Florida Political News for 9/11/07

by: Florida Politics

Tue Sep 11, 2007 at 08:29:29 AM EDT

The Florida Progressive Coalition's "23 Stories to Read".  Our review of today's Florida political news and punditry follows.

Is Greer a "Pussy"?

"Florida's GOP chief ripped Hillary Clinton for attending a fundraiser Monday hosted by former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, triggering a four-lettered tirade from the brash politician who beat back federal corruption charges nearly two decades ago."

Martinez was convicted but successfully appealed, and two subsequent trials ended in hung juries. Told about the snarky press release from Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer, Martinez called him a vulgar word for a female body part.

''I would debate any f------ Republican about my past,'' Martinez said in a telephone interview. "We'll have a debate mano a mano if they want to take me on. I'm going to take them on.''

He added: "I'm a businessman. I'm a Democrat. Why shouldn't I raise money at my house? I will get on the horse, and I will beat the s--- out of them.''

Martinez, who stepped down as mayor in 2005, said he hasn't decided whether to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart in 2008. ''But if I do, I'll give anyone a run for their money,'' he said.

A caustic press release from the GOP is par for the course whenever any Democratic candidate is in the state. And vice versa. By responding to the bait, Martinez allowed the opposition to distract from an otherwise successful campaign day for Clinton, packed with four private fundraisers and a forum attended by hundreds of residents at Century Village in Boca Raton.

The Clinton campaign declined to weigh in on the backbiting between Martinez and the GOP, which was trying to exploit the controversy over another Democratic fundraiser arrested last week on long-standing grand theft charges.

Castor "lambaste[s] the White House"

"Tampa’s freshman Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor has just grabbed more national TV face-time.  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Castor got to quiz the top American commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, and the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, and used it as an opportunity to outline her view of the war and lambaste the White House. "  "Castor Makes Airwaves During Petraeus Appearance".

And then there's Florida's "reactionary ogre": "Sen. Mel Martinez, fresh back from a [combat] tour of Iraq during which his plane at one point dodged anti-aircraft fire, paints a positive picture of the situation there in a video release; but U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa takes a different view.  You can see the release on YouTube."

Bought and Paid For

"In case you want more proof that Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic, is the frontrunner to lead the Florida Senate in 2010, follow the money.
Gulfstream Park, a Hallandale racetrack and casino, gave the lawmaker a check for $25,000 last month, even though he 'generally opposes the expansion of gambling.' ... All told, Haridopolos raised $47,500 last month from U.S. Sugar, lawyers, the Florida Recreational Vehicle political committee, and general contractors."  "Money flows to Senate frontrunner".

"A perpetual problem"

"Citing what it called a perpetual problem -- young state prosecutors and public defenders leaving their jobs for better pay elsewhere -- a state lobbying group Monday got House Speaker Marco Rubio's support for sparing both groups in South Florida from anticipated budget cuts.  Responding to slumping state tax revenues, Gov. Charlie Crist has called for agencies, including state prosecutors and public defenders, to trim their budgets by $1 billion in total."  "Rubio to help fight attorney cuts".

"Strong viewership"

As if the other debates were light on "symbolism":

The Democratic candidates who attended Univision's landmark Spanish-language presidential forum delivered more symbolism than substance - but that symbolism will likely weigh heavily in next year's election, as evidenced by the show's strong viewership.

The debate averaged 2.2 million viewers Sunday night, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research ratings, cited by Univision.

"Looking for excuses"

"While Florida is looking for excuses to explain why it ranks 47th in the nation in education, in Connecticut the U.S. Department of Education has just awarded Fairfield University Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions the largest federal grant ever received by a school -- more than $1 million over five years.  During the course of the five-year grant, 25 people, either current or future teachers, will receive dual certification in Special Education and Bilingual Education, thereby helping to meet a great need in the cities of Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport."  "More bilingual study, fewer dropouts".

No Rate Relief Here Either

"Floridians have wondered what happened to the promised rate relief on homeowners insurance. Now they may find the same fate awaits them on auto premiums."  "Big drop in auto insurance rates is unlikely".

Whatever

"Florida House leaders dug in Monday, saying they would not support any effort by Gov. Charlie Crist to give the Seminole Tribe Las Vegas-style table games at its casinos."  "Rubio and House Leaders Say No to Expanded Gambling".  See also "House, Senate leaders: Legislature must approve gambling compact", "Gambling roadblock ahead" and "House leaders blast gambling".

Laff Riot

Get this, "Bush's Mr. Cellophane" is

calling for Democrats to denounce an ad run by the activist group, MoveOn.Org, which suggested Gen. David Petraeus was "cooking the books for the White House" and asked "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?''

Tuition Increase?

"House and Senate budget leaders said Monday they still see a 5 percent tuition increase as needed to help dig Florida out of its budget hole.  But they also concede that Gov. Charlie Crist's veto of the effort last spring is dampening any attempt to add a tuition hike to the mix of spending cuts and fee increases now being considered to ease the state's $1.1 billion budget shortfall."  "Tuition Increases Still Mulled by House and Senate".

Boyd Gets It

"As the top U.S. military commander in Iraq testified Monday about the war's gradual progress, Rep. Allen Boyd weighed the optimistic comments with similar progress reports that paint a much dimmer view of the conflict."  "Boyd: White House must redefine Iraq mission".

Florida's J.C. Watts

"Crist may not be the Republican Party's best-known Florida State graduate around the Capitol next year."  "Ex-linebacker running for state House".

Ready, Set ... Kill

"Executions in Florida may be clear to resume after an Ocala judge lifted his stay on one lethal injection case Monday, declaring he is satisfied with state procedures he doubted in July."  "Stay on death penalty lifted".

'Ya Reckon?

"Poll shows voters confused about property-tax plan".

"New Primary System

"Who were those six people in Miami Sunday night? Oh, right. Democrats, campaigning in the state that their party threatens to write off."  "Start national campaign for new primary system".

"A historic $4.4 billion in budget cuts"

"Florida faces a historic $4.4 billion in budget cuts over the next four years, state analysts warned lawmakers already wrestling with the first $1 billion installment of that plan."  "Report: Start now with budget cuts".  See also "State budget deficit may set record".