Notes For Wednesday, October 23, 2002

Orlando Sentinel: “McBride Hits a Solid stride in Final Debate”

Orlando Sentinel Political Editor Mark Silva's analysis of the debate leads with the following:

"Democrat Bill McBride delivered a forceful case for election as governor, coming at a critical juncture in his contest with Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, during a campaign-summing debate that placed two able contenders on an even footing.

In their third and final debate, McBride faced two crucial challenges -- both key to averting calamity in the face of the governor's apparent narrow advantage in the remaining two weeks of a nationally watched campaign.

The first was making a case that Bush doesn't deserve a second term, and that McBride, a Tampa-area attorney new to the political arena, is a worthy successor.

McBride delivered the message. Exuding a personal confidence and strength lacking in their first televised encounter, the Democrat succinctly staked his claim as a contender. . . .

But McBride pressed forward. And McBride needed this performance, a dramatic upgrade from his showing in their first televised debate Sept. 27.

. . . . Bush's most pointed assaults were deftly deflected by a ready rival."
8:18 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

The Sun Sentinel Sentinel on the "Real Winner": But experts said McBride might have been the real winner because he held his own against Bush, performing as well or better than many had expected, using the debate to display his folksiness, military background and willingness to stand up for the average Floridian." 8:16 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

Other Debate:Coverage:

- "With latest polls showing McBride narrowly trailing Bush, most pundits believed McBride needed a knockout punch last night to overtake the governor. That didn't happen, said Jeff Butler, associate professor of communications and longtime coach of the UCF debate team." Florida Times Union

- "McBride had his strongest performance of his three debates with Bush, said J.F. Butler, an associate professor of communications at the University of Central Florida. But the debate expert said Bush did a better job in non-verbal signals - such as eye contact and smiling at the appropriate times - and exhibited more specificity in his answers than McBride." Gainesville Sun.

- "Bill McBride bumbled a big opportunity Tuesday night." Miami Herald

- The Tampa Tribune, Tallahassee Democrat, Palm Beach Post and St Petersburg Times ran neutral articles.

- SPT times political editor Adam Smith writes that"The debate produced neither major gaffes nor big body blows." 7:22 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]