Sun 05 September, 2010
Sat 04 September, 2010
Mario Rubio, father of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio, has died at age 83 of lung cancer and emphysema.
Marco Rubio’s campaign said his political activities “will be placed on temporary hold,” and the campaign “will resume our full schedule some time in the coming days.”
Rubio, a…
The band that made great guitar playing cool in punk rock. Television paved the way for Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr.
Things are not getting better for Rivera. William Barzee has filed an ethics complaint against Rivera.
WILLIAM R. BARZEE, ATTORNEY AT LAW
FORMER SUPPORTER AND DONOR FILES FEC COMPLAINT AGAINST DAVID RIVERA
I would like to inform you that I have filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission regarding David Rivera’s apparent violations of federal election laws. As a former supporter and donor to David Rivera, I am saddened and surprised by what I see as a disregard for the rules and laws that govern our elections.
I have filed this complaint as a private citizen based upon a good faith belief that federal candidate David Rivera and the 527 Committee “Voters Response” have violated federal campaign finance laws in at least two ways. First, by coordinating with a 527 committee to attack candidate Joe Garcia and second, by avoiding campaign contribution limits by off-setting campaign expenses through the 527.
Sarah Bascom of Bascom Communications has been acting as spokesperson for the Rivera campaign. Rivera campaign finance reports however show no payment for her services. The 527 “Voters Response” on the other hand has been paid by Bascom Communications for its services. “Voters Response” is the 527 committee that has launched repeated unfair attacks against Joe Garcia.
Enough is enough.
527 committees were not created to launch attacks on behalf of a candidate’s campaign, nor were they created as a way to avoid campaign contribution limits.
I call on David Rivera to end the nasty political attacks and to stop abusing our campaign finance laws.
William R. Barzee
Barzee is accusing Rivera of coordinating with a 527 group. That is illegal under federal law.
Ethics complaints never go anywhere in Florida politics. So don't expect much to come from this. However, an ethics complain isn't exactly something Rivera wants to brag about on a campaign mailer. David Ramba of Voters Response said the attack attack ads against Democrat Joe Garcia have nothing to do with Rivera. Riiight.
``The stuff I did against Joe Garcia had nothing to do with David Rivera,'' said Ramba, a Tallahassee lawyer who has donated $2,400 to Rivera's campaign.
Where this gets fishy is Voter Response made a payments totaling $3,000 to Bascom Communications & Consulting. Rivera uses Bascom Communications & Consulting for his campaign. Sarah Bascom said her firm is not involved with Voter Response. Bascom better check her financial records before making that statement.
The Michele Bachmann campaign web site has a contribute page written in Lorem Ipsum. Translation: dummy text to give an idea to the customer what a print or web page will look like. The Bachmann campaign posted the sample without ever changing the text.
Hat tip to GottaLaff for this hysterical find. If Bachmann wanted to show that people in government are incompetent then mission accomplished.
"The life of each human being begins at conception. Abortion will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living human being." This statement will be prominently featured on state mandated literature doctors are now required to distribute to women considering abortions – regardless of the doctor, patient, or medical organization’s philosophy or beliefs.
So much for the religious freedom Republicans say they love.
It is required law for women to read this material before getting an abortion. It serves no medical purpose whatsoever. The goal of Republicans and social conservatives is to make the woman feel like shit and decide not to have an abortion. If a woman doesn't want to have an abortion then that is her choice. Forcing to read Christian Right propaganda is absolutely unnecessary. Christian conservatives that say otherwise would freak out if mothers to be were given pro-choice material in the delivery room.
"That's how he's setting it up. He'll be calling me names for the next nine weeks," she told reporters. "I don't even know where he got that from. Of course I don't want to cut Medicare ….. It's a federal issue."
Medicare is a federal program. The governor of Florida does not have the power to cut a national program.
As CEO of Columbia/HCA, Scott advocated abolishing Medicare and Medicaid. Scott wanted all health care to be privatized. Which would also financially help companies such as Columbia/HCA. The poor and uninsured would be left at the mercy of private health care providers.
"Let us make a profit. So what?" Scott told USA Today in 1994.
The guy is all heart.
Scott also wanted to abolish the Veterans Administration.
"If you look at how the government runs VA hospitals and Medicare and Medicaid, you can see that the whole system is inefficient," Scott told the South Florida Business Journal the same year. "The things we are doing wrong in health care can be corrected if private business could run national health care administration."
