To them, Bush wasn't all bad -- The two Dem candidates for gov offer praise for Jeb Bush's work

St Pete Times, FL ^ | March 12, 2006 | Adam Smith, Political Editor

[summer]

You will hear a lot from the Democrats running for governor about what Jeb Bush and Florida Republicans have done wrong over the past seven years. Do they think Bush did anything right?

Turns out yes.

"I thought Jeb Bush's hurricane responses under the circumstances were good," state Sen. Rod Smith said in a Political Connections interview airing today on Bay News 9. "I didn't agree with much of what he proposed (for restricting medical malpractice lawsuits), but in working with him I think he seriously wanted to see if we could stabilize medical risk in this state. I think he's wrong on Medicaid reform in trying to implement it too fast, but he was right in saying we can't have this (growing cost) go unchecked."

Smith's rival for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, also praised Bush's hurricane responses
Davis said Florida has done more on homeland security than most states and he acknowledged "modest gains in reading for third- and fourth-graders."

Davis tends to stay on message more consistently than Smith. Unlike Smith, he made sure to stress Bush's agenda favoring "the politically powerful and connected." Smith, in contrast, waxed on about how comfortable Hispanic Floridians are with the governor.

"Jeb Bush will have his legacy but it will be determined later like it will be for all of us," said Smith, who suggested that as a legislator and prosecutor, he has been a more accomplished leader than Davis.

...The interview with Smith airs at 11 a.m. on Bay News 9. Starting Monday it can be seen on Channel 340 (Tampa Bay on Demand).

[summer]

Well, that is a good start for these Dem candidates, IMO -- recognizing that Gov Jeb Bush has a very solid reputation among FL voters, especially in terms of disaster response. I think Gov Bush received something like a 95% "good" or "excellent" approval rating when the hurricanes hit here.

[summer]

FYI.

[summer]

PS Very interesting to see how different state and national politics can be with respect to an issue like disaster response!

[summer]

U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, also praised Bush's hurricane responses Davis said Florida has done more on homeland security than most states and he acknowledged "modest gains in reading for third- and fourth-graders."

And, good for Jim Davis for being honest enough to mention gains FL students have made under Gov Jeb Bush. However, these gains were actually not "modest," as FL was one of only a handful of states to show significant increases in reading scores.

[darkwing104]

PS Very interesting to see how different state and national politics can be with respect to an issue like disaster response!

I believe what made Jeb a good Governor was that he cared about the state.

[ken5050]

Good morning...slightly off topic, if I may be permitted, but do you know if any group has been formed to try and draft Jeb to run for the Senate...given Harris' imploding campaign, and 20+ point gap in the polls..it might just be time..

[FRONTLINER]

Charlie Crist will be our next Governor . These two Dims are flaming Libs .

[summer]

Yes, he did and still does. And, despite his famous name, he was very genuine in terms of reaching out to all voters, of all backgrounds. People recognized this about him. And, even his political opponents realize they have to tread carefully when talking about him; otherwise, they risk offending too many voters.

[summer]

Hi ken5050, I don't know of any such group.

[summer]

I have not been very impressed with either GOP candidate for gov as of this moment. They don't seem as interested in education as Gov Bush was.

[FRONTLINER]

"given Harris' imploding campaign, and 20+ point gap in the polls..it might just be time.."

We can thank Libby "the Liberal" Dole and her sabotaging cohorts at the NRSC for the Harris situation .

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[summer]

PS Here is the web site for Gov Bush's new foundation:
foundationforfloridasfuture.org

Maybe you can email them and ask your question. They would know.

[JimRed]

Smith, in contrast, waxed on about how comfortable Hispanic Floridians are with the governor.

Which is not necessarily a bad thing, so long as they are not the ones encouraging and harboring illegals. But the appearance is negative to many whites, which is why this politico mentioned it.

[FRONTLINER]

Does that mean that you will vote for one of the Dims if they "sound" good on education ?

[summer]

I am hoping the GOP candidates wake up and start talking about education more. I don't think the Dem candidates have anything much to say on education other than the teachers union is always right. Some fresh thinking on the part of someone would be a welcome element to this FL gov race. Gov Bush was never at a loss for ideas, even if one disagreed with him.

[baseballmom]

Thanks for the update summer. I'm always suspect, however, when a dem will say something positive about a repub. I'm getting jaded after these last 6 years. LOL

It's unfortunate that the best GOP candidate for President '08 has the last name of Bush. Jeb has done a great job in Florida, but his name will keep him out. Wouldn't want a dynasty.....

[mission9]

Tom Gallagher is the true conservative in the Governor's
race. He has more experience, and he actually has written plans. He is a former education secretary, and he fought the fight for accountability. Look at the endorsements that Gallagher has acquired, that should be enough to convince you who is for real in this race.

[mission9]

Circlulate a plan for Draft Bush and I will consider it favorably. I don't think he will run. But he may be persuaded.

[ghostrider]

Faboulous Jeb Bush? Let folks decide for themselves:

http://www.angelfire.com/oz/today/acclark.html