TBO Politics

Senate rivals enter Sotomayor debate

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Supreme Court nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor is stirring up the U.S. Senate race in Florida, a state with one of the nation's largest Hispanic populations.

State economists say turnaround will take longer

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Median home prices could drop below $128,000 and unemployment could reach 11 percent before Florida's economy turns around next year, state economists predicted on Friday.

Parents can comment on restraint in schools

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Floridians can tell the state Board of Education on Monday what they think about a proposed rule defining how and when teachers can physically restrain or isolate K-12 students.

Palin promises to keep using Twitter when out of office

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:08:00 EDT

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin plans to stay in touch using Twitter even after leaving office on July 26. In a tweet posted Friday, Palin indicates that when she's out of office, she'll use a personal account on the social networking site to stay in touch.

Martinez to vote for Sotomayor; Crist takes heat for no stance

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:58:00 EDT

Florida Sen. Mel Martinez has announced he'll vote for confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court, but Gov. Charlie Crist, who's running to replace Martinez, is taking heat from political opponents—both Republican and Democratic—because he won't say how he would vote.

Health care reform can't wait, Obama says

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:06:00 EDT

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has quickly scheduled a statement on health care for Friday afternoon as concerns rise about the cost of new legislation.

Obama tells NAACP more yet to do on civil rights

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:52:00 EDT

Saying that civil rights leaders from decades past paved the way for his election as the nation's first black commander in chief, President Barack Obama paid homage to the NAACP and advised members that their work remains unfinished.

GOP senators weigh options for Sotomayor

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:48:00 EDT

WASHINGTON - Sonia Sotomayor's success at her Supreme Court confirmation hearing has some Republicans in a tight spot, with conservative senators forced to weigh the political calculus of voting on the court's first Latina nominee, who also is the first liberal nominee in 15 years.

Health care overhaul bill has its ups and downs

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:39:00 EDT

President Barack Obama's top domestic priority is on an unpredictable, midsummer trajectory as the White House and Democrats struggle to bring the complex, controversial issue to a vote in both houses before lawmakers leave town for their August break.

3 GOP senators backing Norman in primary

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Three Republican state senate leaders, including the future senate president, have taken sides with Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman over state Rep. Kevin Ambler in the Republican primary for a Tampa Senate seat.

GOP envisions August Senate vote on Sotomayor

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:53:00 EDT

Sonia Sotomayor sped toward confirmation as the nation's first Hispanic justice Thursday, encouraged by Republican promises of a quick vote and cheered on by a Democratic senator's challenge to take on the Supreme Court's conservative wing when she arrives.

Harry and Louise ads back in support of health reform

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:12:00 EDT

Harry and Louise are coming back to television screens across the country. This time, they're in favor of a health care overhaul.

Sotomayor open to TV cameras in courtroom

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:07:00 EDT

Judge Sonia Sotomayor signaled an openness to television coverage of Supreme Court proceedings Thursday as she neared the end of three grueling days of questioning, all but assured of confirmation.

House Democrats set to vote on health care bill

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:58:00 EDT

WASHINGTON - House Democrats on Thursday pushed ahead with legislation that would deliver on President Barack Obama's promise to remake the health care system and cover some 50 million uninsured, despite concerns from their own party's moderate and conservative lawmakers that the $1.5 trillion plan costs too much.

Obama to young: Aspire to surpass your role models

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:24:00 EDT

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is telling the nation's oldest civil rights organization that government, families and neighborhoods must work together to improve communities.

Florida's stimulus money

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

How is federal stimulus money really affecting Florida? Agency directors from across the state gave Gov. Charlie Crist an update Wednesday. Here are some of the highlights, by-the-numbers:

Surgeon, lawyer named to air panel

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Gov. Charlie Crist has appointed Tampa lawyer Steve Burton and surgeon Joseph Diaco to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.

L.A. mayor at center of Jackson donation flap

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:27:00 EDT

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was not in the country on the day of Michael Jackson's memorial service, but his grinning face popped up on his Twitter site with a message urging fans to help the financially desperate city pay the tab for police and services.

Senate leaders pick Norman over Ambler in District 12 race

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:23:00 EDT

Three Republican state Senate leaders, including the future Senate president, have taken sides with county Commssioner Jim Norman over state Rep. Kevin Ambler in the GOP primary for a Tampa Senate seat.

Obama reinforces case for health reform soon

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:04:00 EDT

Praising and prodding Congress, President Barack Obama on Wednesday said a vast reform of the nation's health insurance system is required to head off instability to families, industry and the government itself.