Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Author

Rick Outzen

Rick Outzen has 8 articles published.

Rick Outzen: Political domino games begin with Jeff Miller’s announcement

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Congressman Jeff Miller has set off a series of dominoes with his announcement yesterday that he will not seek a ninth term in Congress. Congressional openings are rare. Over the past 45 years, Northwest Florida has only had four U.S. Representatives — Bob Sikes, Earl Hutto, Joe Scarborough and Miller. The last two, Scarborough and Miller, were relatively unknown when they announced their candidacies. Scarborough trailed in the 1994 GOP primary but beat Lois Benson in the runoff. Miller staved…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Jeff Miller will not run for U.S. Senate

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

I’ve received several emails that U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller has decided to not run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by presidential hopeful Marco Rubio. Here’s the official statement from Miller: “Yesterday, my VA Accountability Act passed the House of Representatives under the shadow of a veto threat from the President. It became clear to me that this Administration is not committed to reforming the VA. My personal commitment to the veterans of this country is greater than my…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rick Outzen: Quality journalism can’t be measured by social media clicks

in Uncategorized by

Last week, Gannett Company announced its latest contribution to journalism, the “Newsroom of the Future.” Its newspaper reporting will be driven by digital metrics, such as page views, clicks, traffic source referral patterns and social boost. The newsroom will have a content coach, community content editor, engagement editor and producer. Reporters must not only write, but also be public ambassadors through community outreach and connect with readers through social media. They will work with the content coach, content strategists and…

Keep Reading

Judge rules in online defamation case, anonymous does not stay anomymous forever

in Uncategorized by

A Philadelphia judge has ordered the owners of Philly.com to disclose the identity of a person who posted a comment online calling the plaintiff a pedophile. The ruling came in a defamation suit filed by John J. Dougherty, who sued the anonymous poster and had subpoenaed Philadelphia Media Network, Philly.com’s parent company, to supply the person’s identity. The judge said, “I think it does bring accountability back to people who post things online and I hope it disposes of the…

Keep Reading

Rick Scott’s deputy campaign manager, Tim Saler, offers a peek under the re-elect’s hood

in Uncategorized by

When Gov. Rick Scott met last month with his supporters at The Fish House, his deputy campaign manager, Tim Saler, said the governor’s re-election campaign was going to be data driven. Saler said the campaign would bypass the media and communicate directly with the voters. The campaign will promote Scott’s record of success and achievement. Scott will win the election because of his forward-thinking campaign team and record-setting finance team. The message is “the job isn’t done.” To target the…

Keep Reading

Details on funeral service for former Governor Reubin Askew

in Uncategorized by

Former Florida Governor Reubin O’Donovan Askew will lie in state, attended by military and state law enforcement honor guards, in Florida’s Historic Capitol throughout the day on Tuesday, March 18. He will then be remembered at a memorial service the following day. Governor Askew will be buried with full military honors on Friday, March 21, in Pensacola, the community he represented in the Florida Legislature before becoming the state’s 37th chief executive. Governor Rick Scott, the Florida Cabinet, several former…

Keep Reading

First Amendment Foundation unhappy with exemptions in two bills

in Uncategorized by

The First Amendment Foundation (FAF) has published its 2014 Legislative Report for week one and it is now available on its website. You can view it by clicking this link. There are two bills that caught my attention and that of the FAF. The drug-testing of elected officials (HB 1437) is a good idea, but those test results should be available to the public. Also, exempting emails of registered voters hampers the ability to connect with voters (SB 1514). HB 1437…

Keep Reading

1 2
Go to Top