Democrats In Florida Legislature Know Bipartisanship is Phony

Apparently, Democrats on the Florida state level are finally figuring out Republicans aren't serious about partisanship.

"Everybody talks about bipartisanship," said Rep. Elaine Schwartz, D-Hollywood. "I think 'bipartisan' means 'do it my way or here's the door.' I don't think that I or the [minority] caucus will be effective, except to try to communicate, and let everyone know what's really happening here."

In a speech, Dean Cannon made it clear bipartisanship is not on the horizon.

During Monday evening's House Republican caucus meeting, new House Speaker Dean Cannon discouraged members from playing to the political middle, "whatever that is."

In past years, "Many Republicans … abandoned their principles," he said. "Some of them followed an appeasement strategy with liberals, forgetting that surrender is never a good strategy for winning any battle, especially the battle of ideas."

Previous House Speakers, such as Johnnie Byrd, Tom Feeney, Ray Sansom and Marco Rubio were big fans of putting pork in budgets. Is this the conservative value Cannon speaks of?

Nan Rich announced Democrats in the Florida Senate will have their own legal council. The Senate's general council would fall under President Mike Haridopolos. Shari Kerrigan will serve as legal council for Senate Democrats. It is refreshing that Democrats in the Florida legislature aren't making Obama-style statements on bipartisans that come off as delusional.