Today's Sunshine State News report on Sen. Bill Nelson's spokesman tipping a newspaper about a Marco Rubio poll drew this comment from GOP senatorial candidate Adam Hasner's camp: The news that Senator Nelson is using his official Senate staff in his re-election effort shouldnt surprise anyone, said Hasner spokesmen Doug Mayer. For years he has put his own political preservation ahead of Florida, including voting in lockstep support of the Obama administration 98 percent of the time.

On Friday, Magellan Strategies/NH Journal released a poll of likely New Hampshire Republican primary voters that found that former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts was well ahead of the rest of the pack ofGOP presidential hopefuls in the first primary state. Romney led the poll with 41 percent. Following his win in the Presidency 5 straw poll in Orlando last month, businessman Herman Cain continues to surge in the polls, placing second with 20 percent. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas took third with 10 percent.

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, continuing his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, has launched a new television ad in which he talks about his opposition to abortion. The ad notes that Paul, who is a medical doctor, delivered more than 4,000 babies -- but also witnessed events that reinforced his pro-life principles.

Space Florida and Spain's aerospace institute have entered into an agreement that will lead to a joint venture company locating in the Sunshine State. Frank DiBello, head of Space Florida, and Jaime Denis, director general of the Instituto Nacional de Tnica Aeroespacial (INTA), signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday to jointly pursue aerospace ventures.

Gov. Rick Scott has recommended the reappointment of Ivan Marty Ford, Susan H. Maurer and Linda M. Robison to the state Commission on Ethics. The recommendations require confirmation by the Florida Senate According to the release from the governors office:

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Philip H. Ward III and Nancy C. Banner to the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. According to the release from the governor's office:

Gov. Rick Scott has appointment Judge John F. Simon Jr. of Pensacola to the 1st Judicial Circuit Court. Simon, 46, has served as an Escambia County judge since 2009. Having served as a county judge, prosecutor and practicing attorney, Judge Simon has gained a unique perspective that will allow him to serve as a qualified and capable circuit court judge, Scott stated in a release. His continued commitment to proper preparation and integrity enable him to make informed, fair and impartial decisions.

State Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, has again proposed a state law to prevent legislators from voting on issues that would personally benefit them or their relatives. Given the publics justifiable lack of trust and confidence in elected officials throughout the country, it is imperative that reforms of this nature be enacted, Dockery stated in a release. The Florida Legislature must take action to ensure that our state is at the forefront of initiatives helping to restore citizens faith in government.

USA Today has an interesting story on its front page about Americans' attitudes toward the death penalty. Unfortunately, the most interesting thing about the story is that it tells you a lot more about the newspaper's attitude toward the death penalty than it does the country's. The headline is the first tipoff. "Poll: 35% oppose the death penalty." (It could just as easily have said "Poll: 65% favor the death penalty.") The lead is the second clue: "More than one-third of Americans now oppose the death penalty ..."

Another national poll released Thursday found that businessman Herman Cain and former Gov. Mitt Romney were battling it out for the lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Former Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico, now running for the Republican presidential nomination, has released a new Web ad. In the ad, Johnsons team brings up their candidates record against taxes and takes a few good-humored shots at some of the other candidates.

The Teamsters Union has filed a federal labor complaint on behalf of corrections officers, claiming unpaid wage violations, as a vote looms with the police union over who will represent the officers. The complaint alleges officers are not fairly paid for the time they begin to pick up equipment at the correctional institute to when they check in, which ranges from 15 to 30 minutes a day.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, one of the leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, took aim at President Barack Obama in a Web video released on Wednesday hitting the Democrat incumbent on trade. The video attacks Obama for doing little to protect American intellectual property -- especially from Chinese interests.

Businessman Herman Cain has surged past former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Gov. Rick Perry to lead in a national poll unveiled late on Wednesday. Cain topped the NBC/ Wall Street Journal poll with 27 percent followed by Romney with 23 percent and Perry with 16 percent. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas took fourth place with 11 percent. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich took fifth with 8 percent followed by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann with 5 percent, former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah with 3 percent and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum with 1 percent.