Gov. Bush, Giuliani speak to Florida firefighters [and, check out these 8 great photos!](AP)

AP ^ | June 4, 2002 | Mike Branom

[summer]

Gov Bush accepts an honorary membership from FL firefighters.


Jeb and Rudy share a victory handshake.


Gov Bush receives a gift from FL firefighters.
[Check out those JEB! tee-shirts on the firefighters!]

Gov. Bush, Giuliani speak to Florida firefighters

Tuesday, June 4, 2002

By MIKE BRANOM, Associated Press

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Gov. Jeb Bush, accompanied by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, won the endorsement of the state firefighters' union Monday.

The Florida Professional Firefighters backed Bush, the first endorsement announcement of his gubernatorial campaign. The FPF represents 16,500 members from more than 150 departments around the state.

"I've had the privilege of riding with some of you, and I know the perils of your job and the difficulties that you face," Bush told attendees at the group's 58th annual convention.

Bush is running for a second four-year term. If he defeats his Democratic opponent in November, he would be the first Republican to hold the state's top office for consecutive terms.

At the event, the firefighters' union credited Bush for improving retirement, disability and worker's compensation benefits.

"And we're most proud of the telephone call that came (from Bush) on Sept. 12," FPF president Bob Carver said. "And he said, 'Can I do anything for you?' That, I'm real proud of, that you thought of us."

Giuliani's presence was an added bonus for Bush. Giuliani is one of the country's most popular politicians, as Americans took solace in his steady leadership in New York City after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

"This man rose like a giant to show his leadership skills, his passion, his sensitivity, his enormous ability to lead people in a very, very difficult time," Bush said. "It was inspiring, for me, to watch him work."

Then it was Giuliani's turn to praise Bush. The former mayor told the assembled firefighters and emergency workers that Bush understands how exceptional they are, "both intuitively and substantively."

"A true leader, like your governor, respects that," Giuliani said.

Giuliani is constantly in demand by Republican candidates across the nation. Since being forced out of office by term limits in January, Giuliani has stumped for New York Gov. George Pataki, California gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Mike Fisher and Nevada congressional candidate Jon Porter.

"We get a lot of calls," Giuliani spokeswoman Sunny Mindel said.

Susan MacManus, a University of South Florida political science professor, said that the Bush campaign was wise to have the governor appear with two surefire political weapons: Giuliani and firefighters. She equated Giuliani's star power to that of a "Super Bowl quarterback"

"It's a two-for-one," MacManus said. "You don't have those opportunities very often."

Ryan Banfill, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party, said the FPF's endorsement of Bush came as no surprise, considering that the union also backed him in 1998.

"They're just doing what they've done before," Banfill said. "I don't think it's breaking any new ground."

Earlier Monday, Bush and Giuliani appeared at a private $1,000-a-plate fund-raiser, which raised about $150,000 to the Republican Party of Florida.


Gov Bush arriving to FL firefighters' convention.


Gov Bush with FL firefighters.


Gov Bush and Guiliani on panel.


Gov. Bush speaks to firefighters.


NYC's former mayor endorses FL's fabulous governor.

[summer]

Re your post #55 - BTTT! :)

[summer]

RE your post #58 - LOL... :)

[summer]

Joe, I never saw this one before! LOL...mafree and FV, FYI! :)

[floriduh voter]

Jeb the dancin' machine... Do they have sound there too? Woo hoo!

[floriduh voter]

PINELLAS COUNTY IS JEB COUNTRY!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the ping and the pics, Joe. Gary Aldrich wonders why certain key players were missing from the Senate investigations this week:

Come to think of it, where’s Janet Reno in the current lineup? Didn’t she run the Justice Department for eight years while the FBI atrophied and the INS and other agencies under her control got out of control? Perhaps she could drive her little red truck up here from Florida and lend some help in finding out why this terror has happened to us.
Where's Waldo. (^:

[summer]

LOL...

[Concentrate]

bump.

[summer]

bttt

[mafree]

Kewl- GO JEB! DANCE JEB!