Jeb Jr. and George P Bush raising money for Marco Rubio

Jeb Jr. and George P. Bush will headline a mid-December primary for Marco Rubio. No word if the old man will be there, but its certainly safe to assume the ex-governor's kids wouldn't be doing this without his blessing.

Putnam returning Rothstein-connected money

"Out of an abundance of caution," Adam Putnam said today that he would return "several" contributions connected to Scott Rothstein's law firm.

The campaign did not receive any personal contributions from the Rothstein, said Putnam, who is running for state agricultural commissioner. The contributions amounted to about $4,000.

Charlie Crist's huge advantage over Marco Rubio

For all the breathless talk about Marco Rubio being poised to beat Charlie Crist, don't forget that pesky little question of money. There has been lots of talk that nearly half of Crist's money can't be spent until the general election, so he's not nearly so far ahead. Wrong.

We've crunched the numbers, and it looks like only about $2.5 million of Crist's campaign account is restricted to the general election. As of Sept. 30, the governor had a 5-to-1 financial advantage over Rubio, $4.17 million on hand for the primary, versus $802,000 for Rubio, who had more than $90,000 restricted for the general election. The underdog Miami Republican has spent $712,000 to date, compared to $656,000 for Crist.

With all the chatter about Charlie Crist as the next Dede Scozzafava, it's a safe bet Rubio will see a big upswing in donations. "People see this as the chance to get in early and not rally behind the conservative late in the game,'' said Rubio campaign manager Alex Burgos.

The campaign tomorrow plans to launch what it calls "the most powerful online fundraising tool in Florida's political history."

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Grayson's money bomb makes noise

Borrowing from Ron Paul, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson kicked off a "money bomb" today, and by his telling, it's going really well.

As of 4 p.m., Grayson's Web site shows $433,000 has been collected, exceeding a stated goal of $400,000.

"Today, the 2010 elections are one year away," reads a message on the site. "Show America that when someone speaks out for progressive values, for American values, for YOU, he will have the support he needs to win. This is a message to Republicans, to insiders, and to special interests that the truth is powerful."

The Orlando Democrat continues to attract attention, both good and bad. The New York Times on Sunday had a piece on him that cast him as the "liberals' problem child."

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Is Scott Rothstein's political money tainted?

It's getting harder and harder to find a major Republican fundraiser in Florida who hasn't been caught up in scandal lately -- Harry Sargeant, Alan Mendelsohn, Jay Odom, and now Scott Rothstein. Gary Fineout has a good summary of the money Rothstein spread around to Florida politicians -- Democrat and Republican alike. We're awaiting a response from the Charlie Crist campaign, but here are some of the statements we've been getting from people funded by Rothstein:

Florida Democratic Party: “As a policy, the Florida Democratic Party returns tainted donations and we hope that the Republican Party would do the same. Currently, we are monitoring the situation regarding Mr. Rothstein, and our lawyer has reached out to the attorneys involved in the case to sort out the facts and the law."

Florida Republican party: "We are certainly very concerned about the serious rumored allegations facing Mr. Rothstein. We are monitoring the situation closely and will determine an appropriate course of action when more information becomes available."

Alex Sink campaign to return $2,000: "These are very serious allegations. The campaign is returning or donating to charity Mr. Rothstein’s and his wife’s personal contributions, as well as contributions from the account of his law firm and AAMM Holdings, LLC. If it becomes clear that others were involved in this matter, it’s our intention to return those contributions as well."

Charlie Crist campaign: "The campaign is aware of and closely monitoring the potentially serious allegations concerning Mr. Rothstein.  We will respond appropriately once the facts are substantiated."

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Charlie Crist, Alex Sink money man Scott Rothstein lawyers up

The Herald: Politically influential Broward lawyer Scott Rothstein, who is suspected of financial wrongdoing, hired a lawyer this weekend from his own firm, and his law firm has also retained a high-powered lawyer.

Kendall Coffey, former U.S. attorney in Miami, said he had been retained Saturday to represent the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm in Fort Lauderdale. He declined to specify why, except to say ``in light of the allegations circulating in recent days I have been retained to investigate matters.''

Sources told the Miami Herald that the allegations relate to an investigation into financial matters with a company that Rothstein was involved in. ... Rothstein has become a major political player in recent years, giving tens of thousands of dollars to candidates.

Obama's Miami fundraiser nets $1.5 million

Miami Herald reporter Beth Reinhard files this pool report:

At the Fountainebleau Miami Beach hotel, President Obama gave largely the same speech he gave in New York City last week at a DNC fundraiser. He ticked off his accomplishments: saving economy from brink of disaster, expanding insurance to poor children, ending ban on stem cell research, pledging to close Guantanamo. "I don't rattle. I'm not going to shrink back,'' he said to reassure supporters that his critics don't have him on his heels.

Obama spoke to a reception of about 150 people who had paid the minimum $500 ticket price and then to a room of about 300 bigger donors who were eating dinner across the hall. He began speaking at about 7:12 p.m. and wrapped up across the hall at 7:57 p.m. The fundraiser raised about $1.5 million for the DCCC and DSCC. "We are closer than we have ever been to passing health care reform,'' he said. But he added, "It's not going to get easier from here on in. It's going to get harder.''

Tallahassee challenge: What fundraisers are we missing?

Some Times/Herald blog readers say we are missing a lot of fundraisers in our list of next week's receptions.

So here's our challenge to you: Let us know about them in the comment box, by fax (850) 224-7023 or e-mail or snail mail.

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Get your checks out for Fundraising Fest, er, 'committee week'

In case there was any doubt that these fall "committee weeks" in Tallahassee are anything more than an excuse to gather for politicians to converge on the capital and squeeze cash from lobbyists and special interests expense, consider this list so far of fundraiser receptions for D's and R's that are scheduled to coincide with next week's committee meetings. (Yes, you, taxpayer, will pay legislators' transportation costs to get here and home, plus lodging and food while they are here):

Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Governor's Club: Reception for Reps. Doug Holder, Robert Schenck and William Snyder

Monday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Florida Health Association: Reception for Rep. Denise Grimsley

Monday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Greenberg Traurig: Reception for U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams at Greenberg Traurig offices

Monday, Nov. 2. 6 p.m. at Hospitality Square: Re-election reception for Rep. Darren Soto

Crist, working for Fla. -- from NY and ...Orchard Lake, Mich.?

It's another Fun Fundraising Friday for Gov. Charlie Crist. His official schedule for today consists of a 9 a.m. call to chief of staff and soon-to-be-U.S. Senate campaign manager Eric Eikenberg and a 9:30 a.m. call to communications director Erin Isaac.

Those calls, if the schedule is to be believed, were made as he attended a $2,400-per-person fundraising breakfast at 9 a.m. in the New York City law office of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP. (For $2,400, here's hoping it was at least grass-fed steak and organic eggs, with champagne mimosas.....)

And tonight the U.S. Senate candidate with over $6-million already in the bank will jet to the Detroit suburb of Orchard Lake (odds are this is not an area anywhere near the gritty neighborhood where rapper Eminem grew up...) for a reception and dinner at the home of CEO Paul E. Hodges III.

It is hosted by a committee that includes Michigan state Sen. Mike Bishop. The reception and dinner (with a photo!) is $2,000 per person, the dinner alone is $1,000 per person.