The Florida gubernatorial election turned out to be every bit as close as the polling in recent weeks suggested.

Skip to next paragraph
Recent posts
But by mid-morning Wednesday, the result was finally official: Republican Rick Scott – who spent nearly $75 million of his own money on his campaign – is the winner. Democrat Alex Sink, the state’s chief financial officer, conceded defeat, opting not to wait until every ballot was counted.

Mr. Scott is a first-time politician whose primary win over a more established candidate was a surprise.

He’s a former health-care CEO who was forced to resign amid a scandal over Medicare billing practices in 1997, and he barely met the seven-year Florida residency requirement to run.

Despite being a political novice, Scott ran a relatively strong campaign and benefited from the Republican tide sweeping across the country, and particularly across Florida. Sen.-elect Marco Rubio – a young conservative tea party favorite who won the GOP primary – got nearly 50 percent of the vote in a three-way race.

Ms. Sink made a few mistakes, notably the widely publicized “cheating” incident in which she accepted a cellphone and read a text message from a staffer during a debate in which phones were explicitly prohibited.

Governors’ races in a surprising number of other states, meanwhile, remain too close to be called. Connecticut, Vermont, Illinois, Minnesota, and Oregon have all remained incredibly tight, and the results may not be known in some states – particularly Oregon, where ballots are mailed in – for several days at least.

In Illinois, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn seems likely to barely hang onto his seat, even as President Obama’s old Senate seat in the state went to a Republican.

But the others are still virtual tossups. By midmorning Wednesday in Connecticut, fewer than 1,000 votes separated Democrat Dan Malloy from his Republican opponent, Tom Foley.

The Florida gubernatorial election turned out to be every bit as close as the polling in recent weeks suggested.

Skip to next paragraph
Recent posts
But by mid-morning Wednesday, the result was finally official: Republican Rick Scott – who spent nearly $75 million of his own money on his campaign – is the winner. Democrat Alex Sink, the state’s chief financial officer, conceded defeat, opting not to wait until every ballot was counted.

Mr. Scott is a first-time politician whose primary win over a more established candidate was a surprise.

He’s a former health-care CEO who was forced to resign amid a scandal over Medicare billing practices in 1997, and he barely met the seven-year Florida residency requirement to run.

Despite being a political novice, Scott ran a relatively strong campaign and benefited from the Republican tide sweeping across the country, and particularly across Florida. Sen.-elect Marco Rubio – a young conservative tea party favorite who won the GOP primary – got nearly 50 percent of the vote in a three-way race.

Ms. Sink made a few mistakes, notably the widely publicized “cheating” incident in which she accepted a cellphone and read a text message from a staffer during a debate in which phones were explicitly prohibited.

Governors’ races in a surprising number of other states, meanwhile, remain too close to be called. Connecticut, Vermont, Illinois, Minnesota, and Oregon have all remained incredibly tight, and the results may not be known in some states – particularly Oregon, where ballots are mailed in – for several days at least.

In Illinois, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn seems likely to barely hang onto his seat, even as President Obama’s old Senate seat in the state went to a Republican.

But the others are still virtual tossups. By midmorning Wednesday in Connecticut, fewer than 1,000 votes separated Democrat Dan Malloy from his Republican opponent, Tom Foley.

Rick Sanchez was fired Friday for calling comedian Jon Stewart a "bigot" and basically insinuating that Jews run CNN and the media.

"Rick Sanchez is no longer with the company," a statement from CNN issued Friday read. "We thank Rick for his years of service and we wish him well."

While appearing on "Stand-Up with Pete Dominick", Sanchez came off defensive and angry about remarks Stewart had made about him, then threw out the word "bigot". Dominick gave him several chances to back down from the accusation, but Sanchez just kept going.

Here are some of the key quotes:

PD: "How is he a bigot?"

RS: "I think he looks at the world through his mom who was a schoolteacher, and his dad who was a physicist or something like that. Great, I'm so happy that he grew up in a suburban middle-class New Jersey home with everything that you could ever imagine."

PD: "What group is he bigoted towards?"

RS: "Everybody else who's not like him. Look at his show! What does he surround himself with?"

When Dominick pointed out that Stewart being Jewish is as much of a minority as Sanchez, who's Cuban-American, Sanchez scoffed at the idea.

