Fifty years ago, Tampa heaved a sigh of relief at the end of one of its greatest political campaigns. The 1959 mayor's race may have lacked the fisticuffs and fireworks of D.B. McKay and R.E.L. Chancey's contest in 1935, but it featured two talented and contrasting candidates who voters greatly liked and disliked. ...more

November 15, 2009

With City Councilman Tom Scott declaring his candidacy for mayor, the sprawling district he represents is wide-open for a challenge in the 2011 municipal elections. ...more

May 7, 2009

Cities and counties across Florida increasingly are using taxpayer dollars in election campaigns when local politicians think an important issue is at stake. ...more

March 26, 2009

This is in response to "Republicans Criticizing Obama Have Chutzpah." Gabriel Read, the author, selectively chose some facts while blatantly disregarding others. For example, the first stimulus bill was crafted by Pelosi, Reid, Franks and Dodd; Democrats all. In their haste to pass this stupid piece of legislation, they gave complete digressions and power to the greatest ponzi scheme con artist of all, Hank Paulson. ...more

March 25, 2009

Bob Buckhorn walked into the thatched-roof Irish refuge called Four Green Fields. He looked briefly and a little longingly at the row of draft beer handles at the bar and then sat down and ordered water. ...more

March 20, 2009

The Issue: Limiting Citizen Input And Reducing The Number Of County Commission Meetings Each Month. Our Opinion: Bad Ideas. ...more

February 19, 2009

A children's health care bill that set congressional Democrats against the Bush administration last year now appears headed for passage – but with Florida's two senators splitting their votes. The bill uses tobacco taxes, including an extra 61 cents a pack on cigarettes, to expand an existing program providing health insurance for children of the working poor. It's one of the most divisive issues Congress has considered recently. The Democratic majority passed it in 2008 but couldn't muster the votes to override former President George W. Bush's veto. This year, President Barack Obama says he'll sign the bill. The House passed it Jan. 14, and it's expected to come up for a Senate vote this week. ...more

January 26, 2009

Joe the Attorney, a partner of a law firm with offices in Tampa and St. Petersburg and a friend of This Space, has had about enough of the campaign season, but not for the reasons one might expect. ...more

October 8, 2008

Regarding Van Wie's letter, the reports of Obama's association with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and Chicago crooks are bunk. They have been debunked on mainstream media like CNN and you can get the details on Factcheck.org. The latter is an Internet site that just checks facts without partisanship. ...more

September 26, 2008

Candidate Fliers Show Up In School Mailboxes PORT RICHEY Fliers supporting sheriff's candidate Kim Bogart turned up Wednesday morning in employee mailboxes at Chasco Middle School, which school officials say is a violation of school policy and state law. Principal Christine Wolff said she had the fliers pulled from the mailboxes when the situation was brought to her attention. Wolff said she doesn't know who was responsible. Assistant Superintendent Renalia DuBose cited two state laws and a school board policy that govern political activities of employees at schools. One law prohibits government employees from participating in political campaigns while on duty. The other law prohibits candidates from using the services of government employees during working hours. ...more

September 25, 2008