In one ad sponsored by the Republican Party, a Scott backer and victim of the Rothstein scam falsely charges he was “swindled” by Crist. The party and Scott himself refused to identify the speaker in that ad, so independent fact-checkers couldn’t check his story until the Miami Herald discovered his identity.

Crist, meanwhile, says he was deceived by Rothstein, as were many sports celebrities, religious and civic leaders and other politicians — mostly Republican — whom Rothstein showered with money. Crist, then a Republican, and others ultimately had to pay back much of the money.

Crist charges that Scott is using the issue to distract from Scott’s own history as head of a hospital chain that perpetrated the largest health care fraud in history against government programs that serve the elderly, the military and the poor.

"Very early voting starts"

"More than six weeks before Election Day, some voters are already casting ballots and helping elect Florida’s next governor. County elections supervisors have until Saturday to mail hundreds of thousands of ballots to Floridians living overseas, many of whom are active-duty military personnel." "Very early voting starts as wave of Florida ballots go overseas."

Sink Fade-Out

Jeff Henderson "Political Stage Fade-Out for Alex Sink."

Dems stand by DWS

"After being criticized for having a rocky, distant relationship with the Obama White House, Democrats stood by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz." "White House, Democrats defend Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston." Meanwhile, Nancy Smith writes that "Now Debbie Does the Doghouse (Does She Ever!)"

Scott told to fix DCF

"A month after Javon Dade was fatally mauled by his father’s dogs, county commissioners are calling on the governor to fix the state’s child protection system." "Miami-Dade commissioners to Gov. Scott: Fix DCF."

False

"PolitiFact Florida found Joe Garcia’s statement about his Republican challenger Carlos Curbelo to be false." "Joe Garcia says Carlos Curbelo supports raising flood insurance rates."

Never mind

"Gov. Rick Scott focused Friday on private-sector growth with the release of Florida's latest jobless numbers, which ticked up in August from 6.2 percent to 6.3 percent." "Scott touts private jobs as unemployment ticks up."

Dems dismiss Domino's campaign as "flop"

"On Thursday, former state Rep. Carl Domino, the Republican challenger taking on U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., in November, invoked the legacy of the man his opponent beat in 2012: former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla. Democrats, meanwhile, dismissed Domino's campaign as a 'flop.'" "Vietnam Vet Domino: I Have Allen West's Back."

Tuff Grrrl

"Attorney General Pam Bondi said she 'will not be bullied by the press' for her defense of Florida’s ban on gay marriage as she made two campaign stops on the Treasure Coast this week." "Bondi ‘won’t be bullied’ on campaign trail."

Complaint against Curbelo

"Florida’s 26th Congressional District has been plagued with political scandals since its inception four years ago. Now it may add another to its record."

Florida Democratic Chairwoman Allison Tant is asking the U.S. Justice Department to investigate GOP candidate Carlos Curbelo for not publicly disclosing the clients of his public relations, media and lobbying firm Capitol Gains.

Weekly Roundup

Kevin Derby"Political Bits and Pieces." See also "Weekly Roundup: Old Faces in New Places."

All Aboard

Nancy Smith: "All Aboard Florida Environmental Impact Study Released to Mixed Reviews."

Scott hack tapped

"Looking to a political ally to fill the job, Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday named state Rep. Jimmy Patronis to a seat on the Florida Public Service Commission."

In his application for a seat on the commission, Patronis pointed to his experience in helping run the restaurant, which he described as “one of the largest-grossing, family-owned, independent restaurants in the state of Florida.” He also cited his work in the Legislature, though he did not point to particular experience on utility-related issues.

Patronis has been part of the conservative leadership of the House, and his Twitter feed includes numerous postings in support of Scott. On Thursday morning, he tweeted that it was “dress your own way” day at his son’s school. The posting was accompanied by a picture of his son wearing a “Rick Scott” campaign T-shirt.

mostly Republicans, with tainted money that almost all of them returned after the scheme was exposed in 2009. Rothstein used his close relationships with Crist, other politicians, sports stars, and area religious and charitable leaders as an advertising tool to dupe investors.