Rachel Mayo of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society found that the VA provides "the best value in health care."
Another key to the VHA’s turnaround was its close tracking of performance measurements. Providing higher quality care was a major focus for the system as changes were implemented. This started with a reengineering effort beginning in 1995, which was focused on making quality management more systematic. The VHA began with a determined effort to create a product that had the best value in the market. Management defined several quality dimensions to focus on during reengineering:
• Personnel/human resources – hire and keep the top prospects available
• Clinical care activities – perform the clinical activities which are necessary for good health
• Performance indicators – establish and keep track of important indicators
• Internal review and improvement – involve all groups across organization in improvement
• External review and oversight – get an outside opinion of progress
Scott's companies Columbia/HCA and Solantic have been accused of Medicare fraud. Scott has forfeited his right to be taken seriously as a voice on health care issues. The fact that Scott is accusing Sink of cutting the same Medicare system he wishes to destroy is laughable.
Richel Maddow gives background on Rick Scott's past of $1.7 billion of Medicare fraud and being against health care reform.
The media is now portraying the Florida U.S. Senate general election as a two man race between Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio. Crist released an internal poll showing Kendrick running a distant third behind Crist and Rubio. Alison Morano explains to a reporter that people should not pay any attention to the Crist internal polling numbers by Frederick Polls. Normally, I would agree. However, the Frederick Polls numbers match other polls.
Frederick Polls
Charlie Crist 35%
Marco Rubio 34%
Kendrick Meek 17%
Undecided 14%
National poll numbers averaged out by TPM Poll Tracker
The endorsement by Florida State Sen. Al Lawson doesn't help matters for Team Meek.
As the race continues the media will focus on Crist and Rubio. Meek will become the also ran candidate. Team Meek staffers can keep telling people their candidate will soon catch on fire. It is a narrative by Team Meek that is getting rather old. Team Meek is the political equivalent of all talk and no action.
Update: the Miami Herald runs a story the possibility of Meek supporters turning to Crist to keep Runio from winning. Beth Reinhard cites Democrats nominating Bill McBride as an example of why backing Crist is bad strategy.
The Anyone-But-Rubio logic recalls what Democrats said about Janet Reno in 2002. She can't win, they said. No way this controversial former U.S. attorney general with Parkinson's disease can beat Gov. Jeb Bush. So they nominated a little-known, politically unseasoned Tampa lawyer named Bill McBride -- and he got trounced.
The so-and-so-can't-win logic becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The Crist/McBride comparison is faulty. Crist has name recognition, won state races and has more money than Meek or Rubio. The more likely scenario is Crist and Meek splitting the Democratic base and providing Rubio with an easier path to victory.
The Beth Reinhard article continues the trend of the media openly wondering if Meek can win. Team Meek can spin things all they want but until the polls show they are in the lead the narrative will continue.
71 percent
- Portion of Americans who say the Bush Recession was caused by George Bush, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll. Republicans say recession is Obama's fault four to one. Democrats blamed Bush 20 to one.
$12 Million
- Average amount earned by CEOs at the 50 companies responsible for most layoffs, an amount that is 42 percent higher than the average for the Standard & Poor 500.
"Anyone But Rubio"
"Remember the saying 'Anyone But Bush' among Democrats in 2004 who feared a second term by George W. Bush?"
Florida Democrats are slinging a variation on the slogan for 2010: "Anyone But Rubio.''"Many Democrats more anti-Rubio than pro-anyone".
To liberal voters, Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio is a right-winging, tea-partying, oil-drilling, stimulus-hating, Obamacare-shunning, taxes-on-the-rich-cutting nightmare. And these Democrats are determined to stop him from winning on Nov. 2 by any means necessary, even if that means bailing on their own party's nominee, Kendrick Meek.
A vote for Meek is a vote for Rubio, the thinking goes, because Meek can't win. He's a lackluster Miami congressman lacking money, profile and oomph.
The strategic choice, the thinking continues, is Gov. Charlie Crist. The Republican-turned-independent has nearly twice as much money as Rubio and a statewide platform, not to mention that he knows how to campaign like the dickens.
Scott gets lobbyist love
"Republican Rick Scott did some political barnstorming through the state capital Friday -- holding a series of closed-door meetings with groups of lobbyists and association officials."
