Does Bob Schieffer work for CBS or the NAACP? It's an open question as the "newsman" accused Donald Trump of peddling "racism." Trump's supposed racist offense? Questioning Barack Obama's academic qualifications and inquiring about his transcripts. Whatever one thinks of Trump, he had the chutzpah to ask what others have surely wondered: how Obama was admitted to Columbia and Harvard. On air Wednesday night, Schieffer informed Katie Couric, "That's just code for saying he got into law school because he's black."

Having announced his bid for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson earlier in the week, former House Leader Adam Hasner is getting some favorable press from national conservative pundits. Kathryn Jean Lopez at National Review had kind words for Hasner:

On Thursday, the Gadsden County Tourism Development Council (TDC) unveiled a new website touting the Panhandle countys attractions and events. I am really proud of eGadsden.com, because it gives tourists a simple place to go online and find everything they need for visiting Gadsden, said Jeff DuBree, chairman of the TDC. It is updated constantly with new events or places to visit, so theres always new things to experience.

Rasmussen Reports released a poll on Thursday that found that businessman Donald Trump was leading the pack of possible Republican presidential candidates in 2012 looking to take on President Barack Obama.

Rep. Allen West is disputing the account by a left-wing website, ThinkProgress, that the congressman "pre-screened" questions at his town hall meetings this week. After a small group of protesters tried to disrupt a meeting in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, a more civil gathering was conducted in Boca Raton on Wednesday evening. Angela Sachitano, spokeswoman for West, R-Plantation, issued this statement Thursday about ThinkProgress' coverage and the events:

During the lengthy House session on Wednesday, as the legislators grappled with abortion bills and the Blaine Amendment, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, arose during debate and mentioned her unhappiness that the Catholic Church --with which, according to her House webpage, she is affiliated -- has largely downplayed social justice issues in favor of opposition to abortion.

The Florida House reportedly is ready to pass its tough immigration bill, but is waiting for the Senate to get its act together first. Rep. Bill Snyder, R-Stuart, told the News Service of Florida that the House wants to see what the upper chamber will do on Senate Bill 2040. That E-Verify bill has stalled in the Budget Committee. Snyder said the House won't bother to debate his tougher enforcement and E-Verify bill (HB 7089) if the Senate isn't going to pass a bill.

One of the state's most powerful business organizations, Associated Industries of Florida, announced Thursday it has endorsed the former Florida legislator, Republican Mike Hogan, for mayor of Jacksonville. AIF represents more than 10,000 members of the states business community, and its endorsement of Hogan is significant considering Jacksonville is where AIF was founded 91 years ago -- and where it still has a strong presence.

U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster brushed off the raucous heckling he encountered Tuesday at his Orlando town hall meeting. There is nothing wrong with a clash in debate.A healthy dialogue benefits both sides of any issue, but it requires mutual respect so that both sides can say their piece," Webster said in a statement Wednesday.

The budget conferences of the House and Senate got underway Wednesday, but reading between the lines of the chairman of the finance and tax conference, Gov. Rick Scott's plans for corporate and property tax cuts do not appear to be in the wings. After an initial meeting Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, was asked about the cuts and the confidence expressed by Gov. Scott that they will make their way into the final budget. "I continue to express confidence that I will lose 20 pounds," Gaetz said coyly.

An amendment to SB 408, offered by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey,that would have retained the current requirement for property insurers to offer sinkhole insurance, was rejected in a 20-12 vote Wednesday.

Pope Benedict XVI named a new leader for Catholics on the First Coast on Wednesday. Cuban born Bishop Felipe de Jesus Estevez, currently serving as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Miami, was named as bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine. Estevez, who came to America during Operation Peter Pan when the American government helped bring children out of communist Cuba, replaced the retiring Bishop Victor Galeone.

According to Alexander Burns of Politico, EMILY's List has taken more than a passing interest in at least one Florida race. Here's what he says Wednesday morning in his "Sneak Peek":

Add one more name to the increasingly crowded field in the Republican primary looking to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Dr. Mirand Sharma, who has been active in the Campaign for Liberty, has launched a bid for the Republican nod.

The White House released President Barack Obamas long-form birth certificate on Wednesday morning after receiving pressure from many conservatives and Republicans -- including possible presidential candidate Donald Trump.