By protecting minority districts, proposed new congressional maps for Florida help Republicans maintain their hold on the state's U.S. House delegation, even as Democrats have an edge in party registration.
It wasn't what Democratic supporters of the 2010 Fair Districts amendments envisioned, but redistricting has pivoted primarily on the legal requirement that preserves House seats held by minorities.
WASHINGTON -- When the Democratic National Committee circulates an ad attacking Mitt Romney even before the Iowa caucuses -- and long before his presidential nomination is clear -- one can be fairly certain that Romney is considered the greatest threat to a second Obama term.
On a day millions of holiday shoppers were being encouraged to hit up online retailers, Gov. Rick Scott acknowledged it isn't fair that most people don't pay Florida taxes on those purchases -- but said he doesn't want to do anything that would change that because he doesn't want to "take more money out of the private sector."
Scott made his remarks during an interview with the editorial board at the Daytona Beach News-Journal on Monday, the day billed by online retailers as "Cyber Monday," a promotion aimed at getting people to make holiday gift purchases online.
With five weeks to go until Iowa voters take part in the nation's first caucus, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich is surging in polls of the early states that will shape the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
Gingrich is leading two new polls of Iowa released Tuesday.
Despite reported record spending for Black Friday, consumer confidence remains at historic low levels, a new University of Florida study reported Wednesday.
The National Retail Federation reported Black Friday sales took in $52.4 billion, 16 percent more than a year earlier for the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.
However, it remains to be seen if shopping will continue through December for the end-of-year holidays or if the high post-Thanksgiving sales were simply a reflection of enticing sales.
Two top Florida Republicans announced Tuesday they will enjoy part of the limelight on the national political stage as the 2012 elections approach.
On Tuesday, almost 18 years to the day the National Football League announced that Jacksonville had obtained the 30th franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced the team has a new owner and a new interim coach.
Wayne Weaver, the majority owner of the team, announced that his family has sold its interest to Pakistan-born businessman Shahid Kahn, the owner of Flex-N-Gate. Kahn had tried to buy the St. Louis Rams last year.
Noting that Kahn pledged to keep the team in Jacksonville, Weaver pledged the Jaguars would be there many years into the future.
In a widely expect move, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack announced on Monday night on an appearance on Sean Hannitys show on Fox News that he was entering the Republican primary to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.
Mack talked to the media on Tuesday morning to explain why he was running. The congressman took a pass at jumping in the race earlier in the year, throwing his support behind state Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. When Haridopolos dropped out of the race, Mack rethought his decision and entered the race.
