Liberal leaning Public Policy Polling released a poll on Tuesday showing Crist at 50 percent and Scott at 38 percent. But the poll shows Crist is moving backward in some areas.

At first glance, Crist should be happy with his numbers with Democrats in the new poll: 58 percent favorable, 24 percent unfavorable. Not bad for a politician who has campaigned numerous times for state office as a conservative Republican. But even there, Crist’s numbers have gone down from the start of the year. In the January poll, Crist did much better with Democrats: 73 percent favorable and 13 percent unfavorable. Back in March, Crist was at 60 percent favorable and 28 percent unfavorable with Democrats.

Where Crist has made up ground is with independents. In January, Crist was headed in the wrong direction: 38 percent favorable and 44 percent unfavorable. Crist has turned that around in the new poll: 47 percent favorable and 38 percent unfavorable. Back in March, Crist was in similar shape with independents: 49 percent favorable, 40 percent unfavorable.

Scott’s stalled, to be sure, in the PPP poll but he is at least getting Republicans back in line behind him. His numbers with Republicans in January’s PPP poll were nothing to write home about: 49 percent approval and 38 percent disapproval. They got even worse in the PPP poll from March: 46 percent approval and 42 percent disapproval. The new poll shows Scott is making clear progress in securing the Republican base: 57 percent approval and 29 percent disapproval.

Republican strategists and the Scott campaign can look at these numbers and craft a few plans. Look for Republicans to continue bashing Crist for being inconsistent and all over the place on the issues as they look to push his numbers with Democrats even lower. The GOPs don’t think Nan Rich (whose numbers in the new poll continue to underwhelm) can beat Crist, but they can hope to make the primary closer. That means more attacks to remind Democratic primary voters that Crist portrayed himself as a conservative only a few years ago.

"A flood of hypocrisy"

Randy Schultz: "A flood of hypocrisy in Florida over insurance".

Gaetz speaks

"Senate President Don Gaetz, who has made ethics reform a signature issue of his administration, on Thursday defended state Rep. Steve Precourt’s bid for the top job at the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority after helping the agency in the Legislature. . . . Meanwhile, Gaetz said it is possible that he could single-handedly block a vote on any gambling legislation this year that would allow the construction of destination-resort casinos. That's one of the perks of being Senate president or House speaker, who have total control over what issues get a vote on the floor of their respective chambers." "Gaetz defends Precourt, says he could block close casino vote".

FlaBagger files

"Common Core Foe Jay Fant Files for First Coast House Seat as Republican". Related: "Policy Note: Common Core".

Garcia riles conservatives

"Miami Congressman Joe Garcia riled conservatives Tuesday by taking to the U.S. House floor and blaming a partial shutdown of the federal government on 'this extremist element, this Taliban.'"

Garcia’s comment was the latest example of heightened tensions and terrorism-related rhetoric in the stalemated Congress, where Senate Democrats are refusing House Republican efforts to defund, delay or degrade Obamacare as part of a budget resolution.

In his brief speech, Garcia said that some Republican House members wanted to vote on a so-called “clean” resolution that continues funding the government, but they were scared.

"Voter purge database"

"Detzner says he's 'comfortable' with voter purge database". Related: "Policy Note: Voting Reform".

"Big Endorsements in Pasco"

"The stakes are getting higher in the battle for an open Florida House seat in Pasco County as big-name Democrats and Republicans are getting involved in the fray. On Thursday, former Gov. Charlie Crist, who had been a Republican until 2010 when he decided to run for the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation, endorsed Democrat Amanda Murphy, who has worked for Raymond James as a vice president, for the open House seat. Having switched over to the Democrats at the end of 2012, Crist is the heavy favorite to emerge with his new party’s nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott next year." "The Stakes Are Raised With Big Endorsements in Pasco County House Battle".

