[summer]

...the amount of money JEB's needed....

Second of all (and, I say this knowing you enjoy taking a shot at Gov Bush every chance you can, even while I object continuously to you), I really don't think Gov Bush won because of "money." There are plenty of examples of candidates who spent more than was spent on the FL gov race, and I am thinking in particular of that race out ini CA with Ariana Huffington's ex-husband, and yet, the candidate lost, as her husband did. So, I don't know why you would cite money as the primarily factor in Gov Bush's landslide win.

In addition, I would think you could acknowledge that Gov Bush had a LOT of grassroots support, especially here on FR, as I know you saw such support and complained he received too much PR at times. So, which is it -- money or grassroots support that really helped Gov Bush? I think it was both, as both are required for a win, but money alone can not create the kind of enthusiasm and support existing here on FR and elsewhere for Gov Bush.

By sharp contrast, your guy, McLawyer, never had the support of his own party's voters -- and that's a fact which became evident in the election results. Did you ever both to read Dem sites during the FL gov race? Many of those posters bitterly complained about McLawyer throughout the race, yet their party leaders seemed bent on shoving that candidate down their throats whether they liked him or not.

[caltrop]

Bush won because: (1)McBride fell on his face when Tim Russert asked him how much the class size amendment would cost and he didn't know - even though it was something he very vocally supported and (2)the Republican Party of Florida spent every dime it could get its hands on on JEB. Had McBride had an answer to the question, any specific answer sufficient to demonstrate he'd thought about the cost, the race would have been close and possibly an upset.