What the [FL] Media Had to Say About the Debate [McLawyer McMumbled and McStumbled]

various: Orlando Sentinel, Miami Herald, Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, St.Pete Times, etc. ^ | Sept. 28, 2002 | various authors

[summer]

For Immediate Release Saturday, September 28, 2002

What the Media Had to Say About the Debate

"Gov. Jeb Bush's cool confidence in his record rose above maverick Democrat Bill McBride's nervousness and difficulty with detail in their first head-to-head confrontation." (Orlando Sentinel)

"The governor succeeded in his key goal: tagging his opponent as 'vague' about a number of important issues as the folksy McBride spoke in sweeping generalities." (Orlando Sentinel)

"McBride appeared flummoxed by [the hate crimes and environment] questions, offering little in the way of experience or ideas for the future." (Tampa Tribune)

"McBride didn't practice for the debate and it showed." (Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

"In response to a question about hate crimes, McBride gave a fuzzy answer about treating everyone equally, while Bush spoke with specifics about visiting a Muslim mosque in Pinellas County." (St. Pete Times)

McBride "flubbed several lines, offered halting opening and closing statements, delivered mostly in a drooping monotone, and did little to silence critics who accuse him of lacking substance." (Miami Herald)

"McBride, at the same time, froze when confronted with questions to which he isn't accustomed. He fumbled the hate-crimes question, finally settling on a vague remark on people who are mistreated 'because of who they are.' On the environment, McBride could offer only a vague suggestion that he would bring people together." (Miami Herald)

Debate Moderator Michael Putney on WPLG-TV after the debate: "I think both candidates had their innings both candidates did score some points, but frankly I thought that Bill McBride was a little flat, a little unfocused at times and I think he really had more to gain from a good showing tonight then Jeb Bush...Bill McBride needed to show that he had a good command of Florida's government and mostly he did, but there were a few times when maybe he did not

[summer]

FYI. And, kudos to Gov. Bush for his outstanding performance in Debate #1! :)

[summer]

Last line of article needed an end quote: ....Bill McBride needed to show that he had a good command of Florida's government and mostly he did, but there were a few times when maybe he did not."

[Tijeras_Slim]

The worst thing about McBride is that he was at the debat at all. I really wanted to see Jeb stomp Reno back into the primordial ooze from which she came. Ah well...

[summer]

For index.

[summer]

McLawyer was amazingly weak.

[shortstop]

I can't believe that this rumpled, inarticulate bumpkin was actually the head of Florida's largest and most prestigious law firm. If he's their leader,I'd hate to see the rest of the members of Holland & Knight. I watched the debate and I'd be quite embarrased if I was a Democrat.

[terilyn]

Win one for the Gipper! God Bless You Reagan, We Will Never Forget Your Great Service and Leadership - We here on FR will carry on your great work with diligence. Thanks for the Memories and Inspiration!

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[summer]

I read some comments from Dem posters on Dem web sites, and, to their credit, these posters were quite honest about McLawyer's disheveled mess of a performance: "Speaking is not his strong suit."

[Nuke'm Glowing]

Holland and Knight hasn't exactly been lighting the courtrooms on fire lately in Flordia. McLawyer was a bad attorney also..he lead that company into a financial abyss. I can't wait until Jeb starts more of the ads talking about how the attorneys pocketed huge bonuses while the common folk were being laid off.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Nuke'm Glowing]

The local talk show apologist in Tampa (Daniel Ruth, Mr. Lib) was not overwhelmed either. These bogus polls are going to boomerang on the McLawyer campaign soon too, because the local polls in the panhandle and Soutwest Florida (coming out this week) will probably show a huge gap between the two. Maybe if Gallup actually polled more than 785 "voters" from Palm Beach Countny, they might get accurate information.

[summer]

I agree; I think the polls are about to show a bigger lead for Gov Bush following this debate, and the lead for Gov Bush will widen after each debate. I mean really, looking at those two candidates side by side -- there's just no contest over which one should win the election.

