Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bob SparksSeptember 17, 2015

The second GOP debate is history. In a few days, polls will tell us who did well, or not so well, in the minds of voters. The final debate is set for Florida on March 10, just five days before the Florida Primary (although early voting begins March 5). It is impossible to predict how […]

Martin DyckmanSeptember 15, 2015

In the far from perfect world of politics, there’s a place that in one respect is as near to perfection as anyone could expect. The state legislature redistricts itself, yet both parties accept the outcomes as fair, the resulting elections are unusually competitive and the courts don’t have to get involved. Gerrymandering is for the […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 15, 2015

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One of the reasons why many people thought that Jeb Bush would be the man to beat for the Republican nomination for president was his ability to raise a lot of money from the donors class. Early on in his campaign, advisers talked about a “shock and awe” fundraising strategy that would blow away virtually […]

Phil AmmannAugust 29, 2015

Iowa football fans will be some of the first to experience an initial advertising blitz for Jeb Bush, as a pro-Bush super PAC placed a seven-figure airtime buy for the last quarter of 2015. Right to Rise USA is spending $1.66 million for TV time in Iowa – which holds the nation’s first presidential caucuses — set […]

Associated PressAugust 18, 2015

Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio‘s slow-go campaign strategy is puzzling party operatives in Iowa and New Hampshire, states where voters are used to candidates showering them with attention early and often. While some GOP hopefuls are already highlighting their progress toward visiting all of Iowa’s 99 counties, Rubio’s return to the state this week marks […]

Julie DelegalAugust 17, 2015

As former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush abandons his Paleolithic diet by eating a fried Snickers bar in Iowa, feminists everywhere wish he’d abandon his stone-age ideology, too. Bush wants to “publicly shame” mothers who give birth out of wedlock, arguing that the lack of stigma is what causes illegitimate births. With apologies to Sam Cooke, […]

Marc YachtJuly 29, 2015

Donald Trump understands that when running for office any news is good news. A campaign manager will argue that garnering media attention will improve name recognition and such attention means votes. Voters will rarely remember why a candidate’s name is front-page but will remember the moniker. No candidate gains more successful press attention than presidential […]

Peter SchorschJuly 28, 2015

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has already raised more than $12 million for his White House bid. Outside groups aligned with Rubio have raised twice that. In other words, there’s little doubt that Rubio’s White House bid has the financial resources to last (at least) until Florida’s March 15 presidential primary. And yet … How soon […]

Diane RobertsJuly 21, 2015

“He’s not a war hero. He was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” — Donald J. Trump on Sen. John McCain’s military record “America’s id is running for president.” — Jon Stewart on Donald J. Trump Habitually clad in a navy suit with a headdress apparently fashioned from the shed fur of a street […]

Guest AuthorJuly 20, 2015

With the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage for gay couples, Florida leaders have an important decision to make when it comes to our national and international reputation. Will we be a state that embraces equality and fairness or will we be seen as a state that resists progress and shuns diversity? The Supreme Court […]

Tag: Iowa

Bob Sparks: Will Republican Party of Florida force presidential candidates to attend November summit?

Martin Dyckman: Legislators should consider the Iowa example

Jeb Bush’s Right to Rise PAC starts spending its cash on ads in 3 early voting states

Iowa football fans targeted by first ad blitz from pro-Jeb Bush super PAC

Marco Rubio’s slow start in Iowa, New Hampshire puzzles GOP

Julie Delegal: Jeb Bush vilifies unwed mothers, ignores economic reality

Marc Yacht: Donald Trump, comedian or serious candidate?

Peter Schorsch: Marco Rubio’s favorite son mantle wearing thin

Diane Roberts: Oh, the thrill of id all

Patrick Geraghty: More support needed to pass state laws against workplace discrimination