Notes For Thursday, March 06, 2003
FLORIDA - THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT HERE. "A proposed straw poll late this year at the Florida Democratic party convention could steal some of the thunder from states with presidential contests in early 2004. Florida Democratic Chairman Scott Maddox said Monday that Florida was "still considering" a straw poll even though the Democratic National Committee discouraged such polls. Florida Sen. Bob Graham's expected entry in the presidential race could tilt a high-profile early event toward the state's senior senator. The state party convention could be held as early as December this year. A straw poll then would also detract attention from the traditional early 2004 events, the New Hampshire primaries and the Iowa caucuses." Associated Press. 6:51 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]
OUR SPINELESS GOVERNOR. During the election Bush refused to explain how he would pay for the class size amendment - except for claiming he had "devious plans". At the same time, Bush (with the assistance of alleged journalist Tim Russert, and Bush's cohorts in the media) bashed Bill McBride for being vague on how he would pay for the amendment. The media gave Bush a pass for this hipocrisy, joined Bush in assailing McBride, and McBride was creamed at the polls.
Now, after refusing to admit it in the campaign, Bush in his State of the State address conceded that tax increases are necessary to fund the amendment (he of course said nothing about taxes being necessary in the aftermath of his billions in tax giveaways to the wealthy - and the millions more in the hopper), Yesterday, Bush said he wants to give voters the option of keeping the class size and high speed rail amendments or voting to tax themselves. In other words, Bush wants to pass the buck to voters. Fortunately, the Dems in the Senate are in a position to block Bush's tactic and are not about to let him out of the box. See Peter Wallstein's piece today, " Bush: Let voters agree to taxes" 6:38 AM
[Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]
REHNQUIST, EMBROILED IN JOHN ELLIS BUSH SCANDAL, QUITS. "The daughter of Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist resigned her government job yesterday amid a cloud of scandal - including allegations she abused her position to help reelect Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Janet Rehnquist, the focus of three federal investigations, wrote President Bush saying she will step down June 1 as the Health and Human Services department's Inspector General." (New York Daily News). In the meantime, our Governor skates. 6:37 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]
TONI JENNINGS. Mike Thomas thinks "Toni Jennings might be part of [a] devious plot". 6:35 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]
EYE ON TALLAHASSEE. The Associated Press summary of yesterday's developments on the legislative front.. 6:28 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]
SHERIFF VIOLATES ELECTION LAW. "Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Clement committed 25 election-law violations during his 2000 campaign, a state agency found." AP Wire. 6:24 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]
NEW AGENCY HEADS. "Bush named DOT District Secretary Jose Abreu of Miami to lead the Department of Transportation, former state Film Commissioner Rebecca Mattingly to head the Lottery and Bill Simon, president of Miami-based Diageo Inc., to oversee management services." AP Wire. 6:20 AM [Go to current Florida Politics site (no popup ads)]