But as Rubio’s star rises and rabid right-wing Republicans begin to finally let go of their rage over his traitorous immigration expedition, he is now making moves to firmly placate the base by shaking off the image of a moderate he so carefully crafted years ago.

His latest effort has even gone so far to assuage the concerns of conservatives that Erick Erickson applauded it as a “home run.” What did Rubio do? He named his campaign’s director of faith outreach, Eric Teetsel, a prominent evangelical who warns that LGBT Americans will “suffer” if they don’t find “a better way.”

As the Huffington Post notes, Teetsel’s hiring “signals a heightened appeal to evangelical voters” — an especially impactful voting bloc in Iowa. But based on his existing record, Rubio should have no worries appealing to the most right-wing voters in his party as he holds some of the most extreme positions on issues like abortion, marriage equality and climate change: . . .

Rubio has long denied that human activity contributes to climate change. . . .

He has been referred to as the “real marriage champion” by the National Organization for Marriage and has opposed gay adoption to protect children from what he described as a "social experiment."

"Florida has one of the worst-paying economies in America"

Scott Maxwell writes that Rick Scott, when he shows up for the grand opening of a convenience store, claims "that even low-paying jobs are good jobs."

This is why Florida has one of the worst-paying economies in America ... because we set the bar so low.

"Rubio's sweet tooth"

The Orlando Sentinel's editors: "Florida Sen. Marco Rubio so far has proved himself skilled at ducking punches concerning his missed Senate votes and his use years ago of a Republican Party credit card. But last Tuesday's debate among GOP presidential candidates featured a new line of attack — Rubio's sweet tooth."

We're not talking about leftover Halloween candy. We're talking about Rubio's eagerness to gobble up contributions from the sugar industry while supporting a federal program to protect the U.S. sugar industry from foreign competition. It's a program that many Republicans — including one of Rubio's key rivals for conservative voters — have called "corporate welfare."

And the Orlando Sentinel's twin editorial board, the Sun Sentinel editors, share the same words:"Ted Cruz exploits sweet opening against Marco Rubio."

Judge says "no" to FlaGOPers

"A Leon County judge on Friday quickly rejected a Florida Senate request to bring in an outside expert to redraw the Senate’s 40 districts." "Judge rejects Senate request for outside map expert."

Rubio slams gays and choice, brings FlaGOPers to their feet

"Florida's U.S. Sen Marco Rubio began the day with a smaller crowd, and he didn't bring his audience to much enthusiasm until he moved from his dire warnings for dramatic changes in foreign affairs, military spending and the size of government and switched to social issues: gay marriage, abortion and religious freedom." "Trump, Carson draw big crowds at GOP summit."

Laff riot: "Macho Jeb emerges"

"The Dick Cheney Empire Strikes Back in FL -- Marco on ‘amnesty’ defense –Macho Jeb emerges – Wilcox gets Swiftboat help – House: we’re done on redistricting." "Florida Playbook."

"Other candidates chose more discreet paths"

"Trump, who has been the target of Bush criticism in recent days, took the stage after making a grand entrance through one of the busiest hallways of the summit, where he shook hands and signed autographs on just about anything his fans could find. It was a unique entrance after other candidates chose more discreet paths." "GOP contenders make their case at Florida forum."

Cheney "wows" FlaGOP

"To Darth Vader’s theme music, Dick Cheney wows GOP crowd." More: "Dick Cheney headlines Florida GOP dinner, attacks Barack Obama."

Lopez-Cantera takes off gloves

"In a change of tone, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera is set to give a speech Friday at the Republican Party of Florida’s Sunshine Summit that's laced with shots at his GOP U.S. Senate opponents, according to an advanced copy of his prepared remarks provided to POLITICO Florida."

[Lopez-Cantera] will go after U.S. Reps. David Jolly and Ron Desantis, his two highest profile opponents.

Scott follies

"Scott sets aside poor relationship with state GOP to open presidential summit." Meanwhile, "Scott’s office mixes up Miami, Hialeah mayors in economic incentive release."

Dismissive, condescending, mean, cringe inducing, foolish and grotesque

Joe Henderson reminds us that the Jeb! we used to know was "abrupt, dismissive and condescending to those on the other side of an argument." "Whatever happened to the Jeb! Bush we used to know?"

Other terms to describe Jeb were, "King Jeb," "mean," "cringe" inducing, "stupid," "devious" (his word), as well as "foolish and grotesque."

Yee haw!

"59 percent of the bears killed statewide were females, while 21 percent were lactating females, meaning they were caring for cubs." "State calls bear hunt a success; opponents call it a slaughter."

Perhaps its an entitlement thing: "Why Jeb Bush just isn’t a good debater." Meanwhile, "a bunch of terrible new polls for Jeb Bush?"