None of that context is in the ad cut by the 41-year-old Kretschmar. Repeating a disputed Rothstein claim that Crist sold judgeships, Kretschmar makes a series of omissions. . . .

Kretschmar fails to mention that his Fort Lauderdale lawyer is William R. Scherer, a Scott donor and GOP operative. Rothstein once called Scherer a “mentor.” And Scherer also tried to help get a lenient sentence for Rothstein — the very man Scherer’s client trashes in the ad, which has run about 4,000 times in Florida at a cost of at least $2 million. . . .

Scherer and his law firm have contributed at least $23,000 to Scott’s campaigns since 2010. Scott appointed Scherer to a JNC post in 2011. The next year, Scott appointed Scherer’s daughter, Elizabeth Ann Scherer, to a circuit court bench.

"Scott losing with women voters"

"Facing potential problems among women voters, Gov. Rick Scott held a campaign event in Tampa on Tuesday aimed squarely at women, particularly women business owners." "Scott, losing with women voters, courts them in Tampa." See also "Scott lauds women's rally."

"Big promises"

"Contenders for governor keep making big promises."

West's comeback

"Having opened the door to an electoral comeback attempt in 2016, former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., a favorite of the tea party movement and conservatives, is supporting Republican campaigns across the nation and drawing fire from Democrats as a result." "Fighting for Conservatives, Allen West Just Loves that Democratic Flak."

Brain Trust

"Florida Delegation Still Debating the Merits of Obamacare."

Who's Worse?

Kevin Derby: "Less than 50 days to go until the general election, both Gov. Rick Scott and his Democratic challenger former Gov. Charlie Crist are hitting Florida’s airwaves as they exchange shots on education and other issues." "Who's Worse for Education, Rick Scott or Charlie Crist? TV Attack Ads Fly." From the right: "Take a Closer Look at School Spending 'Cuts'."

"Bondi fights to prevent lesbians’ divorce"

"Attorney General Pam Bondi may be fighting to prevent same-sex couples from marrying in Florida, but she is also taking a legal position that has the effect of forcing gay couples who married elsewhere to stay married, lawyers in a Tampa case say." "Bondi fights to prevent lesbians’ divorce." See also "Democrats attack Bondi over gay-marriage fight."

"Chicken Littles at the Florida Chamber of Commerce"

Scott Maxwell worries that "the Chicken Littles at the Florida Chamber of Commerce have already begun fear-mongering" over amendment 1. "Florida's environmental Amendment 1 is popular — for good reason"

Sorry Rick, but "employment in Florida tracks national conditions"

Even the GOP dead enders on the Tampa Trib editorial board recognize that "State politicians are masters at taking credit for creating jobs and blaming rivals for losing them, so it’s easy to overlook how closely employment in Florida tracks national conditions." "Editorial: Seeing sunny sides of dreary economy."

DWS

"Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Disastrous Summer."

Scott's Appointment record is "shameful"

The Miami Herald editors write that Scott has a "shamefully low" number minority appointments to the bench. The editors write that Scott's rationale is "insulting:"

“What I’m focused on is making sure that the people I appoint understand that there are three branches of government and that they don’t get to legislate. They don’t get to pass laws, just like I don’t get to pass laws.”

Really? Is he assuming black judicial candidates are deficient in that regard?

Rubio struggles for relevancy

"Eyeing 2016, Rubio pushes American strength abroad."

"Too much testing"

The Gainesville Sun editors: "With all the state-mandated tests being taken by Florida students, it is a miracle that there is any time left to teach." "Too much testing."

Florida ranked behind only 2 states in rate of uninured residents

"Twenty percent of Floridians lacked health insurance last year, down slightly from a rate of 20.1 percent in 2012. But the change was within the margin of error, rendering it insignificant."

Florida ranked behind only Texas and Nevada in having the highest rate of uninsured residents in the nation. Texas had a rate of 22.1 percent and Nevada’s was 20.7 percent, but both those states showed improvement in lowering their rates year-over-year, unlike Florida. . . .

Massachusetts had the nation’s lowest rate at 3.7 percent.

