TBO Politics

Republican message needs an upgrade, Jeb Bush says

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In an interview with Esquire Magazine, published last week, former Gov. Jeb Bush, who is viewed by some Republicans as an important factor in the future of the party, discounts the possibility that he will seek national office any time soon.

Kottkamp eyes GOP attorney general race

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

So far, even with other statewide races crowded with candidates, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp is the only big-name Republican talking seriously about running in the GOP primary for attorney general.

Source: Attorney general considering torture probe

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:39:00 EDT

Attorney General Eric Holder is considering whether to appoint a criminal prosecutor to investigate the Bush administration's interrogation practices, a controversial move that would run counter to President Barack Obama's wishes to leave the issue in the past.

Applicants for elections supervisor impress Crist

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

One of the six people Gov. Charlie Crist interviewed in Tampa on Friday will likely be the next Hillsborough County supervisor of elections.

Report: Bush surveillance program was massive

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:05:00 EDT

The Bush administration built an unprecedented surveillance operation to pull in mountains of information far beyond the warrantless wiretapping previously acknowledged, a team of federal inspectors general reported Friday, questioning the legal basis for the effort but shielding almost all details on grounds they're still too secret to reveal.

Sink says she didn't abuse use of state aircraft

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:38:00 EDT

Florida's chief financial officer wants a state agency to clarify the rules for how Cabinet members may use the state plane for trips that begin or end outside of Tallahassee.

Rubio says he'll defeat Crist on 'ideas'

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:52:00 EDT

Former House Speaker Marco Rubio is making a big prediction in his Senate race: If voters listen to ideas instead of casting their ballots based on television commercials, he will beat Gov. Charlie Crist in the Republican primary.

Congress asked to address extremism in military

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:11:00 EDT

One of the country's main monitors of hate groups asked Congress Friday to investigate possible racial extremism in the military, after finding U.S. service members participating on a social networking site advertised as being for white people only.

Democrats want higher taxes on wealthy to pay for health care

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:07:00 EDT

Key House Democrats decided Friday to raise taxes on the wealthy to help pay for health care legislation, at the same time they sought to quell concerns among moderate and conservative lawmakers about other elements of the bill atop President Barack Obama's domestic agenda.

Sink leads McCollum in campaign money for 2010 governor's race

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:40:00 EDT

Democratic candidate Alex Sink takes the fundraising lead in the 2010 race for governor with nearly $1.3 million during the last quarter and $2.4 million overall.

Obama meets with Pope Benedict XVI

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:59:00 EDT

President Barack Obama sat down with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on Friday for a meeting in which frank but constructive talks were expected between two men who agree on helping the poor but disagree on abortion and stem cell research.

Report: AIG asks government to approve bonus payments

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:44:00 EDT

After its bonus payments ignited a firestorm of criticism earlier this year, American International Group Inc. is asking the federal government to weigh in on the insurer's plan to resume paying millions in promised retention incentives next week, according to media reports.

Anti-tax group still eyeing Rubio's bid but with reservations

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:09:00 EDT

The Club for Growth, a conservative political committee known for spending big bucks in Republican primaries, is still interested in Marco Rubio's challenge to Charlie Crist but wary of his lack of fundraising success so far, its director said.

Obama: Full world economic recovery 'a ways off'

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:48:00 EDT

President Barack Obama said Friday the world apparently has averted economic collapse but "full recovery is still a ways off."

Crist screening for elections job

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Former state Rep. Sandy Murman is among the latest of 22 applicants vying for the job of Hillsborough County elections supervisor - and among the six whom Gov. Charlie Crist will interview personally for the position today.

Internet drug purchases included in spending bills

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:50:00 EDT

The Senate dealt a blow to the drug lobby Thursday by voting to permit people in the United States to order lower-cost drugs from Canada over the Internet.

House Democrats' demands threaten health care reform progress

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:49:00 EDT

The drive to remake the nation's health care system suffered yet another setback in Congress on Thursday when a pivotal group of House Democrats demanded changes in legislation the leadership was drafting on a fast track.

Burris won't run for full Senate term, sources say

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:57:00 EDT

Sen. Roland Burris, whose deep ties to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich seemed to doom his Senate tenure from the start, will not run for a full Senate term in 2010. The move increases Democrats' chances of holding on to the former Senate seat of President Barack Obama.

Senator's parents gave mistress's family $96,000

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:19:00 EDT

Sen. John Ensign said Thursday his parents gave his mistress and her family nearly $100,000 "out of concern for the well being of longtime family friends during a difficult time," providing his first public acknowledgment that the woman received payments tied to the affair.

Pelosi: Resolution on Michael Jackson unnecessary

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:09:00 EDT

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she sees no need for a House resolution in praise of Michael Jackson.