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."

[Brett66]

Excellent comments. Jeb cowtowed to the envirals, but they will demand their pound of flesh in the future. He's playing with fire and it won't be long until he gets burned.

[whoever]

Thanks again for putting all this together in one place. It makes it so simple to join in the campaign.

[MeekOneGOP]

If you have a moment, please bump this thread so others will see it too. Thanks! :)

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Bump for President Bush's Bro Jeb!

[MeekOneGOP]

Here, Summer. Let me help you. . .

Attention Florida DIMocRAT voters! You can have this for your next Governor. . .

http://community.webshots.com/storage/1/v1/8/72/40/5187240XbKVdyYsFn_ph.jpg

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OR you can have this!(barf alert). . .

http://www.joebrower.com/PHILE_PILE/PIX/EVIL_PEOPLE/Reno_Janet/reno_drool.jpg

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It's really pretty simple folks! :o)

[curmudgeonII]

Ideal GOP ticket in 2004:

Bush & Bush

[summer]

Yes, as your photos suggest -- these televised debates will surely be a sight! :)

[summer]

curmudgeon, I think we need Gov. Bush to stay in FL for an entire 2nd term! :)

[summer]

Thanks again for putting all this together in one place. It makes it so simple to join in the campaign.

whoever, it's really my pleasure, especially when I know you find this info so useful to your own efforts. Thank YOU! :)

[summer]

MeeknMing, thank you, always, for your enthusiastic support, and for taking the time to add photos to this thread! :)

[summer]

...Jeb cowtowed to the envirals, but they will demand their pound of flesh in the future. He's playing with fire and it won't be long until he gets burned.

Brett, I don't think so. The environment is a major issue in Florida, because not only is it unique and precious, but this state has a tremendous amount of population growth. We now have two additional electoral votes as a result of the last census. Consequently, the development of new homes and buildings and roads seems to never stop.

Gov. Bush's opposition loves to portray him solely as a former real estate developer, and tries to convince voters he has done nothing positive to preserve FL's environment. And, that's simply not true. He is balancing both growth and preservation -- not an easy tightrope to walk, especially down here.

[summer]

I find it interesting that the Governor bucked his own party to take the actions he did. I think it shows independent thought, and not blind adherence to the party line.

I like that, but, as you know, I consider myself to be a loyal republican voter who doesn't always agree with the party line myself...

Tonto, that was my reaction as well -- I was impressed that Gov. Bush was willing to do what he thinks is right, even when his own party disagrees.

And, as to your other comments, I find it fascinating what you said, because someone the other day was telling me almost the same thing -- he said he would rather vote for a Dem in certain instances, if the GOP candidate is a "real jerk" as sometimes is the case. Yet, he is a card-carrying member of the GOP, and strongly supports those GOP candidates he does like. But he doesn't like them all. Nor do I.

Thanks so much for your comments, Tonto. I always look forward to hearing from you! :)

[summer]

I so appreciate your support on this thread. Thanks! :)

[summer]

LOL....well, now, Janet Reno's website has a place for you to make suggestions, Landru -- though I don't think they'll be hiring you as a consultant any time soon...LOL...

[summer]

Re your post #17 -- DoughtyOne, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insgihts, opinions and concerns. You made so many interesting and thoughtful comments. I have to take more time to ponder what you said before I respond. But again, thanks. Sincerely, summer :)

[summer]

I meant to type: insights...

[summer]

And, BTW, DoughtyOne, what you said below was exactly the intended point of my editorial here:

The emphasis of your comments seemed to be that the dems might have forgotten that Gore had abandoned environmental issues, thus a rememberance would find dems voting for a republican. That could bear out.

[The Old Hoosier]

I have to disagree. Here we have a case of the environment being taken care of on the state level, just as it should be.

[Landru]

"...though I don't think they'll be hiring you as a consultant any time soon..."

Dear summer;
Such an overt, blatant act smacks of exclusion.
Why -- why these are Democrats we speak of, here!!
~Would they do that?
Practice exclusion in an inclusionary world; of their making??
I dunno...
I'm deeply troubled by all this, doll.

...Leftist political heresy, "is" a very serious matter, young Lady; & don'tcha forget it, either!! ;^)

-BTTT-

[summer]

BTTT to your post #37! :)

[summer]

Hmmm...OK, you've made me re-think my position here!

Perhaps you have a case -- and, maybe that's why Dems are always promoting my threads on DU! Let's say it's because they are truly interested in other points of view, and would consider hiring you as a political consultant, Landru, so as not to exclude anyone.

However, Landru, between you and me, I'm not betting any of my money on this proposition. LOL... :)