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature last year decided against expanding Medicaid coverage to an estimated 1 million low-income Floridians under the federal health law.

Lazy? Really?

"Faceoff: Is early voting convenient or just lazy?."

False

"PolitiFact Florida found Joe Garcia’s statement about his Republican challenger Carlos Curbelo to be false." "Joe Garcia says Carlos Curbelo supports raising flood insurance rates."

Crist may use executive orders to bypass Legislature

"Charlie Crist says he believes there is 'a good argument' that a Florida governor could expand the state’s Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act through an executive order, without approval by the Legislature, and he might seek to do so if he’s elected governor." "Crist would consider bypassing lawmakers to expand Medicaid."

Democrats are trying to make that an issue again in the 2014 election.

No charges were filed in the case despite a 1½-year investigation that involved a federal grand jury in Tampa. But that outcome never satisfied the man whose suspicions brought about the investigation, one of Florida’s most respected political and civic leaders, the late Fred Karl.

Scott confident

"Florida Republicans say that a victory by Gov. Rick Scott in November is within their grasp." "Florida GOP optimism grows as election approaches." See also "GOP Optimism Growing as Election Approaches." Meanwhile, "With early lead gone, Crist campaign tries to rebound."

Rubio strives for relevancy

"Sen. Rubio stresses border security."

Poll shows Putnam only 5 points ahead

"More than a few eyebrows across the state went up last week when Democrat pollster PPP released a poll showing Adam Putnam only 5 percent ahead of Democrat Thad Hamilton in the agriculture commissioner race. But, despite that slim lead, Putnam really isn’t in much peril against Hamilton."

To be sure, Hamilton is a more serious candidate for Democrats than William Rankin who is running against Jeff Atwater in the CFO contest. Democrats like Charlie Crist, George Sheldon and Allison Tant have no problem featuring Hamilton at campaign events. That stands in sharp contrast with Rankin whose background is, at best, questionable. Hamilton served in the Army and worked for the federal Agriculture Department for years. He also chaired the Broward Soil and Water Commission. Hamilton is also the only African-American candidate running for statewide office in Florida this year.

Paradox of pot

Marc Caputo: "Tallahassee’s conservative political establishment is about to embark on a multi-million ad campaign to kill a popular, proposed constitutional amendment for medical marijuana." "The politics, paradoxes and polling of pot in Florida." See also "Medical Marijuana Entrepreneur Taps Doctors, Including First in Florida."

Scott promised a potpourri of tax breaks on the campaign trail: a $120 million cut in the communication services tax; a $120 break on the $225 initial registration fee for cars; $200 million in sales tax holidays, which require families to spend money to save money; and a trio of breaks for Florida businesses — elimination of the manufacturing sales tax and the phase-out of both the business income tax and the sales tax on commercial leases.

But most troubling is Scott's plan to ask the Legislature to seek voter approval to eliminate one of the tools local governments were able to rely upon to make it through the economic recession. Scott is calling for the elimination of the state's "recapture rule." That ensures that property owners who enjoy extraordinary breaks under the state's homestead or commercial property assessment caps don't forever have significantly lower property tax bills than neighbors who bought more recently. It's the one mechanism that makes a system that treats property owners differently based on when they buy a bit fairer.

"Scott seldom appoints black judges"

"After nearly four years, Gov. Rick Scott has appointed fewer African-Americans to Florida judgeships than either Charlie Crist or Jeb Bush did in the same period of time."

Scott has appointed nine black attorneys to judgeships in nearly four years, according to data from his office. They include reappointments of three judges who hear job-related injury claims and four county judges who decide small claims and traffic cases.

Only twice has Scott appointed black judges to the more prestigious trial court or circuit court, and both are in Miami-Dade: Eric Hendon and Rodney Smith in 2012. Thirteen of Scott's 14 choices for district courts of appeal judges are white and the other is Hispanic.

Oops! Bondi, like Crist, is a Party-Switcher

Will George Sheldon mimic the FlaGOP's attacks on Crist by attacking Bondi for being a party-switcher? Perhaps he should.

