Although there have been countless stories written about how the Republican Party is intent on passing immigration reform as an attempt to stay in political contact with the growing Latino part of the electorate, there are still many voices in the party that have no desire to reward such "illegality." This include House members and senators like Ted Cruz of Texas.
That brings us to Marco Rubio. The Washington Post's lead editorial today is all about trying to figure out the dance that Rubio is doing regarding immigration reform; this comes after his recent response to reports that a bill coming out of the Senate looks close to happening.
Rubio reminded everybody to slow down, though as I wrote the other day, it hardly seems like negotiations have gone that fast (yes, for Washington, they are). The Post wrote that "Mr. Rubio appears paralyzed — or to be trying to have it both ways." The editorial goes on, "Is the Florida senator the once and future darling of the tea party, throwing bombs from the sidelines? Or is he a substantive architect of a workable new system? It's one or the other; Mr. Rubio needs to decide."
And then there were seven: Yesterday, Delaware U.S. Sen. Tom Carper became the latest member of the august body to support same-sex marriage. His announcement came one day after Pennsylvania's Bob Casey declared his support, and on the same day that Mark Kirk of Illinois became just the second Republican senator to also evolve on the issue.
That leaves Bill Nelson out on an increasingly deserted island, one of only seven Dems still not ready to commit to believing that marriage should be anything but a union of man and woman. Will he maintain that stance or find himself alienated in his own party?
Medicaid expansion has appeared dead in the Legislature since the beginning of session. GOP Sen. Joe Negron unveiled his alternative plan last month and yesterday, Jacksonville state Sen. Aaron Bean unveiled his alternative to Negron's alternative.
The Tampa Bay Rays won/lost their opening day game at Tropicana Field yesterday afternoon. Expectations are high for another big season.
This article appears in Apr 4-10, 2013.