"The ground hardly quivered"

Fred Grimm: "The ground-shaking projections for expanded gambling in Florida arrived this week. The ground hardly quivered. The Spectrum Gambling Group, hired by the state legislature to calculate the economic impact of legalizing even more casinos and racinos in Florida, delivered a rather tepid finding. 'Overall, Spectrum believes that the expansion of casino gambling, whether on a small scale or very large scale, would have, at best, a moderately positive impact on the state economy.'" "Many disappointed with new gambling findings".

Fed shutdown fallout

"As the federal shutdown continues, Republicans and Democrats in the Florida congressional delegation are starting to draw fire as both sides look ahead to the 2014 elections."

This week, The Hill reported that the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is turning up on the heat on two Florida Democrats -- freshmen U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia and U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy. Believing the two Democrats are vulnerable in 2014, the NRCC is running radio ads against them, bashing them as part of a broken system in Washington and for helping create the shutdown.

He battled the 'Fair District' amendments

"Attorney and Navy veteran Paul Renner has a solid head start in his bid for an open Florida House seat. . . . An attorney with Milam Howard, Renner served in the Navy during Desert Storm before going to law school and eventually becoming an assistant state attorney in South Florida. A member of the Republican National Lawyers Association, Renner was active in trying to defeat the 'Fair District' amendments to the Florida state Constitution back in 2010." "Paul Renner Off and Running for Open House Seat on First Coast".

Really, Joe?

"Joe Negron Calls for Feds to Turn Over Control of Lake Okeechobee".

"Political ploy to pressure stalling House Republicans"?

"Rep. Joe Garcia became the third Miami congressman this year to play a major role in the nation’s immigration debate when he joined House Democrats on Wednesday to unveil a bipartisan plan that includes a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants."

But unlike Miami U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Garcia isn’t a Republican. And the bill Garcia and fellow Democrats are pushing has so little chance of passing right now that, coupled with the all-Democrat cast that unveiled the proposal, the legislation is perceived on Capitol Hill to be more of a political play to pressure stalling House Republicans.

"Lobbyists Raking in Big Bucks"

"Lobbyists Raking in Big Bucks to Influence Florida Politics: Series Preview".

* A Democratic candidate for state chief financial officer dropped out of the race when it became known he had filed for bankruptcy three times in two states, the last time just five years ago, when he also defaulted on a payment plan.

* Former CFO Alex Sink, who lost the governor’s race to Republican Rick Scott in 2010, decided she won’t run against Scott in 2014, acknowledging that fundraising was a consideration.

* Republican candidate Bill Gunter raised more than twice the campaign funds of Democrat Amanda Murphy, $83,000 to $38,000, before the primary election to fill Mike Fasano’s House seat. Fasano left the Legislature to become Pasco County’s tax collector, and Democrats now consider his Pasco County seat a must-get.

* House Democrats ousted their own leader-designate, St. Petersburg’s Darryl Rouson, after discovering he had set up a separate campaign account to fund House races without telling Florida Democratic Party officials or members of his own caucus.

* After learning of the secret fund, Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant fired two senior staffers in charge of strategy and fundraising for House races who assisted Rouson.

Flabaggers in a dither

"When the federal healthcare marketplaces open Tuesday, hundreds of volunteers will fan out across the state urging colleagues, co-workers and students to investigate their healthcare options and sign up for insurance." "As Obamacare marketplaces open, sales pitch begins in earnest". See also "Policy Note: Health Insurance Exchanges".

Never mind

"Charges of massive fraud in early learning programs prove false".

An innocent man

"With two of his former staffers under criminal investigation for allegedly submitting phony absentee-ballot requests, Miami Democratic Congressman Joe Garcia released his own internal review on Monday and concluded that no one else on his staff was aware of the ballot scheme." "Congressman Joe Garcia clears remaining staff in absentee ballot probe".

Sarasota 9/11 investigation won't go away

"The Herald-Tribune Media Group and the Miami Herald Media Co. have joined a federal lawsuit asking a federal judge to make FBI officials release information about a 9/11 investigation in Sarasota." "Two Florida Media Companies Join Broward Bulldog In 9/11 Records Lawsuit".