Pam Bondi,

Florida’s first female attorney general, a Republican, was a Democrat from 1984 to 2000, when Democrats controlled power in Tampa. Her late father, Dr. Joseph Bondi, a former mayor of Temple Terrace, was a Democrat until 2004. As an assistant state attorney in Hillsborough, Pam Bondi changed parties soon after her boss, Democrat Harry Lee Coe III, took his own life. “I have always been conservative,” Bondi said during the 2010 campaign when it emerged she had once been a Democrat.

Weekly Roundup

Kevin Derby: "Political Bits and Pieces." See also "Weekly Roundup: Garnet, Gold and Green" and "Arrivals and Departures, Sept. 12, 2014."

Really? Hunters can now use silencers

"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday advanced a proposal that would remove a ban on silencers for rifles and pistols when hunting deer, gray squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, quail and crows." "State panel backs gun silencers for hunting."

"Bondi has been an embarrassment to this state"

Scott Maxwell: "Since her election, Bondi has been caught taking money from a wealthy celebrity she had been asked to investigate."

She postponed an execution so that she could throw herself a fundraising party.

She ousted two of her top foreclosure-fraud investigators.

And she broke her word when she vowed to investigate a string of wrongful convictions.

Basically, Pam Bondi has been an embarrassment to this state.

And in Florida, that's really saying something.

Bought and paid for

"The company that paid for Texas hunting trips for Florida Republican leaders has a deal in the works to turn 67 square miles of agricultural land on the northwest edge of the Everglades into housing and businesses." "U.S. Sugar seeks OK for huge development after news it paid for GOP leaders’ trips."

"Jobs and the economy the most important issues facing Florida"

"Jobs and the economy remain the most important issues facing Florida, though they’re declining dramatically as the economy improves, according to a new survey of adults by the University of South Florida." "Job concerns linger in Florida, USF survey finds."

A bit much

"Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Burt Aaronson mentioned woman-punching football player Ray Rice Friday night while criticizing Gov. Rick Scott‘s policies as “an abuse to women” during a campaign rally for Democrat Charlie Crist." "Democrat Aaronson plays Ray Rice card to attack Scott on women."

Half true"

"NextGen ad says Rick Scott trying to ‘hide from’ donation related to drilling project."

Charter madness

"The Southwest Ranches suit said Pembroke Pines improperly approved the school, but Judge Thomas Lynch rejected the argument. The school was one of 19 new charter schools approved last fall." "Judge dismisses city's suit vs charter school."

Going vegan

"Going vegan was winning move for South Florida congressman."

You gotta problem wit' dat?

"The Citizens Property Insurance Corp. inspector general found no improprieties in how three former executives left for employment with private firms that have ties to the state-backed insurer." "Inspector General: former Citizens executives did not violate ethics rules."

Grubbing for Flabaggers

"Bondi appeals gay-marriage rulings."

Flagler SOE kerfuffle continues

"Kimberle Weeks knows how to play to an audience."

The supervisor of elections had one at Friday’s much-anticipated Flagler County Canvassing Board meeting, of which she is a member. Twenty three people turned up–not including two cops, two attorneys, the four members of the board and five reporters–for what would normally not get an audience of more than one or two, if that.

Weeks spent more time addressing the audience than conferring with her fellow-board members: Board Chairwoman Milissa Moore-Stens, George Hanns and Charlie Ericksen sat, stone-faced, through speech after speech that Weeks delivered, facing the audience, to repeat accusations of “interference” and lack of “respect” from Palm Coast and that the city was no complying with an agreement worked out before the election.

Yaaawwnnn

"Presidential Hopefuls Flock to Florida to Help Rick Scott and Charlie Crist."

"Big promises"

Aaron Deslatte reports that "state economists are cautioning Florida's housing-market failure still has some humps to get over. The state remains the national leader in 2014 for both the number of foreclosure filings and the rate of foreclosure."

Thanks in part to over-construction of housing in the heat of the bubble, construction and financial services employment remains off its pre-recession peak. Housing construction this year is also off the 2013 pace so far.

The cuts would appear to heavily tilt toward companies, cutting business and communications services taxes yet again. Scott has also pledged major dollars for environmental spending and increased classroom money.

