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The Buzz: Florida politics

Pollster loads questions about Farkas, Berfield

By Times staff writers
Published November 13, 2005

The telephone pollster calling Tampa Bay area Republicans had some pretty loaded questions: Would the voter have a favorable or unfavorable view of state Rep. Frank Farkas if he knew Farkas voted for a bill that raised phone rates? Or that Farkas serves on a legislative committee regulating gambling, but went on a trip to Canada paid for by gambling interests?

Would the voter feel favorably or unfavorably about state Rep. Kim Berfield if he knew she had never owned a home? Would the voter be more or less likely to vote for Berfield for state Senate if he knew she had moved into the Senate district "only to run for political office''?

Berfield and Farkas are facing off in a widely watched Republican primary to succeed state Sen. Jim Sebesta. But the telephone pollster threw in positive information about a third person not (yet anyway) in the race: LeRoy Collins III. It noted, for instance, that Collins is a former U.S. Army Ranger.

Collins, the Republican grandson of the celebrated former governor of the same name, said he knew nothing about such a poll, though he is seriously looking at the race. He had heard about another poll that had examined his prospects in the race, but it included no loaded questions like those the Times reported to him. The poll he knew of concluded he would be a viable candidate.

"I certainly have been considering it, and a decision will be made soon,'' said Collins, 39, noting that his first priority at the moment is to Tampa, where he works on economic development matters.

Collins said he did not know Berfield or Farkas, but "I just know that I've always wanted to help other people. I think that's the great thing about government ? what it can do for people.''

PAM'S PERFORMANCE: Democrats have long touted Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio as one of the brightest stars and prospects for future statewide races. But as she heads toward a re-election campaign in spring 2007, it's tough to find a lot of accomplishments for her to tout.

"I like issues of road building and replacing sewer lines, stormwater and addressing longstanding drainage issues. It's not the most exciting to talk about, but they are the bread and butter of government, and I truly think Tampa is moving in a positive direction," Iorio says in an interview for Political Connections, airing at 11 a.m. today on Bay News 9. Starting Monday, the show also can be seen on Channel 340 (Tampa Bay on Demand).

Iorio talked about her troubles dealing with a new art museum, her rocky relationship with the county and staying away from John Kerry campaign events.

"I'm not a particularly partisan person. I really believe the time I spend in public office is going to be spent problem solving, and I think that excessive partisanship gets in the way of problem solving," said Iorio, who did publicly back Betty Castor for the Senate last year and is endorsing Jim Davis for governor.

On trying to work better with the county: "I've been in politics long enough to know you try to get along with everyone, but that doesn't always work. ... Tampa is a very progressive, forward-moving city, and we're trying to do a lot of different things. ... We should be putting more money into our bus system, we should be much more proactive in the area of transportation, but it's an issue the county and city just don't see eye to eye on."

On the difference between St. Petersburg's downtown and Tampa's: "St. Pete was very smart years ago to really make downtown a priority and lay the foundation for a lot of what's occurred. ... You know today it's a real battle for me to get that green space, but 30 to 40 years from now I think people are going to say, "Boy am I glad somebody set aside this green space."'

REDISTRICTING "RAMBOS": State House Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City, is encouraged by last week's election results in California and Ohio, where voters strongly defeated proposals to shift the redrawing of legislative districts from the state legislatures to citizen commissions. Bense caught flak from several Florida editorial boards, and from supporters of the Florida initiative, for deciding to spend up to $50,000 in tax dollars to oppose the initiative before the state Supreme Court. (State Senate President Tom Lee, who's running for chief financial officer, says he can't justify using public funds for that purpose.)

Despite the criticism, Bense says he has no second thoughts. What's at stake, he says, is the separation of powers doctrine. "I will do it till the cows come home," Bense told reporters Thursday.

In an argument amplified in legal briefs, Bense says it's misleading for supporters to call their effort a nonpartisan commission, when most members would be appointed by the Senate president, House speaker and minority leaders of both chambers - appointees of what Bense calls "some of the most partisan people. ... These are folks that wake up with Rambo-type knives in their mouths every morning, trying to go after each other."

ROD'S REVISED NUMBERS: The Rod Smith Democratic gubernatorial campaign crowed loudly last month that the state senator fro m Alachua had raised more money - $322,000 to $320,000 - than U.S. Rep. Jim Davis of Tampa, his rival for the Democratic nomination.

"Jim Davis likes to portray himself as the front-runner. But the truth is his campaign has been going sideways for months," Paul Neaville, Smith's campaign manager, said in a statement. "Any so-called front-runner isn't much of a front-runner if he's struggling to keep up with his opponent in the race for campaign resources."

Well, since then the Smith campaign has quietly amended its report. Its new total for the quarter: $317,857, less than Davis'. Neaville said he stands by his initial statement that as the self-proclaimed front-runner, Davis is struggling to keep up. He may be leading in fundraising, but "barely."

LONG MEMORIES: Florida political historians had a field day as the Florida Legislative Research Center and Museum honored two former political giants at its second annual Statesmen's Luncheon in Tallahassee. The guests of honor were Don Tucker, House speaker from 1974 to 1978 (the only speaker to succeed himself) and Phil Lewis, who served as Senate president from 1978 to 1980. More than 250 people showed up at the Donald L. Tucker Leon County Civic Center for the event, sponsored by the 6-year-old center that is preserving and displaying the history of the Florida Legislature.

"I just wish the Legislature had a better image," Lewis said in a videotaped oral history shown on big-screen TVs. He recalled a different time in the Capitol, when lawmakers took the issues very seriously "but we didn't take ourselves seriously."

The straight-talking Lewis recalled "the biggest mistake I ever made" - backing the switch to smaller single-member districts, which have made the Legislature more diverse but dramatically more parochial in its vision.

With former Gov. Reubin Askew in the crowd, Tucker recalled with glee the time the House overrode all of Askew's vetoes, an act of legislative independence that would be unheard of in today's atmosphere.

Tucker also took a little jab at Jeb, the governor he endorsed for re-election in 2002. "Once in a while, he's got to be wrong. He's not always right," Tucker said of the governor.

Adam C. Smith and Steve Bousquet contributed to this week's Buzz.

[Last modified November 13, 2005, 08:47:25]