State argues special election before March would be impossible

"The latest twist in Florida’s nationally watched redistricting saga came Friday when the state’s top election official told a judge that special congressional elections can’t be held until next year." "State says no special election possible before March." See also "State expects special elections to be next March" and "Detzner: New congressional elections can't happen until 2015."




"If I were his mother, I'd be horrified"

Scott Maxwell writes that he "saw one of the most bogus pieces of campaign mail this week that I've seen in a long time. (Which is like trying to sniff out the stinkiest skunk in the den.)"

The mailer claims that state Rep. Jason Brodeur is responsible for "EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY REFORM."

It even urges recipients to "Thank Jason Brodeur" for his super-ethical ways, claiming Brodeur helped rid the world of the appointed members on "the scandal-plagued Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority."

Um … what? . . .

Brodeur calling himself a reformer is like a cow patty calling itself a rose bush.

Maxwell explains why here: "Brodeur's bogus boasting."




"Voters will see some big changes"

"Early voting for the Democratic and Republican primaries and nonpartisan elections open to all voters starts Friday in Broward County, and voters will see some big changes from previous elections." "Early voting begins Friday in Broward." See also "Early voting in Palm Beach County starting for Aug. 26 elections." Related: "Voters love casting ballots by mail, but red tape can prove challenging."

The Gainesvile Sun editors: "Get out the vote."




"Tom Lee is Back"

"State Sen. Tom Lee says Charlie Crist has made a 'mockery of the political process' and is now leading a campaign to against the former governor." "Sen. Tom Lee is behind those ‘conservative Charlie Crist’ robocalls." See also "Attacks on Charlie Crist Show Tom Lee is Back."




Crist gets more public money

"Crist on Friday received more than $474,000 when he received his second check of public matching funds. He has now received slightly more than $1 million in state money to assist his campaign." "Crist gets another boost with public money."




Weekly Roundup

Kevin Derby: "Political Bits and Pieces." See also "Arrivals and Departures, Aug. 15, 2014" and "Weekly Roundup: Signed, Sealed, Delivered."




All Aboard hiccup

"All Aboard Florida is drawing the concern of two Florida congressmen who joined together, despite partisan differences, in asking the federal government to conduct a study to see if its plan to connect Orlando to Miami by high-speed rail is viable. " "Bill Posey, Patrick Murphy Team Up Against All Aboard Florida."




Dithering Jeb unsure about whether feds should enforce federal MJ prohibition

"Former Gov. Jeb Bush is conflicted over the federal government’s role in medical-marijuana states and refrains from criticizing President Barack Obama over the issue." "Jeb Bush conflicted over feds role in medical-marijuana enforcement." See also "Bush latest heavyweight to stake out medical pot position."




Scott's "Extreme Makeover"

Aaron Deslatte writes that Nan Rich "is who she is, a South Florida liberal, unabashed advocate of abortion rights and expanding the state government's footprint in health care. She sponsored bills mandating background checks for gun buyers. She was Charlie Crist before Crist was Crist, way back five years ago when he "blindly supported irresponsible gun legislation pushed by the NRA." She was sponsoring bills to allow same-sex couples to adopt children when Crist was backing Florida's gay-marriage constitutional ban."

Scott, though, has been undergoing his own Extreme Makeover: a weeklong environmental tour, an about-face on education funding and an abandonment of the tea party. The corporate raider who cut water-management money and dismantled Florida's growth-regulation agency is now pledging $1 billion for water conservation.

"Rich holds true to principles — dooming her chances."




Scott spinning at the speed of sound

"Unemployment in the Sunshine State is now the same as the national rate. . . . Gov. Rick Scott, who has largely focused his re-election campaign on job creation, seemed to believe the news was another step in the right direction for Floridians." "Unemployment Rate Remains Unchanged at 6.2 Percent."




Bus tour may have violated state law

"Charlie Crist’s School Bus Tour may violate state law on use of school buses." "Crist campaigned in real school bus despite state ban."

Meanwhile, "School bus carrying Charlie Crist rear-ended in Orange County, troopers say."




Sheldon eligible

"A Leon County circuit judge ruled Friday that George Sheldon has no residency issues that disqualify him from running and serving as Florida attorney general." "Judge rules George Sheldon eligible for attorney general primary." See also "Judge: Sheldon can stay on ballot in AG race." See also "Questions raised about where attorney general candidates really live."




Maybe next year

"Florida granted 1-year No Child Left Behind waiver."




Cohn blasts Ross

"Alan Cohn, a Democratic candidate challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, blasted Ross at a Tampa forum Friday for not having an adequate presence in Hillsborough County." "Cohn blasts U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross for not having office in Hillsborough."