In recent weeks the Tribune has published many letters from apparent newcomers to Tampa who have absolutely no knowledge or awareness of the political history of this place. These writers bemoan the fact, sometimes to the point of being ignorantly insulting, that the Tribune focuses on local and state matters. ...more

January 27, 2009

Gov. Rod Blagojevich says the Illinois House's decision to impeach him was no surprise because he's been engaged in a struggle with lawmakers since his re-election in 2006. ...more

January 9, 2009

Another President Bush? Perhaps so, says former President George H.W. Bush, who has already seen one son, George W., serve in the Oval Office. The nation's 41st president said Sunday that he would like to see a second son, Jeb, be president one day. ...more

January 5, 2009

John McCain is an iconic figure, and his last campaign for president reflected the strengths and weaknesses of a man whom I have grown to revere as perhaps one of the greatest leaders in modern political history. ...more

November 8, 2008

A new elected official will represent state House District 56 come January. ...more

October 19, 2008

In response to your editorial question about voters, thank you for the question and the suggestions. I too believe that only those who are informed with the facts about their candidate of choice should vote. Since you offered the statement that; "anyone who believes Sen. Obama is a Muslim shouldn't vote." ...more

September 5, 2008

State Rep. Trey Traviesa of Tampa, who was expected to be one of the Tampa Bay area's most influential state legislators in the coming two years, has announced he won't run for re-election. ...more

August 13, 2008

He was a mainstay in local politics in the 1960s and '70s, a key member of the city's volunteer firefighter squad and a gardener who wowed friends with giant squash and tomato plants. ...more

January 1, 2008

Imagine yourself as Pervez Musharraf, the 64-year-old military ruler of Pakistan. As a young artillery officer, and later as a commando, you acquired a reputation for personal bravery - and for doing just as you pleased, whatever your orders. Your subsequent performance as a general and politician has been of a similar piece. In recent days, you have declared a state of emergency, imprisoned thousands of lawyers and civil society types, fired the Supreme Court and put its chief justice under house arrest, and shut down much of the independent media. You have done all this to keep your grip on power, all the while insisting you have "no personal ego and ambitions to guard." ...more

November 18, 2007

Want your property taxes to "drop like a rock?" How much are you willing to pay for it? ...more

November 16, 2007