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."

[bulldog905]

Interesting. Nice to read something positive about Jeb. It's possible had he not lost the 1994 race, he would have
been the 2000 GOP nominee.

I have never subscribed to the theory that conservatives cannot be concerned about the enviroment. Of course we
are.

Recently the enviro-nazis put a compost recycling plant about 1 mile from my house. It stinks like hell and is making
things unpleasant.

Somebody is making a buck stinking up my enviroment, by saying recyling is "good for the enviroment".

I, like most sensible individuals, are all for the "enviroment", as long as it is remembered that humans are a important
part of the enviroment, too.

[R. Scott]

Many environmentalist have a knee-jerk reaction to voting; Democrat good, Republican bad. I saves them the hassle of actually having to think.
Al Gore followed a standard (fortunately not universal) political tactic – if you can't say what they want to hear, say nothing.

[summer]

BTTT to your great post #361. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here, bulldog905.

[summer]

Another BTTT -- to your thought-provoking post #362. And, I agree with you, R.Scott, that the GOP has been saddled with a bad rap on the environment, though here in FL, I think it undeserved because of Gov. Bush's leadership. But Gore deserved to lose FL on this issue. I think that's why there were never the protests on Election 2000 that the Dem leaders had hoped. Some FL Dem voters were relieved and very glad Gore lost.

[WSGilcrest]

A star bump for you, Summer!

[packrat01]

I think your next career may be in local politics.

A Dogcatcher Bump!

[summer]

LOL! :)

[summer]

Re your post #365 -- WSGilcrest, you're just melting my heart here... :)!

[Edward Shaw]

There can't be too many forums that would embrace the notion Bush's environmental policies are friendlier than Gore's; maybe this site ought to be renamed Free Rein.
Coincidence that this post appears the same week it was announced drillers would begin seismic testing this week in the Big Cypress Swamp? The Big Cypress Swamp, no less -- remember that place from travelogues that used to promote Florida travel in the 1950's? I doubt too many of today's Floridians have ever heard of it. People come to Florida today to experience Disneyland and go to the Orlando Civic Center -- what do they care about some swamp? On those topics, by the way, here's a rather dull subject: parking. Naw, let's not.
The Bush governorship, indeed, the Bush presidency, may be summed up in one word: oil. That's why the first thing Jeb did upon raking office was commence rollback of the Everglades Restoration (yes, that explains the current fanfare) and, the second was to torpedo the high speed train, an initiative that was put into place, by the way, by public referendum. Any idea of how hard it is to get a referendum through, especially in Florida? Now Jeb is going to put a measure on the ballot to repeal that referendum.
Before the celebration ended, another historic event occurred: Jeb's brother took the White House, and we got another round of energy interest legislation, only, this time the public began to balk, in large numbers. (Where's Dick Cheney, by the way? The guy's like a ghost. He didn't even show up through the fainting. At least he could send us a tape once and a while.)
Anyway, like I say, after a few months of President Bush, the public started to make some serious noise about this roughshod environmental team. It's in the polls, on the record. This all got Jeb back out with a brand new look.
Suddenly he emerged as not only the public school students' friend (another story) but a nature lover, as well. To sum it up, this guy's no Teddy Roosevelt.
Then, 9-11 came along; and the whole landscape changed.
In my opinion, the thing that hallmarks the Bush team more than anything else, and I think this could apply to New Right agenda, in general, is the absence of open discussion and debate before most of these things become done deals. It's gotten to the point where we just pick up the paper and read about what was done yesterday.

[summer]

ES, thanks for bumping the thread. And, FYI, here is some more great news, from my perspective as a FL voter, that came out after I wrote this editorial --

Bush Brothers Agree: Ecosystem Comes First [Jeb and GW win praise from FL voters on Everglades]

[summer]

Also, this article is quite interesting:

Collision Course [The real reason Al Gore lost FL in 2000 - forget Palm Beach and hanging chads...]

[summer]

And, BTW, IMO, and based on facts I have read, your alleged facts are incorrect. But, thanks for posting! :)

[okiedust]

Well done. Bump.

regards

[summer]

Thanks, okiedust! I sincerely appreciate the time you spent to read my editorial and bump it! :)

[Johnny Shear]

Bump for a great article!!!

[summer]

Wow, thanks, Johnny Shear! :)!

[beowolf]

I just want to know what y'all did with A+bert? He was definitely part of the Florida ecology....fauna or flora, noone ever really knew!

Should I ask the Ft. Myers Police Department, or the Florida Corrections Department?!-)

[summer]

LOL....I have no idea. Sorry, beowolf. :)

[Achilleus66]

Excellent. Big Achaean BUMP!!!!

[summer]

Thanks, Achilleus66! :)