"I think he hit all the right buttons,'' said Associated Industries of Florida President Barney Bishop, who hosted a Scott breakfast meeting that drew about three-dozen people, including representatives of the oil, health care, broadcasting and outdoor advertising industries."Republican foes, lobbyists now flock to Scott".
Charlie Misspeak
"When a television interviewer asked Gov. Charlie Crist about the national health care reform bill last week, Crist responded quickly, 'I would have voted for it, but I think it can be done better.' He went on to elaborate fluently on what was right and wrong with the bill, what he would have fixed before supporting it. There was only one problem. For months, starting the day the bill passed, Crist had repeatedly said he opposed it and would repeal it, and had backed a state lawsuit to overturn it."
"Misspeaking -- saying one thing when you actually think or mean another -- can happen to anyone, even a practiced public speaker and political figure. But with Crist, it seems to happen often:"
• In the best-known example, Crist told a television interviewer in November that he didn't endorse President Barack Obama's stimulus plan. In fact, he had repeatedly and enthusiastically backed it, including during a highly publicized Florida visit by Obama in the previous February."Charlie Crist has had episodes of 'misspeaking' before".
• Two days after the health care comment, his campaign had to send out another clarification after Crist told a CNN interviewer he favored a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, which he has opposed in the past. The clarification: He was talking about a state ban, which he has supported – even though that ban endangers the right to same-sex civil unions, which Crist says he favors.
• Two days after the health care bill comments, Crist told another television interviewer his campaign will refund contributions from disillusioned Republicans who gave to him before he left the party – contradicting his previously announced decision on the subject.
Rivera and Garcia on the economy
"In the aftermath of the primary elections, District 25 congressional candidates David Rivera and Joe Garcia said the economy and unemployment are the main issues in a race attracting national attention."
Another key issue: a proposed Free Trade Agreement with Colombia that could generate business and jobs in South Florida."Congressional District 25 candidates differ on how to fix economy".
But besides the Colombian issue, the candidates have different ideas about how to improve the economy.
Republican Rivera wants to reduce federal spending and taxes on small businesses, while Garcia, the Democratic candidate, wants to give loans to small businesses and invest in alternative energy.
Both candidates are after the seat left vacant by Republican Mario Diaz-Balart, who represented the district for eight years and is now running unopposed for his brother's old seat in District 21.
RPOFers asleep at the wheel
The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Remember the nation's worst offshore drilling spill? The one that finally ended in July? You might want to remind the Republicans who run Florida's House of Representatives. They decided this week that they don't need to do anything about it until the spring." "Florida can't leave Gulf oil spill relief to Washington".
Slamming public employees
"Imposed salary, pension cuts leads to police union suit against Miami".
Scott surrogates to begin attacks on Sink
"Starting today, national political groups as well as surrogates for Republican nominee Rick Scott will begin pumping millions of dollars into television ads to paint contrasting portraits of Sink's background and policies before voters go to the polls."
Political veterans from both parties say the blitz of negative ads Scott absorbed in his primary make him damaged goods, and he may not have enough time to re-invent himself before the Nov. 2 election."Democrats say they expected the assault, but Scott and Florida Republicans will have to mount an epic financial arms race to overcome the baggage of Scott's business background."
So, the alternative is to pour money into trying to define Sink, a former banking executive, as a liberal ideological disciple of President Barack Obama's health-care and economic-stimulus plans.
Palm Beach County Republican Chairman Sid Dinerstein said Sink's role in the merger between Bank of America and NationsBank that led to thousands of layoffs would be fair game, too.
"It's not like this race is Mother Teresa versus the devil," he said.
This week, Scott called Sink a supporter of "the socialist policies of President Obama."
But Sink suggested Scott must be confusing which race he is running.
"There are a lot of voters that know a lot about the fraud his company committed. They believe he committed fraud. But they know him better than they know Alex, and that's because of the unprecedented amount of money he's spent," Sink pollster Dave Beattie said. "There's a reason he had to spend a record amount of money to barely win his primary.""GOP ads take aim at Sink".
"Scott wanted to privatize all of it"
Aaron Deslatte: "Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott could have to do some explaining about his past this fall, and not just what he knew about the Medicare and Medicaid fraud at his former company, Columbia/HCA."
