Crist doesn't hold back with response to USF students' arrest

Gov. Charlie Crist wasted no time responding to today's indictment of two USF students on charges of transporting explosive materials without a permit. Here's the statement released just before 5 Friday afternoon:

“I applaud the quick action of the law enforcement officials involved in today’s indictment. The local, state and federal partnership prevented a potential danger, possibly saving the lives of countless Americans.
“I am grateful to National Security Division at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Joint Terrorism Task Forces in Tampa and South Carolina as well as the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department and the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office in South Carolina for their work in this critical investigation. I also commend the brave men and women of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their assistance.
“The strength of this partnership sends a clear message to those who wish to harm the people of our state and our nation – law enforcement officers will remain vigilant and our people will be protected.“

Lots of Hurdles For Posey's PIP Offering

Sen. Bill Posey has been working away on a response to the House's offer by its Majority Party to keep the no-fault auto insurance system set to disappear on Oct. 1.

However, Posey's draft legislation is pretty darn similar to the one he authored during the Spring session, which got hijacked by Senators Dennis Jones and J.D. Alexander, the moment it left Posey's committee.

Posey doesn't have any co-sponsors for the current proposal, but he says he hasn't seriously started shopping it around the Senate, because he first wanted to see if it would have a shot in the House.

"I wanted to find out if we would have an appetite for this legislation in the House," Posey said. "And I think we do. With everybody except the guy that sets the agenda."

Whereas Richardson blows off Florida

Bill Richardson today signed the "Four State Pledge Letter," paying homage to Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina and promising not to campaign in any state with a primary or caucus before February 5, 2008. Good thing few people in Florida knew he was campaigning anyway.

"I hope no candidate tries to manipulate this situation for his or her own purposes. The DNC rules were established for a purpose -- to allow retail campaigning in a few early states and choose those states based on geographic and demographic diversity. Each candidate for President should do whatever possible to preserve the established rules. Anarchy in the nominating process does nothing to further the cause of changing America."  The pledge:

WHEREAS, over a year ago, the Democratic National Committee established a 2008 nominating calendar...

A soon-to-be new sheriff in Broward

News reports in South Florida say Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne is fast approaching a deadline with federal prosecutors on a plea deal that would quickly end the once-invincible Democrat's career as sheriff. The former state senator is at the center of a federal grand jury probe over outside business dealings, including relationships with firms that did business with the sheriff's office and possible income tax violations.

With Jenne's resignation looking like a foregone conclusion, there's much talk about who Gov. Charlie Crist would pick as a replacement through the next election in 2008. Among the names in speculation are Tom Wheeler, a fraternity brother of Crist's at Florida State University who was the attorney general's Fort Lauderdale-based chief of law enforcement; state Rep. Jack Seiler of Wilton Manors, a Democrat who is close to Crist; and Bob Butterworth, Crist's child welfare secretary and a Democrat who held the sheriff's post from 1978 to 1982.

"I'm not looking for another job, and I'm not lobbying for the job," Seiler said Friday. He said he would serve only as an interim sheriff, to stabilize the agency during a turbulent period. "It's a good force and a good group of people," he said. Jenne's troubles have been a front-page distraction for more than two years, and the huge agency was traumatized when a veteran sheriff's deputy was killed in a recent shooting.

Broward is overwhelmingly Democrat, but Crist, a Republican, would face pressure to appoint someone from his own political party.  Crist's office has no comment for now, spokeswoman Erin Isaac said. 

Gelber: Back Off Firing Squad

House Minority Leader Dan Gelber sent a fierce letter to Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean asking him to reconsider penalties to be imposed on Florida delegates to the convention, because of Florida's early primary.

"Today, toe-tapping Republicans with their excesses and over-reaching, are imploding on the national stage. Leave it to Democrats to create a distraction born out of a nuanced disagreement over some arcane party rule. The truth is our disagreement today isn't about some principled belief as the primary schedule is hardly premised on some inviolate notion of fairness.  On all things important – protecting public education, providing quality health care, defending the middle class – we are in lock step. So let's try to avoid creating another "ooops I did it again" moment, and focus on positioning our party for a 2008 victory," Gelber wrote. Read more here .

Arduin returns to the House

Donna Arduin has a new contract with House Speaker Marco Rubio. The former adviser to Jeb Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger joined Rubio's team last session, helping craft the plan to swap property taxes for higher sales tax.

