Meet the winner and loser of the week

Winner of the week: State House Speaker Marco Rubio got the Charlie Crist brushoff when he questioned the governor's authority to a sign a casino gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe, but Rubio had the last laugh. The Florida Supreme Court shot down Crist's deal.

Loser of the week: Former Sen. President John McKay's efforts to pass the Amendment 5 "tax swap" is looking tougher every day. Last week Gov. Crist equivocated when asked if he'd campaign for it or even vote for it. Then a broad group of opponents filed suit challenging the ballot language.

Today's full print Buzz column is here.

Comments

Hey, is there a bias here. Only Republicans getting the winners and losers awards. Does that mean the Democrats are not doing anything to get any recognition? That is an easy question to answer: the Dems continue to be all talk, no action---a do-nothing group. Just look at them in their control of Congress. Vote out those in power--say NO to any Dem candidates.

The court will not throw it out and we know the people will vote for it! Try as the school unions might, even their teacher will be voting for amendment 5! Who doesn't want their property taxes to go down???

[Vote NO on 5!!!]

We know the people that will vote for it...a bunch of Norquist ideologs who believe in destroying our government so that corporations can despoil our nation without regulation.

Their well-researched spin and lies are designed to make you believe this is tax relief for the average homeowner. The actual facts are as follows:

1. Public Schools will be forced to trade solid revenue for imaginary sales tax revenue.

2. Corporations, investors, flippers, carpetbaggers and all those other real estate development folks will get a brand new tax cap - just like SOH.

3. The Republicans have already laid the groundwork to create huge loopholes in sales tax collection for all their special interest pals, like they've done to get the support of the realtors.

The net result - just another irresponsible tax cut for the wealthy by the FLGOP at a time when they've already bankrupted our government.

Vote NO on 5!!!

Loser of the Week: The State of Florida. Thanks to Marco Rubio's pi$$ing-contest-lawsuit. The Seminoles will STILL be able to operate their gaming tables, with permission from the Feds. BUT since the Court found the Governor didn't have the authority to enter into a compact, that compact is void. Therefore the Seminoles are no longer bound to pay Florida that $100 million per year.

No, 10:32, the loser of the week on this issue was Crist. He should have never entered into an illegal compact that offered false hope. Nowhere in the state is Blackjack or Baccarat legal; it's puzzling to imagine how he thought he could wave a wand and make that suddenly legal and taxable on tribal lands without going through the steps to make it legal (ie, getting the legislature to approve it or allowing voters to approve it via constitutional amendment).

Arrogance on the part of Crist has led the state into false expectations of millions of dollars a year in revenue from an illegal activity.

And there's no reason to believe the feds will allow the tribes to offer games other than poker and slots. The Dept. of Interior has been consistent about only allowing gaming that is otherwise legal in some other part of the state. Since as I just said, table games other than poker are still illegal in all parts of Florida, I seriously doubt D.O.I. would take the big step of suddenly allowing them anything more than slot machines.

10:50 you miss the point. Thanks to inaction by the legislature...the tribe will have expanded gambling and won't have to share any of the proceeds with the citizens of Florida. Remember...there was a federal deadline. The Governor at least tried to make the best of the situation by striking a deal to bring billions of dollars to state for education.

[surfdog]

hey 8:26 what dem power??
GWB THE WORST PREZ in history and Cheney have ruined this country with help by spineless dems who give them whatever they want! Ever hear of a signing statement??It will take 20+ years to correct the corruption and abuse of this administration and the shredding of the constitution they have done! 87% of the country CANT WAIT FOR 197 days 11 hours 22 minutes !!

These guys are WRONG! Florida will be close...Florida is ALWAYS close and Florida is a MUST WIN for McCain. Anything he can do to insure a victory in Florida so he can concentrate on Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio is the smart approach....which is exactly what he will do.

it may be that crist is the "winner" of the week, having begun the attempt to secure a "beard" for himself by announcing his intention to marry - a woman!!!!

[Jason Straight]

Floridas economy is the bellweather of the election ..If it continues SOUTH ..Say PRESIDENT OBAMA.There really is not anything the FGOP or Mc Cain can do about it.Mc Cain this an aweful candidate and you guys know it..The good news is that most of the foreclosures and truck repos are in central and west florida..Enjoy what you elect boys it anit gettin better very soon.. As they say in High Springs you keep what youy kill lit this states economy..

