08/22/2002 Archived Entry: "McBride's got Momentum on his Side"
The last couple of weeks in Florida before the Sept 10th primary are going to be heating up the race for Governor. On Monday, the McBride-for-governor ads started playing on TV:
In 30 seconds, the spots will promote his education views and tell McBride's story: He was the son of a television repairman in Leesburg, won a football scholarship to attend the University of Florida, relinquished his scholarship after he hurt his knee and ended up working his way through school. He was accepted to law school but left early to join the Marines and fought in Vietnam, returned to Florida to finish his law studies, took a job with Holland & Knight and rose to lead the law firm in Tampa. His two children attend public schools, and he has coached their Little League teams.
Sounds good enough to have the Jeb Bush team worried --Republicans target McBride in ad attack-- and in response, McBride may turn focus to Bush.
Without a doubt, education is going to be the major campaign issue. Not only because Bush campaigned on it as his central issue in 1998, and McBride is doing the same in 2002. The self-proclaimed ''initiative governor'' is going to find himself campaign against smaller classrooms this fall, and defending the continual testing that has been initiated throughout the state. Republican Party Chairman Al Cárdenas's Aug. 12 column, Class-size amendment flawed offers a do-nothing, status quo on-the-defensive argument against which the supporters will argue why voters must support smaller class size.
The poll numbers I saw on the amendment had it pegged at +70% support for the class size to be capped. Republicans will be able to lower the support numbers, but defeat it? I wouldn't bet against this amendment chances to pass. I can't imagine that this is the debate the Bush team wanted the election framed within, but I know the McBride team does.
Jones, McBride, and Reno debate next Tuesday.
Replies: 4 comments
Although I dont know much about the Democratic Primary candidates for Florida Governor, except Reno, I just hope to God they dont go after each other, If they just debate the issues kindly, it will show the unity we need to take on brother bush jr.. That way the Democratic nominee will be able to take on bushie boy in November.
One down one to go...folks!!!
Posted by Real Michaud @ 08/22/2002 08:26 AM PST
one thing about class size -
The Dems never bring it up, and now, neither does the GOP. In order to lower class size (read: get more teachers)the qualifications must be lowered. In GA, one only had to take a two week course to be qualified to teach at some levels. How is that helping kids?
Also, families are simply having more kids and living in fewer areas, thereby making the population of school kids much, much higer. This is not some sinister act by a political group, its a natural fact.
Its just like socail security. Part of the debate never mentioned is that people simply live much longer these days than they did 60 years ago, thereby requiring more money in the kitty.
Those are two simple facts that BOTH parties ignore b/c there is nothing htye can do aboutit, but they change the situation greatly.
Posted by JIMGAGOP @ 08/23/2002 06:33 AM PST
While I despise Jeb, and tend to think that McBride has a better chance of success in the general election than Reno, the fact is that McBride has a slim chance of winning the nomination and has not yet resonated with the electorate in any significant way. In any other race, we would be writing off the chances of a candidate in McBride's position. Although Reno obviously has obstacles to overcome to win the general election, she is still clearly in the driver's seat for the primary. I just hope that I don't hear McBride supporters continue this "Janet can't win" mantra if, in fact, Reno wins the primary. No matter which way it goes, we all must come together to have a prayer against Bush.
Posted by SVDem @ 08/23/2002 09:57 AM PST
Agreed SVDem. I live in Florida and haven't decided who to support in the primary. But whoever wins I will be out working hard to get them elected over "Jebalya".
Posted by Ced @ 08/23/2002 10:06 AM PST
