Tampabay.com
JULY 18, 2009

Today's RPOF looking like yesterday Fla Democratic party

What's going on with the long-mighty Florida GOP? Today's Florida Republican Party looks more and more like yesterday's dysfunctional Florida Democratic Party.

To be sure, Gov. Charlie Crist just raised a stunning $4.3 million for his Senate campaign, which few expect him to lose. Attorney General Bill McCollum leads slightly in most early polls for governor, and Democrats can't even find a candidate to take on Republican Senate President Jeff Atwater for chief financial officer.

It's ludicrous to forecast the demise of Republican dominance in Florida, and the Republicans' overwhelming control of the Legislature certainly looks safe. But the trouble signs are nonetheless striking, and they appear at a time when the Florida Democrats are, for a change, looking disciplined and focused. Organizing for America, Barack Obama's grass roots machine, already is hiring staffers, preparing to open Florida offices and mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to push Obama's agenda.

COLUMN HERE

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For Florida political news today, the Buzz is your can't-miss-it source. Tampa Bay Times writers offer the latest in Florida politics, the Florida Legislature and the Rick Scott administration. Keep in mind: This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the Tampa Bay Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.

E-mail Times political editor Adam Smith: asmith@tampabay.com

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