[G.Mason]

"Debate Moderator Michael Putney on WPLG-TV after the debate:"
"I think both candidates had their innings both candidates did score some points, but frankly I thought that Bill McBride was a little flat, a little unfocused at times and I think he really had more to gain from a good showing tonight then Jeb Bush...Bill McBride needed to show that he had a good command of Florida's government and mostly he did, but there were a few times when maybe he did not."

Things could be worse....this idiot could have been calling balls & strikes at a baseball game.

[summer]

LOL....I thought this moderator made a few errors, but, I noticed the Dem web sites went ballastic over the fact this moderator actually gave Gov Bush a chance to respond several times.

[Joe Brower]

Bingo. And ads are the only way this data will see it's way in front of the general public -- you sure as hell won't see it reported by the leftmedia. It doesn't promote their socialist agenda, or their leftist scumbag of a candidate.

[Joe Brower]

Excellent research as always, summer!

... ...

[Joe Brower]

"I noticed the Dem web sites went ballastic over the fact this moderator actually gave Gov Bush a chance to respond several times."

[summer]

My pleasure! BTW, the credit should really go to: www.jeb.org

[summer]

LOL! :)

[Nuke'm Glowing]

Just a classic Joe...

Btw, I've heard from a friend who has seen some preliminary poll numbers in Southwest Florida (Charlotte/Manatee/Sarasota) and McBride is down 20 points here (he works with a local paper)...

[summer]

The major problem with McLawyer is he really has nothing innovative to offer FL voters - and more voters will realize that as the newness of his candidacy wears off.

Also, Gov. Bush is well-liked by the majority of FL voters, as they know he has made the hard decisions during some very tough times in this state, especially post 9-11.

[Dog Gone]

Great news! Is another debate scheduled?

[Lancey Howard]

Hi, summer

Could you please fill me in on this "hate crimes" thing?
What, specifically, does Jeb think about "hate crimes" legislation?
Thanks,
LH

[summer]

Yes. The 2nd debate in a few weeks will be on radio, while the 3rd and final debate will be on television and moderated by Tim Russert.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

McLawyer has everyone from the NEA to the whacko envirocommies on his side. The problem is that they fortunately do not reflect the majority of people in our state. The NEA affiliation will end up hurting him in the long run...

[summer]

Here is the "hate crimes" part of the Debate transcript:

Putney: THE NEXT QUESTION NOW IS FROM MARWA ZEINI, WHO LIVES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, AND IT'S ABOUT HATE CRIMES.

Marwa Zeini: WHAT WILL THE GOVERNOR DO TO REDUCE HATE CRIMES IN FLORIDA?

Putney: MR. McBRIDE, LET ME ASK YOU TO RESPONDS TO THAT FIRST. IT WAS ABOUT HATE CRIMES? WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO TRY TO REDUCE HATE CRIMES IN FLORIDA?

Bill McBride: WELL, THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IS TREATED FAIRLY, AND THAT PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE THEIR LIVES WITHOUT OTHER PEOPLE INTERFERING WITH THEM OR HARMING THEM. SO THE GOVERNOR OF THIS STATE NEEDS TO BE COMMITTED TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE IS MIT TREATED.

AND NO ONE, BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE, IS TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN ANYONE ELSE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND MAKE SURE THAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IN FLORIDA, VIEW THESE THINGS SERIOUSLY. BECAUSE THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO SOMEBODY IS TO BE MISTREATED BY SOMEBODY BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE.

AND I THINK AS THE GOVERNOR OF THIS STATE, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT YOU CARE ABOUT DEEPLY IN YOUR OWN HEART. SO RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE ARE, I THINK, BEING STOPPED WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T BE.

THERE IS PROFILING THAT GOES ON. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON THIS. AS GOVERNOR, YOU WOULD SET THE TONE, TALK TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, TALK TO THE SHERIFF'S, THE POLICEMEN.

AND AS GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, YOU NEED TO SET THE TONE AND LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY'RE ALL IMPORTANT, THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD BE FREE FROM THIS KIND OF THING.

Putney: HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER HER QUESTION?

