FL Democrats face midsummer doubts about Janet Reno [Most believe: Reno WILL win Primary] (AP)

AP ^ | July 14, 2002 | Ken Thomas

[summer]

Florida Democrats face midsummer doubts about Janet Reno

Sunday, July 14, 2002


Janet Reno - More people realize she will be the winner
of the Dem Primary in September. And, she will be the one facing: JEB!

By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press

MIAMI - Janet Reno holds a sizable lead among Democrats in her quest to become Florida's governor but some party members fear something is missing - and it may be too late to overcome by November.

Some Democrats grumble that nothing the former U.S. attorney general can do - not her appearances with celebrities, not her folksy manner or campy fund-raisers - can make her a viable candidate against Gov. Jeb Bush.

They are starting to worry out loud that her high negative ratings in polls and inability to raise money may foil their grand plan: ousting Bush and bruising his brother in the state that made the difference in 2000.

"There's real concern based on the momentum that Jeb is showing - the clear message he is presenting - that we have a problem," said Henry Crespo Sr., president of the Miami-Dade Democratic Black Caucus. "We have enough data and information to beat him. But when you're not mobilizing your base with clear, distinct programs or visions, then how can you win?"

…. "The problem is we have a candidate who is not going to lose the primary and will not win the general election," warned Christopher Korge, a leading party fund-raiser from Miami.

The latest fund-raising numbers also complicate the picture. Bush, aided by several trips by his brother, has raked in more than $5.6 million and millions more for GOP party coffers.

…"I think Democrats are very concerned and have reason to be concerned," said Darryl Paulson, a University of South Florida political scientist. "With each passing day it appears more and more like that Jeb Bush is becoming stronger."

…With the talk of lingering doubts about her candidacy, many Reno supporters worry the questions could distract the party from its chief target - Bush.

"We've got enough challenges without our own people trying to handicap the general election," said former Lt. Gov. Buddy MacKay, the party's nominee for governor in 1998 who supports Reno.

"I think there's a crew out there who has been against Janet's candidacy for a year, who just did not want Janet Reno to run for governor," said Paula Xanthopoulou, a Reno supporter and president of the National Women's Political Caucus of Florida....

Note to FR: This was an excerpt of what I thought was this article's most interesting points. If you'd like to read the entire article, click HERE.

[summer]

Now, I know there are many wonderful and generous people here, who surely do not want to see Janet Reno drop out of the race. If you would like to help support Janet Reno so she can stay in the race - and see her be defeated by Gov. Jeb Bush in his winning landslide this November - you may want to contribute to Reno's campaign by clicking HERE. Or, give her office an encouraging phone call, and tell her NOT to listen to the naysayers! Her office number is on her site HERE.

BTW, Dem lurkers, MONTHS ago I wrote an editorial on FR about the LACK OF VISION by the Dem candidates in this FL gov race. WHERE ARE THE BIG IDEAS? I asked. Still, no answer. Consequently, I think the president of the Miami-Dade Black Caucus, quoted in the article, had it right when he said:

"But when you're not mobilizing your base with clear, distinct programs or visions, then how can you win?"

Since FL Gov. Jeb Bush is the one with VISION, LEADERSHIP and the BIG IDEAS on how to lead FL, this independent FL voter's vote goes to him.

PS Also, remember the upcoming Reno fundraiser in South Beach! Reno fundraiser at South Beach night club - July 19, 2002

[summer]

Gramps, Since you are so helpful to the Greens in CA, I thought you might want to also help out Janet here! :)

[summer]

Check out what Dems say about Jeb Bush in this article -- the same sort of comments "a fly on the wall" reported here on FR awhile back... :)

[summer]

As usual, the real news was FIRST reported here, on FR:

A Report from a Fly on the Wall: How Dems View the FL Gov Race

[summer]

PS Dem lurkers, your voice has finally been heard by your party. They too realize they are watching an on-coming train wreck in this FL gov race -- and, just like you, there's not a thing they can do to stop it:

"There's real concern based on the momentum that Jeb is showing - the clear message he is presenting - that we have a problem," said Henry Crespo Sr., president of the Miami-Dade Democratic Black Caucus. ...

…"I think Democrats are very concerned and have reason to be concerned," said Darryl Paulson, a University of South Florida political scientist. "With each passing day it appears more and more that.. Jeb Bush is becoming stronger."

[LarryLied]

When is the primary? Enough time to register as a Democrat? I fear Democrats may be sandbagging us with the "McBride can't win" routine. They never admit defeat like this. Perhaps they are setting the stage for a huge upset which will be report over and over in the papers.

"McBride Trounces Reno in Stunning Upset!"

"Can Jeb stop McBride's Momentum?"

