Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschOctober 12, 2014

A recent AP poll revealed that Americans are worried that our government can’t protect us. And not without good reason — the botched handling of an Ebola victim, videos of police violence looping on the nightly news, arson-caused wildfires ravaging homes, ISIS threatening our homeland — are stoking a growing sense of vulnerability among Americans to […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 25, 2014

Having returned from a quick vacation, I find my inbox bombarded with emails from all sorts of Florida Democrats bent out of shape by the “new lows” and “repulsive” tactics of their Republican adversaries. Upsetting Florida Dems the most is the Gov. Rick Scott campaign having trackers videotape license plates at a Democratic Party fundraiser […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 8, 2014

Labor Day is at least a week into the rearview mirror, so the white pants should be closeted away until next June. The kids are back at school, football has returned to the tube, and, even in Florida, the temperature has dropped a degree or two. In other words, elections are less than two months away. […]

Guest AuthorAugust 26, 2014

Recently my incorrigible publisher, Peter Schorsch, made national news stopping a feel-good, pay-it-forward event at Starbucks. After several hundred people continued a chain of buying coffee drinks for the people behind them, Peter, a statewide troublemaker who never met a controversy he didn’t enjoy, said no and stopped it. Imagine my surprise. Part of Peter’s […]

Peter SchorschAugust 21, 2014

Unless an Ebola-fueled zombie apocalypse devastates the world between now and next Tuesday, former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is going to win the Democratic nomination in Florida’s governor’s race. Not one credible political prognosticator thinks otherwise. So one thing to look for on Tuesday night is not whether Crist wins or loses — duh — […]

Peter SchorschJuly 31, 2014

Writers like Carl Hiaasen have made careers pointing to the corruption and absurdity of Florida’s brand of government. But, despite our frequent failings, there have been a few bright shining moments when Floridians could point with pride to the innovations of their public officials. On rare occasion, there has been a positive confluence of visionary […]

Peter SchorschJuly 28, 2014

While upsets in sports are generally enjoyed by the masses (some opponents included!) and provide excellent fodder for inspirational stories and movies, the same is not true in electoral contests — at least according to a new study out of the University of Georgia. To the contrary, the study finds that people who backed a […]

Peter SchorschJuly 18, 2014

Say what you will about Republican-turned-Independent-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist, but the man is certainly campaigning to the beat of his own drummer. Crist endorsed President Barack Obama’s re-election on his own timetable, just as he switched his party registration on a whim while attending a White House Christmas Party. Crist set no timetable for when he […]

Peter SchorschJuly 2, 2014

In a one-two punch from the Tampa Bay Times, columnists John Romano and Daniel Ruth both blame the lack of competitive legislative races this election cycle on the redistricting process. They believe gerrymandering has turned the system into an anti-Democratic incumbent protection plan. There’s no denying the lack of competitive (never mind interesting) legislative races […]

Peter SchorschJune 30, 2014

Charlie Crist’s difficult June was capped off by a highly critical column by Tim Nickens, the editor of the Tampa Bay Times editorial page. “As we head into July, the race appears essentially tied and Charlie Crist is not maximizing his greatest assets as the likeable guy who understands Floridians and their priorities,” writes Nickens. […]

Tag: Peter Schorsch

Peter Schorsch: Florida’s leaders need to protect our infrastructure from attack

Peter Schorsch: Democrats should stop whining — and just stop the other team

Peter Schorsch: Five critical political questions leading up to November’s election

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Behavior is what’s important, not the motivation

Peter Schorsch: The key Tuesday night will be Charlie Crist’s margin of victory

Peter Schorsch: Florida should be a leader in regulation of medical marijuana

Peter Schorsch: Supporters of losing candidate lose trust in process, study says

Peter Schorsch: Charlie Crist’s LG pick an oddly timed decision influenced by reality of identity politics

Peter Schorsch: Don’t blame gerrymandering for lack of competitive races

Peter Schorsch: It’s been frustrating watching Crist’s big lead evaporate