Here's what Crist said:

"I'm thankful for the truth always. And I think it's important on this day, this is not a day for politics, this is Thanksgiving day.  So, we thank god and we thank our fellow man for all the blessings we all share."

As you enjoy the day off ponder this history lesson from Sarah Lovenheim of the Washington Post. She notes that the first Thanksgiving may have happened in St. Augustine, Florida, not Plymouth Rock (more on the controversy here) and describes how a lobbying campaign led to the creation of a national holiday.

A New Hampshire native and renowned fashion magazine editor, Hale was dismayed that presidents would not declare Thanksgiving a national annual holiday and began letter-writing campaigns to presidents, lawmakers and governors starting in the early 1840s. "Our Thanksgiving Day," she insisted, "should be hallowed and exalted and made the day of generous deeds and innocent enjoyments," according to Carl Sferrazza Anthony, author of a two-volume history of the first ladies and their power. Today, he suggests, we'd call Hale's efforts a lobbying campaign. (the full Post story is here)

The state's response: no thanks. Keep your money.

Kottkamp, a Republican candidate for attorney general, is frequently on the road on official business and must balance the need to raise money and seek political support, always with a patrolman at his side and a state car at his disposal.

He wrote the state a check for $1,147, which he said represented the cost of mileage to and from political events in the three months ending Sept. 30 at the state reimbursement rate of 44.5 cents a mile. (story here)

...PolitiFact scoured Rubio's nine-year voting history as a member of the Florida House. We also looked through votes Rubio cast in his two years as a member of the West Miami City Commission.

As a city commissioner, Rubio voted twice to raise property taxes. And in the Florida House, while he pushed to cut property taxes collected by local governments, he also repeatedly voted to force school districts statewide to collect more property taxes, his record shows.

Full PolitiFact ruling here

"We commend the president for his efforts and leadership as the world strives for agreement on reducing greenhouse gases," Hay said. "Here at home, it’s critical that Congress act to cap and price carbon emissions while providing financial protection to energy consumers. The U.S. energy sector is ready to lead the world into a low-carbon future, but we need the right price signals to point the way."

From the AP: Cutting U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by one-sixth in just a decade would increase the cost of energy as electric utilities pay for capturing carbon dioxide at coal burning power plants or switch to more expensive alternatives. The price of gasoline likely would increase, and more fuel efficient automobiles - or hybrids that run on gasoline and electricity - likely would be more expensive.

Still, there is widespread disagreement over the cost to consumers.

A motion to invoke "cloture" (Senate argot for breaking a filibuster) was filed a record 139 times during the 110th Congress and they are flying fast this one, too. Grayson has created a Web site (he must have 20 by now) called stopsenatestalling.com. Democrats, while in the minority, employed filibusters with gusto and in the unlikely chance Grayson's proposal is adopted it would apply to them too, of course.

Previously, it was expected any special would be called to coincide with the committee week that begins Dec. 7. But Hannukah is at the end of that week, and Cretul and Atwater don't want to risk a lengthier than expected session that conflicts with the Jewish holiday.

Keep reading for their letters...

To:      All Senators

From:      Jeff Atwater, President

Date:     November 25, 2009

As you know, we have been working diligently with our partners in the Florida House and Governor’s Office to develop comprehensive legislation that will establish statewide policy for rail transit.  At this time, I am optimistic that we are very close to having legislation that achieves this objective, while addressing the concerns raised by Senators regarding liability for freight and passenger rail and a dedicated, sustainable funding source for commuter rail.  

I am in ongoing conversations with Speaker Cretul and fully anticipate that we will be announcing a Special Session in the next few days.  In which case, I expect we would convene on Thursday, December 3, 2009.  For many, this would require making travel arrangements to be in Tallahassee on Wednesday evening, December 2.  Our goal is to complete our work prior to Hanukkah, which begins on December 11.  

We will update you again on Monday. Thank you for your patience and commitment to Florida.  I wish you all a joyous Thanksgiving Day with your families.

MEMORANDUM

To:   Members, Florida House of Representatives
From:    Larry Cretul, Speaker
Date:    November 25, 2009
Re:   December Calendar Update


This is to provide each of you with the best information I have available about
the possibility of a special session in December.

Constructive conversations in recent days have encouraged the hope that a
special session on passenger rail may in fact occur.  While we have no agreement
to do so, if President Atwater and I do convene a session, I expect that it
would begin on Thursday, December 3, and end on or before Thursday, December 10. 
This would complete any work before Hanukkah begins on December 11.

