Posted on 09/06/2006 6:52:14 PM PDT by summer
NEWS ANALYSIS
Democrats divided, Republicans united
The contest to replace Gov. Jeb Bush features a Republican who wants to preserve his legacy and a Democrat who wants to tear it down.
Charlie Crist coasted to victory. Jim Davis stumbled into it.
Crist, the Republican, and Davis, the Democrat, will meet each other in the Nov. 7 general election, but they begin the race to be Florida's next governor in vastly different shape.
Davis, a congressman who blasts the way business is done in Florida's capital, arrives at the general-election race battered and broke, still shaken by the pounding he took from rival Rod Smith, the Alachua state senator who blasted him for opposing state compensation for two black men who were wrongfully convicted four decades ago. Davis' first tasks: repair the wounds of his divided party and make peace with crucial black voters...
Crist enters the contest with more money in his pocket and a sound-bite friendly message perfected by his mentor, former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack. Crist offers optimism and hope, promising to continue the programs of popular Gov. Jeb Bush while portraying himself as a populist leader.
''We know that when government stays within its proper bounds, the opportunities to our citizens truly become boundless,'' Crist told a jubilant crowd of 700 supporters in St. Petersburg Tuesday night.
``Starting tonight, people will have a choice: Will Florida continue to prosper? Will Florida continue to be a national leader in education reform, continue to offer hope and promise to our people, or will we go back to the days that have failed us in the past?''
The matchup between Crist and Davis has been shaping up for months as both front-runners braced for the general election with a mainstream message aimed past their primary opponents and to Florida's key swing voters -- those with no party affiliation.
Those voters, and the party loyalists who picked the lineup for the general election, will set the direction for the next era in Florida politics -- life after Jeb...
As both campaigns gear up for the eight-week battle ahead, several factors are likely to influence the outcome:
• [Jeb] Bush: The governor stayed out of the primary but has promised to campaign vigorously for the Republican nominee.
Both Crist and Gallagher portrayed themselves as the keeper of his legacy, promising to continue his programs. Polls show that kind of promise plays well: A Miami Herald poll by Zogby International shows that while 83 percent of Republican voters believe Bush's policies should be continued, as many as 25 percent of Democrats also agree...
Both candidates have until noon Sept. 12 to pick a running mate, and both have remained mum on their prospects. Crist's short list is rumored to include House Speaker Allan Bense and Jacksonville state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, a former Navy lieutenant and African American.
Everyone had their brain washed today? Good for you.
I've met and talked with Jennifer Carroll; she is VERY impressive.
This thread is propaganda imo. Republicans are NOT united.
I would have expected that kind of a reply from you.
Well, I'm betting every Freeper in Florida is glad to see you come out saying that.
You've been wrong about everything else, so now they must know this is a GREAT choice.
Re your post #18 - Thanks for posting that, Julie. :)
Bump to that!
With all due respect for your opinion, you sound like a PC affirmative action commercial from the Black Caucus. Where in FL do you live? N.E. section of Miami?
You need to stop this divisive talk; you're acting like a petulant child who didn't get their way.
Face it, people see through you and rejected you and your nasty smears.
ROTFLMAO... nuff said. We can agree to disagree. :)
Democrarcy works on the principal that you can lose Elections. Not demand ONLY what you want ONLY when you want it. And Adult recognized that 60% of something is better then 100% of nothing and how to be a graceful loser. If for no other reason then they MIGHT need that bridge they are about to burn with their hissy fit later. A petulant brat throws a tempertanturm when their side loses. That is one of the reasons the Always Whining Finger is continually losing elections.
They didn't reject me. They voted for a liberal. summer shows up to promote a liberal as a conservative. she's a teacher. They are going to make out big with Charlie Crist. Down payments for their homes, payment of their school loans, all kinds of entitlements for teachers. Summer is in education. She will rake in entitlements that I will be paying for if Crist wins.
Oh....I remember her from when she first ran. She's fabulous and would be a perfect pick for Lt. Gov.
That looks like a scurilous personal attack to me.
Is she a true conservative?
re your post #33 - I wanted to log off, but I have to set the record straight for benefit of those who may mistakenly think you know something: Florida is a state where local school districts have local control in terms of hiring teachers, and local districts set the salaries. They also decide who gets what and who does not. Charlie Crist and Jeb Bush do not decide any of that, unless they go to the FL Legislature and get a new law passed. And, local control has remained with the local school districts in Florida. That's why there's 67 different teacher salary scales in Florida. Also, I was not paying very close attention to this Fl gov race, but, I think Jennifer Carroll would be fantastic as a Lt Gov. And, I am sure Crist will win.
I remember her, too. She would be terrific!
I guess the lies for crist are going to just keep a comin'.
I can hardly wait till November when we kick their butts, AGAIN!
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