Sunburn for 8/14 – A morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics

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A morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics.

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IT’S VERY, VERY EARLY via First Read

After all, at this point in the 2008 cycle — so in Aug. 2005 — no one viewed Barack Obama as an ’08 presidential contender (in fact, he had served just seven months in the U.S. Senate). Also at this point in the ’08 cycle, Hillary Clinton was seen as the overwhelming favorite on the Democratic side. (How did that turn out?) Back then, George Allen was considered at the least the co-frontrunner for the GOP nomination. (He lost his bid for re-election a year later.) And at this point in the 2008 cycle, George W. Bush had yet to see his poll numbers nosedive (Hurricane Katrina hit the U.S. on Aug. 29, 2005). Just something for everyone to consider with more than three years until Election Day 2016…

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RUBIO: OBAMA COULD LEGALIZE IMMIGRANTS BY EXECUTIVE ORDER IF REFORM FAILS via Talking Points Memo

Sen. Rubio warned Tuesday that if Congress fails to act on immigration reform, President Barack Obama could act unilaterally to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants by executive order.

Appearing on talk radio program “The Morning Show With Preston Scott,” Rubio, who helped to broker a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate, warned that his colleagues in the House must address the issue or face losing ground on key reforms like border security. 

“I have been saying for more than a year that I believe that this president will be tempted,” Rubio said. “If nothing happens in Congress, he will be tempted to issue an executive order, like he did for the DREAM Act kids a year ago, where he basically legalizes 11 million people by the sign of a pen.” 

“We won’t get any E-Verify, we won’t get any border security, but he’ll legalize them,” he continued.

RUBIO TOURS FLORIDA TO REPAIR IMAGE AFTER IMMIGRATION REFORM DEBATE via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times

As he moves across Florida this week, Rubio is keeping two schedules.

The public one, where he tells friendly, pro-business crowds what he sees as the dangers of Obamacare. And the invite-only one, where he seeks to reconnect with grass-roots conservative activists who have questions — and some outrage — over his involvement in immigration reform.

It’s a two-step plan designed to repair Rubio’s image, which has taken a beating in recent months, darkening the glow of his 2016 presidential prospects.

… The last event on Rubio’s public schedule Monday was a meeting in Gainesville with business owners to discuss the federal health care law. But he finished the day in a private meeting with Republican activists gathered at a construction company, shaking every hand he could.

… The redemption tour continued Tuesday with stops in Tallahassee and Panama City and concludes Wednesday in Pensacola. Other travel is likely as Congress spends the month away from Washington.

To grasp how far Rubio has fallen among a segment of his base, consider a gathering of 300 people in Sarasota last week for a talk by outspoken immigration opponent Dennis Michael Lynch. “As soon as he said ‘Marco Rubio,’ the room just went crazy. They booed, they hissed, there were catcalls,” said Richard Swier, a local activist.

TWEET, TWEET: @MichaelCBender: Heckle/outburst at @MarcoRubio BayCo GOP dinner. Man interrupts senator’s Obamacare rant at Yacht Club tells Rubio to come up with own plan.

ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Senator Rubio will attend a small business owners roundtable discussion on ObamaCare in Pensacola, Florida. Rubio will sit down with local business owners to discuss “the dramatic ways ObamaCare is hurting Floridians. They will discuss how the financial burdens of ObamaCare are stagnating job creation and crippling the middle class. Rubio will also discuss his efforts to defund ObamaCare.” State Farm Office, 2114 Airport Boulevard, Suite 1250, Pensacola. 2 p.m. CST.

EDITORIAL HEADLINE OF THE DAY: “Oysters Rubio” via the Orlando Sentinel.

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ESTABLISHMENT PUSHES BACK ON TEA PARTY via The Associated Press

Midway between the 2012 and 2014 election campaigns, moderate Republican conservatives are beginning to foment a revolt of their own — a backlash to anti-spending tea party shrillness as budget cuts begin to significantly shrink defense and domestic programs.

Tea party forces may have dominated the House GOP’s approach to the budget so far, but pragmatists in the party have served notice they won’t stand idly by for indiscriminate spending cuts to politically popular community development grants, education programs and even Amtrak.

