10/31/2004
Is that your final choice?
The last recommendations are running today's newspapers. I had been looking forward to the Times-Union's Bush recommendation and its Martinez recommendation but now I'm disappointed. I had expected a full-throated, hyperventilating war-cry, that this is a fight between Good and Evil in which Christianity, the Free Market Economy, the Sanctity of Marriage and the American Way are all at stake. Instead, its tone seems oddly defensive. The worst it can muster against Kerry is that he's "tax-and-spend liberal politician" -- imagine, a politician running for president! -- and he hasn't answered the Swiftboat attack ads. Rather thin gruel.
He may not be smart or able to explain why he does what he does, but he's all right by us.
Likewise, the Martinez editorial seems oddly pro forma. After trying to tie Castor to that wild-and-CER-azzee Howard Howard Dean, it relies on the argument that only a Republican can get Jacksonville the money it needs from the feds for the next round of city projects. Pretty parochial even by T-U standards.
The News-Press also recommends Martinez. Where most papers at least attempted to disapprove of Martinez's relentlessly negative campaign, the News-Press assures us this is OK because everyone else is doing it:
It assures us, that if we knew him, we'd understand "he's a bigger man than that." He just is. Take our word.
Integrity tops intellect and steadfast courage trumps falsified bravery. Bush may not be able to articulate his vision as well as Ronald Reagan, but his deeds surpass his words, which is why we strongly recommend him for another term as president.
He may not be smart or able to explain why he does what he does, but he's all right by us.
Likewise, the Martinez editorial seems oddly pro forma. After trying to tie Castor to that wild-and-CER-azzee Howard Howard Dean, it relies on the argument that only a Republican can get Jacksonville the money it needs from the feds for the next round of city projects. Pretty parochial even by T-U standards.
The News-Press also recommends Martinez. Where most papers at least attempted to disapprove of Martinez's relentlessly negative campaign, the News-Press assures us this is OK because everyone else is doing it:
Martinez has been criticized for playing dirty in his primary battle and in his general election campaign against Castor. To some extent, he did go overboard, but that's the way of the political world these days.
It assures us, that if we knew him, we'd understand "he's a bigger man than that." He just is. Take our word.
Last-minute polling
A Mason-Dixon poll done for the Orlando Sentinel and WESH-TV sees Bush ahead 49-45 among likely voters. Nader is lumped with undecideds for 1 percent. Margin of error 3.5 percent.
10/30/2004
Kerry ahead in Florida?
Like the NY Times Regional Papers poll yesterday, today's Palm Beach Post/Reuters/Zogby International poll says Kerry's slightly ahead in n Florida -- 47-45. Margin of error: 4.
(Via Fla. Politics.)
(Via Fla. Politics.)
10/29/2004
New numbers
Strategic Vision's new Florida poll (which should be posted here soon) sees a one-point gain for Bush and puts him ahead 50-46-1. Margin o' error: 3 percent.
Martinez leads Castor 49/46, with 5 percent undecided.
This virtual tie in the presidential race seems more likely and more consistent with other polls than the 8-point Bush lead picked up by the recent LA Times poll.
A New York Times Regional Newspapers poll sees Kerry ahead 48.3-46.7-1.5. Margin o' error 3. Likely voters. It says Kerry is ahead in the I-4 corridor, the swing region in this swing state. (Thanks to Interstate4jamming.)
Meanwhile: the Sentinel/WESH poll reports Martinez/Castor are in a dead heat -- Martinez: 46.7; Castor: 46.4. Margin o' error: 4 percent.
Martinez leads Castor 49/46, with 5 percent undecided.
This virtual tie in the presidential race seems more likely and more consistent with other polls than the 8-point Bush lead picked up by the recent LA Times poll.
A New York Times Regional Newspapers poll sees Kerry ahead 48.3-46.7-1.5. Margin o' error 3. Likely voters. It says Kerry is ahead in the I-4 corridor, the swing region in this swing state. (Thanks to Interstate4jamming.)
Meanwhile: the Sentinel/WESH poll reports Martinez/Castor are in a dead heat -- Martinez: 46.7; Castor: 46.4. Margin o' error: 4 percent.
Felons list redux
Now this is a puzzling story -- The Fla. GOP charges that felons already are voting. You'd think that the party guys would consider drawing more attention to the felons list fiasco to be A Bad Thing.
Sure enough: Reporters for the St. Petersburg Times quickly found two Tampa Bay area individuals on the GOP list who say they have had their voting rights restored.
The Herald's version -- The GOP found the allegedly illegal voters by using the same flawed list of felons that had been drawn up by the state elections division, but was scrapped after news organizations exposed its inaccuracies.
Yup, it appears this GOP felons list is the very same one the Division of Elections had to throw out because it was riddled with errors and strangely selective. The same one Gov. Jeb tried to use even though he was warned it was inaccurate.
Sure enough: Reporters for the St. Petersburg Times quickly found two Tampa Bay area individuals on the GOP list who say they have had their voting rights restored.
The Herald's version -- The GOP found the allegedly illegal voters by using the same flawed list of felons that had been drawn up by the state elections division, but was scrapped after news organizations exposed its inaccuracies.
Yup, it appears this GOP felons list is the very same one the Division of Elections had to throw out because it was riddled with errors and strangely selective. The same one Gov. Jeb tried to use even though he was warned it was inaccurate.
