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]

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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)...