TWEET, TWEET: @Kippchapin @congbillposey says the Conservative and Tea Party wings must coalesce because “we have a common enemy”

EXPECT CAMPAIGN ADS EARLIER THAN EVER via Roll Call

Congressional campaign ad wars in the summer? It could happen in 2014. Without a presidential race dominating the airwaves, House and Senate races will be on the receiving end of an unprecedented deluge of political spending.

LAWMAKERS LIMIT TOWN-HALLS via The New York Times

Though Republicans in recent years have harnessed the political power of these open mic, face-the-music sessions, people from both parties say they are noticing a decline in the number of meetings. They also say they are seeing Congressional offices go to greater lengths to conceal when and where the meetings take place.

With memories of those angry protests still vivid, it seems that one of the unintended consequences of a movement that thrived on such open, often confrontational interactions with lawmakers is that there are fewer members of Congress now willing to face their constituents.

TWITTER CAN PREDICT ELECTIONS? via the National Journal

A study published Monday reports that campaigns could use Twitter to successfully predict the winner of most races… The key measure, researchers from Indiana University found, was a candidate’s ‘tweet share,’ the percentage of total tweets about a race that mention them. The more often a candidate is mentioned on Twitter relative to their opponent, the study reported, the greater their chance for victory.

“The findings were comprehensive: An analysis of tweets from the 2010 midterm elections found the data correctly predicted the winner in 404 of the 406 House races.”

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GOV. SCOTT TO VISIT ROWING VENUE HE ONCE VETOED via Jeremy Wallace of the Herald Tribune

Florida Gov. Rick Scott will visit Sarasota this week to promote the region’s growing reputation as a rowing mecca. On Thursday, Scott is expected to kick off the start of the U.S. Rowing Masters Championships starting at 8 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park. Scott is planning to tour the rowing center that, with his approval, has received $10 million in state funding the last two years, and to watch some of the competition. An appearance by Scott seemed farfetched two years ago, when he became a major roadblock in turning the rowing center into an international venue. In his first year as governor, Scott, a Republican, vetoed $5 million in state construction funding for the rowing center. Since then though, community advocates have buried Scott and his staff in economic data in an effort to prove the facility is worth the $10 million in state funding the facility has collected since Scott’s veto. Beside hosting national competitions like the one starting Thursday, the Benderson Rowing Facility is on the cusp of winning the 2017 World Rowing Championships. On Sept. 2, the International Federation of Rowing Associations is expected to rule on a recommendation to pick Sarasota for the 2017 event.

If Sarasota is chosen, the 10-day World Rowing Championships are expected to bring in an estimated 42,000 athletes and supporters and inject millions of dollars into the region’s economy.

REPUBLICANS LIKE MARCO RUBIO BEGIN TO STAND ALONGSIDE RICK SCOTT via Jeff Henderson of Sunshine State News

As his poll numbers go up, Rick Scott is starting to appear alongside his fellow Republicans more, just in time for the 2014 elections. In the lead-up to the Florida presidential primary last year, Florida Democrats mocked Scott for being a nonfactor in the heated contest between Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and the other candidates. Scott, suggested the Democrats, was so unpopular that Republicans didn’t want to be seen alongside the governor. The attacks continued as Romney went into the general election in November. Monitoring a a major hurricane, Scott stayed out of the political limelight when the GOP had its national convention in Tampa. For the most part, Scott and Romney avoided campaigning together, though Scott appeared at a rally for the Republican presidential candidate in Jacksonville during the final weekend of the campaign. The Romney team certainly relied on allies in Florida ranging from Marco Rubio to Connie Mack but Scott had, at best, a small role in his presidential bid.

Scott’s fellow Republicans are showing more signs of standing alongside the governor than Romney did. On Tuesday, for example, Scott will team up with Marco Rubio to tour Apalachicola Bay and meet with fishermen as they try to shine some light on problems the fishing industry is facing.

SCOTT’S FIRE-BREATHING, TEA-PARTYING, ANTI-OBAMA FUNDRAISING LETTER via Aaron Deslatte of the Orlando Sentinel

In a new hard-charging fundraising letter to Republican donors, Gov. Scott says he is “sick and tired” of President Obama for deficit spending and a “lust for power.”