See, he once wanted to privatize all of it: the government-funded health-care programs that pay for the check-ups, hospital stays and prescriptions for 45 million seniors and millions more poor people."The issue is relevant now because Scott"
Before he was forced out in 1997 as CEO of the company amid the largest Medicare fraud investigation in U.S. history, Scott was a national player in the industry resistance to President Clinton's attempt to impose a national health care program. When Scott was still trying to expand his hospital chain, he told USA Today the state and federally run health insurance programs would be better off in the hands of profit-seeking companies. "Let us make a profit. So what?" he said in 1994.
He also had his eyes on Veterans Administration hospitals.
has said he wants to cut $1.4 billion from the $18-billion Medicaid program without providing any specifics on how, other than continuing a regional experiment launched by former Gov. Jeb Bush to turn over Medicaid patients to HMOs and other health-care networks."Scott once urged privatization of Medicare, Medicaid".
Scott opened the door further last week by calling Democratic opponent Alex Sink "another liberal Obamacrat who wants to raise taxes, cut Medicare, and supports Obama's failed stimulus."
Voucher madness
"Florida does not regulate the more than 2,000 private schools that operate in the state. The schools set their own grading standards and curriculum, run their own finances and issue their own diplomas. That leaves parents dependent on unregulated accrediting agencies that have varying standards." "In Florida, scant oversight of private schools".
They all end up in Florida
"Balloon boy family moves to Florida".
Scott's free ride
"Now that he's mending fences with Florida's Republican establishment, gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott faces a full frontal assault from Democrats."
Democratic Governors Association executive director Nathan Daschle says Scott "represents the worst of American politics" and, in a letter this week, the DGA chief called on Republican Governors Association chairman Haley Barbour to stop campaigning for Scott."National Parties Raise Stakes on Scott-Sink Race".
Barbour, the governor of Mississippi, has participated in post-primary unity events around Florida and was scheduled to speak at the state party's meeting in Orlando Friday night.
Daschle sent copies of his letter to former Gov. Jeb Bush, RPOF Chairman John Thrasher and presidential aspirants Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney.
The RGA this week pitched in $2 million to the Republican governor's race to bolster the state party's sagging coffers. The association previously plunked down $2 million to fund ads against Democratic nominee Alex Sink.
Firing back, the DGA funneled $1 million into its party's gubernatorial race. That's on top of a $1 million check the DGA sent in July, said DGA spokeswoman Emily Bittner.
'Glades
"The cash-strapped South Florida Water Management District has 10 years to build at least 42,000 acres of treatment areas so that water flowing into the Everglades meets federal standards." "Under judge's order, EPA proposes rules for Everglades water cleansing".
"A five-second check"
"A Florida bill would require all employers to use a federal website to run a five-second check on the immigration status of new workers." "Federal website aims to crackdown on illegal hires".
From the "Crystal Ball"
Sabato calls the Florida Gubernatorial race a "toss-up" "Sixty Days to Go".
Chamberlin out
Lucy Morgan: "It’s a departure that has much more significance than a mere change in governors. Jill Chamberlin is retiring as director of communications for the Florida House, taking her practical advice and deep knowledge of government and its people with her." "Little known, but with a big impact".
Rubio cancels debate with Meek
"Marco Rubio postponed Sunday's nationally televised U.S. Senate debate with Kendrick Meek to be with his ailing father." "Marco Rubio's father's health deteriorates; 'Meet the Press' debate postponed". See also "Sunday's live televised debate between Rubio and Meek on 'Meet The Press' scrubbed" and "NBC cancels Sunday's Rubio-Meek debate".
"Florida is little more than shifting sand"
Steve Otto: "Remember Charlie Crist? Yeah, the guy who used to be the governor of Florida before deciding to ride off on his half-donkey, half-Republican beast to tilt the windmills of the United States Senate."
A lot of people wondered just where Crist was going to get the money to finance his senatorial campaign once he abandoned his Republican Party base. Kendrick Meek has demonstrated he is a viable candidate for the Democrats and Marco Rubio is on a roll for the Republicans."Spicing up the Senate campaign".
On Wednesday, we learned Crist will get a financial boost on Oct. 7 when millionaire Marc Bell hosts a fundraiser at his Boca Raton place.
Bell is involved in many businesses but naturally the one drawing attention is his role as CEO of Penthouse magazine, as well as an adult meeting service.
That wouldn't be such a big deal considering the level and character of Florida politics. A little sex in a dying campaign can't hurt.
