Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanAugust 3, 2014

Our texts today are not Biblical, but they are definitely topical. A wise man changes his mind often, a fool never -Spanish proverb. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines –Ralph Waldo Emerson. In every political campaign since the Stone Age, it has been an […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 31, 2014

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Former Gov. Charlie Crist says if elected governor again in November, he would again issue executive orders dealing with climate change. But we’ve been down that road before — and it didn’t take us very far. If Crist is elected and does what he says, you can expect a battle with industry groups and their […]

Daniel TilsonJuly 28, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott’s 2014 re-election campaign manager and deputy manager issued a joint memo Sunday with the subject line: “100 Days Out, Gov. Scott Campaign is Poised to Win.” It was addressed to “Interested Parties,” so it quickly turned up in the Miami Herald. Of course, that was Team Scott’s plan to begin with, to […]

Peter SchorschJuly 28, 2014

While upsets in sports are generally enjoyed by the masses (some opponents included!) and provide excellent fodder for inspirational stories and movies, the same is not true in electoral contests — at least according to a new study out of the University of Georgia. To the contrary, the study finds that people who backed a […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 23, 2014

Rick Scott needs to hear from Sandra Day O’Connor. Not that he’d listen. The retired justice, who must surely regret what has happened to the U.S. Supreme Court since she left, is devoting her time now to fighting for the independence of the judiciary. She has become a prominent and oft-spoken critic of what she […]

Guest AuthorJuly 21, 2014

Newspaper stories and blogs continue to document the coming battle over the state constitutional amendment that would permit the use of medical marijuana. However, most reporters write pro-marijuana stories, giving little coverage to the other side of the story. For example, several recent stories say that polling shows Amendment 2 passing handily. In fact, nothing […]

Guest AuthorJuly 20, 2014

Charlie Crist’s campaign is in trouble and his pick for lieutenant governor is further proof. Crist picked Annette Tadeo-Goldstein to be his running mate. Tadeo-Goldstein is the chairman of the Democratic Party in Miami-Dade County. There are two reasons this pick should be a warning sign for Crist supporters. The first is the timing of […]

Peter SchorschJuly 18, 2014

Say what you will about Republican-turned-Independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, but the man is certainly campaigning to the beat of his own drummer. Crist endorsed President Barack Obama’s re-election on his own timetable, just as he switched his party registration on a whim while attending a White House Christmas Party. Crist set no timetable for when he […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 17, 2014

If you wonder whether utility solar rebate programs for homeowners and businesses were popular, look at how quickly the rebates were snapped up. Florida Power & Light Co. paid $16.5 million in rebates between 2011 and 2013. Each time the program issued its maximum amount of reservations on the same day that applications opened, a […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 13, 2014

Amidst the national obsession over whether a hugely overpaid athlete is returning to a city he once deserted, something immensely more important happened in Washington Thursday. Scarcely anyone noticed. You most likely did not see it in your newspaper or hear it on TV. It was reported by the “Voice of Russia” but not by […]

Tag: Charlie Crist
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Martin Dyckman: Wise politicians learn, evolve — and change their minds

Bruce Ritchie: If voters want new energy policy, they need to elect new legislators

Daniel Tilson: Rick Scott re-election campaign’s revealing memo

Peter Schorsch: Supporters of losing candidate lose trust in process, study says

Martin Dyckman: Scott threatens the independence of Florida’s judiciary

Barney Bishop: Most media reporting on medical pot unfairly supports it

Jamie Miller: What does Crist’s LG pick say about the state of his campaign?

Peter Schorsch: Charlie Crist’s LG pick an oddly timed decision influenced by reality of identity politics

Bruce Ritchie: Despite popularity, utilities oppose solar rebate programs

Martin Dyckman: Vote to curb political contributions didn’t get proper coverage