The letter, a pitch for the Republican Party of Florida, started appearing in mailboxes last week and isn’t unique; but the tone is out of character for unpopular governor attempting to publicly position himself as a populist leading into his re-election effort next year.

“After the pounding the GOP took last year and with so much on the line in 2014, I couldn’t just sit back and let President Obama continue his campaign of destruction in Florida,” the letter reads.

“President Obama’s lust for power must be put in check, like all power should be. .. But, as in the case of far too many leaders, the only way President Obama will give up power is by having it taken from him.”

The letter goes on to ask for pledges of as much as $2,500 to help elect “rock-solid conservative Republicans to every level of government in 2014 … all the way to the Governor’s office” where Scott himself lives.

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SCOTT SAYS STATE WILL SUE GEORGIA OVER WATER via Gary Fineout of the Associated Press

Scott disclosed Tuesday that his state is going to sue the state of Georgia, saying its increased consumption of water is limiting flows to the Apalachicola River.

Scott said in a statement that Florida must take such drastic action because it has been unable to negotiate a settlement in recent decades on how to allocate water between Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Florida’s step is an escalation in years of litigation.

“This lawsuit will be targeted toward one thing — fighting for the future of Apalachicola,” Scott said. “This is a bold, historic legal action for our state. But this is our only way forward after 20 years of failed negotiations with Georgia. We must fight for the people of this region. The economic future of Apalachicola Bay and Northwest Florida is at stake.” 

REAX

Pam Bondi: “This lawsuit is our last and best chance to save Apalachicola and the surrounding region from the devastation caused by Georgia’s overconsumption of water. I look forward to fighting for our state in the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Adam Putnam: “I am grateful to Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi for taking this historic course of action to remedy the destruction of Apalachicola Bay and the communities that depend on it.”

Gwen Graham: “Restoring the Apalachicola River and Bay system isn’t a partisan issue. It’s time for Congress to act — Republicans and Democrats need to work together to fix this ongoing problem, before it’s too late.”

TWEET, TWEET: Water mgt director tells @marcorubio every now and then you need a sip of water. Rubio smiles, says “right now” and reaches for bottle

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POLICY NOTES

Cabinet Aides: A Cabinet aides meeting will be held 9 a.m. Wednesday to set the agenda for the next Cabinet meeting. It will be held in the Cabinet Meeting Room of The Capitol, Lower Level.

Visit Florida:  The state’s tourism agency holds two committee meetings via webinar on Tuesday and one via conference call on Wednesday. More information can be found here.

Elections Commission, continued: The Florida Elections Commission is scheduled to wrap up two days of meetings. The agenda includes numerous cases involving political committees. Wednesday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building.

Parole Commission:  The Florida Parole Commission will take up dozens of cases involving people convicted of felonies in the 1970s and 1980s. Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.

Historic Preservation: The Florida Department of State will hold the first in a series of hearings about the recently released Florida Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan. Wednesday, 4 p.m., Orlando City Hall.

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DISNEY SAID TO BE DISHING BIG BUCKS IN TALLAHASSEE, PREPARING FOR DESTINATION CASINO FIGHT via Nancy Smith of Sunshine State News

Walt Disney World officials apparently are pumping vast sums of money into a new campaign to kill enabling legislation for destination-resort casinos in 2014. And they’re doing it by enlisting the services of a small army of traditional lobbyist firms, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and No Casinos Inc. 

“Right now I couldn’t tell you exactly how much money Disney is spreading around,” said Nick Iarossi, chief lobbyist for Las Vegas Sands in Tallahassee, “but I know it’s considerable. And I know there is a widespread belief in Tallahassee that they are using No Casinos as a front.”  In an interview Monday with Sunshine State News, Iarossi said Disney has a large piece of convention and meeting business in Florida, and a “fear of competition” from casinos, especially now that Spectrum Gaming Group is conducting a comprehensive multi-part study of gaming in Florida.

The buzz around the capital is that No Casinos is the unlikely go-between this year, the principal water carrier for Disney in its dealings with the Florida Legislature, and it’s getting paid well to do the job. But John Sowinski, president of No Casinos, categorically denied that his organization has suddenly become Disney’s political arm.

