U.S. Presidential Election

Who Is the 47 Percent Videographer?

I-4 Corridor Predicts Florida for Romney

Russell Simmons on President Obama, Politics, and Hip-Hop

John McCain Campaigns for Romney in State That Didn't Vote for Him

With the election a mere days away, Willard Mittington knows that winning Florida is going to be crucial, especially with the numbers settling down across the country and Ohio maybe possibly being a must-win state for the Mittbot, where he is down by as much as five in some polls.So Romney is pullin ... More >>

Joe Biden Tells Florida Seniors Romney's Plan Will Tax Their Social Security

Joe Biden got medieval on Romney and Ryan's asses over the weekend. Biden rallied supporters at his events in Boca Raton and Tamarac over the weekend, which were filled with Florida seniors. Biden went around telling the many, many seniors who attended his rallies that Romney's economic plan coul ... More >>

Marco Rubio Will Introduce Mitt Romney at RNC

He wasn't picked to be Mitt Romney's running mate, but that doesn't mean Marco Rubio can't do his part, damn it. Rubio will be introducing Romney on the final day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa on August 30.Because Republicans and tea partiers love a good latherin' up via charismatic ... More >>

Mitt Romney Is Hitting Fort Lauderdale for Fundraiser Hosted by Car Dealers

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will be coming to Fort Lauderdale on Monday for a $50,000-per-person couples fundraiser.The shindig will be hosted by the president and COO of Auto Nation, Michael Maroone, and his wife, Michelle, and cohosted by Rick Case of Rick Case Honda, and his wife. ... More >>

RNC to Acknowledge Rick Scott Exists, Will Let Him Speak at Convention

When Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus was asked last month about Florida Gov. Rick Scott speaking at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, he offered a less-than-welcoming indication of Scott's role:"I'm sure he's got, I'm sure he's got plenty, uh, you know, I'm sure there's ... More >>

Romney Campaign Does Impossible: Gets Obama to Brag About Rick Scott

Bloomberg had an interesting scoop yesterday: The Mitt Romney campaign asked Gov. Rick Scott to tone down his bragging about Florida's economy because it was interfering with Romney's message of economic apocalypse under Barack Obama. The report also said Scott "was asked to say that the state's job ... More >>

Jeb Bush: I Will "Under No Circumstances" Be Vice President (VIDEO)

Quick audible on today's Jeb Bush update: This post was originally about Bush endorsing Republican Rep. Connie Mack in the Senate race for Bill Nelson's seat, which is news because people like Jeb and a former governor endorsing a primary candidate means it's either a sure thing or Bush thinks the g ... More >>

Republican Presidential Candidates Owe Floridians More Than $230,000

Newt Gingrich's campaign for the Republican presidential campaign is over. Done-zo. Finished. The guy is walking around his home state wearing a Mitt Romney sticker.But the former speaker of the House isn't even close to concluding the dealings surrounding his campaign, as documents filed over the w ... More >>

Marco Rubio Not Being "Seriously Considered" For VP Spot, Favor Going to "Incredibly Boring White Guys," Says Report

It might be fun for people to talk about Florida Sen. Marco Rubio getting picked to be Mitt Romney's running mate, but one group that isn't talking about it is... Mitt Romney's campaign, according to an article from Politico.The article compares the Romney campaign to that of John McCain in 200 ... More >>

Poll Finds Marco Rubio Wouldn't Help Mitt Romney in Florida, but Jeb Bush Would

A new poll of Florida voters was released yesterday with all kinds of juicy numbers about politicians on both the state and national level. The full report is included at the bottom, but there are more facts in it than one blog post could ever hold.The poll was conducted by Democratic firm Public Po ... More >>

Jeb Bush Courageously Endorses Mitt Romney

​Former Republican Gov. Jeb Bush has taken the brave and politically risky move of endorsing presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a long-shot candidate who is only 300 delegates ahead of his competition.Romney has won only 16 primaries, including Florida's, which was held almost two months ago.

Allen West "Willing and Ready" to Be Vice President

​When asked about a vice presidential nod by CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien this morning, Congressman Allen West that he is "always willing and ready to serve my country in whatever capacity that the American people would desire.""As far as the vice president thing, you know, who knows what the future ... More >>

"Rick Santorum or Megadeth's Dave Mustaine?" Quiz Is Genius

​You probably read recently, maybe even here on County Grind, that Megadeth's Dave Mustaine has a hankering for some Rick Santorum. We were kind of grossed out by the whole affair, but after some tossing, turning, and musing, we let the sitch lie. However, someone brilliant over at Mother Jon ... More >>

Gingrich Loses Florida Republican Primary, Asks for Delegates Anyway

"​Andy Bernard does not lose contests. He wins them, or he quits them because they are unfair."-- Andy Bernard, The OfficeRepublican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich lost Tuesday's primary by 14 points, which means he doesn't get any of the state's 50 delegates and front-runner Mitt Romney can ... More >>

