Florida Rep Going After Obama?

Interesting news from the St. Pete Times:

One of Florida’s new members of Congress, Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, has filed a bill in the U.S. House to require presidential candidates to prove they were born here. For those who still believe President Barack Obama was really born abroad instead of Hawaii, despite the evidence to the contrary, Posey’s bill would offer no immediate relief. But if passed, it would apply to his reelection campaign in 2012.

“This bill, by simply requiring such documentation for future candidates for President will remove this issue as a reason for questioning the legitimacy of a candidate elected as President,” Posey said in a statement.

Posey wouldn’t say if he thinks Obama is a citizen, but his spokesman told Politico:” I think he’s willing to take the president’s word for it. If the president wanted to put an end to the whole thing he could order Hawaii to release the authentic birth certificate. That’s up to him.”

Filed under: Florida, Florida Politics, Barack Obama, Bill Posey, Citizenship

$38 million for Jax

Where oh where will it go?  Will the city actually invest it in projects that will bring jobs or will they blow one-time stimulus money on recurring expenses?

The federal stimulus package will have at least a $38 million impact on the City of Jacksonville, said a spokeswoman for Mayor John Peyton.

The Florida Department of Transportation expects to receive funding for about $20 million worth of projects in Jacksonville, said Misty Skipper. The city expects about $12 million in funding for energy efficiency projects, but it’s not clear what types of projects are eligible.

Skipper said about $4 million will come through the state Department of Justice, and the city hopes to use it for its Jacksonville Journey program. The city will also receive about $2 million through community development block grants.

Filed under: Jacksonville, Mayor of Jacksonville, Barack Obama, FDOT, Florida Department of Transportation, John Peyton, Misty Skipper, Stimulus

Bush or Obama?

While this isn’t exactly Jacksonville (or Florida) politics, it does come from Scott Maxwell—one of my favorite Florida political columnists.  I found it rather amusing (and true).

One of the fascinating things about a change in administrations is the blatant hypocrisies it reveals — on both sides of the aisle.

My in-box is full of complaints from Republicans whining about things Barack Obama is doing (whichGeorge W. Bush also did) ,… and also some from Democrats defending Obama for the kind of things they used to hate with Bush.

The folks I really respect are the ones who, sure have their own ideology, but are at least open-minded enough to realize that neither party is without fault … by a longshot.

So, before you start bellyaching (or repeating the bellyaching your hear on the radio) — and with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy:

You might be a blind partisan …

* … if you often bad-mouth Barack Obama – even though you used to tell people it was “unpatriotic” to criticize the commander in chief during a time of war.

* … if you’re mocking Nancy Pelosi for repeatedly leading standing ovations for Obama — but always thought Dick Cheney and Dennis Hastert doing the same thing for George W. Bush was simply a matter of showing support and respect.

* … if you’re a Democrat who complained about Bush nominating people for his Cabinet who had skeletons in their closet or represented the same old above-the-law mentality — but thought Timothy Geithner got a really raw deal from people who tried to make a big deal out of his “minor tax issues.”

* … if you are griping about Barack Obama flying to places on Air Force One that you consider a waste of taxpayer money — but never really thought too much about it when Bush took frequent trips to Crawford (where he took his record 879th vacation day last year).

* … if you’re a Republican all the sudden worried about deficit spending — or a Democrat who no longer is.

Filed under: Florida, Air Force One, Barack Obama, Dennis Hastert, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, Nancy Pelosi, Scott Maxwell, Timothy Geithner

Floridian is Obama’s pick for FEMA

An Alachua County native, Craig Fugate, has been chosen by President Barack Obama to lead FEMA, the agency responsible for responding to national disasters.  Fugate was originally appointed by Jeb Bush to head the Florida Emergency Management Department in 2001.  

“From his experience as a first responder to his strong leadership as Florida’s emergency manager, Craig has what it takes to help us improve our preparedness, response and recovery efforts and I can think of no one better to lead FEMA,” Obama said. “I’m confident that Craig is the right person for the job and will ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated.”

