Florida Independent

DCCC chairman discusses Rivera, Buchanan, other targets

By Virginia Chamlee | 10.20.11 | 11:04 am

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel sat down with the St. Petersburg Times yesterday to discuss the Democratic fight to take back the House in 2012. Israel says the DCCC has “six prime targets” in the state of Florida: David Rivera, Allen West, Dan Webster, C.W. Bill Young, Steve Southerland and Vern Buchanan, who is currently under investigation by the Department of Justice.

Former Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando (Pic by cliff1066™)

Grayson gears up for comeback run

By Ashley Lopez | 09.02.11 | 9:00 am

Alan Grayson, the former Democratic representative from Orlando who made national headlines for his pointed criticisms of the Republican Party, is running for Congress — somewhere.

State Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico (Pic via flsenate.gov)

State legislators set to appear at Family Policy Council dinner with Bachmann

By Ashley Lopez | 08.24.11 | 1:16 pm

This weekend, the Florida Family Policy Council holds its annual policy awards dinner featuring GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. The group will also feature a list of “special guest participants,” which includes many of the Florida legislators who played a big role in curbing access to abortion in the state this past session.

Rep. Dan Webster, R-Orlando (Pic via Facebook)

Debt watch: Prioritizing spending may not alleviate credit rating concerns

By Travis Pillow | 07.22.11 | 9:28 am

Slate’s David Weigel points to an explanation of why measures that would prioritize spending to keep America from missing payments on its debt (such as one proposed by Central Florida Rep. Dan Webster) may not be enough to alleviate short-term concerns about the country’s credit rating.

Dan Webster’s just-in-case debt limit legislation

By Travis Pillow | 07.11.11 | 7:52 am

The latest news from the negotiations between President Barack Obama and federal lawmakers over the federal debt limit is hardly encouraging, and while there’s still time, legislation offered by one Central Florida lawmaker offers a contingency plan for a worst-case scenario.

A screenshot of the Florida Family Policy Council's "Ignite" brochure (Pic via flfamily.org (.pdf))

Anti-gay groups plan increased spending, activity through 2012

By Andy Birkey | 05.06.11 | 12:51 pm

Anti-gay rights groups around the country will see a cash infusion over the next two years through a plan called “Ignite an Enduring Cultural Transformation.” And the groups are remaining mum about who is responsible.

The banner image from Mike Yost's campaign announcement email

Yost alleges ‘Democrat operatives’ responsible for ‘harassment’ at Webster, West town halls

By Virginia Chamlee | 04.28.11 | 1:46 pm

In yet another email sent out to supporters today, Congressional candidate Mike Yost again stressed the need to “take back America” in 2012. Yost’s email alleges that many state Republicans are “at the mercy of Democrat operatives working in Florida.”

Republican lawmakers pushing health care reform repeal provide public health care to staff

By Brett Ader | 02.04.11 | 10:52 am

As the debate over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act rages on following the decision handed down by a Florida judge that the health care overhaul contains unconstitutional mandates, much of the media has ignored the fact that nearly all GOP lawmakers in Congress pushing for repeal — as well as their staffs — currently accept government-sponsored health care.

Grayson concedes

By Travis Pillow | 11.02.10 | 9:05 pm

Conceding to his Republican opponent, Dan Webster, Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, said that he faltered because his base didn’t turn out strongly enough to counter a strong Republican surge.
“People don’t decide to vote based on who their congressman is,”…

Grayson debates empty lectern while Webster rallies supporters

By Travis Pillow | 10.28.10 | 1:20 pm

Dan Webster has declined to debate Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, whom he is challenging in Florida’s District 8.
For one thing, Webster has said he didn’t want to participate in debates that included Tea Party candidate Peg Dunmire. For…