Bum rap for Rubio?

Lesson in how things take life on the 'Net.

Take it away, Professor Rubio.

1) Give interview to GQ magazine, list favorite hip hop artists but say of Pitbull, his music is "all party songs."

"There's no message for him, compared to like an Eminem. But look, there's always been a role for that in American music. There's always been a party person, but he's a young guy. You know, maybe as he gets older, he'll reflect in his music more as time goes on. I mean, he's not Tupac. He's not gonna be writing poetry."

2) Watch interview bounces across Twitter, producing headlines such as, TRENDING: Rubio breaks it down: Pitbull is no Eminem (CNN) Florida Senator Marco Rubio Loves Tupac, Hates Pitbull (Fuse); Marco Rubio Tells the Truth (For Once): Pitbull Sucks (Latinorebels); Marco Rubio Starts Rap Beef with Pitbull and Scientists (Miami New Times); and the folks at Power 96 this morning were astir, with one DJ saying Rubio was seeking "street cred."

3) Jump on Twitter to clarify your remarks.

Rubio was also taking some Twitter heat for his answer about how old the Earth is.

-- Alex Leary

Gaetz talks health care and ethics

Health care and ethics reform were on the docket Tuesday as incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, discussed his administrative priorities and took questions on issues facing the state. 

Florida has much to decide on how to proceed on healthcare: lawmakers in 2011 passed a law to move recipients of Medicaid--the state's program for the poor and disabled--to private HMOs. Yet the state can't proceed without permission from the federal government, which is still pending.

Gaetz talks health care and ethics

Health care and ethics reform were on the docket Tuesday as incoming Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, discussed his administrative priorities and took questions on issues facing the state. 

Florida has much to decide on how to proceed on healthcare: lawmakers in 2011 passed a law to move recipients of Medicaid--the state's program for the poor and disabled--to private HMOs. Yet the state can't proceed without permission from the federal government, which is still pending.

Allen West's not-so-gracious concession in loss to Rep-elect Patrick Murphy

A statement from soon-to-be-former Rep. Allen West:

For two weeks since Election Day, we have been working to ensure every vote is counted accurately and fairly.  We have made progress towards that goal, thanks to the dedication of our supporters and their unrelenting efforts to protect the integrity of the democratic process.  While many questions remain unanswered, today I am announcing that I will take no further action to contest the outcome of this election.