Her firm, Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics, will earn $10,000 a month beginning Sept. 1 and will work through the end of regular session in May.

Dockery-Dean-Argenziano Switcheroo

Senate committee changes are no where near as drastic as the House committee changes.

But Sen. Paula Dockery took over criminal justice, which had been chaired by Senator-turned-PSC member Nancy Argenziano. Otherwise, Sen. Charlie Dean took up all of Argenziano's other spots and he will be running Military Affairs, which Dockery used to run.

UDPATE!

Buzz caught up with Sen. Dockery and she said that, as the council chair, she had been helping with criminal justice legislation after Argenziano left. And she grew more interested in criminal justice policy. So when Sen. President Ken Pruitt asked her to take it over, "I was thrilled," she said.

She's met with Attorney General Bill McCollum and says we can expect legislation that puts stronger penalties on gang violence and "grow houses," a major source of the home-grown marijuana industry.

Public Service or State Paying for Politics?

Billboards across Florida are urging motorists to move their cars out of harm's way after minor accidents, to avoid a second crash. Tax dollars fund the $150,000 campaign, in which billboards feature county commissioners, a mayor, sheriff and appointed heads of the Florida Highway Patrol and its parent state agency.

To one influential legislator, the billboards promote public officials as much as public safety.

"Talk about self-promotion. It's just wild," said Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey. Read more here.

Sen. Martinez escapes rocket grenade attack

AP: A military cargo plane carrying three senators and a House member was forced to take evasive maneuvers and dispatch flares to avoid ground fire after taking off from Baghdad on Thursday night. The lawmakers said their plane, a C-130, was under fire from three rocket-propelled grenades over the course of several minutes as they left for Jordan.

“It was a scary moment,” said Senator Mel Martinez, Republican of Florida, who said he had just taken off his body armor when he saw a flash outside the window. “Our pilots were terrific. They banked in one direction and then banked the other direction, and they set off the flares.”

Candidate Thompson coming to FL

Fred Thompson will make it official and file as a candidate 9/6, political director Randy Enwright announced in a confernece call and after a swing through Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina next week, he'll follow up with 9/13-15 trip to include "several days" in Florida and finishing up in Tennessee.

Democrats sue over DNC primary stance

Details to come, but the Buzz is that Hillsborough Democratic activists Vic DiMaio and Michael Steinberg are suing the DNC over the primary issue. From the legal eagles we've talked to, this won't be a slam dunk. On the one hand the Supreme Court has recognized the right of parties to control their nominating process, but on the other Florida has voting rights counties that could come into play if people's ability to participate is impeded.

Romney on Health Care

Check out Gov. Mitt Romney's plan to provide more affordable health care, which includes pro-business  ideas like deregulating the industry, expanding tax-free health savings accounts encouraging competition.

"Health care leaders in Florida and across the nation understand the critical need to make health insurance more available and more affordable for all Americans," Romney said.  "The answer is not more government, but more innovation.  We must harness the power of free market reforms to provide private insurance options to our citizens without a tax increase and without a big government takeover."

Also, Florida's health care industry likes Gov. Mitt Romney, see all those who support him below.

Thompson Eyes Sunshine State

With Randy Enwright, as national political director and Todd Harris as communications director, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson (who has yet to officially announce his presidential bid) is signaling a commitment to fight hard to win Florida, Harris said.

"Florida is going to play a critical role both in the primary and the general election, and it's important for any winning campaign to have a staff that understands the complexities of Florida politics," Harris said.

"I think you can also read into it that we think Florida is going to play an important part of our winning strategies," Harris said.

Florida issues don't matter?

It's no surprise that John Edwards, with his limited campaign account, is putting much more emphasis on Iowa and other early states than Florida, but his campaign manager, former Michigan Rep. David Bonior in the Boston Globe gave the clearest statement from any campaign that Florda - and even Bonior's own Michigan - will get limited attention from the Edwards camp.

"I do believe there is a role for a larger state in this process whether that be Florida or wherever," Bonior said in an interview. "But this campaign is focused on the four early states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina because that is where the issues matter most."

The Democratic bench

Rank speculation here, but when south Florida Democrats show up for Pasco County Democratic functions does that signal statewide ambitions? Hmmmm. State Sen. Dave Aronberg and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz are among the special guests listed for the Pasco Dems' "United We Stand" dinner 10/12.

