Florida May Decide the Election – No Kidding

 First Read notes that while it's possible for Romney to get to 270 electoral votes without Florida, it's extremely unlikely:  "If Obama were to win Florida, Romney would need to win CO, IA, NV, NH, NC VA, and WI. In other words, he'd have to run the table."

Medicare Is Key Issue in Retiree-Rich Florida

As Mitt Romney heads to Florida on a campaign stop – without running mate Paul Ryan – the Obama campaign greets him with a new video attacking the GOP ticket on their approach to Medicare. The tagline: "Romney-Ryan ending Medicare as we know it."

Chris Christie to Give Keynote at RNC

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is giving the keynote address at the Republicans' national convention later this month. Republican officials directly involved in the planning say Christie will speak during the confab in Tampa. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement was not planned until later today.

Christie, a first-term governor known for his blunt and sometimes acerbic tone, is already a favorite among fiscal conservatives in the party. Some urged him to seek the presidential nomination. He declined and endorsed Romney. 

Lackluster Primary via The Associated Press

"Unlike two years ago, when there were competitive primaries to pick Republican nominees for governor and attorney general and Democratic primaries for attorney general and U.S. Senate, there's only one statewide race on the ballot and even that's not stirring up excitement.

"The race to see which Republican will face Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson seems to be all but forgotten after four major candidates, including former Sen. George LeMieux, dropped out. That leaves Rep. Connie Mack IV as the heavy favorite against former Rep. Dave Weldon, who doesn't have statewide name recognition or the money to effectively reach voters."

More $$ = More Voter Confusion

Aaron DeSlatte's three predictions: 2012 will break records for the amount of cash Florida corporations and interests will pour into campaigns for state offices. Elections get more expensive every cycle, advertising costs go up and the armies of high-priced political consultants always get bigger. ... Despite all the money thrown into influencing your votes, we will be more thoroughly confused than ever. ... No matter what marginal changes are made to the Florida Legislature, there will be very little policymakers can do to affect the economy.

My Top 10 Moments of the 2012 Florida Primary

 10. Possible upsets in several House races throughout Florida; 

9. The US Chamber donates $250,000 to committee supporting Jeff Brandes for State Senate; 

8. Allen West launches emotional ad, "Body Armor"; 

7. Connecting the dots behind Rachel Burgin's attacks on Tom Lee;

6. The barrage of some of the least creative direct mail ever inflicted upon the voters of Florida; 

5. The ugly, no-holds-barred race between Miami GOP Reps. Jose Felix Diaz and Ana Rivas Logan; 

4. The most lethal political ad I've seen in Florida politics;

3. Conservative groups influencing Democratic primaries;

2. The referendum on Jack Latvala; 

1. Money