What is there to say about Barack Obama's speech to Congress Thursday night and the so-called American Jobs Act he said Congress must pass?

WASHINGTON -- The legacy of 9/11 can't be fully measured even now, but perhaps the most damaging aspect can be found in our national discourse.

As Tallahassees pols, pundits and power brokers gathered around the TV Thursday night to reinforce opinions theyve already formed about the job performances of President Obama and Congress, a far more uplifting show unfolded at Ruby Diamond Auditorium.

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) announced Friday that Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, who has rocketed to the top of national polls since entering the race less than a month ago, will take part in the Presidency 5 straw poll later in the month.

Our 3,500 delegates, on behalf of Floridas Republicans, will hear from the leading candidates and make their votes count on Saturday, said Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the RPOF, on Friday. You cant win the White House if you cant win Florida, and this event is the first real test for these national campaigns here in the Sunshine State.

Sunshine State News welcomes aboard two new Tallahassee-based staff members, News Editor Joe Saunders and reporter Jim Turner.

Pennsylvania native Saunders, 45, attended Drexel University, worked 10 years for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers as a reporter, wire editor, A1 centerpiece editor and metro editor. He also worked as a night metro editor at The Bradenton Herald and as a copy editor at the Charleston Gazette in Charleston, W.Va.