Im concerned about our countrys competitive drive. Economists of all stripes call for skilled workers as the essential ingredient of a strong and growing economy.

Black voters don't like Romney? Don't tell that to U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, and Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll. They have been called upon to head Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romneys come-from-behind efforts to garner inroads among black voters.

West and Carroll have been named co-chairs, with U.S. Rep. Tim Scott, R-S.C., for Romney for Presidents Black Leadership Council.

Julian Castro and Marco Rubio are both silver-tongued young Hispanics, both rising stars in their parties who feel touched by the hand of destiny.

Former Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner has added his name to the growing chorus of Republican leaders slamming the Democratic Party for its new policy on Israel.

The policy removes from the 2012 edition of its platform language which more explicitly signaled support for the Jewish state of Israel and condemnation of its terrorist enemies.

Controversial "stand your ground" laws that have come into the spotlight since the shooting of Trayvon Martin have found their way into the Republican Party's national platform.

Nestled in the massive document, which outlines in minute detail the national party's agenda for the next four years, is a provision that expands earlier support for Second Amendment rights to specifically include self-defense outside the home.

"We support the fundamental right to self-defense wherever a law-abiding citizen has a legal right to be" the plank reads.

Brian Burgess, the director of communications for Gov. Rick Scott, is heading to the Republican Party of Florida.

Burgess will be replaced in the governors office by Melissa Sellers, a former communications director for Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and who served as the director of regional media for the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

Scott praised Burgess as a trusted aide and a strategic and political adviser.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Much ponderous, chin-stroking analysis has followed the Republican National Convention's un-highlight -- the 10-minute monologue by the erstwhile Dirty Harry/Blondie/Rowdy Yates when Clint Eastwood conversed with an empty chair.

The Republican Party of Florida isnt going to let up on former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist as his appearance at the Democratic National Convention approaches.

And they are admitting that legendary actor Clint Eastwoods monologue last week, with an empty chair representing President Obama on the final night of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, may have been more than slightly eccentric.

As Democrats gather in Charlotte, N.C., this week to officially nominate President Barack Obama for a second term, their national convention is expected to have a strikingly different tone than last week's Republican celebration.

In Tampa last week, GOP speakers and nominee Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, tried to use their nationally-broadcast platform to remind voters of the struggling economy and give them a reason to reverse course in hopes of turning things around.