Jeb Bush rips Davis for state of budget [Jeb in San Diego slamming CA Gov Davis]

The San Diego Union Tribune ^ | June 21, 2002 | Philip J. LaVelle

[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.

[summer]

I notice the best the CA gov's office could do in response was to criticize GW's budget -- but not Jeb's FL budget.

[summer]

FYI.

[Dawgsquat]

I'd be kinda pi$$ed if some other Gov came into my State and started slamming our Gov. Even if he is a Dim. But that's just me I guess.

[Dakmar]

bump :)

[TwoStep]

**Mega Bump**

[JohnEBoy]

If you are a conservative Republican, you should stand for fiscal responsibility. Calling someone down who has allowed a state budget to go up to 30 billion in deficit and saying do not elect him again, is entirely appropriate. Facts is facts.

[Jagdgewehr]

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.

Well, she knows where the money lives.

[usadave]

"Wow," Salazar said facetiously when told of Bush's comments. "Was he referring to Gray Davis or George Bush?"

Ha, ha, ha.

Gray Davis.

[Dakmar]

"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.

Well, there is that opinion from al~ Californio Espaniopolis, but its only whiny little teenage socialists that get attention. I always lived in Indiana and dint give a crap one way or the other until I realised they were making fun of me for my race, instead of my inflammatory veiws on orthopeadic surgery and proper oral hygiene.

[summer]

I don't know. Gov Bush has quite a few fans in CA, judging from my freepmail. And, frankly, as the brother of the president, Gov Bush endures all kinds of criticism from people having nothing to do with FL. So, I don't think he's so out of bounds here. He was at a breakfast addressing his CA supporters. What's he going to say? Vote for Gray?

[Dawgsquat]

Is Jeb running for Gov of California? I'm confused! LOL!!!

[summer]

Nope, but someday Jeb may run for president...you never know what will happen in 2008!

[Dawgsquat]

Perhaps. I'm just not a big fan of outside money playing a part in electing a State Gov. If I were a Floridian I would wonder whose interest he has at heart, theirs or the big donors from out of State.

[summer]

I think he has raised more money in FL than the other candidates combined. Also, if in fact he is thinking about a 2008 presidential run, nothing wrong with saying hello to your CA supporters now. I don't think he did anything wrong here. Of course, I know some people will criticize his actions no matter what he does! LOL... :)

[summer]

In addition, I actually think he could win CA. His brother GW may never win it, but, I think Gov Bush could. IMO, Gov. Bush is very different than his brother in ways that would appeal to CA's swing and independent voters.

[goodieD]

GW had Clinton's deficit to start with..Davis had a large surplus that he pi$$ed away, big, big difference.

[summer]

And -- those voters for Gov Bush would be in addition to all the conservatives out in CA.

[Constitution Scholar]

2008, I want to see Hillary run against Jeb. That's going to look interesting in the history books.

[summer]

That's going to be another landslide in Gov Bush's favor. First Ms. Reno, and in 2008, whoever wants to lose to him if he does run...

[LarryLied]

LOL!