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Senate not coming back this week

Senate President Ken Pruitt has informed members that the Senate will not meet this week

Hopes for an agreement on a plan to cut taxes for Florida homeowners and businesses faded further this morning as Senate President Ken Pruitt told senators to stay home at least until Monday -- the final day lawmakers have to hammer out a deal for the Jan. 29 ballot. Story here.
Writes Pruitt: "After consultation with Majority Leader Webster and Minority Leader Geller, we do not intend to meet this week in Special Session. We have not determined that the Senate will return; however, if we return, it will be on Monday morning, October 29, 2007. For many, this would require making travel arrangements to be in Tallahassee on Sunday evening. Please make arrangements accordingly. We will send another e-mail out Friday providing certainty on Monday's schedule.
Should we proceed with a tax reform and reduction package, we believe it will be important to include the basic principles that were the foundation of the Special Session call. First, we must reduce property taxes for Floridians. Second, we must minimize any negative impact to education. Finally, we must craft a proposal that will be understood and accepted by Florida voters.
Senators, these important points will be the basis of any plan that would be considered. Because our Governor and our partners in the House of Representatives have publicly shared these goals throughout the process, I believe we have reason to be cautiously optimistic. However, there is still much work to be done, and the time clock is not our friend."

Broward Dems launch revamped Web site

The Broward Democratic Party has redesigned its presence on the Internet.

The objective, said Broward Democratic Chairman Mitch Ceasar, is to expand the universe of activists and donors. "We wanted a site that would help us attract young people, more internet-oriented voters and donors. Additionally, a rapid response feature is a necessary tool in today's political environment," Ceasar said in a statement.

It includes information about Democratic clubs, candidates and elected officials, and new touches such as YouTube videos, podcasts, and social networking tools.

It's part of a local party rebranding itself. The party doesn't want to use the official Broward Democratic Executive Committee, preferring Broward Democratic Party.

Here's the new site.

Rep. Elaine Schwartz wants Primary and tax amendement moved to Feb 5th

Rep. Elaine Schwartz (D) Hollywood, has filed a bill that would push back the date of the proposed vote on the constitutional amendment until Feb. 5. Schwartz also wants the presidential primary moved to the same date a week after Jan. 29th the current date of the primary.

Schwartz maintains that extending the date would give lawmakers more time to work out a deal on property taxes which right now looks iffy since Senate President Ken Pruitt told senators this morning that they won't be needed in Tallahassee until Thursday at the earliest. But moving the date would also bring Democrats into line with national Democratic rules and thereby preserving Florida's delegates to the national convention.

"Our voters want our voice to be counted,'' said Schwartz in a statement. "We've been marginalized when Florida has had such an enormous impact in general elections. We don't want to be left out of choosing the candidate."

Schwartz acknowledges that there may be "stiff resistance" from the GOP-controlled Legislature to her bill, but said the need for an extension of time is "all too obvious now."

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GOP Debate Wrapup

Republican Debate:

ABC News' David Chalian, Jan Simmonds, and Christine Byun: "Heated Republican debate focuses on the battle for the true conservative" LINKNew York Times' Katharine Q. Seelye: "Debate Wrap-Up: Everyone vs. Clinton" LINK

New York Times' MICHAEL COOPER and MARC SANTORA: "At Debate, G.O.P. Race Becomes More Personal" LINK

Washington Post's Dan Balz and Michael D. Shear: "Attacks Sharpen Among Party's Principal Rivals" LINK

Associated Press: "Quotes From the GOP Presidential Debate" LINK

Reuters: "Top Republicans defend conservative credentials" LINK

Politico's Jonathan Martin: "Republicans trade blows at fiery debate" LINK

Boston Globe's Michael Kranish: "GOP hopefuls turn up the heat" LINK

Los Angeles Times' Michael Finnegan: "Thompson, Giuliani spar over conservative records" LINK

USA Today's David Jackson: "Republican hopefuls spar over who's the real conservative" LINK

Bloomberg's Catherine Dodge and Nicholas Johnston: "Giuliani, Romney, Thompson Attack Each Other, Clinton in Debate" LINK

Washington Times' Joseph Curl: "GOP debate signals race to the right" LINK

New York Post's CARL CAMPANILE: "HILLARY'S THE 'ROAST' OF THE TOWN AT GOP DEBATE" LINK

Wall Street Journal's AMY SCHATZ and SUSAN DAVIS: "Clinton Is Focus of Debate" LINK

Janet Folger: God’s hand was on Huckabee and that he was going to be the next president

While he was clearly the favorite of the social conservatives at the Values Voter Summit, he has been savaged by the ant-tax right wing, including the loony anti-tax Club for Growth, for his supposedly big-spending record as a governor.

