Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanApril 14, 2016

If only the Florida Constitution included a provision like this: (1) Members of the Legislature who vote for measures subsequently held unconstitutional shall be liable jointly and severally for all attorney fees and costs as established by the court. (2) Failure to pay such liabilities within 60 days of final judgment shall constitute disqualification for […]

Martin DyckmanApril 12, 2016

There was once a senator from Virginia who was dismayed to find his picture on the cover of New Times magazine under the headline “the dumbest Congressman of them all.” He called a news conference to deny it, thereby proving it to be true. His name was Scott. William Scott. You can probably guess where […]

Martin DyckmanApril 11, 2016

There was once a senator from Virginia who was dismayed to find his picture on the cover of New Times magazine under the headline “the dumbest Congressman of them all.” He called a news conference to deny it, thereby proving it to be true. His name was Scott. William Scott. You can probably guess where […]

Martin DyckmanApril 7, 2016

Wisconsin’s primary doesn’t mean that Ted Cruz will be the Republican nominee, but it does make it more likely that the party convention will make old-timers forget the Democrats’ brawl in 1968. Donald Trump won’t be the only raging bull at Cleveland. Cruz will be smashing the china also, refusing to be merely a foil […]

Martin DyckmanApril 4, 2016

Is it time to recycle the daisy ad? The most effective political spot ever filmed begins with a precious little girl pulling petals from a flower, counting them imperfectly. It segues to a man’s harsh voice counting down from 10. The child’s face dissolves into the hideous sight and sound of an H-bomb test. “These […]

Martin DyckmanApril 3, 2016

Is it time to recycle the daisy ad? The most effective political spot ever filmed begins with a precious little girl pulling petals from a flower, counting them imperfectly. It segues to a man’s harsh voice counting down from 10. The child’s face dissolves into the hideous sight and sound of an H-bomb test. “These […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 29, 2016

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The maxim that “no good deed goes unpunished” is often borne out in politics these days, and if President Barack Obama hasn’t taped it to his shaving mirror, he should. In Merrick Garland, he found an ideal Supreme Court candidate, one whom, were the present roles reversed, a Republican president might have nominated and a […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 27, 2016

The economist John Kenneth Galbraith memorably said that politics “consists of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.” But what if the only choice is between the disastrous and the disastrous? That’s the predicament of establishment Republican politicians who think John Kasich, the only decent human being who remains in their presidential primaries, is either […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 17, 2016

Thanks to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the campaign for president has become in part a bizarre version of the old celebrity game show, “I’ve Got a Secret.” This time, however, we know what secrets are being kept. We just don’t know the details, or what devils may be in them. Clinton’s are the transcripts […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 14, 2016

Florida has a new death-sentencing law to replace what the U.S. Supreme Court threw out two months ago. On balance, it’s an improvement. Jurors must now identify, unanimously, any of the reasons — what the law calls aggravating circumstances — why a person they have convicted of a capital crime should die rather than serve […]

Tag: Martin Dyckman
Jennifer Barbosa. Image via campaign website.

Martin Dyckman: Courts failed organizations that won redistricting fight

Martin Dyckman: Rick Scott doesn’t know when to shut up

Martin Dyckman: Rick Scott doesn't know when to shut up

Martin Dyckman: Trade deals help explain popularity of Trump, Sanders

Martin Dyckman: Donald Trump’s remarks about nuclear weapons are scary

Martin Dyckman: Donald Trump’s remarks about nuclear weapons are scary

Martin Dyckman: Politics mars the Supreme Court nomination process

Martin Dyckman: Cruzing to a police state?

Martin Dyckman: Donald Trump should release his tax returns, Hillary Clinton her speeches

Martin Dyckman: Despite new law, Florida’s death penalty process flawed