U.S. Republican Party Politics

Mel Martinez: Two-Timing Man

For The Love Of Crist

Foley Cried At Pages' Farewell Ceremony

What Did Hastert Know, and When Did He Know It?

The Sun-Sentinel Error That Won't Die

Buddy, the Blog, and the Boot

Is Republican Cannibalism Afoot in Florida?

Being a trafficker in rank speculation and flimsy rumors, I can't help but admire the science-based speculation and rumor creation available on FiveThirtyEight.com, which I checked approximately 642 times daily in October. The captain of this vessel is Nate Silver, who crunches poll numbers in a way ... More >>

Letters for September 11, 2003

God Speaks in Film

Letters for May 20-26, 2004

Behead the head shop:

Meek Inching Closer to Frontrunner Status

It would be one thing if a South Florida paper was heralding U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek as the frontrunner in the U.S. Senate's Democratic primary for 2010. It's a far more auspicious thing that a Tampa Bay paper is making that claim, albeit with some hesitation. Along with Orlando, Jacksonville and th ... More >>

Mysterious Candidates to Be Questioned in Suit, Rare Benevolent Lawyer Steps Up

A judge has cleared the way for the Green Party to figure out who's behind the Florida Five, a group of mysterious Green Party candidates who ran in contested races across the state last November. Most of the Florida Five were broke young people who couldn't have afforded the couple thousand dollars ... More >>

Legislators Pay Lip Service to Dreaded Compromise

FLHouse.govHasnerCompromise is what distinguishes the effective, conscientious governments from the dysfunctional ones, and the lack of it has been a drag on the Florida Legislature for some time. One would think that this year's gaping, $6 billion budget hole would make compromisers out of the stub ... More >>

Florida's 2010 Races Taking Shape; Meek Looking Strong

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Kendrick Meek, of Miami,continues to tear up the fund-raising circuit -- an article in today's Roll Call says Meek will report $1.5 million in campaign dollars in the year's first quarter, which ended March 31. His primary competition for that nomination, Florida ... More >>

Crist Denies Trysts II

Sworn testimony backs up claims that Bruce Jordan boasted of his affair with Charlie Crist.

Crist Denies Trysts II

Sworn testimony backs up claims that Bruce Jordan boasted of his affair with Charlie Crist.

Charlie Crist Is NOT Gay

And other things the Republican Party wants you to believe on Election Day.

If Waldman's a Dem, What's With the GOP Cash?

Another in the long tradition of Broward elephants posing as donkeys.

Third Man

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

Prelude to a Butt Whippin'

The GOP eyes a George W. Bush victory in traditionally Democratic Palm Beach County. Here's why.

Out with the Truth, the Epilogue

The mainstream media ruin a perfectly good debate

Out with the Truth

With his voting record at issue, why won't U.S. Congressman Mark Foley just say that he's gay?

Waiting For Otto

Why would a man sullied by Iran-contra and illegal propaganda campaigns be a Bush nominee? Good question.

Letters to the Editor

Letters for November 9, 2000

Just Look at the House Republicans Inaction!

When House Republicans caucus, I'll bet it looks something like this: Star Wars-Imperial March - Click here for more amazing videosAmid all the other state budget crises, it's not getting nearly enough attention, but the Florida Legislature is on the brink of giving the heave-ho to $444 million in f ... More >>

Can Florida Governors Save GOP From Its Self-Destructive Impulses?

Flickr User: marsdencartoonsMaybe Rush Limbaugh doesn't spend enough time in his Palm Beach home. Because clearly, there's no path back to political relevance for the Republican Party that does not include winning back Florida. And yet the two figures who have the most credibility on that front, gov ... More >>

Crist Jumps Into Senate Race

Flickr User: CABridgesThe would-be future senator with the soon-to-be past Sen. Martinez.Now we got ourselves a bona fide political jamboree. Charlie Crist will seek Florida's U.S. Senate seat on behalf of the Dixiecrat, I mean the Whig, I mean the (could this be right?) Republican Party, even thoug ... More >>

Marco Poll-O: Rubio Unfazed by Unpopularity

twitter.com/marcorubioSure, Charlie Crist landed some big endorsements in his first week as a U.S. Senate candidate -- the National Republican Senatorial Committee for one. The Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, for another. And there were reports Crist might get the early endorsement of the R ... More >>

Conservative Blogosphere Stokes Mutiny After GOP Snubs Rubio

Flickr User: Americans forProsperityRubioMoments after Charlie Crist announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate last week, he received the endorsement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, with endorsements from leading Republican Senators like Mitch McConnell soon to follow. The intent wasn ... More >>

Leading GOP Senator: Rubio's the "Favorite"

Flickr User: senjimdemintSen. Jim DeMintSen. Jim DeMint from South Carolina is one of the most conservative members of Congress, but it's still something of a coup that he endorsed the most conservative contender in Florida's Senate race, Marco Rubio.That's because in doing so, DeMint is defying the ... More >>

Marco Rubio Has Risen With Lightning Speed, but Conservatives Alone Can't Carry Him to the White House

Flickr User: senjimdemintSen. Jim DeMintSen. Jim DeMint from South Carolina is one of the most conservative members of Congress, but it's still something of a coup that he endorsed the most conservative contender in Florida's Senate race, Marco Rubio.That's because in doing so, DeMint is defying the ... More >>

Florida's Loss: Rick Scott's High-Speed Rail Shoot-Down

Art Seitz Wild Art: Congressman Allen West joins a motley collection of local politicians (including fellow Republican Chip LaMarca, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler, Charlotte Rodstrom, and Romney Rogers) in Fort Lauderdale for yesterday's St. Patrick's Day festivities. (Photo by Art  ... More >>

Should Florida GOP Return Donations?

