With Friends Like These...

Nine different companies run by Miami developer and former lobbyist Chris Korge have doled out at least $4,500 to Republican Tom Gallagher's campaign for governor. That wouldn't be blogworthy if not for Korge's title as chairman of Democrat Rod Smith's campaign for governor.

Korge said the checks were sent last year, long before he came on board with Smith's campaign, and that his business partner is a Republican. He added: "I've known Tom Gallagher for 20 years, and maybe I shouldn't say this, but I didn't object to the checks.''

Korge is a Democratic party soldier who has raised lots of money for big-time Democrats such as former President Bill Clinton, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, and former presidential candidate Al Gore. But he is also a businessman who occasionally supports members of the party in power, including Republican state Reps. Ralph Arza of Hialeah and Julio Robaina of Miami.