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

Guest AuthorOctober 23, 2013

During the recent White House’s much-maligned Affordable Care Act rollout, President Obama suggested that purchasing health care insurance would be as easy as ordering “a TV from Amazon”. However, the President found himself several weeks later admitting that the Affordable Care Act website has significant problems. The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services is […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2013

Florida Democrats have not had a winning gubernatorial candidate since the late Lawton Chiles won a second term in 1994. Whether the outcome will be different next year is debatable because it appears the party will choose a candidate who is not a true Democrat but a former Republican-turned- Independent-turned-Democrat. Suffice it to say that […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2013

It was a milestone: My two-and-a-half year old wanted ice cream, and my nearly four-year-old told her, “Sorry, it is all gone.” This was the first recognition from her that Brett and I, as parents, don’t possess magical powers to make things materialize on demand. But my relief was short-lived. “Mommy, can you go to […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2013

If you read the recent headlines or listened to the talking heads about the outcome of the recent shutdown battle, you’d think that Ted Cruz is not only the most unpopular politician in America, but is actually on his way to becoming the greatest political pariah since Benedict Arnold. Talk about pure political vilification: Cruz […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2013

Gaming is a well-established business sector in Florida with roots stretching back to the 1890s. In the past 25 years, gaming industries have been transformed, not just in Florida but all around the country. Pari-mutuel wagering has declined. The state lottery, as well as cruises, card rooms, casinos, and “Internet cafes” have emerged. But, our […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2013

You certainly don’t need me to tell you how much damage the right-wing zealots in Washington who call themselves legislators have done to our country. This nation elected a president who, in his first term, signed into law a sweeping health-care plan that, among other things, provides medical insurance for millions of people who previously […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2013

Like you, I have been both entertained and disgusted by the inability of elected officials in Washington, D.C., to address critical issues. It seems they not only can’t deal with issues of substance and complexity, but they can’t even do a modicum of effort without resorting to name-calling and snide remarks. I guess Robert Fulghum […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2013

Gambling interests say they will create thousands of jobs in Florida if we legalize Vegas-style casinos. When Bugsy Siegel essentially created Las Vegas by building casinos in a barren desert in Nevada, his enterprise did create jobs – because virtually nothing existed before the casinos. The problem is that when casinos are introduced into an […]

Guest AuthorOctober 18, 2013

The October 2013 Special Election for House District 36 showcased the great turnout operation of Republican volunteers and the campaign, shed light on just how tarnished the Republican “brand” is among independent voters and measured the influence of Mike Fasano. The General Election in 2010 was a wave year for Republicans. It featured an excited […]

Guest AuthorOctober 17, 2013

When it comes to law enforcement agencies, Polk County and its largest city, Lakeland, offer a study in contrasts. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd – despite his flair for publicity-seeking – is generally regarded as running a model department. The Lakeland Police Department hasn’t had the benefit of leadership of Judd’s caliber. Several years ago, […]

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Speaker Mike Johnson. Image via AP

John Legg: Education needs the “Tech Surge”

Barney Bishop: Democrats finally have a stronger backbench

Karen Cyphers: Ice cream, apples and the botched Obamacare rollout

Steve Kurlander: The incorrigible Ted Cruz and his visionary rebranding of the GOP

Garrett Richter: Help determine the future of gaming in Florida

Steve Robinson: We are in a dangerous new era of Know-Nothings

Ed Moore: Some folks missed the lessons of kindergarten

Carol Dover: Destination resorts will cannibalize industry

Anthony Pedicini: Deep-dive into the numbers behind Amanda Murphy’s win in HD 36

Cary McMullen: Lakeland police chief on the firing line