Notes For Monday, February 17, 2003

THOSE BUSH BROTHERS. A CNN piece via MyDD"Speaking in Spanish, Bush said: 'I want to thank the president of the Republic of Spain for his friendship with the United States.' Spain has not been a republic since the late 1930s, when General Francisco Franco crushed Republican troops in the Civil War. Franco's nationalist dictatorship lasted until his death in 1975, when Spain became a constitutional monarchy. King Juan Carlos I is now the head of state."

"His older brother President Bush once referred to Aznar as "Anzar" ahead of his first visit to Spain as U.S. president in 2001. President Bush, accused by opponents of having a shaky grasp on geography, has also famously referred to Greeks as Grecians. And he once sent a shiver through jittery stock markets when he was speaking about the "deflation" in the Japanese yen and accidentally said "devaluation," which led to a brief rush to sell the yen on international currency markets." 8:55 PM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

BUDGET CHALLENGE. "Florida's biggest budget challenge in more than a decade has already created a feeling of desperation among legislators, lobbyists and constituents, two weeks before the 2003 legislative session is set to begin." See the Miami Herald piece, "Proposed state budget triggers competition - Interest groups pressure lawmakers early on funds". 3:49 PM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

KUDOS TO THE PALM BEACH POST. The Post takes a well deserved bow in the Byrd controversy. 12:16 PM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

TOO BAD THEY DIDN'T TURN OUT. "Gov. Jeb Bush received fewer votes from the state's predominantly black precincts in last year's general election than he did in his previous two gubernatorial races, a new analysis shows." See "Study: Bush Not as Popular in Black Areas in 2002".
12:13 PM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

WHO'S WHO IN TALLAHASSEE. "Republican legislative leaders at a glance". 12:10 PM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

WE CAN ONLY HOPE. Associated Press reports that "Bush's push for family values may take back seat to budget woes ". 12:09 PM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]