Terrible way to pick a president?

That's the opinion of the USA Today's editorial board, which was happy to see the DNC clamp down on Democrats. But Bill Nelson pens the opposing view today: "The issue before us is simple: It's a case of fundamental rights vs. party rules.It's ironic, because national Democrats just celebrated the 42nd anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by unveiling a plan that "ensures all eligible Americans are able to vote and have their vote counted."

An 8/27 InsiderAdvantage poll of 502 registered Florida Democrats found 53 percent disgareed with the Jan. 29 Democratic primary being relegated to a beauty contest and, a sign that Democratic turnout could be effected, 22 percent said they would swith parties to vote in the GOP primary as a result.

Todd Harris joining Thompson

Todd Harris, former media strategist for Jeb Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger and John McCain, has signed on with probable Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson. Harris works for the communications firm Navigators, and the campaign made his hiring as communications director official tonight.

Not Maddox's pal

Had a call from former state Democratic chairman Scott Maddox, who wanted to make sure nobody had the wrong impression about his connection to Michael Duga, the subject of the weirdest political story we've read this week. We described Duga as a former Max Cleland aide and ally of Scott Maddox. Maddox says Duga basically showed up at the state party's 2005 Jefferson-Jackson dinner, wanting to help out the gubernatorial campaign.

"It was a complete disaster. He insulted everybody on my finance committee. He had a whole bunch of bad behavior and he was telling everybody he was my campaign manager,'' Maddox recalled, noting the campaign promptly told Duga to take a hike. Before long, Maddox said, Duga started sending threatening e-mails, vowing to release "sensitive campaign material" and/or file a bar complaint unless the Maddox campaign paid him, which it didn't.

Kucinich: Florida should hold caucus

Florida is entitled to special treatment in the presidential primary given past problems, Ohio congressman and Democratic candidate for president Dennis Kucinich said Wednesday.

"Doesn't the DNC owe something to Florida? What Florida went through in the 2000 election was a disgrace and the DNC owes it to Florida to find a way for Florida to find a prominent position in this election season."

Kucinich, who dropped by the Florida Press Center in Tallahassee, said a good compromise would be for Florida to have a nonbinding vote on Jan. 29, but also hold a caucus. "This shouldn't just be a party insiders' game. ... if you cannot have a primary why should Florida be deprived of delegates?"

Kucinich turned to Jon Ausman, a national committeeman who has begun working part-time for Kucinich, and said: "Jon ... this is a decision for Florida to make but I'm certainly hoping a compromise is going to be worked out because this is a state where it would be a tragedy to be in a position where the Democratic Party just says 'No well we have our rules and no matter what, this is what you've got to abide by.' "

Sounds great but Kucinich wasn't exactly standing up for the Sunshine State. The nonbinding primary/caucus concept has already been suggested by the DNC. And caucuses could cost millions.

Thompson fundraiser delayed

Almost candidate Fred Thompson had scheduled a fundraiser for this afternoon at Baker Hostetler in Orlando, but it's been postponed at least until the 18th. There's Buzz that it's another sign of disorganization with the Thompson team, but Thompson allies chalk it up to something simpler - scheduling conflicts. The actor and former Tennessee had planned a busy Florida day, including meeting with Charlie Crist, but it had to be re-scheduled.

"The toughest part was contacting all the people excited about coming,'' said Orlando lawyer Tico Perez,  noting a flood of enthusiasm as word spread Thompson was coming.

John "not always energy-efficient" Edwards

Above is Edwards in Iowa with what appears to be, well, an SUV.

But here's John Edwards campaigning in Orlando Tuesday, per the AP: ''I think Americans are actually willing to sacrifice,'' Edwards said during a forum held by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. ''One of the things they should be asked to do is drive more fuel efficient vehicles.'' The former North Carolina senator was asked specifically if he would tell them to give up their SUVS, he said, ''Yes.''

Oh yeah, and here's some of the transportation at the Edwards manse in Chapel Hill.

Poll: Allen should tough it out

A Schroth, Eldon & Associates poll for Democrats in Rep. Bob Allen's Space Coast district yields some interesting results. The survey was done as Democrats prepare for a possible race in this open 2008 seat, and asked voters whether Allen, who faces a misdemeanor charge of solicitation involving an undercover police officer, should stay in the House or resign. (Allen insists he's staying put).

