Monthly Archives: March 2015
Do the concerns about Patrick Murphy add up?
Many in the progressive community are talking about Congressman Patrick Murphy’s potential US Senate campaign as a problematic one. Murphy’s voting record is controversial to many on the left – though perhaps it shouldn’t be. After all Murphy represents one of Florida’s wealthiest districts, one where both Mitt Romney and Rick Scott carried a plurality […]
Guest Post – The case for progressive candidates
By Mario Piscatella As we consider the candidates we (as Democrats and Progressives) want and will have on the ballot in 2016, I want to put this out there, as it came up in a discussion about the Florida Senate seat. Some activists question “litmus tests” or an aversion to less progressive, or untrusted candidates, and […]
Where the FDP and House Caucus stand today
With the 2015 Legislative Session in full swing the focus has shifted from political legislative considerations. Still the Florida Democratic Party is chugging along hiring Philip Thompson as Deputy Executive Director and lauding Jeri Muoio’s West Palm Beach Mayoral reelection, though the party had little to do with her success. The continued emphasis on rules reform […]
Iran letter shows once again that Marco Rubio is #notreadyforprimetime
In an absolutely shocking development, 47 Republican Senators interjected themselves harmfully into the foreign policy mire yesterday by signing an ill-advised and potentially dangerous letter regarding Iran. After the backlash ensued, one of the letter’s signatories, Florida’s Junior Senator Marco Rubio doubled down this morning claiming he’d sign another similar letter. In fairness to the […]
Monday Musings: Orlando painted purple, Rep. Edwards op-ed and Governor Scott’s PR problems
Katy Burnett is on assignment this week in Tallahassee. This weekend was Orlando City SC’s first MLS game. I attended the first MLS game for both the now defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny and (Fort Lauderdale) Fusion FC. Those two clubs are the only two MLS teams to ever go out of business in the league’s […]
Jacksonville’s past, present and future comes together at 5 points conversation with the candidates
By George Farrar This article is my perspective about the 2015 Jacksonville District 14 City Council Candidates Forum on March 4, 2015. It is the third article in a special series profiling the upcoming First & Second Elections. On Wednesday night, March 4, a group of Jacksonville residents gathered in one of our oldest movie […]
Florida Soccer hitting a high point
Contrary to the wishes of many crusty old sports writers and conservative America-first types, soccer (or football as I call it) is here in the United States. The recent surge in popularity of the sport in this country which has been exemplified by the large dollar amounts NBC Universal paid for TV rights to the […]
#HB7003 and The Legislature’s Problem with Good Science
Even though most of the headlines this week came from the notorious ‘Bathroom bill’ and the fallout from the passage of blatant discrimination of the transgendered citizens of this state by the Republican members in the house, the passage of the water #HB7003 was passed , with only 9 Democrats standing against the bill. Even […]
Progressives need to back important Criminal Justice reforms
Two weeks ago we applauded the efforts of Rep. Katie Edwards (D-Plantation) to reform the Criminal Justice system as it deals with juveniles in a logical and humane way. HB 783 will likely be given a hearing this coming week in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. The legislation which as we outlined in our previous […]
Flashback Friday – Senator Claude Pepper leads opposition to anti labor legislation
Remember when Florida had a progressive leader in the US Senate? It’s been a long while, but Senator Claude Pepper was the leading New Deal Democrat, and a figure of incredible national stature. Republicans captured a majority in Congress during the 1946 midterm elections. This came after the years of the New Deal where Democrats […]
The Florida Squeeze 