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

[mombonn]

Yowsers! What a great post!

[Tall_Texan]

VOTE SMART -- VOTE FOR FL -- VOTE FOR JEB.

and VOTE OFTEN. And show up after 7 p.m. demanding to VOTE AGAIN. You know the opposition will.

[summer]

I meant to ping you! I did! :)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You are so right about Florida's Democrats being largely conservative. The press lied...criminally, imho...about Floridians during the election 2000.

Those "hick" counties, the 22 "red" counties in Florida with fewer than 10,000 voters....all but one in 22 voted for BUSH and they are ALL Democrat majority counties with Dem. election personnel..and ALL recounted (as did EVERY county in Florida (just not 2 or 3 times 'til ballots could be manipulated for Gore))- and the HONEST Democrats in the small Florida counties showed mostly single digit changes in the recounts, insignificant. As one Freeper said, "my Democrat neighbors are southern Democrats with family values and don't trust Gore."

Thanks for reminding me, summer. Ooh, our far left Dem. newsmedia isn't going to win...always trying to turn us against one another with their machinations and lies!

[summer]

With the Justice Dept officials, invoted by FL Sec of State, invited to look over the shoulders of election officials, I think this will be a fair election.

[summer]

With Justice Dept officials, invited by FL Sec of State, here to look over the shoulders of election officials, I think this will be a fair election.

[summer]

"my Democrat neighbors are southern Democrats with family values and don't trust Gore."

This has been a real problem for the Dem Party - the southern Dems who keep voting GOP. I think some Dem Party press releases have said one of the party's biggest goals is to "take back the South." But these southern Dems seem happy to keep on voting: GOP.

[Jorge]

This is great news!
Looks like the Dem tactic of blaming their primary fiasco on Bush isn't working.
And it looks like the 'still bitter about 2000' vote isn't materializing the way Gore and McAwful had hoped.
Still I won't relax until Jeb's actually won in November.

[summer]

I agree; this is great news. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Tall_Texan]

Isn't that what they were saying the last time?

Isn't that what they were saying the last time?

[mombonn]

No problem - I'm always hovering, seldom speaking.

Hope all is well with you.

[summer]

LOL...I made typos in the first post; that's why I posted twice. And, no - Justice Dept officials were never invited before to FL to observe an election. FL trusted the local county officials. OK, so now we know what a mistake that was. At least Janet Reno should know....

[summer]

LOL...I would like to be "hovering" too... all is well. And, always nice to hear from you, mombonn. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[friendly]

"McLawyer" LOL just perfect.

The last thing on God's green earth that Florida (or any other state) needs is another vermin scum lawyer in political power.

[Dog Gone]

Dang. I knew he was popular, but not THIS popular.

[caltrop]

So what. Bush has spent lots of time and political capital trying to attract Southeast Florida Democrats. The fact that the polls show him below 50% should give you a hint that the liberals in SE Florida's support costs him votes elsewhere. If McBride can convince the voters in North Florida and the Panhandle that he's their kind of Democrat many of these voters will vote for McBride.

So far, summer, Bush has run a pretty stupid campaign. If he keeps it up, and I suspect he will, he'll be a one termer. BTW, please don't hand me any nonsense about his advisors. JEB is a micromanager, he's calling the shots.

[summer]

So what....

LOL....and, no, I don't think Bov. Bush has run a "stupid" campaign at all, no matter how many times you say it, caltrop. I know it may be tough for you when McLawyer loses in Nov, but -- tough luck. :)