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Republican political activist and Suntree resident Robert "Bob" White is running Florida governor

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Robert "Bob" White of Suntree, the chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, has announced his candidacy for Florida governor in 2018.(Photo: FLORIDA TODAY FILE PHOTO)Buy Photo

Republican political activist and Suntree resident Robert"Bob" White this morning announced his candidacy for Florida governor in the 2018 election.

White is the chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida; chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Central East Florida;and founder and former chairman of the Liberty Catalyst Fund.

In his announcement, White cited his work in seeking to stem "the growing influence of special-interest money on the political and legislative process in Florida" and his efforts to push forcampaign finance reform. "For the last eight years I've been going to Tallahassee during the legislative session to promote 'Liberty' issues; limited government, personal freedom and free markets," White said. "I've seen the environment in Tallahassee change dramatically during that time. The people of Florida have lost their voice in the legislative process. It's been drowned out by the dark money politics of the special interests and the politicians that are only too happy to play their game."

Tallahassee Mayor Gillum says he'd be people's governor

White said that, while the "special interests have their champions in Tallahassee, the people of Florida need a champion, too. I will be their voice. I will be their champion."

White is one of 18 candidates for governor listed on the Florida Division of Elections website, seeking to succeed incumbent Gov. Rick Scott, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits. Among the more well-known are Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam; Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum; and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, who is the daughter of former U.S. Sen. and Florida Gov. Bob Graham.

Check floridatoday.com later today for updates.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 ordberman@floridatoday.com, on Twitter at@bydavebermanand on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/dave.berman.54.

Read or Share this story: http://on.flatoday.com/2rK6Zj5

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Republican Liberty Caucus head White running for governor - Florida Today

Want to learn how to head off an embarrassment in the Utah Republican Convention when you really believe your man will be booed by upwards of 4,000 hard-core delegates?

You organize your mans appearance very carefully. And you make all kinds of preemptive plans.

That was done by Sen. Orrin Hatchs staff and presumed 2018 campaign manager Dave Hansen at the South Towne Convention Center on Saturday.

Hatch was not booed in the convention. So success!

Well, mostly. But therein lies a tale.

Likewise, GOP Gov. Gary Herbert, for different reasons than Hatchs, was worried about a hostile reception in the before the delegates.

But in the end, both men were met with polite applause but little else.

Hatchs anti-booing plans were the more elaborate than Herberts, that was clear.

UtahPolicy prides itself in showing politicos how the art of politics and campaigning can be managed and behind the scenes in the Hatch case Saturday that was done well.

Not so much with Herbert, but the governor still avoided catcalls.

Heres what they did for Hatch:

Some delegates werent even in the hall yet, but all present were fresh-faced, and not angered by time and/or fights over rules and other stupid stuff.

Then, out comes Hatch, now 83 years old, with just a slight stumble at the top of the stairs.

And there were no boos none. But only a few delegates in the hall stood as most gave polite applause, others sitting on their hands.

Behind Hatch came San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman, who went to jail briefly for fighting federal overlords and land bosses who got more cheers than did Hatch.

Hatch then gave Lyman a signed copy of Trumps national monument investigation order which could lead to the scaling down or even rescinding of the Obama-created Bears Ears National Monument.

And Hatch then walked from the stage he didnt give a speech, probably the first time that has happened in the half-century Hatch has been coming to Utah state GOP conventions.

So success Hatch is not booed, although he wasnt roundly cheered, either.

Herbert faced, possibly, even more hostile faces.

But the temporary convention chair helped out Herbert.

Current Utah national committeeman Thomas Wright, who is also a past state party chair, conducted the meeting -- as (now former) state chair James Evans was running for re-election and so couldnt chair the convention as he normally would.

And Wright, a personal friend of Herberts, came through for the governor by listing many of the governors and Utahs successes over the last eight years before asking Herbert to walk on stage and address the delegates.

It worked. I mean, how can you boo a guy after the master of ceremonies recounts Utahs low unemployment rate, great business climate and leading state economy?

Still, Herberts support of SB54 and the governors refusal to call a special legislative session to outline the voting process to replace U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who will resignJune 30, was a shadow over the whole meeting.

A new bylaw was overwhelming adopted by delegates that says only U.S. House district GOP delegates will pick the partys nominee in a special election.

But that will be ignored under Herberts election plan, unveiledThursday.

SB54 signature-gathering candidates will go on the GOP primary ballot if they qualify by getting 7,000 Republican voters on their petitions.

Both Hatch and Herbert dodged what could have been a black day politically for them both with a little help from their friends.

Some other points in the convention:

Only 2,066 delegates voted in the chairs race, or just over 50 percent of the 4,000 delegates elected in the spring of 2016.

Several delegates gave tearful recounts about family and friends who died or continue to suffer with cancer and seizures and they believe they could have been helped by medical marijuana.

While it was emotional testimony, the libertarian side of the GOP delegates didnt gain favor over the anti-drug element.

Read more:
Top GOP officials head off embarrassment at Saturday's Republican Convention - Utah Policy

With nearly 500 candidates already lined up to run in 2018 House primaries, House Democrats are experiencing an election wealth like no other.

Already, there has been a 50 percent increase in those signed up to challenge Republican control of the House, and it could reach 1,000 candidates as Democrats rise to challenge President Trump.

"With a polarizing president who has low approval ratings, many Democrats who might otherwise take a pass now have a strong incentive to run: the possibility of a large turnover midterm election year in 2018," said Mark J. Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.

"I fully expect we will see more Democrats getting into nomination races, believing their chances of winning a general election to be very strong," he said.

Christopher Newport University's Quentin Kidd predicted something rare: a Democratic challenger in all 435 House races.

"Democrats will likely have robust primaries in many and I would be surprised if there aren't Democratic challengers in all of them. Democrats have historically done a poor job of bench development, but right now anti-Trump energy is doing it for them," said Kidd, the school's vice provost and director of the Wason Center for Public Policy.

Kyle Kondik, the managing editor of the national political "Crystal Ball" founded by the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, agreed, but said young and inexperienced candidates might not be exactly who the party wants.

"It may be that Democratic leaders will not always get the candidates they prefer in certain districts , a reality with which Republicans became familiar over the past several cycles," he said.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com

Originally posted here:
Trump Effect: Democrats see challenging every House Republican in 2018 - Washington Examiner

New York Times

Democracy, It Turns Out, Suits the Warriors Just Fine New York Times Stephen Curry, left, and Kevin Durant reflecting the Warriors' relaxed team attitude during a Game 3 blowout of the Spurs on Saturday. Credit Ronald Cortes/Associated Press. SAN ANTONIO It sounds silly at this point, with the Golden State Warriors ... and more »

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Democracy, It Turns Out, Suits the Warriors Just Fine - New York Times

Forbes

The New Cold War: Democracy Vs. Autocracy Forbes Over the past 8 days, North Korea successfully tested two nuclear-capable missiles, making a mockery of President Trump's tough approach on North Korea. He has meanwhile opened his arms of friendship to Russia and China, the biggest global threats to ...

See the original post:
The New Cold War: Democracy Vs. Autocracy - Forbes