10/28/2004
Even more polls
The U of Q has a new poll out for Florida. It gives Bush the edge, 49-46, with 1 percent for Nader, and 4 percent undecided. Last poll had them 48-47-1. (2.8 percent margin o' error, 3.2 among likely voters.)
This result is among likely voters and includes people who are merely leaning one way or another but haven't made up their minds completely. Among registered voters who made up their minds, it's a tie: 44-44-1.
Interesting number: Among the 16 percent of Florida voters who say they already have cast ballots, Kerry is ahead 56 - 39 percent.
The Senate race has Martinez ahead 49-46. Last week it was 47-47. Without leaners, it's 44-44.
The LA Times poll gives Bush a 8-point margin -- 51-43-2. A dramatic change at variance with all other polls except last week's Gallup Poll.
This result is among likely voters and includes people who are merely leaning one way or another but haven't made up their minds completely. Among registered voters who made up their minds, it's a tie: 44-44-1.
Interesting number: Among the 16 percent of Florida voters who say they already have cast ballots, Kerry is ahead 56 - 39 percent.
The Senate race has Martinez ahead 49-46. Last week it was 47-47. Without leaners, it's 44-44.
The LA Times poll gives Bush a 8-point margin -- 51-43-2. A dramatic change at variance with all other polls except last week's Gallup Poll.
More Senate recommendations
+ The Tallahassee Democrat recommends Betty Castor:
+ The Ocala-Star-Banner recommends Betty Castor:
+ The Stuart News recommends Betty Castor. (I can't tell you why. Their their registration sign-up doesn't seem to work.)
Castor is 12-2 among the Florida dailies I've read.
Against Ms. Castor's long experience in public service and her working with both parties to get things done, Mr. Martinez's record pales. He's the candidate who will do whatever the administration asks, no questions asked. That's not leadership.
Today's world is too dangerous and too complex for unwavering loyalty to either party. It is a world that requires searching and skepticism and, then, decisiveness. Ms. Castor is the easy choice for thoughtful, responsible representation of all Floridians in the U.S. Senate.
+ The Ocala-Star-Banner recommends Betty Castor:
The once-moderate Martinez, sadly, has become a partisan mouthpiece who focused too much on attacking opponents and too little on attacking Castor and too little on conveying a strong moderate message.
More important to Florida's voters, his limited resume and public service experience simply doesn't measure up to Castor's.
+ The Stuart News recommends Betty Castor. (I can't tell you why. Their their registration sign-up doesn't seem to work.)
Castor is 12-2 among the Florida dailies I've read.
10/27/2004
MyPollingPlace.com
I tried out People for the AmericanWay's My Polling Place site and found that it got my precinct right and it was right about the voting equipment to be found there (the trusty AccuVote ES-2000 optical scan, none of this touch-screen foolishness here). The map, though, wasn't even close.
TNR on the Castor campaign
The New Republic has a good Betty Castor piece. Talks of the importance of the Tampa Bay area on the election generally and notes her campaign efforts in north Florida.
10/26/2004
More polls: ties and confusion
In my earlier polling roundup I missed the Strategic Vision Florida poll. That gives a slight edge to Bush-- 49-47-1, MoE: 3. What's amazing is how little the numbers have budged since mid-July when Bush was ahead 47-45-1.
The SV folks put the Senate race at Martinez 48, Castor 45.
Strange, though, Gallup gives Bush a big lead in Florida -- 51-42-1. This is quite different from every other Florida poll in past couple weeks, and it has some folks scratching their heads. (Thanks to back-in-business Florida Politics.) The Left Coaster has long been complaining at the way Gallup oversamples Republican registered voters.
Meanwhile, Survey USA says Bush is ahead two points: 50-48. (Nader lumped with the 2 percent "others/undecided." ) MoE: 3.7. It also says Castor is ahead 50-47.
The SV folks put the Senate race at Martinez 48, Castor 45.
Strange, though, Gallup gives Bush a big lead in Florida -- 51-42-1. This is quite different from every other Florida poll in past couple weeks, and it has some folks scratching their heads. (Thanks to back-in-business Florida Politics.) The Left Coaster has long been complaining at the way Gallup oversamples Republican registered voters.
Meanwhile, Survey USA says Bush is ahead two points: 50-48. (Nader lumped with the 2 percent "others/undecided." ) MoE: 3.7. It also says Castor is ahead 50-47.
10/25/2004
Florida Politics
Talkin' back to the Times
Jax-area blogger and ubergeek Rogers Cadenhead had a letter in the Sunday NY Times and expands upon it in his blog. He's right: pros blow-off hate mail.
More polls/ more ties
The Rasmussen tracking poll sees Florida tied in the presidential race. 48-48-1. Margin o' error: 4.
But Bush looks better in the Zogby poll, which puts him ahead 49-46-1.6. Margin o' error 4.1.
And the Senate race? St. Pete Times/Miami Herald poll has it tied among likely voters -- 44-44. Margin o' error: 3.5. Zogby says Martinez 47-44. Margin o' error: 4.1.
But Bush looks better in the Zogby poll, which puts him ahead 49-46-1.6. Margin o' error 4.1.
