Health Care Goes To Federal Judge

Combatants in the fight over national health care reform squared off Thursday in a Florida federal court, the latest battleground over national health insurance requirements that will likely ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Attorneys representing 20 states faced off with Department of Justice lawyers for the Obama administration over whether the new federal health insurance mandate oversteps constitutional limits on federal power.

AG: Florida Health Challenge To Proceed

Florida’s lawsuit against the new federal health care law isn’t any less important in light of a ruling Monday by a federal judge in Virginia invalidating a key component of the law, backers of the Florida challenge said.

In statement released shortly after Monday’s ruling, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum said the state will proceed to make arguments Thursday in Pensacola asking U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to go further than the Virginia ruling by invalidating the expansion of Medicaid to nearly 2 million anticipated additional recipients whose care would be partially paid by the state under the new law.

More Rambling Thoughts – Friday Edition

Bottom line, fair or not, should Rick Scott falter at the polls, the blame will be placed squarely on the shoulders of the Republican Party of Florida by many, particularly by those within the tea party movement. Shoulders that past experience has shown to be wanting…

Speaking of the tea party, the Central Florida Tea Party Council proudly presents the Orlando premiere of ‘Battle for America’ tonight at the Premiere Cinema 14 – Fashion Square Mall! Writer, director and producer Stephen Bannon will be our special guest.

This is a great event for family and friends that will get them engaged in this year’s political awakening. Tickets are free and can be ordered here;

Florida Judge: Fight Against Insurance Mandate Can Proceed

Editor’s Note – Are you telling me that not all judges are activists that want to legislate from the bench?

In what can be seen as a positive move, this case will be allowed to proceed. For now. Along with multiple efforts around the country, there is still hope that Obamacare will be ruled unconstitutional.

Stay tuned, this is far from over!

McCollum, Scott; Down To The Wire

And we’re down to the wire! With one day to go in the Republican primary race for governor, the poll numbers are coming fast and furious.

According to a Mason-Dixon poll released Saturday, Attorney General Bill McCollum leads Rick Scott 45-36 percent in a survey of likely Republican voters.

Then, Public Policy Polling released a survey last night that shows Rick Scott leading Bill McCollum 47-40 in the Republican race for governor.

Updated – Huckabee Endorsement For Sale?

According to local political activist Nick Egoroff, there is a disturbing report that Mike Huckabee was shopping his endorsement for the Florida Governor’s race.

In a blog that Egoroff maintains, he states that he was told by a Rick Scott campaign staff member that Huckabee contacted them with an offer for his endorsement.

A price of $250,000 was mentioned in this exchange.

McCollum Back In The Hunt?

Two seperate polls suggest that Bill McCollum has gotten back into the running for the Governor’s Mansion. Quinnipiac University actually has McCollum out front by 9% over Rick Scott, while Sunshine State News shows him in a statistical tie, down 2%.

Interestingly, Quinnipiac suggests that McCollum’s surge is due to a surge in support from women, while Voter Survey Service, which conducted the poll on behalf of Sunshine State News, suggests it’s due to seniors. Both agencies agree on the percent of undecided voters, 18% and 19% respectively.

Keep in mind the old saying, though; ‘there are lies, damn lies and statistics’.

This Week’s Rambling Thoughts

By Tom Tillison

Seems as if Central Florida was a conservative haven this past weekend. Ron Paul was in town Friday evening speaking at the Rosen Hotel on International Dr at the Liberty Summit sponsored by the Campaign for Liberty, and last night Sean Hannity was out at the UCF Arena, bringing his Freedom Concert to the area.

I’m curious if the Campaign for Liberty folks were aware that a Star Wars Convention was going on in the same hotel at the same time, and, I’m even more curious if anyone other than me see’s the irony in this!

McCollum Proposes Immigration Bill Similar To AZ

Editor’s Note – The announced immigration bill proposal is definately red meat for the conservative base. Polls indicate strong support for tough immigration laws and this will be seen as a positive step in addressing an important issue.

However, Bill McCollum’s timing is highly questionable.

Don’t take my word for it, take it from nationally known columnist Charles Krauthammer; “I think the fact that it was announced today is pure opportunism. It looks like it’s a Hail Mary [McCollum] is throwing with a few weeks to go. I’m not sure I would take it that seriously.”

Scott Polls Best Against Sink, McCollum Trails Democrat

Editor’s Note – Rick Scott is polling better than McCollum against Democrat opponent Alex Sink, in fact, McCollum trails Sink in the poll results!

The one persistant argument from many is that Scott will not win the general election, yet, Rasmussen begs to differ.

Is this the death blow to McCollums’s campaign? Is there still time to turn these numbers around? The trend is not going in the right direction for McCollum at this point and time is running out.