing, including that of the United Nations, Bush did put together a coalition. Nearly 50 countries, most notably Britain, ultimately supported the invasion, with many sending troops of their own. That’s roughly on par with the support network that Obama has put together for action against Syria, and possibly exceeds it. We rate her claim Pants on Fire!" "PolitiFact: U.S. Debbie Wasserman Shultz on Iraq support vs. Syria".

"A mockery"

The Sun-Sentinel editors: Scott and Bondi "made a mockery of being tough on crime and placing the public interest before all else." "Bondi, Scott make mockery of execution".

Rick Scott is "on the wrong path"

The Tampa Bay Times editors write that Rick Scott is "on the wrong path in proposing $500 million in tax cuts in a state that already has relatively low taxes. Where Florida families are getting pummeled is on the rising cost of regulated services: property insurance, electric rates and health care. Those are hidden taxes that dramatically affect the cost of living, yet the governor and the Legislature have embraced policies that are increasing those costs." "Gov. Rick Scott wants to cut taxes by $500 million.".

And the usual tax trash from the usual suspects: "Area business leaders, tax watchers support move to cut Florida fees, taxes".

"Hamlet from Hillsborough"

Marc Caputo and Adam C. Smith write that, "Alex Sink, otherwise known as Hamlet from Hillsborough, is still grappling with whether to run for governor again in 2014."

"I go back and forth," said the former state chief financial officer, who had planned to make a decision by Sept. 1 but now says it will be by Oct. 25, when the state Democratic Party kicks off its state convention. "I really don't know." Most Florida politicos doubt Sink will ultimately run because there have been few signs of earnest preparation for a grueling race against Gov. Rick Scott, but we haven't found anyone who knows for sure.

Will next purge be another "unmitigated disaster"?

The Tampa Trib editors "forgive the state’s supervisors of elections for being more than a little testy."

The state’s effort to purge ineligible voters from the rolls last year turned into an unmitigated disaster, and the supervisors were left to deal with the mess.

Fast-forward to this year and a renewed effort by the state to target ineligible voters. Secretary of State Ken Detzner plans to hold a series of meetings with supervisors to get their thoughts on the process moving forward.

Detzner needs to listen closely, and make certain the state provides the supervisors with the paperwork needed to prove someone should be kicked from the voter rolls.