Can you imagine the Republican Party of Florida repudiating a leading presidential candidate like former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts or the Florida Democrats condemning President Barack Obama?

Me neither.

But the Libertarian Party of Florida took aim earlier this week at Wayne Allyn Root, who was former U.S. Rep. Bob Barrs running mate back in 2008 and is widely expected to seek the partys presidential nomination in 2012. Root has had a colorful career as a sports handicapper, hosting the Winning Edge television show.

While it increasingly appears that U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who ran as a write-in candidate after losing the Republican primary to Joe Miller, has a solid lead, there are some Republicans who are insisting that Miller has a chance to win -- including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Much media attention has been paid to the lame-duck session and the incoming freshman class of elected officials, insisted Huckabee on Tuesday. While political pundits express uncertainty over the future of our nation -- in Alaska, Joe Miller's future is also uncertain.

The Florida Senate has passed a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to give the state more flexibility and discretion in administering the Medicaid program within the state. The resolution was passed by acclamation during Tuesday's special session, despite the negative votes of a smattering of senators.

Hours after being named House speaker, Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Haven, led the House during a special session on Tuesday in overriding bills that had been vetoed earlier in the year by outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist.

With Republicans controlling 81 of the 120 House votes, Cannon had enough votes in his caucus to override gubernatorial vetoes provided the Republicans stuck together. However Republicans insisted the special session, held hours after the House organized for the next two years, was not a trial run for how they would govern.

Among the attendees of the opening of the Florida House on Tuesday was newly elected Attorney General Pam Bondi, who announced her transition team later in the day.

Bondi brought out some big-name Republicans, including outgoing Attorney General Bill McCollum, former House Speaker Larry Cretul and former Mayor Rick Baker of St. Petersburg. Bondi named Carlos Muniz, a deputy general counsel to former Gov. Jeb Bush, as executive director.

Republican U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns will be holding an event at Westport High School in Ocala on Monday for high school students interested in attending one of the service academies -- the Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy.

Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, was formally elected and sworn in as president pro tem of the Florida Senate.

Bennett decried the rampant spending during the economic boom times that led to what he called "entitlement slavery."

"We allowed government to grow well beyond our means. When the permit to take and repair a water heater costs more than the actual water heater, something is wrong with government," Bennett said.

Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has been formally elected and sworn in as Florida Senate president by his fellow senators.

In his speech, Haridopolos cited the need to work in a bipartisan fashion, despite the GOP's supermajority in the Senate. He said the chamber should focus on the legacy left to the next generation instead of partisan politics.

"It's not about the TV, it's not about politics, it's about them (our children)," Haridopolos said.

Many have speculated on a third member of the Bush family making a run for president. While Jeb Bush has ruled out that possibility for 2012, some believe he's left the door open for 2016.

But a new Rasmussen poll shows only one-third (35 percent) of likely U.S. voters believe its at least somewhat likely that Jeb Bush will run for president one day. That includes 10 percent who say it is very likely.

On the other hand, almost half (43 percent) of those surveyed say it is unlikely the former Florida governor will make a run.

While the Republicans have dominated the opening ceremony of the 85th Florida House of Representatives -- no surprise, considering they have 81 of the 120 House seats -- the Democrats had their moment on Tuesday morning when Democratic House Leader Ron Saunders of Key West offered his opening address.

Our state faces many challenges, said Saunders, noting the states high unemployment and continued mortgage crisis.