The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 8: Why Some FL Dem Voters May "Never Forget" -- and, vote for Jeb

Various information throughout article, including newest announcement here ^ | Jan. 9, 2001 | summer

[summer]

The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 8: Why Some FL Dem Voters May "Never Forget" -- and, vote for Jeb

Written by summer - a former Dem, now an independent, and a FL-certified teacher



One of FL's many beautiful rivers

A subject usually taught by elementary teachers throughout this country is state history. And, here in FL, teachers also spend time teaching their students about FL's unique and beautiful natural environment.

I was thinking about this recently, after someone tried to convince me to vote for a Dem candidate for FL governor this year. It seems to me that person's reasoning can be summed up as follows:

Something happened in FL during Election 2000 -- and FL voters should "never forget."

I would like to tell this person something truly did happen only in FL during Election 2000. And, FL voters most concerned about FL's environment may in fact remember such events.

Election 2000 was the year Gov. Jeb Bush announced his controversial decision to restore FL's Ocklawaha River. His announcement followed 25 years of FL voters fighting to remove a dam to restore this river's natural run. As soon as he publicly took a stand, FL environmentalists loudly praised him, according to this Jacksonville newspaper article:

…Environmentalists cheered Bush's recent announcement and said it should speed up their 25-year effort to remove the dam and restore the natural run of the Ocklawaha, a tributary of the St. Johns River.

"With this governor's leadership, we think that will make all the difference," said David White, an attorney with the Center for Marine Conservation….

The aforementioned article also discusses how some members of the FL governor's own political party were against the FL environmentalists on this issue - and, against Gov. Jeb Bush's decision.

But, as is often the case, sometimes an individual has to take a stand. Even if he stands alone.

Meanwhile during 2000, these same FL environmentalists were waiting -- and waiting -- for Al Gore to speak out.

They wanted to hear what Gore had to say about the following controversial environment question: Should the old USA Homestead Airforce Base near Miami be developed into a commercial airport - and, thereby, potentially threaten the Everglades? What was Al Gore's public position?

To the shock and disappointment of FL environmentalists, Al Gore would not take a stand. He offered them nothing but silence. These stunned FL voters realized they could not count on Dem leadership to support FL's environment in this highly publicized battle they'd fought since 1994 against developers and Dade County.

Then came November 2000. And -- big surprise in FL! Why?

Well, according to National Public Radio, some of these FL environmentalists remembered Gore's silence. And, once again, these FL voters took a stand --- and, took their vote elsewhere. Here's how one FL voter interviewed by NPR explained her vote in Election 2000:

"I think that if Al Gore had taken a stand on (the Homestead Airport), I might have considered being part of that 50 percent margin that left Nader at the last minute and went and voted for Gore."

Hillary Gerber
Ralph Nader supporter

This FL voter's comments were originally broadcast on Nov. 24, 2000, as part of NPR's "Living on Earth" series The title of this radio news documentary was:

"Did Al Gore's silence on the controversy over plans to build a major airport near the Everglades cost him crucial votes in Florida?"

According to a FL environmental activist website known as "no airport"you can listen to this archived broadcast by visiting the Living on Earth website.

The longtime controversy over future use of the Homestead Airforce Base came to a close as the legal battles were dropped in 2001. Shortly thereafter, a federal report sided with FL environmentalists, and found the proposed commercial airport would indeed threaten the Everglades. According to this subsequent Dec. 2001 Miami editorial, FL voters can thank the US AirForce for putting the "nail in the coffin" of the Homestead airport proposal. Dade County will now develop the Homestead Airforce base in a different manner-- one that is environmentally sound.

As we move into a new election in 2002, FL voters devoted to preserving FL's natural environment will no doubt take into account Gov. Jeb Bush's on-going, outstanding record on environmental issues. To review his environmental record , click here.

I can't help but wonder if the person who tried to influence my vote will ever realize that some FL voters may also recall Election 2000 in terms of the Dem's non-existent leadership.

By contrast, in another part of FL during that same year, FL's current GOP governor decided to let a river run.
He took a stand.

Perhaps Dem Party leaders should be careful what they wish for in this upcoming 2002 election, as they call on FL voters to remember 2000.

Some FL voters - including environmentalists and educators -- may again take their vote elsewhere if, in fact, they "never forget."

[packrat01]

A "Get Smart", bump.

Missed it by || that much.

[summer]

LOL....thanks, packrat01! :)

[Norb2569]

Our local Newpaper, the Florida Times-Union has front page story this morning about a plot to kill Jeb Bush, but when I searched the website there is NOTHING!!

Something is really strange about this... anyone else sense this?

[Norb2569]

PING to #143

[Rockinfreakapotamus]

Floriduh PING )))))))

[summer]

Rockin, thank you so much! If you could freepmail that list to Ragtime Cowgirl, maybe she can ping that list in the future since she is right here in FL! I truly appreciate your help here. RC, FYI. :)

[summer]

RE your post #143 -- it's the lead story on Drudge right now, and the article is in the Miami Herald. Also, there was a whole thread on it last night here on FR. Everything is OK.

[summer]

JH2, see my post #147 to Norb.

[summer]

Re post #143 and #144:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/605849/posts

[Rockinfreakapotamus]

Ideal GOP ticket in 2004: Bush & Bush

Actually, I see that for 2006. I forsee Jeb winning this year's re-election and then Cheney stepping down for supposed "health reasons" in 2006/early 2007. There won't really be anything wrong with him, but it is a publicaly believable excuse to set-up the stratagery. Florida has to elect a new goernor in '06 anyway, right?

Then the stage will be set with Bush/Bush heading into 2008 with incumbent Vice President Jeb Bush on the GOP ticket vs. the hildabeast on the RAT ticket. Remember, it was articulate Jeb who was in the original family plan to follow dad for the presidency. Just my HO.

[AmishDude]

Bumpity bump. This is one of the best I've read yet, summer. I don't know enough about the subject to say whether or not I would have agreed with Jeb's conclusions -- but this is a "character counts" bump.

[Mudboy Slim]

Here's my "Butch Reno Shall Not Run Fer Guv'nah" BTTT...MUD

[summer]

Actually, several posters on this forum have suggested the winning GOP tiket is Jeb Bush / Condi Rice for 2008, as we FL voters intend to keep Gov. Jeb Bush here in FL as long as we can! :)

[summer]

This is one of the best I've read yet, summer.

Thank you so much for saying that, AmishDude -- I agree with you, and I am trying to improve my writing on each one. Maybe the next one will be even better! BTW, thanks for the character bump for Gov. Bush. I'm with you on that, too/. :)

[summer]

Thanks, MS! :)

[Rockinfreakapotamus]

RE: suggested the winning GOP tiket is Jeb Bush / Condi Rice for 2008

I believe I've already commented on that in a previous post. Jeb/somebody, but not Condoleeza Rice. Trust me, it ain't gonna happen. The swing/cross-over voters are all-important and they won't go for her. Period. Sorry, but that's politics. Not to seem chauvenistic, but a woman in the hot seat just won't sell in these trying times of world terrorism and serious threat to our well being.

I'm not saying she's not capable, just that that she won't sell to the middle percentile of who's votes are crucial.

[summer]

Well, you are in a minority on that one -- everyone else LOVED that ticket! :)

[lodwick]

bumpity

[packrat01]

M&M and e-s; for submission to your ping lists.

[summer]

Thanks, lodwick! :)