Notes For Wednesday, February 26, 2003

DYER WINS BY A LANDSLIDE. In an incredibly well organized campaign, state senator Buddy Dyer collected 57% of the vote to win the special election to replace Glenda Hood as Mayor of Orlando. For the first time in history, the ostensibly non-partisan mayors race was openly partisan, primarily because of Dyer's opponent, Ad exec Pete Barr. We agree with Mike Thomas that "the landslide startled everybody. Just a week ago, the Sentinel pollster had Barr ahead by 1 percentage point."


"Barr carried eight of the city's 32 precincts, ones in which residents are predominantly white. Dyer took the rest, and the margin was wide in predominantly black precincts in west Orlando and in the heavily Hispanic ones in east Orlando. But he also did well in many white precincts. Dyer's best showing in a predominantly white precinct was Barr's own Delaney Park polling place. Dyer won the precinct 2 to 1." See "It's Dyer, by a landslide". 6:07 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

RUTH SMACKS O'REILLY. A bit off topic, but Daniel Ruth's column is worth a read: "Nothing Is `Free' About Bill O'Reilly's Froth Factor". 5:59 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

NELSON GOING SOFT ON ESTRADA. In a bid to become the new Zell Miller, Florida Senator Bill Nelson is backing down from his support for the filibuster of right wing judicial appointee Miguel Estrada. "Sen. Nelson won't back filibuster". 5:59 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

NEWEST LIBRARY PLAN FLOPS. "With even Republican lawmakers adding their voices to the public's protests, Gov. Jeb Bush saw how poorly his bean counters had served him with their plot to close the state library. But the fallback plan revealed Tuesday is scarcely better and should be just as unwelcome in the Legislature." St Pete Times editroial, "Shelve the state library move". 5:52 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

BUSH TO GUT CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS. "Local child advocates, law enforcement personnel and court officials gathered Tuesday to protest proposed state budget cuts they say would decimate a safety net of services for delinquent children that has been carefully crafted during the past decade." Tampa Tribune. 5:49 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]

CLASS SIZE BILL IN THE HOPPER. "State Rep. Joe Pickens, R-Palatka, said Monday he will file a class size bill in the House this week on behalf of Gov. Jeb Bush. Pickens said Bush's staff contacted him about sponsoring the 104-page bill in the House. He said he did not know the details of what is included in the bill." Palatka Daily News. 5:41 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]