Floridas population statistics from the 2010 U.S. Census were released late in the week, providing a clear picture of how complicated the redistricting process will be, and inserting greater intrigue into the 2012 campaign season.

There were 18.8 million residents in Florida as of April 2010, 2.8 million more than in 2000, the date of the last census.

Much of the population growth occurred in Central Florida, along the I-4 corridor which stretches from Tampa through Orlando and over to Daytona Beach and the Space Coast, and in Southwest Florida.

Laying out a "21st century battlefield" at home and abroad, U.S. Rep. Allen West warned Friday that America's economic and national security are under siege.

Speaking to a full house of 600-plus at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, the retired Army lieutenant colonel said China's military and economic expansion pose a direct threat to the United States.

Forecasting "an economic conflagration with China," the Boca Raton Republican noted that nearly 20 percent of America's $14.3 trillion debt is owned by Beijing.

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux continues to prepare for taking on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. LeMieux was in Hudson on Thursday, speaking to a Republican organization in Pasco County. During his remarks, LeMieux tried to distance himself from his old ally Gov. Charlie Crist and reassure the audience about his conservative ideals U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, who is considering entering the Republican primary field to take on Nelson, continued to brandish his foreign policy credentials.

A House plan to split the Supreme Court into two five-member panels was approved Thursday by the House Civil Justice Committee, with its Republican sponsor saying the measure will speed up a justice system that currently moves at a crawl.

Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, the chairman of the committee, said he believes the current Supreme Court works hard to get through its docket but simply takes too long.