RS: "C'mon. How is he a minority?"

PD: "He's Jewish."

RS: "Yeah, very powerless people." [laughs]

PD: "Whoa."

RS: "You're such a minority. I mean, you know. Please. What? Are you kidding?"

PD: "You're telling me that -- "

RS: "I'm telling you that everybody who runs CNN is a lot like Stewart. And a lot of people who run all the other networks are a lot like Stewart. And to imply that somehow they, the people in this country who are Jewish are oppressed minorities? Yeah."

Let's see, according to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a bigot reads: "a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance."

At best, Sanchez comes off as a thin-skinned whiner who can't take a little teasing from a comedian and can't back up his accusation about Stewart at all.

At the very least, it seems Sanchez (who once called President Obama a "cotton-picking president") should have looked up the definition of a bigot before he threw stones from his own glass house.

Rick Sanchez was fired Friday for calling comedian Jon Stewart a "bigot" and basically insinuating that Jews run CNN and the media.

"Rick Sanchez is no longer with the company," a statement from CNN issued Friday read. "We thank Rick for his years of service and we wish him well."

While appearing on "Stand-Up with Pete Dominick", Sanchez came off defensive and angry about remarks Stewart had made about him, then threw out the word "bigot". Dominick gave him several chances to back down from the accusation, but Sanchez just kept going.

Here are some of the key quotes:

PD: "How is he a bigot?"

RS: "I think he looks at the world through his mom who was a schoolteacher, and his dad who was a physicist or something like that. Great, I'm so happy that he grew up in a suburban middle-class New Jersey home with everything that you could ever imagine."

PD: "What group is he bigoted towards?"

RS: "Everybody else who's not like him. Look at his show! What does he surround himself with?"

When Dominick pointed out that Stewart being Jewish is as much of a minority as Sanchez, who's Cuban-American, Sanchez scoffed at the idea.

RS: "C'mon. How is he a minority?"

PD: "He's Jewish."

RS: "Yeah, very powerless people." [laughs]

PD: "Whoa."

RS: "You're such a minority. I mean, you know. Please. What? Are you kidding?"

PD: "You're telling me that -- "

RS: "I'm telling you that everybody who runs CNN is a lot like Stewart. And a lot of people who run all the other networks are a lot like Stewart. And to imply that somehow they, the people in this country who are Jewish are oppressed minorities? Yeah."

Let's see, according to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a bigot reads: "a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance."

At best, Sanchez comes off as a thin-skinned whiner who can't take a little teasing from a comedian and can't back up his accusation about Stewart at all.

At the very least, it seems Sanchez (who once called President Obama a "cotton-picking president") should have looked up the definition of a bigot before he threw stones from his own glass house.

BY STEVE BOUSQUET AND MARC CAPUTO

HERALD/TIMES TALLAHASSEE BUREAU

Rick Scott pulled off his one-man political revolution Tuesday night, narrowly defeating Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Republican primary for governor.
With most precincts counted, it became clear that Scott had overcome the might of the Republican establishment, the special interests who dominate the Capitol and a longtime politician determined to tar his character.
Scott's win bears witness to his personal wealth -- he spent at least $50 million of it on the campaign -- as well as the thirst for political change in the Republican Party of Florida, which has been rocked by scandal and whose leaders worked to stop him cold.
``This is a man who took on the entire establishment, and what he had was the people,'' said Arlene DiBenigno, Scott's political director. ``We didn't have a traditional campaign. We had a campaign of people who were tired of the traditional establishment. They are tired of the same old thing.''
The race was in doubt as late as 11 p.m., in large part because McCollum was beating Scott by a 2-1 margin in Miami-Dade -- the biggest Republican county in the state. But even that advantage wasn't enough, and with 90% of the statewide vote reported, the Associated Press projected that Scott had enough votes to win.
In what looked like a protest vote against Scott and McCollum, little-known third-party candidate Mike McCalister was receiving one of every 10 votes -- far more than any poll had anticipated.
Scott, a 57-year-old Naples resident, burst on the scene in April with the first of many advertising blitzes, and cut a distinctive figure on TV with his bald head and piercing blue eyes. But he refused to debate McCollum on live statewide TV, dismissed the ritual of editorial board interviews, and repeatedly refused to make public a deposition he gave in a civil case six days before announcing his campaign.
Scott also deftly and firmly planted a foothold on McCollum's right by aggressively supporting the Arizona law getting tough on illegal immigrants, and he relentlessly hammered McCollum as a ``desperate career politician,'' a message that resonated at the polls Tuesday.
With the state party chairman often by McCollum's side, the longtime politician leveraged his relationships with the incoming House and Senate leaders, who dumped millions into a smear campaign that revolved around a record $1.7 billion Medicare fraud fine ultimately paid out by the Columbia/HCA hospital chain that Scott founded.
In the end, though, Scott's campaign said he was winning because he successfully branded himself as the ``jobs'' candidate -- the man whose campaign had the slogan ``Let's Get to Work.'' They say that message will resonate in the general election just as it did Tuesday night in the primary.
Scott will face Democrat Alex Sink and independent Lawton ``Bud'' Chiles in November. Sink easily defeated little-known challenger Brian Moore in the Democratic primary.
Scott is the opponent Democrats want in November. The race for the governor's mansion has major national implications, with both parties eager to claim power heading into 2012, when all congressional and legislative district lines are redrawn and the next presidential election is held.
But Scott's victory is a shock to the state's political system, and threatens to tear apart the fabric of the Republican Party already reeling from the indictment of former party chairman Jim Greer and defection of a once-immensely popular governor, Charlie Crist.

