Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanJune 23, 2014

Politicians have been known to crack jokes about elections that lacked for any candidates. That’s extremely rare, but it has happened. The likelier event is an election without voters, and there’s nothing funny about it. When qualifying for state offices closed in Florida last week, more than a third of the candidates for the Legislature […]

Guest AuthorJune 12, 2014

A political earthquake shook D.C. this week with the upset primary defeat of GOP Majority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia. Cantor, who outspent his opponent 10 to 1, lost what was regarded as one of the GOP’s safest seats to David Brat, an economics professor at George Mason University and political novice. He was favored […]

Marc YachtJune 11, 2014

The nation’s ongoing disputes make us great. Whether driven by Glenn Beck, Rachel Maddow, Fox News, or CNN, everybody forms an opinion. Some actually study the problem, but that takes work. When it comes to physical effort, Americans excel. But when it comes to mental exertion, most folks would just as soon listen to someone […]

Guest AuthorJune 3, 2014

Republicans have just discovered poverty and income inequality — a remarkable revelation, considering they have caused so much of it. The Tea Party GOP has declared Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty” a failure. And with the 2014 elections looming, following the advice of their pollsters and word-testers, Republicans are trying to remake themselves as sympathetic […]

Guest AuthorJune 2, 2014

Amidst the Memorial Day barbecues, shopping sprees, sporting events and endless miles of “are we there yet?” there were speeches and commentaries to remind us of the fallen and the freedoms they died to protect. Typically, these tributes mentioned the rights specified in the Constitution: religion, speech, assembly and press. U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross wrote […]

Guest AuthorMay 25, 2014

In a recent one-vote margin, the United States Supreme Court ruled on the validity of prayer before public meetings. It was a highly contentious issue and brought immediate comments from both sides of the issue. Regardless of where one sides on the issue, the fact is that the court is deeply and narrowly divided. So […]

Guest AuthorMay 4, 2014

Here are two simple questions. The right answers will save the state of Florida; the wrong answers — I don’t want to think of them or their disastrous consequences. As things stand, which way things will go is a toss-up, which should give people who see beyond their noses heartburn. First, are Floridians, especially voters, […]

Daniel TilsonApril 7, 2014

Several bills moving forward through the 2014 Florida legislative session offer excellent opportunities for opponents of both big and bad government to join forces. Imagine, conservatives concerned with shrinking and disempowering government, uniting with liberals more concerned with its purpose and impact. Imagine, agreeing to disagree on divisive social issues, but agreeing to work together […]

Guest AuthorApril 6, 2014

The big question in the 2016 presidential sweepstakes is: Will Jeb run? The answer remains unknown, perhaps even to Jeb Bush and his wife Columba. It is not an easy decision. One night over dinner in Houston some dozen years ago, President George H. W. Bush told me about the soul- searching process his older […]

Daniel TilsonMarch 12, 2014

So Alex Sink lost another big one. Not exactly a surprise. After all, this is the same Sink who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in 2010, enabling an ultra-conservative, ethically tainted multimillionaire businessman to get elected Florida governor. Like Rick Scott then, Republican David Jolly beat Sink in Tuesday’s CD 13 special election […]

Tag: Republicans
Pastel colored tropical townhomes

Martin Dyckman: Gerrymandering, campaign money killing Florida elections

Steve Kurlander: Cantor’s defeat shows Americans are disgusted with D.C.

Marc Yacht: Politicians’ refusal to compromise creating dangerous gridlock

Stephen Goldstein: Republicans ‘discover’ how to end the poverty they created

Martin Dyckman: Republicans are winning the gerrymander game in Florida

John Grant: If you care about America, get involved in the upcoming elections

Stephen Goldstein: Who’s dumber–Floridians or Rick Scott and the Legislature?

Daniel Tilson: Beware Rick Scott’s legislative control freaks

John Grant: Why Jeb Bush is the best bet for Republicans in 2016

Daniel Tilson: Lessons for losers from Florida congressional district 13