And the Senate race? St. Pete Times/Miami Herald poll has it tied among likely voters -- 44-44. Margin o' error: 3.5. Zogby says Martinez 47-44. Margin o' error: 4.1.
10/24/2004
Another poll, another tie
St. Pete Times-Miami Herald poll says the presidential race in Florida is tied -- 46-46-1.
10/23/2004
Surprise recommendation
Looks like I owe somebody lunch. The reliably Republican Orlando Sentinel recommends John Kerry. The paper's first endorsement of a Democrat for president since 1964. First the Tampa Trib's refusal to endorse anybody, now this.
+ Ocala Star-Banner -- Bush. Bush's steadfast and determined leadership has been his most defining contribution to the most defining issue of our time: national security. This is not a time to take a chance on an untested and poorly defined vision.
+ Sarasota Herald-Trib -- Kerry. (2000 Recommendation: Gore) We believe that President Bush, on these and many other issues, is outside the mainstream of American politics -- and out of step with most of the voters of Southwest Florida, both Republican and Democratic.
+ Winter Haven News-Chief -- Bush. But what an endorsement: We recommend the George Bush/Dick Cheney ticket, but we do so with the weakest of enthusiasm, for they have not served this country well. We trust that any survey of recommendations will list ours as the most reluctant.
Four years ago, the Orlando Sentinel endorsed Republican George W. Bush for president based on our trust in him to unite America. We expected him to forge bipartisan solutions to problems while keeping this nation secure and fiscally sound.Meanwhile:
This president has utterly failed to fulfill our expectations. We turn now to his Democratic challenger, Sen. John Kerry, with the belief that he is more likely to meet the hopes we once held for Mr. Bush.
+ Ocala Star-Banner -- Bush. Bush's steadfast and determined leadership has been his most defining contribution to the most defining issue of our time: national security. This is not a time to take a chance on an untested and poorly defined vision.
+ Sarasota Herald-Trib -- Kerry. (2000 Recommendation: Gore) We believe that President Bush, on these and many other issues, is outside the mainstream of American politics -- and out of step with most of the voters of Southwest Florida, both Republican and Democratic.
+ Winter Haven News-Chief -- Bush. But what an endorsement: We recommend the George Bush/Dick Cheney ticket, but we do so with the weakest of enthusiasm, for they have not served this country well. We trust that any survey of recommendations will list ours as the most reluctant.
Harris not recommended
The Sarasota Herald recommends Katherine Harris' opponent, Jan Schneider.
The paper recommended Harris two years ago but found: the higher Harris has climbed in politics, the farther she has veered toward the right wing of the Republican Party -- and away from the moderate values of her constituents.
It concludes: She's lost touch with the voters of the 13th District. It's time for those voters to bring her back to earth.
The paper recommended Harris two years ago but found: the higher Harris has climbed in politics, the farther she has veered toward the right wing of the Republican Party -- and away from the moderate values of her constituents.
It concludes: She's lost touch with the voters of the 13th District. It's time for those voters to bring her back to earth.
10/22/2004
Another presidential rec
The Lakeland Ledger recommends George Bush.
The Ledger also recommended W. in 2000. Why? Well, in part because:
Yup, they liked him because he is consensus-builder and he would not send troops abroad.
Can't use those arguments anymore.
Do Bush's errors on Iraq and his divisive domestic policy matter? Yes, greatly.
Are they pertinent? No, not for this election.
The reason: President Bush has a single-minded focus on seeing freedom defeat terrorism. To support this difficult-but-vital task, Bush is determined that the people and businesses of our nation be sufficiently free from taxation and regulation. And he will see Iraq through to democracy and subsequent peace.
The Ledger also recommended W. in 2000. Why? Well, in part because:
Bush has indicated he would be much more wary of deploying American troops to international hot spots than Gore, especially if vital American interests weren't at stake. This is not an isolationist view, only a realistic appraisal of the limits of power.
Yup, they liked him because he is consensus-builder and he would not send troops abroad.
Can't use those arguments anymore.
10/21/2004
I voted
I tried out Volusia County's early voting setup and had no problems. It took just under 10 minutes in a room set up in a public library. Lots of people but everything moved quickly. The clerk even explained filling out the ballot and reminded me that there are things printed on both sides, something nobody had ever done in past elections. The counter on the tabulating machine -- these were optical scan ballots -- was up to 3,000.
How did I vote on the Amendments? "No" on everything except the minimum wage.
Here's a 62-word editorial on all 8 amendments:
The parental choice amendment means rightwing judges make childbirth decisions for abuse victims. A plague on all your houses, doctors, lawyers and chambers of commerce. Slot-machines won't bring new money for schools and everybody knows it. When voters approve an amendment, politicians should respect the decision. I'll vote to limit amendments after we reform legislative redistricting, not before. Pay a living wage.
The rest:
John Kerry, president
Betty Castor, senator
Dana Rasch, Fla. representative
Pat Northey, Volusia elections supervisor
Tom Mott, public defender
Andy Kelly, soil & water conservation dist. board member
... and "yes" to retain all judges, even the Republicans.
How did I vote on the Amendments? "No" on everything except the minimum wage.
