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]

It looks like I'll be voting a straight Republican ticket this year, except for Governor where I'll probably have to vote for McBride.

Tell me one time - just one time - when McMumble has said he intends to do what you want: lower taxes and decrease the size of government.

I am eager to see you post this news from him, because it would be VERY BIG news to the Dem voters who are voting for him -- waiting for him to "invest, invest, invest" (raise taxes) and expand government (because they are afraid they may lose their jobs in Service First, Gov Bush's initiative to decrease the size of state government).

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

bump

[summer]

Hillary, Nice to hear from you! :)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

We have two choices here, caltrop.

1)You can help elect Jeb Bush and choose the best man by far in the running (and better than most of us deserve).

2)You can help elect Bill McBride by constantly finding fault with Governor Bush.

That's it. Since you continue to pick policy fights in this tough battle, you've chosen sides whether you admit it or not...and it isn't Jeb's.

[mafree]

GO JEB!!

[caltrop]

summer, I've explained it (in probably 100+ posts) over the last few months. You don't want to agree.

Anyone who wants "meaningful tax reform" doesn't understand why Florida's the wealth and economic activity magnet it is and is seeking increased spending which can't happen unless the money's found to pay for it. Florida's been an economic success because of it's tax structure, the part time legislature, the elected Cabinet which dampens enthusiasm for revenue increases and the weak Governor's office. JEB, because it would have been a big revenue source, didn't immediately squash the expansion of the sales tax until the polls made it a political loser even though he'd previously said he would. Even then, he brokered a compromise to put it on the ballot instead of killing it. JEB also pushed, successfully, to reduce the number of elected cabinet positions and strengthen the Governor's office. McBride would undoubtedly have tried to do many of the same things but wouldn't have been able to get the legislature to go along. McBride is a Democrat, this sort of nonsense is to be expected from a Democrat. Bush has a lot of conservatives who haven't bothered looking beyond the PR loudly supporting him. With a Republican legislature, that's a formula for movement in the wrong direction.

[summer]

RC, If caltrop could convince me McMumble is the BETTER candidate, then, I would vote for McMumble. Because I want what is best for this state and for me. But, caltrop has never convinced ME one bit that MY candiadate, Gov Bush, is not the best candidate in this race. I am waiting for him to score a point with me, but, caltrop fails every time. I like caltrop because he does not resort to flaming and name calling; rather, he and I discuss, but, rest assured, his argument is as flat as McMumble's delivery in the debate! (No offense to you, caltrop.)

[summer]

caltrop, I disagree with your facts above, and your conclusions. And, as you said - we will have to continue to disagree. BTW, I note you go silent when I ask for ANYTHING directly from the mouth of McMumble that would support your illusions about him.

[caltrop]

I'm not picking fights, I'm pointing out the obvious - although it shouldn't be necessary. You are, however, correct in that I don't support Rockefeller Republicans who strive to make the government larger and not smaller. You cast your vote, I'll cast mine.

[summer]

And, just a reminder, his friend and not yours - Senator Hillary Clinton - is endorsing him.

[summer]

Re your post #169 - caltrop, your assumptions about Gov Bush are not supported by the facts. FL's Constitution requires FL to have a balanced budget, and we do, and Gov Bush, as you admit, has lowered taxes. And, as I pointed out, he had to go to court in order to decrease the size of government. McMumble is not running on the platform of your dreams - he is running on exactly the opposite platform. If you were in a room with a bunch of DU posters, they would tell you exactly what I am telling you - and that is why they are voting for him. More government jobs; and new taxes. That is not appealing to me, nor to the majority of voters in this state.

[caltrop]

summer, I'm not happy with anything McBride's saying so I can't send you a list of things he's said I think are wonderful. In many respects, I think the guy's a dud. In divided government you want gridlock and if the guy you want to not do anything is a dud then that's fine. McBride will find that almost any initiative he sends the legislature will be dead on arrival. I like that.

[Boatlawyer]

I am aware of your previous position concerning what you imagine to be a clever, derogatory name for the democratic candidate. I never thought the comments about lawyers were directed to me personally, but rather to the profession in general. I did not then, and do not now understand why you and others need to resort to insulting the legal profession in general in order to criticize McBride, when his record provides so much more legitimate fodder for debate.

As long as the insults to the profession continue, I will continue to defend it. Get used to it.

[summer]

I think you are being extremely honest in your first sentence there - that you are not happy with anything McMumble is saying. Here, you and I can perhaps agree: he should come right out and say more specifically what he is about, who he is, etc. He is not doing that. He is truly "McMumble." Speaking in mostly generalities, and hoping this wins him votes. And, being "all things" to all people. That is a bogus campaign, IMO. Apparently, you and I are on the same page there. Also, Gov Bush scores big points with me here too, as Gov Bush kept every campaign promise he made in 1998, and here again, he is not only specific about his record, but he is also being quite up front about what he intends to do in the future. I prefer this kind of candidate by far.

[summer]

Re your post #173 - Read this thread since I told you I would not call him McLawyer anymore due to your sensitive nature. I have been calling him McMumble. Try to stay on top of things. :)

[summer]

Re your post #172 - LOL....ok, I read the rest of your answer. McMumble is a "dud." I think we have reached an even bigger agreement than I imagined. :)!

[Crusher138]

Ah, the joyous sound of gridlock!

Unfortunately, under your scenario, we wouldn't make the kind of gains we have under Bush. Our schools would be worse off, parents wouldn't have choice, our taxes would be higher, spending would be higher.

In politics it is not so much what you say to get elected, but what you don't say, because it would keep you from getting elected.

For instance, Bush's answer on hate crimes was perfect. He kept it from being a Black on White issue. He pointed out that he was in favor of a criminal being punished no matter what their religion, race, sex, etc. was. What he DIDN'T say was that the race of either the victim or the perp was important to the charge or the sentencing. If he had said, "Hate crime legislation endangers equal protection under the law," we might cheer, but a large block of voters would be calling him "racist" and have been energized to go out and vote for his opponent.

On both sides of the aisle, you are better off looking at what they have done, not what they say. In Bush's case, the record is clear. In McMumble's case...

[summer]

BTTT.

[floriduh voter]

Regarding Jeb's opponent - the McLawyer was to emphasize the Mc part i.e. corporate as he was going to try to pretend that he wasn't a corporate lawyer, nothing wrong with corporate lawyers but be who you are, he won't talk about his law firm. Why not? The lawyer part was not meant to slam other lawyers but so he couldn't say he "raised dogs all these years".

If McBride wants to hide that he is a lawyer and that his law firm was mismanaged, we needed to point that out to people.

The cap's off the toothpaste. I was a paralegal and worked for attorneys for years, maybe that's why it's just a tag to me, not something offensive. He obviously lies and perjured himself the other night except that he wasn't under oath.

Anyway, we can't stop people from calling him McLawyer but I'll refrain and had no plans to mention McBride in tomorrow's pit stop unless I include the refrigerator McBridisms.

Everyone here knows that he's a poor public speaker and many ask how he ever passed the bar exam. There is a means to an end here poor lawyer = bad governor.

[marajade]

"You obviously are forgetting or ignoring the fact that there are many conservative lawyers in the Florida Bar, some of whom, like myself, are finding it difficult to maintain a favorable view of freepers in light of the frequent negative broad-brushing of lawyers simply because the Democratic candidate is one."

I was joking... Don't take it personally...