President Barack Obama found his way into four of the top six most-read Sunshine State News reports in 2011 and, as no surprise, they are pieces that the White House occupant probably won’t be highlighting in next year’s re-election effort.

Other stories attracting a lot of eyes on the Sunshine State News website this year included the federal government’s last-minute attempt to avoid a shutdown, the conservative Florida Family Association’s take on Gay Days at Disney, Ron Paul on abortion, and a piece on what Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, was watching on his computer while in the Senate chamber in 2010. The Bennett story inspires new readership daily -- and perhaps will be a best-read story again in 2012.

Below are the most viewed stories of 2011 on the Sunshine State News Web site.

1. Oct. 31: Carrying Water for Obama, Hilda Solis Picks a Fight with the Tea Party.

2. May 9: Obama Ready to Roll Out New Amnesty Carpet for Illegals.

3. April 9: Federal Shutdown Averted With One-Week Band-Aid.

4. April 1: Social Conservatives Take Aim at Gay Days in Orlando and at Disney.

5. July 12: U.S. Jobless Numbers Dragging Obama Down in Florida.

6. Sept. 2: Support for Obama in 2012 Continues to Fade.

7. May 3: Sen. Mike Bennett Caught Looking at Porn on Senate Floor.

8. Feb. 22: Rick Scott Proposes $2.8 Billion in State Pension Savings.

9. Sept. 21: Fraud Case Fallout Taints Tax Specialist, Department of Revenue.

10. June 25: Ron Paul Takes on Abortion: 'The Most Important Issue of Our Age.'

 

Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889. Staff member Denise Struempf contributed to this report.