POLITICAL BRIEFING: Janet Reno Hoists Her Baggage Handily [NYT]

The NY Times - Sunday ^ | Oct. 14, 2001 | B. Drummond Ayres Jr.

[summer]

October 14, 2001

POLITICAL BRIEFING

Janet Reno Hoists Her Baggage Handily

By B. DRUMMOND AYRES JR.

When former Attorney General Janet Reno jumped into the Florida governor's race last month, political handicappers said her odds for success would depend in good part on her finesse in handling some potentially burdensome political baggage.

That baggage, of course, is the fiery 1993 federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Tex.; last year's raid in Miami that resulted in Elián González's return to his father in Cuba; and the disclosure that Ms. Reno has Parkinson's disease.

So how is she handling these touchy issues as she competes with three other candidates for the Democratic nomination and the right to take on Jeb Bush, the Republican governor and president's brother?

Mostly head on, often bringing up the issues on her own.

On a recent swing through southeast Florida, Ms. Reno said — volunteered — at one stop that while she suffered from "the shakes," as she called Parkinson's disease, she was basically in good health. Then, quoting what Stephen Hopkins is said to have declared as he signed the Declaration of Independence, she added, "My hand may tremble, but my heart does not."

She said she was not worried about a recent judge's ruling that she could be sued on grounds that excessive force was used in the González case. "I feel very comfortable with what I did," she said. "I sent that little boy to his daddy, where he belonged."

And Waco?

She said — volunteered, again — that it was clear after some federal agents were killed and wounded that there was no way to "walk away."

"If you want a governor that doesn't stand up, that walks away from problems, go find somebody else."

Ms. Reno is favored to win the Democratic nomination. But most polls have her trailing Mr. Bush.

Women Make Gains in State Leadership

Women continue to make significant progress in occupying leadership positions in state government.

They now hold 35 percent of such posts, up from 28 percent five years ago, a new survey by the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society at the State University of New York in Albany found.

Women hold 44 percent of top adviser jobs to governors, up four points, and they head 31 percent of state agencies, up seven points.

The top five states with women in leadership positions, in order, all within a point or so of 50 percent: Nevada, Florida, Oregon, Vermont and Massachusetts.

At the bottom: Louisiana, with less than 18 percent. Only a few points better: Oklahoma, South Dakota, Montana and Ohio.

Elizabeth Dole Wins Fame Game Easily

Next year's election in North Carolina to replace Senator Jesse Helms, a Republican who is retiring, is just starting. But this much is certain, a new poll conducted by Elon University found:

None of the hopefuls match Elizabeth Dole's favorable/unfavorable numbers (58 percent to 8 percent) or her name recognition (93 percent).

Closest is another Republican, Richard Vinroot, a former Charlotte mayor. His favorable/unfavorable percentages are 20 and 12. His name recognition is 75 percent.

Closest Democrat: Erskine Bowles, a former White House chief of staff, with favorable/unfavorable percentages of 11 and 4 and a name recognition of 40 percent.

Louisiana Governor Is No Jesse Ventura

Gov. Jesse Ventura of Minnesota may be a former Navy Seal, a former wrestler and an irrepressible political independent with a knack for staying in the limelight. But he says the better part of valor in this age of sneak-attack terror is to keep secret until the last moment where you will make your next appearance.

Gov. Mike Foster, left, of Louisiana, a Republican, agrees that these are dangerous times for public figures. But he doesn't hold with lying low.

So this was his message last week:

"I probably should be scared from time to time. But I'm not. Why so? Life is full of dangers. My help is well armed, and so am I. That's the best I can do. If somebody comes after us, we'll take a few with us."

[summer]

Instead of repeating Janet Reno's campaign rhetoric, this article's headline above should have focused on the 2nd story in this column, titled:

"Women Make Gains in State Leadership"

And, it should have announced that Jeb Bush is the governor helping women into top leadership positions, as he has quite a few women on his staff in top positions. And, now, Florida comes up ranking Number Two in the country in this important matter:

"The top five states with women in leadership positions, in order, all within a point or so of 50 percent: Nevada, Florida, Oregon, Vermont and Massachusetts."

[summer]

Bumping for index.

[Carolina]

When I read the title, I thought she was throwing her suitcases around to prove that her Parkinson's isn't troublesome.

Heh, heh, heh. I need to go to bed and get some sleep.

[backhoe]

-Reno for Guv? Recall *this* --

[summer]

Hi backhoe, thanks for your post and link. :)

[Lazamataz]

The NY Slimes can be counted on as the Janet Reno Amen Corner. But, since they are in New York and Florida is in Florida, they will have little impact.

[summer]

In all honesty, I think she will not only lose, but lose by the widest margin for a governor's race in FL history.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[muawiyah]

Janet should have spent much more time chasing down terrorists and much less time harrassing Cuban-American Republican voters.

This is a burden the public must be reminded of as they go to vote for Florida Governor.

[Piquaboy]

Of all these women, she is the prettiest. She use to use the NY Times for a sanitary napkin until she got to old.

[Lazamataz]

Of all these women, she is the prettiest. She use to use the NY Times for a sanitary napkin until she got to old.

Ewwww.

The thought of all that liberal newsprint tattooing your most private areas.... DOUBLE Ewwwww.

(Of course, Double-Ewwww is kinda close to Double-U, which is W, which is the sign for George W. Bush. So it all comes full circle.)

[DownWithGreenspan]

Perhaps, but don't forget to factor in a healthy, liberal (ha ha) dose of Massive Democratic Vote Fraud ®.

We may have the Cuban vote, but they've got the Dead Vote.

DWG

[summer]

You may be correct.

However, Jeb has the "Biker" vote, all because of that one helmet option law he passed.

That is a substantial voting body in this state. I really think one can win a statewide election in this particular state just on the "Biker" vote.

And, they love Jeb Bush.

[gridlock]

Janet Reno Hoists Her Baggage Handily

Yeah, those dead kids don't weigh so much if you burn them to a cinder first...

This woman should be in jail, not running for public office. The Clintonistas really have no shame.

[timydnuc]

The NY Slimes is an arm of the american communist party. Every day they prove this IN PRINT!. Save the archives for the trials!

[jmaroneps37]

With all that there is to worry about, that is of a genuine nature, having Janet Reno as the democrat challenging Jeb is a comforting thought. At least that's one race we don't have to worry about. Don't forget that her brother or cousin or whatever Robert Reno writers for the LA Times so we'll look for its unbiased coverage of the race.

[davidosborne]

Thanks again!

[summer]

LOL.........!

[summer]

FYI: See Post #18 -- very funny! :)