“The Genting and Sands lobbyists in Tallahassee are trying to sell the idea that we’re a front group for Disney,” Sowinski told Sunshine State News. “They need to run that theory by the coalition that’s been supporting our cause for years, including the Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Florida Chamber, the retailers, the attractions associations, the Florida Sheriff’s Association … Our point is that (the expansion of gambling) is the wrong economic policy and the wrong social policy for the state.”

Said Sowinski, “I don’t get it. Do they assume that they are the only people who get to make their case to the Legislature and we’re not allowed to? That’s arrogance.”

REP. DAVID SANTIAGO URGES DELTONA TO HIRE A LOBBYIST FOR ROADS, JOBS via Mark Harper of Daytona Beach News Journal

In his first session in Tallahassee this year, State Rep. David Santiago said he was often asked where he was from, so he would tell them. “And they say Del-what?” Santiago said. Even though it is Central Florida’s second most populous city, Deltona has an uphill battle in using clout to get more state funds for local transportation and economic-development projects, he and city commissioners agreed during a workshop Monday.

Santiago, who is Deltona’s first elected state legislator, called the session “eye-opening” as he was able to get the city a $500,000 grant for its new wastewater treatment plant,but saw how effective other local communities were at tapping into the state budget. The early revenue estimates are $750 million more for next year. To address that, he recommended commissioners consider hiring a lobbyist. No one objected to that idea.

THIS WAS THE “NUMBSKULL COMMENT OF THE DAY” according to Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: “Note to Santiago: When you’re a vulnerable one-termer in a district Barack Obama won twice, you might want to think twice before telling leaders of your hometown and largest city that they need to hire a lobbyist to be successful in Tallahassee.”

REP. SHEVRIN JONES UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR “ROOKIE MISTAKE” via Anthony Man of the Sun-Sentinel

With the Broward County State Attorney’s Office examining his campaign finance reports, state Rep. Shevrin Jones said he’s retained an attorney.

Ron Ishoy, spokesman for State Attorney Mike Satz said Tuesday the office has “begun reviewing his campaign reports, but that we have not opened a full investigation as of yet.”

Jones acknowledged an error, since corrected, on his latest campaign report and he’s done nothing else wrong.

Jones had initially reported paying himself $2,600 of campaign money as a “loan reimbursement,” according to the website BrowardBeat.com, with no corresponding information about a loan that needed to be repaid. That transaction is no longer reflected in the state database.

Jones said he amended his campaign finance report after the website questioned the payment. He said he’s never received a payment. “It was an input mistake. It was amended,” he said.

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DARREN SOTO PROPOSES YEAR-ROUND DAYLIGHT-SAVING TIME via the News Service of Florida

Sen. Darren Soto will try again to keep the sun shining later in the day year-round in Florida. Soto has reintroduced a proposal (SB 74) that would require Florida to keep the clocks permanently set for daylight-saving time. Soto filed a similar bill in the 2013 session (SB 734), but it was not heard in committees.

In the spring, Soto noted he wasn’t sure Florida could legally keep itself on daylight-saving time, the time starting in March when clocks are advanced an hour until November when the clocks are returned to standard time.

The federal government doesn’t require U.S. states or territories to observe daylight-saving time. Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, and Arizona — except in the Navajo Nation within the Grand Canyon State — follow standard time year-round. 

FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY via Rep. Steve Precourt: “A special session would be a knee jerk reaction to the protesters. It is not necessary, as Speaker Weatherford has indicated the House will hold hearings on the issue …. a deliberative and thoughtful approach!”

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DEMOCRATS TO RAISE CASH AT DEPECHE MODE CONCERT via Aaron Deslatte of the Orlando Sentinel

Democrats in South Florida plan to roll back the clocks to 1988 with … a Depeche Mode concert Sept. 15 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. No word on whether House Democrats will be more willing to ‘Enjoy the Silence’ or practice a ‘Policy of Truth.’ (Sorry, I couldn’t help it).

The fundraiser is being organized by Rep. Darryl Rouson … Broward Rep. Katie Edwards of Plantation.

The minimum contribution to hang with House Democrats in their luxury box is $1,000.

TWEET, TWEET: @SaintPetersBlog: .@darrylrouson + Depeche Mode concert minus a $1K contribution to the @FlaDems = some sort of level of hell. 

