This Week’s Heroes: Maurice Ferre and Buddy Dyer

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre, both Democrats, showed rare courage among today's career politicians, breaking ranks with their party last week to support Republicans they believe will be better for Florida than the Democratic nominees.

Dyer sent out a ringing endorsement of Rep. Dean Cannon in state House District 35, ignoring Amy Mercado, the Dem pushing hard for Cannon’s seat.

In the mailer he said the designated incoming House speaker has “displayed consistently superior leadership.” He also cited Cannon’s “track record of success, outstanding leadership ability and strength of character.”

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

As loyal a Democrat as he is, Dyer nevertheless feels a kinship toward Cannon, who helped get SunRail – his pet transportation project – passed in the House. It still took a lot of guts for him to bite the hand that feeds him.

Meanwhile, Maurice Ferre, who says in 54 years he has never voted for a Republican, claims he will for Rick Scott on Nov. 2. In fact, the six-term Miami mayor is publicly endorsing Scott over Alex Sink in the gubernatorial race.

“These are not times for the constraint of timid political souls,” said Ferre, who ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. “We need the audacity and boldness that was promised in 2008 to create jobs and pull us out of this economic ditch. In 2010 it is Rick Scott who offers Floridians that audacity.

Former Mayor Maurice Ferre

“My support for Scott for governor … outweighs all other considerations. Florida needs a sound economy and Floridians need jobs and economic prosperity. Those are Rick Scott’s strengths.”

From time to time Ferre and Dyer have both been the object of patronizing and dismissive commentary. And no doubt they’ll do something to deserve it some other week. For right now, they’ve shown they're prepared to live the courage of their convictions. For speaking out boldly, from the heart, they are my heroes.

This Week’s Zero: Susan Bucher

Susan Bucher

Continuing in the proud tradition of Theresa “Madame Butterfly” LePore in 2000, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher made sure her county gets to keep its dubious title.

(Drum roll, please …)

Palm Beach is officially still the “Banana Republic of the American Election Season.”

Ten years, three different elections supervisors, and now a fifth fouled-up election cycle.