In Florida, Democrats Are Desperately Seeking a Winner

ORLANDO, Fla.
After recent humiliations, some of their own making, Democrats in Florida now try to seethe discreetly about their political plight. Republicans took over the entire state legislature six years ago. The president's brother Jeb Bush added the governor's mansion to the G.O.P. roster. The Congressional delegation is growing more Republican by the year. And, of course, there was the 2000 presidential election — a burden that Florida Democrats wear about as comfortably as a horsehair golfing shirt.

Yet instead of ranting openly about how they were robbed — a rant that is about half a beer beneath the surface — most Democrats extol their new level of "passion" or energy that suddenly empowers their party. And whether passion, energy or anger, this force is aimed at one mission: to win elections, starting with the governor's race this coming November.

The focus on winning explained why former Vice President Al Gore got an enthusiastic but ultimately noncommittal response about 2004 from Democrats meeting last weekend here in Orlando. But it is even more evident in the race to challenge Jeb Bush. The race is, at best, an uphill battle for the Democrats, who fear that if President Bush's popularity holds, it will boost their governor's numbers as well — even with the chadless, butterfly-free, high-tech voting machines now being tested to count more votes around the state.

Governor Bush's best-known challenger is former Attorney General Janet Reno, who is currently leading in polls for the Democratic primary in September. But many party workers, especially those outside Ms. Reno's South Florida base, are rooting for a Tampa corporate lawyer and first-time candidate named Bill McBride. Mr. McBride is a burly 54-year-old ex-marine, expert glad-hander and political eclectic. His supporters include the largest state unions, fellow lawyers, fellow dog lovers, business leaders, gun owners and some in the gay-rights community. His wife, formerly a powerful banker in the state, uses her own name, and his children go to public school.

Alex Klahm, a St. Petersburg Democrat, explained, "We really love Janet, but we think he is the one who can beat Jeb Bush."

Many regular Democrats agree, citing Mr. McBride's main disadvantage — being unknown — as his primary advantage. He has a clean political slate, they argue: no Waco, no President Clinton, no Elián González. He also has no visible health problems like Ms. Reno's Parkinson's, a point that only she can take note of publicly. ("My hand shakes, but my head and my heart stand for Democracy," she assures her followers.)

For now, Mr. McBride and his army have refused to criticize Ms. Reno. At worst, a few McBride people will conjure the scene of a debate between the former attorney general, who speaks softly and sometimes hesitantly, and Governor Bush, who is far more articulate than his older brother.

The image of a Reno-Bush debate does not always make the argument against her, however. She has a compelling message, especially for older Floridians. She talks about building a state as strong as the hurricane-proof house her mother built. And her health-care pitch includes the story of how her mother died peacefully at home, in her arms. In Florida, this is powerful stuff.

Moreover, Mr. McBride has his own troubles at the podium. His first big speech last year was so dismal that one columnist labeled the candidate "Bill McBoring." Since then he has improved, but Mr. McBride still has the disadvantage of looking as if he will be the Southern orator he isn't.

Mr. McBride is also disadvantaged by the rules for this primary, which has no runoff. Whoever wins the most votes in a field of three or four will run against Mr. Bush. Under Florida's old rules, a dark-horse candidate might have hoped to follow such Florida legends as Senator Bob Graham or the late Lawton Chiles, who launched political careers by winning their runoff elections.

Asked why the Republican legislature changed the primary rules for this particular election, Susan MacManus, professor of government at the University of South Florida, said, "Because they could." It is a bottom line that Democrats passionately and energetically want to do something about in November.

From my files ( some may be redundant! )

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Ghosts of Waco haunt the ruins

THESE CHILDREN CAN NEVER VOTE AGAINST JANET RENO

-David T. Hardy: An Interview With American Gun Owners' Best Friend ( & Waco )--

FBI, Delta Force, ATF, All fire Shots into Mt. Carmal killing children

GOVERNMENT TERRORISM - From Ruby Ridge To Waco And Beyond

Waco: A New Revelation, Reviewed by Gavin Phillips [Free ...
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A link to a whole lot of Elian! Links:

Elian! Elian! Elian! Elian! Elian! Elian! Elian! and yes, even more, Elian!

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My 2 cents?

Reno for Guv? Recall *this*