It was an unfortunate gaffe, to say the least. Conservatives are always held to a much higher standard than their liberal counterparts, since the right tends to attack itself all too often (as you demonstrate), and the leftmedia is more than happy to make a mountain out of any available molehill.
On the other hand, there is no precedent for this, since the Secretary of State position she occupied is gone as of 1/2003. Imagine, government actually getting rid of, not adding, offices.
Add to this the fact that the Florida state A.G.'s office reviewed this situation at the order of governor Jeb Bush last week and, after analysis, publicly stated that no wrongdoing existed. Now why would that very important fact be omitted from the "news" article above, do you think?
"Imagine, government actually getting rid of, not adding, offices."
The job will still be there, the change is the Governor appoints the Secretary of State. Too bad, as one of the things the Florida Constitution had right was making the Governor weak and the Cabinet strong. Just chalk the change, vigorously supported by Governor Bush, up as another victory for big government fans.