Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 21, 2015

Mike Murphy says there is a “cynicism” behind the Marco Rubio campaign that he predicts will ultimately doom the Florida U.S. senator’s presidential candidacy. “It’s cynical to run as the creature of new, fresh, while it’s all secret dark money,” Murphy tells reporter Sasha Issenberg in the second part of a lengthy interview in Bloomberg Politics posted Wednesday. Murphy, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 8, 2015

Sometimes even a “Free Americans” PAC can’t help but get caught in old-fashioned American bureaucracy. As first reported by POLITICO last month, the political action committee named “Free Americans Against Nagging Imbeciles,” or “FAANI PAC,” was “created by a group of students at Florida State University while taking courses on campaign finance laws.” “The ‘imbeciles’ we […]

Martin DyckmanAugust 25, 2015

Florida lost one of its oldest and best citizens when Elston Edward “Steve” Roady, a professor emeritus of political science at Florida State University, died at Tallahassee last week, four months into his 96th year. He was one of my favorite professors there, long ago, and a good friend. He did more than inspire two […]

Martin DyckmanAugust 12, 2015

Our next president may well owe the office to arrogant billionaires or be one himself. Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that fewer than 400 families account for nearly half the $388-million already invested in that election still more than a year away. Did America shed blood to be rid of monarchy only to have […]

Martin DyckmanAugust 11, 2015

Our next president may well owe the office to arrogant billionaires or be one himself. Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that fewer than 400 families account for nearly half the $388-million already invested in that election still more than a year away. Did America shed blood to be rid of monarchy only to have […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 7, 2015

It is amusing, in a wry sort of way, to witness the tantrums and hear the gnashing of teeth in right-wing circles over the several big cases they have just lost at the U.S. Supreme Court. Spare them no sympathy. You might think that losing has become more than they can bear. But in fact, […]

Mitch PerryJune 4, 2015

Good morning, everybody. Props to the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald for their world exclusive giving us the date when Jeb Bush finally ends his “exploring the waters” phase and officially enters the GOP presidential race: June 15. Meanwhile, Lincoln Chafee announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination Wednesday and Rick Perry will later Thursday, if […]

Martin DyckmanMay 5, 2015

American politics these days can make one wonder, why bother? Why care? What’s the use of even hoping? In a devastating exposé, “Higher Ed Hustle,” the Miami Herald documents how for-profit private colleges have been ripping off unsuspecting students and calls out politicians in both Tallahassee and Washington for helping the predators feast on the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 24, 2015

Pro-immigration activists are pushing for the Florida Legislature to support a bill granting driver’s licenses to qualified Florida residents regardless of immigration status, saying it will spur economic growth and make the streets safer. In Tampa, those activists have been trying to build up grassroots support for the measure by having the City Council pass […]

Martin DyckmanDecember 4, 2014

As if American students don’t already face enough standardized tests, here comes another. Legislatures in eight states are considering adding success on a civics test to the requirements for high school graduation. Florida isn’t one of them, but it can’t be long before test-happy Tallahassee adopts the idea, which surfaced most recently in North Dakota. […]

Tag: Citizens United
Elizabeth Martinez Strauss. Image via campaign.

Mike Murphy says “dark money” ads will catch up with Marco Rubio campaign

Satiric Florida super PAC snagged in red tape

Martin Dyckman: A good friend, an inspiring teacher passes on

Martin Dyckman: Winner-take-all winner could be Donald Trump

Martin Dyckman: Winner-take-all winner could be Donald Trump

Martin Dyckman: Supreme Court more often goes astray

Mitch Perry Report for 2.4.15 — Hillary Clinton to rally base on voting issues

Martin Dyckman: Supreme Court failing to cure the terminal illness of American democracy

Immigration activists, Tampa City Council members at odds on driver’s license issue

Martin Dyckman: Watch for yet another standardized test — this one on civics