Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2017

Angry at the NFL players who refused to stand during the national anthem, about fifty people protested at a rally Sunday just blocks from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, where the New York Giants faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . “My attitude is, if my flag offends you, then I’ll help you pack,” said Jim Heckman. “You […]

Darryl PaulsonSeptember 28, 2017

The controversy over NFL players taking a knee or linking arms during the national anthem is splitting the nation in two. Is it Trump or the players who have created the political divide? The controversy began in 2016 when San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem. Kaepernick justified his action […]

Bob SparksSeptember 28, 2017

For those who care, the fourth week of the NFL season kicks off tonight with the Chicago Bears traveling to Green Bay to face the Packers. The best ratings for this game will likely be a few minutes before kickoff. What will happen during the national anthem will interest most viewers far more than anything […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 25, 2017

A day after dozens of NFL players kneeled in silent protest during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” U.S. Rep. Brian Mast weighed in with own hot take on the simmering controversy. “The NFL doles out penalties for celebrating a touchdown, but won’t require respect for our flag?” Mast wrote on Facebook Monday. Mast served in Afghanistan […]

Joe HendersonSeptember 25, 2017

Patriotism is not the exclusive property of any one group. Showing real devotion to this country takes more than waving a flag and snarling at someone who doesn’t. It starts with understanding what this nation is supposed to be about. I got caught up Sunday night in watching the latest installment in Ken Burns’ epic […]

Mitch PerryNovember 28, 2016

Two weeks ago, Republican Jack Latvala posted a statement on his Facebook page blasting Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Mike Evans for choosing to sit on the bench during the playing of the national anthem. A day later, after being barraged with a firestorm of criticism, Evans said he would no longer do so. Now, the Clearwater state Senator […]

Mitch PerryNovember 15, 2016

Mike Evans is feeling the heat today — and so is his employer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Evans decision to sit during the playing of the national anthem before Sunday’s game at Raymond James Stadium versus the Chicago Bears to protest the election of Donald Trump as president is predictably receiving negative reviews in Tampa — the […]

Mitch PerryNovember 14, 2016

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans‘ decision to sit during the national anthem before Sunday’s game to protest Donald Trump’s election as president is provoking strong reaction, including fierce criticism from Republican state Sen. Jack Latvala. “I support the First Amendment and everyone’s right to protest,” Latvala wrote on his Facebook page. “But to disrespect our flag and national anthem […]

Mitch PerryOctober 21, 2016

Forget about Marco Rubio in 2020, what about Rick Scott? Troy Kinsey from Bay News 9 reports that “some GOP operatives are floating him as a potential presidential contender in 2020, should Trump lose in November.” Kinsey then quotes all of one lone such operative in his story. But it does make for a good headline. Now, what about Marco Rubio? The […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 24, 2016

With his twice-weekly forum on The New York Times Op-Ed page, along with weekly gigs on NPR’s All Things Considered and the PBS NewsHour, David Brooks is regarded as one of the pre-eminent political pundits in the country. So when I had the opportunity to speak with him about an hour-and-a-half before his scheduled appearance at the Palladium […]

Tag: Colin Kaepernick

Dozens protest NFL players anthem-kneeling before Bucs vs. Giants game

Darryl Paulson: Taking a knee, the controversy over the national anthem and the NFL

Both sides of NFL protests fail to understand the other

Brian Mast says any NFL player who takes a knee ‘should already be gone’

Joe Henderson: Patriotism is more than flag waving

Jack Latvala still upset about NFL players sitting during national anthem

Mitch Perry Report for 11.15.16 — The non-voters speak out

Jack Latvala blasts Mike Evans for sitting down during national anthem

Mitch Perry Report for 10.21.16 — Rick Scott in 2020?

David Brooks on Donald Trump voters, Colin Kaepernick and growing loss of connection in U.S.