Notes For Sunday, November 03, 2002

"'I don't see the level of negativity that I've seen in some other states,' says Susan MacManus, a University of South Florida political science professor who is finishing a four-year stint [after being appointed by John Ellis Bush] as chairwoman of the Florida Elections Commission." 6:23 PM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

Sink or Columba? The Miami Herald bios the candidates' spouses. The Palm Beach Post has profiles here and here. 10:43 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

Bush Betrays Vets: Myriam Marquez, a John Ellis Bush advocate since day one, observes that "many of Florida's vets may punish the governor for what they believe is his brother's betrayal to those who risked their lives for our country."
10:38 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

McBride: A guy with the guts to take on giants: Orlando Sentinel political editor explains why this "valiant candidate" has run "a race to be proud of." 10:36 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

Can Bush Say Anything? As the campaign progresses, John Ellis Bush has been brazen in his adverts. It seems he can say anything he wants, and the corporate media will do nothing to disclose the falsehoods. The thing about the income tax - seen repeatedly on television - is the most obvious, but there are many others. McBride of course refuses to get into the gutter. 8:46 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

More on I-4: "The 10 counties that form Florida's fast-growing belt are almost evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, and its residents make up exactly a third of the state's 9.2 million registered voters. . . . But the region has grown more Democratic since 1998, especially in Orange County, home to Orlando and Walt Disney World, due to an influx of Puerto Rican voters. The I-4 corridor is now 40 percent Democratic, 40 percent Republican and 20 percent unaffiliated or affiliated with minor parties." Article.

Trends:

2002 - Bush holds a narrow 5 percentage point lead in Central Florida.

2000 - Al Gore almost tied George Bush in the region. Bush had a 34,000-vote advantage.

1998 - John Ellis Bush won the region by 196,000 votes over Buddy McKay.


7:27 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]