So much for Florida's "native" sons

"Hillary Clinton is ahead of Jeb Bush by a statistically insignificant 1 point in Florida but beats him or Chris Christie handily in Ohio and Pennsylvania in a prospective contest for the presidency. " "Not So Good For Jeb: Hillary Would Tie Him in Florida, Easily Beat Him in Other Swings." "That might not be surprising, as Bush was a popular [?] two-term Republican governor. But the poll also shows the Democrat Clinton leading another native son, Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, by a margin of 49 percent to 39 percent in Florida."

Quinnipiac polled voters in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, all pivotal states in presidential races. Clinton easily topped potential Republican candidates in each of the states, with the exception of Bush in Florida and Ohio Gov. John Kasich in Kasich’s home state.

"Poll: Bush-Clinton an even match among Florida voters."

Meanwhile, "Hillary Clinton Set to Trounce 2016 Primary Rivals in Florida." More: "Mitt Romney's No-Go for 2016 Doesn't Help Marco Rubio." See also "Florida Republicans Give Jeb Bush the Green Light, Marco Rubio the Red Light for 2016."




"Cold in Scott’s shadow"

Bill Cotterell: "Cabinet finds it cold in Scott’s shadow."




Senate District 19

"Even though voting is almost two years away, one sitting and one former member of the Florida House already have filed to run for Tampa Bay’s Senate District 19, according to the state Division of Elections’ website." "Reed, Rouson file to replace Tampa’s Sen. Joyner in 2016."




"Scott starts out his second term upside down"

"Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., starts out his second term upside down as a new poll shows he has been hurt by the controversy surrounding former Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Gerald Bailey’s departure."

St. Pete Polls took a poll for Saint PetersBlog which was released on Tuesday. The poll shows half of Floridians -- 50 percent -- say they do not approve of Scott while 41 percent approve of the governor.

"Rick Scott Hurt by Gerald Bailey Matter, New Poll Finds."




Second amendment stoopid

"18-Year-Old Shot With AK-47 In House Across From Wadsworth Elementary in Apparent Accident."




"The matter merits an independent investigation"

The Tampa Trib editors think "Rick Scott and Cabinet members badly need to restore confidence in a state government damaged by questions surrounding the forced resignation of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey."

The matter merits an independent investigation, something Putnam and Atwater support. Scott should welcome the review as well. Getting the truth out, and addressing any mistakes that might have been made, is the best way to get this matter behind him.

"Defusing Cabinet controversy."




Jeb's lapdogs are back

Michael Putney: "Jeb’s shrewd, early moves show he hasn’t lost his campaign skills;" "First round goes to Jeb." Scott Powers"Q Poll: Jeb leads GOP pack in Florida."




Good luck with that

"The bill would authorize districts to use something other than tests to assess students in some courses, revamp laws tying teachers' evaluations and pay more closely to student performance." "Florida Lawmakers Proposes Capping All State and Local Testing at 5% of School Time."




"Republican bad girl" turns on Rivera

Ana Alliegro "testified that former congressman David Rivera supplied her with more than $81,000 in a campaign finance scheme." "Former girlfriend testifies against ex-Rep. David Rivera, questions lack of indictment in campaign scandal."




Scott continues to insist he's not a crook

"Gov. Rick Scott's office continued pushing back Monday against claims his staff forced longtime Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey to resign immediately in December." "Rick Scott Disputes that FDLE Leader Faced Immediate Ouster." See also "Still Under Fire, Gov. Scott’s Office Attempts To Deflect Criticism Over FDLE Chief’s Firing."