The District 32 poll asked voters to agree or disagree with the statement that Allen should stay in the Legislature "until his guilt or innocence has been determined by a jury." A bare majority of 51 percent agreed with the statement, 38 percent disagreed, and 11 percent were not sure. The poll registered a 46 percent disapproval rating of Allen, the same as for President Bush in this solidly Republican district.

The survey was conducted of 300 voters on Aug. 25-27 with a MOE of +/-4.5 percentage points.

Britney Spears, rented mules, and Kenny Rogers

Democrat consultant Chris Hand is in fine form in an Orlando Sentinel op ed advising Florida Democrats how to respond to the DNC and its threatened spanking for Florida's early presidential primary: "While the DNC does not see the negative political consequences of its order, Florida Democrats should not follow them over the cliff. If we want to build on the gains we made last November -- the first Democratic Cabinet member elected since 1998 and the first Democratic pickup of Florida House seats since 1982 -- Thurman and the state party leadership must not shrink from calling the national Democrats' bluff."

RPOF eyes on the prize

While Florida and national Democrats are busy staging another circular firing squad over the Jan. 29 presidential primary, the Florida GOP is motivating and mobilizing local parties. With a new "headquarters of the day" inititiative, GOP chairman Jim Greer and senior party staffers are meeting with local party folks across the state.

The first batch: 9/10 - Collier County;9/13 - St. John's; 9/24 - Broward; 9/27 - Highlands; 10/1 - Columbia; 10/8 - Escambia; 10/10 - Palm Beach; 10/25 - Miami-Dade.

Crist's shifting rhetoric on tax relief, gambling

Story here.

WHAT HE SAID THEN: 'DROPPING LIKE A ROCK'

May 4, the last day of the Florida Legislature:
"A few more weeks for property taxes dropping like a rock. It will happen before (next year's tax) bills go out; that's all that matters."

March 21, at a speech to Broward County civic leaders:
"Don't believe what you're seeing in some of the papers -- not all of them -- that the rates aren't going to go down as much as we would like. They are -- I guarantee it -- they're going to keep going down."

WHAT HE SAYS NOW: 'GALACTICALLY STUPID'

Aug. 17, to the Times editorial board:
"I never promised anything. I'm not going to overpromise. I'm very careful about how I speak. What I've done is promise this administration's best efforts to do everything we can to reduce the burden of property insurance and property taxes. I can't say it will be a 30 percent reduction. I'd be a moron to say that. Why would I do that? That would be galactically stupid."

WHAT HE SAID THEN: AGAINST EXPANDED GAMBLING

Oct. 18, 2006, on campaign plane, flying from Orlando to Miami:
"You have a duty to negotiate with the Seminoles, in a compact. But I am not a proponent of expanding gambling."

Asked about a St. Petersburg Times story that day speculating about future slot machines:
"I'm against it. The (budget) numbers work without it."

WHAT HE SAYS NOW: LET'S BE OPEN-MINDED

Aug. 21, 2007, speaking to reporters after a mansion event
"There are some other opportunities we're looking forward to help us with the budget challenges we have today. We're negotiating with the tribe ... I want to be open-minded and I want us to be innovative."

Foley page won't sue

Naples Daily News: A former congressional page who received sexually explicit online messages from former Rep. Mark Foley said through his lawyer that he would not file a civil suit against Foley and that he is satisfied with the news that the former congressman is unlikely to be charged with a crime. More here.

Exemption may not be so super

Living in your dream home? Have visions of growing old there?  You'll want to think long and hard before switching to a new "super homestead exemption" if voters approve it in January.

Most people planning to stay in their homes for the long term will pay less in taxes if they resist the allure of the super exemption, a new analysis shows. For them, it's better to stick with their Save Our Homes protection, which limits annual tax increases to 3 percent. More here.

'Children's Cabinet' announced

The governor on Tuesday unveiled Florida's first Children and Youth Cabinet, a statewide 15-member panel that will advise Gov. Charlie Crist on how the state can serve children better. The chairman of the cabinet will be Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, and members include the heads of nine state agencies and a few familiar names.

They include former Miami Herald publisher David Lawrence, president of an early-childhood foundation at UF; former state Rep. Dick Batchelor, an Orlando Democrat; Donna Gay Lancaster, executive director of the Pinellas County Juvenile Welfare Board; and Antonia Crawford, chairwoman of the Early Learning Coalition.

