Florida Democrats Unite Behind Jeb [FL's Dem Leaders Dumping McLawyer]

www.jeb.org ^ | Sept. 26, 2002 | www.jeb.org

[summer]

FL students crowd around Gov Jeb Bush on a recent campaign stop.

For Immediate Release

Thursday, September 26, 2002

Florida Democrats Unite Behind Jeb

MIAMI BEACH - In another sign of Gov. Jeb Bush's strong bi-partisan support, a who's who of past and present Democrat Party leaders today endorsed Bush and pledged to do "what it takes" to ensure his reelection.

Announced at a press conference in Miami Beach, the "Democrats for Jeb" Steering Committee is made up of dozens of state and local Democrat leaders, including a former Governor, a sitting State Senator, three former Speakers of the House, several incumbent mayors and city commissioners, a former executive director of the Florida Democratic Party and a variety of other community activists and leaders.

"I am proud to once again stand up and proclaim that I am a Democrat for Jeb Bush," stated Sen. Ron Silver. "Four years ago I took a chance by endorsing Jeb and four years later, that chance has paid off not only for me, but more importantly for all Floridians. I pledge to do whatever it takes to make sure he is reelected."

Gov. Bush has always enjoyed the support of Democrats from across the state. In fact, according to the latest Mason-Dixon survey, close to 20% of all Democrats would support Bush over corporate lawyer Bill McBride if the elections were held this week.

"I am a proud lifetime Democrat, representing one of the most Democratic regions of our state, but I am also 100 percent behind Jeb Bush," stated Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle. "Jeb has been a great governor for all Floridians, Republican, Democrat and Independent alike. He has tirelessly led the fight to improve Florida's public schools, and has shown steadfast leadership in the fight over education reform. Florida is on the right track. I am proud to be a Democrat and I am proud to support Jeb Bush."

"I am honored to have the support of such a distinguished group of Floridians," stated Gov. Bush. "I have always believed that what is right for Florida is much more important than what is right for politics. I am humbled by the trust these fine men and women have placed in me and I promise to them, and every other Floridian, that if I am honored with a second term, I will not let them down."

Democrats joining Bush at the event today were:

Mayor David Dermer of Miami Beach;
Mayor Dick Greco of Tampa;
Mayor Jim Naugle of Fort Lauderdale;
State Senator Ron Silver of North Miami;
Former Speakers of the House James Harold Thompson, T.K. Wetherell and Don Tucker;
Former Agriculture Commissioner and current Citrus Commissioner Bob Crawford;
Miami Beach Commissioners Matti Bower and Luis Garcia;
Florida Board of Education Member Julia Johnson;
Hollywood City Commissioner Keith Wasserstrom;
Homestead City Council Member Judy Waldman;
Mayor of Pembroke Park Annette Wexler;
Pembroke Park City Manager Dr. Bob Levy;
Manny Medina, CEO of Terremark; President and CEO of Peebles Atlantic Development Corporation ;
R. Donahue Peebles; Chairman and Managing Partner, Steel Hector & Davis LLP Joe Klock.

[As not all Steering Committee members were able to attend today's event, the complete list of members is below.]

"Some things are more important than simple party label," stated Former Speaker of the House James Harold Thompson. "Jeb Bush has been an outstanding Governor over the last four years. He has pushed our education system to get the best for our children. He has been a vigilant steward of our environment and a superb leader for Florida's economy. I am proud of our Governor, I am proud to support him and I hope all of my fellow Democrats across Florida will do the same."