Here's a 62-word editorial on all 8 amendments:
The parental choice amendment means rightwing judges make childbirth decisions for abuse victims. A plague on all your houses, doctors, lawyers and chambers of commerce. Slot-machines won't bring new money for schools and everybody knows it. When voters approve an amendment, politicians should respect the decision. I'll vote to limit amendments after we reform legislative redistricting, not before. Pay a living wage.
The rest:
John Kerry, president
Betty Castor, senator
Dana Rasch, Fla. representative
Pat Northey, Volusia elections supervisor
Tom Mott, public defender
Andy Kelly, soil & water conservation dist. board member
... and "yes" to retain all judges, even the Republicans.
Too close to say
The U of Q has new polling numbers and guess what? The presidential race in Florida is tied. The US Senate race, too.
Still, Kerry seems to have more momentum having almost closed a seven-point gap among likely voters. Now: Bush 48, Kerry 47, Nader 1, Margin o' error 3.5. Back in Oct. 7: 51-44-less-than-1.
In the Senate race, the debate seems to have had no discernible effect and the negative ads have merely canceled each other out.
Now: Castor 47/Martinez 47
Oct. 7: Castor 47/Martinez 48
Still, Kerry seems to have more momentum having almost closed a seven-point gap among likely voters. Now: Bush 48, Kerry 47, Nader 1, Margin o' error 3.5. Back in Oct. 7: 51-44-less-than-1.
In the Senate race, the debate seems to have had no discernible effect and the negative ads have merely canceled each other out.
Now: Castor 47/Martinez 47
Oct. 7: Castor 47/Martinez 48
Denial over felons list
Sarasota Herald-Trib columnist Tom Lyons wonders why is Jeb irked with the H-T but not with his bumbling Division of Elections? And why is he denying any meeting with a man the newspaper never said he met?
Why indeed. You might remember the story last week about how Jeb was warned about problems with the felons list but said to use the list anyway. Specifically, the story uncovered this e-mail (PDF). The governor's response seems only to confirm the story.
Why indeed. You might remember the story last week about how Jeb was warned about problems with the felons list but said to use the list anyway. Specifically, the story uncovered this e-mail (PDF). The governor's response seems only to confirm the story.
Another Senate rec
No surprise here: My own beloved Daytona Beach News-Journal recommends Betty Castor. Still, among the major dailies in Florida, Castor is 9-1, with none but The Orlando Sentinel recommending Mel Martinez, and yeah, that's his hometown paper.
[Oops, I forgot Napels Daily News which endorsed Martinez because he has "the ability to get things done." (RR.) So make that 9-2.]
[Oops, I forgot Napels Daily News which endorsed Martinez because he has "the ability to get things done." (RR.) So make that 9-2.]
10/20/2004
Brown-Waite's oddly defensive campaign
You may remember US Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite from back in 2003 when, as a cynical publicity stunt, she filed a bill to dig up the bodies of American soldiers buried in France and bring their remains to "patriotic soil".
Well, she may have a 7-1 spending advantage, but her's has been a rocky campaign. She has had to explain her support for bringing back the draft. She has ducked a debate with her opponent. She has had to answer for $14,000 in contributions from Tom DeLay. She has had to explain her "accidental" vote for a congressional pay raise.
All and all, she's seems to be playing defense even though she's supposed to be a shoo-in against an unknown political newcomer.
Recommendations:
+ Orlando Sentinel -- Whittel. Ms. Brown-Waite has been a disappointment in office.
+ St. Pete Times -- Brown-Waite. With the hope that Brown-Waite will rediscover her moderate beginnings and re-evaluate her support of the Bush administration's policies, we recommend the incumbent.
+ Tampa Tribune -- Brown-Waite. (Brown-Waite) has done a good job. Among other accomplishments, she worked to significantly reduce waiting times at veterans health clinics.
+ Lakeland Ledger -- Brown-Waite. (Whittel) switched to the Democratic Party shortly before filing to run. He said he did so because the district is evenly divided, he has mainstream values, and he wants to work in bipartisan fashion. Voters can find that in Brown-Waite. While she has a weak record in support of environmental issues . . . Brown-Waite doesn't always vote the way the party would like.
Well, she may have a 7-1 spending advantage, but her's has been a rocky campaign. She has had to explain her support for bringing back the draft. She has ducked a debate with her opponent. She has had to answer for $14,000 in contributions from Tom DeLay. She has had to explain her "accidental" vote for a congressional pay raise.
All and all, she's seems to be playing defense even though she's supposed to be a shoo-in against an unknown political newcomer.
Recommendations:
+ Orlando Sentinel -- Whittel. Ms. Brown-Waite has been a disappointment in office.
+ St. Pete Times -- Brown-Waite. With the hope that Brown-Waite will rediscover her moderate beginnings and re-evaluate her support of the Bush administration's policies, we recommend the incumbent.
+ Tampa Tribune -- Brown-Waite. (Brown-Waite) has done a good job. Among other accomplishments, she worked to significantly reduce waiting times at veterans health clinics.
+ Lakeland Ledger -- Brown-Waite. (Whittel) switched to the Democratic Party shortly before filing to run. He said he did so because the district is evenly divided, he has mainstream values, and he wants to work in bipartisan fashion. Voters can find that in Brown-Waite. While she has a weak record in support of environmental issues . . . Brown-Waite doesn't always vote the way the party would like.
Weird registration fraud investigated
Florida Democrats in three counties are finding that they've mysteriously changed party registration.