Gov. Jeb Bush: ABOUT A MONTH AGO, A DERANGED MAN THREATENED TO BLOW UP MOSQUES IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA. AND WHAT I DID WAS, I CALLED UPON THE FDLE, WHICH HAS -- AFTER 9/11, WE DEVELOPED STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH ISLAMIC CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE, TO PUT TOGETHER A CONFERENCE CALL AND TO TALK THROUGH THIS, AND TO ASSURE THEM, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH THE HATE CRIMES LAW THAT EXISTS IN OUR STATE OR FEDERAL PROSECUTION, THAT THIS MAN WOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. AND I'M ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED, ONCE THIS INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE, THAT THAT WILL OCCUR.

ON A REGULAR BASIS, WE TALK TO THE ISLAMIC LEADERS WHO DO FEEL FRIGHTENED AFTER SEPTEMBER 11th. I'VE MET WITH ARAB AMERICANS AND MUSLIM LEADERS ACROSS THIS STATE, AND THERE IS CONCERN. AND I'VE USED MY OFFICE AND LEADERSHIP TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OFFICE IS FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF OUR STATE, NOT A SELECT GROUP.

[Moderator continues with next question]

[summer]

I think Gov. Bush has a lot of varied support, for example, the FL nurses are supporting his candidacy. (Jeb Bush is the first GOP candidate they have ever supported.)

[summer]

Here's the a list of endorsements for Gov. Bush to date.

[summer]

Here's the list of endorsements for Gov. Bush to date.

[G.Mason]

Two months ago Democrats couldn't tell anyone asking who McBride was.
Now McBride is is being touted as the second coming of F.D.R..

When McBride loses in November it will, of course, be because of "voter fraud" and I fully expect the southern tip of Florida to slowly sink beneath the waves thereby assuming the exaulted position once held by Atlantis.

---

[summer]

And here's the press release re FL nurses endorsing Gov Bush.

[summer]

BTW, this transcript may not be complete, as others caught some errors in it elsewhere. (Also, you don't get the sense of McLawyer's actual response here-- how he paused, smiled, laughed nervously, etc.)

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

The local talk show apologist in Tampa (Daniel Ruth, Mr. Lib)

you could tell mr ruth wanted to give kudos to mcbumbler but he couldnt do it and it was killing him. he knew he was terrible

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

bump

[MeekOneGOP]

Bush......

[summer]

BTW, FL seems to have had its "hate crimes law" since prior to 1991 (Gov Bush was elected in 1998)-

From an article linked in below post to you:

One thing law enforcers say is in their favor, however, is Florida's hate-crimes law, used to elevate the seriousness and penalty associated with a crime. Only a few states have such laws.

Being charged with a hate crime in Florida can bump up a misdemeanor to a felony, and, if a defendant is convicted, it can mean the difference between probation and prison.

The law was first applied in 1991 when Fort Lauderdale attorney Herb Cohen was physically and verbally attacked after going to a man's house to retrieve earrings for a female friend.

[summer]

From the Miami Herald, August 1999

[summer]

Finally, this is what Gov Bush was referring to in his debate response.

[jalisco555]

Wow, amazing that a lawyer could be so inarticulate. I was starting to worry about Florida- if Jeb loses that will be the story of the election even if the GOP ends up with 70 seats in the Senate- but now I'm beginning to relax.

[summer]

And, for those too lazy to click on the link, here is the text:

Governor Bush Holds Conference Call with Islamic Community to Offer Reassurance

For Immediate Release Monday, August 26, 2002

Contact: Elizabeth Hirst (850) 488-5394

TALLAHASSEE -- Governor Jeb Bush today held a conference call with Islamic community leaders in Florida who have expressed concerns for the safety of their children and those who visit Islamic centers and mosques. The Governor was joined on the call by Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Tim Moore.

“People should not have a fear of expressing their faith. Those who send their children to religious schools or who pray at mosques, synagogues or churches have every right to practice their religion in a peaceful and safe environment,” said Governor Bush. “My message today is to assure all Floridians that persecution of people based on their faith or nationality will not be tolerated.”