Please be prepared for the House to revise its previously announced December
meeting schedule if and when a Proclamation is issued.

Word is that legislative leaders and Gov. Charlie Crist are close to a deal on Tri-Rail, SunRail and high-speed rail, and could call a special session as early as next week.

Crist said he preferred the week of Dec. 7, but the Legislature might meet before then to avoid running into Hannukah.

Expect Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland -- who is trying to raise her statewide profile as she runs for governor -- to show her usual determination to kill Central Florida's SunRail, saying it's a bad deal for taxpayers.

-- MARC CAPUTO

Read the order here:  Download Wexler Executive Order 09-265

Bondi arrived at the meeting after the sentencing for Jordan Valdez, the Davis Islands teen who killed a homeless woman in a hit-and-run accident. Read more about it on BayBuzz.

Gov. Charlie Crist bragged the other night that all his chiefs of staff have been from Broward County, forming a "Broward County connection."

Accused Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein was from there as well. And he gave loads of money to Crist and the Republican party. Did George LeMieux (now a Sen.) Eric Eikenberg (now on the Crist Sen. campaign) and current chief Shane Strum ever say anything? We don't know about the last two. They didn't return calls for comment.

LeMieux said he wondered where Rothstein's money came from, but didn't want to "criticize" someone who was so generous. LeMieux lamented the "culture of corruption" in South Florida as well. More here on all that.

-- Marc Caputo

Rothstein can appeal, and only after that window expires is it final, but the order is "effective immediately."

The Rubio camp sent out this transcript of Rush Limbaugh on the Republican Senate race:

“I like Rubio. …

“I noticed that Crist is out there now, 'hey what do you mean, who says I'm not conservative, I'm pro-life, I'm pro gun, I don't know what more I have to be except angry.' That's not going to sit well.”

--Marc Caputo

The names, and many more including top House staffers Mike Hansen and Bob Ward, land on a list presented to Sansom's attorney by House prosecutor Melanie Hines. Sansom lawyer Richard Coates offered his own preliminary witness list that includes developer Jay Odom and former Northwest Florida State College president Bob Richburg.

The inclusion of Rubio in particular will attract attention as he's running for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination against Gov. Charlie Crist*. Rubio was speaker during the two years that Sansom funneled millions to the college. The Miami Republican has said he delegated responsibility to his top budget chief, and there is no evidence Rubio knew a $6 million airport building could have benefited Odom's corporate jet business.

"The exchange of witness lists is a procedural operation to disclose people who may have information and may be called," said Rep. Bill Galvano, the Bradenton Republican heading the five-member House tribunal. "It does not mean that the names on the list are being called before the committee."

Carlton could be the most illuminating witness. She worked most closely with Sansom to prepare the budgets in 2007 and 2008. Carlton has already testified before a grand jury, which indicted Sansom on official misconduct and perjury charges.

The House panel meets again Dec. 10 and a hearing is scheduled for the week of Jan. 25.

Background on Pruitt here.

*Crist did not veto the project despite it being labeled a turkey by TaxWatch. But Crist also says he did not know of Odom's interest.

Crist just release the executive order, which comes about three weeks after the initial reports of Rothstein's alleged misdeeds. He also has appointed William Berger to replace Rothstein on the nominating commission.

We're not sure why this took so long. Even the Florida Bar moved faster, filing the paperwork to permanently disbar Rothstein last week.

Crist's order is here: Download Rothstein_Suspension

What is newsworthy is that PSC Commissioner Nathan Skop was the one who first brought the issue to state investigators on Aug. 4, before the Herald/Times first broke the story about commissioners using Blackberry PINs to communicate with the utilities they regulate. The investigation also began before former PSC lobbyist Ryder Rudd admitted to the newspaper that he attended a Kentucky Derby party at the home of Florida Power & Light vice president Ed Tancer.

Skop "expressed concerns,'' the report said, and provided email in which aides "were exchanging their Blackberry" PINs and the PINs of PSC commissioners with Florida Power & Light officials. "The complainant advise this this caused two concerns. First, it was against PSC policy for commissioners to speak directly to utility representatives about any pending agenda issues. The exchange of PINs created the appearance of impropriety between the PSC and the utility company. Second if communication...was occurring, there may be possible violation of both Public Records and Sunshine Laws.''

The three-page FDLE report found that William Garner, (which it spells Gardner), the aide to commissioner Chairman Matt Carter, said "he frequently used PIN messaging to communicate with representatives of the regulated industries, but at not time did he ever discuss the merits of the cases that were to be brought before the PSC."

