Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanAugust 31, 2014

Like many an invention, the Internet is a tool in the service of both good and evil. Nothing but television rouses or riles the public as swiftly. But the Web makes no pretense of balance. The advantage goes to those who get there first. Although truth is the antidote to falsehood, the poison usually has […]

Guest AuthorAugust 27, 2014

Much is made of the rise of the Tea Party and its continued hold on Republican politics nationwide, particularly after former GOP House leader Eric Cantor of Virginia was defeated. But just as much as the success of the Tea Party in converting the disgust of conservative voters with American politics into wins in primary […]

Guest AuthorJuly 27, 2014

There are three types of politicians: The first works mostly on behalf of the people they serve, by far the rarest of the lot; the second works chiefly on behalf of their own interests, by far the vast majority. The third tries to impose an ideology on others, an aggressive minority. Florida Attorney General Pam […]

Guest AuthorJune 26, 2014

The dust has settled on most of the “controversial” GOP primaries that have pitted well-financed “establishment” candidates against “Tea Party” supported candidates. In most cases, the establishment won. Most recently, in Mississippi, long-time U.S. Sen. Thad Corchoran held onto his seat after defeating State Sen. Chris McDaniel because he was able to motivate enough Democrats […]

Guest AuthorJune 18, 2014

“Obama administration claims al Qaeda leadership has been decimated. Guess they meant divided into ten parts. See Iraq.” With these words I started an interesting exchange on Facebook. More often than not, any post that has even a hint of “for or against” Obama or any Washington political actions provokes vitriolic responses. I lament the […]

Martin DyckmanJune 15, 2014

Revolutions have a way of turning against their founders and friends. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor is the latest victim. Cantor didn’t launch the Tea Party revolution but he did coddle and exploit it. Unlike the leaders of the French Revolution, Cantor still has his head, as well as–until January–the congressional seat he lost in […]

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 1, 2014

Take your blinders off: This is why the Koch Brothers and radical-right groups will spend hundreds of millions of dollars on the 2014 midterm elections, why Gov. Rick Scott wants to raise $100 million to get re-elected — and how you can defeat them. If the Tea Party-GOP gains control of the U.S. Senate, Sen. […]

Guest AuthorMay 25, 2014

My husband and I take our kids to Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg every Memorial Day. We’ve been attending this event for 14 years and can remember the days when hardly anyone showed up. Back in 2000 and 2001, we could always find a parking space, a seat in front, and plenty of […]

Guest AuthorMay 20, 2014

Who does Jeb Bush think he’s “bushitting”? The extremist former governor of Florida and (for the moment leading) GOP presidential candidate is now parading as the self-proclaimed voice of moderation — and the sycophantish press is letting him get away with it. Floridians know the real Jeb. This entry below from my just-published Dictionary of […]

Tag: Tea Party
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Martin Dyckman: The Internet often gives us lies at light speed

Steve Kurlander: Socialist Sanders can defeat Hillary for 2016 Democratic nomination

Stephen Goldstein: Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is out for herself

Jamie Miller: Is the Establishment GOP winning the battles, but losing the war?

Ed Moore: Internet vitriol makes me reluctant to share my views online

Martin Dyckman: Cantor’s loss means political scene will get more rancorous

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

Stephen Goldstein: Will the Koch Brothers own Florida in November?

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Memorial Day is a chance to teach your kids

Stephen Goldstein: Jeb Bush: Doomed to act out a Greek tragedy