Subject: Jeff Kottkamp

• Rumors: Martinez Might Not Keep Charlie Crist's Senate Seat Warm Until 2010

  Let's skip through the 2010 Senate rumor mill, shall we? Mel Martinez does not know exactly how he got into this horrible Senate job, and he allegedly wants to leave it as soon as possible. Roll Call reports Martinez is considering bowing out early -- and that Charlie Crist is seriously considering running. Of course, if Martinez drops out, Crist appoints his replacement, so does he just appoint himself? A little "I can parachute me there" sort of action? It should be noted that Martinez hasÂ

  February 2, 2009

• Why Would Charlie Crist Want to Be a Senator Anyway?

  So, which one of us is going to be the pitcher and which will be the catcher? Hahaha, get it? I'm just kidding. No homo.Charlie Crist officially announced he's going to keep us in suspense until May regarding whether he'll run for Senate or re-election as governor. This pretty much freezes up the Republican side of things until then. Rubio, Mack, and Buchanan can declare all they want, but nobody is going to be writing them checks until everyone is sure Crist won't run. So it's likely any announ

  February 3, 2009

• Get Ready to Care About Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp

  Did anyone really care about Lt. Gov Jeff Kottkamp before, say, a few weeks ago? You know, when those rumors surfaced that Charlie Crist might resign to run for Senate, leaving Kottkamp as our 45th governor. All of a sudden, media attention bumped up ever so slightly. The Sun-Sentinel did a little digging and found that Kottkamp billed the state $425,000 for plane trips during his two-years in office. But what's this?Kottkamp's wife and toddler son flew for free on some two dozen trips, despit

  February 9, 2009

• News Roundup

  LocalGetting laid off individually is so trite. The new trend is to be part of a mass layoff. Unfortunately, all of your friends are doing it. [Herald]We're number one! This time in highest health-care costs in the nation. [Herald]Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff will bring up a resolution at today's council meeting that would prohibit the city from dealing with businesses that hire foreign workers with H2B visas. Gee, with thousands of people lining up for fire-rescue jobs, there seems to be eno

  February 26, 2009

• It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Another Travel Controversy!

  via Moaksey's FlickrWhen news broke that Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp had a pricey travel habit footed by taxpayers, we thought it was suspicious it came only a few weeks after rumors began circulating that Gov. Charlie Crist might be thinking of resigning to run for Senate in 2010, leaving the governor's mansion to the more conservative Kottkamp. We're sure Dems were pleased the little-known lieutenant now came with a bit of prepackaged controversy should he ever find himself in higher office. W

  March 23, 2009

• Charlie Crist Expected To Announce Senate Bid Tomorrow

  In the past month the idea that Charlie Crist would run for Senate has gone from hot political rumor to almost foregone conclusion, and news broke this weekend that it is indeed fact. Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer told the Pensacola News Journal last night that Crist will announce his candidacy on Tuesday in a low-key event in Tallahassee. The announcement will come with an immediate, and enviable batch of endorsements from state and national Republican officials. 

  May 11, 2009

• Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp Most Likely Running For Attorney General

  To most of Florida Lt. Gov Jeff Kottkamp is known for precisely two things: his string of travel scandals and his mustache. Now he'd like to be known as our Attorney General as well. The Republican from SW Florida was picked as Crist's running mate to bring a conservative balance to Crist's more moderate reputation. Lt. Govs are often considered natural choices when the Governor's job becomes open, but Kottkamp told the Naples Daily News that while he considered it, he'd like to see pa

  May 15, 2009

• Let's Play Identity Politics For a Moment

  So after the NRSC endorsed Charlie Crist over Marco Rubio in the Republican Senate primary, a lot of people implied it was a snub to Hispanics. We thought this was silly. Crist has won three statewide campaigns in a row, is an extremely popular governor, and has a national profile. He's going to win the primary unless there's some shocking surprise. But, it does raise an important point. Both parties in Florida need to embrace the Hispanic population, and the future of Florida's government

  May 15, 2009

• GOP's Twitter Attacks Alex Sink's Working Mom Credentials

  The News Service of Florida's article about Alex Sink's appearance at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner this weekend on Miami Beach contains some praise from an unlike source: former Republican Party of Florida chairmen David Johnson.   "The farming background could help in North Florida and the working mom thing could be very appealing to women in similar situations," said Johnson amongst other light praise for her political strategies and prospects. Including this passage: "Her situa

  June 5, 2009

• Hey, Here's Another Poll: McCollum Still Leading

  Ron Sachs Communication commissioned Mason-Dixon to do another one of those polls y'all love. Nothing all that exciting, so let's deal it out down and dirty: Gov: Bill McCollum is still leading Alex Sink 41%-35%. At this point, the advantage might be owed to the fact that McCollum, thanks to his three previous statewide campaigns, has 87% name recognition compared to Sink's 61%. 24% remain undecided. McCollum also makes quick work of his possible primary rival, state Sen. Paula Dockery. In a

  June 30, 2009

• Anti-Alex Sink Ad Fails to Mention McCollum's Similar Indiscretions

  A new anti-Alex Sink political group -- cleverly named Don't Bank on Sink -- has hired the worst Robin Leach impersonator for a new YouTube ad that hits the state's CFO and Democratic candidate for governor for her questionable private plane use. The only thing funny about the ad: It fails to mention that similar private plane accusations have ensnared her Republican competitor, Attorney General Bill McCollum, as well as Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp. It also uses some video shot by the Times/He

  July 6, 2009

• Who Will Charlie Crist Appoint to Replace Mel Martinez?

  Charlie Crist has the power​As long as I live, I don't think Florida will see a more chaotic election cycle than 2010. Now, Mel Martinez has thrown in another twist by resigning early, leaving the decision to pick his appointment to Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running to replace Martinez himself. Let's take a look at some of the names being floated around complete with our odds, which we calculated through the magic of "picking numbers at random that sounded sensible." Himself: I

  August 7, 2009