In light of the recent arrest of Dr. Robert Goldstein of Tampa, Governor Bush has directed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to contact mosques and Islamic centers throughout the Tampa region and statewide. Through Regional Domestic Security Task Forces, FDLE agents, local law enforcement officers, and ATF agents will make personal contact with the leadership of the mosques and the leadership of each Islamic center to advise that there is no imminent threat on the Islamic community. The Task Forces will make physical security assessments of mosques upon request.

FDLE has also reached out to Altaf Ali, Executive Director for the Center on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Derick Daniel, Executive Director of the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), to inform them of our efforts and to assure them that there is no credible information of any conspiracies against Islamic centers in the state.

FDLE is currently assisting the ATF and the FBI in the investigation of Goldstein. Goldstein was taken into custody Aug. 22 after officers from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office entered his home, upon his mother’s request, and found several firearms, explosives, and documentation regarding Islamic centers.

[summer]

now I'm beginning to relax.

McLawyer's entire candidacy (and campaign) has been much ado about nothing.

[Goldwater Girl]

DO NOT RELAX!
The spin is that McBride didn't practice for this debate- hence his stumbling performance- and that Jeb did multiple mock debates before Friday- no wonder he was so polished.
McGoober's handlers (union bosses and trial lawyers) will ensure the next matchup is more even- even if they have to plant post-hypnotic suggestions to do it!

[summer]

PS From www.religioustolerance.org

002-AUG-23: FL: Governor Jeb Bush says Muslims have a right to safety: Governor Jeb Bush talked via a conference call with leaders from various Muslim groups and law enforcement officers in the state. This may have been prompted by the discovery of a massive cache of explosives and a plan to blow up a Muslim education center in the state. He then issued a statement saying that:

"People should not have a fear of expressing their faith. Those who send their children to religious schools or who pray in mosques, synagogues or churches have every right to practice their religion in a peaceful and safe environment. My message today is to assure all Floridians that persecution of people based on their faith or nationality will not be tolerated."

Altaf Ali, CAIR-FLA Executive Director of the Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) commented: "Such a public demonstration of support will send a strong message to those who may intend to attack the Muslim community, that acts of terrorism will not be tolerated in Florida."

[summer]

"didn't practice" for the debate? LOL!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I am not laughing at you of course, but if this is "spin" it is the LAMEST spin I have EVER heard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NautiNurse]

the 3rd and final debate will be on television and moderated by Tim Russert.

I can see it now--McBride will be more tongue tied than ever when his hands are shackled out of camera range. Imagine how squinky his eye will be then!

[summer]

He was really more horrible than I could have imagined. Between his blinking eyes and his hands always moving -- I thought he
looked
like
he
was
playing
3-Card
Monty.

[EllaMinnow]

I thought he looked like someone had sewn rubber gloves filled with Jello to his cuffs.

[sneakypete]

.this idiot could have been calling balls & strikes at a baseball game.

He was a moderator,not a judge. His job was to be impartial. I'm surprised he even went as far as he did.

[caltrop]

The most interesting comment I've heard about the debate was the observation that, if you read a transcript without any names or party affiliations listed, you'd have thought Bush was the Democrat because he pointed with pride to new spending at almost every opportunity.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

We have to retrain the brainwashed masses to see their govenrment as more than a provider...as it is now, people vote on what they'll get. You know Jeb's no liberal. The CATO institute and WSJ had this to say:

Wall Street Journal Commentary..rates the governors, Jeb's a winner!
***Jeb Bush of Florida is the real tax-cutting fiscal conservative in the family. In a state with no income tax, Gov. Bush has cut the Florida property tax by $1 billion, and in 2001 he cut the business intangible tax by another $600 million. Earlier this year he took the unusual step of walking the halls of the Capitol himself asking members of both parties to oppose a sales tax hike sponsored by members of his own party. Mr. Bush has also distinguished himself by promoting one of the most innovative choice-based school reforms in the nation -- a plan that allows students in failing schools to go to any public or private school of their choice -- and by enacting tort reform legislation fiercely opposed by the trial lawyers.

You know this of course, because I've posted the same info to you in the past, but if you need reminding daily - I'll remind you daily.