Roberta Bass, the aide to Commissioner Lisa Edgar, told investigators that she also "has used PIN messaging to communicate with representatives of the regulated industries." Investigators also interviewed Commissioner Nancy Argenziano, who said  and Whitney Ray, a reporter who complained to the governor's office that he had been shoved by PSC spokeswoman Cindy Muir.

Investigators said they worked with Leon County State Attorney Willie Meggs to review "possible criminal violations." The investigation involved retreiving the Blackberry PIN messages taken from the backup files and interviewing commissioners and their staff. Investigators appeared to rely on statements from commissioners and their staff who each apparentlly stated that they had "no knowlege of any violations of ex-parte communications of Sunshine Law'' by their colleagues.

Carter warned, "we don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water,'' and suggested those conversations could take place if they were detailed in writing.

-- Mary Ellen Klas

Crist  said he consulted with  former Democratic Sen. Bob Graham, who also raised money for a senate race while serving as governor, about fundraising.

"(Graham) said, 'It's very difficult and you have to try to be very sensitive to the out-of-state fundraising versus in-state. Your first job is your job.' I realize that. He said, 'My advice would be if you do out of state fundraising do it before the election year. If there are people around the country who want to help you' - and thank God there are a few - 'I would try to schedule those before the calendar year ends in 2009.' So I'm trying to do that. I think it was good advice."

THE VILLAGES -- Lori Pitner walked back to her place in line at Barnes & Noble, holding her toothbrush and tooth paste.

The 46-year-old stay-at-home mom and Sunday school teacher from Tavares, Fla., arrived here with her posse -- a girlfriend who is running for U.S. Congress and several children --  at 4 p.m. on Monday.

"We are so inspired by Sarah Palin," said Pitner, who has made it about 50 pages into the former Alaskan governor and Republican vice presidential candidate's new book, Going Rogue.

Palin, who is scheduled to appear at 2:30 p.m. and sign books until 5 p.m., attracted a line of what appeared to be 600 to 800 people seeking coveted green arm bands allowing them entrance.

In September 2008, Palin drew a record crowd of between 25,000 to 60,000 during a rally in this bustling retirement community 100 miles north of Tampa. And while Palin's life and political career has taken some serious turns since then, the faithful camped out today in lawn chairs and beach loungers remain as committed as ever.

The Villages retirement community, billed as the largest in the world with almost 100,000 people, has been a Republican stronghold for years, and in recent weeks and days attracted Glenn Beck and Mike Huckabee on their respective tours through the state.

Connor Lanser, 14, said he talked his mother and grandmother into driving him here from Boca Raton. He said that until he first saw Sarah Palin, he believed he was a Democrat.

Like Pitner, Lanser arrived at the line around 4 a.m. on Monday, wearing his self-made "I (heart) Sarah Palin President in 2012" T-shirt.

"She relates to us," said Lanser, who said he liked Palin's plain-spoken writing style."She doesn't put all those crazy words in there."

-- Rebecca Catalanello, Times staff writer / Times photos | MAURICE RIVENBARK

A special lawmaking session over high-speed and commuter rail inched closer Monday as legislative leaders and the governor said they were ready to tap surplus money discovered in the transportation budget rather than raise taxes on rental cars.

The surplus money -- about $76 million for the current and next budget years -- should be enough to help fill a hole in South Florida's Tri-Rail system.

Also Monday, opposition to Central Florida's SunRail project started to thaw in the Florida Senate, where the transit system could now be one vote shy of winning passage, according to a Herald/Times vote count.

Among the switched votes: Democratic leader Al Lawson of Tallahassee and Republican Steve Wise of Jacksonville. Newly elected Sen. John Thrasher, who was a chief lobbyist for SunRail last year, replaced SunRail opponent Jim King. And Tony Hill, D-Tallahassee, missed the vote last year but said he was "leaning toward'' voting in favor of the rail package.

More here

The change would reduce the cost per payment from $4.18 to17 cents per payment. "Save money, improve customer satisfaction, it will certainly help the environment and it will make state government a little greener,'' Sink said at her press conference Monday. 

Download CFO Sink Announces Over $1 Million in Savings with Going Green Saving Green Paperless Efforts

"I’ve talked to him and know him," LeMieux, who ran a competing law firm, said last week. "I never understood how he was so successful, but I wasn’t the kind of person to try to pull down others. I just hope for the best and was always optimistic about him as I am about everybody and thought there must be some other way he is making his money."