Unlike any of the other top-tier candidates, Huckabee had attended the Values Voter Debate in Florida a few weeks back. That event was sponsored by several of the Religious Right's lesser lights. One of them, Janet Folger, declared after Huckabee won that event's straw poll that God had anointed him to lead religious conservatives into the White House. At this summit, Folger was on fire after the former Arkansas governor's Saturday morning speech, telling a reporter in the hallway that God's hand was on Huckabee and that he was going to be the next president.

God vs. Club for Growth? Stay tuned.

Cross Posted on http://ChangeInTallahassee.com

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David Mixner to speak at Nova Southeastern University

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Oct 19, 2007

Contact: Anthony Niedwiecki

Associate Prof. of Law, Director of LSV Program
Shepard Broad Law Center , Nova Southeastern Univ.

Email: niedwieckia@nsu.law.nova.edu

Phone: (954) 262-6206

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY TO HOST DAVID MIXNER FOR LECTURE SERIES ABOUT SEXUAL OREINTATION AND THE LAW

The second speaker for the Goodwin Series at the law center at Nova Southeastern University is author/activist/political consultant David Mixner who will speak to the public on Thursday, October 25 from 6-7.  A reception where you can meet David Mixner will follow the public presentation.  The speaking event and reception are open to the public and free, and they will both take place at the law center.  David Mixner is likely to speak on a wide range of issues, including the role politics plays in LGBT issues and defining morality, HIV/AIDS issues, and the history of the gay rights movement.  He is known to be an engaging speaker who has been a leading activist in the fight for LGBT equality.  We expect this to be a very interesting and lively discussion.  His biography is posted below.    For directions to the law center at Nova, go to http://www.nova.edu/cwis/campusmaps/maincampus.html

In addition to having David Mixner visit the school next week, we will be hosting an exhibit on LGBT hate crimes, entitled Gay American Heroes.  The exhibit will be in the law library beginning next week.  You can read about the display at http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2007/08/gay-american-he.html

Please mark your calendars for the remaining schedule.
Tuesday November 6, 6-7:  Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Lesbian and Gay Task Force
Tuesday November 27, 6-7:  Rev. Gene Robinson, the First Openly Gay Episcopalian Bishop

If you have any questions, please contact Anthony Niedwiecki at niedwieckia@nsu.law.nova.edu or at (954) 262-6206.

Shepard Broad Law Center
Nova Southeastern Univ.
3305 College Ave.
Fort Lauderdale , FL 33314

David Mixner's Biography:

David Mixner has been involved in public life, policy, business and a writer for nearly forty years.  His blog, www.davidmixner.com <http://www.davidmixner.com/>  is one of this year's most visited issue-oriented blogs.

Mr. Mixner is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Stranger Among Friends and the number one bestseller Brave Journeys.  His screenplay, co-written with Richard Burns,  Dunes of Overveen won the Outfest MTV Award for "Best New Screenplay" and his screenplay, co-written with Dennis Bailey,  Fire in the Soul is being considered by a number of production companies at the moment..  He just finished wth Dennis Bailey a play called  Jacob's Ladder..  Additionally, Mr. Mixner has published numerous articles.  He is Executive Producer on the award-winning documentary called House on Fire which deals with HIV /AIDS in the African American community.

Over the years, Mr. Mixner has worked in over seventy-five campaigns as campaign manager, fundraiser and strategist.  Those campaigns include Clinton for President, Edwards for President, Hart for President, Gephardt for President, McGovern for President, Bradley for Mayor, and Brown for Governor and Senate.  He also has worked on numerous initiative campaigns including No on Six (School Teachers), No on Sixty-four (AIDS Quarantine), and No on Eleven (Energy Tax).

