LONDON -- 1776 is a number with great resonance for Americans, but not one you expect to be featured on a British government website.

WASHINGTON -- We're still a few weeks from summer's dog days and the conventions, and already feral rabidity has set in. Add to the long list of psycho-political syndromes the "Romney Derangement Syndrome."

Following unsuccessful attempts in the Legislature to bring resort gambling to Florida, a newly formed group backed by a huge casino interest appears to be gearing up to take its battle to the ballot box in 2014.

Created in April, "New Jobs and Revenues for Florida" has already spent nearly $600,000 toward what appears to be an effort to put an initiative before voters, according to campaign finance records filed with state election officials that were made public Friday.

With Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, headed to the sidelines due to term limits, two Republicans -- former Rep. Aaron Bean and Rep. Mike Weinstein, R-Jacksonville -- are battling it out in a costly primary to replace him in representing parts of Duval and Nassau counties.

As the Aug. 14 primary looms, both Republicans are raising money but also spending it on television ads and other campaign expenses.

President Truman asked for an honest assessment. He didn't get the answer he was looking for.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has landed on Politicos list of 50 To Watch, topping a category called State pols on the verge of national prominence.

Now, not yet midway through her first term as the Sunshine States chief law enforcement officer, the 46-year-old Bondi has become one of the most prominent national voices in the fight against President Barack Obamas health care law, Politico reported.

Florida TaxWatch has formally backed the state effort to require public workers to chip into their taxpayer-supported pension as that case goes before the state Supreme Court.

The Tallahassee-based fiscal watchdog group has filed an amicus brief that joins the effort by Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater in seeking to overturn a circuit court judges ruling that the 2011 requirement was unconstitutional.

In 1992, I was the executive director of the Florida Democratic Party. I managed political operations for the Democrats in one of the largest swing states in our nation.