Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Our digest of, and commentary on today's Florida political news and punditry.


"Making a career of staying close to Scott"

"Rick Swearingen, the governor’s choice to lead the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, has made a career of staying close to the governor; now he has returned the favor by requiring the governor’s security team to report directly to him." "Florida’s top cop has earned governor’s favor."


Same old Jeb

"MEET THE NEW BUSH" . . . "SAME AS THE LAST BUSH?"

"Jeb Bush to say he’ll be his ‘own man’ on foreign policy in Chicago speech." More: "Jeb Bush noting difference with former president brother."


Backyard gun ranges

The Tampa Trib editors think Tally should "Leave regulation of backyard gun ranges to local officials."


"Far from ‭'‬The Party Train‭'"

"To political groups,‭ ‬community activists and homeowners' associations,‭ ‬All Aboard Florida is about as popular as the subject of Obamacare to Republicans and Gov. Rick Scott to Democrats." "In‭ ‬2015,‭ ‬All Aboard Florida is Far from ‭'‬The Party Train‭'."


"Poaching Pa. jobs"

Steve Bousquet: "Now that Pennsylvania is run by a Democrat, Fla. governor considers it fair game." "Scott sets sights on poaching Pa. jobs."


"Rubio occupies an odd spot"

"Even as he turns his eyes to early caucus and primary states like Iowa and Nevada, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., occupies an odd spot in the early stages of the 2016 Republican presidential contest." "Marco Rubio Holds an Odd Space in the 2016 Republican Field."


"Cabinet aides could be called to testify"

"Cabinet aides could be called to testify in a lawsuit, amended Monday, seeking to end possible Sunshine Law violations in Tallahassee." "Cabinet members kept in dark on public discussions by their own aides."