Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bob SparksFebruary 19, 2016

The already heated political rhetoric about replacing the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court is a sad spectacle. It is unseemly. Some shared their relief that Scalia was dead via social media. Most showed far more class. Before Scalia’s body had even left the morgue in Texas, the politics of replacing him […]

Associated PressFebruary 15, 2016

The presidential election just got real. The unexpected death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia — and the immediate declaration from Republicans that the next president should nominate his replacement — adds even more weight to the decision voters will make in November’s general election. For months, the candidates have espoused theoretical, sometimes vague, policy […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 9, 2016

His reputation as a harsh critic of the Voting Rights Act and an advocate for corporations preceded John Roberts to his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2005. As chief justice, he said, he would be like a baseball umpire impartially calling balls and strikes. “Umpires don’t make the rules. They apply […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 8, 2016

His reputation as a harsh critic of the Voting Rights Act and an advocate for corporations preceded John Roberts to his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2005. As chief justice, he said, he would be like a baseball umpire impartially calling balls and strikes. “Umpires don’t make the rules. They apply […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2016

Pinellas County Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly‘s proposal to ban federal officeholders from directly seeking campaign contributions has been getting an ambivalent reception across the region and the country. His legislation would affect only elected federal officials: the president, vice president and members of Congress. The change would not apply to candidates for federal office who […]

Melissa RossJanuary 11, 2016

When Mitt Romney said “Corporations are people, my friend,” at the 2011 Iowa State Fair, Citizens United was just over a year old. That U.S. Supreme Court decision establishing corporate personhood would go on to spark a national grassroots movement that its founders say is winning over both conservatives and liberals, who believe in the idea of […]

Associated PressJanuary 5, 2016

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Jeb Bush‘s recent cancellation of advertising plans in Iowa and South Carolina was yet another cost-saving step for a down-in-the-polls presidential campaign that had already thinned its staff. If not for his flush super PAC, the Republican might be gone from the contest by now. That group, Right to Rise, has burned through half of […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 15, 2015

The 2016 presidential race hasn’t had any official votes yet. But as things are shaping up for two candidates with Florida ties – Jeb Bush and Donald Trump – the contest already has bearing on at least two constitutional issues. They are whether contributing money to candidates is a form of protected free speech; and […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 14, 2015

The 2016 presidential race hasn’t had any official votes yet. But as things are shaping up for two candidates with Florida ties – Jeb Bush and Donald Trump – the contest already has bearing on at least two constitutional issues. They are whether contributing money to candidates is a form of protected free speech; and […]

Associated PressDecember 2, 2015

Donald Trump calls them a “crooked business.” Bernie Sanders says they’re “corrupt” organizations “buying elections.” But the barrage of insults hasn’t stopped the political groups known as super PACs and their donors from showing the two presidential candidates some love – no matter how loudly they may rail against their very existence. “I’m not going […]

Tag: Citizens United
Gabrielle Russon

Bob Sparks: Another Antonin Scalia is not in the cards, no matter who appoints justice

Supreme Court vacancy is tangible test for 2016 candidates

Martin Dyckman: Justice John Roberts has hurt minorities, consumers, democracy

Martin Dyckman: Justice John Roberts has hurt minorities, consumers, democracy

Kathy Castor says David Jolly’s campaign finance idea doesn’t go far enough

“Move to Amend” rolls through Florida with pushback to Citizens United ruling

Cash-rich super PACs prolong flagging presidential campaigns

Jac VerSteeg: Picture Donald Trump at the head of an army

Jac VerSteeg: Picture Donald Trump at the head of an army

Super PACs dole out cash, whether candidates like it or not