Filed under: Florida, Barack Obama, Craig Fugate, FEMA, Janet Napalitano

Florida Set to blow Stimulus Money

From the Palm Beach Post.

Gov. Crist and the Legislature should act as if the money from the stimulus bill is temporary, since it is. Unfortunately, the governor is acting as if the money will be permanent.

Even before he knows that the federal government will grant a waiver and let education money flow to Florida, Gov. Crist is putting his budget in turnaround before releasing it Friday. Out will be any serious budget cuts. Out will be any discussion of new revenue. In will be the lyrics to Happy Days Are Here Again, and talk of a new tax-cut proposal in 2010, when the governor is on the ballot for reelection or election to the Senate.

Filed under: Florida, Florida Legislature, Florida Politics, Barack Obama, Charlie Crist, federal stimulus package, Stimulus, Stimulus Package

Poll: FL Loves Obama, Crist. Can’t Stand Legislature.

The latest poll from Strategic Vision:

Strategic Vision Feb. 6-8 poll (moe +/- 3%) finds 64 percent of likely Florida voters approve of Barack Obama’s overall performance and 62 percent approve of Gov. Charlie Crist’s. Meanwhile, 39 percent approve of the state legislature’s performance and 43 percent disapprove.

47 percent favor the economic stimulus package before Congress and 38 percent oppose it. And 48 percent think the package would improve the economy and 42 percent don’t.

Filed under: Florida, Florida Legislature, Florida Politics, Barack Obama, Charlie Crist, Florida Legislature

Jax unemployment jumps…

According to the Labor Department, Jacksonville’s unemployment rate jumped to 7.4% in December. That increase places Jacksonville 33rd out of the nations 49 largest metropolitan areas.  This is a rather significant increase over November’s numbers of 7%.  To date, the only solution we have heard from our Mayor is frantic prayers that “Obama comes through” on the stimulus package.  I suppose asking for local leadership on this issue might be asking for too much…

Filed under: Jacksonville, Barack Obama, Jacksonville Unemployment, John Peyton, Unemployment Rate

America the Beautiful

The beauty of American politics is on full display in Washington, DC today as the world’s most powerful country undergoes yet another peaceful transition of power. Lifetime rivals sit side-by-side on stage as America swears in our 44th President. Millions crowd the national mall. Regardless of what one’s political views may be, the sight is truly amazing to behold.

God Bless America.

Filed under: Uncategorized, Barack Obama, George W. Bush

Glenn Beck v. Joe Scarborough for US Senate?

The 2010 US Senate race is set to be a free-for-all in Florida and Dr. Stephen MacNamara is busy tossing possible candidates names into the mix. Of course, the big guys (and girls) have already been mentioned, but in the spirit of Lawton Chiles, Bob Graham and Claude Kirk, MacNamara is pulling for the possibility of an unknown (or untested) candidate throwing the whole race into flux. His most unique suggestion? Talk-show host Glenn Beck. According to MacNamara:

If name recognition, organization and money are so important, how come Barack Obama is about to be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States? Two years ago today 40% of Americans couldn’t even identify him and fully 1/3rd had a negative opinion or no opinion of him. My spell-check still doesn’t even recognize him!

Florida has a rich history of unknowns and statewide political failures capturing statewide offices.[Sayfie Review]

Filed under: Florida, Florida Politics, 2010, Barack Obama, Bob Graham, Claude Kirk, Glenn Beck, Jeb Bush, Lawton Chiles, Mel Martinez, Sayfie Review, Stephen MacNamara

John Peyton, Beggar

Ed Gamble has the cartoon in this morning’s Times-Union.

Filed under: Jacksonville, Mayor of Jacksonville, Barack Obama, Begger, Jacksonville, John Peyton, Obama Stimulus, Stimulus