The U.S. House passed a measure on Tuesday, by a308-114 vote,continuing funding American military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among the congressmen missing the vote were Floridas own U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, who is running in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, and U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson.

Republican Party of Florida Chairman John Thrasher, a decorated veteran of Vietnam, took aim at both Meek and Grayson on Wednesday for missing the vote.

U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw is joining his fellow Republicans in promoting America Speaking Out, a new website allowing citizens to participate in public affairs.

"America Speaking Out gives our citizens a chance to contribute their ideas on how Washington should tackle the most important issues of the day," wrote Crenshaw in an e-mail to constituents on Wednesday.

Crenshaw also used the opportunity to critique the way the Democrats were running Washington.

Independent gubernatorial candidate Bud Chiles looked over the energy plan proposed by state CFO Alex Sink, the likely Democratic gubernatorial nominee, and said he did not care for it.

The people of Florida are ready for a real and meaningful commitment to renewable energy, said Chiles on Wednesday.Unfortunately, the strategy offered by Alex Sink promises only studies and half-measures.Without specific goals for conservation or alternative fuels, Florida will get more of the same rate increases that will cost families another $1,000 a year by 2020.

On Wednesday, at an event at the Port of Tampa, the Florida Chamber of Commerce endorsed Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Republican gubernatorial primary -- the first time in the organizations history that it has taken sides in a gubernatorial primary. The chamber also doubled down its bet on McCollum -- forwarding $500,000 on Tuesday to the Florida First Initiative, a 527 group with ties to McCollum backers that has run commercials attacking health-care executive Rick Scott, the attorney generals chief rival for the Republican nomination.

Senate President Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach, the Republican candidate for state CFO, won two straw polls in the last week.

Atwater took 76 percent of the straw poll held at the Winter Park Political Mingle on July 20 while former Rep. Loranne Ausley, the Democratic nominee, pulled 17 percent. Independent candidate Tom Stearns took 5 percent and Ken Mazzie, who is also running without party affiliation, took 2 percent.

Gov. Charlie Crists campaign team is rebutting comments made by the staff of Marco Rubio, who is a rival candidate in the U.S. Senate race.

In the July edition of its newsletter, Volunteer USA Foundation announced it's in the planning stages of a National Disaster Recovery Fund. Gulf states of Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi would partner together to coordinate recovery efforts when a natural disaster strikes.

The organization says the fund is meant to "provide long-term support to fill in gaps where insurance and FEMA funding don't exist."

They say the fund is under the leadership of Jeb Bush, who serves as an honorary chairman, and with Walmart CEO Bill Simon as chairman.

Taking a page from Bill Clinton in 1992, John McCain in 2000 and Rick Scott back ... last week, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, running in a close battle with Jeff Greene for the Democratic nomination in the U.S. Senate race, announced on Wednesday he will be launching a bus tour across the Sunshine State. The Real Dem Express will be coming Aug. 4 to Orlando then hitting cities across the state the following 10 days.

Marco Rubio was not the only Florida Republican on Wednesday talking about extending tax cuts backed by President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003. Republican congressional candidate Craig Miller, the former CEO of Ruth's Chris, called for Congress to continue the cuts.

"Our economic recovery in this country is so fragile right now, that if these tax cuts expire at the end of the year, I'm afraid it will come to a screeching halt," said Miller, who is running in the Republican primary to take on U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas.

Likely Republican U.S. Senate nominee Marco Rubios campaign team sent out a release on Wednesday morning noting that independent rival Gov. Charlie Crists website removed statements claiming Crist would continue supporting tax cuts backed by President George W. Bush in his first term.