Posted on 06/21/2002 6:00:24 PM PDT by summer
Jeb Bush rips Davis for state of budget
President's brother on fund-raising trip
By Philip J. LaVelle
STAFF WRITER
June 21, 2002
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush yesterday blamed Gray Davis for California's record $23.6 billion budget shortfall and told a San Diego audience it would be "unconscionable" for the Democratic governor to be re-elected in November.
Bush's remarks, denounced by the Davis campaign, were made during a breakfast at the U.S. Grant Hotel, one of several stops on his fund-raising swing through California.
"Don't let Gray Davis talk about how his $23 billion, or soon-to-be $30 billion, budget deficit somehow is because of osmosis or some third party that came down and made this happen," the Republican governor told about 280 listeners, most of whom paid $150 to $500 to attend the breakfast.
"It would be unconscionable to allow a guy who has mismanaged a budget of the magnitude of California's . . . to be re-elected for four years," said Bush, who is seeking re-election in his home state.
Florida is coming out of a budget crisis of its own, albeit one less severe than that in California, where the total proposed budget is $98.9 billion.
Bush signed a $50.2 billion state budget this month after slashing reserves and cutting $107 million in projects sought by legislators. Yesterday, Bush said Florida's budget is projected to grow modestly in the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Davis campaign press secretary Roger Salazar said Bush is in no position to criticize Davis on fiscal affairs, especially since the federal deficit has ballooned to more than $100 billion.
"Wow," Salazar said facetiously when told of Bush's comments. "Was he referring to Gray Davis or George Bush?"
Citing offshore oil drilling as an example, Salazar said Florida has benefited from having the governor's brother in the White House. The Bush Administration recently agreed to buy back oil leases off Florida but not off California.
"If we in California were as lucky as Jeb Bush was in getting favors from the federal government, we'd be a lot better off," Salazar said.
Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, vying for the Democratic nomination in the Florida gubernatorial contest, is scheduled for a Del Mar fund raiser Tuesday. Admission to that event, closed to the media, reportedly ranges from $1,000 to $25,000.
"There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots. What is it? Distrust." -- Demosthenes: Philippic 2, sect. 24
ROTFLMAO! This was the best Davis' spokesman could come up with?!? Heck, I'm surprised he didn't throw a "Neener neener!" in there somewhere.
I love it as a Floridian.The donors for Reno have been imported from NY and CA.It is fun to see the tables turned.LOL
Go Jeb & Go Simon.
Reno's attendee's -------..........."reportedly ranges from $1,000 to $25,000".
Anybody need an explaination?
GO JEB!!
He should have been impeached. Failing that, diselected this year will work for me.
Davis is just a victim, the Demoncrat's plead!
We will accept any help coming to California to help us take out the Manure in Sacramento!
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