BY STEVE BOUSQUET AND MARC CAPUTO

HERALD/TIMES TALLAHASSEE BUREAU

Rick Scott pulled off his one-man political revolution Tuesday night, narrowly defeating Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Republican primary for governor.
With most precincts counted, it became clear that Scott had overcome the might of the Republican establishment, the special interests who dominate the Capitol and a longtime politician determined to tar his character.
Scott's win bears witness to his personal wealth -- he spent at least $50 million of it on the campaign -- as well as the thirst for political change in the Republican Party of Florida, which has been rocked by scandal and whose leaders worked to stop him cold.
``This is a man who took on the entire establishment, and what he had was the people,'' said Arlene DiBenigno, Scott's political director. ``We didn't have a traditional campaign. We had a campaign of people who were tired of the traditional establishment. They are tired of the same old thing.''
The race was in doubt as late as 11 p.m., in large part because McCollum was beating Scott by a 2-1 margin in Miami-Dade -- the biggest Republican county in the state. But even that advantage wasn't enough, and with 90% of the statewide vote reported, the Associated Press projected that Scott had enough votes to win.
In what looked like a protest vote against Scott and McCollum, little-known third-party candidate Mike McCalister was receiving one of every 10 votes -- far more than any poll had anticipated.
Scott, a 57-year-old Naples resident, burst on the scene in April with the first of many advertising blitzes, and cut a distinctive figure on TV with his bald head and piercing blue eyes. But he refused to debate McCollum on live statewide TV, dismissed the ritual of editorial board interviews, and repeatedly refused to make public a deposition he gave in a civil case six days before announcing his campaign.
Scott also deftly and firmly planted a foothold on McCollum's right by aggressively supporting the Arizona law getting tough on illegal immigrants, and he relentlessly hammered McCollum as a ``desperate career politician,'' a message that resonated at the polls Tuesday.
With the state party chairman often by McCollum's side, the longtime politician leveraged his relationships with the incoming House and Senate leaders, who dumped millions into a smear campaign that revolved around a record $1.7 billion Medicare fraud fine ultimately paid out by the Columbia/HCA hospital chain that Scott founded.
In the end, though, Scott's campaign said he was winning because he successfully branded himself as the ``jobs'' candidate -- the man whose campaign had the slogan ``Let's Get to Work.'' They say that message will resonate in the general election just as it did Tuesday night in the primary.
Scott will face Democrat Alex Sink and independent Lawton ``Bud'' Chiles in November. Sink easily defeated little-known challenger Brian Moore in the Democratic primary.
Scott is the opponent Democrats want in November. The race for the governor's mansion has major national implications, with both parties eager to claim power heading into 2012, when all congressional and legislative district lines are redrawn and the next presidential election is held.
But Scott's victory is a shock to the state's political system, and threatens to tear apart the fabric of the Republican Party already reeling from the indictment of former party chairman Jim Greer and defection of a once-immensely popular governor, Charlie Crist.