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"

Marc Caputo: "Rubio v. Cruz – Cheney headlines RPOF bash – Hillary prepares another FL swing – Miccosukee tribal trouble – Scott’s hospital commission looks stuck." "Florida Playbook."

Florida's renters paying biggest part of property taxes

"[R]enters are picking up the biggest tab for property taxes in the state and get fewer tax exemptions than owner-occupied property." "Property-tax burden shifts to renters, second-home owners."

Gub'ner Putnam 2018?

"A political committee tied to state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam raised $693,980 during October and neared $3.1 million for the year, according to a newly filed finance report. The committee, known as 'Florida Grown,' spent $77,698 during the month and had about $2.46 million in available cash as of Oct. 31. Putnam is widely believed to be looking at running for governor in 2018. His contributions in October included $450,000 from committees linked to the business group Associated Industries of Florida." "State Capital Briefs."

DWS stays strong

Nancy Smith: "Mea culpa. I'm now fairly sure I was wrong about Debbie Wasserman Schultz. I said in past columns she was losing her power. Nope."

Her mysteriously lengthy tenure as Democratic National Committee chair goes on.

DWS still has enough power to rig the Democratic primary for Hillary Clinton. The president, her boss, has to see it, and he's not trying to stop her.

No wonder Independent Bernie Sanders isn't winning endorsements. He may caucus with the Democrats, but he remains defiantly free of the hierarchy and drama within the party. That, plus the influence of Democratic National Committee Chair Wasserman Schultz's dictator-like leadership, make for few endorsements going his way.

"Scott losing some of his tactical advantage"

"Gov. Rick Scott has engaged for the past several months in a running public relations battle with the state’s hospitals, after a health care funding fight nearly derailed the 2015 session of the Florida Legislature. And thanks to the power of his highly public position, he's been winning. "

But the onetime hospital executive, who was forced out of his own company in the wake of a federal investigation, could soon lose some of his tactical advantage.

That "secret contract"

"Pitbull's secret Florida contract a slap to the public."

Fortunate sons write a report

"With Veterans Day on Wednesday, a new report from Florida TaxWatch looked at services the Sunshine State offers the 1.6 million veterans who call Florida home." "Florida TaxWatch Looks at Veterans Services in Florida."

Indeed, Rubio actually opposes "the very existence of a minimum-wage law."

But the Senator is a man of solutions, "Conservative Solutions" that is. As Jeb! might say, Rubio can "Fix It."

Here's the deal, slackers: no more gub'ment minimum wage handouts - jus' get off your lazy duffs, slackers, and find yerself a sugar daddy. Here's how it works: "The Miami billionaire backing Marco Rubio's presidential ambitions."

And don't forget the spouse, who got a job with a Braman charity:

Records show Mrs. Rubio was paid at least $54,000 for her part-time job in 2013. The charity’s IRS forms show it gave out only $250 that year despite having assets exceeding $9 million. The charity spent nearly $150,000 in air travel.

And then there're those tuff times between political gigs: "Braman gave Florida International University $100,000 to fund a teaching job Rubio took here after leaving the state House in 2008."

After that, "as Mr. Braman was donating heavily to Mr. Rubio’s Senate campaign, his company, Braman Management, hired Mr. Rubio as a lawyer for seven months. According to records provided by Mr. Braman, the company paid Mr. Rubio until a week before he was sworn in as a senator."

More: "Rubio Is Poised to Win the Billionaire Primary." See also "Meet Marco Rubio’s $10 million man" and "Billionaire Lifts Marco Rubio, Politically and Personally."

Redistricting oral arguments

"Florida Supreme Court hears redistricting oral arguments." More: "Legislature asks Florida Supreme Court to pick a different congressional map," "Redistricting impasse leads to more finger-pointing" and "Florida Supreme Court Weighs Redistricting Plans."

The Tampa Trib editors: "Independent commission only cure for redistricting insanity."

"Rubio’s Baby Got PAC"

Marc Caputo: "Jeb stabilizes – Rubio’s Baby Got PAC – No ‘Honeymoon’ hunting – FL Supremes hear redistricting suit – Scammer University boss sentenced in campaign scam." "Florida Playbook."

Rubio demands "less [sic] philosophers"

Sen. Marco Rubio (Florida) says,

"Welders make more money than philosophers. We need more welders and less [sic] philosophers."

The median wage for welders is $37,420, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median wage for philosophy teachers is $63,630.

UCF land buy

"Cabinet OKs UCF land buy despite Scott’s opposition."

Marco's helpful friends

First it was the car dealer, now the "Fox Business moderators, who made it their business to make sure Rubio didn’t face too much difficult questioning." "Marco Rubio coasts, with a big assist from the moderators: He 'won' the GOP debate by evading scrutiny."

