Tweeting for every vote

U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio is about to go on MSNBC's Morning Joe. Attorney General Bill McCollum, running for governor, updates supporters that he is honored to get the endorsement of Gov. Charlie Crist. And Sen. Dan Gelber, hoping to be Florida's next attorney general, wants you to know he's thankful for America's veterans.

So goes politicking and campaigning in the era of Facebook and Twitter — cyber-mediums that allow users to interact constantly and quickly through updates, Web links, videos and photos that can be viewed via computers, BlackBerrys, and iPhones.

Taking a cue from President Barack Obama's successful campaign, and from their children and grandchildren, elected officials and candidates are increasingly harnessing the popular social networking tools to drive home campaign platforms and reach voters.

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Gelber reacts to SEC probe, wants AG off pension board

Sen. Dan Gelber, vying to be Florida's next attorney general, says the proposed anticorruption package he unveiled earlier this week is more vital than ever in light of confirmation this week that the Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating possible fraud by the board that oversees the state pension fund.

The reform package by Gelber, D-Miami Beach, would remove the AG from the SBA board, which now consists of the Governor, AG and Chief Financial Officer. Gelber says the AG should have "more arms length oversight" that will lead to prosecuting wrongdoing if needed.

Sen. Gelber joins "no txt" parade

Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, is joining the chorus of lawmakers who want to ban cell phones from drivers' hands and ears.
 
The legislation would ban any driver under 18 years old from operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device or telephone in any manner.

Any young driver who violates the law would have points assessed against their license -- and would have to follow learner's permit rules (only drive during daylight, and with a licensed driver 21 or older) for at least three months unless they are headed to school or work.

“Sixteen percent of all fatal crashes in 2008 were linked to cell phone use and it was especially prevalent among younger drivers," said Gelber, who is running for attorney general. "Studies have shown that texting while driving is more dangerous than driving while intoxicated.  Bottom line is if you’re a new driver and you talk, you walk."

Gay-rights group backs Dan Gelber

Sen. Dan Gelber, running for state attorney general, just got the endorsement of Equality Florida, the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group. 

"Our community has two friends in the Democratic primary race for attorney general. However, Dan Gelber stands apart as someone who has used his political capital to truly lead on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues," Stratton Pollitzer, the group's chair, said in a written statement.

Gelber, of Miami Beach, faces Sen. Dave Aronberg, of Greenacres, in the primary.

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Dave Aronberg, Dan Gelber duke it out

Democratic attorney general candidates Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber held a spirited debate before Florida Democrats this morning. There was no clear winner, each looking polished and confident. Both promised to get tough on crime, and both said Republican attorney general Bill McCollum has been asleep at the switch. In many cases their barbs were indirect.

Aronberg ("It starts with an A and ends with a G") mentioned about 1,200 times that he used to work for Bob Butterworth, and that he would be an attorney general in the Butterworth mold. Several times he said Florida deserves an attorney general who isn't eyeing another job (a jab at Gelber for initially aiming for the U.S. Senate.) He said he's beaten back Republican attacks in tough races, a way of noting that Gelber has never had a really tough race and always represented deep blue districts.

Gelber drew applause by boldly coming out against texting while driving. He talked about his ability to get things accomplished incuding convincing Charlie Crist to expand early voting in the presidential election. He touted his resume as a prosecutor, AV-rated lawyer, and U.S. Senate staffer, implying that Aronberg's resume is thin. He invoked his wife and kids, to distinguish himself from the single Aronberg. He looks much more like the grown-up compared to Aronberg. But he sounded at times like he's a total creature of Tallahassee, invoking "SB 360" without even saying what it is.

Gelber raises $315k, including $100k online

Sen. Dan Gelber, running for Attorney General in the Democratic primary against fellow Sen. Dave Aronberg, just sent an e-mail to supporters announcing he exceeded his $250,000 quarterly fundraising goal by about $65,000 -- and $100,000 of his total was raised online.

No word yet on money matters from the Aronberg camp. Republican AG candidate Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp's campaign folks say their accountants are still tallying the numbers. And AHCA head Holly Benson, the buzz has it, will decide whether to challenge Kottkamp after seeing his numbers.

Here is Gelber's e-mail:

Gelber urges AG McCollum to sue state over school $

Offering a glimpse into what he would do if elected Attorney General, Sen. Dan Gelber this afternoon called on current attorney general Bill McCollum to challenge the Legislature in court over its education funding.

"Florida's education budget is constitutionally infirm, and if you look at our school system, you see that," said Gelber, D-Miami Beach, a father of three in public schools. "Look at our graduation rates, the violence in our schools. I see teachers asking for help to buy paper....I don't know who the Attorney General is supposed to stand up for, if not for children."

Gelber later said that if elected in 2010 to the office now held by McCollum, suing the Legislature over its education funding would be one of his first actions.

McCollum spokeswoman Sandi Copes had this response: "The attorney general believes that education is certainly a top priority that must be adequately funded. Before any judicial action can be pursued, it is incumbent on the Legislature to take action on a proposed budget and provide funding for Florida's educational system.

What those new campaign finance reports will answer

• Is Marco Rubio a credible candidate for the Senate? After glowing pieces about him by the likes of George Will and the National Review, it will be hard to take him seriously if he raises less than the $340,000 he pulled in last quarter. Look for north of $2 million for Charlie Crist.

• Is Jeff Kottkamp sure to face a primary? If the lieutenant governor and candidate for attorney general doesn't report a big number, at least several hundred thousand dollars, he'd better gear up for a tough primary.

• Is Kendrick Meek blowing through all his money? The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate has a big staff working on getting him qualified for the ballot by signature, but he'll need every penny for an uphill race against (probably) Crist. Plus it looks like Meek will face his own primary challenge from former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre.

On college gameday, Aronberg plays the AG cash offense

Tomorrow's a big day in college football, Florida football in particular -- with Miami taking on Virginia Tech, FSU hosting USF and UF trying to maintain its No. 1 ranking against Kentucky.

But winning an Attorney General race doesn't come cheap, so Sen. Dave Aronberg will seek donations at a Delray Beach fundraiser while the rest of Florida guzzles beer and noshes wings. The fundraiser is hosted by assistant attorneys general Melanie Surber and Dan Hyndman and their spouses.

Aronberg, D-Greenacres, has boasted of his support and endorsements from the law enforcement community. (Opponent Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, got former US Attorney General Janet Reno's support.)

The two-hour cocktail reception starts at 4 p.m, by which time the FSU-USF score will be final and the 'Canes will be well into the first half. Sen. Aronberg will, however, have plenty of time to see the UF game that kicks off at 6.

See the invite here: Download AronbergInvite9-26-09

Latest from the Great Summer 2009 Endorsement Brag...

The calendar says fall, but the Great Summer 2009 Endorsement Brag continues, with Democratic AG candidate Dan Gelber of Miami Beach releasing the latest press release about the latest endorsement - this time from several northeast Florida Dems including Florida House Reps. Audrey Gibson and Mia Jones.

This is not to be outdone by fellow Dem and fellow AG candidate Dave Aronberg, whose camp is quick to say something along the likes of Oh yeah, well Aronberg has gotten all these endorsements from law enforcement. Where are Gelber's?

Well, Gelber's camp would count former U.S. Attorney Janet Reno as the mother of all law enforcement endorsements.