Rick Pitino: adultery, abortion, and extortion hurts wife, family
We are hearing words of sympathy for Coach Pitino, his wife, Joanne, and his family. And we should. But our hearts must ache for Joanne Pitino who joins the ranks of wives and mothers tarnished by adultery.
The story of adultery is becoming all too common -- an indiscreet move on the part of their husbands' leaves the families vulnerable. In the world of politics it was Elizabeth Edwards and more recently Jenny Sanford. Love and marriage gone awry.
But what is happening with the Pitino family as a result of the allegations and accusations is reaching disturbing proportions. (See photo at end of the woman who has accused Pitino.)
As the story unfolds, it seems that Coach Rick Pitino, of the University of Louisville, had an apparent consensual sexual liaison. When the woman announced she was pregnant he gave her money for an abortion. But it is alleged that extortion demands escalated.
What is so sad about this case is the number of people involved and hurt – families, a team, a school. Pitino has a wife and five children. It's a mess really for a team that often travels with Pitino's close friend, a Catholic priest.
Statements from U of L: According to USA Today: “U of L Athletic Director Tom Jurich said in a statement Tuesday that ‘Coach Pitino has been truthful with us about this matter all along and we stand by him and his family during this process.’ University President James Ramsey released a statement Tuesday night saying: ‘Several months ago Coach Pitino informed me about the alleged extortion attempt. I've now been informed that there may be other details which, if true, I find surprising. My thoughts are with Coach Pitino and his family. .’" USA Today.com/sports/college/mensbasketball
According to an AP story: "Pitino is Catholic and brings along close friend and spiritual adviser, the Rev. Edward Bradley - a priest in Henderson, Ky. - on many team trips. Bradley often prays with the team before games and is a fixture near the Louisville bench.
"There was no answer late Tuesday at the priest's office where he also lives. " Canadian press/
Catholic priest comment: Did someone really think a Catholic priest would comment? The Ten Commandments are quite clear on this one -- Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery.
But the New Testament also notes, "Let he who is not guilty cast the first stone."
With all the infidelity going around these days, there may not be a lot of stones left to be cast.

Rick Pitino: adultery, abortion, and extortion hurts wife, family
We are hearing words of sympathy for Coach Pitino, his wife, Joanne, and his family. And we should. But our hearts must ache for Joanne Pitino who joins the ranks of wives and mothers tarnished by adultery.
The story of adultery is becoming all too common -- an indiscreet move on the part of their husbands' leaves the families vulnerable. In the world of politics it was Elizabeth Edwards and more recently Jenny Sanford. Love and marriage gone awry.
But what is happening with the Pitino family as a result of the allegations and accusations is reaching disturbing proportions. (See photo at end of the woman who has accused Pitino.)
As the story unfolds, it seems that Coach Rick Pitino, of the University of Louisville, had an apparent consensual sexual liaison. When the woman announced she was pregnant he gave her money for an abortion. But it is alleged that extortion demands escalated.
What is so sad about this case is the number of people involved and hurt – families, a team, a school. Pitino has a wife and five children. It's a mess really for a team that often travels with Pitino's close friend, a Catholic priest.
Statements from U of L: According to USA Today: “U of L Athletic Director Tom Jurich said in a statement Tuesday that ‘Coach Pitino has been truthful with us about this matter all along and we stand by him and his family during this process.’ University President James Ramsey released a statement Tuesday night saying: ‘Several months ago Coach Pitino informed me about the alleged extortion attempt. I've now been informed that there may be other details which, if true, I find surprising. My thoughts are with Coach Pitino and his family. .’" USA Today.com/sports/college/mensbasketball
According to an AP story: "Pitino is Catholic and brings along close friend and spiritual adviser, the Rev. Edward Bradley - a priest in Henderson, Ky. - on many team trips. Bradley often prays with the team before games and is a fixture near the Louisville bench.
"There was no answer late Tuesday at the priest's office where he also lives. " Canadian press/
Catholic priest comment: Did someone really think a Catholic priest would comment? The Ten Commandments are quite clear on this one -- Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery.
But the New Testament also notes, "Let he who is not guilty cast the first stone."
With all the infidelity going around these days, there may not be a lot of stones left to be cast.