The problem: a Palm Beach Post article recalled the election of 2006. In that Republican primary, it was Tom Gallagher who accepted a $3,000 donation from Bell and was criticized by the Crist campaign. Gallagher later returned the donation.
Maybe there's a reason Florida is little more than shifting sand. It seems to fit those who would represent it.
Is Bondi stable?
"Before she became the Republican nominee for Florida attorney general, Pam Bondi was a familiar face as a legal analyst on CNN and the Fox News Channel."
But Bondi may be best known for a custody battle over a St. Bernard."Dog battle leaves hard feelings".
Her 16-month fight with the Louisiana family that lost the dog after Hurricane Katrina played out on CNN, Fox News and the pages of People magazine. Then a Hillsborough prosecutor, she accused the family of neglecting the dog. Steve and Dorreen Couture and their two grandchildren wanted their dog back and resented Bondi for keeping him.
Both sides settled the case just before it went to trial. The terms were confidential, but reports at the time said Bondi offered to provide the St. Bernard with food and medication for life and to visit occasionally. The Coutures said they would keep in touch and send photos.
It seemed like an amicable ending. But three years later, the Coutures have little good to say about their former foe. Moreover, they say, she never kept her promise.
What's wrong with Hillsborough?
The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Jim Norman wants to rise higher in public life this year by moving from the Hillsborough County Commission to the state Senate. Yet he refuses to answer how his wife managed to buy a second home with $435,000 in cash. The FBI is reportedly investigating. The only one not working to clear the air is the commissioner and future senator." "The $435,000 question".
Good question
"Crist late Friday ordered a review of a French company competing to build a high-speed rail line in Florida, saying he was concerned about questions over the company's role in the Holocaust." "Gov. Crist asks for review of French rail company, citing 'Holocaust' concerns".
"Anyone But Rubio"
"Remember the saying 'Anyone But Bush' among Democrats in 2004 who feared a second term by George W. Bush?"
Florida Democrats are slinging a variation on the slogan for 2010: "Anyone But Rubio.''"Many Democrats more anti-Rubio than pro-anyone".
To liberal voters, Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio is a right-winging, tea-partying, oil-drilling, stimulus-hating, Obamacare-shunning, taxes-on-the-rich-cutting nightmare. And these Democrats are determined to stop him from winning on Nov. 2 by any means necessary, even if that means bailing on their own party's nominee, Kendrick Meek.
A vote for Meek is a vote for Rubio, the thinking goes, because Meek can't win. He's a lackluster Miami congressman lacking money, profile and oomph.
The strategic choice, the thinking continues, is Gov. Charlie Crist. The Republican-turned-independent has nearly twice as much money as Rubio and a statewide platform, not to mention that he knows how to campaign like the dickens.
Scott gets lobbyist love
"Republican Rick Scott did some political barnstorming through the state capital Friday -- holding a series of closed-door meetings with groups of lobbyists and association officials."
"I think he hit all the right buttons,'' said Associated Industries of Florida President Barney Bishop, who hosted a Scott breakfast meeting that drew about three-dozen people, including representatives of the oil, health care, broadcasting and outdoor advertising industries."Republican foes, lobbyists now flock to Scott".
Charlie Misspeak
"When a television interviewer asked Gov. Charlie Crist about the national health care reform bill last week, Crist responded quickly, 'I would have voted for it, but I think it can be done better.' He went on to elaborate fluently on what was right and wrong with the bill, what he would have fixed before supporting it. There was only one problem. For months, starting the day the bill passed, Crist had repeatedly said he opposed it and would repeal it, and had backed a state lawsuit to overturn it."
"Misspeaking -- saying one thing when you actually think or mean another -- can happen to anyone, even a practiced public speaker and political figure. But with Crist, it seems to happen often:"
• In the best-known example, Crist told a television interviewer in November that he didn't endorse President Barack Obama's stimulus plan. In fact, he had repeatedly and enthusiastically backed it, including during a highly publicized Florida visit by Obama in the previous February."Charlie Crist has had episodes of 'misspeaking' before".
• Two days after the health care comment, his campaign had to send out another clarification after Crist told a CNN interviewer he favored a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, which he has opposed in the past. The clarification: He was talking about a state ban, which he has supported – even though that ban endangers the right to same-sex civil unions, which Crist says he favors.
• Two days after the health care bill comments, Crist told another television interviewer his campaign will refund contributions from disillusioned Republicans who gave to him before he left the party – contradicting his previously announced decision on the subject.
