Dishonorable Mention

For the first time since July 2021, the critically acclaimed Tampa Politiainment Podcast is back! With another general election in the books, the gang returns to its’ roots sticking with local first. Ernest interviews former Dishonorable Mention Associate Producer, podcast guest, and newly elected Pinellas County School Board Member Katie Blaxberg. She discusses her reaction to the outcome, her decision to run for the school board after working with Chris, and what it means to “make school board meetings boring again.” Then the band gets back together to discuss lessons that they’ve learned from the General Election up and down the ballot. What factors led to the outcome on Election Night? What’s next for both parties? Who’s the leader in the clubhouse for 2028 and beyond? What can we do for our communities? All this and more! It's good to be back.

We're back! After a slightly longer hiatus than expected Ernest, Becca, and Chris come together in person for the first time in over a year for a "just three of us" edition of Dishonorable Mention.*0:12: We open with Governor Desantis requesting former President Trump to not start a rally in Sarasota so close to the tragedy of Surfside. Thoughts? Is Desantis taking the lead over Trump as the 2024 Republican favorite? 18:22: For Ron DeSantis to make a run at president, does he need to win re-election in 2022? We also discuss Twitter bottle rockets and this year’s session.27:03: Why did things get so divisive politically? Does a Democratic nominee have any chance of beating Ron DeSantis for Governor? Plus, other important future elections.37:28: We dust off the old Florida Man Story machine and wrap-up with shout-outs.*-We didn't have our normal studio gear so the audio isn't perfect, but we couldn't say no to a chance at recording!

History rarely repeats itself, but its echoes never go away. We revisit a previous podcast that discusses a Twitter battle between co-host and State Representative Chris Latvala and Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz in which Gaetz tweeted negatively on a meeting between civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton and Chris. The viral dispute raged on after Chris pointed out a dubious game created by Gaetz in Tallahassee. Join us as we look back at this conversation that rings true perhaps now more than ever. Courageous bipartisanship conversations are rare, but they need not be. And as a bonus - this is the one time everyone agreed that Representative Latvala was right. That alone makes it a must listen.

0:12: We open discussing President Biden’s first month in office. 14:28: Session resumes in Tallahassee, what forthcoming bills are we looking at?25:12: We pivot to the pandemic and Florida’s covid response and current situation under Ron DeSantis, the Govenor’s call to fly the flag at half-staff for Rush Limbaugh’s death, and his future political endeavors. 51:52: Classic polititainment! 56:22: Becca asks where has the empathy gone?1:01:38: This week’s Floridaman story, shout-outs, and wrap-up!

0:12: Ernest and Karla are on assignment so we welcome Katie Blaxberg to the pod! Let’s talk about the inauguration and how reaching across the aisle and being bi-partisan is important to successful public service.24:34: Let’s discuss some state and local news.38:15: This week’s #Floridaman Story, shout-outs, and wrap-up!

0:12 It’s been a week after the insurrection on the nation’s capitol. The hosts discuss their outlook over the fallout.19:57: What does the future hold for the GOP?29:33: Tampa Sports Authority VP of Events and COO of the Super Bowl Host Committee Claire Lessinger joins the pod! We talk a reimagined Super Bowl, what makes Tampa a great place to host events, and the Forever 55 initiative. 48:54: This week’s Floridaman story, shout-outs, and wrap-up!

0:12: The AJC's Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell joins the pod! We start with our initial reactions on what happened at the Nation’s Capitol. 5:14: Tia explains her story being in the House Chamber when the rioters breached the Capitol, keeping the journalism hat on during a crisis, DC police, and the affect of the riot on the senate and house vote. 25:27: Tia talks about the historic victories in Georgia.28:46: We talk about the certification vote from a Florida perspective and is the 25th Amendment the next step? 45:04: Is there something good that can come from this dark day in American history? What’s next for America when Joe Biden in inaugurated as president? 57:31: This week’s Floridaman story, shout-outs, and wrap-up!

0:00: We discuss our 15 most intriguing people of Tampa in 2020.33:22: We discuss our 15 most intriguing people nationally in 2020.1:03:47: We close with some quick reflections on 2020.

0:12: We welcome TB Times Political Editor Steve Contorno to the pod where we’ve got Georgia on our minds! We discuss Stacey Abrams, Georgia shifting blue, and the Senate run-offs. What has the Democratic Party done successfully in Georgia that hasn’t worked in Florida?15:21: What do we foresee the relationship between Governor Desantis and President-Elect Biden? 19:45: What’s the possibility of Ivanka Trump running for the U.S. Senate in 2022? Who might we see emerge on the Democratic side?28:29: We welcome back Media Consultant and expert Adam Arnegger to the pod! How did the media handle coverage of the Trump Presidency? 43:58: The hosts discuss the Op-Ed that questioned Dr. Jill Biden’s use of “Dr.” As a prefix. 51:24: We discuss the success of Hallmark movies!1:02:05: This week’s Floridaman story, shout-outs, and wrap-up!