Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschOctober 1, 2015

Imagine you are a well-heeled, card-carrying member of Florida’s Republican establishment. It’s already a difficult election cycle with your having to choose between supporting Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio for president. Now, because of Jeff Atwater, your election cycle just became even more difficult. After FloridaPoltics.com first reported that the Florida Chamber of Commerce has poll numbers showing […]

Bob SparksOctober 1, 2015

John Boehner sure knows how to make news. At least he waited until Pope Francis left Washington before he dropped his resignation bombshell last week. The soon-to-be-former Speaker set off a media and Capitol frenzy with his Friday announcement. Boehner’s decision elicited respectful reflection from one side matched by jubilation from the conservative wing of the […]

Diane RobertsOctober 1, 2015

John Keats called autumn the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” Which is true. But autumn is also the season when conservatives seem to ramp up the crazy. Maybe college football gets them so riled up they can’t handle reality. Or maybe it’s the semi-annual almost-not-quite-government-shutdown. That certainly impels U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz into a […]

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

Since I’ve been following politics, it’s been a common complaint to question why the two major political parties have allowed two relatively homogenous states like Iowa and New Hampshire to have such an outsized influence in choosing our presidential nominees. And over the past three presidential cycles, invariably there’s been “serious” proposals floated to change the cycle, […]

Julie DelegalSeptember 30, 2015

A new voice has emerged in the debate about capital punishment, and, in one respect, it echoes a very old one. Marc Hyden is a former field director for the National Rifle Association — sealing forever his street cred as a deep-dyed conservative. His new gig is coordinating a group that rose from the ground up, […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 30, 2015

This year marks the 27th anniversary of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15), a month-long recognition of the many contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to our country. In honor of the anniversary of Independence Day for five Latin American countries, Sept. 15 was chosen as the official kickoff day for this […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 30, 2015

Nowadays it is politically correct to be “green” – to say and do things that seem to minimize one’s impact on the environment and to preach to others to do the same. But I am tired of people who portray themselves as somehow better environmentally than others just because they follow the latest trend without […]

Shannon NickinsonSeptember 29, 2015

This should be the University of West Florida time in the sun. Pensacola’s university saw funding restored this year following a marked improvement on the new state-mandated performance metrics. The measurements –10 in all from academic progression rates, to graduation rates to median first-year salaries for graduates — are Florida’s latest salvo in the ever-expanding […]

Martin DyckmanSeptember 28, 2015

The comedian Jack Benny, generous in private life, cultivated the stage persona of a world-class skinflint. In one of his most famous radio skits, he’s accosted by an armed robber who demands “your money or your life.” When Benny doesn’t answer, the thug loses patience. “Look, bud, I said, your money or your life,” he […]

Sally SwartzSeptember 28, 2015

Two members of Martin County’s legislative delegation listened for hours last week while more than 30 residents buttered them up, begged for money, griped about the Florida Legislature’s recent bad decisions and brought wish lists for 2016. Republican Rep. Gayle Harrell of Stuart turned the annual event, held at the Martin Commission headquarters in Stuart, […]

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Image via 15th Judicial Circuit Court.

Peter Schorsch: Jeff Atwater’s ‘to run or not to run’ peeves the Florida Republican establishment

Bob Sparks: Dan Webster runs for Speaker; for whom will Gwen Graham vote?

Diane Roberts: The season when conservatives ramp up the crazy

Mitch Perry Report for 10.1.15 – Will Reince Preibus have the guts to change the GOP presidential primary schedule?

Julie Delegal: A new, conservative voice opposes capital punishment

Columba Bush: Embrace your Hispanic heritage, expand knowledge of your culture

Michael Bass: Don't just blindly follow all 'green' trends — do your research first

Shannon Nickinson: University of West Florida’s story is Pensacola’s story — striving to do more

Martin Dyckman: Rising price of pharmaceuticals is no joke

Sally Swartz: Constituents still want environmental action