Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2015

Fox News Florida branch, Sunshine State News, printed recently, “Putnam on Water Policy: Get Priorities Right From First, Then Spend Accordingly” (January 23, 2015). Some interpretation is needed for readers inclined to take the faux news source literally. Adam Putnam is the telegenic, multimillionaire farmer and two-term Secretary of Agriculture. We last observed Secretary Putnam […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 26, 2015

If he throws his hat into the presidential ring, Marco Rubio will run as a staunchly conservative Republican. But one of Rubio’s great advantages is something he has in common with Democrats Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. That’s the Bill Clinton of 1992 and the Barack Obama of 2008. It’s a simple as this: Marco […]

Bob SparksJanuary 8, 2015

Since Earth came into being eons ago, it has regularly adapted to climate change. Global cooling led to ice ages and glaciers. Global warming melted the glaciers. Few paid little, if any, attention to this portion of science until recently. Today, climate change is fully ensconced in the minds and conversations of mainstream America. Raising […]

Associated PressDecember 20, 2014

For decades, the politics of Cuba in Florida were simple: anything less than a hard line stance against Fidel Castro was a sure way to lose a race for office. President Barack Obama’s surprise decision this week to restore diplomatic relations with the communist nation is the surest sign yet that his is no longer […]

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 AuthorSeptember 30, 2014

A new AARP poll shows what nearly everyone who lives in Florida has known for some time. There are three basic economic engines in Florida: tourism, agriculture and retirees. Sure, under the umbrella of retirees you can include home building and health care, but if retirees don’t come, the jobs associated with those industries will […]

Bob SparksMay 26, 2014

Two weeks ago, Sen. Marco Rubio appeared on ABC’s “This Week.” He said a number of things, but this is what perked up the ears of America’s newshounds: “I do not believe that human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it.” The reaction was swift. Among […]

Guest AuthorMarch 13, 2014

I hate reading lists that begin with long-winded explanations of what’s to come. So let’s get down to brass tacks and examine three of the biggest myths about the special election in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Big data is king To be sure, knowing who your voters are, their beliefs and motivations, their habits, and […]

Darryl PaulsonSeptember 30, 2013

Second of two parts. Republicans won control of the Florida Senate in 1994, the House in 1996 and the governor’s office in 1998, making Florida the first southern state to have complete Republican control over the legislative and executive branch. Republicans have maintained their control for two decades even though Democrats have an advantage in […]

Darryl PaulsonSeptember 30, 2013

First of two parts. Florida is the home of razor-thin election victories. From George W. Bush’s controversial 537-vote victory over Al Gore to Barack Obama’s .9 percent margin over Mitt Romney, the whole nation watches Florida. Florida’s close elections are an artifact of its partisan coalitions. These coalitions are undergoing some profound changes that will […]

Tag: al gore

Alan Farago: Why is Adam Putnam deleting land-buying history?

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Marco Rubio’s ‘new’ advantage

Bob Sparks: Moderate voices needed to market climate change

Obama’s Cuba moves reflect Florida political shift

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

Jamie Miller: Florida needs to attract more retirees to help the economy thrive

Bob Sparks: Poll shows Rubio is in the majority on climate change issue

Fred Piccolo: Three myths about the Congressional District 13 race

Darryl Paulson: The Changing Partisan Coalition in Florida: The Republicans

Darryl Paulson: Florida’s Changing Partisan Coalitions: The Democrats