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University of South Florida
Professor of Political Science at the University of South Florida and political analyst for NBC News Channel 8 in Tampa; co-author of Florida Politics: Ten Media Markets, One Powerful State
PROFILE
Susan MacManus
Guest
FROM Susan MacManus
To the Point
Trump and Clinton campaigns hit Florida Florida once again is a crucial battleground in the presidential campaign. Donald Trump has been there for several days, telling voters, "I'm back in my second home, Florida. I love my second home. I love Florida." Hillary Clinton will be there today and her running mate, Tim Kaine, has reminded voters just how important a role they're going to play. "You're a checkmate state, if Hillary wins Florida, she's going to be president." Professor Susan MacManus, who teaches political science at the University of South Florida, joins us from Tampa with an update.
To the Point
Is Marco Rubio the New Face of the Old GOP? In 1998, Marco Rubio was a city commissioner in West Miami. In 2000, he was elected to Florida's House of Representatives. Just six years after that, he became the second youngest House Speaker ever — and the first Cuban-American to hold that position. Now he's a 44-year-old Senator in his first term who insists he's fully prepared for the White House. Some Republicans call him their party's Obama — and they don't mean it kindly. Others call him their best chance of heading off Donald Trump. We hear about the meteoric rise of a Cuban-American in Florida, his brief term in Washington and what happened between him and Jeb Bush. In 1996, Marco Rubio worked on Bob Dole's presidential bid in Miami-Dade County. Photo: Marco Rubio campaign
To the Point
How Close Was Another Meltdown at the Florida Polls? Yesterday's presidential election was decided early this morning, but Florida came close to another debacle. Although this time, it just didn't matter, it was another brush with electoral trouble. Susan MacManus, Professor of Political Science at the University of South Florida, is co-author of Florida Politics : Ten Media Markets, One Powerful State. University of California-Irvine Law Professor Rick Hasen , who writes Election Law Blog , and is author of The Voting Wars : From Florida 2000 to the Next Election Meltdown.
Which Way, L.A.?
Is Newt Gingrich Another Flash in the Pan? It's only January, and already the race for the Republican presidential nomination feels like it's gone on forever and that it might never end. Newt Gingrich clobbered Mitt Romney Saturday in South Carolina , and it turns out that Romney didn't really win Iowa after all. The Florida primary is just nine days away, with candidates raising the rhetorical volume before tonight's 18th debate in Tampa. There are four candidates left ( Rick Santorum and Ron Paul are the other two) and no real front-runner. We get the latest.
To the Point
Mitt vs. Newt: Establishment vs. Grass Roots Insurgency South Carolina demonstrated there's no real front-runner in the GOP race for the Republican nomination. Maybe there never was. Newt Gingrich now leads Mitt Romney in Florida polls with nine days left until the next primary and with candidates raising the rhetorical volume before tonight's 18th debate in Tampa. Gingrich is still calling Romney a "Massachusetts liberal" and, in a message to voters old enough to remember Gingrich as House Speaker, Romney says Gingrich "had to resign in disgrace." Rick Santorum and Ron Paul are still nipping away, but how much longer can this go on, as establishment Republicans try to cope with right-wing populism?
Which Way, L.A.?
Governors Make a Difference Governorships are on the ballot in 37 states next month — including Ohio , California , Texas , Florida and New York — states that could be crucial in the 2012 presidential election. The importance of these races is significant because of the influence governors can have, not just in their own states, but nationwide.
To the Point
Governors Make a Difference Governorships are on the ballot in 37 states next month — including Ohio , California , Texas , Florida and New York — states that could be crucial in the 2012 presidential election and could have an impact on national politics for years to come. Governors can shape debate on public policy; they could resist implementing healthcare reform. And, after this year's census, they'll participate in redrawing congressional district boundaries, which could matter a lot in 2012. We hear about unemployment and the economy, a party called "The Rent is 2 Damn High," an incumbent who can shoot coyotes and the most expensive campaign of its kind in American history.
To the Point
South Carolina, Florida and the State of the Union President Bush will deliver his last State of the Union address tonight, trying to be heard over the din of the presidential campaigns . With his approval ratings down in the thirties and the Democrats running Congress, we get a preview of what he plans for his final year in office. Also, after South Carolina , are the Democrats any closer to deciding their nominee? Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have won two states apiece. Next Tuesday, they'll face off in 22 primaries and caucuses around the country. We hear from both campaigns. Will Ted Kennedy's endorsement make a big difference? On the Republican side, tomorrow's Florida primary has become a nasty confrontation between McCain and Romney . Can Giuliani survive?
To the Point
Giuliani Slips in Latest Florida Polls After ducking out of the early contests, Rudi Giuliani has spent big time and big money in Florida, where Republicans will be voting next Tuesday. But the latest polls show a 20- to 30-point lead has vanished, and he's now in third or fourth place behind McCain , Romney , and perhaps tied with Huckabee. On Saturday the Democrats will face off in South Carolina , where Barack Obama has a big lead. It's dropped a bit, but the big story could be John Edwards . We get a campaign update from Susan MacManus, who teaches political science at the University of South Florida, and David Corn, political editor for Mother Jones magazine.
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