New questions

"For five years, Marco Rubio has tried to put behind him the controversy of his spending on a Republican Party of Florida credit card, taking the unusual step over the weekend of making public nearly two years of American Express statements to show how he spent the party’s money."

In some ways, however, the statements, which he previously refused to make public, raise more questions about how Rubio used the card, rather than laying them to rest.

See generally: "Attack Poodles and Other Media Mutants."

Graham presses feds

"U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham on Monday encouraged the Army Corps of Engineers to consider the needs of Apalachicola Bay in developing a plan for operating dams on rivers in Alabama and Georgia." "Graham presses feds to consider Apalachicola Bay needs."

"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"

Marc Caputo: "Centrif-JEB-al Force – Marco’s tax cut math – FL tax cut math – Bondi leaves medical-marijuana alone, for now – FL ends ‘climate-change kerfuffle’." Florida Playbook

"If you prick us, do we not bleed?"

"According to the press release, Grayson told radio station WMNF if he lost in the primary, he would not support Murphy. The release also highlights similar remarks from Grayson at the Palm Beach Democratic Executive Committee, when asked the question by an audience member."

"Listen, Patrick’s done some very vicious things to me in this campaign. Now, I’m not looking for your sympathy. Politics is politics. But when you do what Patrick’s done to directly attack me personally you can’t seriously expect that means I’m going to fall into line. I’m not a puppet. I’m not somebody on string. I invite you to consider what Shakespeare said about this – ‘if you prick us, do we not bleed?’ You think about that."

Raw political courage

"The biggest portion of Scott’s plan is the elimination of income taxes on manufacturing and retail businesses, a move his office says will save $770 million annually. He also wants to permanently eliminate the sales tax manufacturers pay for equipment purchases, and offer a 10-day back to school sales tax holiday, among others provisions." "Scott begins push for $1 B. tax cut package."

More: "Scott criss-crossing state to pitch $1 billion tax cut plan" and "Scott Budget Chief: State Can Afford Tax Cuts, Incentives."

"Florida awarded a 'D-minus' for integrity"

"A Center for Public Integrity report released Monday gave Florida a 'D-minus' for integrity, tying it for 30th in the group’s assessment of state government accountability and transparency."

Among the reasons the group cites for the grade is the selective enforcement of the state’s broad public records law; Florida earned an "F" for public access to information.

"Over the past several years, the rich and powerful in Florida have seemed far less accountable to open government laws than the drug-addled and hapless,” the report states. "So while the public is welcome to read about how a spring breaker bit off a hamster’s head, nobody was supposed to learn about how Gov. Rick Scott ousted a top law enforcement official behind closed doors, potentially violating the state’s open meetings law.”

Never mind

"Galvano PAC returns $15,000 fantasy sports contribution."

Sunshine Summit

Kevin Derby: "With 2016 around the corner, the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) will be hosting the Sunshine Summit in Orlando from Nov. 12-Nov. 14 and the stakes will be high.

The presidential hopefuls will take most of the spotlight but there’s another important race already taking shape as Rubio has said he will not run for a second Senate term. Florida Republicans Ron DeSantis, David Jolly, Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Todd Wilcox are already off and running and they will be at the Sunshine Summit trying to win support for their Senate bids." "At Sunshine Summit, Marco Rubio Looks to Profit Off Jeb Bush's Stumbles."

Even the Tampa Trib

Even the usually anti-union Tampa Trib editors point out that raises for Florida's wildfire firefighters "were cut from the budget by Gov. Rick Scott, who balked at giving the blanket increases. The governor should reconsider that decision this year. The state pays starting firefighters just $24,000 a year and has awarded one pay raise over the past 10 years, contributing to high turnover." "State’s forestry firefighters deserving of raises."

Who knew: "Florida firefighters face an average of more than 31 new wildfires every day." "Blue Ribbon Fire Takes Lives of Two Florida Firefighters."

Weekly Roundup

"Weekly Roundup: Third Time No Charm for Lawmakers."

There were days not too long ago when members of the Legislature would show courtesy and consideration to each other when discussing ways to somehow mesh different political beliefs with policy that made it to the governor’s desk. But today’s Legislature does not show much of that, Republican strategist Mac Stipanovich said.

Obamanomics

"Hispanic workers in Florida have almost made up the ground lost during the recession."

"Rubio must have something to hide"

What's this Marco - credit card - fuss?

Marco Rubio must have something to hide. There was a reason the presidential candidate wasn’t letting people see his long-secret Republican Party of Florida American Express bills. He spent too lavishly and frivolously, and used his party card for personal business. It was, Donald Trump said, a political “disaster” waiting to happen.

