A Scott Brown replay may not be easy in Florida

Republicans throughout the country have lots of reason for optimism after the bombshell upset that made Scott Brown senator-elect in Massachusetts.

But in Florida, it should give people some pause to consider where the GOP in America's biggest battleground state stands at the start of an incredibly busy and volatile election year: A skeleton crew remains at the state headquarters in Tallahassee, where most employees have resigned or been laid off pending new leadership in the party. There is no consensus — and plenty of internal dissension — on the question of who should be elected chairman next month, state Sen. John Thrasher or longtime grass roots activist Sharon Day.

Many party activists are fuming about elected officials trying to anoint a new chairman with little advice, and many legislative leaders worry that Day won't be able to raise the tens of millions of dollars the party hopes to campaign with this year.

We're wondering if ousted state chairman Jim Greer is shaking his head, smiling, or both.

Bondi speaks

You may have heard former Hillsborough prosecutor Pam Bondi talking about bad guys and crime victims (and St. Bernard dogs), but probably not much about hot-button political issues. But that's changing now that she's a Republican candidate for attorney general. Check out the candidate on Political Connections on Bay News 9 today.

On the Legislature and then-Gov. Jeb Bush intervening in the Terri Schiavo case: "I always saw a problem with it from a legal perspective, frankly. Legally I thought it was going to be an uphill battle for the governor, but I saw why he did it — because he believes in the right to life," Bondi said, calling herself "pro-life."

On Charlie Crist making it easier for released felons to have their civil rights restored: "I agree with some of the things Gov. Crist does, but this as a prosecutor I had a problem with,'' Bondi said. "I wish it had been done a little more cautiously."

The interview airs on Bay News 9 at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

No earmarks

Republican Sen. George LeMieux said he will not seek earmarks in the 2011 federal budget, citing fiscal constraints and the mounting national debt.

"I just can't in good conscience support earmarks," he said. Earmarks — from city and county infrastructure to university projects to military equipment — are a tiny portion of the overall budget, and most lawmakers seek them. "But they are the fuel that fires these excessive budgets," LeMieux said.

It's a principled position. And it means that not only does LeMieux give Floridians no seniority in the Senate, but also very little pork.

Quote of the week

"Our family is behind this man." George P. Bush, Jeb Bush's son, at a fundraising reception he and his brother Jeb Bush Jr. hosted for Marco Rubio. (Dad was not there.)

Help for Sink?

With Barack Obama's political troubles lately, we wondered if Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink would encourage him to campaign by her side. "Well, there'll be a lot of campaign activities. I'm angry about what I see going on in Washington just like a lot of other people are,'' she told Buzz.

So, does that mean no?

"No, I think we ought to welcome the president of the United States in Florida to talk about their economic stimulus plans."

No word yet whether she'll join Obama in Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Alex Leary and Beth Reinhard contributed to this week's Buzz.