MUST READ: Bain Capital Created ‘Demoralizing’ Culture of Layoffs At Florida Plant [Huffington Post] “So many Dade workers lost their jobs — 1,700 in the United States, 850 in Miami alone — that the Bain-Dade dealings have become a symbol of corporate bloodletting and a painful memory to those who witnessed the layoffs…In the summer of 1998, amid mass layoffs and mandatory overtime at the Dade East plant, she saw workers crowded around a glass executive suite. Some shook their heads and walked away, and others just stood there staring, she recalled. She walked over to check out what was going on and found several department heads putting golf balls in the office. ‘Here are these people whose lives are upside down, doing mandatory overtime, and the executives are playing golf where all the employees can see'”

New Obama ad says Romney has ‘top down’ vision for country [Tampa Bay Times] “The Obama campaign has a new TV ad in Florida and other key states that contrasts the president’s stated vision for the country with Mitt Romney’s.” WATCH “THE CHOICE” HERE.

THE “COLD SHOULDER” Scott kept out of the fray in GOP primary campaigns [Bay News 9] “Gov. Rick Scott is getting the cold shoulder from many of his fellow Florida Republicans.”

A “SURGE IN NEW DEMOCRATS” Democrats Winning Voter Registration Battle [Capital News Service] ” Democrats are pulling further ahead in the fight for new voters. In June, Democrats signed up 18-thousand new voters, Republicans, 13-thousand.”

MACK TAKING HEAT FROM ALL SIDES Of Brooks Brothers problems and debate-ducking; Connie Mack hit from right and left [Miami Herald] “Rep. Connie Mack will probably cruise to vcictory in the Aug. 14 Republican primary, but Democrats and his fellow Republicans aren’t letting him rest on his likely laurels.”

Connie Mack and Dave Weldon finally debate [Crowley Political Report] “Actually, it is a somewhat odd and amusing attempt by Weldon to have a faux video debate with Mack who has already declared himself the GOP nominee.”

Baxley Endorses Weldon For Senate [FLDemocracy2012] “Long-shot Senate candidate Dave Weldon (R) announced the endorsement of Florida House Rep. Dennis Baxley on Monday.”

ON THE CONGRESSIONAL FRONT — PROTESTS FOR YOUNG, DEMINGS TO HOLD TOWN HALL 

Rally to Raise Minimum Wage Targets Rep. Young [St.PetePatch] “At 1 p.m. today at the office of Rep. C.W. Bill Young, protesters will be continuing to voice their displeasure with Young’s previous comments to a protester to “Get a Job” when he was asked about raising minimum wage.”

Demings sets Mt. Dora town hall for Wednesday [Orlando Sentinel] “She’s scheduled a town hall meeting in Mt. Dora, open to the public and the media.   It’s on Wednesday, July 25th, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the  Mt. Dora Community Center, 520 N. Baker St. in Mt. Dora.”

MEET THE NEWEST DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE Lynx bus driver on road to Tallahassee as lawmaker [Orlando Sentinel] “The sun wasn’t even close to rising when Victor Torres pulled his Lynx bus onto the road, starting a route on which he would pick up at least 70 people and drop them off at hotels and Downtown Disney. Almost certainly, the riders didn’t know their driver is about to become a member of the Florida Legislature as the representative of newly created District 48 in southeast Orlando and northern Osceola County.”

OTHER NEWS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Should Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resign? [Palm Beach Post editorial] “All of this has led to speculation that Lt. Gov. Carroll won’t be allowed to speak at the Republican Party convention in Tampa next month. Normally, a black, female Navy veteran elected to office in a swing state like Florida would be a lock to appear at the GOP convention. Instead, the scandal – and her comment – could hurt the ticket.” 

DOE acknowledges, explains mistakes in Florida school grades [Orlando Sentinel] “The Florida Department of Education on Monday acknowledged that it miscalculated school grades across Florida while local education officials said the mistake will fuel more public distrust in the state’s student-accountability system that has been under increasing attack in recent months.” 

State got FCAT grades wrong on 213 schools [Tampa Tribune] “Once again, the Florida Department of Education has delivered fresh fodder to critics of the increasingly maligned Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.” 

Biden Addresses Law Enforcement Group In Palm Beach [FLDemocracy2012] “The Vice President praised those who helped the victims on Friday, noting the brave men and women who helped others before themselves.”