Republicans pour gas on grassroots effort

Jim Greer is either one swell guy or a step away from the panic button*. The Florida GOP chairman just sent out an e-mail trying to lure volunteers with free gas cards and a chance to meet John McCain or Sarah Palin.

"Volunteers must make a minimum of 500 phone calls, or knock on 100 doors to qualify. The volunteer who makes the most phone calls and the volunteer who knocks on the most doors will meet Senator John McCain during his next trip to Florida. The volunteer who comes in second in each category will meet Governor Palin. Additionally, any volunteer who makes 1000 phone calls will earn a $100 gas card. Volunteers who knock on 100 doors will each receive a $50 gas card. Click here to register today."

*No way, says Republican Party spokeswoman Erin VanSickle, noting that gas cards have been a common incentive used in many elections. "We are talking about volunteers who are making hundreds of phone calls and knocking on hundreds of doors -- grassroots campaigning at its best." The party had a previous contest to meet the candidates, she added, and it was a great motivator.

Say it ain't so, Dan: A 527 critic backtracks

One of the loudest critics of 527 political committees has been Rep. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, the outgoing House Democratic leader and soon-to-be state senator. He stood in the Capitol rotunda in May 2006 and derided the rank hypocrisy of a system that prohibits elected officials from taking a muffin from lobbyists while permitting the unrestrained flow of lobbyists' money to 527s that can be used for personal expenses to enhance lawmakers' lifestyles.

"This is absolutely wrong," Gelber said then.

Unable to persuade his Republican colleagues to clean up the system, Gelber has joined them: He has his own 527, in addition to his a re-election campaign that has raised $290,000.

The Gelber fund is called A Better Way for Florida (www.abetterwayflorida.com). The fund has received $5,000 from health care firms, a Miami dog track and the Florida Retail Federation, and $2,500 from lobbyist Ron Book.

"I don't like them, but I'm not going to unilaterally disarm," Gelber said. "I've been trying for years to cut this out, but there's been no movement at all." (Steve Bousquet's column is here)

For some, new voting law 'a real bummer'

The state's "no match, no vote" law, enforced for roughly a month, has ensnared people like Eckerd College senior Brittany Reynolds.

The 20-year-old art major said she is so busy she could barely glance at the letter she got this week, let alone fax a photocopy of her driver's license to the Pinellas County elections office.

"It's a real bummer," Reynolds said. "I did want to be a part of the election." (story here)