Rivera and Garcia on the economy
"In the aftermath of the primary elections, District 25 congressional candidates David Rivera and Joe Garcia said the economy and unemployment are the main issues in a race attracting national attention."
Another key issue: a proposed Free Trade Agreement with Colombia that could generate business and jobs in South Florida."Congressional District 25 candidates differ on how to fix economy".
But besides the Colombian issue, the candidates have different ideas about how to improve the economy.
Republican Rivera wants to reduce federal spending and taxes on small businesses, while Garcia, the Democratic candidate, wants to give loans to small businesses and invest in alternative energy.
Both candidates are after the seat left vacant by Republican Mario Diaz-Balart, who represented the district for eight years and is now running unopposed for his brother's old seat in District 21.
RPOFers asleep at the wheel
The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "Remember the nation's worst offshore drilling spill? The one that finally ended in July? You might want to remind the Republicans who run Florida's House of Representatives. They decided this week that they don't need to do anything about it until the spring." "Florida can't leave Gulf oil spill relief to Washington".
Slamming public employees
"Imposed salary, pension cuts leads to police union suit against Miami".
Scott surrogates to begin attacks on Sink
"Starting today, national political groups as well as surrogates for Republican nominee Rick Scott will begin pumping millions of dollars into television ads to paint contrasting portraits of Sink's background and policies before voters go to the polls."
Political veterans from both parties say the blitz of negative ads Scott absorbed in his primary make him damaged goods, and he may not have enough time to re-invent himself before the Nov. 2 election."Democrats say they expected the assault, but Scott and Florida Republicans will have to mount an epic financial arms race to overcome the baggage of Scott's business background."
So, the alternative is to pour money into trying to define Sink, a former banking executive, as a liberal ideological disciple of President Barack Obama's health-care and economic-stimulus plans.
Palm Beach County Republican Chairman Sid Dinerstein said Sink's role in the merger between Bank of America and NationsBank that led to thousands of layoffs would be fair game, too.
"It's not like this race is Mother Teresa versus the devil," he said.
This week, Scott called Sink a supporter of "the socialist policies of President Obama."
But Sink suggested Scott must be confusing which race he is running.
"There are a lot of voters that know a lot about the fraud his company committed. They believe he committed fraud. But they know him better than they know Alex, and that's because of the unprecedented amount of money he's spent," Sink pollster Dave Beattie said. "There's a reason he had to spend a record amount of money to barely win his primary.""GOP ads take aim at Sink".
"Scott wanted to privatize all of it"
Aaron Deslatte: "Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott could have to do some explaining about his past this fall, and not just what he knew about the Medicare and Medicaid fraud at his former company, Columbia/HCA."
See, he once wanted to privatize all of it: the government-funded health-care programs that pay for the check-ups, hospital stays and prescriptions for 45 million seniors and millions more poor people."The issue is relevant now because Scott"
Before he was forced out in 1997 as CEO of the company amid the largest Medicare fraud investigation in U.S. history, Scott was a national player in the industry resistance to President Clinton's attempt to impose a national health care program. When Scott was still trying to expand his hospital chain, he told USA Today the state and federally run health insurance programs would be better off in the hands of profit-seeking companies. "Let us make a profit. So what?" he said in 1994.
He also had his eyes on Veterans Administration hospitals.
has said he wants to cut $1.4 billion from the $18-billion Medicaid program without providing any specifics on how, other than continuing a regional experiment launched by former Gov. Jeb Bush to turn over Medicaid patients to HMOs and other health-care networks."Scott once urged privatization of Medicare, Medicaid".
Scott opened the door further last week by calling Democratic opponent Alex Sink "another liberal Obamacrat who wants to raise taxes, cut Medicare, and supports Obama's failed stimulus."
Voucher madness
"Florida does not regulate the more than 2,000 private schools that operate in the state. The schools set their own grading standards and curriculum, run their own finances and issue their own diplomas. That leaves parents dependent on unregulated accrediting agencies that have varying standards." "In Florida, scant oversight of private schools".
They all end up in Florida
"Balloon boy family moves to Florida".
Scott's free ride
"Now that he's mending fences with Florida's Republican establishment, gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott faces a full frontal assault from Democrats."
