Guest Author, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorNovember 16, 2014

On a chilly Florida day, there’s nothing like catching up on the last few issues of “Government Executive,” which bills itself as “the premier website for federal managers and executives.” It’s not as dry as you think, especially in its “State and Local” section. And it’s a morale-booster for those of us worn down by […]

Guest AuthorNovember 16, 2014

“Muslims in America and Europe say discrimination against them has seemed more pronounced after the Islamic State terrorists beheaded American and British journalists and aid workers. Hate-filled remarks on social media have also become more prevalent, especially since 9/11, when Facebook and Twitter did not yet exist,” began an article in the New York Daily […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2014

Richard Nixon helped end, but can still save, the Florida Democratic Party. It’s no secret that Florida Democrats have yet to figure out how to increase voter turnout during midterm elections. That’s why, despite Democratic voter registration advantages, Republicans have dominated state government for two-plus decades. But it’s not like Democrats haven’t tried. This election […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2014

On the Wednesday after Tuesday’s embarrassing election, President Barack Obama held a news conference. Reporters said they were surprised that he was not “repentant” and showed no “contrition.” Wow — what’s with the Catholic coda? Losing an election, even by such awful margins, is a defeat — but it is not a SIN! Barack Obama is the president of the United States, […]

Guest AuthorNovember 12, 2014

It is now time to stop calling the effort to legalize medical marijuana “Support Amendment 2.” That amendment to Florida’s Constitution failed, barely. Much has been written about the failure of Amendment 2, the very large personalities that debated and funded both sides, and how the amendment didn’t meet the 60 percent threshold but received […]

Guest AuthorNovember 12, 2014

Say you’re a new university president and you’re leading a university that has had two “permanent” presidents and two “interim” presidents in the last decade. Say you came from an Ivy League school, ranked 15th best in the country, according to The US News & World Report. Say you have had an unblemished professional career. […]

Guest AuthorNovember 12, 2014

A large man in a black bear suit walks onscreen in a YouTube video. He stops in the middle of some guys tossing around two basketballs, makes some awkward 80s dance moves, and then moonwalks off the screen so well even Michael Jackson might have been impressed. More than 100 of my students watch the video […]

Guest AuthorNovember 11, 2014

Almost everyone was waiting for their discredited heads to roll. And yet, the three most politically vulnerable governors in the United States were re-elected. For most of four years, Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s policies hurt teachers and public schools, the poor, the disabled, the undocumented — just about every group except business interests. His approval […]

Guest AuthorNovember 11, 2014

My favorite time of year is autumn, when the weather is perfect and I am reunited with one of my loves: pumpkin spice latte. Everywhere I look I see pumpkins, golden-colored leaves, and children running around in their costumes eating leftover Halloween candy. And, of course, let us not forget about the wonderful breaks and […]

Guest AuthorNovember 10, 2014

Rachel Harris stood in front of panel 17 E, camera in hand. She was erect, almost at attention, her posture emanating a certain reverence for the moment, for the place. She stared at the names on the traveling Vietnam War memorial tribute with its replica black granite look and the names etched in white, names […]

Guest Author

Mark O’Brien: Good news, Florida, other states are worse

Julie Harbin: Experts address questions about Islam, extremism

Kevin Cate: Florida Democrats should change the rules, again

Rachel Patron: Consider a different scenario for 2014, with Democratic President O’Brien

Jamie Miller: GOP Legislature should pass a sensible medical marijuana bill

Chris Timmons: FAMU trustees must let the new president do her job

Laurie Uttich: The social media mirage — and what we’re missing

Stephen Goldstein: The Koch brothers are laughing at Americans

Vu Tran: Winter is coming – with its pressures and joys

Andrew Skerritt: Tallahassee honors veterans at ‘traveling Vietnam War Memorial’