Jeb Bush Rivals Face Uphill Battle [WA Post: "we have a train wreck waiting to happen."]

The Washington Post ^ | Aug 24, 2002 | Ken Thomas

[summer]

Jeb Bush Rivals Face Uphill Battle

By Ken Thomas
Associated Press Writer
Saturday, August 24, 2002

MIAMI -- The 2002 governor's race was supposed to be payback time for Florida Democrats.

....

But in the waning days before the Sept. 10 [Dem] primary, the Democratic field offers uncertainty on how to challenge a well-heeled incumbent enjoying above-average approval ratings, who is trying to become the first Republican to earn re-election since Reconstruction.

"I think it's going to be a very, very, very hard job for Democrats to beat Jeb Bush," said Charles Whitehead, a former state Democratic party chairman.

....

"I think we've been put in a very difficult position in the state," said state Rep. Bob Henriquez, a Tampa Democrat. "Because the scenario most Democrats understand is that we have a train wreck waiting to happen in the Democratic primary."

....

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Note to FR -- Some new photos you may have missed:


Governor Bush speaks to crowd on the USS Kennedy upon
its return from deployment in the Middle East.


Gov Bush visits military personnel returning from Afghanistan.


Governor Bush shows off new t-shirt from the USS John F. Kennedy.


Lt. Governor Brogan visits with veterans at VFW Post in Jacksonville.


Lt Gov Borgan with vets.


Lt Gov Brogan at a GOP Rally in Nassau County, FL.


Gov Bush talks with FL elementary students.


Gov Bush lifts student for a 'helicopter ride' in the air.


Gov Bush receives a warm welcome from educators in Kissimmee, FL.

[Joe Brower]

Click on the above portrait of our Jeb's smiling face for a whole bunch of great pics!

Please feel free to link to and use these freely to spread the good word!

[LarryLied]

Wose wabid wats are up to sometin'. They never admit they're wosing.

[floriduh voter]

bttt. The St. Pete Times endorsed McLawyer in Sunday's paper. I don't know what effect it will have but, that's that. McLawyer's still has a weak resume and he skipped out on his law firm when times got rough in large measure to his obsession with merging with smaller law firms all around the country. Merger after merger gets expensive and what's more corporate than that? Jeb's ad team is smart to have McLawyer tap dancing with a briefcase.

[floriduh voter]

Reno, McBride and Daryl Jones are having ONE DEBATE. It will be this Tuesday, August 27th at 7:00 p.m. It will only be carried in let's say, two or three markets in the entire state. For certain on tv only in Tampa Bay and in Tallahassee.

What does that tell us?

And, you never know, c-spam may cover it but I haven't checked their schedule lately. It will be a comedy, not a debate IMO. McLawyer is very algor-like. His movements are robotic and he has a scary "vote for me" smile. And, what about Reno don't we already know?

[FairWitness]

Reno, McBride and Daryl Jones are having ONE DEBATE. It will be this Tuesday, August 27th at 7:00 p.m. It will only be carried in let's say, two or three markets in the entire state. - - - - And, you never know, c-spam may cover it -

I would be interested in seeing this (similar to my interest in watching wierd insects go about their daily life on the Discover channel). Will keep an eye on C-Span.

[floriduh voter]

Jeb Bush did write a book and it's at amazon.com. It's not about all the emails he received since he first took office. Some were from floriduh voter. His personal staff called my mom just to talk one day because we wrote them a positive letter.

Jeb Bush has reached out to many Floridians on an individual basis - not easy to do but he pulled it off. I think that's groundbreaking in terms of a Governor interaction with constituents AND their children. Jeb threw away the standard issue governor's handbook and is doing something masterful. He's his own man.

It's not my opinion that Jeb's wildly popular. It's true. FV

[Eala]

Jeb threw away the standard issue governor's handbook and is doing something masterful. He's his own man.

Hm. Think we might be seeing a third Bush president a few years down the road?

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

I do not like to count votes until they are cast, but I am beginning to become moderately confident about the election results. I guess we will all be too busy to get to Jeb's headquarters on election night (will probably finish up early anyhow), but maybe we Florida Freepers can get together sometime around the Governor's inauguration?

[summer]

From your link of photos:


Gov Bush stands with his own red truck.

[summer]

Wose wabid wats are up to sometin'. They never admit they're wosing.

I think they are trying to tell their base to WAKE UP.

But, after reading that Dem web site last night, I assure you: their base is still sleeping.

Here are some of the very pressing matters of great concern to their base: [actual Dem site thread titles:] Who's the sexiest poster on this forum?; What's with all the blonde GOP chicks on TV?; Anyone Try Slim Fast Here?; etc.

It sounds like the Oprah show online.

[summer]

Jeb's ad team is smart to have McLawyer tap dancing with a briefcase.

Especially in this current climate of corporate wrongdoing and the public's lack of confidence in corporate heads. McLawyer's corporate head background / gov candidacy couldn't have come at a worse time.

[Lancey Howard]

Good to see the Dems floundering.
It is what happens when you have absolutely nothing to offer except hate.

On the other hand, Jed has skillfully coopted every potential Dem "issue".
I only hope that in fighting the monsters he does not become one himself.

[summer]

Re your post #24 - Thanks for the info on the debate. And, what little I have seen of McLawyer, I have noticed that too: he seems very uncomfortable conversing with the little people. What's with these Dems? They have enough friends in Hollywood - ever hear of taking acting lessons?

[summer]

Jeb threw away the standard issue governor's handbook and is doing something masterful. He's his own man.

He really did throw away the standard book. (Like many other FL citizens, I too have the emails from him to prove it.) :)

[Lancey Howard]

Hm. Think we might be seeing a third Bush president a few years down the road?

That is the Bush family plan, guaranteed.
And if George P. Bush can keep his head on straight, look for him in about 20 years.

[summer]

Think we might be seeing a third Bush president a few years down the road?

Eala, According to SBeck - Gov Bush is the one for 2008. (And, according to many here on FR, that would be just fine!) :)

[floriduh voter]

Lucius maybe we can. How about a central location though? I am starting an on line business so I can't be an organizer but would be available in an advisory capacity.

Why don't you check with seeking the truth? I'd make it to Orlando or Tampa with little or no trouble. Victory would be sweet and the re-inauguration ceremonies would be great to watch - together, because IMO, we assisted even though we aren't part of Jeb's official campaign.

And, I might add, IMO, we were an asset to the governor, not a source of embarrassment.

I applaud everyone for their responsible, smart activism in all the state races. We are talking to our neighbors and with each other. That is what grass roots campaigning is all about. We leave the relative comfort zone of Free Republic and get the word out to the man or woman on the street. IT WORKS!!! Floriduh Voter

[Lancey Howard]

Doh......!
(Jed = Jeb. Sorry.)

[summer]

Seeking the truth, post #28 sounds like something you'd be heading up! :)

[DeaconRed]

Jeb has a commercial that runs here in Central Florida, where Waco Reno & McDied are dancing. It just shows the legs only but it is funny. McDied & Reno ---- Just a song & Dance