Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jac VerSteegOctober 25, 2015

It’s “Crazy Peak” time for Republican presidential candidates. At the moment, that favors two candidates with Florida ties: Donald Trump and Ben Carson. When the peaks flatten, as Trump’s might already be doing, two other Floridians – Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio – will benefit. But Rubio will benefit more than Bush. The “Crazy Peak” […]

Mitch PerryOctober 21, 2015

Under the newly drawn Congressional District 7 seat awaiting Florida Supreme Court approval, venerable north-central area GOP U.S. Rep. John Mica appears vulnerable for the first time in his 22-year-long congressional career. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is excited by that prospect. In a memo released Tuesday by Jermaine House, DCCC’s south regional press secretary, it’s made clear […]

Associated PressOctober 19, 2015

Months before the first primaries, Jeb Bush and his allies are building a data-driven operation to turn out voters in the general election much later, spending heavily on the assumption he’ll overcome his sluggish start and win the Republican presidential nomination. It’s a strategy aimed at avoiding a 2016 repeat of the GOP’s glaring deficiencies […]

Mitch PerryOctober 19, 2015

It’s not surprising that Donald Trump has touched upon the third rail of post-9/11 politics by mentioning the inconvenient fact that George W. Bush was president when America was hit by its worst terrorist attack in the lower 48. No, what’s surprising is that Trump didn’t go there when the occasion came up during the […]

Mitch PerryOctober 12, 2015

David Kochel, Jeb Bush‘s chief strategist, was diagnosed on Saturday with “acute lymphoblastic leukemia,” and has already began treatment. “Columba‘s and my prayers are with our friend David for a very speedy recovery,” Bush said in a prepared statement. “He is an integral leader of our team, and more importantly, a great human being. I look forward to […]

Mitch PerryOctober 12, 2015

Avik Roy, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and opinion editor of Forbes, has joined the Marco Rubio presidential campaign. “@Avik Welcome to the team! Glad to have you on board,” Rubio tweeted on Monday morning. Earlier, Roy tweeted to his followers that he was now on Team Rubio. “No candidate expresses—and embodies—the American dream better […]

Associated PressSeptember 30, 2015

Political newcomer Ben Carson raised more than $20 million in the past three months to fuel his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, his campaign said Wednesday, a haul of campaign cash that shatters records and sets a new bar for his GOP rivals. As other campaigns scrambled to bring in final donations before the […]

Associated PressSeptember 30, 2015

Republicans came into this presidential campaign with painful memories of how, in the last one, Democrats blasted Mitt Romney’s tax plan as a giveaway to the rich. Yet Donald Trump‘s tax plan adds to the number of major GOP presidential candidates who propose to cut all taxes — but especially those for the wealthy — […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 29, 2015

Jeb Bush’s sluggish movement in the national polls betrays the refreshingly presidential-like behavior he has been exhibiting. In a campaign environment marked by shallow squabbling and impulsive barb-throwing, Bush’s recent statement about limiting governmental benefits demonstrates a serious and sorely needed focus on policy concerns. Speaking on September 24 in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Bush cautioned […]

Associated PressSeptember 26, 2015

The Republican Party’s conservative wing, pumped up by House Speaker John Boehner‘s stepping down, is warning the 2016 presidential candidates that defying its wishes will come at their peril. Religious activists forcefully conveyed this message Saturday: embrace our uncompromising stance against abortion rights and gay marriage, among other priorities, even if doing so risks a […]

Tag: Mitt Romney
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Jac VerSteeg: Political timing favors Marco Rubio

DCCC points out John Mica’s weaknesses in redistricted CD 7

Already looking to general election, Jeb Bush builds data operation

Mitch Perry Report for 10.19.15 – Jeb Bush tries nuclear option on Donald Trump

Jeb Bush campaign strategist David Kochel diagnosed with leukemia

Avik Roy now working for Marco Rubio campaign

Ben Carson raises $20M for 2016 bid in past 3 months

Republican field pushes tax cuts bound to drive up debt

Sarah Maricle Ayers: Jeb Bush’s reservations about government freebies are a relief

Conservatives to 2016 GOP field: Defy us at your own peril