[summer]

The primary is Sept 10th, I believe. And, Larry - the polls show McBride is FAR behind Reno. At this point in the game, he should have moved up considerably, if he was planning to actually be competition for her. His campaign has been terrible. He is going nowhere. And, the Dem primary voters do not like him - they suspect he is a GOP member in disguise. Many Dem primary voters LIKE Reno.

McBride made a lot of mistakes. He should not have met with the handful of GOP supporters he found so early on during this Dem primary season. Instead, he should have focused on the Dem base, and answered their questions. But, he didn't. He is also very quiet on the one issue Reno keeps pounding at -- the gay adoption issue. In short, he can not beat Reno. So, too bad - he will not be running against Gov. Bush.

[katherineisgreat]

Good news summer!

I just read that Katherine Harris has raised more $$ than McLawyer and it made me feel reallll good :)

[summer]

BTW, to be fair here, I should also mention Gov. Bush's campaign web site, as maybe some Dem lurkers out there are interested in being on a WINNING TEAM: www.jeb.org

[glc1173@aol.com]

""I think there's a crew out there who has been against Janet's candidacy for a year, who just did not want Janet Reno to run for governor," said Paula Xanthopoulou, a Reno supporter and president of the National Women's Political Caucus of Florida...." (Associated Press)

Like every Cuban-American who daily thanks God that Jackboot Janet wasn't in a position to send her baby-snatch squad for him when he was a child!

Put "the photo" on every utility pole in Dade and Broward Counties the week before the primary.

Jackboot Janet's "girlfriend" - the issue she fears will hit Florida talk radio!

[summer]

I read that too -- what is she up to, $2 million already? She's gonna win that race, no problem. Dems should save a lot of money and just give up in FL. They can't win these races.

[summer]

Not only that, but the one "big idea" McBride has is currently receiving a ton of negative press in NY, where cigarettes now cost $7 per pack. McBride wants to do the same here in FL. I don't think that will go over big.

[katherineisgreat]

$2.33 mil!

and McLawyer has like 1.6 or something LOL

[f.Christian]

The devilcrats are on a loop--fall...nothing changes!

[summer]

FL is so important in national races -- you'd think they would have taken the FL race a lot more seriously than they did. Gov. Bush took it seriously -- he has stayed ahead in the polls by double-digit numbers, but he is working like a dog, running "like he's 20 points behind" as he says. These Dems think all they have to do is say: "Jeb is bad" and everyone drops what they're doing and votes Dem. Not so in FL anymore.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I think she'll start raising money for others soon. In FL-13, anything over $400K is just money to burn. The Democraps are not wasting money in this district. Don't believe them when they say they will. There are plenty of competitive seats to spend money on. Katherine has already raised well over $2M-- 5 times what she needs to win. She'll have a million dollars cash on hand in October (after spending money on other things until then like some ads and pay for polling and such) to just spend on any campaign crap she wishes to buy for her supporters to have and enjoy for free-- balloons, bumper stickers, signs, t-shirts, baseball caps, visors, barbecues for every neighborhood in her district, etc.

Craig Benson here in NH is running for governor and he published a book on the history of the NH presidential primary-- a free book to anyone that wants one. It has nothing to do with his candidacy; it's just a cool thank-you to his supporters (on top of his paying for all the crap I listed above). He could pass out 100 dollar bills to his supporters to wipe their butts with and that's the position Harris will be in.

[summer]

LOL...thanks for your post. :)

[f.Christian]

OJ janet!

[GraniteStateConservative]

If by McLawyer, you mean Jan Schneider, I find it hard to believe there are that many people that have flushed so much money down the toilet in this race for her. I'd sooner believe she'd raised $160K than $1.6M. Do you have a citation for that figure?

[Tacis]

Let us not sell Reno short!! True, she may not be able to call in the FBI and ATF to murder and burn innocent men, women and children who oppose her. But, she has thousands of Jamaicans and Haitians who will vote frequently for her, the full sleaze of the media, and a crooked Florida Supreme Court behind her. This Court, who's blatant efforts to steal the last Presidential election are ALWAYS overlooked by the media, could be important in a close race and could be relied upon to lie, cheat and steal to throw things Reno's way.

We also have the issue of the stupid voters in Palm Beach who couldn't understand their ballot. If the old ethnic geezers from Florida blindly vote their traditional way and don't understand that it is the Republicans who are friends to Israel and the dumbocraps who smooch with Arafats, that, too, could be a problem. If we only had some media who would even objectively evaluate (no bias necessary) her incompetent/criminal federal service, then we might coast. But that won't happen and the only reminder of her record while in Washington is her appearance on Saturday Night Live.