Wingnut laff riot

Apparently having overdosed on Sopranos reruns, the deep thinkers at the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity declare that "Union no-show jobs cost FL’s largest county millions" gazillions.

Developers run wild

"There were 13 findings of "adverse impacts" in 2012, the first full year after the Legislature approved sweeping growth management law changes, but none resulted in findings of 'not in compliance.' Critics say the newly written law was vague and discourages enforcement." "State agency hasn't filed legal challenges against any local growth decisions since 2011". Related: "Policy Note: Growth Management".

Buzz growing that Sheldon will challenge Bondi

"George Sheldon will be leaving Washington and heading home to Florida as buzz continues to grow that he will challenge Pam Bondi in 2014."

In recent years, Sheldon has been in Washington as a member of the Obama administration but he has spent many years on the Florida political stage. He had been appointed to serve as acting assistant secretary for children and families in the federal department of Health and Human Services. Kathleen Sebelius announced last week he was leaving HHS and was going back to Florida. He will leave the HHS post in the middle of October.

Sheldon’s name surfaced back in August as a possible opponent for Bondi. It’s not the first time he has popped up as a statewide candidate though he has little luck when he has sought higher office. Bondi has had some recent stumbles, namely moving the execution date of Marshall Lee Gore due to a fundraiser, but she can take some solace from Sheldon’s failed bids to run at the state level.

No bones about it. Sheldon has failed when he has sought higher office. The contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore in Florida is still synonymous for being a close race, but Charlie Crist had no problem dispatching Sheldon in the same election, beating him by 7 percent to be state education commissioner in 2000. Two years later, Sheldon ran for Butterworth’s job but he came in third behind Buddy Dyer and Scott Maddox in the Democratic attorney general primary. Even as late as 2010, Sheldon was talking about running for governor with no party affiliation but ultimately decided against entering the race.

Despite showing no ability as a candidate for statewide office, Sheldon’s credentials are impressive.

Dirty water

"Policy Note: Water Quality".

"Medicaid Expansion"

"The Arkansas plan to use Medicaid dollars to buy private insurance for its low-income population was approved by the federal government on Sept. 27. Florida had a similar expansion alternative coming from Sen. Negron. While it failed in 2013, it is likely to serve as the starting point for lawmakers' discussions about Medicaid expansion." "Medicaid Expansion".

Pregnancy discrimination

"On Sept. 30, 2013, Sen. Geraldine Thompson filed a bill that would make employer discrimination against pregnant women illegal." "Policy Note: Labor Relations".

Raw political courage

"Florida Legislators Will Pay More For Health Insurance Next Year".

T-shirt sales booming

"Floridians' personal income rose to $811.5 billion at the end of the second quarter, up from $799.8 billion in the first quarter, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said. Good news for the Sunshine State: Floridians' personal income rose 1.5 percent in the second quarter, compared with the first three months of the year, outpacing a 1 percent gain nationwide." "Floridians' personal income jumps 1.5%".

“You inspire me,” the buffoon cooed to Rubio, a future foe in the 2016 race for the White House.

At which moment Democratic campaign strategists surely fell to their knees whispering, “Thank you, God. This is too good to be true.”

The Cruz-Rubio bromance played out on C-Span in the wee morning hours last Wednesday during Cruz’s marathon tirade against Obamacare. Florida’s junior senator popped up like a blow-dried gopher to speak for almost an hour and give Cruz a break.

Rubio claimed he’d changed his mind about Thomas’ “fitness” because of concerns about the handling of a DUI case and a rape case – though even the prosecutor in the rape case said the judge had followed the rules. (Rubio’s vast credentials in criminal trial procedure consist of an unused law degree.)

By aligning himself with Cruz, whose self-styled filibuster epitomizes the partisan paralysis in Washington, Rubio further diminished himself in the eyes of moderate Republicans who yearn for a fresh and principled voice.

