Wednesday, April 20, 2016

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


"'Jeb! An American Disappointment!"

"'Jeb! An American Disappointment! Please Clap', the musical's full title, opens with a song called 'Jeb! Bush, Exclamation Point.'" "http://bit.ly/1qDjKL7">http://bit.ly/1qDjKL7."

"‘Jeb! The Musical’ parody of ‘Hamilton’ mocks the Bush campaign, by The Orlando Sentinel's Steven Lemongello: ''Jeb! The Musical' is available online for anyone’s enjoyment, with two acts and 46 songs parodying both the failed presidential campaign of the former Florida governor and the musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton." "http://bit.ly/1qDjKL7."


Florida election gives rise to Twitter regulation dispute

"A 2014 complaint filed by a [Florida] congressional write-in candidate who received fewer than 10 votes sparked a more than two year review of how much — if any — federal regulation should be placed on political speech through social media outlets like Twitter."

The issue split the Federal Election Commission, which in February deadlocked on a 3-3 vote before deciding to close the case. The commission needs a majority vote to take any action.
"Three Republican members of the commission said further regulation by the FEC over the messages would “hamper free communication.” The panel’s two Democrats and one independent member said greater transparency should be put in place."
The complaint was filed in January 2014 by Raymond Schamis, a write-in candidate from Delray Beach who was challenging West Palm Beach Democrat Lois Frankel in the 22nd Congressional District. In the complaint, Schamis said Frankel, Republican challenger Paul Spain and the Democratic and Republican national committees violated election law because Twitter accounts they used for their campaigns didn't include disclaimers saying who paid for the accounts and the individual tweets.
"Write-in candidate prompts FEC split over regulating Twitter messages."


Even the Miami Herald

It's over: "Miami Herald Calls for Repeal of Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966."


Will Brown do Orlando?

"Florida’s redistricting saga continued Monday when a group of federal judges rejected a lawsuit to throw out the current congressional boundaries from U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville."

"Court Rejects Corrine Brown Lawsuit to Throw Out New Congressional Districts." Here's the 26-page order".

Brown has hinted that she might run in the newly created district in Orlando. We'll know soon enough.


"What's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State"

Marc Caputo: "Medical marijuana refugees flee Florida – Beruff’s Cuban confusion -- Ayotte to Foley: Thanks but no thanks."

More: "The Beruff identity: Candidate’s conflicting claims about his birthplace" and "Beruff releases third TV ad."


Tracking immigrants like "tracking livestock"

"Congressional candidate Pat Mooney is drawing fire from a Republican rival for making an analogy between monitoring immigrants and tracking livestock with microchips." "Congressional candidate criticized for remarks about monitoring immigrants."