Mr. Mixner has over the years raised over $30 million for candidates and charity organizations and well over $1 million for openly gay and lesbian candidates alone across the country.

Mr. Mixner is currently a successful international public affairs/strategic-planning consultant with an expertise in HIV/AIDS.  He is currently working on projects involving Africa .  In addition, he continues his work fighting HIV/AIDS here in the United States .

Mr. Mixner has been an unofficial advisor to numerous elected officials on domestic and foreign policy. His reputation as a strategist and implementor is nationally known.  Numerous universities, including Oxford , Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, Princeton , and the London School of Economics, have invited him to lecture. The Sterling Memorial Library at Yale University has recently created the "David B Mixner Collection" of his papers from over forty years.

###

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Katherine Harris For Pres. '08 ?

www.draftkatherineharris.com?? Are you f@#$ing kidding me???

I know that a lot of the right-wing nuts out there are starting to get
online more, but I wouldn't be surprised if this came straight from the
devil herself. I remember reading at one point that she thought she
could be the first women elected President.

Spec. Jason B. Koutroubas

Hometown: Dunnellon, Florida, U.S.

Age: 21 years old

Died: October 14, 2007 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit: Army, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Tex.

Incident: Died of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident in Tal Afar.

Related Links:

Legacy.com Tribute

Florida Save S-CHIP Today

If your Representative is on the following list, call today and urge him or her to vote YES for health insurance for children in low-income working families. And if you know people in those states, forward this email and ask your friends and colleagues who are constituents to make the call.

Use the toll-free number 1 800-828-0498 set up by Families USA to access the Capitol switchboard, which will connected you to your Representative's office.

Gus Bilirakis
Ginny Brown-Waite
Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Mario Diaz-Ballard

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Tom Feeney
Rick Keller

cross posted at http://ChangeInTallahassee.com

Randi Rhodes was Attacked on Sunday Night

UPDATE:

AAR's official blogger, Nancy Scola, posted the following message on the website this morning:
Air America host Randi Rhodes experienced an unfortunate incident hindering her from hosting her show. The reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded. Ms. Rhodes looks forward to being back on the air on Thursday.

UPDATE :

Morning talk host, Lionel filled in for Rhodes on Monday, but did not say anything about why she wasn’t on hand to do her show. The Randi Rhodes board reports that Sam Seder, who does a Sunday afternoon show for AAR, will be filling on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Elliott was extremely agitated when he reported on the incident. He opened his show by saying "it is with sadness that tonight I inform you that my Air America colleague Randi Rhodes was assaulted last night while walking her dog near her New York City home.
"Pointing out that Rhodes was wearing a jogging suit and displayed no purse or jewelry, Elliott speculated that "this does not appear to me to be a standard grab the money and run mugging.""Is this an attempt by the right wing hate machine to silence one of our own," he asked. "Are we threatening them. Are they afraid that we're winning. Are they trying to silence intimidate us."Some of blog posters also expressed concerns that the attack on Rhodes was hate crime.
Other posters warned that we need more facts before any judgements are made.According to Elliott, Rhodes was resting in her New York City apartment and was not hospitalized.

Randi Rhodes was mugged on Attacked night on 39th Street and Park Ave, nearby her Manhattan apartment, while she was walking her dog Simon.

According to Air America Radio late night host Jon Elliott, Rhodes was beaten up pretty badly, losing several teeth and will probably be off the air for at least the rest of the week. At of late Monday night we have not able to locate any press accounts of the attack and nothing has been posted on the AAR website.

Spec. Adam D. Quinn

Hometown: Orange City, Florida, U.S.

Age: 22 years old

Died: October 6, 2007 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit: Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C

Incident: Killed by a makeshift bomb that detonated near his vehicle in Bagram, Afghanistan.

