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

Guest AuthorNovember 10, 2014

When I debated Barney Bishop a few weeks ago in Miami, he claimed that he had “smoked more marijuana than everyone in the crowd – combined.” Well, he must have fried his brain doing so, because he can’t even put together a coherent thought in a “victory lap” piece like the one published on “Politics […]

Guest AuthorNovember 9, 2014

Gwen Graham’s victory should give Florida Democrats something to think about. The rookie politician knew she could not overcome Congressman Steve Southerland’s appeal in nine counties he carried by more than 60 percent in the previous election. She campaigned in them anyway. Southerland, R-Panama City, won election in the Tea Party wave in 2010 and […]

Guest AuthorNovember 9, 2014

I live in Tallahassee — a sea of blue surrounded by red. Gwen Graham beat Republican Steve Southerland to become the first woman elected to the Second Congressional District seat. On a bleak night for Democrats nationwide, Graham’s less-than-3,000-vote margin of victory felt like a landslide. She can thank the voters of Leon County, where […]

Guest AuthorNovember 7, 2014

The selection of Dr. W. Kent Fuchs (pronounced “Fox”) as the next president of the University of Florida should be cause for celebration for anyone who cares about Florida agriculture and natural resources. Fuchs was born on an Oklahoma farm. It was such a tough life that his dad decided Alaska would be more forgiving, […]

Guest AuthorNovember 6, 2014

Now that Amendment 2 on medical marijuana has been defeated and relegated to the trash pile of poorly worded constitutional amendments, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Well, not really. You see, John Morgan, the lawyer who spearheaded the drive to adopt Amendment 2, can’t stay silent even for a nano-minute. It’s just […]

Guest AuthorNovember 5, 2014

After what seems like a million television ads, Gov. Rick Scott — the first man to come out of nowhere and win the Governor’s Mansion with his own money — has secured a second term. What made this race so interesting was that former Gov. Charlie Crist, the consummate retail politician, was seeking a return […]

Guest AuthorNovember 5, 2014

Physician house calls could be making a comeback in Florida through the use of the latest innovative health-care technology, telemedicine. Florida has a chance to drastically change the landscape of its health-care delivery system this session, generate significant cost-savings and lay the foundation for long-term sustainability by enacting telemedicine legislation. The state’s population is projected […]

Guest AuthorNovember 4, 2014

It’s 2016. Even before all of the just-cast votes have been officially tallied, pundits are predicting who will run for president — among them, Jeb Bush, of course. But, since Americans have the historical perspective of fruit flies, it’s time to take a walk down memory lane and remind ourselves that where there’s a Bush, […]

Guest AuthorNovember 4, 2014

In 2013 Congress appointed a bipartisan Over-Criminalization Task Force to scrutinize the 4,500 felonies criminalized by federal law. This group, reappointed in February to continue its work in 2014, is seeking to reform criminal justice policies that make the United States the runaway incarceration leader in the world. Think about that: America imprisons its citizens […]

Guest AuthorNovember 4, 2014

It’s not always easy saying no to my kids — despite a lifetime of saying no to others in hundreds, maybe thousands, of ways, in various gestures, languages, and facial expressions. It’s still not easy. Despite having never uttered that ridiculous phrase, “More than anything, I just want my kids to be happy.” More than […]

Guest Author

Ben Pollara: The battle to legalize medical marijuana moves to the Legislature

James Call: Graham was smart to campaign where she knew she wouldn’t win

Andrew Skerritt: Gwen Graham victory in North Florida is reason for hope

Jack Payne: Kent Fuchs’ selection as UF president is good for Florida agriculture

Barney Bishop: Some unsolicited advice for Amendment 2 crusader John Morgan

Barney Bishop: What does Rick Scott’s victory portend for Florida?

Tamara Y. Demko: Health care of the future

Stephen Goldstein: Bush will need voters with short memories to win presidency

Dan McCarthy: We can save lots of money by reducing the prison population

Catherine Durkin Robinson: I told my son he’s too important to play football