[BO's Dresser]

Jason,

Did you visit that gay clothing site yet. You are sounding more and more like someone who might find some good bargains.

What do you expect from a guy who took the bar exam so many times because he knew that laws of probability would finally worked in his favor? Therefore he knows how to gamble, but doesn't understand the law.

loser of the week - mcbush.
loser of the month - mcbush.
loser of the year - mcbush.

[Disillusioned Republican]

I am a registered Republican. I am also a moderate Republican.

Unfortunately, my party has been hijacked by Religious zealots that I have nothing in common with.

Not only will I not be voting for McCain, but I may vote for Obama, if I vote at all.

Jason, I love saying President Obama to the right-wingers that I know. It is such fun to watch them soil their panties and explode.

[Jason Straight]

Hey its all about accepting responsibility for the theft of the election the lies about the war .The state and federal policies of the last eight years have destroyed us..They are angry for two reasons .First they are angry that a black man will be their commander in chief.Second they are angry because the gravy train of corruption and fraud on the citizens of Florida and this nation is over..President OBAMA boys you wanna blame some one look in the mirror..Bo s Dresser the gay comments are insulting even though Im not gay..Address them to your Governor the hypocrite ..He does have some style ill give him that..

[surfdog]

Disillutioned Rebublican:
You are correct Sir1
the rebublican party Left YOU!
Since when does conservative mean:
Nationbuilding at $5,000 a SECOND!
spying on citzens with no warrent!
Torture!
I left the rebublican party and switched ind. THE DAY THE INVADED IRAQ
IMPEACH BUSH
VOTE OBAMA!

Bet you won't read this in the St. Pete Times or the New York Times!!!!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107ap_iraq_yellowcake_mission.html

NOW YOU CAN...
AP Exclusive: US removes uranium from Iraq
By BRIAN MURPHY
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
The last major remnant of Saddam Hussein's nuclear program - a huge stockpile of concentrated natural uranium - reached a Canadian port Saturday to complete a secret U.S. operation that included a two-week airlift from Baghdad and a ship voyage crossing two oceans.
The removal of 550 metric tons of "yellowcake" - the seed material for higher-grade nuclear enrichment - was a significant step toward closing the books on Saddam's nuclear legacy.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107ap_iraq_yellowcake_mission.html

I love saying President McCain to the liberals that I know. It is such fun to watch them soil their panties and explode.

The Governor is not getting any further up the Veep Meter with Floridians by flying aroung with all the CEO's of the utilities he used to fight. Thats is how he got his start at being popular. Now we start to see a different Governor and we wish he would go back to the Charlie he was in the Senate and AG's office.

[surfdog]

so what about the link?? Why the link? this part?....
"A federal investigation led to the conviction of I Lewis "Scooter" Libby, ,on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

He is working with utility company to bring nuclear and solar power to Florida...this will significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil...even so, Crist has continued to fight for consumer protection...and for Florida's families...which is why he is virtually the only Republican in America with an approval rating in the 60's.

[terminator]

7:48 (Gov's staffer)
you must not have seen any polls done recently.
Most have shown Crist in the low 50's/high 40's and heading south.
Floridians have caught on to what a pandering opportunist old Chuck is.

7:48 I hope your right. Thats the Charlie I supported and hope he hasn't caved to the utilities for contributions to McCain.

7:48 If your right, why is Charlie allowing his previous staff who now works for the utilities to advise him? Not a good thing. THey get paid by the utility.

Instead of reading "Start thing about re-election strategy", maybe the Veep-o-meter should read "Start feathering your nest with a big giveaway to US Sugar." Maybe they could put his name on a few shares of that stock that the state will be paying almost twice the market rate for.

****sigh****

remember when you would see a blog about Crist and the comments were about him?!?

Now these paid commenters turn everything to Obama...oh well- at least they are making money

7:48 - perhaps you don't know that we already have 3 nuclear plants in Florida. Will Charlie take credit for those too?

If Charlie thinks it will up his approval, he will do or say anything. 7:48 pm is clearly living in the same cloud that Charlie lives. Otherwise, they would know that his approval rating isn't up there any more. People are finally waking up....

Cristi is the loser of the week. His shameless of pursuit of the VP spot is so predictable. Is there anyone that didn't predict that he and Mrs. Rome would get engaged in the weeks leading up to the GOP convention? I hope you didn't pay too much for the "engagement" ring. When McCain picks Romney or Pawlenty for VP, the "engagement" will be called off, I'm sure.