Related Links:

Soldier dies in Bagram (Edmond Sun, Okla., Oct. 10, 2007)

Senator Ted Deutch and Representative Ronald Brise to Speak

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Carlyn Foster, SEIU

(954) 965-1453 or (954) 632-0795 cell

carlyn.foster@seiu.org

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WED OCT. 10***

Senator Ted Deutch and Representative Ronald Brise to Speak

With care for thousands of elderly Florida residents at risk …

Concerned Floridians to Announce Plan to Fight for Improved Patient Care in $6.3 Billion Private Equity Takeover of Major Nursing Home Chain

Calling on AHCA to Ensure Buyout Does Not Diminish Patient Care

New Report To Be Released Detailing Impact of the Carlyle Group Buyout of Manor Care on Florida

Concerned Floridians, patient advocates, community and elected leaders and workers will announce their plan Wednesday to fight for improved patient care in the takeover of the nation's largest nursing home chain, HCR Manor Care, by global buyout giant the Carlyle Group. This group of concerned Floridians is calling on the Carlyle Group to put care above CEO profits in the $6.3 billion takeover of Manor Care. There is growing concern that the buyout could come at the expense of seniors, taxpayers, and workers. Manor Care runs 29 nursing homes in Florida.

At the news conference, the group will release a new report detailing the impact of the takeover on Florida. The report will include:

Manor Care's existing record on patient care and staffing
The deal's impact on state and federal tax revenue
What happens when private equity firms buy nursing home chains
Financial details of the deal, including executive compensation

Similar efforts are underway in multiple states where Manor Care has operations, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Washington State. More info is available at CarlyleFixManorCareNow.org

WHAT: News Conference to Release Report, Announce Plan to Fight for Improved Nursing Home Care in Florida

WHEN: 11:00 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, October 10

WHERE: South County Civic Center, Pavilion

16700 Jog Rd., Delray Beach, FL 33446

WHO: Senator Ted Deutch, Senate District 30

Representative Ronald Brise, House District 108

Monica Russo, President, SEIU Healthcare Florida

(formerly SEIU Florida Healthcare Union)

Yolette Bonant, CNA, Manor Care West Palm Beach

Joyce Moorison, Senior Advocate

Tony Fransetta, President, Alliance for Retired Americans

A recent front page exposé by the New York Times detailed how cuts to staffing and operations at nursing homes bought by private equity firms across the country have enriched top executives and buyout firms but left nursing home residents worse off. Read the article here.

###

Carlyn Foster | Communications

SEIU Florida Regional Office

4600 Sheridan St., Suite 200 | Hollywood, FL 33021

Phone: 954-965-1453 | Fax: 954-989-4727

Mobile: 954.632.0795

SCHIP NOT FOR THE POOR

Florida Representatives who voted against the SCHIP bill (expanding insurance coverage for middle class children):

FL-1 Miller, Jeff [R]
FL-4 Crenshaw, Ander [R]
FL-5 Brown-Waite, Virginia [R]
FL-6 Stearns, Clifford [R]
FL-7 Mica, John [R]
FL-8 Keller, Ric [R]
FL-9 Bilirakis, Gus [R]
FL-11 Castor, Kathy [D]
FL-12 Putnam, Adam [R]
FL-14 Mack, Connie [R]
FL-15 Weldon, David [R]
FL-18 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R]
FL-21 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [R]
FL-24 Feeney, Tom [R]
FL-25 Diaz-Balart, Mario [R]

Please Call today and tell your Representatives to support middle class children.

S-Chip is for Children who's parents make too much money for medicaid, yet make too little to be able to afford a 1000.00 a month health insurance bill.

Call Today : (202)225-3121

Thompson's Florida Fade

Last month, the Insider Advantage poll had Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani tied in Florida. Now, Mr. Giuliani's pulled ahead decisively:

Giuliani: 29%
Thompson: 19%
Romney: 16%
McCain: 10%

My sense is that despite a decent showing in the polls, the Thompson campaign has really gotten off to a weak start. Mr. Thompson is not driving the debate in any way, shape, or form. All the action has been Rudy vs. Mitt.

UPDATE:

George Allen Supports Fred Thompson

With or without an endorsement, the person Fred Thompson owes the most to this election season is former Virginia senator George "Macaca" Allen. If not for Mr. Allen's implosion in 2006, he would have been reelected to the Senate and crowned the presumptive standard-bearer for the continuation of the Bush legacy — a fake-southern, big-spending, social-conservative-friendly good ol' boy. With Mr. Allen out of the picture, though, Mr. Thompson had access to a presidential field devoid of a textbook conservative.

