Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2016

What’s with Republicans when it comes to HIV/AIDS? President Ronald Reagan refused to recognize the reality of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s when it was mysterious and at its peak. Gov. Rick Scott refuses to recognize the reality of the HIV/AIDS crisis today in Florida when the Federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) can […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 22, 2016

Jeb Bush said Thursday that while his brother will join him on the campaign trail and his mother stars in a new ad, he remains wary of leaning on his famous family as he seeks to become its third president. At a town hall meeting Thursday night, a woman carrying a photo of Bush’s father […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 7, 2016

James Tracy was fired last month, though the Florida Atlantic University communications professor still can file a grievance to maintain his job. Although he would certainly dispute being labeled a conspiracy theorist, that’s essentially how I learned about him when I wrote a story about conspiracy theories in Creative Loafing. Tracy claimed the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2016

“The people made it clear what they wanted,” a re-elected politician said. “I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and I intend to spend it.” That politician: George W. Bush, in 2004. Bush 43 learned about the finite power of political capital the hard way: seeing his father go from 91 percent approval ratings to […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 5, 2016

CoreMessage, the leading Florida public relations firm, announces the promotion Tuesday of Carrie Patrick, from account manager to Director of Advocacy. In addition to public relations campaigns and managing accounts, Patrick will also be responsible for grassroots advocacy, coalition building and expanding CoreMessage’s advocacy services “Carrie has been a great asset to the team and […]

Associated PressDecember 28, 2015

‘Tis the season — no, not THAT season. It’s that point in the presidential election cycle when speculation starts swirling that the primaries won’t produce a clear winner and one of the parties’ big nominating conventions will dissolve in chaos. This time, it’s the Republican side of the race that’s looking particularly unsettled. After a […]

Marc YachtDecember 20, 2015

Any politician or campaign manager understands that any “NYEWS” for a candidate is good “NYEWS.” That being the case, Donald Trump proves the argument. In spite of complaints about Trump’s position on most issues, the “mouth with the do” tops the polls of Republican contenders – by a large margin. One cannot imagine his camp […]

Mitch PerryDecember 7, 2015

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Once upon a time, Florida’s 11th Congressional District – which now encompasses Hernando, Citrus, Sumter and Marion counties – was held by a Democrat. Her name was Karen Thurman. Thurman lost to Republican Ginny Brown-Waite in 2002, and since that time, the seat has remained safely in GOP control, and that scenario doesn’t appear to be changing […]

Associated PressDecember 1, 2015

Jeb Bush and his allies are spending circles around his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination. Yet for all the money they’ve invested — $26 million on television ads alone — they’ve yet to see a substantial return. Having fallen from summer front-runner to autumn afterthought, the former Florida governor made deep spending cuts to […]

Mitch PerryNovember 23, 2015

A good (and finally, chilly) Monday morning to you all. Over the weekend I saw Spotlight, the superb new film that depicts The Boston Globe‘s investigation regarding allegations of sexual abuse by hundreds of clergy in the Boston archdiocese (Special props to actor Mark Ruffalo, sporting the best bowl haircut seen in a premium film in years). The […]

Tag: George W. Bush

Chris Timmons: Legislature must use common sense, compassion to combat HIV/AIDS

Jeb Bush will take some family help, but avoid overreliance

Mitch Perry Report for 1.7.16 – Florida academic fired for unpopular (and um, questionable) views?

Lenny Curry, the pension tax, and political capital

Personnel note: CoreMessage names Carrie Patrick as new Director of Advocacy

‘Tis the season for dreams of a brokered political convention

Dr. Marc J. Yacht: Democrats – Where are you?

Justin Grabelle about to be challenged in CD 11 race?

Jeb Bush spends millions on TV but has yet to rise in GOP race

Mitch Perry Report for 11.23.15 — “Spotlight” sparkles