Posted on 10/26/2002 5:45:35 PM PDT by summer
(My caption):
GOV JEB BUSH: “Thank you, Miami Herald, Tampa Tribune, and the Orlando Sentinel, for ALL for endorsing me in this year’s gov race. God bless you for telling the truth – that I have worked hard for FL, achieved a great deal for FL, and earned a 2nd term as FL GOV!”
THE MIAMI HERALD RECOMMENDS -- FOR FLORIDA GOVERNOR:
JEB BUSH (Miami Herald)
Polls show that Gov. Jeb Bush and lawyer Bill McBride are within a few percentage points of each other in voters’ preference – a divide that also was reflected in Florida’s razor-thin finish of the 2000 presidential election. The closeness of the contest, however, belies the differences between the governor and Mr. McBride – and what those difference portend for Florida’s future.
We believe that Gov. Bush has earned the right to continue to lead the state. He is better prepared to steer the course of our diverse, fast-growing state and face the challenges that will arise. No, Gov. Bush hasn’t delivered on all that he promised when he won office in 1998. The “kinder, gentler” conservatism we expected of him has at times been grating when thoughtful compassion was required.
But Mr. Bush has done this much: He has set Florida on a new path. He has change our conversation about education, revamped an endangered affirmative-action policy, held the line on taxes, helped to steady the economy, reached out to international partners and challenged traditional thinking about the role of government. In short, Mr. Bush has articulated a new vision for our state – and he has begun to turn that vision into reality. He deserves a chance to continue the job.
Mr. McBride, whom we recommended in the Democratic primary and whom we admire, poses an attractive alternative Gov. Bush. He has a softer countenance, is a consensus-builder and is less grounded in partisanship. A Vietnam veteran, Mr. McBride demonstrated the tenor of his leadership by accelerating the growth of Holland & Knight, the Florida law firm he led to become the fifth-largest in the country. His policies inside the firm and on behalf of the community were progressive.
McBRIDE ON EDUCATION
Mr. McBride’s decision to focus on education as the primary thrust of his candidacy demonstrates his good-lawyer’s knack for careful analysis and targeted attack. As a result, he has tapped into a wellspring of dissatisfaction with the governor’s education initiatives. Mr. McBride exploited that opening by garnering important support from teachers and unions, while simultaneously drawing a counter-offensive from Mr. Bush.
Unfortunately, Mr. McBride doesn’t project a vision beyond education and fiscal restraint. Thus, a vote for Mr. McBride would be a vote cast on faith alone. It isn’t unrealistic to expect that an intelligent and good man who is politically untested would do well as a first-time officeholder. Look no further than Jeb Bush for evidence of that. But in his campaign, Mr. McBride has failed to put substance and definition to himself, his policies or his vision, which could make up for his lack of a political track record. Other than on education, he hasn’t spelled out a coherent vision for Florida’s future.
As governor, Mr. Bush introduced accountability in education and competition in government services. Though it was harsh medicine at times, his A+ Plan drove schools and students to perform better than they thought they could; his “Opportunity Scholarship” or voucher plan created options for some students to leave failing schools while allocating extra funding for lagging schools to catch up. The governor’s One Florida initiative replaced race-based decisions in government and higher education with outreach and financial aid for minority businesses and students. This thwarted a divisive drive by California activist Ward Connerly to put an anti-affirmative-action amendment in the Florida Constitution. Mr. Bush showed courage in blunting the Connerly drive.
Mr. Bush tried to break down entrenched fiefdoms within the government by introducing privatization in some agencies. The effort is laudable, though the results have been mixed. During the last legislative session, and facing a nearly $1 billion budget deficit, he helped lead the Republican majority in Tallahassee to stave off new taxes while carving out a plan to meet the budget crisis. Mr. Bush has presided over an economy that stumbled after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, but which today continues to lead the nation in job growth as it did throughout the 1990s.
BUSH’S CHALLENGE
If re-elected, Mr. Bush can look to rounding out his vision for Florida while reaching out to those who have felt neglected. He must become a leader in promoting the Free Trade Area of the Americas and bringing its secretariat to South Florida. Other countries will vie to be the headquarters, as will Atlanta and other U.S. cities. This important effort is in Florida’s interest and will succeed only if it is championed by the governor.
Gov. Bush has yet to fulfill his pledge to reform the troubled Department of Children & Families, a task he must confront squarely if he is reelected. His appointment of a new agency director whose published views about child rearing and the role of women are offensive to many Floridians shows Mr. Bush’s lack of sensitivity toward the concerns of some residents. If re-elected, Mr. Bush must resolve these issues, and adhere to his “kinder, gentler” nature.
For governor of Florida, The Herald recommends JEB BUSH.
---------------------------------------
THE ORLANDO SENTINEL ENDORSES JEB!
---------------------------------------
THE TAMPA TRIBUNE ENDORSES JEB!
Hell, this is glowing praise compared to the Washington Post's endorsement of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Essentially they said "You are dumb, stupid, inexperienced, and have no plan - but we love ya."
This may be the best thread of the campaign...other than the one that reads, JEB WINS!!! (^:
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.