The cabinet is the result of legislation filed in the 2007 session by Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston and Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee, among others. 

Castro bullish on Barack and Hillary

Reuters: "The word today is that an apparently unbeatable ticket could be Hillary for president and Obama as her running mate," the ailing leader wrote in an editorial column in Granma, the Cuban Communist Party's newspaper.

Ginny "knows" Rudy, likes Mitt

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite supports Mitt Romney in the 2008 race for the White House. This much we know. But ask the Brooksville Republican why she didn't pick fellow New York native Rudy Giuliani and the conversation gets awkward -- very awkward.

"A lot of people say to me, 'Well you're from New York, why don't you support Giuliani?'" Brown-Waite said during a stop at the Times' Brooksville office. "Um, let me put it this way: I know Giuliani. I'm supporting Mitt Romney."

Huh? When asked what about Giuliani, 63, she doesn't like, she replied: "Um, Giuliani." Pressed again for details, she didn't elaborate. "I prefer not to say at this point," she said. "I prefer not to say period. OK? I know him -- let me put it that way."

Reporters kept pushing for details (including whether they'd ever dated ) but GBW wouldn't even say how she knew Giuliani. "I've known him in the past," she said. "More than 10 years ... less than 40."

--John Frank

Rubio, rearranging the deck chairs

So, who gets to sit next to Rep. Bob Allen on the House floor?

Why it just happens to be a charter member of House Speaker Marco Rubio's doghouse: Rep. J.C. Planas, R-Miami, of all people. The draft of a new seating chart is making the rounds and it shows the disgraced Allen being relocated from his second-row seat between Marti Coley and Adam Hasner to the fourth row, between Planas and rookie Democrat Darren Soto.

"This job is about working to make people's lives better and it should make no difference where you’re seated as long as you’re here to work," Planas told the Buzz.

Several other lawmakers also have new seats, reflecting their rise (Frank Attkisson) or fall (Andy Gardiner) in the House GOP leadership. The lineup, which Rubio spokeswoman Jill Chamberlin insists is a draft soon to be revised, is here.

Florida Firewall business leaders for Rudy

"Florida is the firewall'' shouts the headline on a Giuliani PowerPoint presentation for the Florida staff. The 37-page presentation obtained by the Buzz notes Giuliani's lead in the Fl polls, talking points about his record in New York, and a fairly predictable phone bank script. Under the heading, "Our plan for victory", it notes absentee and early voting efforts, and the hand-written notation "Miami-key city." Key Coalitions to target: Former Yankees, mayors, volunteer firefighters, Italian-Americans.

The campaign today also announced its "Florida Business Leaders for Rudy:" “Business leaders across Floridaare supporting Rudy Giuliani because they know he is the strongest fiscal conservative running for President,” said Debbie Jallad,president and owner of Accredited Bond Agencies of Winter Park.

Full list below

The newest Rubio

House Speaker Marco Rubio's wife gave birth this afternoon to their fourth child, a boy.

Jeanette Rubio gave birth to the baby shortly after 2 p.m. at Kendall Regional Medical Center, House spokeswoman Jill Chamberlin reported. The boy weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz.  Both mother and child are in good health. The new baby will join the Rubio's three other children, Amanda, Daniella, and Anthony.

Campaign cash - get it while you can

House Democratic leader-elect Franklin Sands will host a fundraiser this evening at the Governor's Club for Reps. Keith Fitzgerald, Rick Kriseman and Jim Waldman.

Kriseman (St. Petersburg) and Waldman (Coconut Creek) probably have nothing to worry about. But Fitzgerald, of Sarasota, likely faces a tough re-election fight in an area that has not been easy for Democrats.

Sen. Lynn and T.K.: Trading Places

Talk about karma and role reversals.

In 1991, the state faced the kind of budget crunch that lawmakers have to deal with as they head into next month's special session. Back then, FSU president T.K. Wetherell was House Speaker. Republican Sen. Evelyn Lynn was assistant superintendent of Volusia County schools. Lynn was begging Wetherell and other lawmakers to spare her budget as much as possible.

Tuesday, it was Wetherell urging Lynn (now head of the Senate's higher ed appropriations committee) and other lawmakers to think hard about where and how they cut.

When Wetherell pointed out the irony of their role reversals, everyone in the packed committee room laughed. Lynn did, too. And with a big smile on her face, she said: "What goes around comes around."