Even Hillsborough

"Hillsborough commission to revisit domestic partner registry."

Southerland opens mouth . . .

"Rep. Steve Southerland (R-Fla.) was criticized last week for hosting a male-only fundraiser in March, with his opponent Gwen Graham's campaign calling the event 'offensive.' But Southerland laughed off the criticism to the Tampa Bay Times on Friday, comparing the event to a 'lingerie party.'" "Rep. Steve Southerland Wonders If His Female Opponent Has 'Ever Been To A Lingerie Shower'." "More: Finally! Steve Southerland Lobs 'Beltway Background' at Gwen Graham."

Crist has principles . . . sides against clergy in charter school litigation

"Charlie Crist is siding with the teachers union — not African-American ministers — over a new lawsuit that seeks to dismantle the state’s major school-choice program." "Charlie Crist sides with teachers union over black clergy in school choice program lawsuit."

Meanwhile, the wingers whinge: "‘Bumper Crop of Litigation’ Threatens School Choice in Florida."

"The whole thing is a crock."

Nancy Smith: "Smart move by All Aboard Florida: Announce you've got a builder for billions of dollars in new "train sets," then watch how fast your business pals buddy-up and your opponents deflate like a Bazooka bubble. . . . But read the PR statement carefully. Plain as the nose on your face, the whole Siemens selection thing is a crock." "Siemens Announcement: Real or Ruse?."

Will the haters picket a military base?

"Obama to visit Centcom in Tampa on Wednesday."

"Switching parties is a time-honored tradition"

Crist haters overlook the fact that party switching is common in Florida:

Govs. Claude Kirk and Bob Martinez; Attorneys General Jim Smith and Pam Bondi; U.S. Reps. Andy Ireland, Bill Grant, Charles Canady, Tillie Fowler and Tim Mahoney; and a very long list of state legislators, including Senate President Don Gaetz and former House Speaker Allan Bense, have all switched parties.

Rivera ethically challenged

"An ethics panel found former congressman David Rivera in violation of seven instances of ethics violations while he served as a state lawmaker in Tallahassee." "Panel rejects delay in Rivera case, asks judge to set penalties for ethics violation."

Desperate GOPers try to make Morgan the issue

"Republicans have tried to make Morgan, who hired Crist to join his law firm after Crist's first turn as governor, into an issue for the Democratic nominee." "Backroom Briefing: In Trouble with the Boss."

The best Scott can do?

Does Rick Scott really think this creep will appeal to Panhandle voters? "Chris Christie offered a morning crowd of Panhandle Republicans a taste of his and New Jersey’s in-your-face style." "N.J. Gov. Chris Christie catches Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign bus, slams Charlie Crist." See also "Christie stumps with Scott in conservative North Florida."

"Act like a man"

"Before David Rivera’s confidante was sentenced in a campaign-finance scheme on Wednesday, a federal judge had some advice from the bench for the former Miami congressman: Act like a man." "Federal judge calls out David Rivera, sentences Ana Alliegro to six months of house arrest."

Libertarian may "swing the outcome"

"Wyllie, 44, a former radio host and IT consultant from Palm Harbor, is taking the longest of long shots by running on the Libertarian Party ticket. But by virtue of a Florida's scorched-earth gubernatorial contest, he may just have a chance to swing the outcome." "Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Adrian Wyllie tries to get noticed."

Jindal offers to throw in a free exorcism

"Louisiana Gov. Jindal helping out Florida GOP."

You remember "Bobby Jindal, the Exorcist." See also "Bobby Jindal’s Secret Past,."

GOPers run wild

"Buoyed by a significant cash advantage and polls that show Gov. Rick Scott either tied or leading, Florida Republicans on Saturday contended they are focused and ready for the November election."

Members of the Republican Party of Florida met at one of World Disney World's most expensive resorts for their annual fundraising dinner. The sellout event that attracted roughly 800 GOP activists as well as prominent donors and lobbyists featured Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Lobbyist inserts nose . . .

"Ivory Tower Professors' Opposition to John Thrasher Is Why He Must Be FSU’s Next President."