It's happened in Orlando and Gainesville and Tallahassee.
(Gainesville Report blog is tracking this in Alachua County.)
It's happened in Orlando and Gainesville and Tallahassee.
(Gainesville Report blog is tracking this in Alachua County.)
Thank you kindly
10/19/2004
More recommendations
Two more Senate recommendations today:
+ Gainesville Sun -- Castor. We believe that Betty Castor of Tampa, the Democratic nominee, will best carry on Graham's legacy of conscientious service and constructive approach to making federal law and representing Florida's interests in the nation's capital.
+ Florida Today -- Castor. Graham is retiring, thus ending one of the most distinguished careers in the history of Florida politics. Only one of the two candidates running to replace him meets the same standard of reason, intelligence and balance -- Democrat Betty Castor.
Meanwhile, everyone's talking about the Tampa Tribune's surprising decision not to recommend anyone for president. I mean, if you can't count on the Tampa Tribune to endorse the Republican what's this world coming to? The natural order has been disrupted.
Don't fret, boys and girls. The Orlando Sentinel and Fla. Times-Union will set things right. The Sentinel will recommend Bush with minor reservations and the T-U will frame it as an epic moment in the fight between Good and Evil, Darkness and Light, with the unspeakable forces of Mordor summoning John Kerry from the depths to threaten Democracy, Christianity and Life as We Know It.
Or something like that.
+ Gainesville Sun -- Castor. We believe that Betty Castor of Tampa, the Democratic nominee, will best carry on Graham's legacy of conscientious service and constructive approach to making federal law and representing Florida's interests in the nation's capital.
+ Florida Today -- Castor. Graham is retiring, thus ending one of the most distinguished careers in the history of Florida politics. Only one of the two candidates running to replace him meets the same standard of reason, intelligence and balance -- Democrat Betty Castor.
Meanwhile, everyone's talking about the Tampa Tribune's surprising decision not to recommend anyone for president. I mean, if you can't count on the Tampa Tribune to endorse the Republican what's this world coming to? The natural order has been disrupted.
Don't fret, boys and girls. The Orlando Sentinel and Fla. Times-Union will set things right. The Sentinel will recommend Bush with minor reservations and the T-U will frame it as an epic moment in the fight between Good and Evil, Darkness and Light, with the unspeakable forces of Mordor summoning John Kerry from the depths to threaten Democracy, Christianity and Life as We Know It.
Or something like that.
10/18/2004
Senate race stays close
The Mason-Dixon poll shows the Senate race is tied 45-45 with 9 percent undecided and a 5 percent margin o' error. Martinez's unfavorables up 7 percent since last poll. Castor has solidified South Florida support.
10/17/2004
Just like his brother
Jeb appoints the chair of an anti-environmental legal foundation to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Oh yeah, and she's also president of a heavy construction company.
"I think she's a pretty typical Jeb Bush appointment," said Patti Thompson of the Save the Manatee Club.
"I think she's a pretty typical Jeb Bush appointment," said Patti Thompson of the Save the Manatee Club.
Recommendation Weekend
Along with the expected NY Times endorsement of Kerry and the ritualistic Chicago Tribune Republican endorsement, many Florida papers ran presidential endorsements today:
+ Miami Herald -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) (Bush) deserves credit for holding the nation together in a moment of great peril. But the president who came to office as a ''compassionate conservative'' has often displayed a narrow partisanship. A bold doctrine of preemption replaced the promise of ''a more humble foreign policy.'' A stubborn refusal to accept uncomfortable facts and a simplistic approach to complicated issues raise questions of basic governance skills. These grave concerns override mere differences on issues with his challenger, Sen. John Kerry.
+ St. Pete Times -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) Bush promised during the 2000 presidential campaign to be "a uniter, not a divider." He also said he intended to conduct a humble foreign policy. If he had lived up to those words, he might have consolidated his post-9/11 support by working to build a united front in the war against terrorism and by seeking a broad consensus for dealing with important social and economic issues at home. Instead, he squandered that support by pressing divisive and arrogant policies, including a pre-emptive war in Iraq.
+Tampa Tribune -- Nobody. (2000 recommendation: Bush.) We find ourselves in a position unimaginable four years ago when we strongly endorsed for president a fiscal conservative and "moderate man of mainstream convictions'' who promised to wield military muscle only as a last resort and to resist the lure of "nation building." We find ourselves deeply conflicted today about the presidential race, skeptical of the promises and positions of Sen. John Kerry and disappointed by the performance of President George W. Bush. (First time since 1964 the paper did not recommend the Republican.)
+ Palm Beach Post -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) Through arrogance and ignorance, the reckless ideologue who called himself "a uniter, not a divider" has divided the country against itself and the world against the country. He has bullied, not persuaded. He has made America weaker, not stronger. Desperately seeking reelection, President Bush refuses to acknowledge the reality of Iraq, offering such platitudes as "freedom is on the march" when the country wants a plan.
+ Sun-Sentinel -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) The United States must chart new and constructive courses in foreign and fiscal policy, but this will happen only with more capable leadership than the Bush administration is able to provide.
+ Daytona Beach News-Journal -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) John Kerry's distinguished service has prepared him to be the leader this country needs. The world, as much as America, would benefit by his intelligence, integrity, courage and compassion in the Oval Office. It especially needs his perceptive restraint. (A two-part recommendation. The other part is here.)
