Category Bill Nelson

Data tells us racism DID NOT fuel the Gillum/Nelson vote split. In fact the data may shock you…
Election night and the morning after many around the Democratic Party and the national chattering classes were spinning that racism must have been the reason Bill Nelson received more votes than Andrew Gillum statewide (outside ballot error-driven Broward County). I pushed back on this suggestion because I don’t like the Democrats obsession with race and […]

GOP Florida recount rules since 2000: play dirty and without mercy in building an autocracy
The Republicans have mastered the art of stifling democracy by counting votes quickly in Republican counties, tolerating inefficiency in Democratic ones and then declaring victory. As I witnessed with my own eyes as somewhat critical component in the Democrats Palm Beach County recount infrastructure, the Republicans play hard and fast with rules and the law […]

A vote for Rick Scott is a vote AGAINST Florida’s interests – Why Bill Nelson MUST be reelected
Florida has undergone a metamorphosis politically since the mid 1990’s. Republicans, most of whom have little reverence, knowledge or curiosity about the state’s history have taken charge dominating all levels of state government and influencing national elections as well. During this period of time the GOP has developed a lock step mentality which has put […]

Bill Nelson and Russia: The Senator has lost his sense of what drives the Florida electorate
I’ve been watching with some amusement from half a world away, Senator Bill Nelson obsession with Russia which mirrors the types of conspiracy-laden conversations that take place on CNN panels. Nelson’s obsession this week with all things Russia while he continues to trail Governor Rick Scott in what is supposed to the a Democratic wave […]

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 […]

Bill Nelson, 2018 and the FDP
US Senator Bill Nelson has put his finger on the scale in favor of FDP Chair candidate Stephen Bittel. Nelson’s move could well be enough to ensure Bittel’s victory but perhaps Nelson, the lone statewide elected Democrat the last six years will need the party to grow in strength and stature to see himself reelected […]
Bill Nelson for Governor? Always a fantasy.
In recent weeks discussion of a possible Bill Nelson candidacy for Governor has continued despite the unqualified “no” he has repeatedly given, most recently last week. The idea of a Nelson candidacy was always a fantasy though rumors of the possibility were fueled by some of the most influential voices within a desperate Democratic Party […]
TFS Pod #7: Crist v Nelson, Q-poll, state of media and capital press corps in Florida, Trey Radel, and JFK
The latest edition of the Florida Squeeze podcast is embedded below. In this edition we discuss: The continuing talk of Senator Bill Nelson potentially running for Governor. Governor’s race tightening according to latest Q-poll. Newspapers vs Independent Media and the decline in resources for journalists at major papers to do the job they once did. […]
Times, Herald malign Bill Nelson for practicing politics
A couple of big-deal Florida political writers seem to be typing through Democratic insider goggles lately. In the last few days Adam Smith of The Tampa Bay Times and Marc Caputo of The Miami Herald have both chastised Bill Nelson for possibly harboring the intention of running for governor. Wrote Caputo in Sunday’s Herald: After months of ebbing and […]
Snyder’s Take: The Future Is Now
Don’t get it twisted. The ousting of Minority Leader Daryl Rouson and the subsequent election of Progressive Champion Mark Pafford to the same position is huge news. No. It’s a BFD. It proves what many of us have already known: the progressive movement in Florida is spreading statewide like a central Florida dry season brush […]