Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannApril 19, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott, in his latest tirade against the Obama administration, compares the federal government to a famous fictional organized crime family. “This is the Sopranos,” Scott said during an interview with Fox News. “They’re using bullying tactics to attack our state. It’s wrong. It’s outrageous … they’re not worried about poor.” In the eyes of […]

Phil AmmannApril 19, 2015

Newly declared presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio spoke with CBS’s Bob Schieffer on Friday from the campaign trail in New Hampshire’s Manchester Community College. The interview will aired on Sunday morning’s “Face the Nation” talker. As reported by Mike Allen in POLITICO, highlights have Rubio reflecting on a number of issues he will face on the road […]

Phil AmmannApril 18, 2015

Within days of announcing his 2016 presidential effort, Sen. Marco Rubio is already awash in campaign donations, or at least pledges of support. “Marco Rubio will have the resources necessary to run a first-class campaign,” Norman Braman told Reuters. “That’s already been determined.” A former Jeb Bush supporter, Braman is a Florida auto dealer billionaire who […]

Phil AmmannApril 17, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott named Tampa Bay-based attorney Ian Leavengood to the 6th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. Leavengood, 44, is a native of St. Petersburg and a lawyer with LeavenLaw, a third-generation legal firm specializing in a variety of consumer practices: personal injury, criminal and DUI defense, and foreclosure and bankruptcy law. He is rated preeminent […]

Phil AmmannApril 17, 2015

Nobody likes airing dirty laundry, particularly if you are the Republican Party of Florida. In the battle of the yes-no-maybe coup of Speaker Designate Eric Eisnaugle, some Florida Republicans have tired of the of the increasingly hostile emails between RPOF chair Blaise Ingoglia and Orange County Republican Chair Lew Oliver. In the latest skirmish, Oliver’s missive […]

Phil AmmannApril 17, 2015

Being a younger sibling has its drawbacks. Hand-me-downs, for one. Always living in an older brother’s shadow is another. So imagine Jeb Bush’s situation. Having two-term President George W. Bush as an older brother — who left as one of the least popular leaders in modern history — a White House run provides a long […]

Phil AmmannApril 16, 2015

Outspoken U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson will “probably yes” run for U.S. Senate in 2016, leading to an ideological primary battle against the announced candidate Patrick Murphy, a more centrist Democrat. Grayson, an Orlando Democrat popular in liberal circles, made the comment during an online Democracy Now! video. Asked whether he’s planning to run for the […]

Phil AmmannApril 16, 2015

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham took to the U.S. House floor Thursday to recognize a local North Florida charity honoring veterans and their caregivers. Warrior Beach Retreat is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by Linda Cope, after an improvised explosive device blast injured her son, Sgt. Joshua Cope, in Baghdad. According to the group’s website, […]

Phil AmmannApril 16, 2015

Florida media was well represented this week at the 81st National Headliner Awards, including top awards for reporters John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times and Julie Brown of the Miami Herald. The Press Club of Atlantic City launched the National Headliner Awards in 1934, an annual recognition of the best work in American journalism. Winning both […]

Phil AmmannApril 15, 2015

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Will Weatherford is the latest Florida Republican who will not run for Marco Rubio‘s U.S. Senate seat in 2016. Citing family obligations, the former House Speaker made the announcement Wednesday afternoon on Facebook: “There are many good candidates looking at a run for Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat next year but I will not be […]

Phil Ammann
Alexandra Islas. Image via New College of Florida.

Bill Day’s latest: Rick Scott, the Sopranos and underwater Floridians

Marco Rubio talks big issues on Sunday’s “Face the Nation”

In first campaign week, Marco Rubio gets $40 million in pledges

Rick Scott picks Ian Leavengood to 6th Circuit nominating board

Conservative talk show host: GOP should stop airing dirty laundry on Eric Eisnaugle ‘coup’

Email insights: American Bridge says Jeb Bush running with W’s hand-me-downs

Alan Grayson will “probably yes” run for U.S. Senate

Gwen Graham honors North Florida veteran’s charity on House floor

Florida reporters honored with seven National Headliner Awards

Will Weatherford not running for Marco Rubio’s Senate seat in 2016