U.S. Senate

The Silent Threat: Canadian Snowbirds Could Stay Longer in Florida Under Immigration Bill

As the U.S. Senate's immigration overhaul has inched forward, shepherded by our own Sen. Marco Rubio, South Floridians have hotly debated the most contentious issues: English-speaking requirements for immigrants, long wait periods for citizenship, a ban on LGBT benefits. But it seems we've ignored ... More >>

Victor Manuelle's Casi 20 Tour at the Fillmore June 1

Victor Manuelle: "I Identify Myself With Salsa, It's What I Love To Do"

If there were one word to describe el Sonero de la Juventud, it would have to be loyal. Víctor Manuelle has been singing the salsa since 1993. And unlike some of his Latin American counterparts who've changed up their style to transition into mainstream pop, the Puerto Rican salsero has remained ... More >>

Americans Caused Boston Marathon Tragedy

Who Will Rick Scott Pick to Replace Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll?

Jennifer Carroll resigned yesterday amid scandal. Gov. Rick Scott has announced he will hold off on choosing a replacement until after the current legislative session, at which point the Cardinals of the Republican Party of Florida will convene at the governor's mansion and meet in secret. Florida w ... More >>

Todd "Legitimate Rape" Akin Is Comparing Himself to Marco Rubio In Campaign Ads

Charlie Crist was once a sure-bet, GOP-backed pick for U.S. Senate, until a superstar dark horse named Marco Rubio came along. Todd Akin was once a sure-bet, GOP-backed pick for U.S. Senate, until he opened his mouth to tell the world that he doesn't believe "legitimate" rape can cause pregnancy and ... More >>

Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann Choose Different Sides in Florida Republican Senate Primary

If you're the kind of Republican voter who finds yourself easily swayed by some of the more deafening but dimmer voices in your party, well then boy do we have a quagmire for you. Two of your favorite also-rans from the GOP presidential primary have chosen different sides in the Florida battle betwe ... More >>

Village Voice Media asks for your support of Senate Bill 596

Reader mail: Ave Maria University is like rehab for smug Catholics

Mike Haridopolos Drops Bid for U.S. Senate, Doesn't Have to Refund Contributions

​State Senate President Mike Haridopolos has given up on his run for U.S. Senate.The ethically challenged 41-year-old sent an email to supporters early today saying that his run for Senate is conflicting with his duties in the Florida State Senate, according to Roll Call.

Influential Conservative Blog: Mike Haridopolos Should Quit Senate Race Because He Has Girly Hair

​Senate President Mike Haridopolos is the only well-known Republican who's announced his intentions to run against Senator Bill Nelson in 2012, but his campaign isn't off to such a great start. First there was the reminder that he once got $152,00 in taxpayer money to write some crappy book that w ... More >>

Senate President Mike Haridopolos Got $152K in Taxpayer Money to Write Crappy, Misspelled Book

​Senate President and U.S. Senate candidate Mike Haridopolos lists his profession as college professor (though he's actually merely a lecturer) but apparently does a hell of a lot less toiling on his written works than one would expect of his students. He certainly makes a lot more money for it, t ... More >>

Happy Holidays, You're Unemployed

Aflcio via Flickr ​You'd never guess it by the numbers retail stores pulled in over the busiest shopping weekend of the year, but the National unemployment rate is 9.6 percent. And by month's end, close to 2 million will have lost their extended unemployment benefits, according MSNBC.com. In ... More >>

Bob Dole Says Charlie Crist Would Have Voted with Republicans After All

​Probably the greatest let down of not electing Charlie Crist to the Senate is not getting to watch him navigate through DC as an independent. He aggressively courted Democrats in the final weeks of the campaign, at one point seemingly open to the idea of Kendrick Meek dropping out and become the ... More >>

The Marco Rubio for President Campaign Might as Well Begin Tomorrow

​Let's not be cynical. We don't know who is going to win the Florida senate race (so please go out and vote), but polls indicate Marco Rubio is the favorite. If he does emerge victorious tonight, then it's only a matter of time until some speculation that he may run for President in 2012 at least ... More >>

Marijuana Food and Drink To Heighten Your Day

Now comes the news that the U.S. Senate has voted to double penalties for mixing controlled substances with sweets. It's still not a law yet. Short Order believes this is a pot o' shit. Not only is a food-inspired high cleaner and clearer, it lasts longer. According to The Marijuana Food Handbook "s ... More >>

Luke's Gospel Propels Elena Kagan to Supreme Court

Uncle Luke confirmed Elena Kagan before the U.S. Senate did. ​Turns out Luke's Gospel is indeed the word, the truth we all seek. Miami New Times columnist Luther Campbell penned an opinion piece on Elena Kagan, which was cited by several national media outlets, including Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone ... More >>

Marco Rubio, Tea Party pretty boy

Kevin Burns Bounces Check, Attacks Rival (Updated)

Kevin Burns​Former North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns abandoned his campaign for U.S. Senate to run for state Senate, but maybe he should concentrate on getting his financial house in order first. This past June 28, Florida's division of elections notified Burns via letter that his bank did not ho ... More >>

Ten Years After Elian, Alex Penelas is Back at County Hall

​Ten years ago this past June 28, Elian Gonzalez was returned to his father in Cuba and Alex Penelas' rising political star imploded. Miami-Dade's then-county mayor dug his own grave in 2000. Sure he won a second term as mayor, but he double crossed Al Gore during the presidential election and the ... More >>

Charlie Crist's New "Swift Boat" Friend Refers to Obama as "the Black One"