+ Bradenton Herald -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Bush.) We believe the Democratic nominee offers America a clear choice for a badly needed change in direction. Kerry brings to the job of president more than 20 years of Senate leadership, a personal knowledge of war and hope for a new approach to end the Iraqi nightmare and address the nation's domestic problems.
+ Florida Today -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) The nation cannot afford to remain on its present course under Bush, and John Kerry is the right man at the right time to take it in a new direction.
For U.S. Senate
+ Miami Herald -- Betty Castor. Like Sen. Graham, Ms. Castor's moderation and independence would allow her to be a senator who can represent the interests of all Floridians regardless of who occupies the White House.
+ Lakeland Ledger -- Betty Castor. Throughout her long career, Castor has shown an ability to get along not only with members of her own party but with Republican officeholders as well. This talent will be an important asset in Washington, where political partisanship has reached toxic levels. Florida needs a hard worker in Washington, not a political ideologue.
+ Miami Herald -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) (Bush) deserves credit for holding the nation together in a moment of great peril. But the president who came to office as a ''compassionate conservative'' has often displayed a narrow partisanship. A bold doctrine of preemption replaced the promise of ''a more humble foreign policy.'' A stubborn refusal to accept uncomfortable facts and a simplistic approach to complicated issues raise questions of basic governance skills. These grave concerns override mere differences on issues with his challenger, Sen. John Kerry.
+ St. Pete Times -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) Bush promised during the 2000 presidential campaign to be "a uniter, not a divider." He also said he intended to conduct a humble foreign policy. If he had lived up to those words, he might have consolidated his post-9/11 support by working to build a united front in the war against terrorism and by seeking a broad consensus for dealing with important social and economic issues at home. Instead, he squandered that support by pressing divisive and arrogant policies, including a pre-emptive war in Iraq.
+Tampa Tribune -- Nobody. (2000 recommendation: Bush.) We find ourselves in a position unimaginable four years ago when we strongly endorsed for president a fiscal conservative and "moderate man of mainstream convictions'' who promised to wield military muscle only as a last resort and to resist the lure of "nation building." We find ourselves deeply conflicted today about the presidential race, skeptical of the promises and positions of Sen. John Kerry and disappointed by the performance of President George W. Bush. (First time since 1964 the paper did not recommend the Republican.)
+ Palm Beach Post -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) Through arrogance and ignorance, the reckless ideologue who called himself "a uniter, not a divider" has divided the country against itself and the world against the country. He has bullied, not persuaded. He has made America weaker, not stronger. Desperately seeking reelection, President Bush refuses to acknowledge the reality of Iraq, offering such platitudes as "freedom is on the march" when the country wants a plan.
+ Sun-Sentinel -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) The United States must chart new and constructive courses in foreign and fiscal policy, but this will happen only with more capable leadership than the Bush administration is able to provide.
+ Daytona Beach News-Journal -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) John Kerry's distinguished service has prepared him to be the leader this country needs. The world, as much as America, would benefit by his intelligence, integrity, courage and compassion in the Oval Office. It especially needs his perceptive restraint. (A two-part recommendation. The other part is here.)
+ Bradenton Herald -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Bush.) We believe the Democratic nominee offers America a clear choice for a badly needed change in direction. Kerry brings to the job of president more than 20 years of Senate leadership, a personal knowledge of war and hope for a new approach to end the Iraqi nightmare and address the nation's domestic problems.
+ Florida Today -- Kerry. (2000 recommendation: Gore.) The nation cannot afford to remain on its present course under Bush, and John Kerry is the right man at the right time to take it in a new direction.
For U.S. Senate
+ Miami Herald -- Betty Castor. Like Sen. Graham, Ms. Castor's moderation and independence would allow her to be a senator who can represent the interests of all Floridians regardless of who occupies the White House.
+ Lakeland Ledger -- Betty Castor. Throughout her long career, Castor has shown an ability to get along not only with members of her own party but with Republican officeholders as well. This talent will be an important asset in Washington, where political partisanship has reached toxic levels. Florida needs a hard worker in Washington, not a political ideologue.
10/16/2004
Bush waved off felons list warning
The Sarasota Herald-Trib reports that Jeb was warned the felons list was a mess but went ahead and had it distributed to supervisors of elections anyway.
The doubts were serious enough that Gov. Jeb Bush was advised to "pull the plug" on the entire project, according to an e-mail written by a state computer expert and obtained by the Herald-Tribune.Jeb denies this. But how does he explain this e-mail? (PDF)
President in town
Yup, the president was in my little town today. It was the usual stump speech except for one little slip-up. I can't help but contrast this tightly controlled, Republicans-only rally behind closed gates with Bill Clinton's 1996 appearance here in which he spoke in the middle of downtown and anyone could come and listen.
Me, I wasn't there. I had a chili cook-off to help judge.
Me, I wasn't there. I had a chili cook-off to help judge.
10/15/2004
Who are Hispanics for?
The Washington Post has some interesting Florida polling. Its polls show a dead heat between Bush and Kerry and between Castor and Martinez.
