The Problem with the Florida Governor's Race

self | 10/11/02 | me

[justsomedude]

Here's the problem. The left knows how to set a trap, and they've done it here. To wit:

If the race can't be won by demo propaganda and trickery (not least of which is capitalizing -- silently, so far -- on the humanness of the Bush family), the dead will vote in Dade and the race will be close enough that the entire process will once again be called into question. Any elevation of the issue to the federal level will bring about 'disenfranchised' hoots and hollers about nepotism and the whole affair being rigged from the White House. The people will riot in the streets.

These risks handicap the race so far in favor of McBride that it will take a landslide victory for Bush to be acknowledged winner. I hope it happens, but I wouldn't bet on it. Praying people who care, this is a time to do your thing.

[justsomedude]

well, I sure hope I'm wrong.

[NautiNurse]

However, they tipped their hand again in the primary. Fool me once, shame on me...

[Patriot28]

I hope so too but there is a real strong voting block of deceased in Miami-Dade and they turn out in large numbers when needed. And I assure you, whatever they were in life, every one is a democrat now. Don't forget, to the best of my knowlede, the only election ever overturned by a court was in Miami where Suarez's majority vote was cast by dead people.

[bassmaner]

The people will riot in the streets.

No, carefully-handpicked (by Jesse Jackson or Terry McAuliffe) professional protesters will riot in he street, and claim that they represent "the people" (in front of ABCCBSNBCCNN cameras, of course).

In the real world, the real people will know the truth, just like they did in 2000.

[justsomedude]

In the real world, the real people will know the truth, just like they did in 2000.

People do. Masses don't. I should have made the distinction.

[caltrop]

No doubt the Democrats will be up to their old tricks. Even so, Bush's problems run way beyond election fraud. Bush has spent four years reaching out to the Southeast corner of the state. Needless to say, the very liberal Democrats in Broward and Dade didn't discourage him but his inroads (now evaporating) came at a price in the Panhandle and North Florida. In the first debate, McBride has been criticized for saying very little. Bush crowed about the increase in spending he'd promoted to almost every question. Why vote for a Rockefeller Republican who'll push the (solidly Republican) legislature into increased spending when that same legislature can be counted on to kill any initiative a Democratic Governor suggests?

[ghostrider]

When the Repos chose not to persue the matter in numerous states after the Presidential election, they left the door open for more abuse this time around. It is too late now to cry about the spilt milk that they did not clean up two years ago. The chickens will come home to roost again. Hopefully, the Repos will have enough courage to address it this time.

[DonQ]

I grew up in Miami. The dead have ALWAYS voted in South Florida elections. They are the "pulse challenged" constituency. BUT ... they haven't always voted Democrat.

[longtermmemmory]

You forgot to mention the hand filled out provisional voter registration card. Anyone who shows up at a polling place can be provisionally allowed to vote. You just need ID or a person willing to verify you are a US citizen.

Dade and Broward (broward with its legendary retired NY deceased population) will be a fertile ground for found votes. The Democrate run party machine has taken over by consent decree the supervisor of elections' job. The are taking no chances in manufacturing a sufficient fudge factor for democrats. (as donna brazil said, we will find 8%)

The rule for republicans is: win by enough of a majority to overcome the institutional Democrat party fraud. Remember in close races, ballots are found, boxes are lost.

[ghostrider]

Bush has spent four years reaching out to the Southeast corner of the state. Needless to say, the very liberal Democrats in Broward and Dade didn't discourage him but his inroads (now evaporating) came at a price in the Panhandle and North Florida.

A very big price indeed! But the Repos were given plenty of notice of the problems. If the election gets close, this could have been a fatal political oversight on Jeb's part.

[k2afe]

On the related side of this issue... McBride wants to spend all
this money but I cannot locate a source for these funds except from each taxpayers pcokets. Just how much will all this "EDucation" spending cost ? Just a logical question. k2afe

[longtermmemmory]

No, the panhandle knows that the democrat will just ignor the panhandle like previous democrats. McBride is a nobody. His wife has all the money, (she does not even share his name). Whineing about Jeb Bush does not win elections.

