Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanApril 23, 2014

“Tell Mike it was only business. I always liked him.” That’s the gangster Tessio in “The Godfather,” as he’s being led to his doom for conniving to betray Michael Corleone. Politics can be like that too. According to a report in the New York Times this week, Jeb Bush has earned more than $2-million for […]

Daniel TilsonMarch 10, 2014

There were some fascinating takeaways from the just-completed 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Rand Paul won the presidential straw poll for the second year in a row, up six points from last year to win going away with 31 percent. His win is no surprise, since the CPAC crowd is thick with younger libertarian-leaning […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 18, 2014

The Republican Party needs a Pope Francis. You know, an old white guy who is tolerant. Kind, not grumpy. Open to more than only people who have millions of dollars or an extra-large chip on their shoulder. Notice that Pope Francis hasn’t changed any fundamental beliefs of the Catholic Church. He’s just made it more […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 5, 2014

As the political winds are turning to presidential politics in 2016, now is the time for Republicans to start thinking about their ticket. I know it’s early, but the top of the Democratic ticket has already been pretty much decided by the mainstream media. It’s Hillary and whoever she wants as her veep. For the […]

Daniel TilsonNovember 24, 2013

Like a minor leaguer who shockingly grabs an established star’s spot in the majors, has an out-of-this-world first few seasons, then overthinks his meteoric rise and falls back down to Earth; Marco Rubio is his own worst enemy as he keeps trying to snap out of a prolonged slump. Not long after ascending to anointment […]

Bob SparksNovember 3, 2013

The divide between our political parties is wider than at any time in memory. There is some palpable hatred out there. Within Florida government the speech and interaction between the parties is mostly civil. That is a credit to both parties. But in Washington, we witnessed the spectacle of the government shutdown, which briefly distracted […]

Guest AuthorOctober 31, 2013

Let’s turn our attention to a moment in our history: The president of the United States is under siege from extreme right-wing groups, their anger fueled by domestic divisions as well as fear of a foreign enemy that seems determined to gain a foothold on American soil. The young president is the first of his […]

Guest AuthorOctober 29, 2013

The nondescript, two-story, white bungalow at 928 N. Main St. in Rockford, Ill., seems an illogical incubator for the 1990s neo-Confederate rhetoric that has shape-shifted into the Tea Party and Evangelical majority within the Republican Party. Today, 928 N. Main is the home of the Rockford Institute, a 37-year-old, internationally recognized, very private, paleoconservative think […]

Guest AuthorOctober 23, 2013

On Friday (Oct. 25), Democrats from around the state will gather in Orlando for their annual conference. I expect there will be much discussion about Amanda Murphy’s recent win in State House District 36. I do not know if Murphy will be there, but if she is, she will likely be greeted as a rock […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2013

If you read the recent headlines or listened to the talking heads about the outcome of the recent shutdown battle, you’d think that Ted Cruz is not only the most unpopular politician in America, but is actually on his way to becoming the greatest political pariah since Benedict Arnold. Talk about pure political vilification: Cruz […]

Tag: Ted Cruz
Image via AP.

Martin Dyckman: If Jeb Bush runs, he’ll have to tell voters ‘it was only business’

Daniel Tilson: Takeaways from CPAC 2014

Mark O’Brien: The GOP needs an endearing leader like Pope Francis

Barney Bishop: Jeb Bush is best presidential candidate for GOP in 2016

Daniel Tilson: If Marco Rubio has ‘still got game,’ what is it?

Bob Sparks: Add more ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ to the menu

Steve Robinson: Do events of 50 years ago remind us of today’s front page?

Linda Cunningham: Tea Party movement demonstrates unhealed legacy of Civil War

Ben Kirby: Prospects for Florida Democrats look promising

Steve Kurlander: The incorrigible Ted Cruz and his visionary rebranding of the GOP