Broward County Has Lowest Republican Primary Voter Turnout in Florida

​As you may have already heard 3 million or 4 million times, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won the Florida Republican primary last night with 46.4 percent of the vote -- though more than seven in ten Broward Republicans didn't even bother showing up to the polls.Only 28.7 percent of regist ... More >>

Bill Koch and Oxbow Donate $1 Million to Romney Super PAC

​Six months ago, Bill Koch's spokesman told us the Palm Beach billionaire's political allegiances were "hard to pin down." Unlike Tea Party sugar daddies Charles and David Koch, "Wild Bill" was the Koch brother who supported more traditional Republican candidates and liked to fly under the radar. ... More >>

Republican Primary Quiz: Whom Should You Vote For?

​In case you were not aware, Florida's Republican primary is tomorrow, at which time thousands of Florida Republicans will emerge to support somebody and give the media a fresh narrative to invent and take into the upcoming caucuses. But it's perfectly natural to feel a little anxiety when it come ... More >>

Marco Rubio: the Man Gingrich and Romney Love to Name-Drop

​The Republican presidential candidates at last night's debate were dropping the names of Floridian public figures as quickly as they could come up with them. In response to a question about Hispanic Americans the candidates would consider for their Cabinets, everyone (except Ron Paul) started rat ... More >>

Newt Gingrich to Make a Lunch Stop at Wings Plus

​Somewhere in the history of politics, a candidate stopped for a bite to eat and was spotted by his adoring public... That was probably the watershed moment that began the tradition of restaurant stops.  After all, nothing says "I'm one of the people" like a politician with ketchup on his tie ... More >>

Florida Latinos Like Romney but Like Obama Better

​Though a Rasmussen poll released Monday showed Newt Gingrich well ahead of the rest of the Republican presidential field, a Univision/ABC News poll released this morning revealed Florida's Latino voters overwhelmingly favor former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.Of those polled, 49 percent went fo ... More >>

Gingrich, Santorum Build Florida Campaigns With Help From Antigay Crusaders

​The Republican presidential candidates can figure out a way to disagree on any topic -- we saw last night they could argue about everything from Terri Schiavo to beet sugar -- but there's one thing they all have in common: None of them has any plans to go anywhere near gay rights, and two -- Sant ... More >>

NBC News/Tampa Bay Times GOP Debate: Live Blog

​Tonight at 9, the remaining four contenders for the GOP presidential nomination take the stage in Tampa to talk about the issues -- and, usually, the nonissues.Either way, Florida's primary election next week is a winner-take-all contest for the state's 50 delegates, and the contest between forme ... More >>

Herman Cain Makes a Comeback! (In Ad for Steak Salesman/Senate Candidate Craig Miller)

Herman Cain is trying to work his magic again, this time by being featured in the new advertisement for U.S. Senate Republican hopeful and former Ruth's Chris steak house CEO Craig Miller.

Mitt Romney Releases Anti-Obama Ad Making Florida Sound Like a Hellhole

You know what sucks? Florida, if GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's new advertisement is to be believed.

Florida Poll: Indecisive Republicans Suppose They'll Be Picking Mitt Romney -- Maybe

Hey, Florida Republican, who do you plan on voting for in your party's presidential primary?Uh, Mitt Romney, I guess. Well, maybe.That's what the results from the latest poll of Florida Republicans reads like, as most people say they might change their mind, and most of the Tea Party members are pul ... More >>

Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich Lead Florida Poll, but Bettors Go With Romney

​With a month to go until Florida's GOP presidential primary, the latest poll shows former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich essentially tied and well ahead of the rest of the field.For those who are putting money on Florida's GOP primary, though, they're pickin ... More >>

South Florida Tea Party Leader Says Donald Trump Is His "First Choice" to Moderate Debate

​The GOP debate sponsored by the West Palm Beach-based Newsmax and moderated by Donald Trump is having some difficulties.It has two confirmed attendees -- former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Sen. Rick Santorum -- while four have declined, and Rep. Michele Bachmann hasn't responded.Aside ... More >>

Rick Scott's Prediction That Herman Cain Would Be the Next President -- Not Quite

Wait, what?​Gov. Rick Scott's prediction that Herman Cain would become the next President of the United States didn't quite come true.Cain announced this weekend that he was "suspending" his presidential campaign after yet another woman decided to go public about her encounters with him -- thi ... More >>

Michele Bachmann Stops in Fort Lauderdale, Mostly to Dump on Newt Gingrich

​GOP presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann stopped by the Westin Hotel in Fort Lauderdale this evening, mostly to speak poorly of the apparent front-runner in the race -- former House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- as well as to answer a few questions as indirectly as possible.What several people ... More >>

Herman Cain Is a "Distracter," According to Allen West [Insert Laughter Here]

Rep. Allen West​Of all the people to call for GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain to drop out of the race because he's a distraction, it was Rep. Allen West.Yes, West, quite possibly the biggest distraction in the House of Representatives, said Cain's being a "distracter" was enough for him to ... More >>

Florida Has Old People, Old People Love Newt Gingrich, Poll Says He Leads by 30 Points

​Former House Speaker Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is apparently a thing in the GOP presidential race now, with the most recent poll released this afternoon showing nearly half of Florida Republicans opting for him to be the party's nominee.Gingrich somehow managed to raise his poll numbers with a ... More >>

Herman Cain's Florida Tour Gaffes: Was Media Criticism "Over the Top"?

