The Media are Lazy
Stories like this are fast becoming trite.
Even though casual observers often compare Florida to its big-state peers (TX, NY, CA), I would argue that it is unique in the Union. On the surface the political issues appear to be the same - sizable ethnic immigrant communities; distinct geographic regions; a blend of urban, suburban, and rural populations; disparities of wealth; etc. But after living in each of these states, I would argue that such a construct is overly simplistic (a topic for another day).
As for the political commentary related to the 2010 U.S. Senate race in Florida, these articles all rely on the following assumptions:
1) Because it's a swing state, Florida is also a bellweather
2) Politics in Florida operate in a manner consistent with politics everywhere else
3) The split within the Republican Party is between two main factions, namely "Moderates" and "Conservatives"
4) The battle between distinct Republican philosophies will be settled in any one electoral contest
I think most of these assumptions are overblown. Good, on-the-ground reporting would investigate the way in which the Republican Party is evolving based on the shifting relevance and priority of certain issues.
