Analysis: Fla. Republican unity cracks

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MIAMI, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Florida's Republican politics is going to need some healing in the next year going into President Bush's bid for re-election in 2004.

Florida was the most important state in his election in 2000 and that could well happen again. A united party could be essential next year, and right now, that's not the case.

As the state's GOP meets in special session this week over the medical malpractice issue that has already deeply divided the party, a group of Cuban Republicans sent what can only be interpreted as a threatening letter to the president.

The Republicans want a change in the policy that dictates that all Cuban migrants intercepted at sea be returned to Cuba. They also want an indictment of President Fidel Castro for the deaths of three Cuban-American pilots in an incident over the Florida Straits in 1996.

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030811-102057-7566r

That refugee return policy thingy points off to a realization that the South Florida Frothing Cuban-Americans have gained political influence that far outweighs their numbers and real weight as a group?

Could be, pilgrims...Could be.