Florida Political News

Graber to Challenge Wexler?

2007-01-09T11:28:00.000-05:00

Scuttlebutt in south Florida political circles is that former Broward County Mayor and State Representative Ben Graber who lost a State Senate bid this past election cycle will challenge Incumbent Congressman Robert Wexler in the Democratic Primary next year. Wexler defeated Graber and former Senator Peter Weinstein in the primary when he first won the seat in 1996. Graber appears to be bitter about Wexler's support for Senator Jeremy Ring who defeated Graber last year.

Bush's Legacy: Leadership and Conviction

2007-01-07T16:16:00.001-05:00

Charlie Crist is proving in his early days as Governor that he is a political animal, whose maneuvers are popular among the elite of Florida politics, but lack a clear ideological direction.
Jeb Bush who left office last week after a successful eight year term was quite the opposite. In the mold of Reuben Askew and Leroy Collins he gave Floridians principled ideological leadership on the issues of the day. Bush was unrelenting to the point where he annoyed Legislators whose major concern is cutting deals and making themselves look good, but the Bush record will show that he had a vision for a growing state, and that he took great pains to implement his vision, regardless of the political cost. Bush's conviction were strong, and while many Tallahassee insiders did not approve of his actions, he left office with a sky high approval rating.

This should be a lesson to Charlie Crist. Governing from the middle may win you friends in the media and with Tallahassee lobbyists, but it does not ensure widespread popularity. Reuben Askew by just about any measure was left of center especially in conservative state like Florida in the 1970s. At the time, Florida seemed to be on the cutting edge of a realignment towards the GOP in the South. However, Askew's progressive politics and principled stands not only made him popular, but it delayed the eventual fall of State Government to the GOP for 20 years. Principle over Politics: Not only a nice slogan, but a winning one as well.

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2006-12-19T19:37:00.001-05:00

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2006-12-16T12:30:00.000-05:00

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