Chiles' Son Running for Florida Governor

[kskiska]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Lawton "Bud" Chiles III will run for governor in 2006, hoping to capture the seat his father held for eight years before Gov. Jeb Bush took office.

Chiles, a Democrat, has never run for political office. He realizes, though, his name will be an asset as he tries to build support for his candidacy. Though he has not formally announced, he said Tuesday he has decided to run.

"The primary reason I'm running in this campaign is because I feel like people's access to government is limited by money, power and politics," said Chiles. "The average Joe citizen is pretty much disenfranchised from the system."

Chiles, 51, lives in Orlando and runs a coastal development company. He returned to Florida almost two years ago after working as a vice president for Hope Worldwide, a charity that provides education and medical services for poor families on six continents. Before that, he owned a Tallahassee public relations company.

more…
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGB0G3TRU3E.html

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. On the one hand, anything is better than a shrub. On the other hand,

I am despising this whole phenomenon of family dynasties and "royalty" in politics in America.

It is inherently undemocratic.

[genieroze]

2. Tell that to the Kennedy's.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

3. I don't like it in either party, including Bill to Hilary, Kennedys etc.

As I said, the whole family thing is inherently undemocratic.

[genieroze]

4. talk about nepotism. n/t

[rppper]

6. nepotism be damned......

people in florida remember the chiles name...he was a good governer, very popular. had he been able to run a 3rd term he would have mopped the floor with jeb bush...again. his son seems to have followed in his fathers foot-steps. we need name recognition, as it certainly doesn't hurt. untill something or some one makes him un-electable, i don't see the harm in this. bill mcbride, despite having no real notariety and running in an election wracked with vote problems, still managed to garner 45% of the vote in florida.

[tsuki]

7. Absolutely. The only thing the Democratic Party has been able

to do the last fifteen years is destroy their own. We have few "young" democrats to run. The party was held by Chiles and Graham for so long that younger democrats had no place. Now it is a fringe party.

If the son can bring energy to the party, I am for him.

[genieroze]

11. Remember DUHbya is the son of daddy Bush. Daddy Bush was

a war hero, intelligent and a athlete. Look how far the apple fell from that tree. If Chiles Jr is a good decent man, he doesn't need anyone to help him. * used his father coattails, he has no business in the WH with his school record, his military record, his business record or his political record. If * had to do this on his own he couldn't be elected dog catcher, IMHO. Nepotism ruined this country. Every man or woman should have to stand on their own merits. If this Chiles guy is a good as they say, he will have no problem getting there on his own. Besides I was speaking about the Kennedy's and nepotism in families, it's not just the Bush's who do it. The difference is the Kennedy's got the royal family tag by the people of this country and the Bush's put themselves on a pedestal, like it's their birthright.

[lostnfound]

10. I sympathize with the ideal but in practical sense, this is great news

Lawton Chiles was one of the leaders of 'good government' in Florida -- characterized as open, non-secretive, responsive to the people.

On edit: great news, assuming he is anything like his dad.

[sherilocks]

5. If He-coon, jr. is anything like his dad

he has my support. Governor Chiles was not only a good and decent politician, but a great human being. Unlike the current resident of the governor's mansion who has managed to raise three children who have been arrested at one time or another.

[tsuki]

8. The He-Coon was Rep. Bob Sikes. Chiles hijacked the name. eom

[sherilocks]

9. I'm quoting from the article

and our local papers referred to Chiles as the He-coon when he died. Name hijacked or not, Chiles was a great guy.

<snip>
Lawton Chiles Jr. walked 1,003 miles from Pensacola to the Florida Keys in 1970 to help win a U.S. Senate campaign. He served until 1988 and won the governor's seat in 1990. It looked like Bush was going to defeat him in 1994 until Chiles declared himself a "he-coon" - the wiliest raccoon in the forest - during their final debate

"The old 'he-coon' walks just before the light of day," Chiles said.

<snip>