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

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Alas, if only one could rule as a Potentate and not have those pesky checks and balances, and those NGOS, the trial lawyers, unions...the media. Jeb is a bloody marvel just having the patience to deal with these folks. Then to get grief from our own perfections in the party. One step at a time, caltrop. Do you remember Chiles?

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I finally have good news to share with YOU: Poll: Don't blame Bush for difficulty in voting (Fla.), Miami Herald. (^:

[caltrop]

Sure I remember Chiles. There are big differences between then and now, however. The biggest, of course, is that Republicans now have solid majorities in the legislature. If Bush loses, we'll still have Republican majorities in the legislature but now they'll have to contend with a stronger Governor's office and a weaker Cabinet to give them support, thanks in large measure to Bush.

Today there is some rumored good news for you, however. I've been told that McBride is going to have Hillary come down to do some campaigning for him. If true, and if he doesn't wake up and call her trip off, he'll have seriously shot himself in the foot for the first time in this campaign. Bush, if he's got the brains you think he does, will make sure pictures of McBride with his arm around Hillary appear on every TV screen north of I-4 every day until the election. Believe me, Hillary will cost McBride tens of thousands of votes in North Florida and the Panhandle.

[chnsmok]

I didn't see any maverick Democrat Bill McBride or folksy McBride.

[Goldwater Girl]

Okay, Nukem- Goober's a Mclawyer. I concede the point-
But not about his "handlers"- his shady finance chair gave McAuliffe his start years ago- he was already a bigtime player in Florida Democrat circles. He's his father-in-law now- and sure the DNC will be active in the race- but McBride is handled- coached, funded and managed by the FEA and the trial lawyers- Floridians all. He fired his campaign manager- a capable and competant Democrat operative- and replaced her with the FEA lobbyist the day after he won the primary. His major local $$ and supporters are his fellow lawyers statewide.
His performance was a total disaster- and they know it. (Maybe they assumed he had a CLUE about the basics of state government? WRONG!)I'm sure are already working on him for the next debate (Picture him tied to a chair in a dark room- beaten with rubber hoses if he misses an answer...)
You're right, also, about our keeping the House & Senate- but with a strong Governor for the first time in 130+ years- the fool and his minions can wreak havoc with the budget if they get in.
You are absolutely right about the Supreme Court and Constitutional Amendments- I would add only our Congressional representatives as equally important to the Republican cause.
FRegards-- GG

[az wildkitten]

Yes, I am one of the nurses posting here on FR. But Nursing Organizations are for the most part lefties and all Nursing Acadamia is lefty.

[Goldwater Girl]

Wasn't it awful? He had no clue what the job of Governor is, for cryin' out loud! I'm sure his supporter, Bill Nelson- former Insurance Commissioner- cringed when he talked about Jeb sitting down with the insurance companies to lower the rates.
AND he thinks he's the "chief Election officer"- traffic planner, law enforcer-- he obviously has no concept of our elected Cabinet- despite his education and the years he's lived here.
He also seemed not to understand that if we spend billions to build new schools- and billions more to staff them- that the money has to come from somethere else- it's not like the Governor can print money- or run up big debts, like McLawyer did at Holland & Knight. (When he left, they were forced to lay off a lot of people, and they are still working on restructuring the debt he left behind. I read somewhere they are the least profitable of the major firms- a HUGE change from the position they were in when he took over.)
Consider that his preparation (such as it was) came from the same public school teachers who hate being held accountable if their students can't read, write or do math. It appears they didn't teach him civics any better than they teach our kids.

[Goldwater Girl]

The candidate is a corporate lawyer- not a trial lawyer. Doubt he's ever seen the inside of a courtroom. He was the protege of founding member Chesterfield Smith, who preceded him as managing partner.
As I understand it- the partnership gave him complete autonomy- without accountability- to make management decisions over the past 10 years- and he about ran them into the ground with his grandiose expansions. Now they are undergoing a massive restructuring- laying people off, closing offices, cutting back on pro bono work to stop the hemorrhage.

[marajade]

I would like someone to project how many packs of cigarettes at .50 each a pack the state would have to sell to provide funding for smaller class size.

And then I would like someone to project the monetary effect on health care it would have on the state when all those people end up with cancer or smoke related illnesses.

And then I would like to know the difference between the rax revenue and the associated health care costs.

My guess is: the health care related costs would monetarily exceed the amount available for public school class size funding.

[marajade]

"I'm sure his supporter, Bill Nelson- former Insurance Commissioner- cringed when he talked about Jeb sitting down with the insurance companies to lower the rates."

If I remember correctly, Bush wasn't allowed a rebut. So maybe he earned some votes with those in Broward and Miami-Dade counties which means Nelson probably was cheering him on.

What an idiot... Its the legislature's responsibility to pass laws in relation to tort reform. As a lawyer I would think he would know this, but apparently as a high school graduate I know more about the legislative process than McBride.

[Goldwater Girl]

"Because the Dept. of Justice and Pres. Carter will be there to prevent it from happening... in relation to the election fiasco.." I read last week that the Dade County Commission soundly rejected the proposed invitation to Jimmeh-- appears his lovefest with Fidel is not forgotten down there. The Commissioner who raised the issue backed down big time- saying she didn't realize he was "so controversial". Yeah, RIGHT. Expect the Feds to be there, though. I also read that the Florida Bar has offered "hundreds" of volunteers to man the polls in Dade & Broward....that should give us all confidence in the integrity of the vote

[marajade]

"I also read that the Florida Bar has offered 'hundreds' of volunteers to man the polls in Dade & Broward....that should give us all confidence in the integrity of the vote."

And if I also remember correctly, McBride tried to blame Bush in relation to this issue and Bush again was denied a rebut in the debate. I guess the Republican party offered to man the polls at the Democrat primaries in Miami-Dade and their election official denied their offer of help.

Its too bad that Carter won't be there though...

[marajade]

On second thought... if most lawyers in Florida are the McBride type all the volunteers in the world won't make a bit of difference...

[LaGrone]

Yep, another candidate for the Fla Supreme Court. LOL

[summer]

RE your post #84 - LOL...well, he was trying to be that. :)

[summer]

Re your post #86 -- Yes, but, they went for the best candidate! :)

[summer]

Bush, if he's got the brains you think he does,

Well, I do think Gov Bush is a cut above. I am hoping someday you will too, caltrop. :)

[summer]

I've been told that McBride is going to have Hillary come down to do some campaigning for him. If true, and if he doesn't wake up and call her trip off, he'll have seriously shot himself in the foot for the first time in this campaign

I don't think it will be the "first" time. I recently read a quote from him, with respect to the GOP FL Legislature, and McLawyer said something like "Oh, I think they will want to cooperate with me." LOL....he's rather clueless about the tenacity of the FL GOP Legislature, don't you think, caltrop? Also, I agree with you - she is not the one who can help him in FL.

[summer]

RE your post #82 - Thanks for that link, RC. :)

[summer]

...how is talking his weak point? What kind of successfull laywer can't talk or debate? and is lazy or claims they don't practise before a debate? After watching this...

Well, you sound like you saw the debate - what can I say. He was really horrible, especially, as you point out, for someone who is a trial lawyer.