BILL GUNTER ENDORSED BY WEATHERFORD, NEXT THREE SPEAKERS

unter’s bid for the Florida House seat recently vacated by newly appointed Tax Collector Mike Fasano received a big boost yesterday.
 
Speaker Weatherford, and the three members in line to become Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, announced their endorsements of Gunter.
 
Speaker Weatherford said, “Bill is the type of leader we need in Tallahassee to continue the fight to strengthen our economy, reduce unemployment, and make sure that the needs of Pasco County are well represented.  I know Bill will carry on the tradition of selfless service that this community has received.”
 
Speaker-Designate Steve Crisafulli added, “Bill has demonstrated a dedication to serving his community, especially the men and women of law enforcement, that will benefit the hardworking families of Pasco County and the entire state of Florida.”
 
Representative Richard Corcoran, who will be the second Speaker of the House to come from Pasco County this decade, said, “if anyone can step up and fill the void that Mike [Fasano] left in the Florida House, it is Bill Gunter.  Like Mike, Bill is a dear friend whose life revolves around serving.  I know he will be an authentic voice for the people of Pasco County.” 

Representative Jose Oliva said Gunter “will be a great addition to the Florida House. He will be a genuine advocate for his constituents because he believes in a disciplined, accountable government.” 

ED HOOPER ENDORSES CHRIS LATVALA TO BE HIS SUCCESSOR

Today, Chris Latvala announced the endorsement of Rep. Ed Hooper in his bid for the Florida House, District 67. Rep. Hooper is the current State Representative for Dist. 67. Chris Latvala, a native of Pinellas County and member of Lakeside Community Chapel, is a graduate from UCF. He served as a legislative aide for Rep. Hooper from 2006-2009. Currently, he is the Vice President of GCI Printing Services, Inc. in Largo.  

“I have known Chris for almost 10 years and had the privilege of having him serve in my office as a Legislative Aide for 3 of those years. He knows what it takes to be a good Representative for District 67 and I look forward to having him represent me and my wife Lee in the Florida House,” said Hooper.

TWEET, TWEET: @TaylorBiehl Had a great day walking door to door w/ @ElectBillGunter meeting the great constituents of House District 36 

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BILL PEEBLES RAKES IN NEARLY $500K ON BOOK OF MUNI-CLIENTS

Peebles and his partner Karen Peterson share 23 clients all of which utilize the firm’s legislative and executive connections and together provided a quarterly compensation of between $250,000 and $499,999. While many of Peebles’ clients have been with them long-term, new clients came on  board between the second quarter of 2012 and now.  

This quarter, Peebles’ top-paying clients included the AIDS HealthCare Foundation, the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, City of Orlando, Florida Municipal Power Agency, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, and the Pelican Bay Foundation, each of which compensated the firm up to $29,999 for the quarter

There other clients — including the Conservation Campaign, Florida Municipal Electric Association, Metroplan Orlando, Florida Association of Counties, and various municipalities, demonstrate Peebles’ expertise in infrastructure and resource lobbying.

FOLEY & LARDNER REAPS $500K FROM BOTH EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE WORK

With 41 legislative lobbying clients and 42 for the executive branch, Foley’s nine lobbyists hit some of the big takes of 2013: casino interests, Dosal tobacco, Cisco, Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriters, Aetna, and Verizon.

In sum, Foley reported collecting as much as $499,999 in both executive and legislative lobbying fees. 

This is comparable to their reported compensation last quarter and last year — with few changes.  This year, Foley gained clients in Florida Alimony Reform and Family Law Reform, and now represents Resorts World Miami.

Foley lobbyist Mike Harrell and consultant Marnie George recently announced their departure to the prominent lobby firm of Pennington, PA.

SEAN PITTMAN’S FIRM A MODEL FOR OTHER ‘SMALL’ SHOPS

Sean Pittman founded the Pittman Law Group in 2001, and in its twelfth year has reached a benchmark that few small firms accomplish: quarterly compensation of as much as $499,999.  The three lobbyists registered on their team — Pittman, Phillip Singleton and Megan Sirjane-Samples — manage the interests of 19 legislative clients.  This is up from 18 clients reported last quarter, and 16 during the second quarter of 2012. 