That was the conventional wisdom and hype in Florida political circles for years.

On Saturday, Rubio released his 2005 and 2006 statements that showed he only spent $65,000 on party business. That’s far less than other Republican leaders who succeeded him in the Florida House. And it’s just about half of the $117,000 Rubio himself charged on his party credit card after he became Florida House speaker in 2007-08.

"American Express records made public during Marco Rubio’s 2010 U.S. Senate race didn’t cover his first two years with a Republican Party of Florida card. He disclosed the rest of the statements, along with personal charges listed in them." "Under pressure from rivals, Rubio releases past Florida GOP credit card statements."

See also "Marco Rubio, seen here after filing paperwork for the New Hampshire primary last week, says some of the personal charges were a mistake. Marco Rubio campaign releases previously undisclosed GOP credit card statements."

The fracking "wrong signal"

"Legislature’s green light on fracking is the wrong signal."

Books-a-million

"Ben Carson plugs new book in South Florida" and "Jeb Bush hopes to turn around presidential campaign with help of new email book."

"They’re getting much done"

"Just because the Legislature has been in town doesn’t mean they’re getting much done." "Many Florida House, Senate panels not meeting, voting on legislation."

Disney "is leaving its hometown in the dust"

Scott Maxwell on "Disney's new reality."

It can cost a family of four $5,000 for a week's vacation that includes only moderate-level accommodations and dining.

Single-day tickets — now $105 a day at the Magic Kingdom — have nearly doubled in the past decade, far outpacing inflation and wage growth.

Frommer's — one of the world's best-known travel authorities — has described the trend as the "The one-percenting of Disney."

The Washington Post penned a piece titled: "How theme parks like Disney World left the middle class behind."

Well, if Disney is leaving most of America behind, it is leaving its hometown in the dust.

Metro Orlando, after all, ranks dead last in wages among major metro regions.

That means many of those who live in the shadow of Cinderella Castle can't afford to go inside.

Scott's courageous "tax cut tour"

Steve Bousquet: "Building the Rick Scott brand with a new statewide 'tax cut tour'."

"The Dark Ages, Florida-style"

Carl Hiaasen: "Welcome backwards to the Dark Ages, Florida-style."

The term “torture chamber” is outdated, but torture still occurs in our state prisons and mental hospitals.

Some types are more subtle than others. One person might get beaten or raped. Another simply gets sick and is left to die. Nobody in charge seems outraged or ashamed, least of all Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi, who’s too busy attacking clean-air and water regulations on behalf of industrial polluters. Human horrors inside state institutions aren’t a priority of this administration. What cannot be covered up is merely swept aside.

Brutal budget cuts in recent years have made life more medieval at Florida’s mental hospitals, which were never a national model for enlightened treatment. The troubled patients in these places have been forgotten by most lawmakers, despite the high long-term cost to taxpayers of warehousing the mentally ill.

"Painfully obvious"

The Orlando Sentinel editors: "How much longer will citizens have to wait, and how many more of their dollars will be wasted, before their leaders in Tallahassee concede what events have rendered painfully obvious? The time has come for legislators to turn over responsibility for redistricting to an independent commission, an approach adopted in at least a half dozen other states." "Hand duty for maps to commission."

"Nowadays some even bring their pets!"

Even the Miami Herald editors - who grovel every day before the entrenched power of the Cuban-American right - recognize that "the nature of Cuban migrants arriving in this country 'has undeniably changed'":

They see the 1966 law more as an inducement to migrate to this country in search of a better life and rarely, if ever, consider the political situation in Cuba. Nowadays some even bring their pets!

The latest exodus, using Guatemala and a route through Mexico as a trampoline to bounce across the U.S. border, was amply documented in a recent Miami Herald series.

As with most migrants from Cuba over the last decade or more, they are young, motivated and desperate for a chance to obtain something better than what they have in Cuba. But political persecution is rarely mentioned as a factor.

And those Cubans who are, in fact, targets of persecution — prominent dissidents like Berta Soler, Antonio Rodiles, and Jorge Luis García Pérez (“Antúnez”) — are free to come and go from Cuba, usually. In most cases, they have made the courageous decision not to leave permanently, regardless of the painful consequences.

These facts should compel a reconsideration of the Cuban Adjustment Act, whether it still serves a useful purpose and whether the law conveys benefits no longer justified by current circumstances.

And those who are not motivated by political considerations are the ones most likely to take advantage of it.

And take advantage they do. Flagrant abuses of the most generous provisions of laws designed to help Cuban migrants have prompted Cuban-American members of Congress from Miami to consider changes. Now is the time.

Term limit tomfoolery

The Sun Sentinel editors: "No need for term limits for judges."