3 QUESTIONS FOR MITT ROMNEY WHILE HE’S IN FLORIDA TODAY [Fladems] “Mitt Romney is in Florida today to address the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in Orlando — and it’s no coincidence that he’s not appearing at the same time as embattled Governor Rick Scott, who’s toxic approval ratings and extremist policies are damaging the GOP brand. On the heels of multiple news stories detailing Romney’s tap dance around the unpopular Governor — and voter registration statistics showing Democrats are out-registering Republicans with Hispanics by double digits— here are three questions for Romney to answer while he’s in Florida today:”

Romney Campaign Said To Ask Scott To Downplay Job Gains [Bloomberg] “Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign asked Florida Governor Rick Scott to tone down his statements heralding improvements in the state’s economy because they clash with the presumptive Republican nominee’s message that the nation is suffering under President Barack Obama, according to two people familiar with the matter.” 

Obama, Romney court Hispanic vote at Orlando conference [Sarasota Herald Tribune] “While Obama’s decision may make him a popular figure when he attends NALEO on Friday, the conference presents a crucial challenge for Romney, who has criticized Obama’s decision as a temporary fix but has not detailed his own plan for dealing with the country’s immigration issues. Romney will address the group today, following an extended primary in which he opposed the Dream Act and often used harsh rhetoric on the immigration issues, including suggesting illegal immigrants could ‘self-deport.'” 

Obama launches 3 new Spanish language ads in Fla [Tampa Bay Times] “The Barack Obama campaign is launching three new Spanish ads in Florida promoting voter registration and grassroots volunteers.” 

In our national interest [Miami Herald editorial] “Nevertheless, for the 800,000 or so young adults under age 30 who likely will qualify to stay, study and work in this country through the president’s executive order (though without an automatic road to citizenship at this point), Mr. Obama’s action means they can finally move forward with their lives — and in this nation’s best interests.”

GOP STRATEGIST ON CONNIE MACK IV: “HE’S A WEAK CANDIDATE” Rep. Connie Mack IV Still Has Uphill Battle for Senate Seat [Roll Call] “Multiple GOP strategists in the state still see Mack’s journey to the Senate as a steep climb. ‘He’s a weak candidate. Let’s just be honest,’ one Florida Republican operative said. ‘He is a pale shadow of his father’s greatness as a politician…’Some of Mack’s perceived weakness also comes from the large opposition research book on personal missteps in his younger days made public

by investigative stories in the Miami Herald.”

GOP candidate sails through untested [Tampa Bay Times editorial] “The party could be left with a nominee untested on the statewide stage and whose defining asset is simply his family’s name…Republicans deserved more viable choices. But two months before the primary election, the party establishment and candidates have weeded out the field themselves. Come November, they may wish that their nominee had been better tested.” 

Behind Mack’s Hubris [Florida Voices column] “The arrogance of Mack’s proclamation and his refusal to debate other Republican candidates was surprising considering the gravitas of his opponents” 

SCOTT POPULARITY (STILL) PLUMMETING Scott’s Popularity falls to 39 Percent [Capitol News Service] “Governor Rick Scott’s popularity is plummeting. A Quinnipiac Poll released today shows the governor’s job approval rating at 39 percent. As Whitney Ray tells us, the drop comes as the man hired to make Scott more likable prepares to leave.” 

Rick Scott shifts on E-Verify promise [Times/Herald] “Scott left no doubt Wednesday that he has backed off a campaign promise to require private employers in Florida to use the federal E-Verify system to determine their employees’ immigration status.”

LEGAL TROUBLES STILL HOUNDING BUCHANAN Legal troubles expand for GOP Reps. Buchanan, Grimm [The Hill] “Buchanan’s former business partner alleges that Buchanan asked him to help solicit illegal contributions from his employees, a potential black eye for one of the National Republican Congressional Committee’s fundraising heads. He’s also facing an ongoing investigation from the House Ethics Committee.”

OTHER NEWS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW 

Marco Rubio’s double defeat: No GOP Dream Act and no VP slot [Houston Chronicle] “It was just 14 seconds ago in political time that GOP Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was the party’s golden boy. But that was so 14 seconds ago. Now comes word that he’s not even being vetted as a potential VP for Mitt Romney — AND — his much-discussed but undetailed GOP alternative to the Dream Act might never see daylight.”

Q Poll shows Dems up in FL: Nelson over Mack 43-39, Obama over Romney 46-42 [Miami Herald] “A shift by independent voters gives President Barack Obama a 46 – 42 percent lead over Republican Gov. Mitt Romney in the Sunshine State, according to the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll.”