What are the polls saying about this contest...has anyone heard...Andrea?
With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff
Major Newspapers Endorse Jeb Bush
Major Florida newspapers including the left-leaning Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald - and the Tampa Tribune, Bill McBride's hometown daily - are endorsing the re-election of Gov. Jeb Bush.
In an editorial endorsing Bush, the Tribune wrote that although Democrat gubernatorial nominee McBride "is a man of character," the newspaper worries "about his wide range of liberal preferences, particularly his apparent intent to undo public school reforms and give teacher unions control over many education policies.
"Beyond that, it appears to us that his wish list of education improvements would require tax increases unlikely to be applauded by the Legislature or most Floridians. Which is not to say that state tax reform is unneeded. It's just not in the cards any time soon."
The Tribune described the governor as "a man of principle and resolve. When campaigning four years ago, Jeb Bush pledged to overhaul state government. This bold, energetic leader has kept his promise, moving to make virtually every aspect of government more accountable and more efficient.
"He has streamlined government operations, privatized some services, cut personnel and generally challenged the status quo."
The Tribune editorial concluded that "Bush has kept his word to the people of Florida and deserves a second term. For governor of Florida, the Tribune endorses Jeb Bush."
Broward Surprise
In its surprising endorsement of Jeb Bush, the Sun-Sentinel, a newspaper in Broward County, the state's most Democrat county, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 5-to-3 margin, said: "Neither candidate, in our estimation, has a realistic approach to dealing with the fiscal condition of state government, but Bush is at least cognizant of the looming budgetary crisis. He's a fiscal conservative with the gumption to say 'no' ...
"There needs to be a compelling reason to remove a competent incumbent from office, and the lackluster McBride candidacy clearly does not provide it," the Sun-Sentinel added.
The Miami Herald endorsed Bush in an editorial Saturday. "We believe that Gov. Bush has earned the right to continue to lead the state," the Herald said. "He is better prepared to steer the course of our diverse, fast-growing state and face the challenges that will arise."
Bush, the Herald wrote, "has set Florida on a new path. He has changed our conversation about education, revamped an endangered affirmative-action policy, held the line on taxes, helped to steady the economy, reached out to international partners and challenged traditional thinking about the role of government. In short, Mr. Bush has articulated a new vision for our state - and he has begun to turn that vision into reality. He deserves a chance to continue the job."
The Herald observed that McBride "doesn't project a vision beyond education and fiscal restraint. Thus, a vote for Mr. McBride would be a vote cast on faith alone ... in his campaign, Mr. McBride has failed to put substance and definition to himself, his policies or his vision, which could make up for his lack of a political track record. Other than on education, he hasn't spelled out a coherent vision for Florida's future.
"For governor of Florida, The Herald recommends JEB BUSH."
The Orlando Sentinel and Jacksonville's Florida Times-Union have also endorsed Bush. The liberal Palm Beach Post, which has filled its news and editorial pages for months with every possible opportunity to attack the governor, endorsed McBride, as did the St. Petersburg Times.
