CNN reports that Florida’s Repubs don’t like Governor ‘Goodhair’:

Orlando, Florida (CNN) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential campaign was dealt a worrying blow Saturday when he finished in a distant second place to businessman Herman Cain in a closely watched straw poll in Florida.

Cain won 37% of the 2,657 votes cast in the straw poll conducted at Presidency 5, a three-day convention sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida that brought thousands of party activists to Orlando.

Perry’s campaign had courted Presidency 5 delegates for weeks and printed up glossy fliers that were distributed throughout the convention hall in Orlando, but the Texas governor captured just 410 votes, or 15.4% of the vote.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney finished third with 14%.

It’s all about fund-raising, and these results don’t inspire donors. The Repubs are running out of time to find a candidate that is acceptable to a majority of their party, without even considering a majority of voters in the general election.

The BBC announces the obvious:

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he has accepted a proposal to stand for president in March 2012.

Addressing the ruling United Russia party’s annual congress, Mr Putin and current President Dmitry Medvedev backed one another to switch roles.

The announcements end speculation over which man should run for the top job.

Everyone with two neurons to keep each other company, and is capable of locating Russia on a map knew that Putin was taking a break from the title of ‘President’ to show he wasn’t actually a dictator. Medvedev understands whose hand is on the detonator, so he pretended he was president for one term to satisfy the Russian constitution, which Putin allows to continue to exist for the look of it.

The satellite managed to come down, probably in the Pacific, and there are no reports of death or destruction — yet.

CBS reacted by bringing back a classic from Saturday Night Live [when it was funny] John Belushi reporting on the fall of Skylab as the science reporter of Weekend Update.

Position: 11.6N 28.8W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [285°] near 13 mph [20 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 40 mph [ 65 kph].
Wind Gusts: 50 mph [ 80 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 45 Miles [ 75 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1006 mb.

Currently about 370 miles [ 595 km] Southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

Position: 18.3N 58.4W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [295°] near 12 mph [19 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 45 mph [ 75 kph].
Wind Gusts: 70 mph [110 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 260 miles [415 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1007 mb ↑.

Currently about 310 miles [ 495 km] East of the Leeward Islands.

Ophelia is really struggling and could degenerate into a remnant low at any time.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]