Democratic Governors Association executive director Nathan Daschle says Scott "represents the worst of American politics" and, in a letter this week, the DGA chief called on Republican Governors Association chairman Haley Barbour to stop campaigning for Scott."National Parties Raise Stakes on Scott-Sink Race".
Barbour, the governor of Mississippi, has participated in post-primary unity events around Florida and was scheduled to speak at the state party's meeting in Orlando Friday night.
Daschle sent copies of his letter to former Gov. Jeb Bush, RPOF Chairman John Thrasher and presidential aspirants Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney.
The RGA this week pitched in $2 million to the Republican governor's race to bolster the state party's sagging coffers. The association previously plunked down $2 million to fund ads against Democratic nominee Alex Sink.
Firing back, the DGA funneled $1 million into its party's gubernatorial race. That's on top of a $1 million check the DGA sent in July, said DGA spokeswoman Emily Bittner.
'Glades
"The cash-strapped South Florida Water Management District has 10 years to build at least 42,000 acres of treatment areas so that water flowing into the Everglades meets federal standards." "Under judge's order, EPA proposes rules for Everglades water cleansing".
"A five-second check"
"A Florida bill would require all employers to use a federal website to run a five-second check on the immigration status of new workers." "Federal website aims to crackdown on illegal hires".
From the "Crystal Ball"
Sabato calls the Florida Gubernatorial race a "toss-up" "Sixty Days to Go".
Chamberlin out
Lucy Morgan: "It’s a departure that has much more significance than a mere change in governors. Jill Chamberlin is retiring as director of communications for the Florida House, taking her practical advice and deep knowledge of government and its people with her." "Little known, but with a big impact".
Rubio cancels debate with Meek
"Marco Rubio postponed Sunday's nationally televised U.S. Senate debate with Kendrick Meek to be with his ailing father." "Marco Rubio's father's health deteriorates; 'Meet the Press' debate postponed". See also "Sunday's live televised debate between Rubio and Meek on 'Meet The Press' scrubbed" and "NBC cancels Sunday's Rubio-Meek debate".
"Florida is little more than shifting sand"
Steve Otto: "Remember Charlie Crist? Yeah, the guy who used to be the governor of Florida before deciding to ride off on his half-donkey, half-Republican beast to tilt the windmills of the United States Senate."
A lot of people wondered just where Crist was going to get the money to finance his senatorial campaign once he abandoned his Republican Party base. Kendrick Meek has demonstrated he is a viable candidate for the Democrats and Marco Rubio is on a roll for the Republicans."Spicing up the Senate campaign".
On Wednesday, we learned Crist will get a financial boost on Oct. 7 when millionaire Marc Bell hosts a fundraiser at his Boca Raton place.
Bell is involved in many businesses but naturally the one drawing attention is his role as CEO of Penthouse magazine, as well as an adult meeting service.
That wouldn't be such a big deal considering the level and character of Florida politics. A little sex in a dying campaign can't hurt.
The problem: a Palm Beach Post article recalled the election of 2006. In that Republican primary, it was Tom Gallagher who accepted a $3,000 donation from Bell and was criticized by the Crist campaign. Gallagher later returned the donation.
Maybe there's a reason Florida is little more than shifting sand. It seems to fit those who would represent it.
Is Bondi stable?
"Before she became the Republican nominee for Florida attorney general, Pam Bondi was a familiar face as a legal analyst on CNN and the Fox News Channel."
But Bondi may be best known for a custody battle over a St. Bernard."Dog battle leaves hard feelings".
Her 16-month fight with the Louisiana family that lost the dog after Hurricane Katrina played out on CNN, Fox News and the pages of People magazine. Then a Hillsborough prosecutor, she accused the family of neglecting the dog. Steve and Dorreen Couture and their two grandchildren wanted their dog back and resented Bondi for keeping him.
Both sides settled the case just before it went to trial. The terms were confidential, but reports at the time said Bondi offered to provide the St. Bernard with food and medication for life and to visit occasionally. The Coutures said they would keep in touch and send photos.
It seemed like an amicable ending. But three years later, the Coutures have little good to say about their former foe. Moreover, they say, she never kept her promise.
What's wrong with Hillsborough?
The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Jim Norman wants to rise higher in public life this year by moving from the Hillsborough County Commission to the state Senate. Yet he refuses to answer how his wife managed to buy a second home with $435,000 in cash. The FBI is reportedly investigating. The only one not working to clear the air is the commissioner and future senator." "The $435,000 question".