"I hate to see it because I’m from Fort Lauderdale," LeMieux said of allegations Rothstein engaged in a $1 billion investment scheme. "It’s a black eye for my hometown. There is a culture of corruption in southeast Florida and perhaps other parts of Florida and we’ve got to root it out."

LeMieux, who will attend a RPOF fundraiser with Gov. Charlie Crist tomorrow in Fort Lauderdale, said he did not think the Rothstein stink will hurt his friend. "The people of Florida know their governor and they like their governor and they know he fights for them every day. I think ultimately that’s going to shape their opinion."

The Buzz recently noted that Rothstein attended LeMieux's swearing in ceremony in September. At the time we reported that Rothstein was not an invited guest. That is still accurate, LeMieux's office said when asked again, but a spokesman acknowledged that Rothstein had asked for a handful of tickets and was awarded two.

"Government studies show that Radio and TV Martí are riddled with problems, and fall short of journalistic standards," Feingold said in a news release today launching an effort he calls Spotlight on Spending. "As we progress toward a more modern and constructive relationship with Cuba, Radio and TV Martí no longer have any real diplomatic or fiscal purpose. I plan to bring up this issue when the Senate takes up President Obama’s recently announced nominees to the Broadcasting Board of Governors."

That kind of talk won't be well received in South Florida, and Florida Sen. George LeMieux recently put a hold on a bill that would cut funding for the government-financed stations.

To read more, click here.

-- Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer

Sounding engaged and no longer a bit dismissive of the Rubio threat, Crist suggested the Miami Republican has escaped significant scrutiny and has been able to campaign in a vacuum. But not for long.

"What is said sometimes on the campaign trail isn't necessarily consistent with the record...I mean, he's voted for tax increases several times as speaker and as representative,'' Crist said of Rubio. "Campaigns thank God are an educational opportunity. During the course of the next nine months or so we will strive to lay out a very good education...I believe in Reagan's 11th Commandment- thou shall not speak ill of a fellow Republican - but I also think you need to be honest and truthful and make sure that before people go to the ballot box they have a good opportunity to be well-informed."

Crist also downplayed the likelihood of a low-turnout prmary electorate of ardent conservatives who would kick him to the curb. For one thing, several statewide Republican primaries should increase turnout, he noted, and for another, he's plenty conservative.

"It's hard to be more concervative than I am on issues - though there are different ways stylistically to communicate that - I'm pro-life, I'm pro-gun, I'm pro-family, and I''m anti tax. (Critics will note he voted against abortion restrictions as a legislator and used to call himself "pro-choice," that he supported higher cigarette taxes) I don't know what else you're supposed to be, except maybe angry too,'' Crist said, noting a Daily Kos poll that found Rubio leading among Florida Republicans who doubt President Obama was born in America.

"There are a lot of Republicans that don't have the inclination to go to executive committee meetings,'' he said. "There is wide swath of republican voters out there that don't necessarily listen to cable tv all the time."

In a recent survey conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, Edwards holds a 4-point edge over Republican challenger Dennis Ross, 46 – 42 percent. But the poll has a MOE of +/-  4.9 percentage points.

"This poll release smacks of desperation and is just the kind of gutter politics voters are tired of. Even after telling people that Dennis Ross is bought, a crook, and maybe even that he hates puppies, Lori Edwards is still not winning," said campaign manager Fred Piccolo. (UPDATE: Edwards' campaign says the 46-42 spread came before positives and negatives were tested for either candidate)

Edwards, Polk County elections supervisor, and Ross are main combatants in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, who is running for state agriculture commissioner.

Edwards' name ID could be a boost, however. According to a news release, among those voters who identify both Edwards and Ross, her lead grows to 9 points. Additional talking points from her campaign:           

• Edwards can win regardless of the political climate. She runs a net 10 percentage points ahead of a generic Democratic candidate for Congress and outperforms self-identified partisanship by a net 7 points.
• Edwards begins the race with a 2.5:1 favorable to unfavorable ratio. Her standing with seniors is particularly strong, among whom she has a net 17-point favorable to unfavorable rating.
• In a swing district that McCain carried by just one point, this race presents a great opportunity for a Democratic pick-up by a candidate whose profile is in sync with the district. With Lori Edwards the seat is winnable, but it will take an aggressive, well-funded campaign.

