Newt-ered

Florida is a microcosm of the country. Some high tech, some cowboy, some military, some Hispanics, some retirees, some big cities, some rural communities, some coastline, some other stuff.

For Republicans – Florida is vital. The Republican nominee has to win Florida in November to win the presidency. Ask George W. Bush – and then ask John McCain.

In Florida, Newt Gingrich and his Super PAC threw everything they had at Mitt Romney. And Mitt kicked butt.

Sadly, Newt has begun to sound like President Obama – blaming everyone else for his own past deeds. He needs to understand – Republicans and conservatives have principles and love candidates with them. But reasoned thinking GOPers do not forget ethical lapses – and Newt has more than his share.

Romney won in all parts of the state. Romney won in many demographic groups.

Marco Rubio – the conservative rising star basically endorsed Romney. Fred Thompson endorsed Newt. Fred who?

Romney can now settle in – raise some more cash and collect more votes in Nevada and Michigan. He can get ready for Super Tuesday in the beginning of March.

Newt and Rick have to scramble. Their money will begin to dry up. Their supporters will begin the bandwagon jump. Ron Paul will still be Ron Paul.

Mitt has shown that he can beat all three of his opponents at once – in a diverse state. Not in Iowa where evangelicals rule. Not in South Carolina where southern born trumps Massachusetts bred. But in Florida – where every time you turn around there’s someone different standing in front of you.

Florida is Romney country. It is the true beginning of the end for the rest of them.

Mitt Romney WIll Get My Vote

Though I’m not a full-time pastor anymore, I had the wonderful opportunity to preach this morning at the First United Methodist Church in Cocoa Beach. My sermon was about how Jesus was seen to have authority by those who heard him teach – even in the early days of his ministry – because he had a combination of knowledge and experience.

As I was driving home, I thought about my words and made sure that I reinforced them so that I could try – with God’s help – to live as I had preached. I called on the church today to keep growing in wisdom through worship and Bible study and then to share the experiences of their faith with others. Facts and feelings together – I told them – are more likely to garner peoples’ trust than either of those by themselves.

This then led me to think about the presidential contest – and my vote on Tuesday. Which candidate has my values? Which candidate has a positive meshing of knowledge and experience? Which candidate would I feel comfortable as an authority figure in my life?

The earlier conclusion I had reached that Mitt Romney will get my vote was clarified and solidified after I went through this process.

Since I am a protestant Christian and Mitt Romney a Mormon, our faiths are somewhat dissimilar. But our doctrinal differences are not great enough to offset the common values that we share.

There is no question in my mind that Mitt Romney is a smart man – in business, in organizational management, in politics. He has certainly been successful in the first two. In politics, he has had his ups and downs, his wiggles and wobbles. However, he has generally run a solid campaign this time and will be a force against President Obama in state-to-state contests.

Finally, he has lived a wide range of life experiences – and this is always a plus. Romney has committed time away from home to serve his church, he has been a chief executive, he is a faithful husband and loving father. He has not been a Washington insider – but knows enough of them to know how it works.

He is not perfect in this conservative’s eyes. However, no candidate ever has been. I pick the one I think is best for the particular job – at the particular moment. For me, this time, the only answer is Mitt Romney.

New Blog to Serve the Community

Evidently, Florida Today has decided to end their relationship with local contributors and change their business model. This is media-speak for "we are going to start making you pay for our website."

Some other Gannett newspapers do this - including the Tallahassee Democrat - so I'm not surprised. The mainstream news business has been hurting as of late - for a bunch of reasons - so changing up is an option.

I remember years ago when Florida Today tried some similar antics. It was right after the genesis of USA Today. They tried to make Florida Today a "local" paper and tried to make the public bundle the Florida Today and USA Today. Scores of customers fled to the Orlando Sentinel. They changed back - adding at least some world, national, and state news.

The role of the community bloggers has been curtailed since last summer. A change in leadership meant a change in the use of community input.

First, in the print edition, they had been running a "Yes-No" question on Sundays and then a compilation of community blogs on Monday. That changed to "Yes-No" on Mondays and no blogs printed.

Next, they had been meeting with us once a month to discuss their coverage of issues and events. We haven't had any input with them in months.

Of course, they have changed the comments sections - so you have to use your Facebook page for that now. That surely ticked many of you off!

Now - it appears it will all go away.

Oh well - that now gives me the opportunity for a new platform. I have sent an email to the other community bloggers to see if any want to come along. I hope some of the liberals do - I don't mind some healthy give and take.

I'll have to see how all this works, but I hope that you will make this a "Favorite" and stop by often!