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 #19 - very interesting. Thanks for posting that info.

[Wphile]

GO JEB!!

[glc1173@aol.com]

"Re your post #13 - FL is a swing state, and if you have not yet figured out that the only way to win an election in this state is to get some of the other party's votes, then you haven't followed FL politics."

The question is which party he'll get most of his votes from - and which he intends to. Is he - like GOP politicians here in North Carolina - getting the majority of his votes from GOP voters or at least them plus Democraps who habitually vote GOP, or is he mainly getting elected by liberals who vote liberal in every other election?

[RayChuang88]

Actually, if you go outside Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, Democrats in the rest of Florida tend to be more conservative than people think. The counties I mentioned are full of ex-patriates from the Northeast with their very liberal views.

[summer]

Honey, FL is divided exactly the same way the country is divided - you have almost the same number of Dem and GOp voters (except there ARE more registered Dem voters), and, you have the independent and swing voters who determine the outcome of every election. If you are unfamiliar with Gov. Bush's record, read more about it before you conclude something about his policies for FL. BTW, education is the #1 issue in this state, and if you know ANYTHING AT ALL about that topic, YOU KNOW GOV BUSH IS REFORMING EDUCATION with policies the Dems would like to immediately end, especially ONE FL. However, those of us who know there are 150+ different minorities in this state also know Gov Bush is being what is called "fair" in his treatment of ALL FL citizens - something the Dems refuse to do. In addition, Gov Bush's voucher program has the overwhelming support of black parents in this state. Watch for Gov Bush to shock the Dem Party when he picks up more black votes than ever before this November.

[Eagle Eye]

The Dems can't all be dumb. These guys seem to know that their guy won't win and they see no reason to get on Bush's sh--list.

I suspect that they all have knives that they are willing to plunge in Jeb's back the first chance they get.

[summer]

Democrats in the rest of Florida tend to be more conservative than people think

True. And, McLawyer wants those voters. But, frankly, I think another huge block of voters -- those Reno voters who voted for Reno in the primary -- may not end up voting for McLAwyer in the end because McLawyer will not speak to their big issues: gay adoption rights, etc.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Oh my, I know. Your post knocked me off my feet (figuratively speaking, hee). After this divisive week in DC, I thought we might be suiting up for Civil War II. Not that I trust them exactly, but at least these Democrats seem like fellow-Americans. (^:

[summer]

LOL....well, I am not saying you should trust anyone, but, the fact is truly this: a policitian can not win in this state unless he picks up cross over voters from the other party plus those independent and swing voters. Gov Bush has the independent and swing voters, and, he has the crossover Dem vote. That is why McLawyer is toast. So - dream on, McLawyer....

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

This might make you feel better...from the CATO institute and WSJ:

Wall Street Journal Commentary..rates the governors, Jeb's a winner!
***Jeb Bush of Florida is the real tax-cutting fiscal conservative in the family. In a state with no income tax, Gov. Bush has cut the Florida property tax by $1 billion, and in 2001 he cut the business intangible tax by another $600 million. Earlier this year he took the unusual step of walking the halls of the Capitol himself asking members of both parties to oppose a sales tax hike sponsored by members of his own party. Mr. Bush has also distinguished himself by promoting one of the most innovative choice-based school reforms in the nation -- a plan that allows students in failing schools to go to any public or private school of their choice -- and by enacting tort reform legislation fiercely opposed by the trial lawyers.

---

Our Governor gets an "A" (Gray Davis gets an "F" (^:)

[TwoStep]

**Bump**

[summer]

Re your post #29 - And, I think that is something the vast majority of FL voters want in this state, especially those living on a fixed income (seniors). Gov. Bush even has a plan to speed up the construction of new schools (and further alleviate overcrowding, thus lowering class size) through the issuance of bonds, instead of by the tax increase demanded by McLawyer.

[MeekOneGOP]

Bush.....

[Wait4Truth]

Thanks, summer. I think this is the first positive article I've read in the past 36 hours. Go, JEB!

[summer]

BTW, I have read reports, consistently, that Gov Bush has something like MORE than 90% of the support of his own party here in FL.

[summer]

Re your post #34 - LOL...I know what you mean. I try to take time off, but, I really enjoy reading positive news like this. :)

[summer]

This is the quote that knocked me out, BTW:

"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."

[philetus]

Their motto is Whats best for America

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)