Monthly Archives: January 2017
The Phlip Side (FDP Chair Edition Part 3 of 3): We get the leadership we deserve
As some people who read my article yesterday (Click Here to see) may have noticed, I previewed this column with a different title than I actually used. I am still going to highlight the remaining conversations and candidates, but recent developments in the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) Chair race cannot be ignored. Anthony Man, a […]
Does Bill Nelson tip the scales in Stephen Bittel’s favor?
While Bill Nelson’s public endorsement of Stephen Bittel wasn’t much of a surprise to party insiders it does represent a risk for Florida’s Senior US Senator. Nelson’s willingness to make public his support for Bittel reflects the closeness of the FDP Chair’s race and the hope that by putting his finger on the scale, Nelson […]
The Phlip Side (FDP Chair Edition Part 2 of 3): I need a shovel and some rubber boots, stat!
I am extraordinarily optimistic about the future of the Florida Democratic Party (FDP). I recently wrote a summary of some of the candidates running for FDP Chair (click here for a refresher), and since that was published I have had the pleasure of speaking with four of the candidates running to lead our party. I […]
Rick Scott’s kleptocracy is coming for our springs (again) — this time we’re fighting back in court
As a kid growing up in Leesburg I spent more time at Silver Springs than any other Florida attraction. My mother loved going out in the glass-bottom boat to the spring. I loved seeing the monkeys which were said to be fugitives from an earlier “jungle cruise” attraction gone wrong. An erstwhile Florida attraction investor […]
Chasing FDP reform in 2017 Part 3: Analytics, data and political science
I found curious Dave Trotter’s pieces over at the Political Hurricane last week about political scientists – I sometimes don’t agree with Mr. Trotter on matters related to the party but on this he is spot on. The reliance of the Democrats on political operatives who have inherent biases and often do not use scientific […]
Allegiant opens Destin/Fort Walton Beach base
Controversial Allegiant Airlines which recently was the subject of an unflattering Tampa Bay Times investigation about safety has opened a base at Fort Walton Beach-Destin. It will be the Las Vegas-based airline’s fifth major base in Florida. The airline caters largely to vacation traffic making this newest base a logical add. Seasonal nonstop service […]
Democrats should be leery of those seeking to jump upward from FDP Chair
Allison Tant was the first Florida Democratic Party Chair since Charlie Whitehead that didn’t harbor any ambition of running for higher office. In that sense Tant, love her or dislike her was a unique figure fully committed to the party. But often through the years candidates for FDP Chair have seen it as a stepping […]
Alan Clendenin and being FDP First Vice Chair – beware of “dream teams”
The Florida Democratic Party (FDP) Chairwoman/Chairman election is set for Saturday January 14. As we get closer to the day of reckoning the number of rumors that involve “dream teams.” In a fragmented five-way race, candidates are seeking a way to garner additional ways to find votes to make a second ballot or become chair. […]
Interview with Alan Clendenin
Florida Democratic Party First Vice Chair Alan Clendenin who is running again for FDP Chair took some time out of his crisscrossing of the state to speak with Kartik Krishnaiyer earlier today. Clendenin gives a candid interview about his plans if he is elected FDP Chair. In the interview, Clendenin describes why he is running again for […]
The Phlip Side (FDP Chair Edition): Just Win Baby!
I have always been a big believer in setting people up for success. Putting people in positions where they can excel so that everyone benefits. I understand that people have ambitions and dreams that may not be realistic, and there is nothing wrong with that, but problems arise when people put a lot of effort […]
The Florida Squeeze 