This survey of 400 likely November 2010 voters was conducted November 17 – 19, 2009 by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. The survey is subject to a margin of error of approximately +/- 4.9 percentage points. The sample reflects the demographic composition of the likely 2010 electorate in this district. Party registration is 40 percent Democratic and 41 percent Republican.

Replies Piccolo: "Barack Obama won Virginia and New Jersey in 2008 but lost District 12. If Barack Obama couldn't win district 12 in 2008, Lori Edwards support for the public option and the Pelosi agenda certainly won't win it in 2010.  This poll is directed squarely at her controllers in Washington who can see that Lori has generated no support or enthusiasm locally.  Dennis Ross is the principled, independent, conservative leader District 12 wants and local donors, petitions, and enthusiasm bear that out clearly.  This poll is not worth the paper it is written on."

The deadline to submit applications is Dec. 1 -- and Florida open records laws mean a few strong candidates are likely to file right before the cutoff. That way their universities don't know too soon that they're looking elsewhere.

Here's the list:

• Don Weidner, Dean of Law Florida State University
• Allen Ross,Chair of Public Health, Griffith University
• Thomas Hanley, Professor of Chemical Engineering/ Former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Auburn University
• Norman Thagard, Associate Dean for College Relations and Professor of Electrical Engineering, Florida State University
• Kevin Bedell, Vice Provost for Research and John H. Rourke Professor of Physic, Boston College
• Caryn Dean Beck-Dudley, College of Business, Florida State University
• Peter Rabideau, Provost/Academic Vice President, Mississippi State University
• William Durgin, University Executive For Research and External Support, California Polytechnic State University
• Lawrence Dean McCrank, Dean, Library & Information / Learning & Instruction Services, Chicago State University
• Bart Lerner, Campus President Argosy University, Phoenix
  Valentine James, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Robert Robbins, Director, Stanford University Cardiovascular Institute and
  Chair, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine
• Stephen Cutler, Chair & Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Director of the National Institutes of Health Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), University of Mississippi
• M.T. Attaf, former Lecturer and part-time professor, Université du Québec à Montréal
• Sarit Levy, Faculty, Management Information Systems, Northwood University
• Chris Silwa, Former Associate Professor of Spanish, Fayetteville State University
• Carol Bennett, Teacher, Cass Middle School

The former state party leader and Tallahassee mayor stood next to an enlarged photo of an oil rig on fire and declared that offshore oil drilling (in any form) would hurt the the state's tourism economy and environment without providing much cost-savings at the gas pump or new jobs for the state. He thinks every candidate for the cabinet (which could approved exploratory drilling under a state legislative proposal) should take a stand on the issue.

"It's like we've been asked to sell our favorite daughter," he said, referring to the quality of the state's beaches. "Where's the moral outrage?"

Our guess is this was not written by the circumspect and careful Jeb that we know. (If only in real life he used lines like: "With power, the cash registers open and close.'') Instead, it is part of FPL's mounting effort to seek broad support for its rate increase that includes a major television campaign launched last week. See this from CEO Armando Olivera getting behind PSC integrity, this Letter to the Editor, and this op-ed counter-punch.  (Progress Energy officials tells us it's not involved, although its rate decision will preceed FPL and could set the stage.)

We expect our former governor won't be the only former pol weighing in on this effort. Former Attorney General Bob Butterworth has already been enlisted and we hear many more are in line. Watch here for how it's going.

Then there's the line in Bush's piece that, at this point, appears to be unsubstantiated: "...the five Public Service Commissioners who make the decision are de facto judges. Their job is to follow the law, not to impose their personal opinions about the merits of the proposed rate increase."

One problem: What's he talking about? None of the commissioners have publicly expressed their opinions on the merits of either FPL or Progress Energy's rate case. Governor, if you know better, please tell us where you found that. 

Former state House Speaker Jon Mills and Linda Kobert, an Orlando parent and education activist, appeared on Political Connections Sunday to discuss their lawsuit alleging that the state is vioilating its Constitutional duty to provide "high quality" education to students. The full interview can be seen in Tampa Bay on Ch. 342, Bay News 9 on Demand, but here's a clip (Note: tends to play best on FireFox):

The well-publicized pronouncements made outside this quasi-judicial process have already sent a warning signal to the capital markets that will be necessary to finance these large, long-term investments. The growing perception in Florida is that regulatory decisions will be based on poll-driven sentiments in spite of long-term benefits. When decisions crucial to the profitability and viability of a business enter the realm of chance and politics, the incentive for investment in new or expanded endeavors evaporates, along with the jobs and tax revenue that come with it.