"Democrats for Jeb" Steering Committee

Pete Antonacci, Former Florida Statewide Prosecutor, Former Deputy Attorney General
Milton Aponte, Attorney and Activist for the Developmentally Disabled
Charlie Aycock, Osceola County Sheriff
Paula Barton, Baker County Schools Superintendent
Steven Bateman, Homestead City Council Member
Harold Bazzell, Bay County Clerk of Courts
Barney Bishop, Former Executive Director of the Florida Democratic Party
Matti Bower, Miami Beach Commissioner Cornel Brock, Chairman of Bay County Commission
Larry Campbell, Leon County Sheriff
Theresa Ciummo, Pembroke Park City Commissioner
Howard Clark, Pembroke Park City Commissioner
Bob Crawford, Former Agriculture Commissioner
David Dermer, Mayor of Miami Beach
John Fugate, Desoto County Sheriff
Luis Garcia, Miami Beach Commissioner
Ernie George, President of the Police Benevolent Association
Howard Godwin, Highlands County Sheriff
Dick Greco, Mayor of Tampa
Julia Johnson, Member of the Florida Board of Education
Joe Klock, Chairman and Managing Partner, Steel Hector & Davis LLP
Harold Knowles, Attorney and Trustee, Florida State University
Dr. Bob Levy, Pembroke Park City Manager
Raul Masvidal, Managing Director, Masvidal Partners, Inc.
Manny Medina, CEO of Terremark
Carson McCall, Lafayette County Sheriff
John McDaniel, Jackson County Sheriff
C.K. "Mac" McElyea, Dania Beach City Commissioner
Frank McKeithen, Gulf County Sheriff
Bob Milner, Bradford County Sheriff
Wayne Mixson, Former Governor of Florida
Herb Morgan, Former State Representative
Jim Naugle, Mayor of Fort Lauderdale
Leon Nettles, Wakulla County Commissioner
R. Donahue Peebles, President and CEO of Peebles Atlantic Development Corporation
Fred Peel, Washington County Sheriff
Jeffrey Porter, Homestead City Council Member
James Rider, Glades County Sheriff
Charles Shields, Mayor of St. Marks
Roy Shiver, Vice Mayor of Florida City
Emma Shoaff, Pembroke Park City Commissioner
Ron Silver, Florida State Senator
James Harold Thompson, Former Speaker of the House
Don Tucker, Former Speaker of the House
David Turner, Gilchrist County Sheriff
Steve Uhlfelder, Former Regent, Florida Counsel Clinton/Gore 1996
Judy Waldman, Homestead City Council Member
Keith Wasserstrom, Hollywood City Commissioner
T.K. Wetherell, Former Speaker of the House
Annette Wexler, Mayor of Pembroke Park
W.A. Woodham, Gadsden County Sheriff
Steve Worley, Hendry County Sheriff

[summer]

Re your post #157 - The AP Article is posted earlier on this thread by Rome2000.

[summer]

BTTT to your post #160. Good catch!

[summer]

Re your post #163 - Yes, I believe I read Gov Bush converted and became a Catholic (his wife's religion) after his 1998 defeat in that very close gov race.

[summer]

Re your post #164 - Thanks for posting the debate schedule for FL television stations.

[summer]

So I say that with regard to Jeb's race, we should not stereotype all dems as stupid. I'm gonna try to attack McLawyer and make it man for man, not party v. party. Obviously the dems above are seeing the light. DEMS FOR JEB are good guys. They may join FR or switch parties eventually.

BTTT. An important point which bears repeating: Dem voters are not the same as the Dem Party leadership, and many Dem voters, BTW, are in fact quite frustrated with their leaders. As usual. Who knows, a Dem voter may hop onto FR without the intent to disrupt, and later become an independent. (Hey, that's what happened to someone I know!) :)

[windchime]

You're welcome!

[summer]

I meant to ping you on my post #185 in response to your very important point.

[summer]

I'll be here at 8PM tonight reading every comment on the debate since I can't view it where I am up north!

I'll be watching the debate away from my computer tonight and will post on the debate thread later.

[summer]

Thanks for your comments on this thread. :)

[summer]

Thanks for your kind words, patriciaruth. :)

[windchime]

"(Hey, that's what happened to someone I know!) :)"

Is that so?:) And FreeRepublic is richer for it!

I absolutely agree with your point. On some thread... I mentioned that these JEB! supporting Democrats exhibited lots of courage in not falling lock-step into the Clinton/Clinton/McAuliffe puppet show. People (D or R) that are that principled deserve our respect, not our derision.

[cricket]

"In another sign of Gov. Jeb Bush's strong bi-partisan support, a who's who of past and present Democrat Party leaders today endorsed Bush and pledged to do "what it takes" to ensure his reelection."

This may be predictable in Florida - but it is incredible nonetheless.

. . .but whatever is predicted; we know that the Dems cannot be trusted at the polls, no matter what. . .

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I don't know why, but an FR "search" with "Jeb" as the keyword turns up nothing. Maybe Jim assumes that everyone will think to go to your homepage for Jeb news. Your home page is a valuable source of info, summer. There isn't a paper or TV news network in SW Florida that doesn't know about Jeb's GOOD record, recent accolades and endorsements...thanks to you and FR. Hugs.

[mafree]

GO JEB!!