Welcome to Juice (original) (raw)

Name almost any talking point in Washington — health care, immigration, presidential politics, college football — and references to Florida inevitably pop up.

The mega-state is well known in the nation’s capital, where everyone has an eye on the next election.

Florida is a microcosm of American politics and trends, though quirky enough to be, like the Everglades, “unique and irreplaceable.” Everyone in national political circles knows that it’s the biggest state in play, with 27 electoral votes that could swing to either major party.

Want to win the White House? Go to Florida to raise money and round up votes. Want to run Congress? Better campaign in Florida, where close congressional races may tip the balance for majority control.

That’s why candidates and party leaders make frequent trips to the state and why the president, any president, visits constantly.

It’s why the ‘Glades are a national symbol of environmental restoration, and why South Florida’s Cuban-American community influences U.S. policy on Cuba. It’s also why the state’s huge senior-citizen population is a perfect audience for national proposals regarding Medicare or Social Security.

This sheer size and electoral clout give Florida members of Congress extra leverage on national issues. And the state’s proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean — the “Gateway to the Americas” – puts Floridians in the middle of debates over immigration and international trade. As a result, they’ve got their thumbs in nearly every pie.

I have watched Florida’s growing role in national affairs for 25 years through the prism of Washington. It’s a fascinating study, and I’ll share it with you through this blog. We call it Juice because it’s a Florida thing.

So take a look, offer your thoughts, and together we’ll explore how Washington affects the lives of Floridians and the ways in which Floridians shape Washington.

Originally Published: August 22, 2007 at 2:00 AM EST