Good question
"Crist late Friday ordered a review of a French company competing to build a high-speed rail line in Florida, saying he was concerned about questions over the company's role in the Holocaust." "Gov. Crist asks for review of French rail company, citing 'Holocaust' concerns".
People are angry in a way that I have never seen them before.
— Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), (a guy who knows "angry"), quoted by Politico, predicting a "tsunami" in the midterm elections.
According to polls, Americans are in a mood to hold their breath until they turn blue. Voters appear to be so fed up with the Democrats that they're ready to toss them out in favor of the Republicans -- for whom, according to those same polls, the nation has even greater contempt. This isn't an "electoral wave," it's a temper tantrum.I was going to say that Mr. Robinson's rant doesn't apply to all Americans, but then when you think about it, the ones who are not angry about how life has mistreated them in some fashion or another -- the grown-ups -- are not doing the country any favors by keeping quiet. We're getting to the point where we are letting the wingnuts frame the debate, and it's time to stand up and call them out on their blatant ignorance masquerading as "common sense."
It's bad enough that the Democratic Party's "favorable" rating has fallen to an abysmal 33 percent, according to a recent NBC-Wall Street Journal poll. It's worse that the Republican Party's favorability has plunged to just 24 percent. But incredibly, according to Gallup, registered voters say they intend to vote for Republicans over Democrats by an astounding 10-point margin. Respected analysts reckon that the GOP has a chance of gaining 45 to 60 seats in the House, which would bring Minority Leader John Boehner into the speaker's office.
My guess is that with a decided advantage in campaign funds, along with the other advantages of incumbency, Democrats will be able to mitigate these prospective losses -- perhaps even relieving Nancy Pelosi of the hassles of moving. But there's no mistaking the public mood, and the truth is that it makes no sense.
In the punditry business, it's considered bad form to question the essential wisdom of the American people. But at this point, it's impossible to ignore the obvious: The American people are acting like a bunch of spoiled brats.
Mel Brooks put it another way:
You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons.
Winters in northwestern lower Michigan are not for the faint of heart; they get a lot of snow there thanks to the lake effect. By December my 4x4 Jeep Wagoneer was coming in very handy, and we recorded measurable snowfall every day between Christmas and Valentine's Day. Getting to the radio station first thing every morning to do the morning news often meant being the first person to drive on a snow-covered road. But the roads were well-marked -- beanpoles every hundred yards or so marked the edge of the road, so I was not inadvertently taking off-road trips on the way to work.
By spring, however, it was pretty clear that the station was losing money. Aside from a small-town base to find advertisers, the economy of 1979 was still lagging. And there wasn't that much local news to cover; not that much happens in a small rural county. (My one big story was that in April I was invited to Washington to participate in an out-of-town news editors conference at the White House. I sat in the Cabinet Room, asked President Carter a question about ethanol, and got to interview Alfred Kahn, the White House inflation czar.) I made some friends and through one of them was asked to help with a high school production of The Music Man, and I was also included in the local Episcopal church even though the priest knew that I was a Quaker. But by June the fire had gone out of my interest in covering the news -- not helped by having to cover a traffic accident that killed two acquaintances -- and I started looking for a teaching job. The radio station laid me off when they couldn't pay me any more, and once again I moved back to my parents' place in Ohio.
I spent that July looking at schools in New England, staying with friends and relatives in Boston (and was there for the Arthur Fiedler memorial concert on the Esplanade) and New York. I came up dry, and by August was down to my last couple of school interviews. I happened to be in Chicago when a call came through from a private school in southern Indiana. An overnight trip and an interview was arranged, and out of the blue I had the job teaching middle-school English. By Labor Day I was settled into a little furnished apartment, finally doing what I thought was my life's work.
Photo by David Nicholson.
The jobs report was not all bad news; there's some growth out there in the private sector.
What a surprise: Rick Scott sucks up to the lobbyists in Tallahassee.
Citing family needs, Marco Rubio cancels his debate with Kendrick Meek on Meet the Press.
Fidel Castro is still not dead; he gave a speech at the University of Havana.
Give her props for persistence and stay out of her way.
Tropical Update: Earl is now a tropical storm heading for the Canadian Maritimes; Fiona fizzled to a tropical depression, and Gaston is gone.
The Tigers won in K.C.
Fri 03 September, 2010
Palm Bay Buzz