Governor Gets High Marks In Survey Of Florida Voters [Mason Dixon: FL voters still love Jeb]

tbo.com (Tampa Tribune) via sayfiereview.com ^ | March 30, 3006 | William March

[summer]

...In the poll, voters give Jeb Bush a record high rating for his performance as governor. But they disagree with one of his top educational priorities: By a slim majority, they want to maintain class size limits passed in a 2002 referendum, which Bush wants to revise.

Voters agree with the governor by a plurality, however, on another of his educational goals - reinstating the statewide private school tuition voucher program, which was struck down by the state Supreme Court.

...The poll, done by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. for the Tribune and News Channel 8, tapped the opinions of 625 registered Florida voters in telephone interviews March 21-23. The error margin is 4 percentage points.

Bush got "excellent" or "good" ratings on his job performance from 63 percent, and 37 percent said "only fair" or "poor." That matches his previous high in this poll in June 2000.

Polls done earlier by Strategic Vision Inc., a Republican-oriented political polling company in Atlanta, and Quinnipiac University have shown similar or slightly lower approval ratings for Bush, though all indicate his response to last year's hurricanes boosted his popularity.

Coker said voters also say Bush "has put a lot of emphasis on education, though they may not agree with everything he's put on the table."...

[summer]

More headlines about this recent poll can be found on the sayfiereview.com One of the articles reported Gov Jeb Bush has always had an approval rating of at least 52% throughout the eight years he's been in office.

IMO, that is pretty spectacular for a GOP governor who has stuck to his conservative principles in a state with more hurricanes and education reforms than any other state, and more registered Dems than GOP voters.

[summer]

Even my favorite Dem site won some kudos from me today, when they respectfully referred to Gov Jeb Bush as "Gov Bush" instead of the derogatory terms they often use so needlessly. The Dem site was apparently in awe of Gov Bush for being ethical enough to know and state that there may have been improper conduct in the investigation of a recent boot camp matter. The Dem site headline was this:

Gov. Bush: Official Shouldn't Have E-Mailed with a county sheriff while the state investigated the death of a teenager who was punched and kicked by guards at the county's boot camp 3/30

This is a far cry from their usual: "Jeb's Florida [whatever derogatory remarks they write next]"

The article the Dem site was linking is in today' Washington Post HERE.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[the invisib1e hand]

I love Jeb too. But Florida is a wreck. It's a virtual police state yet seems to lack the brass to prevent some sick lawyers from starving a disabled woman.

[I still care]

The St Petersberg Times is deeply saddened to hear this.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

I'm sure you're right. :)

[goldstategop]

Most of the Dems in Florida are conservatives who haven't switched to the GOP. We're going to see another Republican Governor elected in the Sunshine State this November.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[summer]

It will be very interesting to see what happens in November.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Coop]

But Florida is a wreck.

O-tay 'Panky!

[Joe Brower]

Florida Freeper

I'm compiling a list of FReepers interested in Florida-related topics.
If you want to be added, please FReepMail me.

[Joe Boucher]

Good job summer, keep spreading the good word on Jeb and the job he's doing here in Florida.

[summer]

Thanks, Joe. The GOP really has a winner in this governor. :)

[Joe Boucher]

I don't think he'll do well in national politics, folks tired of bush's.
Too bad though. I do believe the young Bush that is I beleive Jebs son might someday have a chance.

[summer]

I don't know, Joe. People in Florida would certainly vote for him for national office if he ran in 2012, and they're the voters who know him best.

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Clintonfatigued]

It's too bad that Jeb Bush is burned out on public life.

[summer]

I don't think he's burned out at all. I think he could easily win another term or two or three as FL gov. But, there's term limits. And he seems to love his job.

But I do think he recognizes there is a burn-out factor on the national stage associated with his name. So, he will wait 4 years. That's just my opinion.

[Clintonfatigued]

If he still wishes to take part in public life, he can run against Senator Bill Nelson.

[summer]

LOL...so, there is no other way, huh? Maybe he does like the slower pace of the senate compared to what he has been doing for 8 years as governor. Maybe he wants to be in private life so he can make more money. Maybe he thinks he does need a break after 8 years as the state's chief. Whatever. Not everyone wants to be a senator, though I agree, he would win, hands down.

[summer]

I meant: Maybe Gov Bush does NOT like the slower pace of the senate...

[summer]

BTW, here's his new foundation.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Dog Gone]

Jeb is by far the most appealing GOP politician for national office. I hope he doesn't permanently retire after leaving the Governor's office in Florida.

[summer]

By FAR! :)

[Recovering_Democrat]

THE SENATE IS CALLING YOU, JEB!

[RetiredArmy]

One of the articles reported Gov Jeb Bush has always had an approval rating of at least 52% throughout the eight years he's been in office.

GWB would kill for a 525 love ya rate right about now. :-)

[Joe Boucher]

people in Fla. would vote for Graham too and you saw what happened to him in nationals.
Don't get me wrong. I think Jeb has been a great governor. Didn't raise taxex, no new great big govt. worthless programs etc.
I just think nationally folks are tired of both Bushs and Clintons.
Time for new leadership, of course if there is any real leadership.
I don't see a Big Kahuna Reagan on the horizon though.

[summer]

I just think nationally folks are tired of both Bushs and Clintons.

Yeah, I hear ya, Joe; and, I can even understand that point, above.
On the other hand -- I also think people appreciate strong, innovative, ethical leadership. I don't think that ever goes out of style.

And, I personally believe it is totally unfair to look someone and think: because of that person's last name, I can not consider that person for a job.

I just think that's un-American.

And, finally, I really believe this: If Gov Bush did decide to run for president in 2008 (though he has made clear numerous times that he is not), and Hillary was the other candidate, I think Gov Bush would win hands down. But, he is staying out of it, perhaps for the exact reasons you mentioned. Plenty of FL voters still ove him (and FL is now 10% of the electoral college, BTW). :)

[summer]

ove = love :)

[summer]

I think some people here on FR are certainly calling him to run for the senate. But, he's not interested in doing that, as far as I know. :)

[summer]

LOL...

[RetiredArmy]

Should have been a 52% rate, not 525. Let go of that 5% key too fast!!

[danamco]

I love Jeb too. But Florida is a wreck. It's a virtual police state yet seems to lack the brass to prevent some sick lawyers from starving a disabled woman.

FR has therefore insulted my honor and, trust me, my honor and love for my country are unimpeachable."

---

In your post YOU have hereby insulted my State and the people living here!!!

[summer]

That's why I ignored that comment. :)

[summer]

Re your post #36 - I knew what you meant. :)

[ExSES]

If he still wishes to take part in public life, he can run against Senator Bill Nelson.

One could only wish... BUT, that is not a step-up for him personally!