Stephen Prosper JusticeHarry Sargeant III​Yesterday, The Washington Post revealed that Delray Beach billionaire and oilman Harry Sargeant III may have bilked to the US government -- and, by extension, the US taxpayer -- to the tune of $200 million, while supplying jet fuel to American troops in we ... More >>

South Carolina, Iowa GOP Chairs Lash Out at Florida Over Primary Date

via PoliticoKaren Floyd says Florida should be punished for violating RNC rules.​Two Republican officials blasted Florida today for refusing to move its primary date, which is set for January 31, in violation of the rules of both Republican and Democratic parties. It's some of the toughest talk we ... More >>

Broward Republican Party's Chief Sponsors Are Democrats

​The Broward Republican Party is holding its "Grand Old Party BBQ" at Ronald Bergeron's ranch next month. Bergeron, a developer, has become more and more involved with the GOP recently, sponsoring just about everything it's been doing, from the recent Lincoln dinner to the party's website. Li ... More >>

Former Gov. Jeb Bush Twitter-Praises Tim Pawlenty's Presidential Run

renovomedia.comFormer Gov. Jeb Bush, already making pet names for Tim Pawlenty.​As soft-spoken former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is in South Florida today to court GOP voters for his 2012 presidential run, he got some Twitter love this morning from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush."I admire truth tel ... More >>

Debbie Wasserman Schultz Is Now "Debbie Downer" According To Republican Video

Debbie Wasserman Schultz​Democratic National Committee Chairwoman and South Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is now the basis of a recycled joke.American Crossroads -- the group that provided millions of dollars to put conservative candidates in office in the 2010 midterm electio ... 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 >>

Florida Voters Confirm Rick Scott's Suspicion: He's Poison for GOP Presidential Candidates

​Gov. Rick Scott had a revelation last month: He's not a guy you want to be associated with if you're running for president.The voters -- according to a Public Policy Polling survey released today -- agree with the governor.A plurality of registered Florida voters, 40 percent, said that because of ... More >>

Jon Stewart on Allen West: "Quick, Robin! To the Batshit Mobile!" (Video)

thedailyshow.com​Rep. Allen West was the subject of another Comedy Central news satire yesterday, when Daily Show host Jon Stewart made a quip starring West as Batman -- except he's driving the "Batshit mobile." Republican House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy showed the GOP House members a clip fro ... More >>

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

Texas Gov. Rick Perry​In anticipation of the GOP presidential debate it's hosting, CNN released its freshest poll numbers, with Texas Gov. Rick Perry leading the pack -- ahead by 12 percentage points over second-place Mitt Romney.The poll showed that 30 percent of the 446 Republican voters surveye ... More >>

Bill Koch, Billionaire Coal Man, Donates Heavily to John Boehner, Throws Bone to Allen West

Kim SargentBill Koch supports pro-coal candidates.​Last month, New Times introduced you to Bill Koch, the Palm Beach billionaire who owns a coal and gas company, is known for his voracious appetite for wine and women, and has two brothers famous for being the sugar daddies of the Tea Party. W ... 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 >>

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

Willard Mitt Romney​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 Massachusett ... More >>

Marco Rubio Butt-Kissing Won't Help GOP Candidates Win Florida, According to Poll

Sen. Marco Rubio​There's been a common theme among this year's GOP presidential candidates -- firmly planting their lips on the buttcheeks of Sen. Marco Rubio and dropping his name as a potential running mate.If that's a ploy to win Florida in a general election, it won't help, according to survey ... More >>

Connie Mack Enters U.S. Senate Race With 23-Point Lead Over Other GOP Hopefuls

FlickrConnie Mack​Whereas "someone else/not sure" was the overwhelming leader in previous polls for the Republican nomination in next year's U.S. Senate race, Rep. Connie Mack's entrance into the race changes things a bit.Mack enters with the support of 32 percent of Republican voters, according t ... More >>

Connie Mack Makes His U.S. Senate Run Official

Rep. Connie Mack IV​Although one of Republican Rep. Connie Mack's advisers announced that the congressman was running for U.S. senator in 2012 more than a month ago, it's not official until there's a Fox News appearance involved.Mack appeared on Sean Hannity's show to make his formal announcement, ... 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 >>

Newsmax Reporting Donald Trump's Book Sales; Hasn't Mentioned He Dropped the Debate

​UPDATE: Newsmax figured it out at 3:11 p.m., posting it in a not-so-prominent location.Either Newsmax is the only national media outlet in the U.S. that doesn't know Donald Trump has pulled out of moderating their debate, or they're having a real tough time crafting their damage-control plan ... More >>

Joe Kaufman Explains Why He Set Himself Up to Be Clowned on the Daily Show

Comedy CentralJoe Kaufman, facing some tough questions on the Daily Show.​If you're Joe Kaufman, you have to realize the Daily Show isn't trying to schedule an interview with you to promote your congressional candidacy.Instead, not surprisingly, his interview focused on the comedy -- like what ... More >>

Newt Gingrich's Broward Co-Chair Was Alleged to Be a Tea Party Faker

​Local political blogger Javier Manjarres was in the thick of the heckling drama at the Newt Gingrich rally in Coral Springs yesterday and claimed that one of Gingrich's staffers "assault[ed]" him in the incident he caught on tape.Turns out, that Gingrich staffer is the campaign's Broward co-chair ... More >>