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Florida's business climate was terrific under the Democrats, too. Hopefully, JEB won't make a mess of it. Unfortunately he's not off to a very good start having successfully pushed to strengthen the Governor's office and reduce the number of elected cabinet officers. If he is reelected and succeeds in increasing legislators' pay and making them full time legislators he'll have earned the support of all those Southeastern Floridians who want to do for Florida what they did for NY.

LOL...caltrop, you know I like you, but you have this one note you play all the time with Gov Bush, about his strengthening the power of the FL Gov office - yet, you always fail to mention (1) how weak it was in comparison to other governor offices in this country (I think it was #50 or something in comparision); and (2) the fact FL remains the only state where a governor is required by the state constitution I believe, to share the power of the governor's office with an elected cabinet. You always make it sound much worse than it is by omitting these two very material facts!

As for Gov Bush making "a mess" of the "terrific" business climate, it sounds like you did not read the link I posted to you - not only that link, but throw in the front page news in the NYT in January, touting FL's economy as #1 in the midst of a nationwide recession. And, Gov Bush does deserve credit, because he personally got involved with the tourism industry and did a great deal to save it for FL. Even the National Tourism Industry honored his efforts and recoginzed him at their recent convention in New Orleans for that. You never him credit at all - however, he really does deserve some here.

And, as for your claim about "increasing legislator's pay" - it was Gov Bush, alone, who demanded a salary freeze on state employees earning over $90K per year at a time when COngress in DC was voting themselves a salary hike. Gov Bush also took a salary freeze. And, all that money went to pay for increased port security here in FL. Again, facts that are revelevant, but do not register for you.

Finally, if Gov Bush does win re-election, I personally hope he gives himself a raise, in light of the fact his salary is only $120,000 per year, while many public school superintendents in this country earn well over $200,000 annnually - such as in Cleveland. I think it is a lot harder to be the governor of the 4th largest state than to be a school district superintendent (and many other school superintendents earn over $200K as well). Also, there are FL state employees who earn more than the FL governor, and this does not seem right either to me.

FInally, as for McLawyer - where is his track record as governor? Nowhere. It's easy to shoot your mouth off, but it's harder to have actually done the job and made the hard decisions.

BTW, FL Dems I personally know have recently noted McLawyer's publicity, but, they say to me: "It would be a shame if Gov Bush lost this election BECAUSE HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB FOR FL." This is right out of the mouths of FL Dem voters I know. And, I'm not kidding.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2002

Bush to Debate McBride While Brogan Attends Jacksonville Debate Watching Party

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Jeb Bush will debate Democrat gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride on Friday, September 27. Lt. Governor Frank Brogan and other leaders of the Republican Party will attend a debate watching party in Jacksonville. After the conclusion of the debate, Bush will join Brogan and GOP leaders at a post-debate watching party. Details of these events as well as debate watching parties across the state follow:

WHO: Governor Bush
WHAT: First Gubernatorial Debate
WHERE: WJXT Channel 4 Studios
WHEN: 8:00 - 9:00 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2002

STATIONS IN FL RUNNING DEBATE LIVE ON FRIDAY
WEDU, Channel 3, PBS, Tampa area
WPLG, Channel 10, ABC, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
WFTV, Channel 9, ABC, Orlando
WJXT, Channel 4, Jacksonville/Gainesville
WPBF, Channel 25, ABC, West Palm Beach
WCTV, Channel 6, CBS, Tallahassee
WINK, Channel 11, CBS, Southwest Florida
WEAR, Channel 3, ABC, Pensacola

________________________________________________________
Jacksonville Bush-Brogan 2002 Debate Watching Party

WHO: Governor Jeb Bush
Lt. Governor Frank Brogan
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Al Cardenas
Senate President-Designate Jim King
Speaker of the House-Designate Johnnie Byrd
Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney
Former Congresswoman Tillie Fowler

WHERE: Legends Sports Bar – The Landing, 2 Independent Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202

WHEN: 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2002

________________________________________________________

Miami-Dade County Bush-Brogan 2002 Debate Watching Party

WHERE: John Martins Irish Pub

253 Miracle Mile

Coral Gables, Florida

WHEN: 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2002

________________________________________________________

Leon County Bush-Brogan 2002 Debate Watching Party

WHERE: The Doubletree Hotel

Corner of Adams Street and Park Avenue

Tallahassee, Florida

WHEN: 7:15 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2002

________________________________________________________

Orange County Bush-Brogan 2002 Debate Watching Party

WHERE: One Eyed Jack Bar and Restaurant

Wall Street Plaza
15 North Orange Avenue

Orlando, Florida

WHEN: 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2002

________________________________________________________

Hillsborough County Bush-Brogan 2002 Debate Watching Party

WHERE: Joffrey’s Coffee Company

1616 East 7th Avenue

Ybor City, Florida

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2002

###

summer, you don't seem to want to recognize that those of us who favor smaller government like the weak governorship and split gubernatorial/cabinet responsibility Bush inherited. A powerful governor's office can do a lot of damage. Florida's system avoided an activist governor to great advantage. I already miss it.

The fact that Bush wanted a salary freeze on higher paid state employees wouldn't have any bearing on legislator's pay as they only receive a small salary, well under the levels Bush proposed freezing. I'd like to keep it that way.