Herman Cain, the presidential contender who loves to shout the number "nine," took a whirlwind tour through Florida last week, visiting Sweetwater, Miami, Coral Springs, West Palm, and Palm Beach. While he was down in Miami, he bent to Spanglophone tastes by shouting "nueve, nueve, nueve" instead.Bu ... More >>

Herman Cain Train Rolling Through South Florida on Wednesday; Three Events for Free

"The man who's been shoutin' the number nine in your TV."​GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain -- or as Mike Tyson calls him, "The man who's been shoutin' the number nine in your TV" -- is scheduled to make four stops around South Florida on Wednesday.Three of those events will be free, but the ... More >>

Poll: Marco Rubio on GOP Ticket Would Win Florida, Unless Hillary Clinton Gets Involved

saucesome.netFifty percent of Florida voters say otherwise.​According to a poll released yesterday evening by Suffolk University, Florida voters like highly unlikely vice-presidential scenarios.If Sen. Marco Rubio were to be the selection on the GOP ticket, pollsters say Republicans would carry Fl ... More >>

Obama Banking on Florida Fundraisers, Including Eight From Broward and Palm Beach

herrodooky.tumblr.com​President Obama's reelection campaign released its list of 351 volunteer fundraisers who have helped him rake in the big bucks -- more than $50,000 -- with 29 of them coming from Florida and eight of them from either Broward or Palm Beach counties.None of the GOP presidential ... More >>

Happy Rosh Hashanah, Rick Perry! Poll Finds One Florida Jew Who'd Pick Perry Over Obama

​Rosh Hashanah probably isn't Texas Gov. Rick Perry's favorite holiday. Aside from the fact that he's not Jewish, he'll also find out today that Florida Jews don't want him to be president.Public Policy Polling released the second part of its survey of Florida voters today, finding that President ... More >>

Mitt Romney Leads New Florida Poll; Ron Paul Most Unfavorable Candidate but Places Fourth

​With this afternoon's release of Public Policy Polling's survey of Florida Republican voters, Florida became the first Southern state polled by the firm that didn't select Texas Gov. Rick Perry as its front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination.Instead, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney ... More >>

Rick Perry Leads Florida Poll Going Into Debate, Followed by Mitt Romney and Still... Sarah Palin

Texas Gov. Rick Perry​Without much difference from the national poll released the day of the CNN/Tea Party express GOP presidential debate two weeks ago, most Florida Republicans would pick Texas Gov. Rick Perry as their presidential nominee, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released ... More >>

Marco Rubio as Mitt Romney's Vice Presidential Pick a "Dream Ticket," Romney Adviser Says

Marco Rubio​Republican presidential candidates are going to need an incredible campaign strategy to dismantle President Obama in the 2012 election.Two of the biggest challenges are winning large swing states, like Florida, and figuring out how to get Hispanic voters to pick in their favor.The answ ... More >>

27-Year-Old Is Trying to Run for President -- You Too Can Be a "Presidential Candidate"

via Ryan Lipner​The Constitution dictates that in addition to being a citizen and a U.S. resident for at least 14 years, a presidential candidate must be at least 35 years old. Calling the last requirement "age discrimination," 27-year-old South Floridian Ryan Lipner is plowing forward with his qu ... More >>

Dishy Campaign Book Describes How Crist Overplayed Hand With McCain

Flickr: lowraineMcCain and Crist on the campaign trail in West Palm Beach.​It's hard to fathom, but some dishy new campaign tell-all book casts Florida Gov. Charlie Crist as a treacherous, ruthlessly self-interested politician looking to sell his endorsement in the 2008 presidential campaign to wh ... More >>

What About Bob? Florida Senior Bids to Be Florida's Junior Senator

Bob SmithBob Smith, who for 12 years served as New Hampshire's U.S. Senator, is betting that his brand of retro-Republicanism will carry him to victory in the 2010 race to be U.S. Senator from Florida. Smith retired in Sarasota six years ago and declared his candidacy this month. If elected, he woul ... More >>

Barack Obama wins -- and So Does South Florida

It's a victory just to have an election pass without a local embarrassment

The Gaffe Gap Narrows

DeGroot: Say Hello To President McCain

McCain Picks Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

Third Man

Fort Lauderdale's John B. Anderson ran for president in 1980 and paved the way for spoiler candidates