Daily Clips for September 8, 2010

FEATURED STORIES Charlie Crist, Kendrick Meek vie to be main alternative to Marco Rubio By Adam C. Smith and Beth Reinhard St. Petersburg Times It's approaching do-or-die time for Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek. Democrat Sink backs extending Bush tax credits during Delray stop By George Bennett Palm Beach Post Democrat governor candidate Alex Sink, visiting a roofing business here to promote alternative energy, broke with President Obama and many in her party today by calling for an extension of all the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts signed by former President George W. Bush. Rick Scott’s aversion to depositions By Tristram Korten Florida Independent Republican governor candidate Rick Scott has faced repeated calls to release a deposition in a civil suit he gave earlier this year — first from his Republican primary opponent Bill McCollum, now from his Democratic rival Alex Sink. All eyes on Dove World By Kimberly C. Moore Gainesville Sun Related editorial: Butterfly effect The White House is talking about it. So is the U.S. commander in Afghanistan. Muslims in Kabul are protesting it. Major broadcast news networks, including ABC and CBS, led their Tuesday news reports with it. And it's all over Facebook. Scott federal campaign doesn't address Florida's needs Editorial St. Petersburg Times Rick Scott must be running for president of the United States instead of governor of Florida. FLORIDA POLITICS State Gains Would Give Redistricting Edge to G.O.P. By Michael Cooper Gainesville Sun The midterm elections are being closely watched to determine whether Republicans will have a majority in Congress for the next two years. Republican officials to meet to pick Jennifer Carroll's successor By David Hunt Florida Times-Union Local Republicans are scheduled to pick a successor today for state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, who was selected as GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott's running mate after winning the GOP primary for her House seat. Sansom won't go to trial until after Election Day By Brent Henzi Florida Tribune The fate of former House Speaker Ray Sansom won't be known until after Election Day. Senator blasts agency over contracting decision By Gary Fineout Florida Tribune The Florida Department of Corrections is once again being forced to defend some of its contracting decisions. POLITICAL RACES Florida governor's race: Scott likely to try to redefine Sink By Brandon Larrabee Florida Times-Union As the nasty Republican primary for governor neared its finish, an ad came on the air from Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. Sink favors extending the Bush tax cuts By Luke Johnson Florida Independent Florida CFO and Democratic candidate for governor Alex Sink broke with her party Tuesday and said that she favors extending the Bush tax cuts. In year of outsiders, Florida governor stands his ground By James Oliphant Los Angeles Times It's easy to find people who will say bad things about Charlie Crist. Charlie Crist and the Perils of Flip-Flopping By Tim Padgett Time Magazine Florida governor and U.S. Senate candidate Charlie Crist admires Abraham Lincoln — not because it's the political thing to do in America, he insists, but because he's long aspired to be the kind of moderate, consensus-building conservative that the most hallowed member of the Republican Party was. Crist renews support for embryonic stem cell research By William March Tampa Tribune Gov. Charlie Crist, visiting Moffitt Cancer Center today, renewed his support for embryonic stem cell research, even though he declined to act on the issue as governor. Spat over donations to Crist's Senate campaign continues By Pat Gillespie Ft. Myers News-Press Attorneys will head back to the Collier County Courthouse next week as donors to Charlie Crist's U.S. Senate campaign fight to block him from using about $7.5 million in contributions. GOP to stage rally in Sarasota By Jeremy Wallace Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sarasota will be at the heart of Florida politics Saturday -- at least for Republicans. Black voters could hold key to year's elections By Anthony Man South Florida Sun-Sentinel Florida's statewide elections this year could hinge on how many black voters, drawn to the polls for the first time by Barack Obama's 2008 presidential candidacy, remain engaged in politics and how many stay home. Republicans cast more primary ballots than Democrats The Associated Press Orlando Sentinel Looking for yet another sign Democrats are in trouble? Take note of who is showing up to vote in the primaries. Watts: GOP must show public a change in congressional culture By Bill Cotterell Florida Capital News Republicans have "a good shot" at taking over Congress but they will lose it again unless they change Washington's ways, former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts said Tuesday. BALLOT INITIATIVES Challenge to Fla. class size amendment in court The Associated Press Sarasota Herald-Tribune A lawsuit challenging the Legislature's proposed state constitutional amendment to loosen class size limits is getting its day in court. Failing the constitutional test Editorial Sarasota Herald-Tribune For all the contemporary rhetoric about respecting the Constitution, a majority of Florida's Legislature disrespected the state constitution by proposing three flawed amendments. Faulty Ballot Language: Supreme Rulings for Clarity Editorial Lakeland Ledger It's not nice to fool the voters. Our state Legislature doesn't get that. Fortunately, the Florida Supreme Court does. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY FPL bills will rise to pay for nuke projects By Mary Ellen Klas Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau Florida's Public Service Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday to increase Florida Power & Light customers' bills by $31 million starting in January to pay for development of the company's nuclear projects. EDUCATION Miami-Dade school budget saves teachers' jobs By Kathleen McGrory Miami Herald The Miami-Dade School Board on Tuesday approved a $4.3 billion budget -- a financial plan that protects teacher jobs and fine arts programs despite soaring costs and tumbling tax rolls. JOBS, BUDGET, AND ECONOMY Florida's state budget shortfall shrinks in new forecast News Service of Florida St. Petersburg Times Florida's looming budget shortfall has been cut in half by state analysts, who credit federal stimulus dollars, years of spending cuts and Indian gambling money as helping to forge a brighter picture — but still leaving the state in a $2.5 billion hole. HEALTH AND SENIORS Take 5 to Save Lives: FL Takes Part in Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day By Gina Presson Public News Service Florida Take five to save lives" is the message being delivered in Florida and around the globe as part of Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day, this Friday, Sept. 10. CIVIL RIGHTS, PEACE AND SOCIAL ISSUES Florida pastor plans to press ahead with Quran burning By Jaweed Kaleem Miami Herald Related AP story: Florida pastor has legal right to burn Qurans Related AP story: Clinton calls plan to burn Quran 'disgraceful act' Related column: Spewing the gospel of unadulterated hate Despite warnings by several high-level American officials that his actions will endanger U.S. troops and American aid workers overseas, the pastor of a Gainesville church who plans to protest Islam with a bonfire of Qurans on Sept. 11 vowed Tuesday to carry on. Defiant Gainesville pastor goes ahead with plans to burn Korans despite pleas By John Barry and John Pendygraft St. Petersburg Times Pastor Terry Jones stayed holed up in his Dove World Outreach Center most of Tuesday.