Bush has an overwhelming lead among Florida's Cuban Americans, who dominate the state's Hispanic population. But among the faster-growing non-Cuban Hispanic groups in Florida, the race is a virtual dead heat. The poll of Florida Latinos found Bush the favorite among older and foreign-born Hispanics while U.S.-born Hispanics split their vote. Nearly one in five Florida residents is of Hispanic descent.
Plagiarism at the T-U?
Stories by unhappy former employees are always suspect, but Romenesko points to stories about the Times-Union that prompted an internal plagiarism investigation at Florida's most rightwing daily.
(Updated investigation story here.)
(Updated investigation story here.)
Milestones in negative campaigning
How goofy has the Florida's US Senate campaign become in it's final weeks? It's bad enough the campaign is centered entirely around the marginal figure of Sami al-Arian, and now the GOP is saying a win for Castor is a win for terrorism .
10/14/2004
Recommendation season
There will be seven constitutional amendments on the ballot in November. Some papers are taking the time to write editorials on each one. Some are just kissing them off in a quick and confusing editorial that runs them all together. Like the Herald editorial today.
In the democratic spirit of bloggery, Florida bloggers are making their own lists of recommendations up and down the ballo, including all those damn the amendments. Interstate4Jamming listed its slate yesterday. I'm certain more will be appearing soon.
In the democratic spirit of bloggery, Florida bloggers are making their own lists of recommendations up and down the ballo, including all those damn the amendments. Interstate4Jamming listed its slate yesterday. I'm certain more will be appearing soon.
10/12/2004
Back in business
The nice folks at Blogger seem to have cleared my mystery log-on problem. Although how seems unclear.
'Rove's Florida Frankenstein'
I've gotten out of the habit of reading Salon (I'm suppose to pay money to read David Horowitz?) but it's still worth checking in on. It has a good story on a perfectly bizarre Senate race in Ky as well as a pretty good summary of Florida's Senate race which asks: Did Team Bush turn once-moderate GOP Senate candidate Mel Martinez into a gay-bashing, reactionary ogre? Oh you know the answer already.
Bonus: This quote from Castor aide Dan McLaughlin: (The Martinez campaign is) "the ugly mutated life form of what Lee Atwater started and which today's Republican Party, with the likes of Karl Rove, are continuing. They make stuff up after their polling identifies divisive or polarizing issues that they can use to drive home with ethnic groups or other constituencies." Yow!
Extra Credit: Find the Susan MacManus Quote. Hint: Martinez is was said to be "personally anguished" by his campaign's tactics. Awww.
(Thanks to The Gainesville Report, a new blog in town, for pointing me to this.)
Bonus: This quote from Castor aide Dan McLaughlin: (The Martinez campaign is) "the ugly mutated life form of what Lee Atwater started and which today's Republican Party, with the likes of Karl Rove, are continuing. They make stuff up after their polling identifies divisive or polarizing issues that they can use to drive home with ethnic groups or other constituencies." Yow!
Extra Credit: Find the Susan MacManus Quote. Hint: Martinez is was said to be "personally anguished" by his campaign's tactics. Awww.
(Thanks to The Gainesville Report, a new blog in town, for pointing me to this.)
10/11/2004
AARP warns Harris
AARP tells Katherine Harris not to tell people it has endorsed her.
A recent taxpayer-funded mailing from Ms. Harris' Congressional office touting the new Medicare prescription drug benefit juxtaposed Ms. Harris' name with the claim "AARP ENDORSED."This comes right as Harris also airs ads in which she claims to be environmentalist. A big surprise to Florida environmentalists. (Harris' 2003 Sierra Club score -- 0%. 2003 League of Conservation Voters rating -- 15 %)
"Really?" Betsy Loyless, a vice president with the League of Conservation Voters in Washington, D.C., said when told of the ads. "That's amazing."
Loyless said Harris has been against her group on almost every key issue that's come before Congress.
10/10/2004
More Senate recs
More recommendations for Senate:
+ Bradenton Herald -- Betty Castor. While Martinez would be a rubber stamp for Bush's regressive policies, Castor proposes a progressive agenda that includes strengthening the economy with a strong job-creation program and deficit-reduction measures, expanding of healthcare coverage for the working poor, restoring local control of education accountability and introducing a bill of rights for military families. This is the kind of positive direction the nation needs.
+ Orlando Sentinel -- Mel Martinez. While we differ with Mr. Martinez's positions on some issues, particularly social ones, his compelling combination of experience and leadership makes him the best choice to succeed Bob Graham.
+ Palm Beach Post -- Betty Castor. Florida will lose Bob Graham, but in Betty Castor, the state can have the next best thing.
+ Tampa Tribune -- Betty Castor. Castor is a moderate who, like retiring Sen. Bob Graham, has teamed with Republicans to solve public problems. She supports a strong military and wants to increase veteran benefits. She understands the need to relentlessly fight terrorism but says President George W. Bush miscalculated in Iraq by rushing to war without reliable intelligence or a realistic plan for establishing a democracy there.
+ Bradenton Herald -- Betty Castor. While Martinez would be a rubber stamp for Bush's regressive policies, Castor proposes a progressive agenda that includes strengthening the economy with a strong job-creation program and deficit-reduction measures, expanding of healthcare coverage for the working poor, restoring local control of education accountability and introducing a bill of rights for military families. This is the kind of positive direction the nation needs.