No offense but are you participating in the campaigns? Are you helping elderly get to the polls? Are you making sure your local freepers are able to get to the polls on Nov 5?

[caltrop]

McBride won't be able to get any money out of the legislature and the incoming Speaker has already said any spending necessary will come out of funds already available - taxes will absolutely not be raised and any new spending will come out of other projects/programs. OTOH, if Bush is reelected he'll be able to twist arms in the (very Republican) legislature and all bets are off.

[longtermmemmory]

Are you a Democrat? Have you learned nothing from recent political events? Divided government in any form only serves the democratic party's evil.

McBride will be able to control intiatives. He will be able to destroy the university system.

The democratic party has surrendered its campaign in florida to be run by the unions. McBride is a union fop. He is in the pocket of lawyers as he is one himself. Your negative comments about bush are suspicious at best.

We have far more to gain from a united state of Florida. So I ask again, are you a Democrat?

[ghostrider]

No offense but are you participating in the campaigns? Are you helping elderly get to the polls? Are you making sure your local freepers are able to get to the polls on Nov 5?

Been there. Done that. Whine all you want, I have no plans to support those who don't give a damn about us. I will sit this one out and let my non vote be a vote against the system, which like the old Soviet elections, allows us to vote for one of the candidates offered by the party bosses.

[longtermmemmory]

It is your perogative. The fact politicians have never given a damn about anyone is nothing new. It is just a question of which ones will do the least damage. As a p**sy whipped tax and spend democrat, McBride is obviously in the do more damage department.

Every politician has a savior complex. That non revalation should not make you old and bitter. After all, your on the Free Republic.

[caltrop]

No, I'm not a Democrat. In fact I've held Republican Party positions. This election I expect to vote straight Republican except for Governor. On the theory divided government's the best we can do this year, I expect to vote for McBride for Governor. Incidentally, I've previously voted for Bush.

Perhaps you're new to politics, so I'll take a stab at trying to help you out. A Rockefeller Republican (now referred to as a Compassionate Conservative) believes government is the solution, not the problem. They'll support expanded government at every opportunity. While claiming to reduce taxes they'll only reduce the less significant taxes - knowing that it's required in the Republican Party - but will (as quietly as possible) support higher big revenue taxes. While pushing for larger government, and the taxes that inevitably follow, a Rockefeller Republican will be able to pressure Republicans (even conservatives) to support his initiatives. It's a formula for disaster and fiscal profligacy. A Democratic Governor, particularly facing a solidly Republican legislature and Cabinet, won't be able to do much, if anything.

This year, divided government is the best we can do in Florida.

[AmericaUnited]

This year, divided government is the best we can do in Florida.

A most acute case of FLOR-A-DUH! Get that treated ASAP!

[ghostrider]

No, I'm not a Democrat. In fact I've held Republican Party positions. This election I expect to vote straight Republican except for Governor. On the theory divided government's the best we can do this year, I expect to vote for McBride for Governor. Incidentally, I've previously voted for Bush.

That is an exact description of me and how I feel. It is also a good description of many of my Republican and Democratic associates. It says much about the difficulties of our times, when the best we can hope for is split government. It also says much about the party hacks that they have no clue or care as to how we feel. But the saddest ones of all are those feeble sheep who blindly follow and "Baa" at others who don't docilely follow them to slaughter.

[summer]

You two guys have a habit of overlooking every good thing Gov Bush has done in his term in office which even you, as diehard conservatives, could be very proud of. He promised to ban partial birth abortion; he did. Would you prefer he take the McMumble position on this and every issue, and mumble about it? He promised to cut the size of government, and he DID - he eve got sued for doing it. And, you can ask just about any Dem voter who works in state government, and they wil ltell you all above "Service First," Gov. Bush's initiative to cut government. Gov Bush wanted parents to have more choice in education - and FL is the only state in this country to have not one, not two, but three voucher programs. Are these "liberal" ideas run amuck in FL? Yes, Gov Bush has also managed to win the endorsement of the largest Jewish publication (The Jewish Journal), and has appealed to many teachers (including myself) and independents, but so what? Did you want every voter to run away from a solid record that you two both ignore?