As it happens, Mr. Allen has endorsed Mr. Thompson's presidential bid — doubtless with dreams of what might have been. Meanwhile, the top ranks of the religious right still refuse to get behind any one candidate, united only in their opposition to Rudy Giuliani.

Those religious right folks, likewise, must be dreaming of what might have been. They could have all endorsed Mr. Allen early and gone home. Instead, they've got two candidates they can't stand (Mr. Giuliani and John McCain), one they don't quite trust (Mitt Romney), and one they really, really want to get behind but just can't (Mr. Thompson). The only holdup with Mr. Thompson? His refusal to support the Federal Marriage Amendment on federalist grounds.

Fred Thompson on SNL

Fred Thompson makes his first appearance (as a Darrell Hammond impression) on Saturday Night Live. The joke? Fred Thompson is lazy:

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.D. Roy Atchison - The former GOP Assistant U.S. Attorney Committed Suicide

.D. Roy Atchison - The former GOP Assistant U.S. Attorney

John David Roy Atchison, an internet predator of the worst kind, was found dead in his jail cell today. The former Assistant U.S. Attorney in Florida was busted in a Detroit sting operation after he arranged what he thought was a sex encounter with a five year old girl via a law enforcement officer posing as the child's mother on the internet.

John David Roy Atchison, the former GOP Assistant U.S. Attorney who was busted at the Detroit airport for soliciting sex with a five year old girl, committed suicide Firday in his jail cell.

Florida Primary In The News

Gannett's Eun Kyung Kim: "Sen. Nelson to file suit over Fla. Primary" LINK

Miami Herald's BETH REINHARD: "No-show Democrats stick to their pledge" LINK

New York Times' Abby Goodnough: "Battle Lines Drawn Over Florida Primary" LINK

New York Times' ABBY GOODNOUGH: "Senator Suing Own Party Over Discord on Florida" LINK

Staff Sgt. Donnie D. Dixon

Hometown: Miami, Florida, U.S.

Age: 37 years old

Died: September 29, 2007 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit: Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Tex.

Incident: Killed when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire in Baloor.

Morality and Sexual Orientation Law Series

The Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University is pleased
to announce this year's Goodwin lecture series, which is entitled: 30
Years After Anita Bryant's Crusade: The Continuing Role of Morality
in the Development of Legal Rights for Sexual Minorities. With the
controversies surrounding the mayor of Fort Lauderdale this past summer,
this lecture series is very relevant and timely. The lectures are open
to the public and take place at the law center on the Davie Campus.

We have a great group of speakers this year, including the first openly
gay Episcopalian Bishop, Gene Robinson. Our first speaker is Suzanne
Goldberg, who will discuss how the U.S. Supreme Court addresses and has
addressed sexual orientation issues. Her public presentation is on
Thursday October 11, 6-7 pm. Professor Goldberg spent nearly a decade as
a leading attorney on lesbian and gay rights issues with Lambda Legal
Defense. While at Lambda, she served as counsel in a wide range of
cases in employment, immigration, and family law, as well as two cases
that eventually became cornerstone gay rights victories before the US
Supreme Court, including Romer v. Evans and Lawrence v. Texas. She
currently is a law professor at Columbia Law School.

The remaining schedule includes:
Thursday October 25, 6-7: David Mixner, Author and Political Activist
who worked with Bill Clinton.
Tuesday November 6, 6-7: Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the
National Lesbian and Gay Task Force
Tuesday November 27, 6-7: Rev. Gene Robinson, the First Openly Gay
Episcopalian Bishop

We hope that you can make this very exciting lecture series. If you
have any questions, please contact Anthony Niedwiecki at
niedwieckia@nsu.law.nova.edu or at (954) 262-6206.

A map and directions to the law center can be found at
http://www.nova.edu/cwis/campusmaps/maincampus.html
<http://www.nova.edu/cwis/campusmaps/maincampus.html> .

Anthony S. Niedwiecki
Associate Prof. of Law
Director of LSV Program
Shepard Broad Law Center
Nova Southeastern Univ.
3305 College Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

(954) 262-6206
niedwieckia@nsu.law.nova.edu

A Election '08 News Site:

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