Monthly Archives: September 2014
Progressive Choice: Where Are They Now?
For months before the primary, the group Progressive Choice made headlines around the state with controversial mailings, radio ads, and a constant stream of Twitter and Facebook attacks on Charlie Crist. Estimates of the spending by this campaign vary, but considering the sheer number of ads, the figures have to be in the seven-figure range […]
Coral Springs Mayor’s race featuring Skip Campbell heating up
We discussed the city of Coral Springs extensively a few months ago. Coral Springs is one of Florida’s 15 largest cities with over 120,000 people, and has a close to two-to-one Democratic registration advantage. Yet the city’s commission is 80% Republican and the lone Democrat is term-limited this year. Coral Springs was long considered one […]
Monday Musings: Support for Scottish Independence, 50 years since the “Daisy Ad,” Florida paces US victory in Prague, ISIS a real threat?, Dennis Baxley, Islamic Caliphate history
I have been derided in both soccer and political circles as an “anglophile,” and it is a label I have come to accept and even embrace after trying to fight it off for years. I have after all spent more time in my life in and around London then in any major American city except […]
Charlie Crist gets economic reality and is not to be underestimated
Charlie Crist took on the Insurance industry as Governor and he did so again this past week. In a press conference on Thursday Crist said, The choice could not be more clear – A governor who took on the insurance industry and lowered rates so families had more in their checking accounts and at the […]
Air Florida making a comeback? The need affordable jet service or High Speed Rail greater than ever.
I did a double take when I saw the above image on the internet yesterday. Air Florida, once the state’s “flag” carrier is attempting a comeback 30 years after going belly up. The return of Air Florida with its circa 1980 logo, if it really happens in 2015 s the above advertisement and […]
Flashback Friday: Florida and World War II
75 years ago this week, World War II began when Germany invaded Poland and the British and French declared war on the Germans. The United States would not become formally involved in the conflict until December 7, 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, but the USA was very involved in arming and financing the British […]
Orange County primary turnout increases thanks to local efforts
We spilled lots of proverbial ink on Orange County’s Vote Local effort including guest columns by Stephanie Porta and Debbie Simmons . The effort culminated with a remarkable increase in early and absentee turnout for the August 26th elections. Overall turnout increased by over 33%, while turnout among Democrats increased by 63%. This owes itself not […]
Why Charlie Crist’s poll numbers are no reason for panic
First an apology. I had intended to write this piece on Tuesday night, but the amount of time the George Sheldon Campaign is taking up for me delayed me by 36 hours in analyzing this poll. Much has been made of the Tampa Bay Times/Bay News 9/ UF Graham Center poll that was released the […]
Thursday Bookshelf: Government in the Sunshine State
Few Floridians know the state as well as UF Professor David Colburn and FSU Professor Lance deHaven-Smith. In 1999, Republicans took complete control of state government for the first time since the Reconstruction era- that same year during Legislative Session Government in the Sunshine State: Florida Since Statehood was released and delivered to every Legislative […]
Former US Senators Trent Lott and John Breaux hired by Russian State Owned Bank to Lobby AGAINST Sanctions
The above headline is not a typo nor a headline from “The Onion” or some other satirical news outlet. The nonpartisan Center For Public Integrity (CFPI) a non-profit group, is one of our nation’s oldest non-profit investigative news organizations. Their website declares their mission: To serve democracy by revealing abuses of power, corruption and betrayal […]
The Florida Squeeze 