Bud Day​Bud Day is an 85-year-old retired U.S. Air Force Colonel who keeps poking his nose into Florida and national political controversy. You might remember those classy "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" from the 2004 election that questioned John Kerry's service and patriotism, even though oppone ... More >>

Marco Rubio Greeted with Cheers at CPAC: Watch His Entire Speech

It was a watershed moment for Marco Rubio today as he delivered the key note speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference to rampant cheers and a standing ovation. In the 30 minute speech he rallied against moderates in the GOP, warned that Democrats could be leading America to a society ... More >>

Democrat Maurice Ferre Doesn't Back Democrat Health Plan One Day After Democrat Loss

​Former Mayor of Miami Maurice Ferre, who somehow thinks he is running for US Senate even though he is trailing in the primary race for the party that is trailing in the general election race, has announced that he doesn't support the Democratic healthcare plan.  "It is a special-interest pla ... More >>

Herald Explains Why It Deleted Sentence from Worldwide Climate Change Op-Ed

Myriam Marquez​When The Miami Herald was the only American paper to run a world-wide op-ed about Climate Change by London newspaper The Guardian we thought either they must be the only daily in this country with balls on that particular issue, or because they've fired so much of their staff they j ... More >>

Florida: 47th Most Powerful State in DC

​Florida ranks 47th our of the 50 states in terms of influence and seniority in the US Congress according to an analysis by The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. A dismal ranking by any means, but even more so considering we're the 4th most populace state. Our legislators have less swagger on the hill than ... More >>

News Roundup

Over the weekend, pretty much every newspaper editorial board in the state wrote mean things about new Sen. George LeMieux. [Buzz]Oh, and word on the street is LeMieux might be interested in running for U.S. Senate against Bill Nelson in 2012, or for attorney general. [Buzz]Debbie Wasserman Sch ... More >>

Marco Rubio and Kendrick Meek Simply Do Not Care for This LeMieux Character

​Marco Rubio and Kendrick Meek have only a few things in common: They're both running for Senate. They'll both likely face Charlie Crist. They'll both likely lose to him. And now they both don't very much like George LeMieux's status as newly minted senator. Politically, this is just abo ... More >>

Mel Martinez Will Resign

​Woah, boy. Grumpy Sen. Mel Martinez has apparently had enough of this "serving the people" stuff. Several sources report he will resign, possibly as early as today. His term would expire in early 2011, and he had previously promised to serve the rest of it. But the race to replace him had already ... More >>

Manny Diaz Endorses Kendrick Meek for Senate

Rep. Kendrick Meek added another impressive entry to his list of endorsement of US Senate today as City of Miami Mayor, and president of the US Conference of Mayor, Manny Diaz announced his endorsement. The press release came with equal amounts of back patting on the part of both men. ... More >>

Dan Gelber Enters Attorney General Race

  Running for U.S. Senate against Charlie Crist isn't an enviable task, and when you're not even guarenteed to win the primary, it's probably a smart move to get out. That's what state Sen. Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) did, and now he has changed lanes and entered the attorney general's race. All he ... More >>

Former Newt Gingrich Staffer: Rubio's Run is Just Stupid

via MyFloridaHouse.govSo today, some guy, literally some random conservative person, calls Marco Rubio the "Cuban Newt Gingrich." And then someone who used to actually work with Gingrich calls Rubio's uphill battle against Charlie Crist "stupid." Matt Towery used to be a political str ... More >>

Dan Gelber "Steps Back" From Senate Race

The notion of any real divisive, state-wide primaries in Florida seems to be dead, as state Sen. Den Gelber has announced that he's "stepping back" from the US Senate Race. Which more or less means he's out. He made the annoncement on his blog: It makes little sense -- when we do face t ... More >>

The Week That Was: A Sense of Belonging

This was a week where people were just trying to figure out where they belong. It was an awkward thing to watch, like tweens on their first day of middle school figuring out which lunch table to sit at. Jason Taylor knew deep, deep down that his heart belonged to Miami, and he was willing to co ... More >>

Meek Outraises Gelber By Over 3-to-1

Warhol, ok. Both Democratic U.S. Senate candidates announced their fundraising haul for the first quarter of 2009 today. Rep. Kendrick Meek, who benefited from a few fundraising appearances by none other than Bill Clinton, raked in $1.49 million. That's roughly on track with other early, non-i ... More >>

Why Aren't There Any Straight, White, Christian Dudes in the Senate Race?

Did you hear openly gay North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns running for Senate? Silly gays, you can't even get married or adopt children. What makes you think you can be Senator? Actually, it's kind of sad that a he's become the "Gay candidate," and he wants to clear that up. The St. Pete T ... More >>

Dan Gelber's 100 Service Days Not At All Like Those Chiles & Graham Things, He Swears

It's difficult to make the leap directly from the state Senate to a state-wide elected office. But it's not impossible. Lawton Chiles got elected to the US Senate in 1970 by taking a 91 day, 1,003 mile walking trip across Florida. Bob Graham was elected to Governor in 1978 after starting a Workdays ... More >>

With Sink's Senate Hopes down the Drain, Gelber Gears Up

Alex Sink's decision not to enter the Senate fray was big news, but not all that shocking. We wrote yesterday it seemed she was much more keen on staying in Tallahassee, possibly running for governor in either 2010 or 2014. What is shocking is that now both sides of the field are more or less wide ... More >>

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Letters

News of the Weird

The Boulder Boys Must Die

When federal prosecutors seek the death penalty in drug-related murders, the defendants are almost always black. Why should Miami's first "kingpin" case be any exception?

Hugh Had to Be There

He's inexperienced. He's hefty. He's the First Brother-in-Law. And he's coming soon to a ballot near you.