Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 16, 2016

The Republican National Committee has begun a new campaign targeting Hispanic voters with a series of social-media offered videos discussing specific issues and urging support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The series, called “GOP Hispanics: The Week Ahead” features Hispanic speakers discussing the topic of the week. They’re being posted through social media in both […]

Associated PressAugust 14, 2016

Adolfo-Olivas-divisive-campaign-Large-e1471023400673.jpg

Some friends don’t let friends talk politics anymore on Facebook. Others are on “unfriending” sprees. And some, such as Adolfo Olivas of Hamilton, Ohio, have decided to just shut down their accounts, as the divisive presidential campaign causes a deluge of news feeds amid photos of smiling kids’ first day of school and what’s on […]

Blake DowlingAugust 11, 2016

Social engineering refers to manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information as part of an elaborate con. In some cases, it can be the first step in digital fraud. Last week, I received a call from “Verizon,” asking me for the password of our account. I asked the chap what his name was; he said “John.” I informed […]

Scott PowersAugust 5, 2016

A new campaign video posted in both Spanish and English on a new political committee’s Facebook page is bringing up a 1999 incident accusing state Rep. John Cortes of domestic violence. The video, presented by “Citizens For Integrity in Florida,” features a mugshot of Cortez with a narrator declaring, “Warning! Don’t make John Cortes mad. […]

Peter SchorschJuly 29, 2016

An old proverb goes: “You are the company you keep.” Another saying, not quite as old, is “stop saying dumb things on social media.” That last one is a bit of wisdom Marco Rubio might have imparted on Republican activist Sam Rashid during Thursday’s $500-a-plate “Day One Marco” fundraiser in Tampa. Florida’s junior senator has […]

Associated PressJuly 16, 2016

The Latest on the 2016 presidential campaign (all times local): 10:40 p.m. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says he supports Donald Trump‘s call to “temporarily suspend immigration from countries where terrorists’ influence and impact represents a threat to the United States.” Pence spoke Friday on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” giving his first TV interview since Trump […]

Associated PressJuly 10, 2016

The Dallas shooting that killed five officers has spurred an outpouring of support for police, not only in Texas but hundreds of miles away. Around the country, people have showed up at local departments with flowers, sent social media messages or called to say thanks. They delivered coffee, pizzas, cakes and moments of solace for […]

Guest AuthorMay 12, 2016

In the election of 1840, Abraham Lincoln served as a Whig presidential elector in Illinois. In his push to elect the “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too” ticket, he sent a ten-point edict to all committee members containing a field plan of operations. Much has changed in the landscape of political campaigns since 1840, but the importance […]

Associated PressMay 2, 2016

Donald Trump has a Plan B if he’s faced with a contested convention, and it involves the sort of outside groups that he’s called “corrupt.” While the billionaire businessman might lock up the Republican presidential nomination in the next five weeks of voting, he and his allies are simultaneously undertaking a parallel effort in case […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 31, 2016

Online advertising flooded into my computer and phone during the holiday-selling season: banner ads, email advertising including spam, Facebook ads, sponsored tweets, rich-media ads, pop-ups and pop-unders, and my personal favorite: pre-video ads that slow me down when I’m checking out the sports highlights from the previous night. As a sales guy, I understand that […]

Tag: social media
Renderings of the two to-be-produced Donald Trump bobbleheads. Image via National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.

RNC begins new social media campaign aimed at Hispanic voters

Unfriended? Divisive presidential campaign roils Facebook

Blake Dowling: The latest in social engineering and digital fraud — hacking a person

Facebook video raises 1999 incident in John Cortes’ family

The company you keep: Sam Rashid turns up at Marco Rubio Tampa fundraiser

Mike Pence with Donald Trump on blocking some immigration

Shooting of Dallas officers spurs acts of kindness to police

Kevin Sweeny: Ground game — do or die

Donald Trump has a ‘plan B’ for convention – outside help

William Steiger: Online advertising: Overwhelmed or overjoyed?