The Forum

What’s your political resolution for 2010?

Michael C. Bender — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:31:51 +0000

Duval Street in Key West is jammed with revelers watching the 'Red Show Drop,' a New Year's Eve tradition in the Southernmost City. (AP)

If you think 2009 was a bizarre year in Florida, just wait until 2010.

Today marks the start of a crucial year in state politics: By the end of the year we’ll have a new governor, a new U.S. senator, a new state chief financial officer, a new attorney general and a new state agriculture commissioner.

As we flip the calendar, we’re wondering: what’s your prediction for 2010? Do you have a political resolution for the new year?

Making sense of Sarah: What’s next for Palin?

Michael C. Bender — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:41:31 +0000

The Forum is a feature from PostOnPolitics.com that encourages political strategists and former elected officials to debate and discuss timely political events. Readers are encouraged to participate, but must submit their comments for approval. Click here to find out more.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s surprise resignation on Friday has inspired a range of reactions.

New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd called her a ‘nutty puppy’ on Sunday. The Weekly Standard editor William Kristol said she was taking a path to the presidency similar to Barack Obama.

So what’s your take on Palin’s news conference? (To watch the full conference, click here.)

Did Palin misstep in resigning office with nearly two years left in her term? Or if her ambition is to become president, does it matter what she did or didn’t do in Alaska? After all, she had even less experience in office when she became the Republican Party’s nominee for vice president.

Or, does this have bigger implications for the GOP? Did Palin do the party a favor by stepping aside before the end of her first term and potentially dooming her chances in 2012? Or is this just another questionable move from yet another Republican contender?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Should Republicans avoid a gubernatorial primary?

Michael C. Bender — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:26:34 +0000

The Forum is a feature from PostOnPolitics.com that encourages political strategists and former elected officials to debate and discuss timely events and issues for the state, Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. Readers are encouraged to participate, but must submit their comments for approval. Click here to find out more.

With Democrat Alex Sink announcing her campaign for governor, the attention now moves to Republicans Bill McCollum and Charles Bronson. Both plan to announce their intentions next week.

Several Republican heavies have aligned behind McCollum, saying his name is well-known and respected among voters. They say the party should focus its money and energy on defeating Sink and not risk damaging each other.

One Republican, Vern Buchanan, has already stepped aside. Now it’s up to Bronson.

“That’s a great debate: Is it better to have primaries or not have primaries?” McCollum said Wednesday. “I don’t know any candidate for office, including me in the past, who’s ever wanted to have a primary if they didn’t have to have one.”

Bill McCollum meet Charles Bronson:

“To get some of issues of the state really talked about I just felt like there needs to be a discussion there. And a primary is the best way to get that discussion out,” Bronson said moments earlier.

“I don’t know that will happen unless we can get a real race going that’s meaningful in this thing. I’ll wait until I finish up all my phone calls.”

So what do you think?

Is it better for the Republican Party of Florida if these two Cabinet officers compete in a primary, keep their names in the news and debate the critical issues facing the state? Or is the GOP’s only chance of beating Sink hoarding their money until 2010?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

What office should Gov. Charlie Crist campaign for in 2010?

Michael C. Bender — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:22:51 +0000

Gov. Charlie Crist looks closely at his portrait that hangs in Tallahassee City Hall. (AP Photo)

The countdown is on for the May 1 end of legislative session and, of course, an announcement from Republican Gov. Charlie Crist about whether he’ll seek re-election or run for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2010.

Earlier this month, I was alone in a Capitol elevator with Crist (and his security detail) and asked him what he was thinking about and considering as he mulls his decision.

He didn’t bite, but he did turn to me and ask if I had any advice for him. So I’ll pass that question on to our panelists here at The Forum:

What office should Gov. Charlie Crist run for in 2010 and why?

Tax increases imminent?

Michael C. Bender — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:19:38 +0000

People wait to talk on an unemployment benefits hotline. The darkest days for the job market are likely still to come, most analysts say. (AP Photo)

State lawmakers say they’ve been painted into a corner on the tax issue this year.

Gov. Charlie Crist has spent the past several weeks saying economic-stimulus money from Congress will cover budget shortfalls, which some believe is an implicit threat to veto tax increases.

Meanwhile, many legislators say the revolt over high property taxes from two years ago has been largely replaced by constituents pleading for fewer cuts to education and health services. They may not be able to keep some services whole without finding new revenue sources.

So the question is: Can lawmakers make it through the 2009 session without increasing taxes?

If not, what are the most politically-palatable places to look for revenue? If so, what should they do to make up any budget hole not covered by stimulus money?

Setting the tone for the session

Michael C. Bender — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:37:46 +0000

Gov. Charlie Crist, left, applauds as he visits with Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, during opening day ceremonies of the Florida Legislature. (AP Photo)

Gov. Charlie Crist delivered his third State of the State on Tuesday. (Read it here. Watch it here.)

Where there any memorable moments? What were the highs and lows? And what tone did it set for the 2009 legislative session?

Gov. Charlie Crist’s State of the State

Michael C. Bender — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:31:26 +0000

Gov. Charlie Crist will deliver his third State of the State speech on Tuesday.

What are you hoping to hear from the governor?