Pittman’s biggest-paying clients this quarter are Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC, compensating up to $49,999 for representation; and the Florida Health Care Association and HCA Healthcare, each at up to $29,999. AT&T; Florida Crystals; the Cities of Orlando, Riviera Beach, and Tallahassee; Florida State University Student Government; Palm Beach County Government; and Waste Management Inc. of Florida each compensated Pittman up to $19,999 this quarter. Pittman and his team also lobby for the Associated Industries of Florida.

SOUTHERN STRATEGY GROUP Q2 REVENUE UP NEARLY 33%

In 2012, white-shoe lobbying firm Southern Strategy Group rang in an impressive $2.54 million in lobbying fees during the second quarter.  Fast-forward a year and add nearly $1 million to that figure for a total of $3.41 million in quarterly compensation. The increase over last year represents more than what most other lobby firms generate in full.

SSG represents 132 clients before Florida’s Legislature and 140 clients before the executive branch.  And they have ample manpower to do so: in Tallahassee alone, SSG registers 19 lobbyists.

SSG has more than 350 unique clients in their network, served through their 16 offices in 11 states.  Their top five paying clients in Florida are Vestcor, who chipped in nearly $146,000 this quarter; Blue Cross Blue Shield, at almost $115,000; Mosaic Phosphates, at $75,000; Simply Healthcare Plans at $60,000; and United Insurance Holding Corp, at $54,000.  Add in MCNA Dental Plans at $52,500 and Walt Disney World at $51,500 and you have a small taste of how diverse the SSG client roster is.

THE MAYERNICK GROUP NEARLY DOUBLES ITS CLIENT LIST

Married lobbyist power duo Frank and Tracy Mayernick took home more than 2013 TallyMadness victories this year: in the second quarter of lobbyist compensation reports, their firm showed a boost in legislative clients from 22 this time last year, to 32 last quarter, to 37 today.

To date in 2013, The Mayernick Group has reported compensation for executive and legislative lobbying of up to $749,998.

Each quarter, lobbyists who are registered to represent clients before Florida’s legislature or executive branch must submit reports detailing their client roster and compensation ranges.  This week, reports are due for the period spanning April 1 through June 30, 2013 and reflect the year-round work that these firms do in representing interests that span every industry sector.

This quarter, the Mayernicks’ largest paying clients include the Florida Optometric Association, Boyd Gaming Corporation, the Rubin Group, and Capital Insight; this is in addition to their diverse range of other clients, such as Citrus Health Network, Armor Correctional, March of Dimes, HCA Healthcare, Florida Power & Light, US Sugar, and Dredging Contractors of America.

In March’s TallyMadness contest, Tracy and Frank were selected by and among their peers as two of the ‘best’ lobbyists in town, and no doubt their clients are in agreement.

TWEET, TWEET: @CFTLAWcom @BrowardDays now on Twitter! #Independent #nonprofit #nonpartisan #BrowardDays advocates #Broward #business #citizens. #sayfie #politics #FL 

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‘INTERPARTY’ DATING WIDELY AND INCREASINGLY DISAPPROVED BY AMERICANS via contributor Karen Cyphers

In 1958, just 4% of parents approved of interracial marriage for their children — a figure that has thankfully climbed to at least 86% of respondents today.  Yet when it comes to one’s child marrying someone who identifies with a different political party, the trend is exactly reverse.  In 1960, about 5% of Americans expressed a negative reaction to “interparty marriage”. In 2010, about 40% did. While Republicans have somewhat greater angst about this today, a steep rise was witnessed among members of both parties in 2008, when disapproval of interparty marriage was at around 20%.   During these same past few years, acceptance of interracial marriage has continued its steady incline (up from 79% in 2008).

Through stats like this and some experimental studies, researchers have suggested that the effective divide between Democrats and Republicans  is twice as large as the divide between blacks and whites.  Or, in more duly fitting terms: partisanship is the deepest cleavage in American society.  According to research from internet dating sites, liberals and conservatives may strategically hide their political preferences from their dating profiles to maximize their reach, but nevertheless, partisan agreement is among the greatest predictors of reciprocal communication between date seekers.  Apparently, most dating sites won’t even pair up people from two different parties.  Is it just me, or does this info seem to beg a Bachelor-style party-crossing reality show to be made?

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. SaintPetersBlog has for three years running been ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.