Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMarch 15, 2016

Even before the presidential candidate arrived at the rally, the arena seethed. Fistfights broke out as the national anthem played. Supporters tore up demonstrators’ signs, beat them with sticks, pummeled them with folding chairs. The year was 1968; the candidate was Alabama Gov. George Wallace. If you’re struggling with feelings of deja vu, you’re not […]

Mitch PerryMarch 2, 2016

Pinellas County Democratic Congressional hopeful Eric Lynn had some news he couldn’t wait to announce before a group of Democrats at the Clearwater Main Library on Monday morning. “Because of my lifelong work on women’s rights, equality, I’ve talked to many in this room about the ERA — how we need the Equal Rights Amendment to make sure […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 3, 2015

Marco Rubio likes to say he’s representing the future of the Grand Old Party. (An oxymoron, no?) He’s a new face, he’s young, he’s definitely not “low-energy” or overly familiar (Jeb Bush; Hillary Clinton), he’s sane (not Rand Paul), he has charisma (not Scott Walker), he’s unflappable (not Chris Christie), he’s not brash and false […]

Guest AuthorAugust 24, 2015

“It is your business to rise up and preserve the Union and liberty for yourselves and not for me. I appeal to you again to constantly bear in mind that not with politicians, not with Presidents, not with office seekers, but with you, is the question: Shall the Union and shall the liberties of this […]

Guest AuthorAugust 23, 2015

“It is your business to rise up and preserve the Union and liberty for yourselves and not for me. I appeal to you again to constantly bear in mind that not with politicians, not with Presidents, not with office seekers, but with you, is the question: Shall the Union and shall the liberties of this […]

Mitch PerryMay 13, 2015

Since joining the U.S. Senate in January 2011, Marco Rubio has paid special attention to foreign affairs. He’s often been a member of the John McCain-Lindsey Graham bloc when it comes to advocating for military action. He’s been on the Senate Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees, and has said this spring that the knowledge he’s acquired […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 17, 2014

Nearly 70 years ago, when the Florida Democratic Party was a monopoly, the political scientist V. O. Key Jr., saw a problem that haunts it to the present day. In Florida, he wrote, it was “every man for himself.” Individual candidates built their own organizations, which dissolved when they left office or gave up running. […]

Darryl PaulsonFebruary 6, 2014

I am going to say a dirty word. Lobbyist. I am not sure if lobbyist ranks above or below politician, but both words evoke mistrust and derision. Even more shocking, I like most lobbyists and I respect what they do. When did you last read the Constitution? I would suggest reading the First Amendment. It […]

Darryl PaulsonNovember 18, 2013

First of a four-part series on political humor For 35 years, I told incoming political science students that politics comes from the ancient Greek word “poly” meaning “many” and “tics” meaning “ugly bloodsucking parasites.” For the first 20 years, the students would laugh. For the last 15 years, students would busily write the definition in […]

Guest AuthorNovember 14, 2013

One of the great wonders in the study of history is how things so remote can still hold valuable lessons for us today. Such is the case with the presidency and assassination of John F. Kennedy, whose brief but energizing administration came to a shocking and tragic end 50 years ago this month. To the […]

Tag: John F. Kennedy
Joel Rudman with wife Sophie. Photo via Rudman.

Disorder at Donald Trump rallies: As American as cherry pie?

Eric Lynn boasts of his NOW endorsement — in front of Charlie Crist

Chris Timmons: The future is Marco Rubio's for the taking

Ed H. Moore: It’s time to recover our promise as a great nation

Ed H. Moore: It’s time to recover our promise as a great nation

Marco Rubio lays out muscular foreign policy approach

Martin Dyckman: Fla. Democrats need to find a message with a broad appeal

Darryl Paulson: In defense of lobbying

Darryl Paulson: Ugly bloodsucking parasites

George L. Hanbury II: JFK’s dynamic skills hold a good example for today’s leaders