It seems that Jim King's capacity to take Bush's hubris is coming to an end. Let's hope this isn't more bluster by King, and the genesis of some sort of resistance to the insane Bush-Byrd wing of the party. On another note, we found "Discussing education quality with Gov. Bush" on Eschaton today; sorry we missed it earlier.
Bush Under Pressure - "A growing chorus of voices is stepping up pressure on Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature to use a nearly $1 billion federal windfall to bail out a host of programs suffering from state budget cuts." See "Bush pressured to use money".
Alleged Democrat Julia Johnson Gives Buddy Dyer Heartburn - Orlando Mayor Democrat Buddy Dyer is taking a hit for having appointed Julia Johnson, an alleged Democrat who is a "Jeb!" supporter to his transition team. She apparently has a serious conflict of interest. See "Troubling conflict".
Mel's Brother, 'Ralph Martinez' Orlando Lawyer Rejected For Human Rights Position - See "U.S. isn't on rights panel for 1st time". This was a self inflicted wound and no real surprise. Back in April, the Washington Post observed that "lots of eyebrows were raised when word circulated that the administration picked Orlando lawyer Rafael E. 'Ralph' Martinez as its candidate. (The American leaving the commission at the end of the year, Robert K. Goldman, a Republican who teaches international human rights law at American University's law school, has been active in human rights for many years.) The Cuban-born Martinez's law practice appears to focus on medical malpractice and health law, though we're told he was a special adviser at the 57th U.N. General Assembly session last fall, where he released a statement explaining the U.S. position against cloning and spoke out against Cuba at a discussion on human rights and the war on terror. Washington has always had someone on the commission, but there's no guarantee the 34 voting members will select Martinez, one knowledgeable source said, because 'there's never been a nominee so blatantly unqualified.' Now hold on here. Orlando lawyer named Martinez? Born in Cuba? Ah, yes. That would be the younger brother of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel R. Martinez, a major player in the Cuban connection and a top Bush fundraiser in the Cabinet."
Boyd To Jump Into Senate Race? "U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, a North Florida Democrat, is organizing a campaign for the U.S. Senate on the premise that he is well-positioned to win a crowded party primary and then challenge any Republican statewide." See "Another Democrat considers Senate run".
Effort To Remove Struhs Rejected - "Florida conservationists Thursday called on Gov. Jeb Bush to jettison his environmental chief, accusing David Struhs of cozying up to big business, rewarding his friends and selling out the Everglades to Big Sugar. But Bush said he's not about to can the Department of Environmental Protection secretary, one of the few holdovers from Bush's first term." See "Bush: I won't fire environmental chief". See also "Bush refuses to fire Struhs". In the meantime, Struhs' aspirations to head the EPA are foundering as "Groups rip environmental chief".