+ Orlando Sentinel -- Mel Martinez. While we differ with Mr. Martinez's positions on some issues, particularly social ones, his compelling combination of experience and leadership makes him the best choice to succeed Bob Graham.
+ Palm Beach Post -- Betty Castor. Florida will lose Bob Graham, but in Betty Castor, the state can have the next best thing.
+ Tampa Tribune -- Betty Castor. Castor is a moderate who, like retiring Sen. Bob Graham, has teamed with Republicans to solve public problems. She supports a strong military and wants to increase veteran benefits. She understands the need to relentlessly fight terrorism but says President George W. Bush miscalculated in Iraq by rushing to war without reliable intelligence or a realistic plan for establishing a democracy there.
10/07/2004
New poll
Quinnipiac University has a new Florida poll -- Bush 46; Kerry 42; Nader 1; Don't know/won't answer 10; Margin o' error 4. The U of Q also shows the Caster/Martinez race at a virtual tie -- Martinez 44, Caster 40, Don't know 14.
What's notable is how little these numbers have changed over the past couple months. The only numbers clearly growing are the undecideds, suggesting a lot of people are turned off by the races. Bush is doing very well in North Florida (51/35), among veterans (61/30) and among people making more than $100,000 a year (53/36). Despite all you've been hearing from right-wing pundits about "security moms," Kerry does well among women (46/40), and among people under 35 (49/37) and independents (44/39).
Caster is doing surprising well in north Florida, ahead 46/36, which reminds us the north is not automatic Republican territory.
And despite what some Republican pundits are putting out, only 10 percent of Gore 200 voters are voting for Bush. Only 8 percent of Bush 2000 voters are voting for Kerry.
What's notable is how little these numbers have changed over the past couple months. The only numbers clearly growing are the undecideds, suggesting a lot of people are turned off by the races. Bush is doing very well in North Florida (51/35), among veterans (61/30) and among people making more than $100,000 a year (53/36). Despite all you've been hearing from right-wing pundits about "security moms," Kerry does well among women (46/40), and among people under 35 (49/37) and independents (44/39).
Caster is doing surprising well in north Florida, ahead 46/36, which reminds us the north is not automatic Republican territory.
And despite what some Republican pundits are putting out, only 10 percent of Gore 200 voters are voting for Bush. Only 8 percent of Bush 2000 voters are voting for Kerry.
10/06/2004
Yankees in Ocala?
I don't often get around to reading the Ocala Star-Banner so thanks to South of the Suwannee (How I love ya, how I love ya, my dear ol' Suwannee!) for pointing out this editorial supporting the move of the Tampa Yankees to Ocala. Makes sense to me. Tampa already has a major league team. Sorta.
The single-A level Yankees are part of the venerable Florida State League an organization that includes my own beloved Daytona Cubs.
The single-A level Yankees are part of the venerable Florida State League an organization that includes my own beloved Daytona Cubs.
10/03/2004
Quiet . . . too quiet
This from weather.com today --
For the first time since the 24th of August, there is no named tropical system in the Atlantic Basin; nor is there an imminent threat of one developing.
August 25: That's five and half weeks ago!
For the first time since the 24th of August, there is no named tropical system in the Atlantic Basin; nor is there an imminent threat of one developing.
August 25: That's five and half weeks ago!
Kissimmee: world center of nudist research
This year's Ig Nobel Prizes were presented Thursday by the Annals of Improbable Research and I missed them because of all that debate stuff. Once again Florida was represented among the winners. This year's Ig Nobel Prize for literature goes to American Nudist Research Library (ANRL) in Kissimmee!
Recommendation season starts again
The St. Pete Times starts early and becomes the state's first major paper to recommend Betty Caster in the general election. No surprise here. This is a generally liberal-leaning editorial page that withdrew its primary recommendation for Mel Martinez because of his over-the-top campaign tactics.
More astroturfing
St. Augustine Record is astroturfed again. "New job figures and other recent economic data show that America's economy is strong and getting stronger daily " says Derek Boyd Hankerson on the letters page.
And it's even an old bit of Republican boilerplate. Kos noted it back in August. This astroturfing effort has enjoyed a pretty good run. The Washington Post noted 20 papers ran the exact letter.
And it's even an old bit of Republican boilerplate. Kos noted it back in August. This astroturfing effort has enjoyed a pretty good run. The Washington Post noted 20 papers ran the exact letter.
10/01/2004
Birders against Bush
Just when I thought I knew most of the interest groups around, a friend directed me to the Florida page of Birders United to Defeat Bush.
Find the fake 'undecided'
Josh Marshall points out that at least one of the debate-watching undecided voters quoted in the Miami Herald isn't all that undecided after all. He is a Republican political consultant.
Oh well, it happened to CNN, too.
Oh well, it happened to CNN, too.
Blog holiday
Lightish postings for about a week while I deal with post-storm home repair and generally kick back while it still feels like summer.
Another columnist hangs it up
First Bill Maxwell leaves the St. Pete Times and now that nice Mary Jo Melone writes her last column. Oh well, 17 years and 2,000 columns is a good run.
Still, it's a shame. And on top of that, Lucy Morgan is planning to retire in the near future.
Still, it's a shame. And on top of that, Lucy Morgan is planning to retire in the near future.
