Florida State Democrats pump cash into TV ads for McBride

Orlando Sentinel ^ | October 24, 2002 | Mark Silva | Sentinel Political Editor

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bill McBride, the once-unknown attorney making his first bid for public office, is making a name for himself statewide with an unprecedented financial boost from the Florida Democratic Party.

Democrats have started airing TV ads for McBride's campaign for governor, even though the party will not choose its nominee to challenge Republican Gov. Jeb Bush until the Sept. 10 primary election.

The party says it also will air ads for McBride's Democratic opponent, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno. She will make her TV debut next week with a modest ad buy backed by her campaign and the Democratic Party.

Democrats readily concede they already are spending more for precious TV time on McBride's behalf than they will on Reno. Party leaders explain that McBride asked for more help, and he also has raised more money for the party.

But the action by Democrats, along with a Republican Party assault on McBride, bolsters the impression that McBride is thought to pose a greater threat to Bush's re-election than Reno.

"It's no secret that party leaders had wanted Reno not to run," Lance de Haven Smith, professor of political science at Florida State University, said Friday. "The main leaders had initially rallied around [former U.S. ambassador to Vietnam] Pete Peterson, and had urged Reno not to run because they felt she might be too controversial in the general election."

The Bush campaign, stepping up its own assaults on McBride's record in the final weeks leading to the primary vote, also reads the Democratic Party's support for McBride as a sign of which candidate party leaders want nominated in September.

"I think we've known the answer to that question for quite some time," said Todd Harris, Bush campaign spokesman. "The Florida Democratic Party and the teachers union and all the other liberal special-interest groups have been propping up McBride's candidacy from Day One. The fact is, were it not for all of the special-interest money that he's receiving, we would all still be saying, 'Bill who?' "

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Brogan: McBride cut workers' benefits*** TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush's campaign unleashed more criticism Friday of Democrat Bill McBride, accusing the former managing partner of the Holland & Knight law firm of cutting benefits for lower-wage employees while wealthy partners pocketed more cash.

It was the third attack this week on McBride by the Bush camp. This time, Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan was the designated hitter, calling a news conference to denounce McBride.

Citing a 10-year-old article in The American Lawyer publication, Brogan condemned $2 million in cost-cutting measures recommended by McBride and two other members of his firm's management committee.

"He cut health-insurance benefits for the children of Holland & Knight employees, he fired administrative staff, he froze support-staff wages for a year, and he put restrictions on workers' health insurance," Brogan said. "And that's the money that ultimately found its way into the pockets of partners who were already making over $200,000 a year."

……………. The lieutenant governor is scheduled to go on a four-county bus tour next week in the Florida Panhandle, a so-called truth tour in which he'll be attacking the claims of Bush's rivals.

Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno has been leading the Democratic pack in voter surveys for months. By focusing little energy on Reno, the Bush campaign is fueling speculation that the Republican governor would prefer facing her in the November election. Although Reno has tremendous name identification statewide, she also leaves highly negative impressions with voters as well, polls show.

"People know Janet Reno. They've already made up their minds about her," said Dario Moreno, a political scientist at Florida International University. "But McBride is not known. The Bush campaign is looking to define him before he defines himself. That's one of the first rules of politics."***

[scouse]

I have noticed that the TV commercials for some of the democrats running for office in Fl. do not have any party affiliation following their names.

[Caipirabob]

Poor Janet, always a brides-maid never a bride...

*shiver*

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Here in Houston, the mayoral race, etc. are supposed to be non-partisan (big joke) and they don't have party affilitation run in their ads. HOWEVER, if you're not up to speed, you usually can figure it out with the terms they use. I believe the tatic of non-party labeling is done to help Democrat candidates.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

LOL

[chiefqc]

She'll fell better once she is in the arms of crusty klinton again. Nothing like a big wet kiss to make you fell better.

[jmaroneps37]

The more money the evil donkey wastes on mc bride, the better. No matter how much they spend on his campaign, he won't beat jack boot janet. There is no run off system in Florida. Who ever gets the most votes in their primaries wins - period - end of story - and in this case, end of chance to beat Jeb. The Bingo queens from NYC would vote for her over any living person in this country - and since this is a barn dweller primary we're talking about - over most dead people as well. Probably only FDR could pull this one out against jack boot. She will do us a great favor by being their candidate, we won't have to worry about Florida and can concentrate on beating rats else where.

[ShasheMac]

Don't you mean "Always a Bride of Frankenstein and never a Bride"?

[scooby321]

Vote Reno in the Open Primary - if You Live In Florida

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Bump

[summer]

Vote Reno in the Open Primary - if You Live In Florida

There is no "open primary" in FL, and the last day to register to vote in this election has already passed. Registered Dems will be voting in the upcoming Dem Primary on Sept. 10th, and that's it. There's no GOP Primary since Gov Bush is the only gov candidate.

[summer]

"It's no secret that party leaders had wanted Reno not to run," Lance de Haven Smith, professor of political science at Florida State University, said Friday.

Thanks for the ping. BTW, I don't think the above statement from the article is true. Initially, I believe it was reported the Dem party did want Reno to run, because they felt she would have as much name recognition as Gov. Bush. But, when they saw poll after poll showing a majority of FL voters had a negative view of her, and the important swing voting independents did not like her at all, then, they changed their mind about backing her. However, it was too late at such point, as she'd already made a decision to run in the race.

[PogySailor]

Eek! There is a GOP primary, just not in the govenors race. Plenty of other offices we need to vote in, Attorney General being the highest statewide.

[Guillermo]

Jeb's buying ads on nehalf of Reno, attacking McBride.

It's clear who he would rather run against.

[summer]

Yes, you're right - I meant no FL gov primary race.

[summer]

It's clear who he would rather run against.

However, poll after poll has shown Gov Bush would also beat McLawyer -- and in some polls, by an even bigger margin than his win against Reno.

[summer]

See the take reported in The Washington Post on this FL gov race --

Jeb Bush Rivals Face Uphill Battle [WA Post: "We have a train wreck waiting to happen."]