Ironically, the potential rival who benefits most from Rubio’s naked groveling is his mentor, Jeb Bush. Although he hasn’t announced whether or not he’s running in 2016, Bush is smart enough to watch the unfolding Republican train wreck and know that none of the current lightweights has a chance of beating Hillary Clinton.

Hillary can just sit back and watch. The campaign commercials keep writing themselves. “You inspire me,” sayeth the gasbag from Texas to the suck-up artist from Florida. What next, Marco? A twerking video with Sarah Palin?

The party never ended for the uber-rich in Southwest Florida

"For Realtors selling million-dollar homes and wealth managers who control seven-figure nest eggs in Southwest Florida, the recession that began in 2007 was more of a bother than a crisis. Navigating the Great Recession, at least for the uber-rich and those who make handsome livings catering to them, provided as many opportunities as problems." "Afer recession, economic gap widens".

Conservation amendment a go

"The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday approved a 2014 ballot proposal that would set aside tax dollars to conserve land and other natural resources and help restore the Everglades. The court is required to review proposed constitutional amendments to make sure they meet legal standards, such as a requirement that ballot initiatives deal with single subjects and do not have misleading summary language." "Court OKs ballot language of conservation proposal".

To replace Fasano

"The two candidates seeking to succeed Mike Fasano in the state House of Representatives differ on their health care views, but both support the Second Amendment and both agree that alternatives need to be found for homeowners who have policies with Citizens Property Insurance. 'Citizens was the insurance of last resort,' Republican Bill Gunter said Friday morning as he and Democrat Amanda Murphy met in what was billed as an 'informal debate.' 'It’s become the only resort for most people.'" "House candidates debate issues".

"Bored" bimbos doom Suarez

"The beginning of the end of Francis Suarez’s promising bid to become mayor of Miami started the day his campaign got two attractive young women to work the crowd at a Cinco de Mayo party."

The assignment was not difficult: Get voters to allow the campaign to request absentee ballots for them.

The two friends flirted, downed vodka tonics and got some signatures. But not enough.

So they improvised: They filled out forms for themselves. They called a boyfriend and a sister and forged their names.

And when they ran out of people they knew, they made up names of fake voters.

Which landed them in the middle of a criminal investigation.

“We were bored,” 21-year-old Ivana Saud told the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office.

A novice campaigner, Juan Pablo Baggini, submitted 20 ballot requests — the legitimate ones — to the county elections website.

Except Florida law prohibits anyone other than a voter or his or her immediate family from filing requests online.

"A smokescreen for finding ways to expand gaming"

The Tampa Trib editorial board writes that "the Legislature is gearing up to evaluate and discuss Florida’s gambling laws — which, as everyone should know by now, is essentially a smokescreen for finding ways to expand gaming." "Resist another run to expand gaming".

"Three-foot rise would flood western Miami Beach permanently"

The Miami Herald editors: "Scientists forecast that, over the next century, seas could rise from 1-1/2 feet to six feet. That’s a lot of water. And it won’t just be coastal areas that are affected."

South Florida’s porous limestone foundation could increase ground water levels far inland as the ocean rises. Studies have shown that a three-foot rise in sea level would flood western Miami Beach permanently, but also overrun inland communities like Weston. There will simply be no place for the water to drain away.

A Bush v. Gore thing

After Bush v. Gore, it is remarkable that only "60% Think Supreme Court Justices Have Political Agenda".

Insurance lobby picks off "advocate"

"She has taken a job as vice president of government affairs for the Illinois-based American Association of Insurance Services, a national advisory organization for insurance companies." "State's insurance consumer advocate quits".

Baggers in a box

"Large groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable support the new education standards and tests, saying they'll promote a deep understanding of subject matter instead of rote memorization. But many conservative, small-business owners — especially those with ties to the Tea Party movement — want no part of it. They contend Common Core gives the federal government undue influence over local school districts." "Business groups split over Common Core education changes".