Congressional delegation united on Jan. 29

Florida's elected Democrats in Washington say they are united in supporting a Jan. 29 primary -- no matter what the DNC may try to do.

"We cannot go along with anything but the state-run primary set for next January," the 10 Democratic lawmakers led by Sen. Bill Nelson said in a joint statement today. "We strongly encourage all Democrats to vote for their preferred nominee in that primary, regardless of whatever penalties the DNC might enact."

"The vote is going to matter - period," the lawmakers said.
Delegation members have said they mount a legal challenge to block the DNC from banning Florida delegates, but remained hopeful the skirmish can end peacefully.

"We hope that over the next few weeks, the DNC and its chairman will show a willingness to work with us to find an equitable solution that is acceptable to all," the lawmakers said.

No Gambling For Gov

Gov. Charlie Crist attended a Southern Governors' Association conference over the weekend, which was held at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi.

Although he is in the middle of negotiating a deal that might give the Seminole Tribe expanded casino gaming in return for cash to plug the hole in the budget, Gov. Crist refrained from gambling in Biloxi. (And would give no update on negotiations.)

The SGA conference was deep inside the Beau Rivage, meaning a walk through the gambling area was necessary to get to the meeting rooms. But Crist said he wasn't tempted and hasn't gambled since he tried it back when he was 21 and lost something like $20 at the time.

Crist didn't even stay at any of the casino hotels. He checked into a Hampton Inn.

The sound of a rock dropping (not)

For the first time, Gov. Charlie Crist acknowledged Tuesday that he may have oversold the promise of property tax relief and insurance rate reduction. Some Floridians are steaming mad as they open their preliminary tax bills or TRIM notices, to find negligible tax savings or none at all.

"Perhaps," Crist said, when asked if he and legislators raised expectations too high. "Maybe all of us in this room did," he added, facing a roomful of news media people.

A short time later, Crist clarified his remarks, making it clear that he wasn't holding the press partly responsible for any sense of unfulfilled hopes. "I didn't mean to blame you for voicing my 'drop like a rock,' so please forgive me if that was the impression I gave," Crist said.

Seeking an analogy for his own situation, Crist quickly found one: Tim Tebow, the new Gator football quarterback, who Crist recalled had said that all he can do to meet sky-high expectations "is to do my best."

Gov. Likes Bogdanoff Plan To Save PIP

Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday that he was "encouraged by the plan that Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff has put forward."

That plan would keep current no-fault law but would change it up some.

However, Crist said he's not going to force the issue and make a special session call on the topic, if there's no concensus. So far, word is, there is no concensus.

"I don't feel that strongly about it," Crist said.

Crist's rep for risk

Anybody notice that Charlie Crist's national press is no longer uniformly glowing? Take this snippet from a mighty relevant New York Times magazine cover piece on Wall Street's risk analysis for catastrophes:

"The disaster waiting to happen in Florida grows bigger by the day, but for a man running for governor of Florida, ignoring it is a political no-brainer. If he’s lucky — if no big storms hit in his term — he looks like the genius who saved Floridians billions in catastrophic-risk premiums. If he’s unlucky, he bankrupts Florida and all hell breaks loose, but he can shake down the federal government to cover some of the losses. "

St. Pete City elex: Candidate will return contribution

District 3 City Council candidate Bill Dudley said he's returning a $500 maximum contribution today after The Buzz pointed out the contributor already gave $500 to his campaign. Dudley said the second contribution from Johnathan Stanton, a St. Petersburg resident whom Dudley taught at Northeast High School, was a mistake. When first contacted by The Buzz, Dudley said the donation was supposed to come from Stanton’s fiance, and that the two share a bank account. The problem is, Stanton’s fiance, Abigail Wallace, also had already contributed $500, according to campaign finance reports. Dudley then said he could not explain the error and promised to refund the money.

FL Campaign operative busted at Edwards event

Some Florida Democrats may know or recall Michael Duga, a former Max Cleland aide and (at least he said) onetime aide to the Clintons and ally of Scott Maddox. Well check this weirdness from the Boston Globe:

"A 31-year-old Florida man was arrested over the weekend in connection with impersonating an aide to Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards at a Martha's Vineyard fund-raiser, police said. ... Duga, who was arraigned yesterday in Edgartown District Court on charges including m