American Notes FLORIDA

Hurt by the collapse of an attempt to increase restrictions on abortions and an image of indecisiveness, Florida's Republican Governor Bob Martinez will have trouble winning a second term. He is trying to boost his chances by leaping on an unlikely issue. He has asked the state prosecutor to bring obscenity and racketeering charges against a popular rap-music band, the 2 Live Crew, for recording an album whose title, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, aptly describes its contents.

Last month a judge in Fort Myers found probable cause that the songs were obscene. The ruling gave Martinez grounds for ordering a criminal investigation of whether the album was being illegally sold to minors. Says 2 Live Crew's lead singer, Luke Skywalker, "I figure it all to be real political."