Jeb Bush Rivals Face Uphill Battle [WA Post: "we have a train wreck waiting to happen."]

The Washington Post ^ | Aug 24, 2002 | Ken Thomas

[summer]

Jeb Bush Rivals Face Uphill Battle

By Ken Thomas
Associated Press Writer
Saturday, August 24, 2002

MIAMI -- The 2002 governor's race was supposed to be payback time for Florida Democrats.

....

But in the waning days before the Sept. 10 [Dem] primary, the Democratic field offers uncertainty on how to challenge a well-heeled incumbent enjoying above-average approval ratings, who is trying to become the first Republican to earn re-election since Reconstruction.

"I think it's going to be a very, very, very hard job for Democrats to beat Jeb Bush," said Charles Whitehead, a former state Democratic party chairman.

....

"I think we've been put in a very difficult position in the state," said state Rep. Bob Henriquez, a Tampa Democrat. "Because the scenario most Democrats understand is that we have a train wreck waiting to happen in the Democratic primary."

....

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Note to FR -- Some new photos you may have missed:


Governor Bush speaks to crowd on the USS Kennedy upon
its return from deployment in the Middle East.


Gov Bush visits military personnel returning from Afghanistan.


Governor Bush shows off new t-shirt from the USS John F. Kennedy.


Lt. Governor Brogan visits with veterans at VFW Post in Jacksonville.


Lt Gov Borgan with vets.


Lt Gov Brogan at a GOP Rally in Nassau County, FL.


Gov Bush talks with FL elementary students.


Gov Bush lifts student for a 'helicopter ride' in the air.


Gov Bush receives a warm welcome from educators in Kissimmee, FL.

[YaYa123]

What a great, upbeat-good news thread!!

The Florida democrats should slap Reno silly, and we should send her flowers...or are we, once again, premature in our positive assessments? I do get angry when we throw our shoulders out of joint from patting ourselves on the back. That's akin to our other fault, telegraphing our strategy. Democrats will always use slip ups like that to their best advantage...and we never seem to learn our lesson.

[summer]

What a great, upbeat-good news thread!!

BTTT! Thanks for your post, YaYa123 -- and remember: sometimes the glass really is half-full. :)

[YaYa123]

Wish I had a list of all the governor races that are up this year. I've heard talking heads predict democrats will win most of them.

For the first time in ages, I'm beginning to think Georgia's demo governor Roy Barnes might be in trouble, that Sonny Perdue just might be able to squeak out a win, and oh how sweet that would be!

[summer]

BTW, Check out this AP article re: Gov Bush meeting with the PTA (Parent-Teacher-Association) at their state conference this summer.

He received "a standing ovation" from this group -- who does not always agree with Gov. Bush on education. For more info, CLICK HERE.

[summer]

An excerpt from the link in my post #64 --

Bush speaks to state PTA conference; touts education policies

Saturday, July 13, 2002

By MITCH STACY, Associated Press

TARPON SPRINGS — Gov. Jeb Bush found a friendly crowd Friday at a conference of state PTA members, where he said improving reading skills at all grade levels would be a top priority if he is re-elected.

Some teachers and administrators have been critical of Bush's strict school accountability policies, but he was greeted with a standing ovation from the more than 2,000 gathered at the opening of the Florida Parent Teacher Association Leadership Conference.

"He has listened to us on the PTA," state President Patty Hightower said....

[summer]

Re post #63 -- For the first time in ages, I'm beginning to think Georgia's demo governor Roy Barnes might be in trouble...

I have not been keeping up as much with other gov races -- Amelia, any thoughts on the GA gov race?

[summer]

Let's hope it's Jeb in 2008 for Prez. He would be great and would surely defeat any RAT including her heinous.

If it does turn out to be Gov Jeb Bush vs. Senator Hillary Clinton in 2008, here's my prediction:

Senator Clinton, while she will bask in tons of media attention for running a historic race as the first woman seeking the highest office in this country, will not be able to appeal to voters who rarely or never vote Dem.

By contrast, Gov. Jeb Bush will appeal to many voters in urban areas and elsewhe, meaninig, those who rarely or never vote GOP.

And, he will win it.

[summer]

and elsewhe, meaninig, = and elsewhere, meaning...

[summer]

When Jeb becomes President and you are his Karen Hughes would you put in a word for me? I want to head the Department of Education (but I'll take Health and Human Services if he has someone else in mind).

LOL....I doubt I will ever be his Karen Hughes, because as an independent, I will never be "in" with the GOP!

Now, as for you heading the Dept of Education - well, I think you should head a certain division of it: one that invesitgates teachers and makes sure no teacher is violating ethics codes. You would be good at that! Oh, BTW - an interesting tidbit in the NYT. I'll post it for you.

[Amelia]

Conventional wisdom has it that King Roy is unbeatable.

That said, no one I know of plans to vote for him - they're all voting the "ANYONE but Barnes" ticket.

But we're in South Georgia, and the Atlanta area generally decides these things.

[YaYa123]

You're right, Atlanta usually decides the governor's race, but that's why this year might be different,at least as predicted by some talking heads, even on election night.

They say Cynthia McKinney and Daddy are royally pissed the party ran away from her, and they will probably hold a grudge by not getting out the vote in November. Talking heads think that will really hurt Barnes.

[summer]

Well, I can't find that tidbit online, but I read it in the hard copy of today's NYT, in the inside page of the Week in Review - S. Redstone, Viacom's CEO, 79 years old, is getting married to: a 41 year old NYC school teacher who teaches 1st grade. And, "she's lovely" he says. But, he has already made it clear: she will not get one dime upon his death, beause he is leaving all his money to his kids.

I had mixed feelings about this -- on one hand, it was refreshing to read about some wealthy guy who is NOT marrying an Anna Nicole Smith/gold digger/bimbo/ex-stripper/ex-hooker; but, on the other hand: Geesh, teachers DO have it rough. If you are good and kind your whole life, the best you can expect from your billionaire husband who you actually love is: ZERO. You'd be better off marrying a plumber.

[summer]

who = whom

[summer]

Thanks for your comments, here, Amelia. It'll be interesting to see what happens in GA. I was rather surprised to see Cindy McKinney get kicked out by voters -- I thought she was representing her constituents by making all those stupid comments she made about 9-11 (Bush knew, etc).

[Amelia]

They say Cynthia McKinney and Daddy are royally pissed the party ran away from her, and they will probably hold a grudge by not getting out the vote in November. Talking heads think that will really hurt Barnes.

Hey, that sounds like a two-fer to me! Get rid of McKinney AND Barnes!

[YaYa123]

Maybe even a three-fer. Daddy McKinney's in a run-off.

[cubreporter]

Yes, and we have a red truck too. Ours is a classic. By the way, wasn't janet and some other people supposed to go ALL OVER THE COUNTRY in her "little red truck?" Whatever happened to that plan? Always talk no action, EXCEPT when it came to stealing little Elian from the FREEDOM OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Then she took action alright and sent him back to a communist country. Shame always on you Janet Reno. This is one you will never, ever live down nor should you. You were wrong, wrong, wrong.

[HardStarboard]

>>>I wonder if Reno has written her concession speech yet. <<<

Her concession speech was her record as Attorney General of the United States of America.

[summer]

LOL...very clever.

[summer]

Hi cubreporter, I don't know what happened with that plan. Frankly, since she hasn't lived in the state for ten years, I was surprised she was able to find her way around on the ground. In any event, with respect to this upcoming Dem Primary, I think here's where we're at in FL: